The enraged beast, facing imminent death, finally found the peace it craved, and its anger vanished completely.
He lay on the ring, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds of Hueco Mundo. He'd heard that everything before him was painted on, that the person who brought daylight to Hueco Mundo... how impressive...
Yammy's thoughts came to an abrupt halt, and his body instantly transformed into countless Reishi, disappearing into the world.
"What a pathetic waste of a life..." Sōgo Shihoin looked at Yammy, who had been beaten to a pulp, and shook his head slightly. " Sōsuke, that was your precious experimental subject. You just wasted it like that. You are such a cruel person."
" Sōgo..." Sōsuke Aizen smiled faintly, "In our lives, we encounter many things. We choose to gain some things and discard others, but it's all for evolution, all to make ourselves better. If discarding older experimental models is cruel, then everyone in this world is doing cruel things all the time."
"Ah... it's here..." Sōgo Shihoin covered his ears. " Sōsuke Aizen's twisted logic! You've convinced countless subordinates with your twisted logic, fooling them into willingly sacrificing their lives for you, haven't you?!"
"Not at all." Sōsuke Aizen gently shook his head. "They simply agreed with my values, believing that by following me, they could realize their own life values. I could give them the value they needed in life, something that embodies their life's worth, which is more important than their lives. They didn't die from my words; they died on the path to achieving a great cause! Sōgo, you should know that the path to a great undertaking is usually difficult, always littered with corpses. Everywhere you look, there are the white bones of pioneers, but so what? We still forge ahead without hesitation..."
"As expected of Huyōsuke, he really knows how to talk his way out of things." Sōgo Shihoin looked at Sōsuke Aizen, who was always spouting long sentences, and nodded slightly. Sometimes you can't help but admire him. Some people are born to make a living with their mouths. Clearly, Sōsuke Aizen is one of those ruthless characters who can travel all over the world just by relying on his words.
" Huyōsuke..." Sōsuke Aizen's eye twitched slightly. "I've always been a person who speaks the truth and never lies to anyone, so Sōgo, you've misunderstood me quite a bit."
"Eh... that's not right~" Sōgo Shihoin shook his head. "In this world, there are only wrong names, but there are never wrong nicknames. Everyone calls you 'Huyōsuke,' so there must be a reason. For example, you're really good at bluffing."
"Hehehe..." Sōsuke Aizen chuckled softly. He was too lazy to argue anymore; Sōgo Shihoin say whatever he wanted...
"Speaking of which, Sōsuke, our subordinates have already fought nine matches since the start of the tournament. The current record is that I've won six, you've lost six, and we're tied twice. Of those nine matches, I lost one and you won one. There are four matches left. Even if you win all four, Sōsuke, you'll still lose." Sōgo Shihoin Sougo said to Sōsuke Aizen, "Do we even need to finish the remaining matches? The outcome is already decided, isn't it?"
"Hahaha..." Sōsuke Aizen chuckled softly, "Of course, the competition has now concluded between our subordinates, but can you be at ease until you defeat the last member of my team?! Can you truly be at ease until you completely defeat me?!"
"..." Sōgo Shihoin stared intently at Sōsuke Aizen's face for a moment, "Hahahaha... You know how I would choose, Sōsuke Aizen, you know me very well."
"Of course, I think I'm the person in this world who understands you best, Sōgo Shihoin." Sōsuke Aizen smiled. "No one in this world Sōgo Shihoin better than me..."
"Hehehe..." Sōgo Shihoin chuckled softly after hearing Sōsuke Aizen's words, "It's nothing special."
"Let's start the new match!" Sōgo Shihoin shouted noisily after complaining about Sōsuke Aizen. "Hurry up and finish these boring matches. I can't wait to kick your ass hard, Sōsuke."
"Heh heh heh..." Sōsuke Aizen chuckled dismissively, "Kick my ass?! You're really overthinking it..."
"Alright, let's start the next round!" Sōsuke Aizen was too lazy to explain anything. "How about your men go first? What do you think?!"
"Of course," Sōgo Shihoin, "No matter who goes first, I'm guaranteed to win."
"Not necessarily..." Sōsuke Aizen shook his head. "You'd better not be too confident in yourself, or you'll lose badly."
"Loss?!" Sōgo Shihoin smiled slightly. "I really want to know what it feels like to lose! What a pity, Sōsuke, I've never experienced the taste of defeat in all my life. I... I've always been winning, I only know how to win."
"You're about to lose," Sōsuke Aizen smiled. "Have you decided who to send into this battle?"
"I'm easy... it depends on the team members' mood~" Sōgo Shihoin shrugged. He didn't care; whoever wanted to play could play.
" Sōgo, let me handle this battle!" Hōshō Ryo stepped out of Sōgo Shihoin's team and walked towards the arena.
"Sorry! I'll take this fight!" Just as Hōshō Ryo was about to step onto the arena, a clear male voice rang in her ears, and the next second, a noble young man with flowing long hair stood on the arena.
" Sōya Azashiro?! Even you want to take my place?!" Hōshō Ryo was greatly surprised. She had always thought that her only enemies were women, but now it seemed that was not the case. Her enemies... also included male life forms that looked like women. This was terrible.
"I'm not interested in taking your place," Sōya Azashiro, shaking his head slightly. "It's just that seeing all my seniors on the stage has made me a little restless. So, let me win this battle. Miss Hōshō Ryo, please rest assured, I will absolutely not lose."
"That sissy is obviously trash. Anyone want to go up and give him a good beating?!" In Sōsuke Aizen's team, the members looked at Sōya Azashiro standing on the arena.
"Let me, the Ninth Espada, Zommari Lulu, send this seemingly pious fellow on his way!" The speaker was a large black man dressed in monk's attire, exuding a terrifying aura, with cold and crazed eyes.
" Zommari Lulu... Can you really take him down? The fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and even tenth Espada have all failed one after another. To be honest, I'm starting to lose faith in you Menos Grande... Does that mean that Menos Grande below the highest -Menos Grande Vasto Lorde level are meaningless?!" Gin Ichimaru said coldly, looking at Zommari Lulu.
"They were all too impious... their faith in the gods wasn't strong enough, that's why they lost. But I'm different. I'm devout enough, my faith is strong enough!"
Zommari Lulu kept his eyes tightly shut, firmly believing in his victory because he worshipped a great god, the Lord Sōsuke Aizen.
"Is that so?!" Gin Ichimaru laughed, a laugh that resembled that of a cunning fox, or perhaps a venomous snake. "I believe you... then I'll leave it to you, Zommari Lulu."
"Leave it to me with confidence!" Zommari Lulu nodded slightly; he was certain of victory.
"Hello, it seems to be the Soul Reaper of the Queen." Zommari Lulu walked onto the ring and greeted Sōya Azashiro, in a friendly manner. "My name is Zommari Lulu, and I am the one who will defeat you. But don't be afraid. I am a man of faith and nobility. I will not act rashly, but once I choose to strike, it will be fatal."
"Wow..." Sōya Azashiro admitted he was startled. "You're really amazing~ Shall we begin our battle now!?"
"Hehehe..." Zommari Lulu's mind was simple; he seemed oblivious to Sōya Azashiro's sarcasm. "Of course... Seeing as you're so sensible, I'll be quick and efficient in a bit, making sure you don't feel anything."
"Okay." Sōya Azashiro nodded slightly. "That would be wonderful. I'm extremely afraid of pain, so if you're willing to be lenient with me, I would be incredibly grateful."
"You're welcome." Zommari Lulu shook his head. "After all, we're different. I'm a noble man with faith..."
" Hadō #96... One Cremation!"
Before Zommari Lulu could finish speaking, Sōya Azashiro extended a finger towards Zommari Lulu. The next second, terrifying flames pierced the sky and attacked Zommari Lulu.
"What?!" Zommari Lulu's expression changed drastically. He seemed to have never expected that someone could use such a dangerous move in an instant. "How is this possible?!"
Just as Zommari Lulu was about to be struck by the Ittō Kasō, he used all his strength to unleash the fastest Sonído he had ever used, dodging the Ittō Kasō from Zommari Sōya Azashiro.
"Why?! How can you be so strong?!" Zommari Lulu looked puzzled, but he still had the determination to defeat Sōya Azashiro. "Even though you are so strong, I will still win, because I have the belief in my heart that I will win."
"The belief in victory..." Sōya Azashiro's eyes were calm. "If the belief in victory were useful, what would be the point of my arduous cultivation?!"
"Let me show you what true power is." Sōya Azashiro spoke softly, and suddenly the air became the Heat. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven beams appeared in the sky...
Hundreds of scorching flames!
"This... this is?!" Zommari Lulu stared wide-eyed at the sky filled with flames. "You... how did you do that?! How can you control so many flames?!"
" Hadō #96... Ittō Kasō!"
Unfortunately, Sōya Azashiro showed no intention of answering Zommari Lulu's question. With a wave of his hand, a sea of fire filled the sky, destroying the heavens and the earth.
"Ah!!" Zommari Lulu roared as he turned to ashes...
The difference in strength was obvious at this moment. No matter how strong Zommari Lulu's willpower was, he could not escape the fate of being reduced to ashes in the face of hundreds of flames.
"Look at you, you're all burned to a crisp! Where's your god?! The god you worship is nothing but illusion, a laughable illusion... utterly meaningless." A hint of smugness flickered in Sōya Azashiro he finished speaking. "But in my most perilous moment, my god descended, not only saving me but also my sister. Your judgment in your faith is truly appalling..."
" Sōsuke, what a pity~ It seems I won this match again." Sōgo Shihoin looked at the ring Sōya Azashiro had easily defeated Zommari Lulu. " Sōsuke, is it because your ability to train subordinates is so weak that your subordinates have been completely suppressed by mine... Admit it, Sōsuke, your ability to train subordinates is just like your strength, far inferior to mine."
"Actually, I have a habit of nurturing my subordinates, which is that I like to devote all my resources to those with potential..." Sōsuke Aizen remained calm at this moment, "Therefore, I didn't put any effort into these weaker ones. I poured all my energy into the first two Espada, so... those who remain now are actually the strongest."
Sōsuke Aizen started making excuses again, and it has to be said that Sōsuke Aizen's skill in finding reasons for himself was truly first-rate.
"So that means you won't lose any of your next three matches!?" Sōgo Shihoin asked. "And if you do lose again, what do you think you should do?!"
"I will naturally acknowledge myself then; my ability to cultivate talent is Sōgo Shihoin," Sōsuke Aizen said, seemingly generously.
"Alright!" Sōgo Shihoin. "You said it yourself, I've got it."
"Then let's start a new game."
Sōsuke Aizen spoke with a smile.
"Of course." Sōgo Shihoin nodded. "This time, I'll let our Little Fon Fon take the field."
"This time it's finally my turn." Hearing Sōgo Shihoin's words, Hōshō Ryo felt like she was about to cry. Finally, it was her turn to perform...
"Then let me do it~" Seeing Hōshō Ryo enter the arena, Gin Ichimaru naturally stepped onto the stage as well.
"Oh, junior." Hōshō Ryo, of course, recognized Gin Ichimaru. "You think you can beat me after only a hundred years of training?!"
"Oh dear~" Gin Ichimaru rubbed the back of his head, "Of course I don't think I'm a match for Lieutenant Soi Fon, but you see... after all, our team is practically empty~"
"Have you figured out how you're going to lose?!" Hōshō Ryo gently removed her coat, revealing a sexy black bodysuit. As she stretched her body, she asked Gin Ichimaru.
"Oh my~ I didn't expect Vice-Captain Hōshō Ryo to guarantee how I'll lose?!" Gin Ichimaru said glibly. "Then I hope to choose a method that won't cause bloodshed... Hahahaha... After all, I'm most afraid of getting injured and bleeding."
"I'll grant your wish." As Hōshō Ryo completed her Shikai, a golden gauntlet instantly enveloped her right arm. "With two gentle stabs from me, you can enjoy a painless surrender."
"This... there's really no need for that." Gin Ichimaru's eyes turned serious after seeing Hōshō Ryo Shikai. After Sōsuke Aizen, and he didn't have Sōsuke Aizen's inhumanly powerful Spiritual Pressure. If he were to be stabbed by Hōshō Ryo's Death in Two Steps, he would really die here.
"Whoosh!"
The moment Gin Ichimaru finished speaking, Hōshō Ryo had already disappeared from her spot. When Hōshō Ryo reappeared, she was already standing in front of Gin Ichimaru.
"Ding~"
Gin Ichimaru instantly opened his eyes, revealing a cold glint in them, and raised his sword to block the golden stinger of the Hōshō Ryo.
A burst of sparks flew as the sword in Gin Ichimaru Hōshō Ryo's hand.
"Yo ho~" Hōshō Ryo seemed surprised that Gin Ichimaru could actually block her attack. "Not bad~ I didn't expect you to actually be able to block my attack. It seems you do have some strength."
"That was close, that was close..." Gin Ichimaru shook his head. "That really scared me to death, I almost died!"
"Heh~" Hōshō Ryo chuckled coldly, "Stop lying."
"That's not true..." Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes again. "Heaven and earth can bear witness, I'm just an innocent child, I'm not lying."
"I believe you... really." Hōshō Ryo looked at Gin Ichimaru's glib tongue and snorted coldly.
"Of course..." Gin Ichimaru nodded, "I'm an honest person, it's perfectly normal for you to believe me."
Hehehehe...
"Ha ha ha ha..."
For a moment, the sound of two people's cold laughter echoed across the arena.
"Ding~ Ding~ Ding~"
The next second, a dazzling battle erupted between the two—a battle between a venomous snake and a bee.
Both are deadly poisons; if the two find an opportunity, even for the blink of an eye, they could lose their lives.
She moved with Shunpo Shunpo and Shunpo, like a Hōshō Ryo dancing freely in the air.
Gin Ichimaru always strikes after the enemy has made its move. He dodges, blocks, and blocks again. He is like a venomous snake patiently waiting for its prey. He always lies in wait, patiently waiting for the opportunity to kill the enemy.
Although he wasn't as fast as Hōshō Ryo, his senses were incredibly sharp, allowing him to anticipate Hōshō Ryo's attacks and prepare defensive strategies in advance. Therefore, even though Hōshō Ryo held an absolute advantage over his nemesis, he still couldn't easily defeat Gin Ichimaru.
"Why don't you just admit defeat?!"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in Hōshō Ryo's eyes as she put pressure on Gin Ichimaru with her words.
"Impossible."
Gin Ichimaru shook his head. He absolutely could not admit defeat, so he just coasted along in the ring to make ends meet.
Five thousand~
(End of this chapter)