Kaneda Yūichirō now had the power to kill Aono Kōji, but he chose not to. He feared the man behind Aono Kōji, which was why he stood here, speaking so calmly.
He had defected from Aizen's Las Noches, established his own Heavenly Path Palace, and taken in other former members who had fled alongside him. With overwhelming momentum, he had seized and ruled several towns. On the surface, his faction and Las Noches now stood as two rival powers.
But Kaneda Yūichirō knew better than anyone that everything he had done fell within Aizen's expectations and permission. He was a pawn Aizen used to pass the time. If Aizen changed his mind, he could be swept off the board.
In the end, strength was the foundation of everything. Without it, everything was like a castle in the air from a story. One gentle push, and it would come crashing down!
For now, Kaneda Yūichirō had no intention of crossing Aizen's bottom line, so he would not kill Aono Kōji, Aizen's loyal hound. If killing him brought Aizen down on his head in revenge, he would truly die with regrets.
That was why Kaneda Yūichirō now trod on thin ice, thinking every action through before taking it. His decision to snatch Muzan Kibutsuji away before Las Noches could take him had likewise come after careful consideration. He had determined that Aizen would not kill him over this.
As long as he did not provoke Aizen too much or infringe on Las Noches's existing interests, Aizen would not act against him... well, probably.
The surrounding Shinigami and Hollows gradually gathered around the two men, glaring at Kaneda Yūichirō with open hostility.
Though they knew how powerful he was, none showed any fear. After all, the enemy was alone, while they numbered in