A few minutes earlier—
Human World, Karakura Town!
The azure sky creased, opening like the maw of a beast. Aizen Sosuke, clad in a tight white robe, appeared above Karakura Town. Gazing down at the city and sensing those familiar spiritual pressures, the corners of his lips slowly curled upward.
"It really has been a long time."
He took one step forward!
The scene before him changed once more. Dense reishi drifted through the air, walls built from Sekki Seki rose high, and Shinigami patrols remained as frequent as ever, even in times of peace.
Landing atop a building within the Seireitei, Aizen Sosuke looked over the familiar surroundings and lightly shook his head.
Just as he was about to make a move—or rather, take action to evade Wu Biao's pursuit—the conversation below caught his attention.
"Hasn't it been a little boring lately?"
"I really envy those assigned to guard that world. I've been there before—just patrolling alone has so many interesting things to see. And whenever we from the Gotei 13 Hero Agency walk down the street, all the pretty girls scream their heads off. Just thinking about it gets me excited."
That world?
Interest flashed in Aizen Sosuke's eyes. With a flicker, and without any visible movement, he appeared before the two patrolling Shinigami slacking off in the corner.
About half a minute later, Aizen emerged again, the interest in his eyes even stronger.
"Returning to an old haunt—though this winter season is somewhat disappointing, seeing people I haven't seen in so long is still something to be pleased about. Don't you think so, Captain Unohana?" Aizen Sosuke turned slightly to look toward the other side of the street.
There, Unohana Retsu, her long hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes narrow, was walking toward him step