[Soul Society Arc] Part 97: End of Hypnosis 3: Completely Encompass

# Sōkyoku Hill #

Aizen firmly gripped Rukia by the collar, his attention drawn to the labored breaths of Ichigo, who, despite his abdomen being nearly torn open, struggled to rise, his body defying his will.

Aizen: "Your determination to survive surpasses your abilities, but now it works against you. I wouldn't exert myself in such a condition." - He remarked to Ichigo, a smirk playing on his lips. - "Your backbone is the only thing holding the two halves of you together. You can strive all you want, but standing is structurally impossible in your current state. Look on the bright side... you've come further than I expected. Now rest for a while..." - He smiled. - "Your part in all this... is over."

Ichigo: "M....my.....part?" - He gasped out the words, a mix of confusion and pain on his face.

Aizen: "Oh, I anticipated your arrival, every move you'd make. I knew you'd end up in west Rukongai. That's why I had eyes on you there. After your entrance, I conveniently lowered the walls around Seireitei. Placed the 3rd and 9th Divisions behind the gates, and, personally, had Gin escort you away." - Aizen's tone dripped with satisfaction.

Ichigo's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to fathom how Aizen seemed privy to every detail.

Aizen: "With the walls down and the captains roaming around behind it... your sole entrance into Seireitei was through Kūkaku Shiba's cannon. Your arrival was nothing short of spectacular. And your group not only outsmarted but also outmaneuvered even the captains. Every shinigami within Seireitei was actively hunting for you." - He maintained his calm and knowing smile. - "Yes, it was all quite thrilling and very engaging. Thanks to you, even a captain's murder...received little attention. You... made things easier for me."

Ichigo: "B... but... how did you know... we'd arrive in west Rukongai?" - He asked, astonished.

Aizen: "Because it was obvious. West Rukongai is the operating base of Kisuke Urahara. The only place you could enter the Soul Society using a Senkaimon he created... was west Rukongai."

Ichigo: "...What?"

Aizen: "Does that surprise you? You work for him, don't you?" - He inquired. - "You didn't really come to recapture Rukia Kuchiki... on orders from Kisuke Urahara?"

Aizen had stopped smiling as he questioned Ichigo, but a brief hint of his smile returned upon noticing the young man's confused expression.

Aizen: "Interesting... my encounter with one of your friends left me with certain doubts... but apparently, Kisuke Urahara really didn't tell you anything... Perhaps I gave too little credit to your friend... Ah well... I suppose I can tell you... now that it's all over."

After meticulously elucidating the intricacies of the Shinigami combat methods, collectively referred to as Zankensoki, each demanding a specific power threshold, Aizen delves into the inevitable plateau that awaits those who seek mastery, where potential peaks, and progression ceases. He firmly asserts that every Shinigami is bound by these inherent limitations.

Yet, in the midst of this discourse, Aizen provocatively introduces the notion of transcending these barriers, posing a tantalizing question about the feasibility of shattering these confines. He contends that there exists only one avenue for such transcendence: Hollowfication. This term triggers a momentary causing Ichigo to recall briefly being taken over by his inner Hollow.

Expounding further, Aizen expounds that the act of Hollowfying a Shinigami or bestowing Shinigami powers upon a Hollow serves as the gateway to surpassing these imposed limits. This concept, albeit existing in the realm of speculative theories, has circulated for a considerable duration.

Throughout the explanation, Ichigo and Rukia grew increasingly perplexed. The expressions on their faces mirrored a mix of surprise and disbelief. Even while down, Byakuya and Chad remained conscious enough to absorb Aizen's words.

Aizen: "Testing these theories... I focused my efforts on Hollows." - He paused for a moment, letting the revelation sink into the minds of his listeners. - "Eventually, I could create Hollows with powers resembling Shinigamis... Hollows that could conceal their reiatsu..." - His tone was calm, but there was a calculated coldness in his words. - "Hollows that could make zanpakutōs disappear just by touching them... Hollows that could merge with Shinigamis..."

Upon hearing about the latter Hollows, an expression of horror spread across Rukia's face as she vividly recalled the fate of Kaien Shiba.

Aizen: "However, none of these Hollows could be deemed a new breed of being...others who delved into this field where hindered by ignorance and ethics…In the end, no one achieved success…until Kisuke Urahara. Operating outside the conventional scientific community, he formulated a substance, a creation capable of dismantling the barrier between Hollow and Shinigami…It was called Hōgyoku."

Aizen recounts Urahara's attempt to destroy the Hōgyoku due to its perceived danger, emphasizing Urahara's inability to do so and reluctantly encased the Hōgyoku in a protective shell, revealing to Rukia that she unknowingly became its hiding place, chosen by Urahara. Aizen notes that Rukia had already disappeared in the Human World when he discovered this secret. He connects Urahara's banishment to the creation of a unique Gigai with no Reishi, causing the disappearance of any Shinigami within it. Aizen unveils the consequences: the gradual depletion of spiritual powers, loss of communication, and eventual transformation into a normal Human. Concluding that Urahara aimed to conceal the Hōgyoku within Rukia rather than assist her.

Aizen was on the verge of recounting the actions he took upon discovering Rukia's whereabouts when suddenly, the captain of the 7th Division, Sajin Komamura, lands behind him. With fury in his eyes, Komamura unleashed his Shikai, Tenken, launching a fierce attack against Aizen.

Komamura: "Aizen!!!!!!!!"

Komamura's furious attack had such an impact that it raised a billowing curtain of smoke, momentarily obscuring the scene. As the smoke settled, it unveiled the shocking sight that Aizen had effortlessly halted Komamura's strike with just his left hand, showcasing an unprecedented level of power and leaving those witnessing the spectacle in awe.

Aizen: "It's been quite a while...since I've seen your face. What brought about this change, Komamura-kun?" - He said, wearing a smirk that betrayed his calm demeanor.

Komamura: "How dare you smile like that after everything you've done... Aizen!!!!!"

With a determined expression, Komamura unleashed his shikai, summoning a colossal fist aimed at Aizen. The air crackled with tension as the massive appendage hurtled towards its target, yet Aizen effortlessly evaded, gracefully leaping to a position near Tōsen.

Komamura: "You deceived and betrayed us all!! I won't forgive you for that!!" - Komamura's eyes blazed with anger as he confronted Aizen. He then shifted his gaze to Tōsen, standing in silence beside Aizen. - "And you, Tōsen!! Won't you even offer an explanation!?"

Tōsen remained eerily calm, his expression unchanged, unmoved by Komamura's furious accusations.

Komamura: "Not even going to try? It's truly a shame, Tōsen!!" - Komamura's reiatsu surged dramatically, the air vibrating with the intensity of his Bankai release. - "Bankai!!!"

As he prepares to activate his BankaI, surprise overcame Komamura as he noticed Aizen standing in front him before he could unleash his Bankai.

Komamura: 'Impossible! Aizen is still next to Tōsen!' - He thought, almost as if to confirm his confusion, he glanced again and realized that the Aizen near Tōsen began to fade away gradually, revealing Captain Gin Ichimaru, who was now holding Rukia.

Aizen: "Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi."

The captain conjured a large black box around Komamura, penetrated by numerous spears. As Aizen turned away, the box dissipated, revealing a severely injured Komamura, who crumpled to the ground.

Gin was about to make a remark when, suddenly, the attention of both Aizen and Gin shifted to the sky. Out of nowhere, at a tremendous speed, Gin drew his zanpakutō to block a strike from a black-bladed zanpakutō adorned with red flame motifs on the dull side.

Yato: "Hey there... mind letting go of my fiancée?" - He spoke casually as his zanpakutō, Ōkagetsu, clashed with Gin's Shinsō.

Gin: "Well, aren't you a sneaky little kid."

He brushed Yato aside with a swift motion of his zanpakutō, causing the young man to leap back to a certain distance.

Yato, in turn, positioned himself in front of the fallen Ichigo.

Yato: "Geez, Ichigo... what happened? Feels like someone stopped your theme song..." - He smirked.

Ichigo: "Terrible timing.....for your sense of humor..."

Tōsen: "Impossible... you should be dead..." - The captain remarked, turning his focus to Yato.

Yato: "Unfortunately, I did die..." - He paused for dramatic effect. - "But I survived... guess you didn't even see me coming... not that you saw much when we were fighting either... So, it doesn't really make a difference..." - He joked.

In response, Tōsen drew his zanpakutō, and as Yato kept a close eye on the movements of both Gin and Tōsen, Aizen calmly walked towards Gin to reclaim Rukia.

Aizen: "Fascinating... you arrived here faster than I anticipated..."

Aizen apologizes to Ichigo for the interruption and prepares to resume his explanation. He holds Rukia Kuchiki by the collar once again as Gin releases her. However, the tension escalates when Yato abruptly lunges at Aizen, his zanpakutō poised for a strike. Gin swiftly intervenes, skillfully blocking Yato's attack and creating a clash of zanpakutōs.

Gin: "Interrupting while someone's talking isn't the most polite move, don't you think?" - He quips with a sly grin.

Yato: "I'm not one for chit-chat during a fight." - Yato responds, a confident smile on his face. He then gracefully leaps backward, evading an unexpected strike from Tōsen.

Tōsen: "How did you survive?" - The captain inquired.

Before answering Tōsen's question, Yato noticed that Aizen chose to continue revealing everything he had done, starting from the elimination of the Central 46 after Rukia was found in the Human World. Seeing Rukia's shock, Aizen pulls her along and theorizes that 4th Division Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu informed her he killed the Central 46 after faking his own death. He clarifies that he killed them shortly after she was discovered, using the complete hypnosis on the council chamber to make it seem as if the Central 46 were alive and in session. Aizen recalls how he, Gin, and Tōsen hid in the Central Underground Assembly Hall, issuing orders as though they were the Central 46, including sending 6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Lieutenant Renji Abarai to ensure Rukia's capture.

Yato, observing Aizen continuing his detailed revelation, gave a faint smile to Tōsen.

Yato: "I've always been good at playing hide and seek." - He responded casually, his gaze focused on the captains.

Cheshire: 'You've probably noticed, haven't you?' - The feline's voice resonated in Yato's mind.

Yato: 'Yeah... Instead of taking me on directly, he's left Gin and Tōsen for that... It's a mixed bag. On the positive side, I don't have to confront Aizen right away. On the downside, it's pretty clear he's scrutinizing me, testing how I handle two captains, and waiting for any new tricks...'

Yato observed as Aizen pulled a small capsule from his haori, clicking it to summon six green, spear-like pillars that emerged from the ground around him and Rukia.

Yato: 'Alright... Let's keep the performance going.' - He thought, advancing once more toward Aizen. However, he had to adjust his trajectory mid-air to evade Gin's extended zanpakutō, a sudden move in his direction.

Ichigo frustratingly observed the situation, unable to stand, but then he heard a small sound nearby and realized that despite the large cut on his back, Chad was gradually getting back on his feet.

After dodging Gin's attack while Yato was repositioning, Tōsen appeared behind Yato and attacked with his zanpakutō. However, the captain's blade was blocked by an orange pyramid-shaped shield.

Tōsen: "What?"

Uryū: "Yasakani!"

Yato noticed that Orihime, Uryū, and Ganju had arrived at the Sōkyoku, and taking advantage of Tōsen's surprise, the young man manifested several red threads around Tōsen, binding him within the shield Inoue had created.

Chad leaned on one knee, and upon seeing that Yato had restrained one of the captains, wasted no time in delivering a final blow. He unleashed a blast of spiritual energy that hit Tōsen head-on. Normally, that wouldn't be enough to bring Tōsen down, but the captain wasn't fully recovered from numerous battles, and it hurt him more than expected, leaving him kneeling.

Yato, seizing the opportunity, attacked Gin, whose smile had diminished somewhat in the face of the situation.

As resonating clash of zanpakutōs filled the air as Yato and Gin engaged in a fierce confrontation. As the zanpakutōs of Yato and Gin clashed, the young man began channeling a vibrant green Reiryoku into the blade of his zanpakutō.

On the other side, Gin, ever the evasive figure, leaped backward multiple times, maintaining a poised and calculating demeanor but a sudden impact jolted Gin as he felt a small, metallic cylinder connecting with his back. Furrowing his brows, he swiftly realized their origin, a clever move by Uryū Ishida, who stood at a distance, his gaze fixed on the unfolding clash.

Uryū: "Lucky I brought some of these Gintō with me..." - He murmured before reciting an incantation. - "Zielt Krieg von Kitz Hart Vierte! Gritz!!"

The atmosphere crackled with spiritual energy as a film of Reishi materialized from the thrown Gintō. An intricate, man-sized pentagonal Quincy cross unfolded in the air, enveloping Gin.

Yato: 'The team's in perfect sync... That's something to be proud of... and a bit frightening.' - He thought as the green Reiryoku on his zanpakutō was enveloped in red flames. - "Yon no Uta, Zankyosanka!" - He struck the Gritz created by Uryū, causing the object to be covered in red flames, and as Yato distanced himself, the object exploded.

Taking advantage of the distance, Yato looked toward Aizen, who was about to extract the Hōgyoku from inside Rukia.

A transformation unfolded before their eyes as Aizen's right hand and arm took on an eerie green hue, intricate lines etching a cryptic pattern across the surface. Ichigo's protests echoed through the tense air as Aizen, seemingly indifferent to the desperation around him, forcefully thrust his hand into Rukia's chest but Aizen didn't extract the Hōgyoku. Instead, he retrieved a Gikongan. A moment of silent contemplation painted Aizen's face with seriousness and calm. As the Gikongan was removed, Rukia's form underwent a startling transformation, resembling more of a puppet than a living being.

Meanwhile, Gin, visibly injured from being within the explosion's radius, leaps away. In the midst of his aerial evasion, a figure seemingly materializes out of thin air beside Gin. Swiftly and unexpectedly, a forceful kick propels the wounded captain, who, despite defending himself, is sent hurtling towards Aizen with brutal velocity.

The figure that delivered the kick revealed itself to be the stoic lieutenant of the 12th Division, Nemu Kurotsuchi. After the attack, she swiftly moved to stand in front of Yato.

Gin: "Geez... I didn't expect things to get this complicated." - He remarked with a broad smile that defied the gravity of the situation.

Aizen, on the other hand, shifted his gaze towards Yato. Not only did he see the young man smirking, but he also noticed Rukia Kuchiki herself appearing by the side of the Ryoka, wielding her zanpakutō.

Yato: "I told you... I've always been really good at hide and seek." - He stated maintaining his smirk.

The captain of the 5th Division adopted a serious expression, reaching for his zanpakutō. However, his attempt was promptly thwarted as Yoruichi Shihōin and the captain of the 2nd Division Soi Fon immediately restrained him. Yoruichi held onto his zanpakutō, while Soi Fon pressed her own against his neck. Simultaneously, Tatsuki emerged, standing beside Ichigo in the unfolding scene.

Yoruichi: "Don't move. You so much twitch a finger..."

Soi Fon: "And you lose your head."