Las Noches, inside a room within the inner palace.
Aizen sat leisurely upon a white jade throne, watching the large screen before him.
On the screen was a petite girl bound by shackles.
She had her eyes tightly closed, limbs naturally extended in a sleeping posture.
However, deep black spiritual pressure like smoke continuously swirled and crashed around her entire body.
She had snow-white long hair and skin, but her eyelashes were a faint golden color.
Aizen gazed at her with a gentle smile on his face.
Beside him, Gin Ichimaru had his hands tucked in his sleeves, laughing with some surprise:
"Oh my, oh my, Captain Aizen, so this is her complete form... She looks much more restrained than before..."
Aizen's expression remained unchanged as he chuckled softly:
"Hehe, Gin, those who truly possess ultimate power always hide their strength."
"Their power is like a sleeping lion."
"In stillness, they remain undisturbed by the outside world, sleeping peacefully in their domain. In motion, they can strike instantly, revealing shocking fangs and claws."
"Only mediocre people constantly display flashy power to others, creating momentum for themselves."
"This doesn't stem from insecurity or cowardice."
"Rather... there's an inherent difference in their perspectives."
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Halfway through speaking, Aizen smiled gently while looking at Gin Ichimaru beside him.
Gin startled slightly, opening his eyes a fraction before quickly returning to normal, lowering his head with a light laugh:
"Tsk tsk, is Captain Aizen talking about... Segawa Shigure?"
Hearing this, Aizen slowly stood up, continuing to gaze at the screen while smiling at Gin:
"See, Gin... even without me saying it explicitly, you know who I'm referring to."
"That's the difference in perspective."
"Heh..."
Gin chuckled softly without speaking, light flickering in his narrowed eyes.
Just then, Kaname Tōsen stepped into the room from outside, bowing his head slightly in respect:
"Lord Aizen."
Hearing his voice, Aizen didn't look over but said: "You've come?"
Tōsen nodded lightly: "Yes, spiritual power fluctuations came from outside the palace, but... he's alone."
Upon hearing this, Aizen's gaze moved slightly. "I see... I understand."
Though no name was mentioned, Gin naturally knew they were still talking about Segawa Shigure.
After a moment, Aizen looked toward Tōsen: "Send word for Ulquiorra to come."
"Yes."
Tōsen walked outside the room, took out a white device, and released an incantation toward a spot on the wall.
Soon after, Ulquiorra arrived.
"Lord Aizen."
He bowed his head slightly, greeting in a flat tone.
Aizen didn't turn around, but gazed at the screen while chuckling softly: "Ulquiorra, do you see... her form?"
Hearing this, Ulquiorra immediately followed Aizen's gaze to the screen.
When he saw the girl clearly, his expression froze slightly.
Aizen smiled, then turned around to face Ulquiorra:
"This feeling should be very familiar to you, shouldn't it?"
"...Yes."
Ulquiorra lowered his eyes in response.
Hearing this, Aizen smiled gently and began walking over, speaking as he moved:
"Very good, Ulquiorra. It seems you already understand my meaning."
"Though her evolution is complete, she's still missing one crucial step before 'perfect awakening.'"
"However, since Segawa has already arrived here, it's time for us to depart for the World of the Living."
"So,"
"Las Noches and she will be entrusted to you after your 'rebirth'..."
"No problems with that?"
Aizen deliberately slowed his final four words, speaking almost syllable by syllable.
Even so, Ulquiorra's expression showed no change. He bowed his head lower with respect:
"I understand, Lord Aizen."
Aizen's expression returned to a gentle smile. He walked past Ulquiorra toward the exit, calling out:
"Gin, Kaname, prepare to depart."
"Yes."
Tōsen and Gin immediately followed with quick steps.
After reaching the doorway, Aizen suddenly stopped again, turning back to look at Ulquiorra with a smile:
"She's only one final step away from awakening... Don't disappoint me, Ulquiorra."
"..."
As his words fell, Aizen didn't wait for Ulquiorra's response and walked directly outside.
Gin and Tōsen followed silently.
Ulquiorra didn't move, still standing in place with lowered eyes.
Looking at the girl sleeping in the tube ahead and recalling Aizen's words, Ulquiorra knew this was the place he needed to guard.
...
...
Meanwhile, in Las Noches' outer hall.
Shigure successfully passed through the dark corridor and entered a vast space.
This appeared to be a long corridor, but dozens of thick white stone pillars stood on both sides.
The moment Shigure entered, he used Resonance Vision to see a petite female Arrancar appear on a distant stone pillar.
She had purple wavy braided hair, teardrop-shaped marks under her eyes, and her deep purple lips showed a mysterious smile.
She wore the same white uniform as other Arrancar, but different from them, she had massive moth-like wings on her back, more than twice as wide as her petite body.
Though Shigure noticed her, he didn't stop walking.
This level of obstacle was like the White Sand Guardian Runuganga outside - no need to stop at all.
But just then, an annoyed voice came from the stone pillar:
"Hey hey... Soul Reaper, you should have noticed my spiritual pressure already...?"
"Even so... you still won't stop walking..."
"Are you... looking down on me?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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