The next day.
Las Noches.
Aizen had fully awakened the Hōgyoku and entered the stage of fusing with it.
Subsequently, he issued an order.
Fourth Espada Ulquiorra and Sixth Espada Grimmjow were to lead the remaining Arrancar to intercept Shin and his group, while First Espada Stark, Second Espada Baraggan, Third Espada Tier Harribel, Kaname, and Gin would head to the Human World.
This time, Kaname didn't immediately go to relay the order. Instead, he stepped forward and said, "Aizen-sama, Ulquiorra and Grimmjow alone might not be able to stop Shin and his group. I request to remain in Hueco Mundo."
Upon hearing this, Aizen gave Kaname a deep look but still agreed to his request.
Thus, Aizen ultimately led his forces to the Human World, while Ulquiorra and Grimmjow led the remaining Arrancar to a decisive battle against Shin and his group.
—
At the temporary headquarters.
Shin and his group had already sensed the commotion at Las Noches.
A massive Reiatsu was approaching them.
"Aizen has probably started his move. I'll go to Las Noches to investigate. If Aizen has already gone to the Human World, I'll go support them first. These Arrancar are up to you all."
Shin gathered everyone for a discussion, their injuries had mostly healed.
Only Mayuri and Nemu were nowhere to be found, likely still plundering Szayelaporro's treasury.
No one present had any objections to this. With Shin and the Captain-Commander both there, the threat in the Human World would be much smaller.
So, Shin went directly to Las Noches, while the others stood ready.
Before long, the group faced the Hueco Mundo army head-on.
Grimmjow charged at Ichigo upon seeing him, but was intercepted by Zaraki, who was covered in bandages.
Ichigo, on the other hand, faced Ulquiorra, who had severely beaten him in the Human World previously.
The others engaged the remaining Arrancar and the Exequias in battle.
—
Las Noches was practically a ghost town at this moment.
Shin went straight to the main hall and found Kaname.
"Shin, how did you know about me?" Kaname got straight to the point.
Shin smiled. "Some things are not hard to uncover if you just look closely. Since you chose to stay, it means you trust me."
Shin had previously instructed Yanitas to have Gin secretly contact Kaname, telling him that he could immediately help him get revenge.
If Kaname was willing, he should remain in Las Noches when Aizen departed for the Human World.
"Why are you helping me?" Kaname was puzzled.
Shin was clearly close to Soul Society, yet now he was offering to help him get revenge.
Kaname had joined the Gotei 13 for revenge. His close friend, Kakyo, was murdered for criticizing her husband, who had killed a colleague over a trivial matter. Furthermore, Central 46, due to the man's noble status, did not hand down a severe sentence.
Therefore, Kaname vowed from then on to inherit Kakyo's will and eradicate the "evil forces" in this world.
"That's not important. What's important is that I have the ability to help you."
Seeing that Shin was unwilling to answer, Kaname didn't press further. As long as he could get revenge, that was all that mattered.
He had witnessed Shin's strength and had no doubts about his abilities.
Shin asked, "By the way, Captain Tōsen, can you use Hollowfication?"
"Yes."
Kaname had obtained the power of Hollowfication from Aizen. After Hollowfication, his speed, strength, and Reiatsu would greatly increase.
Shin, however, secretly shook his head. Kaname's Hollowfication had been tampered with by Aizen. If he were severely injured and lost his combat ability, the Hollow within him would evaporate him.
Shin asked, "Captain Tōsen, how prepared are your forces?"
Even with Hollowfication and Resurrección, Kaname alone couldn't clear the Noble District, and Shin couldn't expose his abilities.
"Enough. I still have a few Arrancar under my command, and I'll bring more Hollows into the fray."
"Alright then, Captain Tōsen, let's head to Soul Society."
Kaname nodded.
'Kakyo, wait for me.'
—
Karakura Town.
The usually bustling city was now deserted, the entire city like a dead town, silent.
A giant Garganta opened in the sky, and Aizen emerged from it with Gin.
"It seems we still made it."
Yamamoto and the remaining captains and lieutenants of the various divisions were waiting for Aizen here.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Kisuke and the SRDI, the Tenkai Ketchu was completed at the fastest possible speed.
The real Karakura Town had been transferred to Soul Society, and the one in the Human World now was merely a replica.
"You wouldn't think I don't know this isn't the real Karakura Town, would you?" Aizen chuckled lightly.
In fact, in order to track Kisuke's whereabouts and observe Ichigo and Shin, Aizen had long since set up numerous surveillance methods in the Human World.
All the arrangements made by Soul Society in recent days were known to him.
Aizen's gaze swept over everyone. "Even so, it won't hinder me. Stark, Baraggan, Harribel, come out."
As soon as his voice fell, three Gargantas opened, and the top three Espada appeared with their Fracción.
No.1 Coyote Starrk, with his Fracción Lilinette Gingerbuck.
No.2 Baraggan Louisenbairn, with his six Fracción.
No.3 Tier Harribel, with her Fracción Apache, Mila Rose, and Sung-Sun.
Aizen said dismissively, "I will annihilate you here, then go to Soul Society to create Ōken."
"Arrogant."
"Step back, everyone."
Yamamoto said to the people behind him.
He raised his cane, and his Zanpakutō appeared from within.
"All things in the universe turn to ashes, Ryūjin Jakka!"
As Yamamoto swung his sword, raging flames erupted from the blade, forming a wall of fire around Aizen and Gin, separating them from the Espada and others.
"Jōkaku Enjō!"
If the enveloped enemies tried to break through by force from within, they would be pursued by the flames.
"This way, Aizen and Gin won't be able to escape for a while. Next, let's defeat them one by one."
According to Shin's intel, among the three Espada, Baraggan posed the greatest threat to them. Baraggan was the former King of Hueco Mundo and enjoyed tormenting his opponents.
The other two Espada, Starrk and Harribel, were types who disliked conflict.
Inside the wall of flames.
"It's hot. As expected of the Captain-Commander. Captain Aizen, what should we do?" Gin smiled at Aizen.
Aizen calmly said, "We don't need to do anything. Just watch quietly."
Even surrounded by flames reaching 6000 degrees Celsius, Aizen remained calm and composed.
—
Seireitei.
Shin and Kaname appeared with a few Arrancar.
The SRDI immediately detected the Arrancar presence and reported it, arranging for Shinigami to investigate.
"Captain Tōsen, wait for me here for a moment."
Shin was wearing a black cloak, his face completely obscured. He moved slightly away from Kaname and the others.
"Yushiro, come out!"
"Oh, Shin-san, do you miss me that much?" Yushiro's figure appeared.
"Let's get serious."
Time was short, and Shin had no time for small talk with Yushiro.
Yushiro dropped his teasing demeanor and explained the defenses of the Noble District and the movements of the Central 46.
Since Yamamoto had taken all the remaining captains and lieutenants to the Human World to confront Aizen, Seireitei's internal defenses were greatly weakened, and the entire Seireitei was on high alert.
Central 46 ordered the nobles to strictly prohibit unauthorized departure from the Noble District, with the 6th and 10th Divisions responsible for guarding the surrounding areas.
Inside the Noble District, there were armed forces from various noble clans, but no captain-level individuals.
Central 46 was currently discussing the war in the underground council chamber.
After grasping the information, Shin immediately returned and made arrangements.
"Captain Tōsen, you all go directly to the Noble District. The defenses there are not strong. I will go and draw the Gotei 13's fire for you."