join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Crack, crack, crack…
Strange, brittle sounds continuously emanated from all around.
"A protective barrier?"
Aizen looked at the transparent screen that enveloped nearly a thousand meters of airspace, then turned his gaze downwards.
On the ground, Hachigen Ushōda sat cross-legged, while beside him stood Hiyori, the only Visored who hadn't participated in the battle, along with several Vice-Captains of the Gotei 13 and Hitsugaya Tōshirō. All of them were channeling their Reiatsu towards Hachigen Ushōda.
"It's quite surprising that you chose to remain here."
Hachigen Ushōda looked at Hiyori beside him. Among the Visored, Hiyori was arguably the most impulsive and the most hateful towards Aizen. He had initially thought Hiyori would rush towards Aizen recklessly.
"I'm not blind."
Hiyori gritted her teeth. Although she longed to rush forward and help Shinji fight Aizen, the brief exchange between Ishikawa and Aizen earlier made her realize that even if she went… she wouldn't be of any help to the battle, and would only hinder Hirako and the others.
Rather than that, it was better to provide Reiatsu to Hachigen so that they could focus more on their battle.
Besides her, most of the people present shared the same thought. The battle had progressed to a point where even Vice-Captain-level individuals couldn't approach the battlefield.
Matsumoto Rangiku, Hinamori Momo, Ikkaku Madarame, Izaemon Sho, Kira Iziru… Apart from Hisagi Shuuhei, who wanted to settle things with Kaname Tōsen, almost everyone in the Gotei 13 who could move had gathered here.
Both Commander Yamamoto and Ishikawa were unable to fight without restraint because of them.
They could only contribute in this way, though they didn't know how long it would last.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō, standing nearby, looked up hesitantly. In the direction he was looking, the female Arrancar in green linen clothes who had previously followed Ishikawa was battling Harribel.
He had originally intended to go and help in that fight, but he was stopped by the person named Shinji, who said that Hachigen Ushōda alone would be absolutely unable to maintain the protective barrier, so other Captains were needed to assist.
Moreover, the three Arrancar who had accompanied Ishikawa had all, without prior arrangement, rushed to confront the Espada, who were also Arrancar, clearly indicating their intent.
They wanted to resolve the matters of Hueco Mundo themselves.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō actually understood this to some extent, because if Aizen hadn't been so powerful, the Gotei 13 wouldn't have wanted anyone to intervene in this war.
But understanding was one thing; he couldn't help but worry whether the Arrancar, whom Ishikawa-sama referred to as his friends, could independently contend with the Espada.
"Captain Hitsugaya, you don't need to worry too much."
Izaemon Sho, who was nearby, followed Hitsugaya's gaze and said, "I, Ikkaku, and the others were just behind that female Arrancar. She has the same number on her back as the Third Espada."
The same number?
Hitsugaya Tōshirō was startled: "You mean…"
"If there are no surprises, she should have been an Espada once."
Ayasegawa Yumichika, who was nearby, nodded: "Ishikawa's submitted information mentioned that the Ninth Espada was once the Fifth Espada who had been eliminated. I think all of Ishikawa's friends here are likely Espada who have been eliminated."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō's tightly furrowed brows did not relax, because being eliminated already indicated that their strength was inferior to the active Espada who eliminated them.
It seemed inappropriate to let them face those Espada alone.
"Focus!"
Just then, Hachigen Ushōda suddenly shouted with some tension, his Reiatsu becoming extremely unstable.
This scene made everyone's expressions tighten, and they instinctively looked up towards the high-altitude battlefield.
Boom, boom, boom—
A scorching aura descended from the sky. Even on the ground, everyone felt an incredibly terrifying heat wave wash over them, and this was even with the protective barrier obstructing it.
Looking up, the situation inside the transparent barrier was now unclear, as the transparent protective barrier was completely filled with flames.
…
Inside the protective barrier.
Ishikawa flashed to dodge the flames surging around him, his gaze towards Commander Yamamoto filled with annoyance.
This old man was completely disregarding everyone else in his quest to eliminate Aizen.
Even though he and Shinji were both here, he was still launching this indiscriminate attack.
"Why did you have to stay?"
A voice came, and Shinji appeared beside Ishikawa, smiling at the annoyed Ishikawa: "Even if the old man deliberately suppresses himself, when he targets an individual, it will still affect others. Otherwise, why do you think I had Hachigen create this protective barrier?"
Ishikawa swung his Zanpakuto, splitting the pillar of fire in front of him, and retreated further.
He naturally understood what Shinji was saying.
But the current situation was not as simple as just involvement, because… Commander Yamamoto was now completely in a stance of intending to perish with Aizen. Although he hadn't activated Bankai, judging by the destructive power unleashed by this move, it was already enough to reduce everything within an area several times the size of Karakura Town to ashes.
Dozens of towering pillars of fire rapidly converged from around the protective barrier, their terrifying power making Ishikawa feel a sense of impending death in that instant.
Ennetsu Jigoku!
If it weren't for the fact that using Bankai in the Human World might lead to its destruction, Ishikawa suspected that the old man might have activated Bankai from the very beginning.
This was enough to show that in Commander Yamamoto's heart, Aizen had now made him no longer slight him in the slightest, and he had to be eliminated at all costs, even if it affected Ishikawa and Shinji.
At the center of the battlefield, immense Reiatsu permeated, causing Commander Yamamoto's figure to flicker in and out of the firelight.
"Is doing this really alright?"
In the distance, the crystal on Aizen's brow continuously glowed, and a pair of wings appeared behind him. These wings were composed of six suspended blades, looking like reflective glass.
"Under an attack of this power, how long do you think the protective barrier can last?"
"I will end the battle before then!"
Commander Yamamoto's tone was filled with killing intent. He had to eliminate Aizen with his strongest non-Bankai attack before the protective barrier dissipated, otherwise, once the protective barrier disappeared, his flames might once again be sealed by that Arrancar created specifically to counter him.
As for Bankai…
Even if he died in the Human World, he would not use Bankai in the Human World.
Because if he died here, Aizen would go to Soul Society, and no matter what he wanted to do, there would still be people who could stop him, there would still be hope!
But if he used Bankai in the Human World…
Even if Aizen was eliminated, it would have a terrifying impact on the Human World, causing the balance to completely collapse, and the Three Realms to be destroyed!
Therefore, he gambled everything on this one strike.
Boom, boom, boom~!
Commander Yamamoto raised his Ryujin Jakka, and almost instantly, the surrounding towering pillars of fire became even more violent, their terrifying aura distorting everything.
Strange sizzling sounds of burning echoed within the protective barrier. Following the sound, one could see that the transparent barrier forming the barrier itself had caught fire in that instant, as if it would collapse at any moment.
This scene brought a sneer to Aizen's face.
He could naturally guess Commander Yamamoto's thoughts, but this protective barrier, formed by a few Vice-Captains and a Captain, simply couldn't withstand Commander Yamamoto's attack.
As long as he held out until the protective barrier collapsed, Commander Yamamoto would inevitably have to hold back if he didn't want to destroy everything within an area several times the size of Karakura Town.
Even if he didn't hold back, as long as Wonderweiss was present, the flames would be completely devoured by him once the protective barrier collapsed.
From the very beginning, he had already stood in an invincible position.
As for eliminating Wonderweiss…
No one present, except for Ishikawa and Commander Yamamoto, could achieve it.
It wasn't that he was strong, but rather that in addition to his flame-extinguishing ability, Wonderweiss's survivability and defense were extremely terrifying. He could even withstand Commander Yamamoto's full assault for a short period, so as long as Ishikawa and Commander Yamamoto were restrained, Wonderweiss would not die.
"Hey, Aizen, did you forget about me?"
But just then, a voice came. Aizen turned his head, and the scene that met his eyes made him frown.
Shinji, with some scorch marks on his body, had appeared in a corner of the barrier at some point, and met his gaze with a strange smile: "Why do you think I stayed here?"
As his words fell, Shinji suddenly released his Zanpakuto, extended his hands into the barrier, and his Reiatsu gathered towards his hands like a dam breaking.
"The barrier of Hachigen, if maintained from both inside and outside, its toughness will increase several times over!"
Ever since witnessing Ishikawa's battle with Aizen, Shinji had already given up on the idea of killing Aizen himself and unhesitatingly altered his original plan.
Among everyone present, the only one capable of killing Aizen was Commander Yamamoto!
So, even if he died here, he would maintain this barrier until the end of the battle, according to the plan he had discussed with Commander Yamamoto earlier.
It could be said that everything was proceeding according to his plan, the only unexpected variable…
Was Ishikawa remaining here.
Originally, his plan had no place for Ishikawa; only he and Commander Yamamoto were to be sacrificed, but Ishikawa somehow got involved.
With the plan having progressed this far, he couldn't, and wouldn't, let Ishikawa leave; he could only continue with the plan.
Don't blame me, blame yourself.
Shinji shook his head, pouring all his Reiatsu into the barrier, but to make himself last longer, he did not remove his own defenses.
At the same time.
Damn it!!
Ishikawa, who had retreated to the very edge of the barrier, couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Although Shinji hadn't told him, at this point, Ishikawa had already realized the two men's plan.
You sacrifice yourselves, but why do you have to drag me into it?
Ishikawa had no prior knowledge of their intentions, nor was he willing to stay; he remained here only because Aizen had blocked him.
He did want to leave, but Hachigen Ushōda's barrier ability, which was extremely similar to Orihime's, combined with several Captain-level and Vice-Captains constructing it from both inside and outside, made its defense incredibly strong, capable of withstanding Commander Yamamoto's strongest 'Ryujin Jakka' for a short period.
It wasn't easy for Ishikawa to break it.
Moreover, a single point of collapse could very likely lead to the entire barrier collapsing.
This made Ishikawa curse again inwardly, but he could only choose to endure it. He held Kokumei horizontally across his chest, and a purple Reiatsu formed a cocoon-like barrier around him.
Super Reiatsu Wall!
Although he was on the periphery of Ryujin Jakka, Ishikawa couldn't be sure how long he could last.
I should have moved with Shinji just now.
From his position, it was clear that the spot had been deliberately arranged to allow the barrier to weaken the impact of 'Ryujin Jakka' on him, enabling him to survive longer within the barrier and thus maintain it until Commander Yamamoto killed Aizen!
While Ishikawa was struggling to survive, the flames spreading across the sky grew denser, as if doused with boiling oil, erupting with terrifying power.
The flames furiously converged towards Aizen at the center, transforming into countless Flame Dragon (Flame Dragons), tearing towards Aizen with roaring heatwaves.
Aizen, at the center of the attack, had a solemn expression, and the purple pupil in his brow grew brighter.
But upon closer inspection, one would notice that the surface of that purple pupil had already developed faint, spiderweb-like cracks, and even the mirror-like wings behind him emitted creaking sounds, unable to bear the strain.
Indeed, for me, Commander Yamamoto is still the greatest threat.
Aizen looked at Commander Yamamoto, who flickered in and out of sight within the flames, his expression growing more solemn, with a deep sense of dread within that solemnity.
For the success of his plan, he had made many preparations, yet he still found himself in the current predicament.
Ultimately…
Aizen glanced at the purple cocoon-like barrier at the edge of the barrier; it was still due to Ishikawa's appearance.
If he hadn't come here and immediately tried to kill Wonderweiss upon appearing, I wouldn't have been forced into this situation.
It could be said that if he hadn't arrived, this battle might have already ended!
If this situation continues, I might very well die here, although I won't be the only one to die.
What a pity…
Aizen smiled faintly:
"You still overlooked one thing."
As his words fell, the defensive barrier around Aizen, who was at the center of the attack, collapsed, and he was instantly engulfed by endless flames.
This scene made both Commander Yamamoto and Shinji frown, then their expressions changed.
"What gave you the illusion that I hadn't used Kyōka Suigetsu?"
Aizen's voice came from the edge of the barrier: "I originally thought your plan was discussed with Ishikawa, and that you would use his ability to see through Kyōka Suigetsu to ensure the plan's success, but now it seems… he was completely unaware beforehand."
The two turned their heads, only to see Aizen had appeared at the edge of the barrier at some unknown point.
When did he appear there?
From the beginning?
Shinji's face darkened, but upon seeing Aizen's condition, he shook his head.
No, judging by the cracks in the pupil on his brow and the wings behind him that were on the verge of collapsing, it must have been his true self, not an illusion, that received Commander Yamamoto's attack earlier.
And most importantly…
He clearly couldn't interfere with Commander Yamamoto's five senses with an illusion for an extended period, meaning Aizen only interfered with their five senses for the brief moment he moved to the edge of the barrier, preventing them from noticing his arrival.
The moment they realized this, the cracks in Aizen's brow pupil widened again, and a high-density purple Reiatsu erupted from his body, striking directly at the barrier.
Seeing this, Commander Yamamoto immediately swung his Zanpakuto, concentrating all the flames and sweeping them directly towards Aizen.
"…Wrong!!!"
But just then, an anxious roar suddenly entered their ears. The roar was extremely loud, but strangely, though it was a complete sentence, it lacked its first half, as if a television's mute had suddenly been disengaged, appearing extremely abrupt.
Moreover, the owner of that voice was none other than Ishikawa.
Damn it!
Commander Yamamoto suddenly turned his head to where Aizen had originally been, only to see the Aizen who had been engulfed by flames still standing there. Although charred all over and looking incredibly disheveled, he still smiled faintly, meeting his gaze.
"It seems I won in the end."
Boom—!
Commander Yamamoto's concentrated flame slash directly collided with the transparent barrier.
Pfft—
The people gathered around Hachigen Ushōda on the ground simultaneously spat out blood, all of them flung into the air as if struck by a truck.
In mid-air, the massive defensive barrier collapsed with a roar, and endless flames instantly covered a sky several times the size of Karakura Town, but in the next second, the flames shrouding the sky vanished just as abruptly.
Vanished?
This scene made Commander Yamamoto, who had just been preparing to control the terrifying flames and gather them, change his expression and look downwards.
He saw that Wonderweiss, who had originally been restrained by Aikawa Rabu and Otoribashi Rōjūrō, had undergone a drastic transformation. His entire body was covered in white bones, his shoulders and thighs were particularly wide, his limbs were slender, his rib cage and both sides of his abdomen were semi-hollow, and his mask had become a crown-like eyepiece.
As he watched, Wonderweiss suddenly let out a roar to the sky, and the temperature in the surrounding air rapidly and abruptly rose.
"Aren't you going to stop him?"
Aizen stood in mid-air, his aura gradually stabilizing, and said to Commander Yamamoto: "If all the energy you just used to kill me were to erupt without distinguishing between friend and foe, most people here would die. Even if you don't care about their deaths, don't you care about the destruction of the Human World?"
"So…"
Aizen reached out and wiped away the necrotic skin on his chin, a curve forming on the fair corner of his mouth beneath his palm: "Go and protect my world!"
Aizen's words, designed to kill the spirit, ignited fury in Commander Yamamoto's eyes, but he still unhesitatingly lunged towards Wonderweiss, single-handedly slamming him into the ground.
Boom!
Almost the instant the two crashed to the ground, a massive roar erupted from their landing spot. Although the power was terrifying, for some reason, it was confined to a range of about ten meters and did not spread out.
Aizen looked at the smoke-filled crater on the ground, the charring on his body gradually receding.
Commander Yamamoto's power indeed posed a great threat to him; the moment the flames engulfed him, even he nearly couldn't bear it.
If Commander Yamamoto hadn't concentrated the flames and attacked elsewhere immediately, he might have already been incinerated.
But…
In the end, I won the gamble!
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Every 500 powerstones = free membership | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr