Aozaki stood silently upon the ruins, as if merged with the surrounding environment.
His gaze was fixed coldly on the front, unmoving.
Watching Shunsui's body gradually show cracks, Aozaki's lips curled slightly upward.
"Sure enough, a fake is a fake; it can't even withstand Bankai, can it?" He said mockingly.
Hearing this, Shunsui couldn't help but sigh:
"Oh, little junior brother's mouth is still as vicious as ever."
Then, he put away his long sword, seemingly ready to give up resistance.
However, just then, Aozaki suddenly felt a hint of abnormality.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
The distance between the two was not far, but not too close either, only about a few meters.
He noticed that the fake senior brother's hands began to glow brightly, and spiritual particles were converging towards his fingertips.
The man sitting on the ground, wearing a straw hat, gave him a strange smile.
"Final Stage: Thread-Cutting Scissor, Blood-Stained Throat!"
In an instant, a cold light cut through the air, striking towards Aozaki with a sharp momentum.
The Spirit Body threads instantly severed his neck.
However, Shunsui in the distance frowned.
Because he did not feel that his attack had hit the target.
As expected, under his gaze, the beheaded Aozaki transformed into a shimmering cloud of light particles on the spot, disappearing without a trace.
Right in front of Shunsui, Aozaki's body reformed.
He stood silently, his gaze fixed on Shunsui in front of him, falling into thought.
It must be said that these fake Captains were very realistic; both their appearance and demeanor were identical to the real Captains.
Aozaki did not express his thoughts too much; he just silently watched Shunsui.
Then, he suddenly swung the long sword in his hand, raising it high.
The blade shimmered with cold light, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Immediately after, he unhesitatingly swung the blade down at Shunsui in front of him.
The speed of this strike was extremely fast.
Shunsui originally intended to use Shunpo to dodge, but he found that he simply did not have enough time to react.
In that instant, he felt a sharp pain, and the wounds on his body began to bleed.
As blood splattered, Shunsui's body fell limply to the ground.
His life force gradually vanished, eventually turning into a pile of sand, scattered by the wind.
The entire scene was exceptionally quiet, with only Aozaki standing silently in place, holding a spotless long sword.
...
Swish!
Late at night, Aozaki handed the two girls over to his two secretaries and Third Seat, then closed the Captain's Office door.
"I'm back, Aizen. What did you need me for, anyway?"
The raging rain beat against the cold window, and Aozaki smiled warmly at his friend.
Just hearing that address, Aizen still habitually felt a bit annoyed.
"That's easy for you to say. I didn't expect such a big incident, yet His Excellency the Captain-Commander still has time to play outside."
"Is this a big deal?" Aozaki retorted.
"..." Aizen was startled.
For this man, it really didn't seem like a big deal.
Then, he shook his head.
"Do you know this person, Yushima Ōko?"
"Yushima Ōko?" Aozaki stroked his chin.
Before he could add anything, Aizen continued:
"If there are no surprises, Yushima Ōko should be the mastermind behind this incident."
"He was formerly a researcher in the Twelfth Division and once proposed to the Central 46 a vanguard plan to use Reigai, which are Shinigami replicas, to replace Shinigami in dangerous missions."
"Don't you think that this so-called Reigai might be connected to the fakes that appeared this time?"
"It's more than just connected; they're the same thing, aren't they?"
Aozaki pouted, saying disdainfully:
"Tch, I thought you were going to say something important, but it's just this?"
However, he suddenly remembered that he hadn't spoken to Aizen since Kujō Nozomi woke up.
So, he simply told him all the information he knew.
After listening, Aizen couldn't help but nod slightly, saying softly:
"This makes things clear."
"Yushima Ōko's plan was later deemed forbidden by the Central 46, on the grounds that it could bring harm to Soul Society."
Aizen smirked and continued to explain:
"It was at that time that I started cooperating with him."
"I helped him avoid imprisonment, and he assisted me in entering the Shinigami Research and Development Institute's underground laboratory."
"In exchange, I provided him with a large batch of valuable experimental resources."
"After that, he disappeared, and the Gotei 13 is still issuing a warrant for his arrest."
Aozaki listened, thinking to himself:
"Good fellow, it really was because of you! I'm afraid it was precisely because of your help that the Reigai experiment could be completed ahead of schedule."
He couldn't help but feel a bit helpless and speechless.
However, Aozaki could also understand.
After all, at that time, the most important thing for Aizen was to complete the Hōgyoku; everything else seemed insignificant.
Reigai, for him, was probably just a trivial matter.
If one could evolve to the realm of a god, then copying any number of weaker beings would be meaningless.
"According to the two girls, his and the Ryodoji Family's main base should be in the Dangai," Aizen said.
"I have already issued an order in your name, and the Shinigami Research and Development Institute is rushing to produce tools for detecting modified souls."
"But I think, perhaps we don't need to be in a hurry to eliminate them."
"What, are you planning to move against the nobles and the Central 46?" Aozaki asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Aizen couldn't help but show a surprised expression, clearly not expecting Aozaki to so keenly perceive his intentions.
There was hatred between Yushima Ōko and the Central 46, and the Ryodoji Family harbored deep resentment towards the Seireitei.
Coupled with the Reigai, a technology that could perfectly mimic the real thing, if they were to use it to infiltrate the Central 46, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Even if they hadn't truly infiltrated yet, just having such a capability was enough.
This was an excellent opportunity!
Having managed the Gotei 13 for so many years, he felt that the power of the First Division Vice-Captain and Captain-Commander was still too small.
Many things couldn't be done when there were scruples; it was time to strengthen it!
Is it reasonable to possess power but not authority?
"Five Captains openly attacked you; this is something many Squad members witnessed, and you can see through fake bodies..."
Aizen didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
What's fake or not, the final interpretation right isn't in their hands.
But what about the old man?
As if seeing through Aozaki's doubts, Aizen said at the opportune moment:
"Isn't it our responsibility to protect the Seireitei?"
"That's true. In that case, then..."
Aozaki hadn't finished speaking when he heard a light cough behind him.
He turned sharply, only to see the bald old man standing behind him, quietly watching him.
"Teacher, you came without a word; you scared me to death."
Aozaki said with some complaint.
"Eavesdropping late at night, you absolutely must not go to the Shin'o Academy."
"If the conversations of those male students in the Shin'o Academy dorms every night were to get out..."
"They'd all be sentenced to death by the Central 46 without injustice, do you know that?"
"Heh heh." Yamamoto didn't reply, a cold smile on his lips.
He knew this brat's strength too well; it was impossible for him not to have noticed his arrival.
Those words just now were clearly meant for him to hear.