Killing the Body, Breaking the Spirit

Of course, there was another possibility.

That was that, besides the openly visible Ichimaru Gin and the other Espada under his command, Aizen Sōsuke had secretly prepared a special surprise for Chiba Makoto and his group.

"Urozakuro, aside from fusing the Hogyoku during this period, did Aizen conduct any special Arrancar experiments?"

As he hurried along behind Tier, Chiba Makoto questioned Urozakuro.

"I do not know."

Urozakuro's voice reached Chiba Makoto's ears through the vibrations of spirit particles.

"When Aizen Sōsuke conducted Hogyoku experiments, he deployed a Kidō barrier that completely isolated the inside from the outside. Under such circumstances, even Shuangye's consciousness could only leave that small area and remain within a larger range."

"Therefore, aside from knowing that the two Hogyoku in Aizen Sōsuke's possession have fused into one, I do not know the specific details of the Arrancar experiments he conducted."

"However, Aizen Sōsuke has indeed gained several somewhat strange Arrancar whose abilities remain unknown."

Urozakuro then described in detail the appearances of those special Arrancar, along with the limited information that had already been exposed.

One of them was unmistakably Prince of Fire Extinguishing - Wonderweiss, whom Aizen Sōsuke had used in the original trajectory against Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, possessing the specialized ability to seal Ryūjin Jakka.

So Aizen has prepared special treatment for Teacher Unohana and me as well?

Chiba Makoto silently speculated. His eyes constantly reflected Aizen Sōsuke watching his every movement through surveillance footage, while he secretly had Urozakuro keep an eye on the movements of every Arrancar throughout Las Noches.

Since Aizen Sōsuke might still be expecting to crush their group in one fell swoop, that expectation had to be thoroughly erased before he could be forced to head for Karakura Town.

At this point, Aizen Sōsuke was, in Chiba Makoto's eyes,