Chapter 2: The Will of Fire and a Blade of Illusion
The flood of information settled, leaving Aizen with a foundational understanding of this new reality. Ninjas. Chakra. The Nine-Tailed Fox. Bloodline Limits. This was the Naruto world, a realm where power was drawn not from spiritual pressure, but from the physical and spiritual energy blended into chakra. The potential of these so-called Tailed Beasts intrigued him; how did their might compare to the Menos Grande or the Espada? Could a Bloodline Limit mimic the unique properties of a Zanpakutō? And the pinnacle of it all—the power of the Six Paths—how could one obtain such a thing?
A cascade of questions filled his mind. The mystery of this unknown power structure ignited a long-dormant spark within him, a flicker of anticipation for the challenge ahead.
A world of unknown powers… a fresh mystery. It will not hinder me.
Though his face was that of a boy, his eyes held the weary wisdom of ages. They reflected an arrogance born from absolute control, the unyielding dominance of one who had once stood atop the heavens and looked down upon all of creation. His vessel had changed, but his core remained. He was still the master of Hueco Mundo who had nearly obliterated the Gotei 13. The only difference was that his power had been reset, forcing him to begin again from nothing.
His deep contemplation was shattered by a voice as light as a sparrow's chirp.
"What are you staring into space for? You're so strange."
Hinata looked at him with open curiosity, as if studying a peculiar insect. Since he had woken up, he had called himself a god, then muttered a string of nonsense words she couldn't comprehend. The Soul Society? Rukongai? Zanpakutō? What kind of crazy talk was that?
"Be silent, child. Do not interrupt my thoughts," Aizen frowned, his tone sharp with displeasure. His mind was a chaotic storm, and this girl's prattling was an unwelcome distraction.
The young Hinata flinched, frightened by his intensity, and timidly turned her head away.
Seeing her reaction, Aizen let out a soft, internal chuckle. She is merely a naive child. Why bother with her?
Dismissing her, he sank back into his thoughts, sifting through his memories and the system's data, searching for the truth of his circumstances. His gaze was calm, steady, and profoundly intelligent, radiating a self-assurance that only a true powerhouse could possess. Where any other being would panic upon losing their strength, Aizen, who had transcended the very pinnacle of what a Shinigami could be, met this setback with a tranquil heart.
After a long moment of silence, Hinata, noticing he had completely forgotten her existence, dared to glance back. "You're not from Konoha, are you?" she ventured softly. "Where is your home?"
Her question, simple as it was, struck a chord. Aizen lifted his head to gaze at the vast, clear sky. "My home?" he murmured. "The Soul Society? No... I have no home."
"Impossible!" Hinata insisted, her voice gaining a sliver of conviction. "Everyone has a home. It's where the will of our ancestors is entrusted. In our Konoha, the Will of Fire is passed down forever! Wherever the leaves flutter, the fire will never go out. The light will continue to shine!"
"The Will of Fire?" Aizen repeated, a cynical smile touching his lips, his eyes full of disdain. In Aizen's philosophy, only raw power could truly surpass all. Sentimental concepts like 'will' were worthless compared to tangible strength.
"You really are a strange person," Hinata said, shaking her head. "But, if you're a wanderer with no home... perhaps you could join our Konoha? You could become part of our family."
She looked at him with sincere pity, assuming his injuries and amnesia were the marks of a homeless orphan.
At that exact moment, the silent system prompt resonated in his mind once more.
Condition met. Side mission initiated.
Side Mission: Join Konoha.
Mission Reward: Zanpakutō - Kyōka Suigetsu.
Aizen's brow furrowed at the intrusive, mechanical tone. While he was forcing himself to adapt to the Shinigami System's presence, the sensation of this mysterious entity residing in his mind was profoundly unsettling.
"Join Konoha?" he mused aloud, a genuinely gentle smile now gracing his handsome features. It wasn't the idea of joining the hidden village that interested him. It was the reward for completing the mission. Kyōka Suigetsu.
Kyōka Suigetsu. His Zanpakutō. An illusion-type blade with the terrifying ability of "Complete Hypnosis," capable of dominating all five of an opponent's senses. In his previous life, his rise to the top was due not only to his immense personal power but also to the absolute control afforded by this blade. The power to make an enemy completely believe in an illusion—to control what they saw, felt, heard, smelled, and tasted—was a horrific ability that allowed him to launch attacks with his targets none the wiser.
"Very well, child," Aizen said, his voice smooth and deliberate. "I accept your proposal. I will join Konoha. However, you must agree to one condition. You will take me to see the Third Hokage."
A glint of keen expectation flashed in his eyes. As a being who had stood at the zenith of power, he was eager to meet the man the system identified as the strongest of this village. He needed to take the measure of the power that ruled this world.
"Okay!" Hinata nodded, a shy but happy smile spreading across her face. "You're joining Konoha! From now on, we'll all be part of the same big family."
Her kind heart was genuinely pleased that this lost, injured boy would have a place to belong. She had no idea of the storm she was inviting into her village.