The Truth

When Isane Kotetsu's voice resounded throughout the entire Seireitei via the "Tenteikūra," everyone was shocked.

Sōsuke Aizen didn't die?

Was the Central 46 Tulu?

Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Momo Hinamori are critically injured and on the verge of death?

Each piece of news was like a bombshell, exploding in everyone's hearts.

Without any hesitation, all the captains and Lieutenant who were still able to move began to rush towards the Sōkyoku Hill. Their figures darted quickly between the rooftops of Seireitei, like shooting stars streaking across the sky.

However, when they arrived, they were met with an even more shocking scene.

On the Sōkyoku Hill, Sōsuke Aizen looked down at Renji Abarai lying on the ground.

The red-haired man was covered in blood, yet he still clung tightly to Rukia Kuchiki, refusing to let go. His eyes burned with an indomitable flame; even facing an opponent he could never defeat, he would never back down.

A hint of impatience flashed in Aizen's eyes. He raised his Zanpakuto, preparing to deliver the final blow to this stubborn fellow.

Just as the blade was about to fall—

A black figure suddenly appeared in front of Renji Abarai.

"Clang--!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed throughout Sōkyoku Hill.

Ichigo Kurosaki blocked Aizen Zangetsu. Despite his numerous wounds, he stood ramrod straight, his eyes burning with fury. "Renji, take her away!"

Renji Abarai moment, then gritted his teeth, picked up Rukia Kuchiki, and staggered backward.

Ichigo Kurosaki and Aizen stared at each other. Their Reiatsu collided in the air, creating ripples.

However, the gap in strength was too vast.

In a single exchange, Ichigo Kurosaki was cut down by Aizen's sword. He struggled to get up, but found that he didn't even have the strength to move a finger.

Aizen carried Rukia Kuchiki as if she were a doll.

In the dense forest, Byakuya Kuchiki watched this scene, his Reiatsu rising uncontrollably. His eyes burned with rage, and the veins on his hand gripping his Zanpakuto bulged.

Just then, a hand patted his shoulder.

Liu Ziyun's voice was calm and steady. "Calm down."

Byakuya Kuchiki's Reiatsu was interrupted by the blow. He turned to look at Liu Ziyun, his eyes filled with confusion and anger. "You..."

Liu Ziyun didn't explain, he just pointed to his eyes.

Byakuya Kuchiki then noticed that Liu Ziyun had blindfolded himself with a strip of cloth at some point.

Yachiru Kusajishi sat on Liu Ziyun's shoulders and whispered, "When Aizen and the others arrived, Little Yun blindfolded himself."

Byakuya Kuchiki was stunned.

Just then, a roar came from afar.

Captain of the Seventh Division Sajin Komamura suddenly appeared on Sōkyoku Hill. His Reiatsu erupted wildly, his eyes burning with rage as he glared at Aizen and Kaname Tōsen: "Aizen! Tōsen! You two traitors!"

He raised his hand and Zanpakuto at Aizen, shouting, "Tenken!"

However, as the smoke and dust from the Tenken Punishment dissipated, Aizen Zanpakuto his hand.

Sajin Komamura shouted angrily, "Bankai..."

Just then, a huge black cube suddenly enveloped him completely.

"Black Coffin"

As the Black Coffin dissipated, Sajin Komamura lay motionless on the ground, covered in blood.

Aizen's figure appeared before him like a ghost, his face bearing his signature gentle smile.

Byakuya Kuchiki's pupils contracted sharply. He instinctively looked at Liu Ziyun—

How did Aizen teleport there? He didn't see any movement at all!

Liu Ziyun felt his gaze and whispered, "This is the ability of Aizen's Zanpakuto 'Kyouka Suigetsu'... Complete Hypnosis."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned. "Complete Hypnosis?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "What you saw before was what Aizen wanted you to see. So, you didn't see how he appeared in front of Captain Komamura at all."

Byakuya Kuchiki gasped. He finally understood why Liu Ziyun had been blindfolded from the very beginning. "So you blindfolded yourself the moment he appeared to prevent him from hypnotizing you?"

Liu Ziyun nodded. "Yes, that's right. However, this method only works on people who haven't been Complete Hypnosis before."

Byakuya Kuchiki pressed, "What do you mean?"

Liu Ziyun's voice carried a hint of solemnity. "Once they witness Aizen's Zanpakuto being unleashed, they will be Complete Hypnosis. With each subsequent unleashing, these people will be captivated by the power of Kyouka Suigetsu."

Byakuya Kuchiki remained silent.

Liu Ziyun patted him on the shoulder. "Watch quietly. We'll be making our move soon."

On the Sōkyoku Hill, Aizen began to tell the story of the Hōgyoku.

His voice was calm and composed, as if he were recounting a trivial matter. He raised his hand, and his arm instantly transformed into a green claw, piercing through Rukia Kuchiki's chest.

Aizen removed a sphere encased in Barrier — the Hōgyoku— from her body.

He glanced at the Hōgyoku in his hand, then at the dying Rukia Kuchiki, and said calmly, "She's useless now. Gin, kill her."

Gin Ichimaru smiled and responded, raising his Zanpakuto and thrusting it towards Rukia Kuchiki.

At this critical moment—

Two figures rushed out of the dense forest at the same time.

Byakuya Kuchiki grabbed Rukia Kuchiki and held her protectively in his arms.

Liu Ziyun stood in front of Byakuya Kuchiki, using the Wristguards on his wrist to block Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakuto.

"Clang--!"

The immense impact caused both of them to slide backward simultaneously.

Aizen looked at Liu Ziyun who had suddenly appeared, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, which quickly turned into a smile of interest, "Oh? Liu Ziyun, you're out too. But why are you, a wanted criminal, standing next to them?"

Liu Ziyun shook his slightly numb wrist, a signature nonchalant smile on his face, "Oh right, I'm a wanted criminal. Oh dear, how am I supposed to escape now, Captain Aizen?"

Aizen's smile remained unchanged, "Liu Ziyun, it seems you knew about my abilities a long time ago. I can sense that your eyes have been healed. I don't believe you couldn't heal your eyes before."

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe it's just a coincidence that I'm blind and too lazy to get treatment. Or maybe I do know. But so what? I didn't stop you from getting the Hōgyoku."

Aizen's gaze deepened. "So it seems you do know something. But since you know so much, you also know why you're wanted, right?"

Liu Ziyun's smile turned somewhat sarcastic, "I know. Wasn't it because you used your broken sword that people saw me Tulu the Tsunayashiro Branch Family? I just wanted to leave this place, so I didn't produce any evidence."

Aizen shook his head. "Are they your witnesses in the World of the Living? But can you guarantee that what they saw is true?"

Liu Ziyun raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Aizen's smile held a hint of smugness, "Although you revived Kaien Shiba and the others, they are still under the influence of my Kyouka Suigetsu. Therefore, they cannot testify."

Liu Ziyun looked at him, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "So, none of the witnesses can testify. Then I'm innocent, aren't I?"

Just then, two figures suddenly appeared behind Aizen.

Yoruichi Shihōin and Soi Fon acted simultaneously, each grabbing one of Aizen's arms and firmly restraining him.

Yoruichi Shihōin's voice was icy. "Don't move. If you move even a little..."

Soi Fon chimed in, "I'll decapitate you right away."

However, Aizen showed no panic. He still wore that gentle smile, as if he were the one being controlled, not him.

Just then, three enormous figures descended from the sky.

South Zhuwa Gate Guard: Bijū Nyūdō

North Black Ridge Gate Guard: Danzōmaru

East Qingliu Gate Guard: Kaiwan

The three gatekeepers surrounded Yoruichi Shihōin, Soi Fon, and Aizen.

Aizen's smile widened, "No matter how strong you are, you can't possibly control all three of them at the same time."

Before the words had even finished --

Three enormous Black Coffins rose simultaneously, completely enveloping the three gatekeepers.

As the Black Coffin dissipated, the three of them collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

Liu Ziyun's voice came from the side. "Captain Aizen, you seem to have forgotten that I'm still here."

Just then, a figure descended from the sky.

With Kūkaku Shiba on his back, Kabuto Danfang landed steadily on the Sōkyoku Hill.

Kūkaku Shiba glanced at the battlefield and said to Yoruichi Shihōin, "Yoruichi, we're here to help!"

Liu Ziyun shrugged. "Sorry, Kūkaku. I've finished your work."

Gin Ichimaru couldn't help but laugh at the sight. His smile was mocking and teasing, "Captain Aizen, Liu Ziyun's strength is truly astounding. You used Black Coffin once, and he used three in one go."

No sooner had he finished speaking than two figures suddenly appeared behind him.

Rangiku Matsumoto grabbed Gin Ichimaru's arm and held him firmly in place. On the other side, Shūhei Hisagi Shūhei subdued Kaname Tōsen.

Yoruichi Shihōin looked at the three people who were completely under her control, a smug glint in her eyes. "Didn't you notice? Now, you have nowhere to escape."

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Jūshirō Ukitake appeared simultaneously on the Sōkyoku Hill, standing behind Liu Ziyun.

The other captains and Lieutenant also arrived one after another, completely surrounding the Sōkyoku Hill.

Seeing this situation, Gin Ichimaru couldn't help but tease, "Oh dear, Captain Aizen, how are you going to escape now?"

Aizen did not answer. He simply smiled slightly, a smile carrying an indescribable mockery.

Yoruichi Shihōin noticed his expression and frowned slightly. "Aizen, what are you laughing at?"

Aizen gently shook his head. "It's nothing. It's just that the timing was perfect."

Yoruichi Shihōin's expression changed instantly. She shouted, "Everyone, get away from them!"

Everyone quickly retreated.

As soon as he finished speaking, three yellow beams of light suddenly descended from the sky, completely enveloping Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen.

Within the pillar of light, the three bodies began to slowly rise. Above them, a massive Garganta slowly opened, revealing Menos Grande terrifying figures of Hollows.

Tetsuzaemon Iba drew his Zanpakuto and tried to rush forward.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's voice rang out. "Don't move. That light is 'Negación,' which is only used by Menos Grande to rescue their comrades. Once enveloped by that light, the world outside and inside the light are completely isolated. Anyone who has fought against Menos Grande knows that when that light falls, no one can touch a single Aizen's head."

The three people slowly rose within the pillar of light.

On the ground, Sajin Komamura used all his strength to prop himself up and roared at the sky, "Tōsen... you... get down here!"

His voice was filled with anger, resentment, and an indescribable sorrow.

Watching this scene, Liu Ziyun glanced at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto with a bored expression. "Old Man Yama, with his injuries so severe, if we let him continue like this, he'll die!"

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto glanced at him expressionlessly. "It's alright. You're here. If he dies, I'll pin the blame on you."

Liu Ziyun stared at him blankly, thinking to himself, "[This old man, he can still joke with me at a time like this? This isn't his usual personality, when did he change?]"

The people around were also astonished when they heard this. The Captain-Commander they knew was never like this.

Liu Ziyun sighed helplessly, "Uh... it's alright, he won't die."

Jūshirō Ukitake raised his head, looking at Aizen was slowly rising, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Aizen, have you fallen so low as to join forces with the Menos Grande?"

Aizen, cradled in the hands of Menos Grande, looked down at the crowd below. His face bore his signature gentle smile, but within that smile lay an indescribable arrogance, "Ukitake, you are too proud."

His voice was calm and composed, yet carried an undeniable authority. "From the very beginning, no one has stood in heaven. Not even a god."

He paused, then continued, "However, the unbearable vacancy on this celestial throne is about to end. Next..."

He slowly removed his glasses, the movement elegant and composed. Then, he raised his hand and combed the hair from his forehead back—a signature move that later became known as "hair gel hand".

His voice echoed across the Sōkyoku Hill: "I shall rule the heavens."