Reversed Situation

Of course, whether he was dead or not, Chiba Makoto naturally knew better than anyone—but Kurosaki Ichigo and the others did not!

In such a desperate situation, Chiba Makoto's appearance was practically a beacon in the darkness. How could Kurosaki Ichigo and the others not be thrilled and overjoyed?

Especially since Chiba Makoto had previously refused their request to accompany them to Hueco Mundo, Kurosaki Isshin and the others had already lowered their expectations of support from the Thirteen Divisions to rock bottom.

Otherwise, Kurosaki Isshin would not have resolutely had himself and Kurosaki Ichigo use the secret technique known as the Final Getsuga Tensho.

"Vice-Captain Chiba, why are you here?"

"It's fine, it's fine. Vice-Captain Chiba came at exactly the right time."

"Vice-Captain Chiba, please, no matter what, save Uncle Kurosaki..."

Once Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryū came to their senses, they spoke almost in unison, pointing in the direction where Sōsuke Aizen and Kurosaki Makoto were fiercely fighting.

Yet in the battle seen by Kurosaki Ichigo and the others, Chiba Makoto's eyes saw only Sōsuke Aizen, wearing a smile.

Of course, if Chiba Makoto wished, he could have created a flawless spirit body of Kurosaki Makoto just as he had done in the Expeditionary Force, arranging everything in a more meticulous and perfect manner.

But with Sōsuke Aizen's Kyōka Suigetsu ability now at hand, Chiba Makoto naturally had no need to waste that effort. Letting Sōsuke Aizen direct and perform the scene himself was enough.

Perhaps Kurosaki Isshin had not failed to consider that Kurosaki Makoto's appearance was an illusion, but the crucial point was the near-perfect logic behind it.

If Kurosaki Makoto had not appeared, Sōsuke Aizen's unusual actions would instead have been riddled with doubts.

However, Kurosaki Makoto risking his life to save them only made