As Aizen's voice faded.
The thick white smoke on the field slowly dissipated, revealing a massive figure standing behind him.
Under the cover of night, amid the wreckage of the battlefield, a gigantic brown bear crouched on the ground, looking dazed.
Its thick paws rested on the ground as it slowly turned its head, as if scanning the area. A tuft of white fur on its chest made it look somewhat distinctive.
When it saw Aizen standing in front of it, its bright animal eyes immediately gleamed with excitement.
"Roar!!"
It suddenly opened its fearsome jaws and let out a mighty roar, its voice brimming with excitement.
The deep, impassioned roar echoed across the land. It could be heard even from far away, while the nearby Konoha shinobi covered their ears and furrowed their brows.
Through their narrowed eyes, they saw the enormous bear slowly lowering its head toward Aizen, who stood calmly before it.
The bear's fearsome-looking face took on an incredibly human, goofy expression, like an enthusiastic puppy seeing its owner.
A faint smile touched Aizen's lips. He raised a hand and rested it against the giant bear's dark nose, then said softly,
"Kumamoto, don't get too excited. Your opponent is the one in front of you."
At Aizen's words, Kumamoto lifted its head slightly and surveyed the situation on the field.
In front of them stood Shukaku, looking furious, and Jiraiya, Sakumo, and the others. The three groups faced one another like the points of a triangle.
When Kumamoto saw Shukaku, who was just as enormous as it was, a burning light flashed in its animal eyes.
Is that the one Lord Aizen meant...? Mom told me not to pick fights with others...
But if Lord Aizen's the one asking... I'm sure Mom would agree...
At the