Cutting Through Like Vegetables  

Kensei Muguruma struggled to his feet, just in time to witness Love Aikawa's defeat at the hands of "Ailin." In excitement, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Thankfully, ever since witnessing true power during the mission to escort the Ōken with Ailin, Kensei had never slacked off in his training. After gaining the power of "Hollowfication," he had become the most dedicated among the eight Visored.

Thanks to his relentless efforts, his strength had improved dramatically. Otherwise, "Ailin's" earlier attack would have left him incapacitated, just like Hiyori and Mashiro.

Now, while he was heavily wounded, he could still fight.

Kensei looked up at "Ailin," while his spiritual pressure was coalescing into a red sphere within his mouth. The sphere transformed into a beam of red energy that shot skyward at "Ailin."

"Cero!"

Facing the incoming Cero, "Ailin" coated his hand in spiritual pressure.

Poof!

Kensei's Cero collided with "Ailin's" spiritual pressure and vanished instantly.

This wasn't because Kensei's Cero was weak. "Ailin," drawing upon his original's memories, had used an advanced Kidō technique: "Counter Kidō."

By generating spiritual pressure with the same intensity as the opponent's Kidō but with an inverted spiritual particle sequence, one could completely nullify the incoming attack.

While Cero was a Hollow technique, "Ailin's" understanding of it was no less than his knowledge of Kidō.

This level of Cero posed no threat to him.

"Damn it!"

Seeing his attack effortlessly neutralized, Kensei cursed inwardly. He was still too weak!

Perhaps only someone like Captain Ailin could defeat this monster.

Through years of training and the power boost from Hollowfication, Kensei believed he had reached a level comparable to the Shinigami who had attempted to steal the Ōken.

But this Aizen, he was just like Captain Ailin on that day.

Even when four of them had attacked simultaneously, Ailin had effortlessly defeated them.

Now, they had four captain-level fighters, yet they were being toyed with by Aizen.

His power was terrifying.

Swoosh!

"Ailin" vanished and reappeared behind Kensei. A few drops of blood now adorned his pristine Zanpakutō.

Kensei's Hollow mask shattered, a gaping wound then appeared on his chest and abdomen. He swayed unsteadily, then collapsed to the ground.

"Kensei!"

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, wielding his Zanpakutō, Kinshara, darted around "Ailin," attempting to bind him and create an opening for his comrades to attack.

But…

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Several flashes of white light later, Rōjūrō's Kinshara was severed into several pieces.

"Bankai - Kinshara Butōdan!"

Despite having his Shikai destroyed, Rōjūrō's expression remained unchanged. He immediately unleashed his strongest attack.

The shattered fragments of Kinshara transformed into golden ropes, weaving themselves into humanoid puppets. Their bodies resembled those of humans, but their heads were replaced by blooming flowers.

The golden puppets formed a circle, surrounding "Ailin."

Rōjūrō held a conductor's baton in his hand as two golden right hands materialized behind him, resembling a conductor leading an orchestra, their music a symphony of death.

"Ocean Current!"

As the orchestra played, a massive whirlpool of water formed around "Ailin," restricting his movements.

"Volcano Messenger!"

With the music shifting, flames erupted from the flowers on the puppets' heads, resembling molten lava, bombarding "Ailin" with fiery projectiles.

"Hero's Journey!"

This was the final act of Rōjūrō Bankai.

However, as the final notes of his symphony echoed through the warehouse, "Ailin" remained unharmed.

"Impossible!"

"Why is it impossible?"

"Ailin" looked up at Rōjūrō who was wearing a Hollow mask resembling a bird's beak, and chuckled. "Captain Ōtoribashi, what makes you think I'd fall for such a pathetic illusion?"

"Now, let me show you what real illusion is!"

With those words, "Ailin" held his Zanpakutō upside down and murmured a command.

"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu!"

Crack!

Boom!

The moment Rōjūrō heard "Ailin" utter those words, he felt the world around him shatter like glass.

He was then engulfed by a torrent of water, bombarded by molten lava, and surrounded by the fallen forms of countless heroes.

"This…?"

Rōjūrō was horrified. These attacks… They were his own!

"This is bad!"

As the music of Kinshara Butōdan reached his ears, Rōjūrō was filled with dread.

But it was too late.

"Rōjūrō!"

Shinji Hirako watched in horror as Rōjūrō, moments ago seemingly unharmed, was suddenly battered and burned.

"Aizen, what did you do?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Ailin" smiled. "Captain Ōtoribashi used his Bankai against me. I found it quite amusing, so I simply returned the favor."

Swoosh!

Hearing "Ailin's" explanation, Shinji's face hardened. He pulled down his left hand, and a white, bone-like mask materialized over his face.

Hollowfication!

Shinji's spiritual pressure surged as he charged towards "Ailin" with his Zanpakutō drawn.

Clang!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Driven back once again, Shinji skidded across the air, leaving trails of dust.

While he harbored deep resentment towards Aizen, he couldn't deny the truth: Aizen was stronger than them.

They had been attacking relentlessly, but Aizen had only retaliated a few times.

Yet, they had already lost most of their fighting strength. Lisa Yadōmaru, in this chaotic battle, couldn't even find an opening to attack. Only Hachigen Ushōda could still provide some support.

Slap!

Hachigen, having activated his Hollowfication, clapped his hands together and unleashed a barrage of Kidō spells towards "Ailin."

"Bakudō #62 - Hyapporankan!"

"Bakudō #63 - Sajō Sabaku!"

"Bakudō #75 - Gochūtekkan!"

Dozens of blue reiatsu fibers shot out, four or five chains of reiatsu snaked through the air, and five massive iron pillars descended from above, all aimed at "Ailin."

These Bakudō spells, even a single touch, would bind "Ailin," giving Shinji enough time to land a decisive blow.

However, "Ailin," wielding his Zanpakutō, effortlessly deflected Shinji's attacks while simultaneously shattering the incoming fibers, chains, and pillars.

Hachigen watched in horror.

Had Aizen truly become this strong?

Even high-level Bakudō spells were useless against him?

If he used Kidō attacks, he might accidentally injure Captain Hirako.

What could he do?

"Hmm?"

Just as Hachigen was panicking, he sensed someone passing through his barrier. He used his spiritual sense to investigate and was overjoyed by what he found.

"Captain Hirako, hold on! Captain Urahara, Captain Yoruichi, and Grand Kidō Chief Tessai are here!"

To Shinji's surprise, "Aizen," upon hearing Hachigen's announcement, remained calm.

Clang!

Another clash of blades sent Shinji skidding through the air.

By the time Urahara, Yoruichi, and Tessai arrived, Shinji had retreated a safe distance.

Yoruichi, anticipating a battle, had transformed back into her human form. Her long, purple hair was tied in a high ponytail as she stood beside Urahara.

"Well, well, long time no see, Captain Urahara, Captain Yoruichi, and… Grand Kidō Chief Tessai."

"Ailin" smiled.

"Seeing you here, I assume you've already dealt with Isshin Shiba?"

"What? Isshin Shiba?" Shinji Hirako was stunned.

What connection did their feud with Aizen have to Isshin Shiba?

And Isshin Shiba was dead? Had Urahara and the others killed him?

"Yes, that 'Captain Shiba' has been eliminated." Urahara glared at "Ailin" from beneath his bucket hat.

"I only want to know one thing: Are you the real Aizen, or a fake?"

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Ailin" applauded with an approving smile.

"As expected of Captain Urahara, a man whose intellect rivals my own. A brief encounter with that fellow was all it took for you to discern our true nature. As you've guessed, both Isshin Shiba and I are merely imitations."

"I knew it." Urahara's suspicions had been confirmed.