Exposed

Wang Xun stood at the laboratory door, taking in the entire scene before him.

Sensing the commotion nearby, Kaname Tōsen's body stiffened abruptly.

He quickly raised his hand to wipe away the tears on his face, stood up, and turned towards the door, as if he had been caught doing something shameful.

Tears still lingered on his dark face, but he had forced a calm expression back.

"Looks like I've come at the wrong time."

Wang Xun walked into the laboratory, his tone indifferent.

Aizen glanced at Wang Xun, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"No, you've come at the perfect time."

He turned around and looked at Kaname Tōsen with a sharp gaze.

"Kaname Tōsen is back."

"This confirms that the Kaname Tōsen we have here is a fake."

Upon hearing Aizen's words, Kaname Tōsen's brows furrowed sharply.

Kaname Tōsen's expression shifted from confusion to astonishment, from astonishment to shock, and finally settled on an incredulous anger.

"You mean... someone impersonated me and infiltrated our experiments?"

Aizen nodded slightly.

"They are the Quincy."

Wang Xun then took over the conversation.

"It seems that while you were imprisoned, the Quincy sent a spy who could perfectly replicate your appearance, Reiatsu, and even memories to impersonate you."

"He has been infiltrating Lieutenant Aizen's inner circle, participating in the Hōgyoku experiments, for some time now."

Kaname Tōsen's breathing became rapid.

"The Quincy... those guys."

His voice was deep and hoarse.

"Defeated by Shigekuni Yamamoto nine hundred years ago, wiped out in the World of the Living a hundred years ago, and still hiding in the shadow of the Seireitei..."

He raised his head, his voice filled with suppressed anger.

"Lord Aizen, should we report this to the Seireitei?"

"The Gotei 13 and the Quincy have a long-standing feud. If the existence of the Quincy is made public, they will surely launch a campaign to wipe them out."

"By then, the Gotei 13 and the Quincy will be wearing each other down, which would be more advantageous for our Hōgyoku plan."

Aizen remained silent for a moment.

He walked to the Hōgyoku container, slightly raised his head, and looked at the floating Hōgyoku.

"They will expose our plans and experiments before they are wiped out."

"The Hōgyoku, Hollowfication... Once the Seireitei learns of these things, the Gotei 13's blades will be used against us instead of the Quincy."

Aizen turned around and looked at Kaname Tōsen.

"This is a situation where everyone suffers."

Kaname Tōsen silent and lowered his head.

"It was my oversight."

Aizen gently shook his head.

"This matter is not something that cannot be reported to the Seireitei, but now is not the time."

He looked at Kaname Tōsen, then changed the subject.

"What's more important now is that fake Tōsen."

"He doesn't know you're back, nor does he know we've already discovered his identity."

"That's our advantage."

What are your plans, Lord Aizen?

Kaname Tōsen asked.

"Go to the secret room and rest until that imposter appears."

Aizen said softly.

"Of course, you just need to watch; you don't need to do anything. Leave the rest to me and Wang Xun."

Kaname Tōsen hesitated for a moment.

He clearly didn't want to step down, nor did he want to hand over the opportunity to deal with the counterfeit goods to Wang Xun.

But Aizen's voice was undeniable.

He had no choice but to lower his head, turn around, and walk into the secret chamber at the deepest part of the experimental area.

When Loyd, transformed into Kaname Tōsen, pushed open the stone door of the laboratory and walked in, Wang Xun was calibrating the energy output of the Hōgyoku at the experimental table.

Aizen sat in the main seat, a document spread out in front of him.

He looked up and saw Loyd, a gentle smile playing on his lips as always.

"They've arrived."

"Lord Aizen, you wanted to see me?"

Loyd bowed respectfully, his movements precise and his tone deferential.

Aizen put down the documents and looked him up and down.

The gaze didn't linger on the person for long, but it carried an unsettling sense of scrutiny.

"I called you here today because I need your help with something."

"I want to test Wang Xun's ability to enhance his Hollowfication."

Aizen raised his hand and pointed to Wang Xun, who was standing on the other side of the experimental table.

"Now we need someone with extensive combat experience to be his test subject, and there's no one more suitable than you."

Loyd paused for a moment.

This was clearly not the task he had expected.

"Me and Wang Xun?"

"Right."

Aizen nodded, a smile still playing on his lips.

"Your injuries have almost healed, so it's a good time to stretch your body and test the results of your rest during this period."

Loyd remained silent, but had no reason to refuse. After a moment, he lowered his head.

"Yes."

Wang Xun had already packed up the experimental equipment and got up to walk to the center of the open space in the experimental area.

He stopped, his hand resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist.

Even before the blade was drawn, a calm and chilling aura emanated from him.

Loyd walked up to him, drew his Zanpakuto, and became alert, secretly trying to figure out Aizen's intentions.

The next moment, a dark red Reiatsu surged out from Wang Xun's body.

The bone mask spreads from the forehead to both sides, covering the upper half of the face.

The Reiatsu expanded outwards in a violent manner, blowing the papers in the laboratory apart and making them flutter in the air.

The power of Hollowfication surged within him, pushing his Reiatsu to a new level.

Loyd's alertness instantly heightened.

However, Wang Xun did not give him time to adjust.

His figure vanished from the spot, his Zanpakuto drawing an arc in the air, slashing towards Loyd's right shoulder with a sharp Reiatsu.

Blades clashed, sparks flew.

Loyd barely managed to parry the blow, but the immense impact forced him back.

After his transformation, he gains approximately 70% of the target's power.

Even though he could use his injuries to cover up his lack of strength, he still couldn't withstand Wang Xun's power.

This guy didn't seem this strong in Kaname Tōsen's memories. Is this an improvement brought about by Hollowfication?

Loyd thought to himself, his arm going numb from the shock.

However, before he could regain his footing and readjust his posture, Wang Xun's second strike came from the side.

He dodged to the side, the blade grazing the hem of his clothes.

The blade shifted its momentum and slashed down on Loyd's head once more.

Loyd raised his knife with both hands to block, and the blades clashed together with a deafening roar.

His knees bent slightly, almost kneeling under the pressure.

Wang Xun his sword and attacked like a torrential downpour, without pause or respite.

The Zanpakuto seemed to come alive in his hands, each strike carrying a violent power, precisely hitting Loyd's weak points.

Loyd was forced to retreat repeatedly, his shiha armor was cut in several places by the wind from the blade, and his breathing became rapid and heavy.

Wang Xun's swordsmanship was far beyond his imagination.

In just a short while, several cuts appeared on his body, a result of Wang Xun showing mercy.

Loyd gritted his teeth and fought to the death, but he had realized that he was no match for Wang Xun in a knife fight.

Even his Shikai of the Suzumushi was no match for Wang Xun.

This is something he remembers very well.

At this moment, he was already beginning to consider withdrawing.

However, Aizen showed no intention of stopping them.

It seems they want to see Wang Xun's limits.

Loyd sighed, raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, took a deep breath, and his Reiatsu began to fluctuate violently.

"Bankai."

His voice was hoarse and resolute.

The Zanpakuto's blade transformed into a ring and flew outwards, while a black barrier surged in from all directions, engulfing the entire experimental area.

All light and sound were completely swallowed up by this darkness.

The Suzumushi Final Form: Yama Cricket.

Loyd exhaled silently in the darkness.

This is his last trump card, Kaname Tōsen's Bankai.

Strip away all senses, leaving only touch.

Anyone trapped in this darkness will become his prey.

He gripped his Zanpakuto and silently charged toward where Wang Xun stood.

However, he had only taken two steps.

"Hadō #33: Sōkatsui"

The uninvoked Kidō was released from Wang Xun's hand and struck Loyd precisely.

Loyd was startled and quickly dodged to the side.

How could that be!

He shouldn't be able to sense anything! In this absolute darkness, no one could pinpoint his location.

How did this guy even manage to do that...?

In the darkness, Wang Xun's lips curled into a slight smile.

He raised his right hand, and countless threads of Reiatsu extended from his fingertips, spreading outwards like a spider web.

The ground was covered in them.

These threads are formed from pure Reiatsu, a sensory method he improved by combining the Bakudō #4: Hainawa, "This Hainawa."

It is a special Kidō designed to counter Bankai Kaname Tōsen.

The trembling of each thread was conveying Loyd's current location to Wang Xun.

Wang Xun raised his hand, Hadō, without any chanting, poured down.

No matter where Loyd appears, Wang Xun's Hadō will accurately lock onto him.

Loyd was busy dodging, but failed to notice the extremely hidden Bakudō hidden among the many Hadō.

Just as he thought he had figured out Wang Xun's attack rhythm and was looking for a chance to catch his breath.

A purple beam of light shot out from the darkness, striking Loyd precisely in the right shoulder.

He looked down in shock as a second and third beam of light shot out, locking his limbs in place.

Bakudō #62: Hyapporankan: Hyapporankan.

The light rods formed by Reiryoku fell from all directions, pinning him firmly to the spot.

The Bankai space began to crack, and darkness scattered in all directions like shards of glass.

The light from the Reishi lamp surged back in, Loyd was pinned to the spot, breathing heavily.

There was no need for him to struggle anymore. Wang Xun's abilities were fully displayed, and his improvement after Hollowfication was also significant.

Loyd felt he had done enough of the test.

Although he looked a bit disheveled, I hope he didn't record anything inappropriate...

Aizen stood to the side, nodding slightly.

His gaze lingered on Wang Xun for a moment.

This young man's growth rate exceeded all his expectations.

Although this fake Tōsen was holding back, his strength was not as abundant as usual.

However, the strength and suppressive power that Wang Xun displayed were simply too overwhelming.

This is an all-rounder who excels in every aspect.

His overall strength after Hollowfication is even comparable to some newly appointed captains.

What a... surprise!

"Lord Aizen, I surrender. You may release Bakudō."

Upon hearing Loyd's voice, Wang Xun walked up to him, raised his hand, and gathered Reiatsu in his palm.

Loyd waited for Wang Xun untie him; this was just a test, and it was already over.

However, instead of loosening, the light sticks were further bound by another layer of Bakudō as Wang Xun cast his spell.

Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō activated once more, golden beams of light appearing in the air and firmly locking Loyd's body in place.

His Reiatsu was locked, his body was pinned to the spot, and Loyd couldn't even raise his hand.

By then, he had already realized that something was wrong.

Loyd suddenly looked up at Aizen.

However, Aizen watched Wang Xun's actions without making any comment.

A chill ran through Loyd, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice became hoarse.

"... Lord Aizen?"

Aizen remained silent.

Just then, footsteps came from deep within the laboratory, growing closer and closer.

Loyd's senses extended in the direction from which the sound came.

Then, he froze.

A figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

A black shihaka (death knight's uniform), dark skin, and tightly closed eyes.

Kaname Tōsen...

But how could that be...?

Kaname Tōsen walked up to Loyd, stopped, and lowered his head.

"You're the Quincy impersonated me?"

Loyd's pupils contracted sharply. He could no longer hide his intentions and abruptly turned to look at Aizen.

In Aizen's eyes, there was only cold scrutiny. At this moment, Loyd finally understood that he had been exposed all along.

"... How did you get here?"

Loyd couldn't understand why Kaname Tōsen be here.

He was clearly imprisoned in the Wandenreich's underground dungeon, how could he have escaped on his own? Was it Aizen who did it?

"I'm the one who should be asking that question."

Kaname Tōsen's voice was calm and cold.

"You took my place, tried to steal our secrets, Quincy... What is your purpose?"

Loyd did not answer.

Countless thoughts surged wildly in his mind, his fingers twitching slightly as he tried to form hand seals to escape, but Wang Xun's Bakudō locked him up from head to toe.

The Shadow Domain technique requires the Quincy's Reiatsu to activate, but at this moment he couldn't even mobilize a single Reishi.

"You think you've hidden it well enough that Lord Aizen can't see through it?"

Kaname Tōsen continued, his voice growing colder.

"However, you didn't expect that Lord Aizen had already seen through your scheme."

At this moment, Aizen finally stepped forward and walked up to Loyd.

"I did have my suspicions from the very first day you were brought back."

Aizen's voice was as calm as ever.

"You disguised yourself very well, so well that I couldn't find any flaws at first."

"But unfortunately, you are ultimately not the real Tōsen."

Aizen lowered his head and looked into Loyd's eyes.

Loyd's pupils trembled violently.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but Wang Xun's Bakudō had already sealed his mouth shut just as firmly.

"Wang Xun, reinforce the Bakudō; don't give him a chance to commit suicide."

"Clear."

Wang Xun nodded, and Reiatsu surged from his fingertips once more, adding two more layers of sealing techniques.

Loyd's final cry was muffled deep in his throat, leaving only his eyes fixed intently on Aizen.

Fear, resentment, and a hint of indescribable despair.

Aizen looked at the numerous seals on Loyd's body and nodded slightly.

"Since the Quincy dared to plant spies among my people, they must pay the price."

"Tōsen, now is the perfect time for you to do your job."

"Let the Prison Squad demonstrate their interrogation skills."