Sakanade

Elsewhere, in the Human World.

The fated clash between Sōsuke Aizen and Shinji Hirako was likewise on the verge of erupting.

A resounding clang of blades rang out as Shinji Hirako was driven back dozens of meters by immense force.

Yet despite being at a disadvantage, Shinji Hirako looked not alarmed, but delighted.

"That Aizen..."

"Sure enough, his strength is far inferior to what it was..."

"He's nowhere near recovered to his peak."

Though Shinji Hirako had been at a disadvantage in their brief exchange, he had keenly sensed that Aizen's Spiritual Pressure was nowhere near as terrifying as it had been at its peak.

In other words—

"Today, I have a chance to cut Aizen down!"

Without Kyoka Suigetsu, and without the Spiritual Pressure level that had once surpassed all of Soul Society, Aizen was naturally far less threatening.

Shinji Hirako grinned, flashing two rows of gleaming teeth.

"Aizen..."

"Do you know what my Zanpakutō can do?"

"Let me give you a warning first."

"My Zanpakutō is also an illusion-type, just like Kyoka Suigetsu."

Aizen chuckled softly at that.

"Compared to my Kyoka Suigetsu..."

"You really are arrogant, Captain Hirako..."

As he spoke, Sōsuke Aizen's figure flashed, and he instantly surged forward with Spiritual Pressure in tow.

Shinji Hirako's expression did not change as he pointed the tip of his Zanpakutō downward.

"Fall, Sakanade!"

The blade in Shinji Hirako's hand emitted bursts of white light, instantly enveloping his figure.

Aizen's expression remained unchanged. Blue Spiritual Pressure, solidified around his hand like a blade, swept past Shinji Hirako's figure like a raging hurricane!

"Hmm?!"

Sōsuke Aizen's pupils widened as he noticed something strange.

The area his hand blade had passed through had been thrown into turbulence, Reishi churning violently—yet it had struck nothing but empty air.

And yet, when he