The blade of Kyōka Suigetsu was firmly caught between two fingers.
Aizen's expression stiffened. His gaze followed the hand gripping his sword.
What appeared before him was a handsome man with black hair.
The man narrowed his eyes slightly and briefly glanced at Kyōka Suigetsu.
But the blade remained completely still.
A hint of surprise flickered through Aizen's mind.
With the strength he now possessed after fusing with the Hōgyoku, how could such a situation even be possible?
Becoming alert, Aizen still maintained a calm smile.
"Las Noches is quite lively today. So many uninvited guests."
As he spoke, Aizen subtly tried to sense the man's presence.
But the moment his spiritual pressure reached out, it was swallowed like a drop in the ocean, leaving behind nothing.
His expression shifted, only slightly, but his frown deepened.
Why couldn't he sense anything?
And…
Not even the faintest trace of energy came from the man. Neither spiritual pressure nor anything resembling the shrine maiden's power.
But…
Looking at Kyōka Suigetsu being effortlessly held in his grip, Aizen knew this man wasn't ordinary.
There was a deep sense of unease.
He narrowed his eyes.
He never underestimated anyone.
Which could only mean one thing.
This man was stronger than him.
So strong…
He didn't even have the right to perceive him.
The thought caused Aizen's heart to tremble slightly, and for a brief moment, he fell silent.
How could someone who appeared out of nowhere surpass him, even after his evolution through the Hōgyoku?
On the other side.
When Midoriko saw Lynn appear, her eyes lit up with joy. "Lynn-sama!"
Lynn gave a light nod and said, "You've done enough."
Having observed the entire battle, Lynn was clearly satisfied with Midoriko's performance.
After all…
Her opponent had been Aizen Sosuke.
Hearing Lynn's praise, Midoriko's expression suddenly turned gloomy. "But… I still couldn't win…"
Seeing this, Lynn smiled and gently patted her head in comfort.
Aizen Sosuke: "…"
At a moment this tense, how could someone still have the composure to comfort another?
Still…
This was fine.
The more time that passed, the better it was for him.
Unfortunately…
The Hōgyoku wasn't yet complete.
Just then, Lynn's gaze shifted from Midoriko to Aizen Sosuke.
"I'm in a bit of a hurry, so…"
"Would you mind not resisting?"
The moment he spoke.
A crisp crack echoed in the air.
Aizen's heart jolted. His gaze instinctively dropped to Kyōka Suigetsu.
Then…
Cracks clearly spread from where Lynn's fingers gripped the blade.
The next moment.
Bang!!
Right before Aizen's stunned eyes, Kyōka Suigetsu shattered into pieces!
He had…
He had actually crushed his Zanpakutō!?
Even Aizen was momentarily dazed. He had never encountered such a situation before.
And…
"Don't resist?"
What arrogance!!
Aizen had wanted to counter with his usual line.
But…
He looked silently at what was left of Kyōka Suigetsu, only its handle remaining, and forced the words back down.
Haa…
Aizen stared at Lynn. The purple glow of the Hōgyoku within him flared brightly.
With just a simple action, Aizen understood, this man might be the strongest he had ever faced, second only to Genryūsai Yamamoto.
"Oh my, this world…"
Aizen suddenly chuckled. "It really does deliver unexpected surprises."
Even with all his long-prepared plans, powerful enemies had begun appearing one after another.
Still—
He didn't believe that would change anything.
If anything, he found them to be interesting test subjects.
But Lynn…
Would indeed cause a real impact.
An existence completely beyond his control.
One whose actions could not be predicted.
And—
There was clear hostility between them.
That was…
A trace of helplessness flashed across Aizen's mind.
But—
"Don't resist, you say…"
Aizen suddenly spoke. "I don't think I can do that."
No matter how powerful one was, everyone had their limits.
And with the Hōgyoku in his body, his evolution had no ceiling.
Even though he acknowledged Lynn's power from that one move.
Aizen remained fully confident.
Time…
Was on his side.
"Hah…"
Lynn's expression remained calm, without surprise. "I thought as much."
He had already anticipated Aizen's response.
After all—
If Aizen weren't like this, he wouldn't be Aizen Sosuke.
But in that case…
There was no point in dragging this out.
Lynn looked at Aizen indifferently.
Without any unnecessary movement, he simply threw a punch at Aizen Sosuke.
Every motion seemed simple and direct.
Aizen's eyes narrowed at the approaching fist. He was surprised.
Just this?
He had expected something with strange spiritual properties like the shrine maiden's techniques.
But this was just a straight physical attack.
A simple strike like this…
Could be dodged with a flash step, right?
Aizen's spiritual pressure surged, preparing to move instantly.
But—
He couldn't move.
Not at all.
In that moment.
Every hair on his body stood up, his instincts screaming in alarm. A terrifying sense of danger wrapped around him from all sides.
No matter how much spiritual pressure he released.
He couldn't take a single step.
It was him!!
Aizen stared at Lynn.
What he saw was still just a plain straight punch, but…
Now, in his mind, that punch had become terrifying beyond reason.
So simple…
Yet impossibly effective!!
Aizen couldn't even comprehend how it had happened.
Until it landed.
Right on the left side of his face.
(To be continued.)