"...Bankai…"
Aizen's Reiatsu surged violently, shaking the entirety of the Soul Society.
In his confused state, he didn't even know how to restrain the overwhelming power pouring out of him.
But it didn't last long.
Reflected in the surface of his Zanpakutō—
His own face stared back at him.
Slowly—
The emptiness in his eyes faded.
Clarity returned.
Then—
With a casual flick of his blade—
That familiar calm confidence reappeared.
He was Aizen Sōsuke.
The man who would transcend the limits of a Shinigami—
And ascend to the throne of heaven.
All of his released Reiatsu suddenly flowed back—
Like drifting clouds—
Converging into his Zanpakutō.
Under that immense pressure—
Kyōka Suigetsu began to change.
Its blade lost its metallic texture—
Becoming smooth, reflective—
Like a flawless mirror.
With a simple swing—
Aizen further shattered what remained of Sōkyoku Hill, collapsing another section.
Other than its mirror-like transformation—
There were no visible changes.
Aizen held the blade upright before him.
Half his face reflected upon it.
He spoke softly:
"Mirror of Absolute Clarity."
This—
Was Aizen's Bankai.
Its effect was simple—
Yet terrifying.
Like looking into a mirror—
It forced one to see their true self.
Stripping away all illusions—
All disguises—
Leaving only pure, undeniable reality.
Aizen rarely used this ability.
In fact—
He had only used it once.
Because the moment he attained Bankai—
He already knew what he wanted.
To change this corrupt world.
And he had pursued that goal ever since.
As for using it on others—
That was something he would never do.
Because those affected by this ability could see through illusions—
Even Kyōka Suigetsu would lose its effect.
But today—
Aizen broke that rule.
Thrust—
The mirror-like blade pierced straight through Tōsen Kaname, who stood behind him.
Aizen's Reiatsu flowed into Tōsen's body.
The violent trembling stopped.
Cracking sounds echoed.
The Hollow parts of Tōsen's body shattered—
Falling away as white fragments—
Leaving only a mask on his face.
Aizen withdrew his blade.
Tōsen dropped to one knee.
His wounds had already begun healing through High-Speed Regeneration.
"Thank you… Lord Aizen."
Tōsen was special.
Due to his condition, he was largely unaffected by Kyōka Suigetsu.
And more importantly—
He was the only one Aizen trusted enough to use this Bankai on.
Because Tōsen's purpose had never wavered:
Destroy the Tsunayashiro Clan—
And avenge Kakyo.
Removing his mask, Tōsen stood.
Still weakened—
But battle-capable.
"Aizen!"
Yamamoto's voice thundered.
He knew—
He had hesitated.
He should have used Bankai earlier and ended this.
And Shinji—
Had failed to finish the job.
But Aizen ignored him.
Ignored Shinji as well.
Instead—
His gaze locked onto Urahara Kisuke.
"Urahara Kisuke… unexpected, isn't it? The thing you hid so carefully… has delivered itself right to me."
A mocking smile spread across his face.
Urahara lowered his hat, sighing faintly.
Even he hadn't predicted this.
This wasn't strategy.
This was…
Emotion.
Seeing himself ignored again—
Yamamoto finally lost patience.
Ryūjin Jakka swung down.
"Jōkaku Enjō!"
A massive hand of flame descended—
Engulfing everything.
But within the inferno—
Only the sound of shattering glass echoed.
"Captain-Commander… what gave you the illusion that I couldn't use Kyōka Suigetsu?"
"Stop him!" Shinji shouted.
He had already seen it—
Aizen was no longer there.
He was heading toward the entrance of Sōkyoku Hill.
Yamamoto had just attacked empty space.
The Visored moved—
But were immediately intercepted.
Ichimaru Gin smiled faintly, his Kamishini no Yari weaving like a serpent, restraining Shinji, Kensei, and Love.
Meanwhile—
Tōsen alone held off Rose and the others—
Fighting recklessly, as if trading his life.
The captains of Soul Society—
Still weakened—
Couldn't move.
Even Yoruichi and Urahara found themselves turned against each other—
Once again caught in Kyōka Suigetsu's illusion.
"Tsunayoshi… should we step in?" Ichigo asked.
"You can't beat him," Tsunayoshi replied calmly.
Normally—
Bankai increased power by five to ten times.
Though Aizen's Bankai wasn't a direct power boost—
Its amplification was undeniable.
Ichigo might stand a chance against Shikai Aizen—
If he avoided Kyōka Suigetsu.
But against Bankai Aizen—
It would be absolute defeat.
Soon—
Ichigo's attention shifted.
Orihime and Chad arrived, carrying the unconscious Rukia.
She had already reverted from her Shihakushō, lightly injured.
Thanks to Tsunayoshi's Mist Flame—
She had survived.
No one could stop Aizen.
He walked calmly—
Until he stood before Hināmori Momo.
Before he could speak—
She burst into tears.
"Captain Aizen… you're alive! I—"
Her voice stopped.
A hand pierced through her chest.
Clutched within it—
A radiant gem.
The Hōgyoku .
Everything had gone wrong today.
He had nearly fallen to Shinji's scheme.
Yes—
It was Momo's voice that awakened him.
But—
Aizen felt nothing.
To him—
Hināmori Momo was never anything more than a tool.
A tool to conceal his actions.
Obedient tools—
Like Abarai Renji—
Had long since been discarded.
But Momo—
Had grown into the perfect pawn.
And today—
She fulfilled her final purpose.
The moment Aizen regained himself—
He sensed movement within his own Hōgyoku .
Which meant—
Another Hōgyoku was nearby.
Only one conclusion remained.
Urahara had hidden it—
Inside Momo.
He recalled—
Days ago—
She had appeared near the Tower of Repentance.
Driven by her desire to avenge him.
He had overlooked it.
Her devotion—
Had made her easy to manipulate.
But no matter Urahara's schemes—
The Hōgyoku had come to him.
Effortlessly.
Momo's eyes trembled.
Disbelief filled them.
Her hand reached toward Aizen—
Her lips moved—
Trying to ask why.
Aizen saw it all.
And yet—
He felt nothing.
Even if a trace of sentiment existed—
It meant nothing.
Not before his ambition.
Not in the clarity of his Bankai.
He withdrew his hand.
Not a drop of blood stained it.
Momo collapsed—
Still reaching toward him.
For a brief moment—
Aizen felt a flicker of pity.
But he did not look down.
Instead—
He raised the Hōgyoku high.
Admiring it.
"Admiration is the emotion furthest from understanding."
Momo had always admired him.
And that—
Ensured she would never understand him.
That—
Was his final judgment.
Many had fallen on Sōkyoku Hill.
Few felt anger for her.
She was simply another defeated Shinigami—
One who disobeyed orders—
And allowed Aizen to rise again.
Except one.
"MOMO!!!"
"Bankai!"
Hitsugaya Tōshirō erupted in fury.
The temperature plummeted.
Clad in Daiguren Hyōrinmaru—
He charged at Aizen.
His body couldn't move—
So he used ice—
To force it forward.
"Captain Hitsugaya!" Unohana cried out.
This was reckless.
A battle that consumed his life.
Nearby—
Ishida Uryū adjusted his glasses.
This…
Resembled a Quincy technique—
Ransōtengai.
But unlike the Quincy—
Who controlled their bodies with Reishi threads—
Hitsugaya's movements were rigid.
Even his grip on his sword was unnatural.
And yet—
He charged forward.
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