Crystal-clear wings of ice unfolded from Tōshirō Hitsugaya's back.
Behind Sajin Komamura, a towering black-armored warrior—dozens of meters tall—materialized with a thunderous presence.
As the two activated their Bankai, the entire Lieutenant's office began to tremble violently. The once elegant and refined room was instantly reduced to ruins by the overwhelming force they unleashed.
Realizing the threat posed by Aizen, both of them went all out, displaying their full power without reservation.
"Lieutenant, we're going in!"
Komamura shouted boldly.
Even in the face of such a powerful enemy, his voice rang with determination and courage—just like a true 7th Division Captain.
Aizen watched them silently, his expression distant and dismissive, as if everything playing out before him was just an elaborate joke.
He didn't spare Shinji Hirako a single glance.
He knew all too well that despite Hirako's seemingly desperate release of Reiatsu, he wouldn't recklessly resort to using his Bankai.
As long as Hitsugaya and Komamura were still alive, Shinji would never dare use that ability—because he'd likely end up being struck down by his own allies first.
Aizen understood perfectly.
Shinji Hirako's Bankai was extremely unique. Once released, it indiscriminately inverted the perception of "enemy" and "ally" for everyone caught within its range.
Even he himself couldn't control who was affected.
Because of that, Hirako's Bankai only reached its full potential in a one-versus-many scenario. In the current situation, it would do more harm than good.
Without a second thought, Aizen casually swung Kyōka Suigetsu—cleanly severing Shinji Hirako's head from his body.
Hitsugaya and Komamura were both horrified. Shock and rage flashed across their faces as they roared in unison and charged straight at Aizen.
They each unleashed their strongest attacks.
The ice dragon and the black-armored giant hurtled toward Aizen with overwhelming force.
But Aizen simply gave a small smirk.
He gently shook his head, as if the devastating attacks coming his way were beneath his notice—completely devoid of threat.
He looked at the two and calmly incanted:
"Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō."
"Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi."
Two ultra-high-level Hadō spells erupted one after another, cast by Aizen as effortlessly as breathing.
A blinding beam of lightning tore through space, instantly shattering both the ice dragon and the black giant.
Immediately after, a massive black coffin of spiritual energy erupted from the ground, rising with a menacing presence.
As their vision darkened, both Hitsugaya and Komamura sensed impending doom—but it was already too late to escape.
Moments later, the black coffin faded, revealing two battered, crumpled bodies inside.
Thud!
Their bodies hit the ground with a heavy crash.
Aizen stood calmly, a faint smile on his lips—gentle as always, yet laced with an unmistakable chill.
He narrowed his eyes, pulled a skull-marked token from his waist, and spoke softly into the glowing screen.
"Masatsuki..."
...
World of the Living, Karakura Town.
At night, the city seemed even livelier than during the day. Brilliant neon lights flickered in a kaleidoscope of color, casting dazzling reflections across the bustling streets packed with people.
"Ah... a space bubble discovered in the Dangai? One thing after another, huh."
"Yeah... got it. Is it really that important? Alright, I'm heading back now."
Masatsuki Aozaki was in the middle of enjoying a pleasant outing with Masaki Kurosaki and the other girls when a call came through from the Lieutenant.
After quickly grasping the situation, he ended the communication—but instead of opening a Senkaimon right away, he and the girls curiously took a moment to observe their surroundings.
To their surprise, the streets were filled with strange souls they had never seen before—white-bodied with red hair. The unfamiliar sight sparked their curiosity.
Just as everyone stood puzzled, a sharp voice rang out from the distance:
"Call forth the Twilight, Mirokumaru!"
Hearing it, they all instinctively turned toward the source.
There, hovering midair not far off, was a young Shinigami girl wielding a Zanpakutō. Clutched at her waist was another girl with striking features.
This girl had short green hair and appeared completely unconscious, her body wrapped in nothing but a tattered cloth that barely covered her. Even the intensity of battle hadn't stirred her—like a sleeping beauty who refused to wake.
As the Reiatsu around them faded, the Shinigami girl's Zanpakutō had already transformed—no longer a blade, but a staff with four golden rings and a sharp, arrow-shaped blade at its end. The entire weapon, save for the blade, glowed with a brilliant golden light.
With a swift swing of the staff, a powerful tornado burst forth from its tip.
The girl moved her hands gracefully, controlling the raging twister with precision. Like a wild beast, it howled toward the busy crowd below, all claws and fangs.
Yet despite its ferocity, her control was flawless. Not a single innocent passerby was harmed. Instead, the tornado swept through with perfect accuracy—snatching up only those eerie white souls.
In the blink of an eye, the strange souls on the street vanished without a trace.
Wiping her forehead as if brushing away invisible sweat, the girl beamed with satisfaction.
"Awesome... finally cleaned them up. That felt great!"
Watching her break into an excited little dance, the Aozaki household's women were left speechless.
Only Masatsuki Aozaki, upon clearly seeing both their faces, let a subtle smile curl at the corner of his lips.
If he'd only encountered one of them, he might not have remembered right away who they were. But with both present—and after his previous run-in with the Reigai, not to mention the intel sent by Aizen—all the pieces came together.
These clues, like keys turning in a lock, opened the door to his memory.
That young Shinigami girl... there was no doubt about it. She was the heroine from the Bleach movie Memories of Nobody.
He'd never been satisfied with how that film had ended.
Now, having identified the girl, Masatsuki also realized what that "space bubble" the Shinigami Research and Development Institute discovered truly was.
If he remembered right, the story of that movie revolved around...
Over a thousand years ago, an ancient noble family in Soul Society was exiled after losing a political power struggle. Cast out into the Dangai, they didn't perish. Instead, they adapted—surviving in that chaotic space and slowly mastering the unique ability to control what dwelled there.
The "Blank"—souls accidentally sucked into the Dangai during the cycle of reincarnation between the World of the Living and Soul Society.
These souls, cut off from the cycle, drifted endlessly with no place to go.
But the exiled family discovered a way to harness them—and their combined memories—forming the entity known as the Shinenju.
By using the Shinenju, they planned to merge the World of the Living and Soul Society...
Triggering a cataclysmic disaster.
Their goal was nothing less than to bring the two worlds crashing together—completely destroying Soul Society and exacting their revenge!
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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