"Whoa... so this is Sōsuke Aizen?"
Askin crouched behind the group, unable to help clicking his tongue.
'Even though he's been imprisoned, why does this guy still sound so confident when he speaks...'
He truly had a talent for commentary.
His behavior even made the prison warden, who had been maintaining that lofty, looking-down-his-nose attitude, glance over at him.
"Unable to even discipline the conduct of your subordinates, is this the extent of your capacity as a man? It's too regrettable, Yhwach."
"..."
Surrender, I'll be quiet.
Raising both hands high and stepping back, Askin curled up within the circle of the royal guard, beginning to play possum.
Compared to Yhwach.
The reactions of others were even more obvious at this moment.
Lille Barro immediately squeezed in front of Yhwach, raising his long gun level.
His expression was serious and stern, clearly showing extreme disgust at Aizen's words.
"Disrespectful person!"
Just as the rebuke left his mouth, his finger had already pulled the trigger.
The movement was decisive, and the spiritual particle gun's operation efficiency was equally outstanding... almost in the blink of an eye, visible light had begun to flicker.
But it wasn't allowed to fully charge.
Yhwach, with a calm face, reached out, placing his right hand lightly on the gun barrel.
The Quincy leader, stepping forward slowly, emanated a sense of calm that 'everything is under control.' His crimson eyes silently turned, casting his gaze at Lille.
"Such loyalty is undoubted, but remember to use it in appropriate places."
Slight panic was followed by obedient compliance.
"Understood!"
Yhwach's commands were above everything.
The royal guard was completely left behind as Yhwach slowly stepped forward until he stood at the bottom of the steps.
He cast an extremely calm gaze at Aizen.
"I never thought I would have a time when I needed to look up at someone."
The figure seated on the long bench slightly curled his lips upward, also seeming to reflect as he spoke.
"It's precisely because anything can have a first time that life seems fascinating... isn't it?"
"I'm not weak enough to be lectured by you, Aizen."
"Is that so? I thought it was just a well-intentioned suggestion."
"The words of the defeated only invite laughter."
"Although I would like to agree, considering that you and I have had similar experiences... heh, perhaps it's better to remain silent."
Though the words between them were calm, one could vaguely sense the sharpness floating in the air.
'The smell of gunpowder is so strong...'
Askin crouched behind Seiya, beginning to complain.
'This guy looks so difficult to get along with, what does His Majesty want with him...'
And come to think of it.
Is that Aizen looking this way?
Have I been targeted for no reason?!
However, that wasn't the case; Aizen's gaze was focused only on Seiya.
As one who had witnessed everything firsthand and accompanied him through it all, experiencing everything, the prison warden.
His memory hadn't been affected by the Soul King's power, and he was also one of the few in the current world who could remember Seiya's existence.
Therefore, his gaze toward the other now had several traces of something close to reflection.
Exactly the same.
Is this Seiya's contingency arrangement?
If possible, Aizen truly wanted to observe the other's situation up close.
But obviously not now... appearing too concerned and enthusiastic might even inversely affect Yhwach's judgment.
Bringing unwarranted disaster to others.
Suppressing the subtleties in his heart, Aizen breathed steadily, completely calming the various thoughts in his mind just in the instant their eyes crossed.
He again fixed his gaze on the Quincy leader.
"So, what do you want from me?"
Yhwach stepped forward, staring directly at the figure on the long bench, his tone gradually becoming elevated.
"Aizen, as a traitor imprisoned here, don't you have any other thoughts?"
"...What do you mean?"
Feigning ignorance.
His lips curled upward slightly, revealing a somewhat ferocious smile.
Yhwach's right hand rose level, lifting to chest height, then making a grasping gesture.
As if wanting to grasp everything visible and invisible in his palm, the veins on Yhwach's arm bulged one by one, his eyes showing a color named tyranny.
"Consider, follow in my footsteps."
"Just one failure isn't enough to prove anything... in my view, your ambition is commendable."
"Revenge with me on this rotten and dull world, how about it?"
Like a literal recruitment.
This sudden development made several people in the royal guard show surprised expressions. Setting aside Askin's usual commentary, Lille Barro, as a royal guard, had already stepped forward, instinctively starting to object.
"Your Majesty, such a dangerous man..."
"It's precisely because he's dangerous that he has value to be used."
Completely different ideologies.
Yet it was also the essence of Yhwach making such an irrational action.
He stared directly at Aizen, with both arrogance and appreciation in his tone.
"I admire those who dare to initiate challenges, and among them, those who can achieve this level are few... Aizen, come with me."
Even if he was a man with an eccentric personality and prone to betrayal.
After all, even wolves can be fed; as long as he firmly held the reins of control, Yhwach was confident... he could completely dominate over the other.
Faced with such a straightforward action now, Aizen didn't respond immediately.
His single exposed eye narrowed for a moment, and with a slight backward tilt, the lips of this Soul Society serious offender parted slightly.
Emitting a sound close to a sigh...
"Hmm."
That's really.
"Too flattering, Yhwach."
"Meaningless false modesty, and I don't have the leisure to waste time here with you."
The efficient and decisive progenitor of the Quincies, his purpose from beginning to end had always been quite clear.
He came only to seek the other's answer.
"So what is your response, Aizen?"
On one side was freedom and the catharsis of revenge.
On the other was a cage without daylight and bitterness.
It seemed that from anyone's perspective, Aizen couldn't find any other answer at this moment.
However...
"Seeing such a confident fellow like you show an unexpected expression is what interests me most."
Aizen's lips curled upward uncontrollably.
Despite the generous conditions, despite truly yearning for so-called freedom... but before that, to bend his knee and kneel before someone else?
This so-called self-esteem would absolutely not permit Aizen to make such a decision.
Submission had never been Aizen's baseline.
There had never been the slightest wavering in his heart, and even the moment Yhwach extended the invitation, he had given the answer as if he already knew it in his heart.
"My response is... refusal."
Even having fallen to the mundane world, reduced to a prisoner.
The steadfastness in his heart would not change in the slightest, and even more so, it would begin to become increasingly sharp and bright with the passage of time.
Moreover, for the prison warden of this timeline, he was completely different from the original version's "self-destructive" state. Instead, with Seiya's help, he had become aware of his own flaws and was willing to correct them.
Strength has never been worth fearing.
What truly makes people afraid is that attitude of constant self-reflection.
"Furthermore... Yhwach, your pride and contempt will also become the reason for your failure."
Aizen's prophecy instantly made the atmosphere extremely stiff.
After all, such straightforward and undisguised mockery could definitely be called an act of "defiance."
The royal guard present all began to tense up.
Should they take action? Here?
After all, Yhwach's recruitment attempt had failed, and he was even mocked in return... even someone with the best temper would involuntarily become serious.
Not to mention this tyrant of a thousand years who naturally lacked perceptive ability and had no empathy?
In Yhwach's eyes flickered a ferocious gleam.
His right hand involuntarily trembled, this was an irrepressible impulse brewing, taking shape.
But in the next instant, such palpitation was completely suppressed by him, until it thoroughly returned to its original form.
He only cast a meaningful glance at Aizen.
Then retreated, turned around, and walked toward the royal guard.
"Let's go."
Everyone was somewhat surprised at this moment.
After all, it was rare for Yhwach to suffer a setback and not immediately regain face.
The royal guard looked at each other, and finally, Lille Barro, as the captain, spoke up.
"Your Majesty, should we..."
"I've already said, leave this place."
Although a wise monarch wouldn't make similar retaliatory actions.
Yhwach had never been known for his calmness.
He stopped in his tracks, and in the action of glancing sideways, his eyes were filled with barely suppressed anger.
"Eliminating this man wouldn't be impossible, but we don't have that much time to waste."
"I have a good show to watch... since this fellow doesn't know what he's missing, let him regret it himself."
"Soul Society with just us taking action is already enough."
Though it was an explanation.
Somehow, to some ears, it had a sense of absurdity, like making excuses.
—Could it be that even His Majesty finds this man troublesome?
It could only be said that before taking action personally, it was hard for the royal guard to imagine what kind of strength Aizen possessed.
Only Uryū Ishida and Seiya thoughtfully glanced back.
This guy has become stronger.
Uryū, whose level had been elevated and possessed the power of Schrift, keenly noticed this point.
In contrast, Seiya's attention was focused on other aspects.
Aizen's sword is gone...
As is well known.
For the vast majority of Soul Reapers, their strength is concentrated in their Zanpakutō.
By releasing their blades, they release and amplify their power to fight strong enemies.
But... this man seems different.
Fragments of memory surfaced, as if fishing in the river of time, Seiya found some corresponding content.
'Evolution of the Hōgyoku.'
'Transition between levels of life.'
'Absolute power above Soul Reapers...'
Seiya's expression became dazed for a moment, and he instinctively looked back.
Just meeting Aizen's gaze.
Surprisingly, this man, who hadn't shown a fawning expression even facing Yhwach, now smiled at him.
Just like seeing an old friend he had never met, that kind of gentle expression was enough to melt winter snow.
But such an expression was only fleeting.
Aizen closed his eyes in silence.
He was like a giant dragon curling back into its lair, soundlessly returning to his dwelling.
Seiya wanted to say something to him, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity at present.
He could only seek another chance.
The exchange in Muken ended with the result of both sides being at odds.
And outside.
The members of the Sternritter, who had already begun a full-scale invasion, had also found their targeted objectives.
...
Boom boom boom boom boom!!!
Intense humming sounds kept reverberating, screeching.
Within the Squad Six barracks, a figure with long hair, as pale as a ghost, moved about.
Sternritter, Äs Nödt.
Around him appeared sharp and slender cone-shaped bodies.
These structures, constructed from spirit particles, possessed incredible penetrating power. Bakudō used for defense couldn't stop them, and even the powerful seated officers fell one after another.
"Stop right there!!!"
An angry shout came from not far away, accompanied by the sound of a swooshing attack. Äs Nödt stepped back half a step...
Avoiding the slash of Zabimaru.
This guy is...
After a brief moment of thought, realizing that the opponent wasn't his target, Äs Nödt shifted his gaze somewhat disinterestedly.
Captain, or special war potential.
Which ones were worth noting, and where were they hiding?
"Don't ignore me, you bastard!"
Renji Abarai's fierce attack couldn't arouse the other's interest. After feeling somewhat annoyed, Äs Nödt turned his gaze.
Using more spiritual power to condense cone-shaped bodies.
Attack, eliminate this annoying fly.
Renji instinctively wanted to block with Zabimaru again, but before that...
Waves surged forward like rippling water.
A pink tide crashed in front of him, engulfing all of Äs Nödt's attacks.
"Captain!!!"
Byakuya Kuchiki stood coldly in front of his lieutenant, proud and icy...
Looking at the invader.
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Powerstones?
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