Aizen's Zanpakutō slid effortlessly into its sheath, but the echo of its strike remained. Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light illuminated the room, followed by a soft thud.
Blood splattered across the clean hotel floor as Nimitz, or rather "Tiger Cook," crumpled to the ground. His eyes were wide with disbelief, his hand clutching the gaping wound at his waist.
"Three hundred million?" Aizen's voice broke the heavy silence. He didn't even turn to face the lifeless body. "Pathetic. It seems a life of indulgence dulled your instincts. You didn't even sense when I drew my blade."
Aizen cast a brief glance over his shoulder at the corpse, recalling the bounty poster of "Tiger Cook." Though the disguise had been convincing, the man's Devil Fruit ability had given him away. "Living comfortably for too long makes you soft," Aizen muttered as he stepped toward the exit.
His true target was World Destroyer Valdo.
---
Before Aizen could leave the hotel, a ruckus arose. Around the corner, Tiger Cook's twenty-odd subordinates rushed in, confusion turning to horror as they spotted their captain sprawled in a pool of blood.
"Boss!" one of them exclaimed.
Their eyes darted toward Aizen, who stood calmly, his hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
"You came back just in time," Aizen remarked, his tone light yet foreboding. Raising a single hand, he whispered, "**Hadō #67: Raikōhō.**"
A surge of golden lightning erupted from his palm, engulfing the group in an instant. Their screams were drowned out by the deafening roar of the explosion, and when the smoke cleared, only scorched remains were left.
Aizen dusted off his white robe, stepping over the debris without a second glance. "A minor distraction," he murmured.
---
The streets of Sin City were alive with chaos, yet eerily quiet around Aizen. Pirates of every stripe roamed about, but their eyes followed the lone figure in white cautiously.
Word had already spread. Aizen had walked into Tiger Cook's lair and emerged unscathed. The pirate with a bounty of 300 million was dead, and the stranger was still standing.
While some were tempted to test their luck, the majority hesitated. Aizen's calm, confident stride exuded an air of untouchable superiority.
Still, the atmosphere was heavy with tension, and the pirates' reluctance wasn't entirely out of respect. Another shadow loomed over the island: *World Destroyer Valdo*.
---
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit tavern near the central square, Valdo lounged at a large table surrounded by his crew. His hulking frame and fierce aura made him the undisputed center of attention. A bag of gold and jewels was dumped at his feet by one of his subordinates.
"Captain, we raided another group of pirates," the man reported eagerly.
Valdo grinned, his teeth gleaming like a predator's. "Good. Keep it up. We'll bleed this island dry before we leave." He leaned back, his voice booming. "After that, we'll find some city to raid and really have some fun!"
His crew cheered, their spirits high, unaware that their celebration would soon be interrupted.
---
Aizen's gaze lingered on the central square as he approached the tavern. The din of Valdo's crew reached his ears even from a distance.
"Valdo," Aizen mused, recalling the tales of the *World Destroyer*. A bounty of only 200 million belied the man's fearsome reputation. Few could match his power, but Aizen had no intention of engaging in a straightforward fight.
He paused briefly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I wonder if you'll entertain me, Valdo, or if you'll fall just as easily."
With that, he stepped into the tavern, the storm brewing behind his calm demeanor.