Aizen took off his glasses and looked straight into Suzuki Makoto's eyes.
He had never openly raised this question during their conversations and cooperation before. Previously, both had glossed over it with vague topics like "dealing with the nobles." Sosuke Aizen also knew that he and Suzuki Makoto ultimately had different personalities and different methods.
This time, using this opportunity to raise questions regarding the Gotei 13 could be considered a laying of cards on the table between the two.
Suzuki Makoto's goal has always been solely to eliminate the nobles, and this point is actually somewhat negotiable with the Captain-Commander. As long as the Yellow Turbans truly demonstrate the ability to maintain the stability of the Soul Society, then once the deed is done, the Captain-Commander may not necessarily refuse to accept this reality. After all, what he seeks is the protection of the Soul King and the stability of the Soul Society, not the nobles themselves.
If the nobles can guarantee the stability of the Soul Society, then the Captain-Commander can make concessions to them. But if another force can achieve this just as well, then the only reason worth preserving the nobles vanishes.
But he, Aizen, is different. He is a man who intends to walk into the heavens. He must, and eventually will, face the Soul King. This is something Shigekuni Yamamoto can never accept under any circumstances. Therefore, there is absolutely no room for compromise in the conflict between him and the Gotei 13; a great war will inevitably break out between the two sides.
At this juncture, Suzuki Makoto's attitude becomes very important.
He is confident in dealing with the Gotei 13. As long as no strange fellows appear midway, and given another few decades to unify Hueco Mundo, he could pave a path to the heavens—but Suzuki Makoto is obviously that strange variable.
If Suzuki Makoto stands on his side, he could save a lot of time. As long as he can suppress the Captain-Commander's Ryujin Jakka, he can initiate his plan.
If Suzuki Makoto remains neutral, it would merely mean the time drags on a bit longer, requiring preparation of some combat power to obstruct the other Captains, that's all.
But if Suzuki Makoto stands steadfastly on the Captain-Commander's side, then he would truly have a headache.
A single Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, even if he lost the Bankai of his Zanpakuto, is someone he must deal with personally. If Suzuki Makoto were added to the mix, then unless he could obtain the complete Hogyoku, Aizen would absolutely not make any attempt.
"Sosuke Aizen, do you remember the question I once asked you?"
"What question?"
"Are you willing to replace the Soul King and become the pillar of the Three Worlds? Do you only want to remain in the heavens as a walking corpse like him, or do you want to continue marching toward the higher firmament after standing there?"
"Of course, the latter."
Aizen answered without thinking.
After understanding the current state of the Soul King, how could Aizen be willing to remain in such a form like the Soul King?
"Since you do not intend to replace the Soul King, wouldn't it be fine to just leave that body there? The Three Worlds would still maintain their operation, and you could similarly continue to climb upward—in the final analysis, the life or death of the Soul King actually has nothing to do with your plan, does it not?"
Aizen was startled; this was an angle he had never considered.
"The nobles created the Three Worlds to cover up the existence of Hell; the Soul King is merely a layer of foundation. He cannot stop you from entering Hell, nor can he stop you from ascending to the clouds again. My request is also very simple: maintain the existence of the Three Worlds, while simultaneously clearing out the nobles of the Soul Society."
Suzuki Makoto appeared incomparably candid.
"I am willing to support you and join your plan precisely because you are different from any other ambitious schemer. What you want is not to replace him, but to possess that kind of power. Therefore, you are the only one who will not target the Soul King himself, because you have no interest in what that seat itself represents."
"Others might do it to wield authority, or to destroy the Three Worlds, or perhaps simply to become the sole King of the Three Worlds. But only you are not. You could not possibly become strong for such boring things. Your sole objective is to climb toward a more lofty sky. Even the position of the Soul King is nothing more than a milestone on your path, and not the terminus of your road."
Listening to Suzuki Makoto's words, a hint of a smile slowly revealed itself at the corner of the man's mouth.
Such a long time has passed. He has met many people, killed many people, and recruited many people, but there has not been a single person who could so thoroughly understand exactly what it is he pursues.
Yes, power!
Only power!
Becoming a Shinigami was for power. Becoming a Captain was for power. Becoming the ruler of Hueco Mundo was likewise for even stronger power!
He sensed the limits of a Shinigami, so he created the Hogyoku desiring to surpass Shinigami. Then, when he achieves that and surpasses Shinigami to face the Soul King directly—does the Soul King have no limits?
And if he discovered the Soul King's limits, would he be satisfied, rest on his laurels, and remain there without advancing further?
No! He would continue to step forward! Continue to advance! Proceed onward forever!
All limits are meant to be broken; power should not have any shackles restricting its growth!
"Suzuki-kun, this is the first time I want to have a drink with you, rather than tea."
Sosuke Aizen put on his glasses, revealing a smile that came from the heart.
*
"Eh, so this is the Seireitei? It feels like apart from the streets being a bit wider, the houses a bit taller, and there being a few more trees and flowers, it's not much different from the Rukongai."
"Originally, there is no difference. The Seireitei is merely a central area walled off by the nobles so that commoners wouldn't see their lives. Essentially, it is a part of the Rukongai, only having some differences due to construction over these years. However, as a Heroic Spirit, you shouldn't find these differences interesting."
"That's what you say, but walking around together is still somewhat interesting."
Although the young girl said this, looking at the people watching around them, she still felt a bit of a burning sensation.
Because she was currently holding Suzuki Makoto's hand.
Although this was on her own initiative and Suzuki Makoto did not refuse, this was already the limit of what she could do.
If those onlookers were bastards under the nobles, guys spying for intelligence, she would definitely take action immediately. But obviously, those were just some ordinary people with low spiritual power, or Shinigami squad members, so she had no reason to act.
"Where are those guys? Didn't they say they wanted to meet me? Why haven't they come out when I'm already here?"
She immediately changed the subject.
____
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