Arrogance That Would Yield to Only One Person

Chiba Makoto had never doubted Aizen Sōsuke's sincerity when it came to his magnanimity.

Status, reputation, power...

Such external things clearly did not truly matter to Aizen Sōsuke.

Otherwise, with Aizen Sōsuke's abilities and methods, becoming the next Captain-Commander—or even joining the lofty Zero Division—would not have been difficult. There would have been no need for him to painstakingly betray the Seireitei in pursuit of evolution.

"The Soul Society is mine."

"What about Hueco Mundo?" Aizen Sōsuke asked.

"I have little interest in Hueco Mundo."

Chiba Makoto made his stance clear.

In truth, if not for the many bonds he had in the Soul Society, even control over the Soul Society itself was not something Chiba Makoto absolutely had to obtain.

"Very well..."

Aizen Sōsuke answered in a tone as though they were discussing how to divide dinner. "Since Makoto is interested in the Soul Society, I will assist you in taking control of it."

"It seems Aizen already understands my plan."

Aizen Sōsuke smiled at that and replied, "Rest assured, Makoto. Everything you wish to eliminate, I will help you clean up thoroughly."

For a moment, Chiba Makoto could not help sighing inwardly once more at how effortless it was to communicate with someone as intelligent as Aizen Sōsuke. Faintly, he even felt that Aizen Sōsuke was like a worm in his stomach, knowing exactly what he was thinking.

"Then may there be... no enemies before us."

Chiba Makoto said this and extended his hand toward Aizen Sōsuke...

At that moment, time itself seemed to pause briefly in Aizen Sōsuke's eyes.

A cherished friend he had waited a hundred years for, a companion he had sought throughout his long life, someone who could understand him in the endless years to come...

Beneath the lonely night sky of Hueco Mundo,