Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa

Retsu Unohana had a precognitive dream, in which many things were unclear, such as how she didn't know that the villain at this moment was Aizen.

But Retsu Unohana clearly remembered that there was such a war, and even more so, how powerful the enemy was.

If this enemy is Aizen after obtaining the Hōgyoku, then the power he ultimately displays is far beyond what Captain-Commander Yamamoto could handle.

This shows just how far Aizen's power had grown.

To be precise, the battle between Aizen and Captain-Commander Yamamoto was basically a game.

Retsu Unohana clearly remembered that the Visored ' power had a major flaw, and such a powerful outburst wouldn't last long.

Fortunately, she and Shazo have become additional variables that don't exist in the dream, and now they have drastically changed the course of the battle. We can try to take down Aizen here.

So, Retsu Unohana shone her light on Shazo, and Shazo, as if sensing her Mind Stone, turned her head, smiled, nodded at her, and then shook her head.

[Wait, I want to see Aizen's performance.]

With a clear understanding of the situation, Retsu Unohana completely relieved and revealed a reassuring smile.

Shazo wanted to see more than just Aizen's performance; he also wanted to see Ichigo Kurosaki, who had just returned from Hueco Mundo. But more importantly, he wanted to see the Ōken and Yhwach.

Why? Because we have the confidence.

The true master Heavenly Tribulation Shazo, has returned.

After undergoing intensive training by celestial officials, he was awarded the ninth rank of True Immortal.

Considering that the ultimate goal of cultivation is to be formally employed, the True Immortal Xia Zuo willingly joined the Heavenly Court's ranks and became a minor official in the Finance Department under the Longevity Emperor.

But his immediate superior was none other than Zhao Gongming, the God of War and Wealth!

Therefore, the true identity of the immortal Xia Zuo is actually the god of wealth, Xia Zuo!

All the Shazo were convinced and kept bowing on the bronze table.

Worshipping the God of Wealth is not shameful!

However, many Shazo are not under the jurisdiction of the God of Wealth Shazo; they are separated by several worlds.

For example, the Shinigami Xiazhuo couldn't borrow any fortune; he could only share a tiny bit of power.

Then Shazo became depressed.

The divine power he can share is less than one percent of that of the God of Wealth, let alone the essence and power of True Immortal.

We're all gods, so why am I, the Shinigami Xiazhuo, so lowly, while the God of Wealth Shazo is so unapproachable?

After months of contemplation, Shinigami Xiazhuo decisively concluded that he was not the one in the wrong, because he was also Shazo.

The world is wrong!

The Soul King is wrong, the Soul Society is foolish, and the Soul Society is ignorant!

As Death God, he doesn't do Death God job properly. He uses most of his power to fight Hollows and Quincy, and even uses the Soul King as a Jinchuriki. Where is the dignity of a god in that?

If the underworld were to function properly, punishing the good and rewarding the evil, and promoting the great spiritual cycle of the world, would the Death God only possess such limited divine power?

So Shazo understood.

His feelings towards Aizen also changed.

Aizen Sousuke, do a good job and make a huge mess of things! Shazo- sama will secretly support you!

If you can just ask for a small request, I'll take care of the rest!

Shinji Hirako led the Visored to defeat and annihilate the Menos Grande, his confidence exploding instantly!

Hirako was even confident that he could face Aizen alone, and felt that his chances of winning were very high.

So he led the Visored A forward, only to be utterly humiliated.

This Bad Luck kid doesn't even remember how Aizen him to death back then?

Aizen was able to subtly infuse him with Hollow power; could the hypnotic effect be any less than that he used on Momo Hinamori?

Aizen could see right through Hirako's body, inside and out. How could the power of Zanpakuto Hirako a secret?

Therefore, Sakanade Shinji Hirako Shikai his Zanpakuto, Gyōfu, he not only failed to turn the tide but was instead completely overwhelmed.

He was taken down in just two rounds.

Gin Ichimaru silently observed from the sidelines, showing no intention of making a move.

Just now, during the confrontation with Shazo, when I was verbally attacked and my Mind Stone weaknesses were exposed, Shazo also told me a few things.

First, Shazo knew that he was lurking around Aizen's side.

Secondly, Aizen also knew that Gin Ichimaru harbored ill intentions and that his target was Aizen's head.

Third, Aizen didn't care about Gin Ichimaru's thoughts, only about how Gin Ichimaru would retaliate; that was Aizen's pleasure.

Gin Ichimaru almost became withdrawn.

He was, after all, a veteran Death God who had lived for nearly a thousand years. How could he not know whether Rangiku Matsumoto loved him or not?

When you love someone, you can't hide it in your eyes.

Since Gin Ichimaru knows that Rangiku Matsumoto loves him, he certainly can't be so easily defeated by Shazo's few words.

However, after painstakingly infiltrating Aizen's territory, he was told that Aizen was just playing him for a fool and didn't care about him at all, which deeply hurt Gin Ichimaru.

That's right, the Gin Ichimaru cares about most is actually Aizen Sousuke!

Deeply hurt by Aizen's indifference, Gin Ichimaru no longer wanted to play with Aizen. He only wanted to end it all as soon as possible and return to Rangiku's embrace to seek comfort.

What he didn't expect was that his indifferent attitude would actually attract Aizen's attention for the first time.

Just like the game where he raised Ichigo Kurosaki, Aizen was also very interested in raising Gin Ichimaru.

Cultivating rivals and traitors is a common problem among all bosses in the Myriad Worlds.

Those who think they are invincible will start to find their own fun after fully experiencing the loneliness and isolation of being at the top. If they don't have an opponent, they'll create one.

The result was that things got out of control as they were being raised. The BOSS never nurtured opponents to play with, but rather Child of Destiny with whom he harbored deep hatred.

A rollover was almost inevitable.

This is why scientists who play villains often manage to create major events.

It's not just that scientists possess the truth; more importantly, their pursuit is boundless, and they never get bored.

The higher scientists climb, the more difficult and numerous problems they discover that need to be solved, and the more unknown mysteries they need to study.

Unfortunately, most bosses lack this awareness.

Shinji Hirako was easily defeated by Aizen, but the Visored Squad achieved an astonishing victory.

Espada Stark a symbol of death, fought passively. Surrounded by numerous Death God, this Arrancar, who was Isshin to die, fell to the blade of Katen Kyokotsu.

He obtained what he sought, but his wish to die has not yet been fulfilled.

Espada, the No. 2 of the Skeleton Emperor, was too arrogant, believing his aging ability to be invincible. He was tricked by the former vice- Kido of Baraggan Kidō Corps and killed by his own aging ability.

His death was hasty and ridiculous!

Tier Harribel, the No.3 Espada and an exceptionally fierce fighter, was thoroughly beaten by Retsu Unohana, reducing his combat strength to its lowest point. He fought to a draw with Lisa Yadōmaru and Hiyori Sarugaki.

Aizen despised Tier Harribel's weakness. After defeating Shinji Hirako, he casually stabbed her through with a single slash, and then cut her down with another.

The Espada is different: Ulquiorra fights Tōshirō Hitsugaya Ichigo Kurosaki from Hueco Mundo, and Sajin Komamura takes off his hat.

Ulquiorra fought with increasing ferocity, even unleashing his Segunda Etapa, displaying the Kamui, and slaying all four Visored members who came to reinforce him.

Powerful!

Unstoppable power!

This expressionless, Arrancar exuded a menacing aura, instilling fear in all the Death God.

In reality, Ulquiorra doesn't possess any strange abilities, and his attack methods are quite ordinary. He's just fast enough, has enough destructive power, and, combined with overwhelming Spiritual Pressure, directly attacks the enemy's weak points.

But this simple and brutal fighting method, once it surpasses the limits of speed and attack power, becomes invincible.

Ulquiorra maximized his strengths, creating a huge gap between himself and his enemies. The simpler his tactics, the more helpless the Death God became.

Aizen looked at Ulquiorra with delight; this was truly a tremendous surprise.

He sighed with satisfaction, "Finally, I've reached the Segunda Etapa. Ulquiorra's Spiritual Pressure has now surpassed the limits of ordinary Bankai and entered a completely new realm."

Even the withdrawn Gin Ichimaru was shocked by Ulquiorra's performance, and a lingering gloom appeared in his narrow fox eyes.

Will such a powerful Arrancar affect the course of the battle? Will it endanger Rangiku?

So he couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Is this the power of the Hōgyoku?"

But Gin Ichimaru didn't expect that Aizen would suddenly turn around and stare at him face to face.

Gin Ichimaru was so frightened that his heart stopped beating. If it weren't for his deep cunning and the fact that he had been used to hiding himself for hundreds of years, he would have definitely exposed his weakness this time.

That's too dangerous.

Gin Ichimaru knew Aizen very well, knowing that his pride had already reached the heavens, and that even if he knew that Aizen was eyeing him covetously, he would never take action without having evidence.

Because Aizen would feel that it was his own failure, a very tasteless act of cheating.

Rather than experience the feeling of failure, he would rather continue playing with Gin Ichimaru, and besides, playing mind games with clever people is a very interesting game.

However, if Gin Ichimaru makes a foolish mistake and reveals his true intentions, handing the evidence to Aizen, Aizen will instantly lose interest and then kill without warning.

It's like when Tier Harribel performed so poorly that Aizen got bored and killed him without warning.

After scrutinizing Gin Ichimaru for a long time, Aizen's smile grew deeper and deeper.

Suddenly, he laughed and said, "You misspoke, Silver!"

Gin Ichimaru knew he had passed the test again, and he asked with a smile, "I was wrong? What did Lord Aizen say?"

Aizen replied with a smile, "Ulquiorra is not relying on the power of the Hōgyoku right now, not even when he was Arrancar. He is one of only two Vasto Lorde among the Espada who has independently Arrancar."

"The Hōgyoku only helped him save time to increase his power after he Arrancar, allowing him to advance further; it didn't change his fundamental nature."

"Perhaps Ulquiorra was able to perform Second Resurrección because his power was not tainted by the Hōgyoku."

One problem solved, but Gin Ichimaru had even more. "The only two Vasto Lorde who can Arrancar —who is the other one?"

"Also, isn't the Hōgyoku the purest form of power? Can it be corrupted? And even corrupts Arrancar?"

Aizen replied, "The first Arrancar was Stark, and he was also the first Arrancar to master the Segunda Etapa."

Aizen glanced regretfully at Stark's location; his Spiritual Pressure had dropped to its lowest point, but it had also stabilized, suggesting he was unlikely to die again.

"Otherwise, how could such a lazy Arrancar who even wants to die be ranked No. 1?"

"Stark was Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande who had already self -Arrancar before we entered Hueco Mundo."

"When I first met him, his Spiritual Pressure was so powerful that Spiritual Pressure Hollow that got close to him was crushed by it, and their souls became his power."

"Unfortunately, Stark's strength is undeniable, but his Mind Stone is far too fragile."

9

"He was actually afraid of being alone, and in order to escape loneliness, he didn't hesitate to divide his soul and power to create companions of the same level as himself."

Aizen shook his head, saying regretfully, "The strong are meant to be alone. He couldn't see that, so he only reached this level."

As Aizen spoke, his aura solidified, unleashing an overwhelming confidence. "But I am different. I know that walking the final path is destined to be lonely. I like loneliness, and I enjoy it."

"I was born to stand in the heavens."

Gin Ichimaru tilted his head and grinned, "I don't understand a word Captain Aizen said, but I just think he's amazing!"

Aizen touched the Hōgyoku in the center of his chest. The blue gem had penetrated even deeper into his body, now only a small part the size of a marble was visible.

Touching the Hōgyoku caused Aizen to become uncontrollably addicted to its power. Like someone high on Hōgyoku leaf, he closed his eyes and babbled incoherently, "I have already seen the throne. It is calling to me from the sky, waiting for me to walk over, sit on it, and be crowned king."

"I have a feeling that today's battle is my final test to become king."

"Silver, this is your last chance to stop me."

Gin Ichimaru feigned fear and said, "Oh dear, Captain Aizen, don't scare me! I support you, why would I stop you?"

But in his half-closed eyes, a deliberately feigned look of greed swept across Aizen's chest, and he stared intently at the Hōgyoku.

Aizen sensed the greed, saw through the fear beneath it, and even guessed the hatred beneath that fear, but he couldn't confirm why Gin hated him.

For the Soul Society? For the Soul Society? For Justice? Or... for Rangiku Matsumoto?

[This is really interesting. Gin is getting more and more interesting. Keep it up, and I won't have the heart to kill you.]

Aizen and Gin Ichimaru were quietly engaged in a fierce battle of wits, completely absorbed in trying to guess each other's thoughts.

On the other side, Ulquiorra and Captain-Commander Yamamoto were locked in a fierce battle.

The arrogant and domineering demeanor of Espada No. 4 angered Demon King -Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who, without a word, drew his sword and attacked.

At this moment, Aizen's attention was focused on the unusually quiet Gin Ichimaru, and he did not step forward to stand up for the Captain-Commander.

This resulted in a situation where the king faced off against the general.

Ulquiorra is simply maxed out in speed, attack power, and Spiritual Pressure.

The Captain-Commander, however, is the strongest Death God in a thousand years, a hexagonal warrior with all six sides maxed out.

The two were actually not even in a fight.