Noticing that his two "subordinates" had been defeated, Aizen Sōsuke couldn't help but speed up his movements.
A trace of urgency surfaced in him—because only he understood just how valuable Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname were as allies. People of their caliber weren't something you could simply cultivate at will.
But that very acceleration disrupted the flawless rhythm of his swordsmanship, exposing a fleeting opening.
Aizen's tactical brilliance was undeniable—but this time, he made a mistake born of lack of experience.
After all, there were very few opponents capable of forcing Aizen to engage in direct Zanpakutō combat. In that regard, his experience was far inferior to that of Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Yamamoto didn't notice the flaw immediately. Only after exchanging a couple more blows did he sense something off through the feedback of his Zanpakutō.
Unfortunately, he couldn't fully release his perception. Otherwise, he would have struck Aizen the moment he accelerated.
Even so—Yamamoto was still the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years.
Even with such a subtle opportunity, he acted decisively.
He had to seize this chance and cripple Aizen.
At the moment their blades clashed again, Yamamoto suddenly altered his attack.
A sweeping strike turned into an upward slash.
Flames erupted from his blade like propulsion, and in one motion, he knocked aside Aizen's Zanpakutō—Kyōka Suigetsu—leaving Aizen completely exposed.
Moving in tandem with his blade, Yamamoto stepped forward.
The muscles in his free arm tensed to their limit.
The pinnacle of his Hakuda—refined through the "Genryūsai school"—condensed into a single fist.
He twisted his body and struck Aizen's side at incredible speed.
Hakuda Technique — "Ikotsu" (Single Bone Strike).
The destructive power of that punch could level multiple buildings.
Aizen couldn't halt his momentum—he was sent flying and slammed into the crystalline wall of Bakudō #73: Tozanshō.
Cracks spread across it like a spiderweb.
Aizen coughed up blood. His right side visibly caved inward in a warped semicircle.
This was the most severe injury he had ever suffered.
Previous wounds—from Kuchiki Rukia or Hirako Shinji—had barely fazed him.
But Yamamoto's Ikotsu was overwhelmingly violent—damaging not just flesh, but his internal organs as well.
The sudden cracking of Tozanshō caused visible tension outside.
Urahara Kisuke immediately coordinated with others to reinforce the barrier using Kidō.
Meanwhile, Kyōraku Shunsui pushed aside Yadōmaru Lisa's support and gripped his Zanpakutō.
If Aizen emerged—
He would act instantly.
He couldn't resist Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis, so the brief instant before Aizen could activate it again would be his only chance to release Bankai.
Nearby, Kurosaki Ichigo and Arisawa Tatsuki returned and stood close to Urahara.
They hadn't forgotten—
Their friend was still inside.
Sawada Tsunayoshi.
"Don't worry so much, Tatsuki," Ichigo said with a crooked grin. "That disaster of a guy won't go down so easily."
"You're the real disaster, idiot!" Tatsuki snapped, stomping on his foot.
Her expression softened slightly.
Still—Ichigo was worried too.
They all knew Tsunayoshi was strong.
But none of them knew his limits—
Or whether he could withstand the battle raging inside.
Inside Tozanshō—
Yamamoto didn't pause after launching Aizen.
Flames coiled around his blade, forming a spiraling inferno.
He charged again.
This strike—
Was meant to kill.
Under normal procedure, Aizen should have been captured by the Gotei 13 and judged by the Central 46 Chambers.
But now—
Central 46 had been annihilated.
And Aizen's power was too dangerous.
Yamamoto had reached a conclusion:
Unless Aizen willingly sealed his own power—
There was no reason to let him live.
Aizen's composure had begun to fracture.
Ichimaru Gin lay gravely wounded.
Tōsen Kaname's fate was unknown.
Yamamoto's killing blow was approaching.
For the first time—
Aizen considered retreat.
The man who once stood beneath the Negación beam, declaring his intent to stand above the heavens—
Was now thinking about escape.
Watching from the sidelines, Tsunayoshi sighed inwardly.
The depth of the Soul Society couldn't be underestimated.
In such a short time, Yamamoto had already found a way to counter Kyōka Suigetsu.
Despite their comparable strength—
The momentum of the battle had reversed in an instant.
As for Aizen's life or death—
Tsunayoshi didn't care.
His true concern lay elsewhere—
The ruler of the Wandenreich.
Yamamoto, unaware of all this, charged forward with his blazing blade.
Aizen responded immediately:
Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi.
Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō.
A dual incantation.
The predictive nature of Kurohitsugi trapped Yamamoto—
While a massive beam fired from Aizen's palm.
Both spells aimed to halt Yamamoto's advance.
But before Kurohitsugi could fully close—
A burning blade pierced through it like paper.
Then emerged its wielder—
Yamamoto Genryūsai.
His body was covered in countless wounds from within the black coffin—
Yet his stance never wavered.
No matter how torn his body became—
His blade remained fixed on Aizen.
The flaming sword collided with the beam—
Splitting it in two.
Yamamoto advanced step by step against the force.
Explosions from high-level Kidō shook the interior.
Tozanshō became increasingly unstable—
Cracks spreading everywhere.
Aizen's focus shifted.
He began analyzing the barrier—
Searching for an escape route.
If he could survive this strike—
He would control the hypnotized captains and escape.
But then—
Two figures appeared at his sides.
Zaraki Kenpachi
Unohana Retsu
They sealed off his flanks.
Front—Yamamoto.
Sides—Kenpachi and Unohana.
Only behind remained—
But even there—
Kyōraku was waiting.
A perfect dead end.
For Aizen alone—
There was no escape.
But—
He wasn't alone.
High above Sōkyoku Hill—
A jagged crack silently appeared.
A black, serrated void—
Garganta.
From it—
Three blue projectiles fired.
One toward Urahara.
One toward Kyoraku.
One toward the nearly shattered Tozanshō.
"Cero?!"
Urahara immediately recognized it.
But he couldn't stop maintaining the barrier.
And no one present could easily block that level of Reiatsu.
"Do your job, shopkeeper!"
Ichigo stepped forward instantly.
"Bankai — Tensa Zangetsu! Getsuga Tenshō!"
A red crescent collided with the blue blast.
He blocked it—
But the shockwave disrupted the barrier's stability.
On Kyoraku's side—
His attack failed to detonate the incoming Cero.
Forced to retreat—
He vanished into the shadows.
The blast struck—
And shattered part of Tozanshō.
The final Cero—
Pierced through the barrier entirely—
And shot straight toward Yamamoto.
He raised his blade.
Flames erupted—
Splitting the sky itself.
The Cero was completely swallowed.
After three blasts—
Everyone noticed the Garganta.
From within—
Three figures stepped out.
A lazy, unkempt man.
A cold, aristocratic youth.
A weary young man carrying exhaustion in his very presence.
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