Hoshigaki Kisame's mind was completely frozen as he stared blankly at Aizen. What did he mean by that? Was this guy really in the group?
No, impossible! Such a thing was beyond comprehension.
Suppreasing the frantic thumping in his chest, Kisame forced a calm facade. "Lord Aizen... you seem to be saying things I cannot understand again."
"You truly don't understand?"
Aizen's lips curved slightly as he spoke with chilling serenity. "Being around me is like falling into a dark abyss. I smile on the surface, but it seems I'll swallow you whole the next second. It appears you harbor a deep prejudice against me, Kisame."
Boom.
It felt as though Kisame had been struck by lightning. His small, round eyes widened to their limits. "Ai—Lord Aizen. You..."
"At times like this, I still prefer the title of 'Group Leader.'"
A gentle breeze drifted past, ruffling the boy's brown hair. His eyes, framed by transparent lenses, appeared warm and kind—yet Kisame felt only a bone-chilling frost.
The Group Leader?!
Kisame trembled from head to toe, his brain buzzing with static. It was true. The Group Leader was actually Aizen! And the other members hadn't noticed at all; they were treating his presence as a joke. This was beyond outrageous—it was an absurdity of the highest order!
Kisame's world was in a state of total turmoil. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. It took a long, agonizing moment before he finally found his voice. "Lord Aizen, you really know how to have fun. To think a 'Great Demon King' such as yourself would infiltrate the very army rebelling against you and become its leader... that must give you quite a sense of accomplishment."
"Accomplishment? Not particularly." Aizen turned his head, his gaze drifting toward the distant mountains. "If they could discern my true identity from the hints I provided, that would be an accomplishment. Unfortunately, their perception of me seems to be too deeply ingrained."
Well, obviously! The 'memories' you uploaded have nothing to do with your real identity! Who would ever suspect those memories were a fabrication? Kisame screamed internally. At this point, he didn't realize Aizen was a transmigrator; he simply assumed the "Earth" memories were a clever lie woven by the man before him.
"So, does Lord Aizen only reveal this to me because I am no longer useful?" The shark-faced man had reached a point of grim acceptance. He chose to "lie down" and accept his fate. Resistance and argument were futile; he might as well be frank.
"No. I simply believe the truth makes things more interesting." Aizen shook his head slightly. "Whether you choose to reveal it or continue the charade is entirely up to you."
With that, he turned and strolled away with casual indifference.
As he walked, the surrounding Kirigakure shinobi remained busy with their duties, acting as though a person of Aizen's stature had never even existed in their presence.
"Really? Is there even a choice in a situation like this?" Kisame's mouth split into a jagged grin as he watched the receding figure. He turned his attention back to the light curtain.
Book Artist: "Kisame-san? Where did Kisame-san go?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Maybe those words earlier finally made the fear in his heart explode."
Curly-Haired Boy: "No, I bet he went to make sashimi. Or a platter? A shark platter? I bet that tastes amazing. Crrap, now I'm hungry."
Shark Face: "I may look like a shark, but I like to think I'm still human at heart."
Curly-Haired Boy: "He answered! And with such dark humor! You've got a shark face and dreams of being a comedian? You're overthinking it! Besides, you're an Arrancar! An Arrancar! Arrancars aren't human!"
This is an Actor: "Don't underestimate Kisame. He is quite talented."
Aizen was, of course, referring to Kisame's acting ability. The man was already proving adept at feigning composure in his presence.
Shark Face: "Haha, I'm not nearly as good as you, Group Leader."
In Kisame's mind, if he was a mere comedian, then Aizen was a world-class movie star. The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Kisame's tone seems much more cheerful than before?"
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Did something happen to brighten your mood?"
Shark Face: "You could say that. Does meeting Aizen count as a 'happy thing'?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "?"
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "?"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Hey, is that true? What's Aizen doing over there right now? Is he also interested in a shark platter?"
Book Artist: "Drop it already. You can't let a joke go, can you?"
Shark Face: "Not quite. He saw what I said in the group chat and gave me a proper scolding. By the way, our Group Leader is actually Aizen."
This is an Actor: "As expected, Kisame, you chose to expose me."
Shark Face: "Isn't this exactly what you wanted, Lord Aizen? It must have been very difficult to keep it in, right?"
This is an Actor: "You guessed correctly. It has been a very entertaining experience for me."
Shark Face: "Oh, wow. You really are a piece of work."
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "???"
Curly-Haired Boy: "Are you two performing a comedy routine? I suggest you stop. This 'self-aware' humor isn't actually funny."
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "It's alright. Seeing Kisame act more cheerful is a good thing."
Shark Face: "Hehe, thank you so much for your concern."
Despite the outward pleasantry, Kisame was lamenting secretly: There is no hope for these people. He had done his absolute best to expose the truth, yet they treated it as a punchline. In this world, what even was a joke anymore?
[System Hint: 'Scarlet Snake Fairy' has uploaded her sword technique, 'Nine Swords of Dugu,' priced at 200 points.]
Skirt-Lifting Maniac: "Wow, Li-neesan, you've already mastered the Dugu Nine Swords?"
Scarlet Snake Fairy: "Yes. It was quite difficult, but I've just managed the basics."
Li Mochou uploaded the technique now because of the group's mechanics. When an ability is uploaded, it remains with the user but is infinitely replicated for others to purchase. However, if a physical item or a unique weapon is uploaded, it is removed from the user's possession and can only be bought once. Learning the skill first was far more cost-effective.
Angel of the Hidden Rain Village: "Sorry, I have to go. Aizen is back."
Curly-Haired Boy: "I get it, I get it. Going offline, right?"
Book Artist: "I can't stand it. You have to be so sneaky every time! Just elope already, Konan-neesan! How can you stand being committed to such a rude husband?"
Shark Face: "..."