Although Ukitake had not participated in that earlier clash between the two powerhouses, it did not stop him from reconstructing the scene in his mind.
That strike, hailed by the Shinigami as one that transcended worlds—still echoed vividly in his thoughts.
And now, seeing a similar slash once again, the words slipped from his mouth instinctively.
Only after Ukitake spoke did the others gradually recall that very attack.
A single strike that had slain a captain—
Crossing the distance between two worlds.
"Captain Shimo's strength… is even more terrifying than before."
"Then perhaps… the hope of victory truly lies with Captain Shimo!"
"From the very beginning… wasn't our hope already placed in him?"
---
High above, Aizen narrowed his eyes, steadying himself as his gaze fixed firmly on Shimo.
Before he could speak—
Shimo once again raised that crimson, slender blade.
An invisible slash descended toward Aizen.
Aizen's pupils contracted. Instinctively, he mobilized his spiritual pressure, forming a protective layer around his body.
The instant the spiritual pressure covered him—
SPLASH!!
The sound of sothing being pierced rang out across the sky.
A rain of blood fell, scattering across the freshly scorched earth.
Drip… drip…
The onlookers below could no longer conceal their shock.
Not just the Shinigami—
Even the remaining Arrancar from Hueco Mundo showed expressions of disbelief.
What just happened?
Those who had not witnessed the earlier clash simply could not accept what they were seeing.
In their eyes, Aizen had always been an invincible existence, the one who ruled over all of Hueco Mundo.
And yet—
The emotions within the Arrancar beca extrely complicated.
No one had seen how the attack was executed.
Shimo had rely raised his blade, and brought it down.
And Aizen was already covered in wounds.
Although such injuries ant little to him, they shattered the image of absolute invincibility he held in the minds of the Arrancar.
Aizen let out a quiet breath, stabilizing himself in midair.
Under the effect of his rapid regeneration, the wounds on his body visibly healed.
In the blink of an eye, he was restored once more.
However—
His composure was no longer as steady as before.
"What an unexpected turn of events."
Aizen returned to his calm deanor, but his gaze toward Shimo no longer held the slightest hint of contempt.
"I need to reassess your strength."
Shimo lifted his eyes slightly and t Aizen's gaze, smiling faintly.
"You should have done that from the very beginning, Aizen."
"Whether it was Mantikor, Tōsen Kana, or Szayelaporro Granz…"
"Their existence served only one purpose—"
"To allow you to understand who you are ssing with."
At this point, Shimo's smile grew brighter, almost mocking.
"Unfortunately… they were far too weak to achieve that."
"A mistake in your opening move led to an error in your judgnt."
"Aizen… the flow of this ga has already slipped beyond your control."
Aizen's pupils contracted slightly.
"You claim to have already seen through my Zanpakutō."
Shimo raised his blade and said calmly,
"But that is nothing more than your own assumption."
"Szayelaporro's crude usage could never demonstrate the true nature of space."
"The real power of space… is this—"
The mont his words fell—
A tearing pain surged through Aizen's body once more.
Countless wounds spread across him, as though his body had been ripped apart like a tattered sack.
Blood poured out in large quantities, creating a grueso scene.
"Wherever my gaze reaches… lies within my domain of space."
Before his sentence even finished—
More wounds appeared on Aizen's body.
The sheer number of injuries reduced his once-perfect form to sothing almost unrecognizable.
Even more terrifying—
The Hōgyoku's rapid regeneration could no longer keep up with the rate of damage.
As ti passed, Aizen gradually beca numb to the pain.
His expression darkened as he stared at Shimo.
From this mont on—
He had fully acknowledged Shimo as an equal opponent.
Shimo had proven his strength.
He was no longer the sa Kyoraku Shimo who had once just entered the Shin'ō Academy.
Now fully grown, Shimo possessed the qualifications to compete for the throne above.
Which ant,
With Yamamoto severely injured and unable to fight, and Kisuke Urahara yet to appear—
Kyoraku Shimo had beco the greatest obstacle in Aizen's entire plan.
At that thought, a cold glint appeared in Aizen's eyes.
And at that very mont—
A brilliant purple light suddenly erupted from his chest.
The light spread outward like a primordial force, enveloping Aizen's entire body.
In an instant—
All of his injuries were completely healed.
Seeing this, Shimo narrowed his eyes, observing the Hōgyoku embedded in Aizen's chest.
…Had it responded to Aizen's will?
Sensing the change within himself, Aizen's expression returned to calm indifference.
He looked at Shimo and spoke softly:
"It seems… the Hōgyoku has responded to my desires."
"The speed of its evolution has increased."
As his words fell, the purple light wrapped around him like a translucent mbrane, coating every inch of his body.
At the sa ti, his spiritual pressure surged dramatically.
Then—
Another presence suddenly descended.
A figure appeared beside Aizen.
"Well, well…"
"So Shimo-kun's strength has reached this level?"
"That's quite surprising."
The newcor was none other than Gin Ichimaru, who had previously been battling Unohana Retsu.
Now, Coyote Starrk had taken his place, continuing the fight against Unohana.
However, Gin was no longer as composed as before.
The wound on his cheek spoke volus—
In his battle against Unohana, he had clearly failed to gain the upper hand.
"Gin, don't speak of the obvious as though it were unexpected."
Aizen lowered his gaze slightly, returning to his usual indifferent tone as he looked at Shimo.
"Shimo's strength had already been revealed when we left Soul Society."
"Unfortunately for him…"
"I have already taken the first step beyond my limits."
His condensed, tangible spiritual pressure wrapped tightly around his body.
Beneath Aizen's calm gaze lay absolute confidence—
In himself.
Or rather—
In the Hōgyoku.
"Shinigami…"
"…are no longer confined to the sa dinsion as ."
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