When Aizen and his Arrancar forces appeared, Kurotsuki Renya immediately turned to Soi Fon beside him and spoke in a firm, urgent voice.
"Sister Soi Fon, return to the Onmitsukidō immediately. Use the contact information left behind by Urahara Kisuke and locate the Visored. Also, find Urahara Kisuke himself."
"To deal with Aizen, we will need Urahara Kisuke, Yoruichi Shihōin, and the Visored."
"Additionally, have all ordinary Shinigami withdraw and remain hidden. Their strength is insufficient. They would stand no chance against Gillian-class Menos Grande."
"…Understood."
Soi Fon tapped the ground lightly with her toes, and her figure vanished in an instant.
Not long after she left, a powerful, authoritative voice echoed throughout Seireitei.
"All captains and vice-captains of the Gotei Thirteen assemble and face Aizen."
The voice belonged to Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
As his words rang out, Renya leapt into the air. One after another, figures soared skyward from every direction.
Soon, nearly forty people gathered in midair around Yamamoto.
Captains. Vice-captains. High-ranking seated officers.
Renya, Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō, and Sasakibe Chōjirō stood closest to Yamamoto.
To the left stood Zaraki Kenpachi, Madarame Ikkaku, Yumichika Ayasegawa, Kuchiki Byakuya, Abarai Renji, Shūhei Hisagi, Ōmaeda Marechiyo, Ise Nanao, and Kira Izuru.
To the right were Komamura Sajin, Shiba Kaien, Hitsugaya Tōshirō, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Matsumoto Rangiku, Kiba Tetsuzaemon, and several other seated officers.
Meanwhile, Unohana Retsu, Isane Kotetsu, Yamada Hanatarō, and the entire Fourth Division were stationed underground, prepared to provide immediate medical support.
In addition, the Onmitsukidō Punishment Force had already divided into ten covert squads, a total of one hundred operatives lying in wait.
All eyes were fixed on the black Garganta tearing through the distant sky.
At that moment, several massive Hollow forms resembling grotesque insects burst forth from behind Aizen and flew toward Seireitei.
Just as they were about to enter, a translucent barrier blocked their path.
The Shakonmaku, a high-density spiritual membrane.
Any being colliding with it would be crushed instantly.
Yet the next moment
BOOM!
The Hollows self-detonated, releasing enormous shockwaves. The Shakonmaku shattered layer by layer, fragments scattering through the air.
Aizen and his forces advanced calmly.
Aizen adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly.
"What a generous welcome. Have all the captains and vice-captains arrived?"
"Of course," Yamamoto replied coldly. "Today is the day you die. Everyone is here to witness it."
Aizen chuckled softly.
"A beautiful hope. Unfortunately, it is not one you can realize."
Yamamoto's eyes narrowed.
"Whether it is possible or not will be decided here."
As he spoke, his wooden staff cracked apart, revealing the Zanpakutō concealed within.
"Kurotsuchi Mayuri."
At Yamamoto's command, the surrounding space warped violently.
BOOM!
In an instant, everyone vanished from Seireitei.
When vision returned, they stood within a vast mountain range desolate, uninhabited, and several times larger than Seireitei itself. Endless mountains stretched into the distance, thick jungles covering the valleys.
"We've left Seireitei?" Aizen asked with mild curiosity. "How was this accomplished?"
Mayuri grinned grotesquely.
"This is my Spatial Transference Field. I relocated the battlefield to a remote district of Rukongai. Civilian casualties will be minimized."
"Amazing technology," Aizen replied calmly.
Behind him, a slender Arrancar with pink hair and glasses looked at Mayuri with interest.
"And what exactly are you supposed to be? Are you truly a Shinigami?"
Mayuri's appearance had changed drastically since his battle with Ishida Uryū, his face reinforced with metallic plating, curved blue protrusions extending from his head, making him resemble something even more inhuman than a Hollow.
"I have no interest in remaining a mere Shinigami," Mayuri said coldly. "You must be Szayelaporro Granz. The foremost scientist among the Arrancar."
Every detail Mayuri possessed had been supplied by Renya names, identities, combat tendencies.
Szayelaporro licked his lips.
"Yes. But I'm not interested in you. Where is Urahara Kisuke? Where is he hiding?"
At the mention of Urahara's name, Mayuri's expression twisted with rage.
"Excellent. I've decided you will not die quickly. You will become my research subject."
"You're welcome to try," Szayelaporro replied indifferently.
Yamamoto raised his hand.
"Aizen. Will you allow your subordinates to fight?"
Aizen smiled.
"I think it would be far more entertaining to let them clash first."
As he spoke, Aizen's hand moved toward his Zanpakutō.
Renya slowly drew his own blade.
"Aizen," he said calmly, "if you activate Kyōka Suigetsu, I will slaughter every Arrancar under your command."
"You don't want to see that happen."
Before Aizen could respond, a harsh voice cut in.
"What arrogance. Do you even understand what you're facing?"
A blue-haired Arrancar stepped forward one side of his face bearing a broken mask fragment, a Hollow hole in his abdomen.
Renya recognized him instantly.
Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, the Sexta Espada embodiment of destruction.
Aizen raised his hand.
"Grimmjow. He's right. You're not his opponent."
"…For now."
Aizen's eyes shifted.
"Try him."
A tall, voluptuous Arrancar stepped forward. Purple hair. Violet-patterned eyes. Bone armor on her cheek.
Tier Harribel.
Renya tightened his grip.
"Fall and obey—Tenrai-maru."
Dark clouds gathered. Blue lightning roared.
A thunderbolt descended into Renya's hand, forming a short spear. Lightning wings spread from his back.
He pulled a mask over his face.
BOOM!
Renya vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared above Harribel, spear descending
BANG!
Renya was sent flying, crashing through trees and earth.
Harribel withdrew her fist calmly.
"It's over."
Gasps rippled through the Shinigami ranks—not because she followed Renya's speed, but because his lightning wings vanished at the moment of impact.
Aizen smiled.
"Remember Ramírez? I had an Arrancar engineered to neutralize lightning-based reiatsu."
At that moment, another Arrancar stepped forward.
"The strongest Hierro belongs to me."
Nnoitra Gilga.
Zaraki Kenpachi grinned.
"Then you're mine."
Steel clashed
BOOM!
A sudden gust exploded between them.
A masked figure hovered above.
Renya.
In his hand Harribel's severed upper body.
Her lower half lay deep within the forest.
Aizen's eyes narrowed.
Grimmjow clenched his fists.
Renya smiled faintly.
"My Zanpakutō can't be sealed anymore."
"So tell me, Aizen…"
"Do you still dare use Kyōka Suigetsu?"