"No one reported it. Who dares to trespass here?"
The Advance Team members turned around in surprise.
Before they could think further, they saw a young man with glasses, brown curly hair, a gentle expression, and a sunny disposition.
He had a gentle smile on his face and came lightly to their side.
The man was wearing a white sleeveless haori with a wooden plaque bearing the character "one" tied to his arm.
However, the Central 46 adults' gazes only lingered on this intruder for a moment before looking past him towards the main gate.
There, a slender figure stood in the middle of the solemn stone gate, a brilliant smile on his face, yet it made people feel cold even in the sunlight.
"Captain-Commander Aozaki, Vice-Captain Aizen, why are you here?"
"And you, the Gotei 13 are only allowed to patrol the perimeter. How did you get in?"
"One by one, you even dare to draw your swords in the Assembly Hall. Are you trying to rebel?"
"Guards! Quick, guards! Quickly seize these rebellious traitors!"
Amidst the noisy reprimands, an angry shout rang out.
A large number of Shinigami guards, armed with iron pitchforks and wearing white masks, surged out from a secret passage.
They moved swiftly, quickly surrounding Aozaki and the Eleventh Division Squad members.
Looking at the surrounding guards and the Great Sage and Judges who were on high alert, Aizen, however, curved his lips into a playful smile.
"Why do you speak such words, honored sirs? We are here to protect you."
"Nonsense, Central 46 has its own guards; we don't need your protection at all."
"You people dare to trespass into the Assembly Hall without permission. This is a grave crime; it's simply not showing respect to all the honored sirs present."
"That's right. Captain-Commander Aozaki, I advise you all to retreat quickly."
Hearing this, a hint of disdain flashed in Aizen's eyes, and he chuckled softly:
"Oh, really?"
As he spoke, he elegantly drew Kyōka Suigetsu from his waist, his gaze lingering for a moment on one of the Great Sages.
The Great Sage was startled.
He looked down, met the cold gaze, and a bad premonition surged in his heart. He turned to flee.
However, the next second, a sharp blade suddenly pierced his chest.
Before he could even let out a cry, the long sword slashed upwards from his chest, splitting him vertically from his chest to his head, dividing him in two.
The scene instantly became extremely bloody. After a moment of silence, an angry shout suddenly rang out:
"How dare you! To openly commit murder in the Assembly Hall! What are you all standing around for? Quickly seize these rebellious evildoers!"
"Don't be anxious, honored sirs. Just look at this."
However, at this moment, Aizen calmly shook his head gently.
An invisible Reiatsu fluctuation emanated from him, accompanied by the trembling of the surrounding air, swiftly sweeping through the entire Assembly Hall.
He bent down and picked something up from the blood. All the Great Sage and Judges couldn't help but squint their eyes and look closely.
It turned out to be a red bead, shaped like a pill.
Even more surprisingly, the corpse and blood on the ground also began to disintegrate into ashes.
"That's... the Soul Candy developed by the Twelfth Division? How dare the Shinigami Research and Development Institute do such a thing!?"
A Great Sage couldn't help but exclaim.
As an important experimental item, Soul Candy directly relates to the safety of Shinigami operations in the Human World. Therefore, research on it had to be reported to Central 46 from the very beginning.
Even these Great Sages, who rarely left their homes, could recognize this item at a glance.
Although the color was different, it was definitely Soul Candy.
But... how could such a thing be inside that Great Sage's body?
These adults were all shrewd individuals; after a moment of thought, a terrifying idea formed.
Aizen squeezed his fingers, and the Soul Candy was crushed like a piece of candy.
"Honored sirs, you've misunderstood. While this matter has some connection to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute, the primary responsibility actually lies with you, honored sirs."
"What did you say?"
"Honored sirs, do you still remember Yushima Ōko and his Vanguard Plan?"
"Yushima Ōko?"
"Never heard that name."
"Who is that?"
The Great Sages and Judges looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.
Clearly, a small researcher from the Twelfth Division was not worthy of being remembered by these important figures.
Even though their decision almost ruined someone's life.
However, Aozaki thought that even if these guys died, they brought it upon themselves.
If they didn't approve of someone's research, wouldn't it be better to just forbid it?
The person hadn't done anything yet, and his initial intention was good. Directly sentencing him was indeed a bit excessive.
Aizen stood in the center of the Assembly Hall, the floor beneath him emitting a bright glow, like an elegant orator receiving much attention.
"This is not a true Great Sage, but a Reigai replicated by Yushima Ōko."
"A hundred years ago, he proposed the Vanguard Plan to you with this research, but it was rejected by you."
"So, he harbored resentment and sought an opportunity for revenge, secretly replacing you Great Sages and Judges with replicas."
With their suspicions confirmed, all the Great Sages were startled.
Hearing some people's breathing begin to quicken, Aizen sneered disdainfully and continued:
"Honored sirs, there's no need to worry. The Gotei 13 has already found a way to distinguish Reigai."
"To ensure your safety, those whose names are called now, please come with us."
Upon hearing this, the Assembly Hall guards looked at each other, momentarily unsure of what to do, and could only direct their gazes to the six adults above.
"Captain-Commander, please proceed."
A voice came from above. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, saw that it was the Shihōin Family Judge, and then withdrew their gazes.
Who didn't know that the Shihōin Family and the Aozaki Family were in cahoots?
If it weren't for the Kuchiki Family maintaining neutrality on the surface, and the Shiba Family's return being too recent and their influence not strong enough,
Perhaps everyone present would have become Aozaki's people, leaving no room for other families to survive.
One Judge took the lead, and the other Judges followed in agreement, except for the Judge who had proposed the arrest of Aozaki and others.
Five Judges were enough; the remaining Great Sage followed suit.
Aozaki looked at that Judge and said in a deep voice:
"Sir Judge, please come with us."
He turned to look at the Squad members behind him.
"Take him down. If he resists, kill him without mercy."
The Shinigami, wielding their long swords, rushed forward with shouts, completely disregarding that the person who might die by their blades later could be an important figure.
For a moment, the Great Sages panicked.
Some people quickly roared, trying to stop the wolf-like Squad members.
The Judge in the high position looked at the Shinigami who rushed forward without a word in surprise, finally unable to maintain his composure.
"Nonsense, you scoundrels! Let go of this old man! I am a Judge!"
"Heh heh, whether you are the real Judge or not, the Gotei 13 will make its own judgment."
Aizen shook the long sword in his hand and said with a smile.
"I advise you not to make futile struggles, otherwise..."
For a moment, the Shinigami's shouts and the Great Sage's screams mixed together, echoing within the Assembly Hall.
Those who obeyed were taken away; those who didn't were directly cut down. This was the simple and brutal working style of the Eleventh Division.
The Judges looked at Aozaki, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Aizen, observing everything, and couldn't help but feel a chill all over their bodies.
This new Captain-Commander was completely different from Yamamoto.
The children's game of playing house would, without surprise, end in this era!
The Judges felt bitter in their hearts. They had clearly seen the distant future, yet they helplessly found themselves powerless.