Beneath a gloomy canopy of clouds, before a tree hollow in the forest.
Aizen's deep eyes calmly appraised the silent Jia Jin. Behind him, Nagato and the others also watched him with puzzled expressions.
Ever since hearing what Lord Aizen had said, that fellow had fallen silent.
Even now, quite some time had passed, yet he had not reacted at all.
Even so, there was not the slightest trace of impatience on Aizen's face. A faint smile still lingered in his eyes as he studied Jia Jin with interest.
Just then—
"Hah..."
After remaining silent for so long, Jia Jin slowly let out a breath and spoke in an exceptionally hoarse voice.
"It has all passed..."
"By now... this humble monk has nowhere left to retreat... Do it..."
Everyone could sense the profound despair contained within Jia Jin's words.
Though they did not know what exactly this man had remembered, there was no doubt that it was a memory he least wished to recall from the depths of his heart.
Yet upon hearing him, Aizen merely curled his lips into a slight smile. Looking at his lowered eyelids with deep eyes, he softly chuckled.
"I believe I already said it. I hope you can join my ranks and transform this world."
Jia Jin showed no sign of easing after hearing Aizen's words.
He slowly raised his eyelids, looking utterly devoid of vitality, and said hoarsely.
"Transform... this world?"
"Even if this humble monk was wrong, I still know that if this world were truly as easy to change as you claim, it would not have become what it is today."
As he spoke, his eyes seemed to recall something, and he murmured hoarsely.
"In the era I lived in, the world was already filled with war. Innocent lives constantly perished