Aizen's defenses had not been broken, but Shiraha's true goal was achieved. The reversal effect of his Zanpakutō had already taken hold of Aizen's body.
For a brief moment, Aizen's time was reversed—an entire century undone. His Reiatsu remained largely unchanged, yet his appearance softened subtly, the faintest trace of youth returning to his features.
Shiraha's gaze flickered with quiet understanding. He recalled that more than a hundred years ago, when Aizen had framed Urahara Kisuke and the others, his power had already reached the pinnacle of a Shinigami's limit. That meant Aizen's true age likely spanned several centuries—perhaps nearing a thousand years.
Having completed his action, Shiraha invoked Cang once more, returning instantly to his original position and releasing the stopped time. The entire process had lasted no longer than a tenth of a second.
"Captain Ichimaru, Captain Aizen," Shiraha said, his ice-blue eyes curving with a faint smile. "I wonder if this little gift pleases you both."
Ichimaru Gin, now transformed into a child, looked utterly bewildered. His once-sly grin was replaced by a look of shock. The oversized captain's robe hung awkwardly over his smaller frame, his limbs swallowed by fabric, giving him a comically bloated appearance.
"H-how is this possible…?" Gin stammered, his voice now several tones higher, his face twisted with disbelief.
He hadn't even seen Shiraha move. It had been as if time itself had frozen.
"The feeling is the same as before," Tousen Kaname murmured, his brows furrowing. "Ichimaru's Reiatsu has dropped to the level of a Fourth Seat."
Ulquiorra said nothing. His pupils, however, contracted sharply. He had experienced Shiraha's Shikai firsthand and knew that suffocating sensation—the loss of strength so absolute that resistance became meaningless.
"Hm? So it's something like a Kidō-level Forbidden Technique? A time-stop, perhaps?" Aizen's voice carried faint amusement. "Shiraha, is that your Zanpakutō's Shikai ability as well? How intriguing."
A faint glimmer passed through his eyes as he closed them briefly, then opened them with calm astonishment. He had realized that he'd been struck without perceiving any attack. There was only one explanation—time had been halted. And among everyone present, only one person could have done it.
Shiraha.
Aizen knew of the forbidden Kidō that could briefly freeze time, though its range was minuscule and its cost extreme. Yet Shiraha's ability had enveloped the entire realm of Hueco Mundo.
"You guessed right," Shiraha said lightly. "My Zanpakutō's Shikai can stop time for precisely one-tenth of a second. Consider this a return gift, Captain Aizen—since you once attempted to cast Kyōka Suigetsu on me. Tell me, do you like this gift?"
Aizen's faint smile returned. "Shiraha, you hold grudges quite deeply."
"Captain Aizen, this is just courtesy," Shiraha replied, his tone polite but edged with irony.
Aizen's lips curved slightly. "You should have vented your anger by now. Remove your Zanpakutō's effect."
"Of course," Shiraha said smoothly. "We're partners, after all. I merely wanted to demonstrate my power to you."
Even if he left the century-long reversal on Aizen, it would cause the captain no lasting harm. Shiraha's intention had never been destruction but warning—to remind Aizen that he was not one to be toyed with.
He withdrew the reversal on Aizen but deliberately left it active on Ichimaru Gin. The childlike captain stood frozen in disbelief.
"Captain Aizen, please wait a moment," Shiraha said softly before vanishing.
He reappeared instantly before Gin.
"Oh?" Aizen's eyes narrowed faintly. "What now?"
"Captain Ichimaru," Shiraha said with a teasing smile, "you were adorable as a child."
"C-Captain Shiraha… what are you planning to do?" Gin's instincts screamed warning, but it was too late.
"Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen," Shiraha chanted smoothly.
Three glowing, beak-shaped triangles of light shot from his palm, pinning Gin's small form in place by his hands and waist.
Gin struggled, his Reiatsu flaring weakly. But now, as a child with only Fourth Seat-level strength, escape was impossible.
Shiraha reached forward, cupped Gin's cheeks with both hands, and began stretching them outward, kneading his face as though molding clay. The younger Gin looked like a puppet—helpless, immobilized, utterly at Shiraha's mercy.
"Well now," Shiraha said, his voice laced with amusement, "this feels oddly satisfying. I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Only after Gin's cheeks had turned red and swollen did Shiraha release him and lift the Zanpakutō's effect.
In an instant, Gin's body returned to its adult form, his spiritual pressure surging back to its usual level.
"Kuchiki Shiraha!" Gin roared, his Reiatsu bursting outward as he shattered the remaining Bakudō. His smile vanished, replaced by rare fury. "What do you take me for?!"
He no longer addressed him as "Captain." His right hand gripped his sword hilt tightly, ready to draw—
"Enough, Gin."
Aizen's quiet voice cut through the air like a blade. "You're losing your composure. Shiraha was only teasing you."
At Aizen's words, Gin froze. His anger simmered but he relented, lowering his hand with a sharp exhale. He turned aside, eyes narrowed in silent irritation.
"Captain Ichimaru," Shiraha said cheerfully, "seeing you smile all the time is exhausting. You should thank me. I've given you a change of expression."
Gin didn't respond. His brows furrowed, the smirk long gone.
"Captain Aizen," Shiraha said at last, turning toward him with a faint bow, "I've achieved my purpose. You've seen my Shikai's capabilities. It's time I return to Soul Society."
"Understood," Aizen replied. He lifted his right hand and snapped his fingers.
The space before him tore open slowly, revealing a yawning Garganta swirling with darkness.
Without hesitation, Shiraha stepped into it.
The black cavity closed behind him, sealing the world of Hueco Mundo in silence once more.
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