Bleach : Begins with a Contract with the Departed Souls of the Uchiha Chapter 283 283: The Hōgyoku Recognizes Its Master

Aizen's smile faded, his gaze piercing through his cold lenses toward Ren.

Ren's lips thinned.

His gaze, which had been sowhat confrontational, flickered with a hint of avoidance.

Because last night, he truly had such thoughts.

Of course, backstabbing allies was a common occurrence.

But when an ally saw through the betrayal, neutralized it with ease, and then called it out to his face, it was a bit hard to keep a straight face.

At the very least, Ren wasn't that thick-skinned.

To remain composed under the direct accusation of the victim was no small feat.

Ren's gaze darted away for a mont before he composed himself and looked back at Aizen.

"Sousuke, don't overthink things. Nothing like that has happened yet."

"Heh."

Aizen let out a cold laugh.

"If it really had happened, I'm afraid all you'd be seeing today is my corpse, Senior."

"How could that be? Sousuke, you are a friend I trust implicitly."

As Ren spoke, he stared intently at Aizen's face.

Hearing this, Aizen's face imdiately filled with exasperation.

"...Senior, you really are thick-skinned."

"Just now, when I appeared, you directed such terrifying killing intent toward ."

Just a mont ago, when he appeared, the killing intent he felt from Ren was undeniable.

If not for the fact that his strength was considerable, his junior might have turned hostile on the spot.

And now he was putting on that serious face again, talking about being friends?

No one repeatedly feels killing intent toward a friend!

Even soone as stoic as Tōsen couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.

Especially since Ren could maintain such a straight face even after his dark thoughts were exposed. Ren glanced at Kana, who was currently facing off against Toji.

"Wasn't that because you sent soone to infiltrate my territory?"

"That's fair."

Aizen narrowed his eyes, a smile suddenly spreading across his face.

"Then I have a proposal."

"Since both you and I have acted inappropriately, why don't we call it even for now?"

"We are still allies."

Ren frowned, pondered for a mont, and then slowly nodded.

"What's this about being even? Sousuke, we were already inseparable friends and an unbreakable alliance."

"From now on, don't say anything that might harm our unity. It sounds so distant."

The smile on Aizen's face stiffened.

He thought he was thick-skinned enough, but seeing Ren's level of audacity, he fell silent for a mont.

It seed he still had much to learn.

After a few seconds, Aizen nodded and released his grip on Ren's wrist.

"Indeed. You and I are friends who share our hearts."

Aizen waved his hand toward Kana.

"Kana, put away your blade."

At Aizen's command, Kana slowly sheathed his Zanpakutō.

He turned his face toward Fushiguro Toji and clicked his tongue.

"You just saved your life."

"You sure talk big, blind man."

Toji looked dismissive, even mockingly raising his eyebrows at Kana.

Seeing the atmosphere between Ren and Aizen soften, he finally put away his weapon as well.

Aizen reached out his hand toward Ren, palm up.

"Senior, hand over the sphere to . That was our prior agreent."

Upon hearing this, Ren reached into his robes and pulled out an object.

It was a transparent polyhedral Kidō barrier, and inside was a dark, pebble-sized orb.

The mont it appeared, the orb radiated an unparalleled sense of presence.

Whether it was Shisui, Toji, Kana, or Gin, they all felt a powerful, crushing pressure.

It felt as if their very existence in this world was being squeezed out.

They all turned their heads to look at the orb in Ren's hand, cold sweat trickling down their faces.

"The Hōgyoku... Kisuke actually managed to create it!"

Listening to Kana's murmur, Ichimaru Gin, who was standing nearby, slightly opened his eyes, revealing a sliver of his azure irises.

It was different from Aizen's... another sphere!

Looking at the orb in Ren's hand, Aizen's eyes widened slightly, and a flash of desire crossed his face.

"So this is the Hōgyoku that Kisuke created..."

"To think you actually got your hands on it, Senior!"

Indeed.

This was the Hōgyoku that Ren had previously ordered his subordinates to seize from Kisuke's hands!

"Kisuke was simply too unguarded."

Just like how Kisuke managed to teleport away from Ren this ti—he might escape for a mont, but he couldn't hide forever.

Ren had planted a spy by Kisuke's side long ago!

Poor Kisuke; after suffering so many setbacks, he was still so careless.

Ren shook his head secretly.

He held the Hōgyoku in his hand, toyed with it casually, while Aizen's gaze followed his movents.

"How is it, Sousuke?"

"Kisuke's sphere isn't any less impressive than the one you made, is it?"

Aizen subconsciously nodded.

"Yes, it is indeed beautiful."

"Especially this heart-stopping pressure... its level of completion is much higher than mine."

As expected of Kisuke!

In terms of scientific research, he was actually stronger than even the exceptionally gifted Aizen.

It seed that letting Kisuke go this ti was the right move.

Aizen reached out to take it, but Ren moved his hand away, clutching the sphere.

"Senior?" Aizen asked, a look of confusion on his face.

Ren gave a half-smile. "According to our agreent, I'll give you this sphere for your research and reference, and in exchange, you'll help perfect it."

"Sousuke, this is our deal. Don't forget it!"

'What do you an "your sphere"? It's clearly Kisuke's!'

Aizen pushed up his glasses and promised, "Rest assured, Senior. I will perfect it as quickly as possible. I won't delay your plans."

"Very well."

Ren nodded and placed the Hōgyoku into Aizen's palm.

Aizen picked up the sphere like a precious treasure.

He held it up before his eyes and examined it closely for a mont.

He suddenly thought of sothing and asked Ren, "Senior, are you really this comfortable giving it to ? Aren't you worried I'll break the contract?"

Hearing this, Ren gave a soft laugh.

Aizen saw the aning behind Ren's smile.

It was the confidence of a powerful man who had total control over the situation.

In the face of absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks were futile.

'I see. Do you believe that even if I don't hand it over, you can use your strength to force ?'

'Do you think you're the stronger one?' Aizen gripped the Hōgyoku, his smile fading slightly.

"You certainly have a lot of confidence, Senior."

"Sousuke, while the power of the Hōgyoku is strong, in the end, it's just one of the plans I've prepared."

Ren puffed out his chest, his face showing a look of disdain for the world.

"Even without the Hōgyoku, I have absolute certainty in facing Seireitei and the Soul King Palace!"

As he spoke, he reached out and pointed to the corner of the Hōgyoku peeking out from between Aizen's fingers.

"Let tell you one more thing, Sousuke. The Hōgyoku has its own consciousness."

"And I have already subdued it. I am its master."

"Even if it's not by my side, I can control its power and know its status at any ti."

Even now, Ren could feel the reluctance coming from the Hōgyoku, along with a hint of anticipation.

After obtaining the Hōgyoku, Ren had successfully made it recognize him as its master!

His thod was naturally simple and crude.

He had used his Zanpakutō's ability to forcibly establish a connection with the Hōgyoku.

The process had been surprisingly smooth; Ren had obtained the Hōgyoku's recognition with ease.

He had thought it would take so ti to conquer the Hōgyoku.

'Could it be because the connection ability cos from the Soul King, which is why the Hōgyoku submitted so easily?' Thinking it over, Ren decided this was the only logical explanation.

Aizen looked at the orb in his hand with a hint of surprise after hearing Ren's words.

He ignored the part about Ren's grand ambitions and focused on the latter half of the statent.

The Hōgyoku actually has its own will?

And he could make it submit... Aizen had created a Hōgyoku himself, so he naturally knew of its miraculous nature, but this was the first ti he had heard Ren's perspective.

Was it because his own Hōgyoku wasn't complete enough?

"So that's how it is..."

He looked up at Ren.

"Thank you for the warning, Senior. I understand."

"I will perfect it as quickly as possible and return it to you in a tily manner."

Ren gave a slight nod to Aizen's guarantee.

After discussing a few more details for the upcoming steps, the two parties walked out of the underground space.

After they parted ways and Aizen had walked far enough, Ren turned his head toward Shisui.

"Shisui, don't forget to have soone monitor him."

Shisui replied solemnly, "I have already made the arrangents. Not only have I dispatched experts in the field to tail Aizen, but I've also set up hidden sentries in the Shadow Dinsion to monitor his movents at all tis."

Standing nearby, Toji reminded them, "That Aizen guy is no ordinary person. I'm afraid he'll notice those hidden tails."

"It doesn't matter if he notices. I never expected him not to," Ren said dismissively, before looking at the two with a glint in his eyes.

"Let's go. Into the shadows."

"The war is about to begin!"

On the other side, under the watch of Walter and the others, Yoruichi stepped through the pitch-black shadow, only to find herself in a completely unfamiliar place.

There was no sun in the sky; instead, it looked as if heavy dark clouds covered everything.

But when Yoruichi looked closer through the gaps in the clouds, she saw sothing like a barrier on the do above, shielding the entire space.

The surroundings were quite dim, yet one could see clearly.

"Where is this...?" She looked around, realizing she was standing in a plaza surrounded by a cluster of magnificent palaces.

Soldiers on patrol were everywhere, wearing uniforms, carrying firearms, and draped in white greatcoats.

In the distance, the city walls lood high, and the palaces were arranged neatly with green bricks and white tiles, carved with dragons and phoenixes—a style vastly different from the Seireitei.

Perhaps because of the dim lighting, the outlines of all the halls in the palace complex were adorned with lamps, casting thousands of brilliant lights like a prosperous night scene, full of beauty.

The largest one in the center was over a hundred ters high; the steps leading up to it alone were densely packed and intimidating.

"What kind of place is this? Ren built such a palace behind my back? How did I never know?"

Faced with Yoruichi's barrage of questions, no one around her dared to answer.

After looking at the people around him, Walter sighed and stepped forward.

"Lady Yoruichi, this is the Shadow Dinsion of the Seireitei."

"Originally, it was the shadow space created by the Quincies who were defeated a thousand years ago. For a millennium, it was their hidden lair, until Lord Ren seized it and turned it into the central base for his forces."

Hearing this, Yoruichi was slightly stunned.

She had heard of the Quincies; they were defeated by the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 a thousand years ago.

From Walter's description, it seed those Quincies had hidden here after their defeat.

They had actually played the 'darkness beneath the lamp' trick.

Walter continued to explain, "As for this palace, it is the Royal Court that Lord Ren rebuilt after occupying this place, used to preside over and command his domains."

"The style follows the layout of the Qin and Han dynasties, emphasizing solemnity and majesty, appearing grand and imposing!"

Yoruichi wasn't interested in such things. She asked, "When did Ren take this place? How did I not know?"

"Using the na of military drills, he managed to cover up the commotion."

Yoruichi suddenly rembered. At that ti, she had just given birth and was recovering. A large barrier had suddenly risen at the gates of the Seireitei, visible to everyone inside.

So that was what it was for!

She rembered that such a large commotion had even prompted the Captain-Commander to investigate in person.

She had trusted Ren so much back then and even felt he was being treated unfairly... Only now did she realize that Ren really was up to sothing!

What a waste of her feelings!

Infuriating!

"How did the Captain-Commander not see through that guy's wolfish ambitions back then?!"

Just as she was gnashing her teeth, a sound like a whimpering gasp suddenly ca from behind her.

Yoruichi turned around and saw Suì-Fēng's face had turned pale, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

"Suì-Fēng!"

She hurried over to support Suì-Fēng, her face filled with anxiety and concern.

"Suì-Fēng, are you alright?"

"Lady... Yoruichi, I'm... I'm fine!"

Suì-Fēng was breaking out in a cold sweat, her voice stamring.

Seeing her state, Walter imdiately understood.

"After the body suffers massive trauma, one usually doesn't feel the pain imdiately. It's only after a short period that the pain sets in."

"Like her, the brain is beginning to register the pain from the wound."

These words imdiately drew a glare from Yoruichi.

"Walter, whose fault do you think that is?!"

"My apologies, Lady Yoruichi."

Walter bowed his head, his gaze sweeping over the severed hand in Suì-Fēng's arms, then looked at the person beside him.

"Lady Chiyo, please take Suì-Fēng to have her injuries treated. Mayuri Kurotsuchi should still be here."

Yoruichi was shocked. "Even that freak Mayuri Kurotsuchi is working for Ren?!"

"Mr. Mayuri Kurotsuchi was originally Lord Ren's subordinate."

Seeing Yoruichi's worry, Walter reassured her, "Please rest assured, Lady Yoruichi. Mr. Mayuri's skills are excellent; he can definitely reattach Suì-Fēng's severed hand."

Standing on the side, Chiyo led the woman beside her over to Yoruichi.

"Lady Yoruichi, this old woman will take Miss Suì-Fēng for treatnt."

Yoruichi's grip on Suì-Fēng's arm tightened, and she didn't let go.

She looked at Walter: "Are you planning to take Suì-Fēng away from to use her as leverage to threaten ?"

"Lady Yoruichi, please put your mind at ease. I have no such intentions," Walter said respectfully, then looked at Suì-Fēng.

"Please make a decision quickly, Lady Yoruichi. That severed hand of Suì-Fēng's won't stay viable for much longer."

Hearing this, Suì-Fēng imdiately gritted her teeth and said, "Lady Yoruichi, don't worry about !"

Looking down at Suì-Fēng's pale face and the pain etched on it, Yoruichi's heart softened, and she slowly nodded.

"Alright."

She let go, allowing the two won to support Suì-Fēng.

"Pakura, you carry Miss Suì-Fēng. It'll be faster that way."

"You old hag, don't order around! Why don't you do it?!"

Pakura snapped at Chiyo in dissatisfaction, but she still picked up Suì-Fēng.

Chiyo held the severed hand.

"I am old; my physical strength can't compare to you young people."

"Hmph, when you sold out to the Hidden Mist, why didn't you think of that? I won't forgive you for your betrayal!"

"Didn't Rasa also die?"

"He died as the Kazekage! How can he be compared to ?!"

The conversation between the two was full of hostility. Carrying Suì-Fēng, they ran into the distance.

With a blur of movent, the two and Suì-Fēng disappeared from Yoruichi's sight.

Yoruichi withdrew her gaze, suppressing her worry.

Then, her face turned cold as she spoke to Walter with imnse force: "You must guarantee Suì-Fēng's safety, or I will never forgive you!"

"I give Lady Yoruichi my guarantee. Suì-Fēng will be as she was before, returning to your side completely unhard."

Walter turned around, placed his right hand over his heart, and bowed.

"Please co with , Lady Yoruichi. Touichirou and Yūshirō are waiting for you."

Yoruichi clicked her tongue, her face full of displeasure.

Under Walter's lead and the escort of the surrounding soldiers, Yoruichi walked toward the distant palace.

[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comnts are highly appreciated to keep going.....( 50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]