War Begins!

War... had begun!

At that moment, as Aizen Sōsuke's voice reached their ears, countless Arrancar stiffened, then focused their gazes on Aizen Sōsuke.

Aizen Sōsuke stepped toward the Garganta.

"P-Please wait, Lord Aizen."

Suddenly, a voice filled with panic and tension rang out.

Immediately afterward, a figure hurriedly dropped to one knee before Aizen Sōsuke, speaking in a tone mixed with fear, excitement, nervousness, and joy.

"L-Lord Aizen, please take me to the World of the Living. I, too, wish to offer my meager strength to Lord Aizen's grand ambition!"

Aizen Sōsuke paused with one foot about to enter the Garganta. His gaze shifted to the figure as he spoke her identity.

"No. 105, Tier Harribel."

Aizen Sōsuke's calm voice entering Tier's ears felt like the highest reward and blessing. The admiration and yearning in her eyes as she looked at Aizen Sōsuke were nearly impossible to suppress.

"T-To have Lord Aizen remember my name is truly the greatest honor." Tier's voice visibly trembled with excitement.

When Tier finished speaking and raised her head, the Lord Aizen who had appeared countless times in her dreams was already standing within reach before her.

Once again, she was seeing Lord Aizen up close!

Facing Tier's burning gaze full of admiration, Aizen Sōsuke remained calm as he spoke.

"This time, the Soul Reapers were able to invade Las Noches because of your hard work."

"N-No, it was nothing..."

Tier answered instinctively, then abruptly realized what he meant. Her face turned pale, and she hurriedly explained.

"Lord Aizen, I... I absolutely did not betray you. My original plan was to lead those Soul Reapers into the most heavily guarded area of Las Noches. Lord Aizen, please believe me. I am absolutely, absolutely loyal to you..."

At that moment, Tier was so frantic that tears