Best Friends' Showdown

Only then did Chiba Makoto finally understand why Sōya Azashiro, who had been secretly guiding and monitoring Aizen Sōsuke, had suddenly vanished without a trace, unable even to send out a warning.

Muramasa's ability was undoubtedly the nemesis of Sōya Azashiro, who relied entirely on his Zanpakuto!

And in Aizen Sōsuke's hands was a special Arrancar created by Muramasa.

With that, Sōya Azashiro's downfall became understandable.

At that moment, Urozakuro directly transformed from her intangible Reishi state into a physical form and spoke with a hint of apology.

"Sorry, Lord Makoto. For now, I can only obey Lord Aizen."

"Urozakuro, you're going to break Sōya's heart like this," Chiba Makoto said.

Especially since Sōya Azashiro had unknowingly come to regard his Zanpakuto as an emotional anchor, almost like an older sister. Urozakuro's betrayal would undoubtedly deal him a considerable blow.

"There was nothing I could do. Muramasa's 'Whisper' made me separate from him without realizing it. By the time I came to my senses, I had already materialized."

Urozakuro answered with a touch more helplessness in her voice. "And Lord Aizen controlled Sōya almost instantly. If I don't obey Lord Aizen, Sōya will die."

Meeting Chiba Makoto's redirected gaze, Aizen Sōsuke merely smiled nonchalantly and said,

"A minor trick. Please forgive the display. Otherwise, with Sōya Azashiro's abilities, Makoto would have learned of every little movement I made."

"That is no minor trick. Scheming, strategy, methods... Aizen truly is unmatched in all of Soul Society."

Aizen Sōsuke maintained his usual gentle expression on the surface, but his eyes narrowed imperceptibly.

The praise of others was nothing more than ants glimpsing a dragon's scales and claws, then marveling at the vastness of the world. It was utterly insignificant, not worth stopping to hear.

Only Makoto's appraisal was truly worth taking pleasure