A Battle That Must Come

"Not good!" Ye Yang exclaimed in alarm. He tried to leave, but it was too late. A silver-white barrier trapped Ye Yang inside. Ye Yang released his Zanpakuto, but the Silver Rend, powerful enough to cut through space, failed to make a single opening.

"Brother Ye Yang!" Soi Fon called out loudly. Ye Yang touched the barrier with his hand, turned around and gave Soi Fon a reassuring look, "It's alright, I'll be out soon."

Aizen smiled and said, "Ye Yang Shihoin, I admit you are very strong, but this is a cage I carefully crafted using the Hōgyoku as a medium. I dare not say it can trap you for a lifetime, but trapping you for a while is no problem."

"Is that so?" Ye Yang placed his right hand on the barrier, his hand glowing with silver light. The barrier dissolved at a visible speed, and soon a large gap appeared. Ye Yang easily walked out of it. "How was it, Aizen?"

Finally, Aizen's face was no longer completely indifferent; a hint of shock flashed in his eyes. He knew that barrier best. If he hadn't possessed the Hōgyoku, the barrier would have been enough to trap him for a whole day. By then, everything would have been over. But the barrier was dissolved by Ye Yang with a single hand.

"Aizen, all those little tricks we played before were pointless. Enough said, let's fight!" Ye Yang pointed his Zanpakuto at Aizen, his tone chilling.

Aizen gently shook his head. "I thought I could leave you for last, but I didn't expect the final battle to arrive so soon. Where are Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihōin? Why didn't they come?" He had already decided that the battle with Ye Yang was the final one, meaning that he would achieve final victory after defeating Ye Yang, completely ignoring all the remaining captains. What confidence!

"Kisuke is probably thinking of a way to deal with you."

"Is that so? What an annoying man," Aizen said, drawing his Zanpakuto. He didn't believe that Ye Yang, like Ichigo, had no hope of victory without drawing his Zanpakuto.

The two vanished in an instant, only to meet in mid-air a moment later, their Zanpakuto together. However, Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu was not severed, and Ye Yang was slightly startled before stepping back.

"How could I not be prepared when I learned about your Zanpakuto's abilities? My Zanpakuto has been modified by the Hōgyoku. Although I don't know how you dispelled the barrier created by the Hōgyoku, I clearly saw that your Zanpakuto didn't sever the barrier," Aizen said, Zanpakuto with a slight smile in his voice.

Ye Yang used the power of time to dismantle the barrier. This shows that even the Hōgyoku is not immune to the power of time. The power of time is Ye Yang's trump card, capable of delivering a fatal blow to Aizen when necessary!

Ye Yang didn't speak but stepped forward and engaged Aizen in combat. It has to be said that Aizen is incredibly strong. Just like Ichigo earlier, he only noticed Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu ability, completely unaware of other aspects. Aizen's strength alone was enough to deal with Ichigo; under the influence of the Hōgyoku, Aizen's four abilities —Zankensōki— had probably exceeded the limits of a Shinigami. They were all overemphasizing Kyōka Suigetsu and neglecting Aizen's true strength.

Fortunately, Ye Yang is the same in this respect. He has already found a way to surpass the limits and has succeeded. Therefore, the battle between Aizen and Ye Yang is currently evenly matched.

The battles between the two were always fleeting, each collision bringing with it a storm of Spiritual Pressure. Several vice-captains were so overwhelmed that they dared not even look up at the fight, and only Captain-level could withstand it.

The increasingly intense battle drew everyone's attention, afraid of missing a single moment and falling behind. A smile appeared on Yamamoto's lips as he thought to himself, "The younger generation is truly formidable!"

Ichigo stared blankly at the battle, only then realizing that Ye Yang hadn't shown his true strength back in Hueco Mundo. If that was the case, Ichigo even wondered if those so-called Espada would be instantly killed!

The battle lasted for ten minutes, but neither of them was even out of breath, clearly indicating that neither had used their full strength. At this moment, Ye Yang said softly, "Aizen, isn't it about time you used your true abilities?"

"Is that so?" But the voice came from behind Ye Yang, and the Aizen in front of Ye Yang gradually disappeared, Kyōka Suigetsu! Ye Yang thought to himself: This is truly perfect hypnosis...

However, this attack did not hit Ye Yang, leaving only a few pieces of clothing behind. Ye Yang had already appeared behind Aizen and slashed down, but he missed. It was also an illusion!

Ye Yang shook his head slightly. "What an annoying ability. Even knowing you're hypnotized, you can't break free from it, right, Aizen?"

At that moment, the real Aizen stood opposite Ye Yang. He smiled gently, "This is the most perfect aspect of Kyōka Suigetsu. So, Ye Yang, what method will you use to break my Kyōka Suigetsu?"

Ye Yang shook his head. "The Kyōka Suigetsu is perfect; I have no way to escape from it. However, I can take a gamble."

"A bet?" Aizen looked at Ye Yang with interest. "How do you want to bet?"

Ye Yang pointed his sword to the sky, Sky-Rending Sword began to condense. "Even if you possess the Hōgyoku, you won't feel good after taking this attack." Feeling the astonishing Spiritual Pressure, Aizen couldn't help but change color. This time, Ye Yang was not holding back. The Sky-Rending Sword he used at full strength had the power to kill gods and demons. If Aizen took this attack head-on, he would be crippled even if he didn't die!

"But how do you know that the person in front of you is really me? Don't forget that you're still under my hypnosis," Aizen said nonchalantly.

Ye Yang's lips curled into a smile, and he whispered, "Hehe, got you!" Then Ye Yang slashed at the air to his right, and the Sky-Rending Sword fell with a whooshing sound!

"Damn it!" A curse came from the void, and then everyone saw an astonishing scene. Where the Sky-Rending Sword had struck, Aizen's figure appeared in the air where there had been nothing before. He was now desperately using his Zanpakuto to support the Sky-Rending Sword.

At this moment, Aizen was completely enveloped in a layer of white substance, with only his eyes visible. The Hōgyoku was located on his chest, radiating a silvery glow. A transparent shield tightly protected Aizen's body in front of him.

Finally, the Sky-Rending Sword dissipated, and Aizen finally breathed a sigh of relief. If the Hōgyoku hadn't protected him in time, he might have been seriously injured. He stepped back and looked at Ye Yang, saying, "That was really dangerous just now. But how did you know I was there? The hypnosis from Kyōka Suigetsu is perfect!"

Ye Yang shrugged. "I didn't expect you to be alright after all this. Didn't I tell you? Let's take a gamble." Ye Yang wasn't like Aizen, revealing everything he knew.

"Is that so? Then I won't give you that chance again. The Hōgyoku is transforming my body; I'm evolving towards the limits of the world, and you're merely a slightly higher life form."

"See? I'm evolving." Aizen's Zanpakuto was connected to his right hand, as if they were grown together. Ye Yang frowned slightly. Aizen's Spiritual Pressure was obviously stronger than before.

Just as Aizen was speaking, a beam of red light suddenly passed through Aizen shoulder. Aizen remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to Urahara above him. "Kisuke Urahara, you've arrived?"

Urahara then said, "Long time no see, Aizen. Your attire has changed since I last saw you." Urahara's gaze turned to Ye Yang: "Oh, Ye Yang."

Ye Yang smiled slightly, "Is it finished?"

"Certainly"

The hole in Aizen's shoulder began to heal gradually and closed quickly. Aizen didn't seem to care, saying, "Everything is ugly in the process of evolution."

"I'm not saying you're ugly, but have you fused with the Hōgyoku?"

Aizen denied it, saying, "It's not fusion, it's submission to me, to that Hōgyoku you can't control."

"Couldn't you handle it? Indeed, back then," Urahara still seemed a little unwilling to admit defeat.

Aizen said softly, "Back then? You still wouldn't admit defeat? Whether you refused to admit defeat or whatever, it doesn't matter anymore, because you've forever lost the chance to control the Hōgyoku."

Before the words were even finished, Aizen had already appeared in front of Urahara and plunged his sword into Urahara's chest! Ye Yang, however, showed no sign of panic. Kisuke Urahara, who had been pierced by Aizen, suddenly began to collide, then turned into a ball and exploded.

Portable Gigai, Urahara's latest invention. The real Urahara appeared behind Aizen, placing one hand on Aizen's back and chanting, "Bakudō #61 - Rikujōkōrō!"

Aizen was immediately bound, and then Urahara quickly left and pointed with his right hand. "Bakudō #63 - Sajō Sabaku." Another golden chain bound Aizen again, but Aizen did not move. "Bakudō #79 - Kuyō Shibari." Nine black light spots appeared in front of Aizen.

Then Urahara clasped his hands together and chanted. "The edge of a thousand hands cannot be reached, the dark hand cannot be reflected, the archer of the heavens, the path of radiant light, the wind that ignites the spark, when we gather, there is no need for confusion, follow my command, light bullet. Eight bodies. Nine lines. Heavenly scripture. Swift treasure. Great wheel. The gray turret, draws its bow and vanishes into the distance, shining brightly— Hadō #91 — Senju Kōten Taihō!"

A series of Spiritual Pressure cannons appeared around Urahara, and then launched a dense attack on Aizen, causing a violent explosion where Aizen was. Urahara was skilled in Kidō, and this time he was using the fully chanted 91st Kidō! The power was unimaginable!