The Approaching Gloom of Konoha

At Aizen's words, both of them froze slightly.

Aizen paid no further heed to the doubts in their hearts. After saying this, his deep gaze slowly turned to Kimimaro beside Orochimaru, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.

He smiled gently, his voice rich and magnetic.

"You were the one who said you wanted to replace the current test subject, weren't you, Kimimaro?"

Hearing Aizen's question, Kimimaro's expression tightened slightly as well.

His pale body tensed faintly, and with a grave, nervous expression, he nodded lightly.

The Sound Four beside them also watched the two of them cautiously.

They were terrified that this man, whom even Lord Orochimaru treated with such gravity, might fly into a rage. After all, if such a legendary figure became angry, the consequences would be far beyond what people like them could bear.

Aizen stood before them, with the gradually dissolving white corpse behind him. A faint smile rested on his sharply defined face.

Ever since returning through the power of the Dragon Vein, his brown hair had grown all the way down to his waist. The dazzling blue Hogyoku was embedded in his chest.

His entire body seemed to have grown somewhat taller. Within his deep pupils, faint, profound violet glimmers flickered, and whenever he met someone's gaze, they could feel a dark terror.

At this moment, despite being watched by him with a smile, Kimimaro still bore tremendous pressure.

It felt as though a mortal were facing a majestic deity. That innate, godlike aura of absolute supremacy suppressed his own presence to the limit, leaving him able only to cower in a corner.

Like a vast blazing sun bearing down upon a feeble candle flame, it was utterly incomparable!

As Aizen spoke, while everyone remained tense and cautious, the corners of his