Yamamoto Shigekuni's shirt had somehow been removed, revealing sharply defined muscles covering his body. His chest was riddled with wounds, yet there was not a single injury on his back.
With both arms raised, his hands gripping the sword, his arms swelled with hot blood, his muscles as hard as steel.
The Ryūjin Jakka in his hand was like a volcano, flames surging into the sky and destroying every light above the Soul Arena.
As the blade fell, the flames followed its path, rushing toward the Heavenly Thunder Fierce Tiger on the ground.
Whoosh!
The Heavenly Thunder Fierce Tiger's back was cleaved in two, exposing Zhou Tianyu within. A bone-deep wound now ran across Zhou Tianyu's back, and even the armor on his back had been sliced apart.
Just as Zhou Tianyu was caught between attacks from both sides and at a loss for what to do, Aizen appeared before him.
Holding his Zanpakuto against Zhou Tianyu's neck, he spoke softly into his ear.
"See? If I do this, I can pierce your throat at any moment."
Terror-stricken, Zhou Tianyu's pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints.
As his words fell, Aizen slowly drove the Zanpakuto into Zhou Tianyu's neck.
Inch by inch, it pierced through Zhou Tianyu's flesh, Adam's apple, esophagus, windpipe, and spine.
Aizen released his grip, leaving the Zanpakuto firmly embedded in Zhou Tianyu's neck.
The lightning around them slowly faded.
The once-unrivaled Heavenly Thunder Fierce Tiger true form gradually dispersed as well.
Zhou Tianyu's eyes were filled with disbelief, but as death drew near, his pupils began to lose focus. Strength gradually left his entire body. He lowered his head before Aizen and fell to his knees. The Zanpakuto in his neck supported his body, keeping him from collapsing, as though he were confessing his sins before Aizen.