" Sōgo, Aizen seems to be dead."
Taking a break from her busy schedule, Shaoling Fon returned to the Shihoin Family during a short free moment to report the situation to Sōgo Shihoin.
"What did you say?"
" Aizen is dead?"
Sōgo Shihoin sat in a room in the Shihōin Clan, stroking the pure black, glossy cat in his arms. He paused for a few seconds after hearing the news of Aizen's death, then continued stroking the cat as if no one else was around.
"Did they use some method of faking death?"
Sōgo Shihoin completely calm, instantly seeing through Sōsuke Aizen and the others' plan.
"A way to fake death?"
" Sōgo, I saw Aizen's corpse with my own eyes. Besides me, there were several captains present, including Captain-Commander Yamamoto. I don't believe Aizen has the power to deceive so many of us."
Shaoling Fon gently shook her head. She didn't believe that a captain who hadn't accomplished much in the Soul Society for a hundred years could have the power to deceive so many captains.
"Never underestimate Sōsuke Aizen; he's a professional conman."
"Fooling you all is a piece of cake for him."
After hearing Shaoling Fon's words, Sōgo smiled slightly. He had known Aizen for so many years, so he naturally understood Aizen. At first, Sōgo had always thought that Aizen was sent by some clan to contact him, but after spending more time with him, Sōgo finally understood something...
It turns out that Aizen wasn't a spy for any particular clan; he was his own spy. To be precise, no clan possessed the power to command Aizen. Aizen always acted solely for his own benefit, including... his deliberate acquaintance Aizen Sōgo— all these schemes were simply to achieve his own ends.
After Sōgo understood Aizen, Sōgo still admired Aizen greatly. He had met countless ambitious people in Soul Society, most of whom were the same: they all turned pale at the mention of " Sōgo." Not a single one dared to stand directly in front of him, Sōgo Shihoin Aizen. Everyone was timid and respectful in his presence, avoiding him if possible, for fear of accidentally angering Sōgo and being killed with a single blow. Aizen was the first person to take the initiative to see him and befriend him.
So Sōgo Shihoin has been playing along with Aizen for over a hundred years, and even now he's still putting himself in the role of the suspect, continuing to play the game...
He just wanted to see what kind of plan Sōsuke Aizen, this brilliant, arrogant genius, a once-in-a-millennium Soul Society... confident that he could surpass him, Sōgo Shihoin, stand in the sky, and replace the Soul King to rule the three realms, would come up with!
Could it possibly offer even a tiny bit of pleasure within his near-infinite lifespan?!
"I'm really looking forward to your performance, Mr. Sōsuke Aizen!"
"Please, please don't let me down!"
Sōgo Shihoin teased the black cat in his arms, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"A professional con artist?!"
"Since Sōgo said so, does that mean Aizen is really not dead?"
"What a... cunning fellow!"
"They actually managed to fool so many people here..."
Of course, Sōgo Shihoin Shaoling Fon. Since Sōgo said that Aizen had deceived everyone, then Aizen must have deceived everyone.
" Sōgo, I'll go and reinforce the defenses of the Second Division barracks right away. Anyone who dares to break in will never return."
After thinking for a while, Shaoling Fon decided to strengthen the defenses of the Second Division barracks in order to deal with Sōsuke Aizen death and prevent him from taking advantage of the chaos to plot against their Second Division.
"There's absolutely no need for that."
Sōgo shook Shaoling Fon head slightly. He did not support Sōgo's idea, as he did not intend to deal with Aizen by strengthening the defenses of the Second Division barracks.
"Go tell Lilynette, Tier Harribel, Kuruyashiki that starting tomorrow, they shouldn't go to the Second Division anymore; they should report directly to the Shihoin Family."
"Also, tell that idiot Tsunayashiro Tokinada to behave himself lately and not to meddle in anything he sees."
"As for that guy Sōya Azashiro... after you inform Tsunayashiro Tokinada, Tokinada will naturally inform him."
"By the way, starting tomorrow, you don't need to go to the Second Division anymore... For now, Ise can lead the Second Division alone."
"Let's move the entire Second Division's fighting force away and see what Aizen will do."
Sōgo continued stroking the cat in his arms, and made his decision as quickly as possible.
" Lord Sōgo, is it really a good idea to transfer all of the Second Division's top combatants away like this?"
"In that case, Rukia will have absolutely no defenses around her, won't she?"
Shaoling Fon wasn't questioning Sōgo's decision; she just didn't understand it and felt something was off, so she hoped to get some clarification from Sōgo.
"That's right, if we do that, Rukia will have no one around to protect her."
Sōgo nodded slightly in agreement.
"Since that's the case..."
Shaoling Fon was even more puzzled. The fact that Rukia Kuchiki was being targeted by someone behind the scenes was no secret to Sōgo Shihoin and the others. Ever since Aizen plotted against the Central 46 Chambers Central 46 Chambers had them sentence Rukia Kuchiki to death, everyone had known that Rukia was being targeted. It was precisely because they knew that Rukia was being targeted that they protected Rukia Kuchiki even more firmly within the Second Division. But now, Shaoling Fon Sōgo Shihoin to withdraw all protection for Rukia, which puzzled Aya.
"That's because we've lowered all our guard and are waiting for him to come!"
Sōgo Shihoin, without anyone noticing, had a cat toy in his hand, which he kept waving in front of the black cat.
"Huh?!"
Shaoling Fon never expected Sōgo to have this kind of thought.
" Aizen is just too slow."
"I really can't wait any longer, if only I didn't know where he is right now?"
"I was even planning to bring Rukia Kuchiki over there directly, to see what he's up to~"
Sōgo Shihoin asked with some curiosity.
"It's just satisfying my own curiosity!"
Aya Sōgo understood why Shaoling Fon did what he did...
The answer is simple: Sōgo Shihoin was merely satisfying his insatiable curiosity. He simply wanted to know what Aizen was going to do, what he could do, and to what extent he could achieve it. Would the person who claimed to be on par with the gods ultimately become a god, or would he stop just before becoming a god, spending his entire life merely becoming the person closest to godhood? This filled Sōgo with immense curiosity, and he held deep expectations for Aizen.
"I see."
After figuring it out, Shaoling Fon nodded slightly. Now that she knew Sōgo's reasons, all she had to do was follow Sōgo's orders.
Half a day later... all the defensive measures of the Second Division were withdrawn, turning what was originally a war fortress into a quiet, deserted castle.
In the dead of night, when the full moon breaks through the dark clouds and, against the backdrop of countless stars, displays its graceful 'figure' in the sky.
"..."
A man who should have been declared dead appeared silently in front of the Second Division's barracks.
Is there really no one left?
The man did not choose to rashly enter the empty Second Division barracks; he simply stood in front of the heavy iron door, quietly observing.
"It's been a long time, Sōsuke Aizen."
Just as the man hesitated, a clear, cold voice rang in his ears. Accompanied by a fluctuation of Reishi, a beautiful and tall figure stood in front of him.
"Oh my gosh~ Isn't this Mr. Sōya?"
The man... who should have been dead, the captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13, named Sōsuke Aizen, smiled slightly and greeted the tall figure warmly.
"Don't call us like we're old friends."
I don't know you well.
The tall man, who had once defeated Kuruyashiki and thus become the Eighth Kenpachi, was named Sōya Azashiro. He exuded aristocratic arrogance from head to toe. When faced with Aizen's friendly greeting, his face turned cold, and he spoke without any politeness.
"Haha... You're still the same as before, always so methodical in everything you do~"
Aizen listened to Azashiro's voice, but he wasn't angry. He still had that smiling and amiable look on his face, and chuckled softly.
"..."
Sōya Azashiro did not answer Aizen's question; he silently looked at Aizen, remaining silent.
"Mr. Azashiro, do you still remember our promise?"
Aizen that Sōya Azashiro was completely uninterested, Sōya Azashiro stopped rambling and got straight to the point.
"Certainly."
Sōya Azashiro nodded slightly. He remembered that. He acknowledged everything that Zhi Cheng Shuang had actually done.
"Now I need to enter your residence to retrieve something. Only with that thing can I reach a higher level, stand on the same level as Sōgo, or even..."
"Only when I reach that level can I accomplish what I have done, become an invincible Demon King, a terrifying being threatening the three realms, and only after I become the Demon King Sōgo have the chance to become a hero."
Aizen constantly emphasized that heroes... need a Demon King to highlight them. Only the appearance of a powerful enemy can forge a hero and create a legend! But similarly, when the enemy disappears... the word "hero" becomes somewhat superfluous and jarring. Therefore, Aizen's goal was never to become a hero, but to become a Demon King who, relying on his invincible power, would rule over everything in the world!
However, Aizen could use this point to persuade Sōya Azashiro. Aizen knew that Sōgo's subordinates wanted Sōgo to be the one standing in the heavens. Aizen knew that they had been looking for an opportunity for Sōgo to legitimately replace the Soul King Aizen stand in the heavens, and his rebellion was their greatest opportunity.
There's nothing better than portraying Sōgo as a hero who saves Soul Society, allowing Sōgo to replace the Soul King in terms of influence.
"I understand... then you can go in."
Sōya Azashiro nodded slightly. He had no intention of stopping Aizen. He stepped aside to make way for Aizen and gestured for Aizen to enter the Second Division's barracks.
" The Rukia Kuchiki you want is inside, but... you'll have to go get it yourself..."
Sōya Azashiro smiled slightly at Aizen, deliberately raising his voice and emphasizing the words "you need to go get it yourself".
"..."
Sōsuke Aizen's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, trembled slightly, and he froze in place, saying nothing.
"What's wrong, Sōsuke Aizen? Isn't this the closest you've ever been to becoming 'King'?"
With a slight smile, Sōya Azashiro continued to entice Aizen through the unobstructed Second Division, picking up the half of the 'crown' that had been sealed inside Rukia Kuchiki's body.
"Really?"
Sōsuke Aizen hesitated. He hesitated at the very last moment before his coronation. Sōsuke Aizen had been plotting in Soul Society for hundreds of years, and his wisdom surpassed even that of Sima Yi, who ultimately seized power in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Yet, even this Aizen hesitated when faced with the unsuspecting barracks of the Second Division.
Aizen had always created favorable conditions with his own hands, turning desperate situations and adversity into favorable ones, and who had never received help from others, hesitated when faced with Aizen's sudden offer of assistance on Sōgo...
"How?"
Are you scared, Aizen?
"I'm afraid that once I obtain that final power, I'll have no reason to delay any longer and will have to face Lord Sōgo!"
"You fear that you will ultimately be defeated by Sōgo Shihoin; you fear that despite scheming for hundreds of years, you will still be no match for Sōgo; you fear that you will not be able to stand in the sky!"
Sōya Azashiro continued speaking to Aizen, his words transforming into countless sharp swords that pierced Aizen's heart.
"Shut up!"
A red light flickered between Aizen's eyes, and he was losing control of his emotions.
"..."
Sōya Azashiro looked at Aizen's strange appearance, his brows furrowed, and countless doubts arose in his heart.
As far as he knew, Sōsuke Aizen to get angry over just a few words; there was something strange about this Sōsuke Aizen...
"Hahaha... Hahaha..."
"Scared? I'm not scared at all~"
"But it wouldn't be fun if we just took it away quietly like that."
"I will take what I want openly and honestly under everyone's watchful eyes, and formally declare war on Sōgo Shihoin!"
Let's wait and see!
Just as Sōya Azashiro was feeling puzzled, Sōsuke Aizen suddenly chuckled. His arrogant yet composed demeanor dispelled Sōya Azashiro's doubts.
"I just wanted to say hello today."
Let's finish the game!
With a warm smile on his face, Sōsuke Aizen turned and disappeared in front of Sōya Azashiro.
Was Aizen's loss of composure just now an illusion? Or...?
Sōya Azashiro stared in the direction Sōsuke Aizen had left, his mouth slightly agape as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he said nothing. A short while later, he and the doubts that had arisen in his heart disappeared in front of the massive iron gate of the Second Division.
(End of this chapter)