Joining the Ranks

Seeing Aizen's expression, Wang Xun knew that the most difficult hurdle had been overcome.

Just after Aizen finished speaking, Wang Xun closed his eyes slightly.

The next moment, a dark red Reiatsu surged from his body.

That power was violent and cold, carrying the savage aura unique to the Void.

It swirled around Wang Xun, condensed, and then slowly covered his face.

The bone mask gradually took shape from nothing.

The only downside is that the Reiatsu of the Hollowfication is slightly insufficient.

The Iv1 level of Hollowfication created a mask that only covered half of the face.

But that aura, that sense of oppression, was absolutely real.

Aizen stood there, watching the changes in Wang Xun.

For the first time, a genuine, irrepressible excitement and curiosity appeared on his face.

"Controllable... Hollowfication."

His voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

But within those eyes surged a turbulent storm.

He has studied Hōgyoku for many years and conducted countless experiments.

The test subjects either collapsed on the spot, lost their minds after Hollowfication, or collapsed after briefly regaining their senses.

No one can manipulate the Hollowfication as rationally and freely as this young man.

Moreover, this was without any modification to the Hōgyoku.

No, it might also be related to the Hōgyoku.

As Aizen pondered this, the curiosity in his eyes grew even stronger.

But after Aizen calmed down from his initial excitement, he noticed some differences.

While this Hollowfication successfully broke down the boundary between Soul Reaper and Hollows, it still seemed to fall short of his envisioned Complete Hollowfication.

It looks like a half-finished product.

Or perhaps it's the most basic stage.

Aizen a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

"Interesting."

He walked around Wang Xun, his gaze sweeping over him as if admiring a rare work of art.

"Partial Hollowfication, controllable, stable, no side effects... but unfortunately, it's not the final form of this power."

Wang Xun dissipated into Hollowfication, and the mask slowly disappeared.

What does this mean?

Aizen stopped and stood in front of him.

"Although your very existence is the form I wanted to achieve through the Hōgyoku, breaking the boundary between the power of Soul Reaper and Hollows, it's... too rudimentary."

He looked at Wang Xun, his eyes shining with an unprecedented light.

"Wang Xun, the Hollowfication I envision is far more complete than this."

"This mask only provides you with an amplification of Reiatsu and an improvement in physical attributes, but it doesn't grant you the abilities unique to Menos Grande."

"Hierro, High-Speed Regeneration, Sonído..."

"However, I can help you complete all of these follow-up developments."

Wang Xun didn't speak, he just watched him quietly.

Aizen continued.

"You said before that you agreed with my ideas, but to be honest, I don't believe you. I don't think you genuinely want to follow me."

His tone was very direct, without any attempt to conceal anything.

Wang Xun's brow twitched slightly.

Then, Aizen smiled.

But I don't care.

He reached out and gently patted Wang Xun's shoulder.

Whether you believe in my beliefs, what your ulterior motives are, or what you want from me—I don't care about any of that.

He looked into Wang Xun's eyes and spoke, word by word.

"I only care about one thing: you are valuable enough. Your very existence is enough to make me want to keep you."

Wang Xun fell silent.

Aizen's frankness was beyond his expectations.

This man was indeed extremely arrogant.

He doesn't care whether others are sincere or have ulterior motives; he only cares about whether a person has any value that interests him.

"So, you mean..."

Aizen withdrew his hand and stood with his hands behind his back.

"What I mean is, you can stay. You can stay by my side, observe me, study me... even plot something."

He smiled, a smile tinged with amusement.

"I'd like to see what you can actually accomplish in the end."

Wang Xun looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

What do I need to do to make you think I'm serious?

Aizen an eyebrow.

"You mean, you want to show sincerity?"

"Yes, words alone are not enough. Are you really so comfortable letting me stay by your side?"

Aizen smiled.

"You're right, sincerity is indeed necessary."

Just as he was about to continue speaking, suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from the nearby jungle, accompanied by the clashing of weapons and heavy breathing.

Two dark figures burst through the bushes and staggered out.

Behind him was a man in Stealth Force uniform, with an ordinary face and slightly dull eyes.

A man dressed in luxurious robes was chasing after him.

His clothes were tattered and he was covered in blood; he was the target of this mission, the rebellious nobleman.

The Stealth Force roared and swung its sword at the rebellious nobles.

The rebellious nobleman turned to parry, and the two became entangled in combat.

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the forest, and blood splattered on the fallen leaves, staining the area red.

Not long after, the Stealth Force seized the opportunity, thrusting his Zanpakuto forward and piercing the chest of the rebellious nobleman.

The rebellious nobleman groaned, collapsed to the ground, twitched a few times, and then fell still.

The Stealth Force gasped for breath and wiped the blood from his face.

He looked up and caught sight of Wang Xun and Aizen not far away, and froze on the spot.

"Fourth Seat Wang Xun, and... Lieutenant Aizen?"

He clearly hadn't expected to encounter two high-ranking Soul Reaper here, and for a moment he was stunned, standing there at a loss.

Aizen looked at Wang Xun, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"How perfectly timed his arrival was; it was as if he was meant to be here at this moment."

"Wang Xun, you and Kisuke Urahara are getting a little too close."

"However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing for our plans."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xun paused, his hand about to draw his sword still.

Aizen's words just now were far too complex in meaning.

What exactly does he mean by that?

Could it be...?

At this moment, a thought that made Wang Xun feel vaguely afraid popped into his mind.

Aizen, is aware of his and Urahara's plans?

Or was he testing the waters?

In the instant Wang Xun was stunned, Aizen smiled slightly and waved his hand lightly.

"Hadō #90- "

"Black Coffin."

Before Wang Xun could even react, the Stealth Force was instantly sealed by a black box made entirely of Reiatsu.

The next moment, the Black Coffin dissipated.

The body that had been used to Modified Soul reappeared, but it seemed to have been crushed into a pulp, lying limply on the ground, lifeless.

Then, Aizen casually waved his hand, using Hadō #54 - Haien to incinerate the two corpses completely, leaving no trace.

He turned around, looking calmly at Wang Xun, his expression blank, as if he had merely crushed an insignificant ant.

"Let's save the pledge of loyalty for next time."

The forest breeze picked up again, carrying a faint scent of charcoal ash, and brushed against their faces.

Wang Xun glanced at the ashes on the ground, then looked at Aizen, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Good."