Chapter 485: Aizen — Time to Reveal Everything
The sharp tip of the blade pierced through her chest, emerging from her back.
Hinamokuri was still basking in the warmth of Lord Aizen's embrace. By the time she realized what had happened, she looked down—only to see a blood-soaked hilt.
And the hand gripping that hilt… belonged to Aizen.
"W-what… is this?"
Hinamokuri's whole body trembled, her expression dazed.
She couldn't believe Aizen would hurt her.
That gentle, kind Lord Aizen!
Aizen withdrew his Zanpakutō, towering over the collapsing Hinamokuri. The warmth in his gaze had vanished, replaced by absolute coldness.
The chilling indifference of a god looking down on insects.
"Lord Aizen?!"
"Am I seeing things?!"
As the girl lost consciousness and plummeted toward the ground, Konoha players were frozen in disbelief.
Lord Aizen… attacked a fellow village ninja?
Most Konoha players refused to accept what they'd seen. Some even clasped their hands together, assuming it was an illusion, and frantically disrupted their own chakra to break free.
Anyone else—maybe. But Aizen? Impossible!
Konoha had its share of traitors—Orochimaru, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Obito...
But Aizen? No way!
He was the very embodiment of the Will of Fire—gentle, forgiving, tolerant to all. A man who felt like the warm breeze of spring.
Right now,
Most of the stunned shinobi had once received some kindness from Aizen.
Their minds replayed his deeds:
How he risked his life to lead them through boss raids.
How he casually gifted rare loot to others, not caring in the slightest.
How he spent his few reward points to buy a new gold-grade weapon for Hayate Gekkō after his own shattered during enhancement.
How could someone like that attack his own comrades?!
They didn't believe it!
"I get it—it's Orochimaru! He's using necromantic curses to control Lord Aizen!"
One player, unable to accept the truth, screamed in denial.
Others suddenly "understood."
Even they couldn't imagine Aizen betraying them. So even this absurd explanation felt plausible.
"Damn you, Orochimaru! Don't desecrate Lord Aizen—let him go!"
Hayate Gekkō clenched his teeth, his killing intent surging as he glared at Orochimaru.
Even knowing he stood no chance—
He charged like a panther, dual blades drawn.
"Foolish."
Orochimaru shook his head and sighed. "Or rather… Aizen's schemes are truly masterful."
Had he possessed even a sliver of Aizen's patience—his talent for managing public image—
With all his war merit, his near-Hokage appointment, Orochimaru could've claimed the position himself.
But then again...
Even if time rewound, he wouldn't change. At heart, he and Aizen were fundamentally different creatures.
Still, Orochimaru had to admit—Aizen was dangerous. After this alliance ended, he'd need to eliminate him.
He made up his mind as he kept smiling, casually watching Hayate charge.
Pop.
A necrotic bubble burst forth, enveloping Hayate before he could react.
Not a single cry.
Just seconds later, the bubble burst. Hayate's body was stiff—like someone dead for days.
He stood there, unmoving.
"Lord Aizen, wake up!"
"Captain Aizen is clan leader now! He must activate the defense walls and pearls—stop the monsters from Hueco Mundo!"
"Wake up, Lord Aizen!"
Konoha players turned their fury on Orochimaru, but after seeing Hayate's fate, none dared act rashly.
Instead, they hurled consumables toward Aizen in desperation,
Trying to break Orochimaru's supposed mind control.
They needed Aizen now—only he could stop the endless onslaught of monsters.
Hope filled every face as they looked up to him.
"You're all so noisy."
Aizen's voice was cold. His gaze swept across the familiar faces.
Then he raised his hand.
Shing.
A silver moon-shaped blade flashed—not to slay Hollows, but to cut down the Konoha players rushing toward him to help.
In one strike, he killed dozens of elite players.
Everyone froze.
"Snap out of it, Aizen!!"
When no one else dared approach, Anko Mitarashi suddenly rushed forward, clutching a blooming flower in her hand.
[Dark Enchantress Bloom (Dark Gold)]: Consuming this removes all control or mind-affecting effects.
An extremely rare consumable—worth hundreds of thousands of reward points.
It was a drop from a dark-gold plant boss in the new season. A guaranteed cure for any kind of mind control.
Her grip was so tight, the thorns pierced her hand, blood mingling with the petals. She hurled it toward Aizen with all her might.
It landed squarely before him.
The flower bloomed with radiant light,
Every Konoha shinobi held their breath, hearts pounding.
"Stop, Anko!!"
Tsunade's eyes widened. She couldn't believe how deeply Aizen's image had taken root in people's hearts.
The light faded.
Aizen's expression remained cold and indifferent. He looked at the approaching Anko.
"You once told me you could see the hidden depths of my soul—that if I let you, you'd be someone I could confide in. So please… don't give up!"
Anko's cheeks flushed as she shouted.
During the [Evil God Incident], she had been the one to discover Aizen amid the chaos. She'd seen his kindness—how he risked everything for strangers. His strength. His perfection.
It was impossible not to fall for him.
But right now, she only wanted him to return to himself—to activate the defenses and save them all.
Shhk.
Her mouth fell open. Her pupils shook.
He didn't catch her.
Instead, his hand pierced through her chest like a spear.
"Sorry. I was never under anyone's control."
Aizen tossed her bleeding body aside like garbage.
Then, calmly surveying the stunned crowd, he said softly:
"Orochimaru is my ally. I faked my death at the hands of Uchiha Itachi. Itachi assassinated the Hokage. Orochimaru infiltrated the village. The rift to Hueco Mundo was opened…"
"Everything is going according to my plan."
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