ushernet Chapter 241 – Release
Chapter 241 – Release
Chapter 241 – Release
Kageroza Inaba retrieved three test tubes from his coat with a satisfied smile.
"Heh heh, what an unexpected delight..."
He had initially only planned to collect the spiritual pressures of Kaien Shiba, the lieutenant of the 13th Division, and his wife, Miyako Shiba, the third seat. But unexpectedly, the captain of the 11th Division had also intervened. Obtaining the spiritual pressure of this "Strongest Shinigami" meant that his dream was practically within reach! All that remained was to create a suitable vessel for it.
Inaba's eyes glinted with anticipation as he recalled Ailin’s display of power from seventy years ago. Ailin, during his time as lieutenant of the 2nd Division, had stormed the 12th Division's barracks, single-handedly overwhelming the entire division with his spiritual pressure and his mastery of golden spatial ripples.
If Inaba could create a Mod Soul with Ailin’s abilities, who in the entire Soul Society could possibly stand against his army?
With deft movements, Inaba removed the stoppers from the three test tubes. Three distinct streams of reishi particles, each a different color, rose from the vials, swirling and merging as they were drawn into a fourth test tube in his hand. They coalesced within the tube, transforming into a shimmering blue liquid.
Inaba carefully sealed the vial, "Soon... Soon, all that remains is...”
He turned and vanished into the night.
...
Beneath a fiery red sky, a towering wooden cross stood atop a desolate hill. A man, bound to the cross by black bandages, resembled a macabre mummy.
Buzz!
A golden spatial ripple materialized in the air, and Ailin stepped through the portal, arriving at this desolate location. It was his "Innate Domain: Unlimited Blade Works."
With a flicker of Shunpo, he appeared before the bound figure, Sōsuke Aizen.
“It’s been a while, Aizen.”
“Indeed, Captain Ailin. It has been quite some time since we last spoke. However, I see you almost every day.” Aizen replied with a faint smile.
Despite being defeated by Ailin over two decades ago and imprisoned within this strange realm, Aizen’s expression remained unchanged, as serene and composed as ever.
It was as if this setback meant nothing to him.
Hearing Aizen’s stubborn insistence, Ailin simply chuckled. Back in his previous life, Aizen had been his favorite antagonist. However, at his peak, Aizen’s rapidly growing power had destabilized his mind. Compared to Ichigo Kurosaki, he had come across as a bit of a "clown."
Fortunately, Aizen had eventually recognized his own folly. His power had exceeded his control, threatening to consume him. He had chosen to reject further evolution, to preserve his sense of self.
The Hōgyoku, responding to his desire, had ceased its influence, preventing him from evolving further. This had ultimately led to Aizen’s defeat at the hands of Kisuke Urahara, who had sealed him within the Kidō embedded within his half of the Hōgyoku.
“Aizen, we had an agreement. Now, I’ve come to fulfill my end of the bargain.”
“Oh?” Aizen’s smile didn’t waver. It was as if Ailin’s decision had been anticipated all along.
With that, as Aizen looked on in bewilderment, Ailin drew his Zanpakutō.
“Shatter – Kyōka Suigetsu!”
A faint light flickered in Aizen’s eyes.
Images flooded his mind.
Ailin’s clone, entering Hueco Mundo, subjugating the Espada, appointing Tier Harribel as the new third Espada...
In the Soul Society, a Hollow, born from Ailin’s Hollowfication experiments, possessing the combat instincts of a Shinigami...
Ailin, visiting the Shin'ō Academy, teaching the students the four Shinigami arts, showcasing the power of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu...
Ailin, acting as an examiner for the Shin'ō Academy graduation exam, adding a new rule because of one student’s selfish actions...
Everything Ailin had done, masquerading as Sōsuke Aizen, played out before Aizen’s eyes. Twenty years of actions compressed into a few fleeting moments.
Ailin believed that even if Aizen hadn’t actually done these things, after witnessing them, he would accept them as his own.
Aizen’s understanding of human nature far exceeded Ailin’s.
“Brilliant!”
“It seems I was right about you, Captain Ailin. You and I, we are the same.”
“We are not like Kisuke Urahara, who clings to the status quo, blinded by foolish loyalty. If he wants to serve the Soul King, then let us be the ones to give him his final farewell!”
Having witnessed Ailin’s actions, especially the Hollow created through his experiments, a Hollow possessing the combat instincts of a Shinigami, Aizen was deeply impressed.
That Hollow, born from the reishi of countless Hollowfied Shinigami, possessed both the powers of a Hollow and the combat instincts of a Shinigami. Its potential far exceeded that of any other Hollow Aizen had encountered in Hueco Mundo.
If he were to continue Ailin’s research, to nurture that Hollow further, it would undoubtedly aid him in his own quest to transcend the limits of a Shinigami.
“No, Captain Aizen. We are not the same.”
Seeing Aizen’s insistence, Ailin raised a hand, interrupting him. He had only done these things to ensure the birth of Ichigo Kurosaki, the protagonist from his memories. It was his insurance policy, his guarantee against the Soul King’s plans.
He hadn’t expected Aizen to misinterpret his actions, believing they aligned with his own.
Sheathing Kyōka Suigetsu, Ailin tossed Aizen’s Zanpakutō towards him.
“This is the first time I’m sparing you, Aizen. It will also be the last.”
After Aizen had sheathed his Zanpakutō, Ailin continued...