Kyōka Suigetsu

He turned his head and looked at Yushiro, who was lying on the cushion and giggling at him. His eyes, which were full of anger, instantly became incredibly gentle.

Just as a family comedy was unfolding at the Shihoin Clan, a deafening cheer finally erupted from the Twelfth Division's laboratory.

The experiment on the Gikon has been declared a complete success!

This groundbreaking invention, worthy of being recorded in the annals of Soul Society, instantly propelled Kirio Hikifune's reputation to an unparalleled peak.

On the third day after the successful experiment, a passage constructed of special spiritual energy suddenly opened in the sky above Seireitei.

Those were messengers from the Soul King Palace, descending upon the First Division with the Soul King's supreme decree.

Zero Division also sent someone to formally extend a promotion invitation to Kirio Hikifune!

This news was like a magnitude 12 earthquake, completely igniting the entire Gotei 13. Countless Shinigami cast fanatical and envious glances at Kirio Hikifune.

In their eyes, being able to enter the legendary Zero Division and closely protect the supreme Soul King was the most glorious end that a Shinigami could achieve in their life!

However.

In a corner of the Shin'ō Academy, Sōsuke Aizen, upon hearing the news, revealed an undisguised disdain in his eyes hidden behind his black-rimmed glasses.

"Zero Division? Royal Guard?"

Aizen leaned against the corridor wall, watching the excited and cheering students in the academy, a cold and chilling sneer curling at the corner of his mouth:

"A bunch of watchdogs guarding a human pig. And these ignorant ants actually regard it as the highest honor. This world is truly pathetic."

Those Zero Division, who were considered sacred and inviolable by other Shinigami, were nothing more than a group of pathetic worms serving a human Aizen in Aizen's eyes, the last fig leaf covering this corrupt order.

Aizen quickly withdrew his gaze and turned his attention to Shihoin Genshin, who was earnestly explaining the basics of swordsmanship to the students in the dojo not far away, his expression focused and peaceful.

Aizen watched Xuanxin wholeheartedly dedicate himself to his "subtle" reform plan, attempting to gradually eradicate the cancer in Soul Society with time and patience.

These scenes suddenly sparked a new, strategic idea in Aizen's mind.

Aizen murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with an almost divine rationality and arrogance.

"Teacher Shihoin, since you are willing to spend a hundred years trying to replant a towering tree called 'Equality and New Order' on this rotten soil stained with the blood of original sin."

"But no matter how much you prune it, the foundation of this soil remains that dismembered corpse."

Aizen slowly raised his right hand, as if to grasp the entire sky in his palm:

"What if I had a world that was entirely my own? Would your revised world be better, or would my 'new century' be superior?"

Once this thought arose, it spread uncontrollably through Aizen's mind like wildfire!

Shihoin Genshin was not only his teacher but also a rare rival he truly respected. To be able to compete against such a person stirred within Aizen's long-dormant heart an uncontrollable surge of emotion.

"Teacher, since you have chosen to stay in Soul Society, trying to turn the tide on this broken chessboard."

"Then, as your only 'confidant' and rival, if I were to merely cause trouble on this chessboard, I would be greatly underestimating you and myself."

"I too will seek out a territory of my own! I will establish a perfect order, free from original sin and absolutely under my control, on another completely blank chessboard!"

"Then... we'll see whether your old world, slowly reformed, is more resilient, or whether my new world, which I have created with my own hands, is truly perfect!"

Thinking of this, Aizen slowly turned his head.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the false, azure sky of Seireitei, reaching directly to the other side of the Three Realms.

They were thrown into that desolate land filled with slaughter, devouring, and chaos, shrouded in endless white sand and darkness— Hueco Mundo!

That is the opposite of Soul Society, a primordial hell without any rules or constraints.

But for Aizen now, that place is the most perfect blank canvas!

Menos Grande, Arrancar... they seem perfect for setting up my stage. In that case, this global struggle spanning a century looks fairer, doesn't it?"

Aizen adjusted his glasses, and that smile that could make the whole world tremble reappeared on his lips.

"The game has only just begun, my teacher."

Chapter 58 Kyōka Suigetsu

Rumble--!

With a deafening roar, a massive pillar of spiritual energy, reaching to the heavens and the earth, rose from the Seireitei and shot straight into the sky!

It was the Tenchūren, a special means of transportation exclusively for the Zero Division, which, under the bombardment of the Kūkaku Cannon controlled by the Shiba Clan, became the only passage connecting the Soul King Palace and the Soul Society.

Standing in the courtyard of the 11th Division, Xuanxin raised his head and quietly watched the streak of light gradually disappear into the horizon.

As the Tenchūren ascended into the sky, the captain of the Twelfth Division, Kirio Hikifune, officially relinquished all her duties in the Seireitei and prepared to head to the legendary Zero Division.

This means that the vast amount of experimental data she left behind in the Twelfth Division, along with the unfinished handover work, is about to find a new owner.

"The wheels of time have finally begun to accelerate and crush us."

Xuanxin withdrew his gaze, inwardly sighing.

In the period that followed, the Soul Society as a whole presented a rare scene of prosperity.

The Gotei 13 is undergoing a silent "major reshuffle," with many of the older generation of captains who have followed the old ways for the past few centuries beginning to submit their resignations and retire to the sidelines.

And those who filled these gaps were all energetic and promising new blood.

Walking on the streets of Seireitei, Xuanxin began to see more and more faces that he recognized in his "dream memories" but were younger than he remembered.

With his blonde bob and a perpetually nonchalant smile, Shinji Hirako has firmly secured his position as Fifth Division Captain.

The hot-tempered Kensei Muguruma has officially taken over the Ninth Division;

Meanwhile, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, with his blond wavy hair and always dressed like an English gentleman, became the new captain of the Third Division.

These future core members of the "Visored" are currently at the height of their glory in their Grim Reaper careers.

The entire Seireitei seemed to be undergoing a vibrant revival.

However, Xuanxin knew very well that beneath this dazzling facade of prosperity, a massive vortex capable of dragging everyone into the abyss had quietly opened its bottomless maw.

The sun was shining brightly that afternoon.

Having just finished handling the 11th Division's affairs, Xuanxin was unexpectedly stopped by a familiar figure on his way back to his residence.

"Teacher Shihoin, I'm sorry to bother you."

Sōsuke Aizen stood under a weeping willow tree, dressed in his neat shihachi uniform, with his signature black-rimmed glasses still perched on his nose. He gave a slight bow, performing an impeccable student salute.

Upon hearing this, Xuanxin stopped in his tracks, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "It's Aizen. What brings you here today? I remember you should have joined the Fifth Division by now."

"Yes, teacher!" Aizen then adjusted his glasses and said humbly.

"The reason I've come to see you today is precisely for this matter. After careful consideration, I've decided to try my luck for the position of Seated Officer of the Fifth Division."

After speaking, Aizen raised his head, a rare pleading look naturally appearing in his eyes, and said, "Master, in order to be absolutely certain of success in the Seated Officer Assessment, I have recently conducted some in-depth research on Zanpakuto. However, I always feel that there are still some obstacles and imperfections."

"Therefore... I would like to shamelessly ask you, teacher, to spare some time to personally guide me in the release of my Zanpakuto. I wonder if that would be convenient for you, teacher?"

"Buzz--"

The moment Aizen uttered those words!

Xuanxin's extremely sensitive nerves suddenly twitched violently without warning!

A hidden sense of crisis, as if he were being watched closely by a venomous snake, transformed into a piercing alarm bell ringing wildly in his heart!

"What's going on? This sudden sense of crisis..."

Xuanxin remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was in turmoil.

He looked at Sōsuke Aizen, who had a gentle smile, a respectful attitude, and radiated the aura of a "model student."

Reason told him that Aizen was still a seedling that had not fully grown and could not pose a fatal threat to him.

However, his intuition was frantically warning him: this seemingly simple request might not be so simple!

"Although I still don't know what he's up to, this kid took the initiative to come to my door to show me his Zanpakuto... he's definitely up to no good!"

Thinking of this, Xuanxin became secretly wary and was preparing to find an excuse to politely refuse.

But seeing Aizen's humble and eager attitude, Xuanxin knew that if he refused at this moment, he would appear guilty and might even arouse Aizen's suspicion.

Xuanxin then nodded and said in a relaxed tone:

"In that case, come with me to the 11th Division's underground dojo. There's a protective barrier there, so you can unleash your full power without any worries."

"Thank you for your kindness, teacher." Aizen bowed deeply again, but this time, a barely perceptible glint flashed in his lowered eyes.

The 11th Division, with its own underground barrier dojo.

The surroundings were empty and silent, with the Reishi barrier emitting a faint glow, completely isolating all external perception.

Sōsuke Aizen stood alone in the center of the dojo, his right hand slowly resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist.

Xuanxin stood with his arms crossed, about ten steps away from Aizen, calmly watching him.

"Teacher, please watch carefully next."

Aizen slowly drew his Zanpakuto from his waist, holding the mirror-smooth blade upside down in front of him.

In that instant when he lowered his head, a barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of Aizen's mouth beneath his gentle mask.

[Teacher, this isn't my fault; I acted prematurely. Since I've decided to create a completely new world to compare myself to, the first step is to bring you, the biggest variable, completely under my control.]

[Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Isn't this... the tactic you personally taught me in class?]

Aizen took a deep breath and poured his Reiatsu into the blade in his hand with unprecedented stability.

The next second, he raised his head, and his once deep eyes instantly became as empty as an abyss.

His lips parted slightly, and in a calm yet strangely magical voice, he chanted the proclamation that would plunge the entire Three Realms into an abyss of despair in the future:

"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."

The instant the words "Kyōka Suigetsu" were uttered, Aizen's Zanpakuto erupted with a wave of light!

The light wasn't dazzling, but it carried a strange, distorting fluctuation, attempting to penetrate Xuanxin's soul directly through his eyes, following his gaze.

This is the absolute condition for triggering "Complete Hypnosis"—allowing the target to witness firsthand the moment when the Kyōka Suigetsu is completely released!

Once Xuanxin witnesses the shattering of that blade, from this day forward, his five senses, his perception, and his entire world will become mere playthings that Aizen can manipulate at will!

However! Just a second before that distorted light was about to be reflected on Xuanxin's retina!

"Laugh--!"

Hidden beneath his Xuanxin, Genshin's right palm, which had been resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto, suddenly felt an intense the Heat sensation without warning!

The Heat sensation came suddenly and violently, as if I had grasped a piece of burning charcoal!

Under the sudden onslaught of excruciating pain, Xuanxin didn't even have time to think; his body's instinctive reaction completely outpaced his brain's control.

He subconsciously looked down, his gaze falling on the hilt of the Zanpakuto strapped to his waist!

However, in that brief moment Xuanxin, less than a tenth of a second, when Xuanxin looked down at his waist, he subconsciously missed the most fatal change in light and shadow during the release of Kyōka Suigetsu!

When Xuanxin suppressed the burning pain in his palm and raised his head again to look at the center of the dojo.