Following Ulquiorra into Las Noches, Soifon was not particularly panicked, having shielded herself against the complete hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu.
With her 2nd Spiritual Rank combined with the abilities of both a Shinigami and a Quincy, even if she couldn't defeat an Aizen who had not yet merged with the Hōgyoku, she should have no problem making an escape.
"Does Lord Aizen have any tasks? Excellency."
Walking ahead to lead the way, Ulquiorra's tone was profoundly respectful.
"None. On the contrary, I wanted to ask you: what are Captain Aizen's instructions?" Soifon added a follow-up, "Actually, I am Captain Aizen's partner in the World of the Living, so I cannot meet with him frequently."
"None. Lord Aizen said you may do as you please."
"The authority for the archives is mostly open to you."
Ulquiorra kept his hands in his pockets, lightly pressing a communication device hidden within to transmit the news of the black-clad figure's arrival to Aizen.
"Is that so?" Soifon stared at his pocket for a few seconds before shifting her gaze away. "Then lead me to your archives."
Since you've said so much, it would be quite rude of me not to take a look.
The archives of Las Noches had been meticulously organized by Aizen. The category titled 'Soul Society History' was placed in the most prominent position.
Soifon randomly pulled out a manual recording the dark history of the nobility and flipped through it. The handwriting on it was not printed, but beautiful calligraphy.
Judging by the script, it was written by Sōsuke Aizen's own hand.
At this thought, Soifon couldn't help but close the manual and look up at the towering bookshelves before her...
With so many handwritten volumes, has Aizen spent these years replicating all the history he saw in the Great Log Gallery?!
With this kind of perseverance, he would succeed at anything he tried. No wonder the man is able to 'stand in the heavens.'
Soifon placed the manual back in its original spot, but a book title sitting in a conspicuous location caught her eye.
— The Soul King.
'In order to stabilize the Three Worlds, the Great Soul King was mutilated into a limbless torso by the insidious and despicable Five Noble Clans, and the Soul King fragments possessing miraculous power were scattered throughout the Three Worlds...'
(Parenthesis: The world was never meant to be this way, nor should the Soul King be so irresponsible.)
Snap.
Soifon closed the manual, beginning to understand why the other party had specifically emphasized the phrase about opening the archives to her.
So, Aizen wanted her to see this piece of history?
And what was with those parentheses? Was this Sōsuke Aizen's message board for her?
...
Fifth Division.
Sōsuke Aizen received the signal from Ulquiorra. This was a communication button he had specially crafted, which was only to be pressed when the cloaked figure appeared.
Kisuke Urahara, have you finally come...?
Ripples spread through his calm heart. Aizen wore a faint smile as he found a random excuse to have Renji Abarai handle the remaining official duties in his stead.
He found Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru, donned the first-generation black cloak that masked their presence, and felt a sense of joy unlike any he had experienced before.
"Lord Aizen, you seem to be in quite a good mood."
As a blind man, Kaname Tōsen's perceptions were always a bit more sensitive.
"Mmm." Sōsuke Aizen adjusted his glasses. "Today, we are going to meet a very special person."
"It's that gentleman, isn't it?" Gin Ichimaru followed behind. "Kisuke Urahara, the one who developed the Hōgyoku..."
Gin Ichimaru wore a smiling mask, but in his heart, he was already cursing.
—I can't let Kisuke Urahara and Aizen collude. If they do, won't I lose my chance entirely?
Seeing that Aizen remained silent, Gin waited a moment before adding:
"Captain Aizen... you must be careful of that fellow."
"Perhaps he has laid an ambush with some strange gadgets waiting for us this time."
Words laced with a hint of provocation caused Aizen to tilt his head slightly and glance at Gin Ichimaru. He merely smiled and did not reply.
...
The Garganta closed. As soon as Aizen appeared, he asked Ulquiorra where 'Kisuke Urahara' had gone.
Upon learning that the other party was in the archives reading books related to the history of the Soul Society, the smile on Aizen's face grew even more radiant.
Though he knew Kisuke Urahara had seen that history long ago, the fact that the man was willing to re-read the manuscripts he had personally transcribed was enough to make Aizen feel gratified.
The sound of footsteps echoing in the corridor drew closer. Soifon's ears twitched; she could hear that there were four people outside.
Whew...
After all, she was preparing to show her hand to Aizen despite the disparity in their strength; it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.
Taking a slow breath to disperse the tension in her heart, she closed another manual and stood up, looking toward the white figures appearing at the entrance.
The corner of a white robe first entered her field of vision, followed by those light-reflecting glasses and the gentle, calm eyes behind the lenses.
Sōsuke Aizen stood at the door with a warm smile, as if welcoming an old friend after a long separation.
Half a step behind him stood Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen.
Further back was Ulquiorra, standing with his hands at his sides.
"Welcome to my Las Noches," Aizen's voice was clear and steady. "My long-awaited [subordinate]."
Aizen clearly slowed his speech on the word 'subordinate.'
Soifon stood before the bookshelf. She did not respond, merely watching Aizen quietly for a few seconds.
Then, she shook her head.
"That title is not quite accurate." Soifon's voice was distorted by the cloak's special processing. "Perhaps... calling me a collaborator would be more appropriate."
Hearing this, Aizen's expression did not change in the slightest.
Calling himself a [collaborator] meant that 'Kisuke Urahara' really had come here wanting to cooperate, which made Aizen feel gratified.
But placing himself in such a lofty position the moment he opened his mouth made Aizen quite displeased.
It is necessary to make you realize the gap between us, Kisuke Urahara.
Thus, Aizen decided to take this person down a peg.
"Collaborator..."
"Collaboration is usually established on the basis of equality between both parties."
"Some rely on strength to prove their worth, while others rely on unique technology to demonstrate their capital for cooperation..."
He took a step forward.
"But you..."
"You have neither demonstrated strength sufficient to rival me, nor have you produced technology that interests me."
"You even hide your true face beneath that cloak."
Aizen spread his hands with an air of helplessness; his meaning was already obvious.
"My strength is decent enough, but forget about scientific research technology." Soifon also spread her hands. "However, I have something here that will interest you even more."
"Oh?"
"And what might this item you speak of be, Excellency?"
Aizen felt something was slightly off. Would the great Kisuke Urahara really admit defeat in the field of scientific research so candidly?
"Well... how about the history of the Quincies?"
Soifon raised her hand, pulling a thick envelope from beneath her cloak and tossing it onto the table used for reading.
Then, a Spirit Particle Longbow, nearly as large as Soifon herself, instantly condensed in her left hand.
For the first time, she finally saw an expression named 'surprise' appear on Sōsuke Aizen's face.
"You... are not Kisuke Urahara..."
Aizen's expression was complex; this was the first time his calculations had missed the mark.
____
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