Just as he was about to release his Zanpakuto, Aizen seemed to sense something. His pupils dilated slightly.
But after that instant, he tightened his grip on the hilt. Hidden within the waters, it was difficult for outsiders to discern the change in his expression.
He was smiling, so faintly it was almost imperceptible, with both astonishment and excitement. Light flickered in his eyes.
Spiritual Pressure spread outward. The waters that had accumulated in the arena suddenly became turbulent, and the water dragon diving toward Aizen abruptly collapsed on its own. Mei Terumi, within the current, found it difficult to control her own movements for a moment.
To the outsiders, Aizen had released his Zanpakuto and seemingly gained control of these waters. Beyond that, there appeared to be nothing unusual.
Yet Aizen suddenly froze in place without moving. The vacuum around him, which his Spiritual Pressure had forced open, was instantly filled by the water again.
Chakra surged continuously within Mei Terumi as she formed hand seals once more.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A gigantic water dragon suddenly took shape in the waters, swallowing Aizen whole and shooting toward the sky.
Mei Terumi raced through the water as well, swiftly reaching the surface.
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
She opened her mouth and spat out a massive torrent of magma-like acidic liquid, which swept down upon Aizen, who was restrained by the water dragon.
The water dragon collapsed after being covered by the acid. Fiery red acid rained continuously from the sky, yet Aizen was nowhere to be seen.
Mei Terumi froze at the sight. Then, sensing something, she quickly lowered her head and looked below. There, within the waters, Aizen was still standing in place, surrounded on all sides by a vacuum.
What was going on...?
Mei