Shattering Perceptions

Looking at Zashi, once so high and mighty, now easily manipulated by Aizen as if he were a mere pawn, even Orochimaru felt an unsettling chill crawl up his spine. 

A sense of dread and envy filled Orochimaru's gaze as it lingered on Aizen. He reaffirmed a thought that had begun to grow in his mind: 'In the future, I must stay far away from this terrifying man.'

Clang!

The metallic sound of Kyōka Suigetsu being drawn from its scabbard echoed ominously under the moonlight. 

Aizen slowly raised the shimmering blade high into the air. Its cold gleam reflected the pale moonlight, adding an eerie beauty to the moment.

"Goodbye, Captain Zashi," Aizen whispered.

A cruel smirk spread across his face. Before delivering the final blow, Aizen's voice, calm yet laced with menace, carried a chilling message: 

"Captain Zashi, remember—betrayals that you can see are not terrifying. It is the unseen betrayal that truly brings ruin."

With those words, Aizen prepared to end Zashi's life.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a flash of silver light streaked through the air, hurtling toward Aizen from behind with deadly precision. 

In an instant, Aizen's instincts flared—a cold and sharp murderous intent pricked his senses like a needle. 

The corners of his lips curved slightly, abandoning his previous action just in time. He took a smooth step back, dodging the incoming strike.

"Ah... another interesting guest," Aizen mused with amusement, turning toward the intruder.

Standing on a treetop not far away, a white-haired figure gripped a pair of short blades, their edges glowing with silver light under the moon's glow. 

"Hatake Sakumo!"

Orochimaru's expression tightened as soon as he saw the legendary White Fang. Without hesitation, he hurried to position himself behind Zashi, using him as a shield. 

Hyuga Gin followed closely, pulling his blade from its scabbard. His blade's edge gleamed dangerously, hovering near Yoru's throat. 

Sakumo narrowed his eyes at the sight—yet again, he found himself in a situation where hostages were being used against him.

"Aizen," Sakumo said calmly, though his voice carried unmistakable weight and authority. "Release Zashi and the others, and I'll let you walk away today."

There was no hint of bluff in Sakumo's voice—it was a clear warning, brimming with confidence. His presence demanded respect, and his words promised dire consequences.

Aizen arched an eyebrow, intrigued by Sakumo's boldness. His expression remained composed, but a flicker of curiosity gleamed in his eyes.

Behind them, Orochimaru couldn't help but smirk at Sakumo's demand. Having witnessed Aizen's terrifying abilities firsthand, he found it laughable that even someone as skilled as Sakumo could threaten Aizen with such ease.

But before Orochimaru could enjoy the moment further, Zashi's hoarse voice interrupted: 

"Orochimaru, laugh all you want. Sakumo's power is beyond your imagination. If I have to, I'll make sure Sakumo finishes you off today!" 

The arrival of Hatake Sakumo seemed to rekindle the fire within Zashi. The despair that had clouded his eyes faded, replaced by a renewed determination. 

With a twisted expression of hatred mixed with pleasure and arrogance, Zashi sneered. 

"That's right, Orochimaru! You're all finished!" Yoru, standing by his side, shouted with equal excitement.

The arrival of Hatake Sakumo had clearly reignited their confidence, restoring the hope they desperately clung to in the dire situation.

Hyuga Gin, unfamiliar with Aizen's true strength, felt a growing unease in his heart. Meanwhile, Orochimaru, with a knowing grin, couldn't help but sneer repeatedly.

"Hehe... Captain Zashi, your faith in Sakumo is misplaced. Soon enough, you'll learn what true terror and despair feel like," Orochimaru mocked. "And you'll also understand why I've chosen to follow Aizen's orders."

His words sent a chill down the spines of Zashi and Yoru. 

Indeed, given Orochimaru's talent and overwhelming pride, how could someone like him submit so easily? That fact alone hinted at Aizen's terrifying strength.

Until now, their brief encounter with Aizen's ambush had left them with no opportunity to truly experience the depths of his abilities. But as they recalled the silent dark technique that immobilized them and the impossibly fast slash—something beyond the reach of ordinary Kage-level ninjas—they realized the power before them was far beyond anything they had ever encountered.

Their faces darkened as realization set in. Together, they shouted a warning: "Sakumo! Be careful! Aizen's strength is far beyond what you think!"

Hatake Sakumo, however, had already sensed the anomaly.

He had dealt with powerful enemies before, and his instincts told him something was very wrong. While they conversed, Sakumo had subtly projected his killing intent toward Aizen—a technique so sharp and honed that even Third Raikage would have felt it like a thorn pressed into his spine, leaving him on edge.

Yet, Aizen had stood there, completely unaffected. In fact, he was looking back at Sakumo with nothing more than a mocking smirk, as if the legendary White Fang was nothing more than a trivial obstacle.

"This man..." Hatake Sakumo thought, a flicker of seriousness crossing his usually composed expression. But only for a moment—his confidence in his skill remained absolute.

"Tell me," Aizen began, his calm voice filled with curiosity, "is it because you think you've broken free of my Kyōka Suigetsu that you carry such confidence?"

The mention of Kyōka Suigetsu sent a ripple of shock through everyone present.

"Kyōka Suigetsu?!" Zashi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Wait—" Yoru gasped. "Isn't that the illusion mist technique you developed? So... that mist technique was just a cover? And the illusion we encountered in Cloud Shinobi's intelligence base—that was Kyōka Suigetsu all along?"

Hatake Sakumo took a moment to reflect, piecing together his theory. 

"The essence of Kyōka Suigetsu lies in its ability to induce Complete Hypnosis," Aizen began with a calm, knowing smile. "Once you fall under its influence, every sensation—sight, touch, sound, smell—can be manipulated. I can change the appearance, shape, or even the texture of any object. Flies can appear as dragons, and swamps as fields of flowers."

Hearing Aizen's explanation, everyone present felt a cold chill run down their spines.

"As I suspected," Hatake Sakumo muttered to himself. "This is how Aizen infiltrated Root unnoticed. Kyōka Suigetsu—a power that manipulates the five senses to such an extent—what a terrifying ability."

Orochimaru, usually unshaken, felt his heart race as he considered the implications. The sheer potential of Aizen's Complete Hypnosis unsettled even him. 

"So, the strange illusions we encountered before... It was all Kyōka Suigetsu," thought Mitarashi Zashi and Yoru, their minds connecting the dots.

Hyuga Gin, standing nearby, looked at Aizen in awe. "Captain Aizen... You really are extraordinary."

Even Sakumo, a veteran who had faced countless foes, felt a twinge of unease as he processed Kyōka Suigetsu's capabilities. He tightened his grip on his short blades, sensing the immense danger before him.

"Kyōka Suigetsu… What a strange and terrifying ability," Sakumo murmured. "If it weren't for the sensory training in my kendo practice—where my awareness transcends the five basic senses—I never would have detected your deception. Your traps are so masterfully crafted, it's impossible to escape them without extraordinary focus."

Aizen smiled, the glimmer of amusement evident in his eyes. 

"I knew from the beginning I wouldn't be able to trap you," Aizen said, his tone light yet laced with intrigue. "And yet, I still used Kyōka Suigetsu against you. Do you know why?"