Kakuzu stared at Aizen in disbelief, stunned by his words.
Aizen, however, didn't seem to care. A faint smile played on his lips, and his eyes shone with boundless confidence in the future.
After seeing what Aizen of the Soul Society had gone through,
he now understood perfectly well what he was saying and doing.
His path had never been clearer.
The words Aizen had left him before departing still lingered in his ears.
"Remember, I am you, and you are me. In this world... the highest seat must be yours..."
Aizen was deeply interested in what the highest seat in this world looked like.
He would dig up, one by one, the powers buried beneath the dust of history.
He would make himself strong enough... until he returned to that place...
Just then,
"Swish!" "Swish!"
Minato and Nawaki arrived as well.
They saw Aizen standing there, calmly surveying Kakuzu with a faint smile.
"Lord Aizen..."
Minato stepped forward, his pale eyes glancing at Kakuzu's complicated expression as he asked softly.
Aizen simply raised a hand, cutting him off.
His gaze drifted to the black, thread-covered creatures standing around them, and he spoke softly.
"Are you satisfied with what you are now?"
"Have you never thought, 'This world should have a different shape'?"
"Don't you want to ascend to a higher level?"
As he spoke, a faint glint passed through Aizen's eyes. He curled his lips slightly and said softly,
"If I'm not mistaken, these things called Earth Grudge Fear have become a shackle, preventing you from taking another step forward."
"To possess empty, hollow vitality without the power to match it is a tragedy."
"Submit to me, and I can help you. If you agree, I'll grant you greater power and a new world."
"Kakuzu, give me your answer."