The ability to provoke others into exposing their weaknesses is, in its own right, a terrifying kind of talent.
And in this regard—Aizen Sōsuke was fearsome beyond compare!
With just a few words, the previously composed crowd, who had been watching like spectators at a play, now seethed with rage, ready to charge forward.
This despicable man needed to be taught a harsh lesson!
It was Kyōraku Shunsui who stepped between them, waving his hands in a placating manner and speaking in a soothing tone.
"Ahaha... if we lose our tempers now, it'll just play right into his hands, friends. Please, everyone, let's stay calm."
Bound tightly in black restraints with only his face exposed, Aizen Sōsuke casually shifted his gaze toward Kyōraku.
"Kyōraku Shunsui."
"Compared to these second-rate fools, your intelligence is almost admirable."
"But ultimately, you're just another frog at the bottom of a well, wasting your existence in this caged world. What a pitiful waste."
Kyōraku simply lowered the brim of his hat slightly, speaking lightly.
"Happiness means different things to different people. Personally, I prefer this life~"
And besides...
"Speaking of which..."
"Aizen-taichō, your hostility seems stronger than before."
"Trying to provoke us into attacking you and breaking your restraints, perhaps?"
His tone was casual, as if discussing a joke over tea, but half the room stared in shock.
"This guy... even now, he's scheming?!"
"Truly evil! He should be executed immediately!"
"Hey! Was Kyōraku telling the truth?!"
Under the barrage of accusations, Aizen merely gave a soft chuckle, utterly unconcerned.
"Who's to say?"
Despite the highest level of Bakudō binding him, a barrier maintained by top Kidō users, and with his powers forcibly suppressed to half, Aizen remained utterly unbothered.
This was Aizen's true nature.
Not admitting guilt—contempt.
Not refusing blame—pride.
Every action he took showed he placed no one and nothing in his eyes.
"Well then..."
After a moment's pause, Kyōraku smiled faintly.
"Thanks to Aizen-taichō's attitude, we can skip any unnecessary debate."
Raising his right hand slightly, he announced:
"Anyone opposing his execution, speak now."
No one spoke.
The Gotei 13 showed no mercy to Aizen Sōsuke's deeds.
As the verdict seemed inevitable, a sudden cry came from the rear.
"Please... wait!"
Everyone turned.
Matsumoto Rangiku, Hinamori Momo, and several vice-captains scrambled to stop someone but failed.
Standing before them all was Kira Izuru.
Tense, reserved, and visibly trembling, Kira had stepped forward despite his natural anxiety and dislike of attention.
Why?
Even he wondered.
He could have stayed silent, abandoned the past, moved forward into a clean new life.
But here he stood.
Looking up at the man he had once respected, even idolized.
And Aizen, in turn, met his gaze—calm, detached.
How strange.
Despite being the one judged, Aizen seemed to tower above him.
"Aizen... taichō..."
Kira stammered, unsure what to say, reduced to a helpless greeting.
Pathetic and awkward.
Yet Aizen's reaction was peculiar.
He closed his eyes and chuckled faintly.
"You haven't changed at all, Kira Izuru."
Without being told, he understood Kira's purpose.
"You want to know whether I ever truly cared for the Third Division."
"Whether, even for a moment, there was sincerity behind it."
"Or if, as others claim, the Third Division was merely a cover for my ambitions."
Each word, steady and devoid of emotion, struck Kira like hammer blows.
"You should know better by now, Vice-Captain."
"I feel nothing for you."
"I never did."
"If anything... you're like a worker ant."
Useful only for toil, easily discarded.
"In my eyes, that's all you ever were."
...
Silence.
Kira's desperate act of courage was trampled underfoot before all the Gotei 13.
Thus—
Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, the current Captain of the Third Division, stepped forward grimly.
"A mere prisoner dares to poison hearts?"
"You are already a failure. Nothing you say matters anymore."
As Captain, it was Rōjūrō's duty to shield his subordinates.
Lightly placing a hand on Kira's shoulder, he spoke firmly:
"Don't let a monster's words trouble you."
"Even Captains make mistakes sometimes."
"What matters is the strength to move forward."
Pressing his hand down gently but reassuringly:
"I will carry your burden."
"That's enough, Kira Izuru."
In the Gotei, the bond between Captain and Vice-Captain was sacred.
Touched but wordless, Kira merely nodded and stepped back into the ranks.
From the distance, Matsumoto Rangiku could be heard mock-shouting:
"You idiot! I told you not to throw yourself into that mess!"
"Now look! You're a laughingstock! I'll laugh at you for five whole years!!"
Ignoring the commotion, Aizen gazed across the crowd—
And laughed softly.
"Still waiting? Hoping I'll beg for mercy?"
Kyōraku smiled back.
"No, no~ We're not that naive. We simply need to decide on the formalities."
Execution was certain.
But the process needed discussion.
"Speaking of which, Aizen-taichō..."
"Your reiatsu is still absurdly high."
It was well known:
Spiritual pressure revealed the strength of the soul.
And Aizen's pressure was so dense, the air itself visibly distorted.
"The air's already warping visibly around you."
Aizen smirked subtly.
At that moment, the restraints around his right hand snapped apart into dust.
The Kidō Corps stirred in alarm.
One rough-looking member pulled out new black bindings and rushed forward.
"Reinforce the restraints!"
Kyōraku lightly called out, but—
In an instant, an unseen pressure surged from Aizen.
Not violent.
Not threatening.
Like a gentle breeze.
Yet—
The Kidō Corps member who charged forward—
Had both arms severed.
It was as if he had collided with an invisible wall.
The man's blood sprayed into the air.
Unohana Retsu, the Fourth Division Captain, immediately flashed forward.
Catching him, staunching the blood, she calmly called out:
"Isane!"
"Here, Captain!"
Their teamwork was seamless.
Isane rushed to assist, binding the wounded man.
Meanwhile, Aizen simply smiled faintly.
"Did you truly think such childish tricks could bind me?"
"Do you think I stopped growing after merging with the Hōgyoku?"
"No... while you hesitated, I evolved further."
Boom!
Aizen's pressure expanded again.
Many Gotei members instinctively drew their swords.
Only the Captains remained composed.
Kyōraku lowered his hat slightly.
"Scaring children isn't impressive, Aizen-taichō."
"This is your limit, isn't it?"
They understood now.
Even with half his power sealed—
Even under extreme restrictions—
Aizen's soul strength alone could threaten the world.
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Powerstones?
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