Chapter 87
The instant Rukia left Rukia's Ichigo, Byakuya was already locked in Ichigo with him, pink petals and black Reiatsu blooming in a dazzling display on Sōkyoku Hill.
Sōkyoku Hill was now in complete chaos, when Tōshirō's eyes lit up. Rangiku, panting, rushed over and shouted to the crowd:
"Captains, please stop fighting! We've already made mistakes, the real mastermind behind this is..."
Upon hearing this, everyone except Kaname Tōsen and Gin Ichimaru turned their gaze to Rangiku, after catching her breath, continued, "The mastermind behind it all is..."
"It is I, Sōsuke Aizen."
Just then, a sudden voice rang out from behind Rangiku. Rangiku's pupils contracted sharply, and a sense of crisis suddenly washed over her.
Suddenly, Aizen appeared behind Rangiku, preparing to attack Rangiku. Just then, Xuanxin, who had been standing still, finally moved.
Xuanxin appeared beside Rangiku in a flash, easily blocking the fatal blow for Rangiku, and then led Rangiku back to the group of captains.
"Lord Xuanxin!" Rangiku murmured softly, looking at the benefactor who had saved her once again.
Meanwhile, taking advantage of Gin Ichimaru's distraction, Kaname Tōsen broke free from the fight and arrived at Aizen's side.
Aizen glanced at Rangiku and casually remarked, "As expected, once something has failed, no amount of remedial action will change its course. Don't you agree Teacher Xuanxin?"
"Wait! How did Rukia up in your hands! What about Orihime and the others?!" Ichigo his sharp eyes, spotted Rukia being held by Aizen.
Hearing Ichigo's shout, Aizen looked at Ichigo and said with a hint of relief:
"Oh, Ichigo Kurosaki, the child of Isshin Shiba and Masaki Kurosaki. Seeing you like this makes me very happy. You've proven that my choice in you was right. As for those others you mentioned, they're probably still dreaming of success."
"What are you talking about? What do I have to do with you?!" Ichigo roared. After hearing Aizen's words, Xuanxin gave Yoruichi a wink, and Yoruichi, receiving the look, quickly left the scene and ran outside.
However, Aizen wasn't paying attention to anyone else at this moment. He casually tossed the unconscious Rukia to Kaname Tōsen standing beside him, then turned his gaze to Xuanxin and said:
"Teacher Xuanxin, you've seen all your efforts over the years, yet you still haven't been able to change this corrupt Soul Society."
"In that case, why don't we, master and disciple, join forces to destroy this corrupt world and then create a new one? After all, only the two of us are qualified to become gods of this world."
Upon hearing this, Xuanxin said nothing, only looked at Aizen, shook his head, and said, "Sōsuke, this is your arrogance; you look down on everyone as equals. But know that 'arrogance' will one day devour you."
Hearing Xuanxin's words, Aizen said regretfully, "Is that so? It seems I still can't convince you. In that case, let's have a contest and see whose world has the value to continue existing."
"But before we begin, I've prepared a gift for you, teacher."
After saying Aizen casually pointed and a Kidō rose into the sky.
Immediately afterwards, violent spatial fluctuations occurred in all the streets of Seireitei, and then Hollows emerged one after another.
At the same time, a white-haired figure appeared in the sky Seireitei, holding an enormous two-handed greatsword and directing the Seireitei's attack.
At the same time, Xuanxin also received news from the Executive Militia: "Lord Xuanxin, multiple spacetime rifts have appeared throughout the entire Seireitei, along with a large number of Hollows. Kenpachi Zaraki is already engaged in battle with that figure in the Seireitei. Captain, we..."
Upon hearing this, Xuanxin's face showed a thoughtful expression. After a moment of silence, Xuanxin decisively said:
"Fourth Division, Seventh Division, Eighth Division, Tenth Division, Thirteenth Division, immediately return to Seireitei to support the 11th Division and the Executive Militia Forces."
"But Lord Xuanxin, there..." Sajin Komamura called out anxiously.
"Execute the orders; leave this to me," Xuanxin said calmly.
"... yes"
Without hesitation, the captains led their vice-captains away to organize their men to provide immediate support to the Executive Militia and the 11th Division.
However, Retsu Unohana and Rangiku Matsumoto, the vice-captain of the Tenth Division, stayed behind. Seeing this, Xuanxin simply nodded to the two of them without saying anything more, and just quietly watched Aizen in front of him.
Aizen looked at the now mostly empty Sōkyoku Hill and said, "Sensei, are you so confident that you can defeat me so easily?"
Xuanxin didn't say anything, but silently walked to the front of the group.
Meanwhile, below the Sōkyoku Hill...
A man dressed in green, looking at the familiar golden and black Reiatsu on the hill, adjusted his fisherman's hat and said:
"Oh dear... it seems I arrived just in time."
Chapter 87
The wind on Sōkyoku Hill has stopped.
Yoruichi returned to the mountaintop with Orihime and the others, Aizen and Xuanxin stood there looking at each other.
A somber atmosphere immediately spread between the two, and the autumn wind carried a few fallen leaves across the field.
Everyone was on edge, waiting for the moment to strike.
Just as the stalemate was at hand, a voice suddenly appeared in everyone's ears.
"What are you all standing there for! What else is there to say!" After saying that, a figure darted out from behind Xuanxin and flew towards Aizen.
The voice abruptly shattered the solemn atmosphere on Sōkyoku Hill.
Xuanxin turned his head sharply, only to find that Ichigo Kurosaki, who had been standing obediently in place just moments before, was now engaged in battle with Aizen.
Ichigo's action ignited the entire Sōkyoku Hill, instantly putting everyone into battle mode.
Gin Ichimaru then launched a direct attack on Kaname Tōsen, while Byakuya diligently searched for an opening between Aizen and Kaname Tōsen to rescue Rukia.
However, this action was quickly noticed by Aizen. Aizen held his sword in one hand to resist Ichigo's attack, turned around and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, several Menos Grande emerged from the void and stood between Byakuya and Rukia.
Seeing the sudden change in the battle situation, Xuanxin turned his head slightly to Yoruichi and said, "Yoruichi, is this the result of your three days of intensive training with Musashi? How come she's still just a greenhorn!"
Hearing Xuanxin's sarcastic remark, even Yoruichi blushed slightly and then said somewhat guiltily:
"Ahem... Well... he's just young and impetuous, after all, he hasn't graduated yet. Weren't we about the same as him when we were still students?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanxin smiled slightly and retorted, "Really? I seem to remember that I was already commanding battles in the World of the Living before I even graduated."
"..."
Yoruichi her mouth as if to refute, but found that Xuanxin seemed to have no problem at all. After all, Xuanxin had led the organization of the entire front during the graduation ceremony.
"Yes, yes, yes, Lord Xuanxin is the best~" Yoruichi read aloud in a high-pitched voice.
Upon hearing Xuanxin 'Yoruichi voice, Yoruichi shuddered and stared at her in shock.
In just a few words, Ichigo began to fall into a disadvantageous position.
"Ichigo, is this all the power you have? It's rather disappointing." Aizen said mercilessly, looking at Ichigo.
Seeing himself gradually falling into a disadvantageous position, Ichigo held back no longer and shouted, "Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu!"
When Aizen saw Ichigo this form, he narrowed his eyes, a satisfied look appearing in his eyes.
Seeing Ichigo fighting Aizen once again, Rangiku, who was standing to the side, also attacked Aizen without holding back. Rangiku, who was already very perceptive, knew from Aizen's previous actions that it was Aizen who wanted to capture her back then.
Rangiku walked past Xuanxin to the front of the formation, drew her Zanpakuto, and silently shouted, "Bankai!"
As the words fell, the blade of Rangiku's Zanpakuto began to turn into fine sand, slowly flowing around her. The hilt also transformed into streams of light, wrapping around Rangiku 'Rangiku fingertips. When the light faded, a pair of gloves with sharp blades on their fingertips appeared on Rangiku's hands.
Rangiku then joined the battle once again, and Aizen's curiosity deepened as he saw Aizen attacking Rangiku.
Immediately, Aizen pointed his blade, and a silent, Sōkatsui hurtled towards Rangiku. However, Rangiku did not dodge at all. The azure flame was gradually shredded and extinguished by the fine sand surrounding Rangiku.
Upon seeing this, Xuanxin's eyes lit up with surprise. Although Xuanxin had known for a long time that Rangiku had learned Bankai, this was the first time he had officially released it in front of everyone.
Standing to the side, Unohana glanced at Rangiku, then at Xuanxin, and muttered, "Looks like another stray cat."
This simple sentence immediately alerted Yoruichi!
[That's right! I remember Xuanxin picked this girl up! Could it be...? No, I need to check Soi Fon's records after everything is over.]
Then, Yoruichi turned her gaze to Xuanxin once again, only to find that Xuanxin was still in a calm state.
Seeing Xuanxin's behavior, Yoruichi felt even angrier. Who is the most hateful person? It's someone like Xuanxin, who unconsciously exudes charm without knowing it.
Thinking of this, Yoruichi moved a little closer to Xuanxin, and then suddenly stomped on Xuanxin's foot.
"Ouch~ That hurts. What's wrong, Yoruichi?" Xuanxin winced in pain.
"It's nothing, I just didn't notice," Yoruichi said expressionlessly.
Xuanxin turned his head and looked at Yoruichi with a puzzled expression, then turned his gaze back to the battlefield.
At this moment, Aizen had already figured out Ichigo and Rangiku's power. Then, Aizen looked at the two with a regretful expression, and then suddenly swung his sword, a violent Reiatsu that sent the two flying back.
As luck would have it, Rangiku flew back in the direction that was directly facing Xuanxin. Upon seeing this, Xuanxin casually pulled her into his arms, and Rangiku blushed unconsciously in his Xuanxin.
Xuanxin seemed oblivious to this, pausing only for a moment after receiving the person before setting them down.
Although Xuanxin didn't see it, Yoruichi happened to keenly observe this scene.
Yoruichi and Unohana exchanged a glance, and immediately added Rangiku to their watch list.
Compared to Rangiku's good fortune, Ichigo was not so lucky. Yoruichi not only failed to catch Ichigo, but instead turned and threw Ichigo directly into the pile of rubble Yoruichi.
"Yoruichi- san, why didn't you catch me?" Ichigo groaned in pain on the rubble behind him.
"You're not going to die. Besides, my Xuanxin is right here. If I catch you and it causes a misunderstanding, I'll be wronged," Yoruichi said without turning her head.
Upon hearing Yoruichi's Ichigo, Ichigo's eyes widened, and he stared at Xuanxin and Yoruichi's retreating figures, speechless.
At this moment, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tōsen also temporarily separated, while Byakuya successfully killed several Menos Grande and arrived in front of "Rukia", instantly bringing Rukia back to Xuanxin's side.
However, this scene was completely different in the eyes of Xuanxin and Ichigo. In their eyes, after killing several Menos Grande, Byakuya suddenly turned around, picked up a piece of dead wood, and retreated.
"What are you doing? Are you blind?" Ichigo's words startled Byakuya and the others around him.
Byakuya looked closely, only to find that there was no Rukia in his arms at all, just a piece of dead wood.
At this moment, everyone turned around and saw that Rukia had already fallen into Aizen's hands.
Aizen then said to Xuanxin, "Teacher Xuanxin, what you're trying to hide is probably on Rukia, right? Well then, I'll gladly accept it."
Just then, Aizen noticed that Xuanxin and Yoruichi showed no sign of panic.
Aizen frowned, and then his entire hand began to become ethereal. Just then, a mocking voice came from behind Aizen:
"Oh dear, it seems I arrived just in time. Xuanxin, your management of Soul Society isn't very good either. Why are there so many Hollows on the road?"
Kisuke Urahara was seen standing behind Aizen, holding the head of a Hollow that had not yet transformed into Reishi.
"Kisuke Urahara, I didn't expect you to choose this opportunity to Kaidō Soul Society. Do you want to watch your creation being taken away by me personally?" Aizen said calmly.
If we were to say who Aizen truly acknowledged in the entire Soul Society, it would probably only be Xuanxin and Kisuke Urahara. Aizen even admitted that Kisuke Urahara possessed a more brilliant mind than him and could always create world-changing things from ordinary objects.
Faced with Aizen's question, Kisuke Urahara simply smiled and continued, "Why don't you take a look for yourself?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Aizen looked down at Rukia. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he noticed that the fluctuations of the Hōgyoku within Rukia's body were rapidly disappearing until they vanished completely.
Seeing this, Aizen looked up at Kisuke Urahara, his eyes filled with questioning. At this moment Kisuke Urahara said:
"You're right, this is just bait. I never intended to sacrifice anyone; after all, I don't want to be killed by Xuanxin outright. But even so, I think I'll still get a good beating soon."
"You know that much," Xuanxin said coldly, standing still.
Listening to their conversation, Aizen understood everything, then looked at the pendant that Xuanxin always wore on his wrist and said:
"So, what I've been wanting has always been right beside me, hasn't it? In that case..." With that, Aizen raised his Zanpakuto and thrust it towards Rukia.
Upon seeing this, Xuanxin, who had been standing still for a long time, suddenly burst forth with astonishing speed, and Yoruichi also rushed towards Aizen along with Xuanxin.