Aizen executed another fluid sword motion, causing Komamura Sajin to collapse in a fountain of blood from his chest, instantly losing consciousness as he plummeted toward the ground below.
With just two precise sword strokes, Aizen had completely neutralized a captain-class opponent wielding Bankai. His efficiency was terrifying to behold.
However, Aizen found himself unable to deliver a finishing blow, as Shinji Hirako and Hiyori had already moved to engage him directly. Shinji's strategy involved a measured approach—he intended to utilize his unique ability to "condition" Aizen gradually.
Hiyori, by contrast, charged directly at Aizen with unrestrained murderous intent. The enemy she had fantasized about cutting into pieces for a century stood before her at last. Like a bull fixated on a red flag, her vision had narrowed to exclude everything except her target.
Her reckless charge—too fast, too eager—proved catastrophically impulsive.
In that critical moment, a silver flash cut through the air as Ichimaru Gin's extended Shikai lanced upward from his position on the ground. Shinsō's blade pierced completely through Hiyori's body with surgical precision.
Gin prepared to continue his attack, intending to give Hiyori what he mentally termed a "cesarean section"—effectively bisecting her—when he experienced a sudden chill along his spine.
Without hesitation, Ichimaru Gin executed an instantaneous evasive maneuver while retracting his extending blade as a defensive measure.
Love Aikawa had swung his massive kanabō club at Gin in a surprise counterattack, narrowly saving Hiyori from being completely eviscerated. After forcing Gin to retreat, Love didn't pursue the fox-faced captain, instead turning his attention skyward with concern evident in his eyes.
"Hirako!" he shouted urgently, recognizing the gravity of Hiyori's condition.
Simultaneously, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi and Kyōraku Shunsui launched coordinated attacks at Aizen, effectively preventing him from pursuing the gravely wounded Hiyori as she plummeted helplessly.
Seeing Hiyori's critical injuries, Shinji Hirako immediately flash-stepped to intercept her falling form, catching her before she could crash into the ground. Her midsection had been nearly bisected, internal organs threatening to spill out from the massive wound.
He quickly passed Hiyori to Hachigen Ushōda for emergency treatment, then returned to his aerial position, fixing Aizen with a glacial stare:
"Are you wondering why I specifically selected you as my lieutenant all those years ago? Are you obsessively analyzing how I managed to see through your carefully constructed disguise? Your facade was indeed impressive—sufficient to deceive everyone else—but you never fooled me. That frustrates you deeply, doesn't it, Aizen Sōsuke?"
A century earlier, he had discerned Aizen's duplicitous nature through his Zanpakutō's unique reversing properties. The more closely he observed this seemingly unassuming subordinate, the more his instincts warned him that something fundamental was amiss.
To expose Aizen's true nature and monitor him effectively, Shinji Hirako—who had only recently assumed his captaincy—had promoted Aizen to become his vice-captain. This arrangement allowed him to keep his suspect directly within his field of vision, potentially uncovering the full scope of whatever conspiracy might be unfolding.
He had intended to determine precisely what Aizen was plotting and whether others stood behind his machinations. Subsequent events had vindicated his suspicions about Aizen completely.
Unfortunately, the man proved far more dangerous and his conspiracies far more extensive than Shinji had anticipated. He and several of his closest colleagues had fallen victim to Aizen's elaborate trap, becoming the first tragic casualties of his ambition.
Now, at long last, the time had arrived to conclude this century-long chess match.
"Your insight hardly surprises me," Aizen responded with characteristic composed arrogance. When it came to pretentious monologuing, only Uehara Shiroha could rival his theatrical flair.
"I've stated this previously: you didn't choose me—I chose you. I recognized your suspicion from the beginning. I retained the prerogative to decline the lieutenant position had I wished. I deliberately selected you precisely because of your doubts.
Your suspicion served my purposes perfectly. Every aspect unfolded according to my design. Regarding the basis for your mistrust, I presume it relates to your Zanpakutō's abilities? Due to your wariness, you never performed Shikai in my presence.
I believe your Zanpakutō must possess rather extraordinary properties, potentially with some relation to my Kyōka Suigetsu... I remain genuinely curious about your Zanpakutō's capabilities. I sincerely hope you don't prove disappointingly mundane!"
In retrospect, his former captain had demonstrated remarkable caution. He had concealed his unique abilities a century ago, deliberately avoiding activating Shikai whenever Aizen was present.
During the fateful night of the Hollowfication incident, Shinji had intended to deploy his Shikai against him. However, under the severe influence of the emerging Hollow within him, he had been unable to properly activate his Zanpakutō. Consequently, Aizen had never witnessed his former captain's true abilities directly.
This knowledge gap had no meaningful impact on the current tactical situation, however. Aizen actively hoped his opponent's abilities would provide significant challenge—creating pressure that might accelerate the Hōgyoku's awakening within his body.
Aizen could barely contain his impatience to progress to the next evolutionary stage. He yearned to reach the transcendent realm that Uehara Shiroha already inhabited—and then surpass even that.
Shinji Hirako's expression shifted to display a mocking smile as he responded with deliberate flippancy:
"In reality, your precious Kyōka Suigetsu isn't particularly special or impressive. My Sakanade possesses similar capabilities to control sensory perception and even manipulate neural pathways. This fundamental similarity explains why Sakanade could detect the putrid stench of your deceptions so easily.
Fall into confusion—Sakanade!"
With this command, he completed his Shikai release. The samurai sword-like Zanpakutō transformed, gaining a distinctive metal ring at the base of its hilt. Grasping this circular fitting, Shinji began slowly rotating the blade with deliberate theatrical flair.
"Neural manipulation? I dismiss such claims entirely," Aizen thought dismissively. He would never accept an enemy's assertions at face value—especially regarding critical combat abilities. Such transparent attempts to destabilize his mental composure and mislead his tactical assessment seemed laughably primitive.
What a tediously predictable approach.