Blazing Inferno

"It's all right..."

Sōsuke Aizen's tone remained as calm as ever.

"Gin, don't you sometimes think Las Noches is far too noisy? Useless test subjects can be rather unsightly at times. Wouldn't it be a good thing to use the Thirteen Divisions' hands to do a little sorting and culling?"

"If the Arrancar heard Lord Aizen say that, I'm afraid quite a few of them would be heartbroken," Ichimaru Gin said.

"Gin can be too kind-hearted sometimes, to actually care about the feelings of ants beneath his feet."

After a pause, Sōsuke Aizen continued.

"Still, Gin's reminder is not without merit. Las Noches does need some people to fill it out, or it would be far too lonely and dull."

Hearing this, Ichimaru Gin asked in a slightly teasing tone.

"Then how does Lord Aizen intend to get out..."

However, before Ichimaru Gin could finish, Sōsuke Aizen's gaze sharpened.

Bang!

The Castle Inferno that seemed capable of incinerating all things vanished abruptly.

No, more precisely, in the instant before Castle Inferno disappeared, its flickering flames seemed to have been suppressed by tangible spiritual pressure.

And yet... no spiritual pressure could be sensed!

This time, Ichimaru Gin was standing right behind Sōsuke Aizen, yet he still could not sense even the slightest trace of Sōsuke Aizen's spiritual pressure.

Cold sweat...

Seeped unconsciously across Ichimaru Gin's forehead!

Then Sōsuke Aizen's voice rang out once more, reaching Ichimaru Gin's ears.

"Gin, if you thought it was hot, why didn't you say so sooner? This mere glimmer of fireflies can be extinguished with a single breath."

Ichimaru Gin's expression stiffened faintly. Just as he did not know how to answer Sōsuke Aizen—

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, radiating an oppressive aura of terror, appeared before Sōsuke Aizen. His narrow, imposing eyes slowly opened, while Ryūjin Jakka