Chapter 139: The Red Side
“Long time no see, members of the Thirteenth Division.”
Emerging from Chōjirō’s thunder prison, Aizen showed no trace of the tension that should have accompanied the imminent battle. Instead, he greeted everyone with a casual air, as if meeting old acquaintances after some time apart.
“And...” Lowering his gaze toward the side, where Chōjirō was fiercely engaged in combat with an Ulquiorra who had reached his second release, Aizen’s lips curled into his signature smile.
“You’ve truly endured much, Vice-Captain Jakuhō.”
“Tch... Aizen...” Chōjirō could never bring himself to truly acknowledge the man before him. The feeling was strange.
In terms of sheer strength, Aizen was likely unmatched in the Soul Society save for Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. In intellect, he had once toyed with every soul in the Soul Society as if they were mere pawns. Had Chōjirō not been privy to the unfolding events beforehand, he would surely have been ensnared by Aizen’s masterful deception.
Yet, despite Aizen’s overwhelming power, Chōjirō found no resonance with him—no recognition as he felt with Stark.
Of course, this wasn’t simply because Aizen was the antagonist. In Chōjirō’s worldview, notions of good and evil held no sway; any being he regarded favorably deserved his empathy.
“Aizen-sama...” Ulquiorra’s appearance before Aizen in such a manner was unprecedented. Though he didn’t believe this could be concealed from Aizen, a strange sensation lingered within him.
“Whoosh!”
Initially, it seemed Aizen might strike first, but events often defied expectations.
Not far behind Aizen, a rift suddenly tore through the sky. Despite the heavy clouds spawned by Chōjirō’s Bankai, the rift’s brilliance was sharp and glaring.
“Bang!”
A black portal flung open, and a white figure burst forth. The newcomer dashed straight behind Aizen, ignoring Tōsen, who stood beside him, as if only Aizen existed in his sight.
“Ding!”
“!”
Though this stranger disregarded Tōsen, and even if Tōsen’s eyes were blind, it didn’t mean a captain-level warrior like him wouldn’t perceive the threat aimed at Aizen.
“I never imagined we’d cross swords here.”
Holding Seikō, Tōsen intercepted the assailant’s blade, taunting the sudden attacker with his distinctive accent.
“Ichimaru.”
“Let’s wait a moment since it’s been a while. For now, could you please step aside, Mr. Tōsen?”
Ichimaru, having just broken through the Hueco Mundo barrier, had intended to deliver a fatal blow to Aizen’s back while his attention was elsewhere. Unexpectedly, Tōsen was swifter, intercepting the strike destined to be his.
“Step aside, or else—”
As Tōsen and Ichimaru faced off, Aizen suddenly interjected.
“But, Aizen-sama...”
“I already said it.”
Ignoring Tōsen’s attempted protest, Aizen repeated his earlier words in a calm, gentle tone.
“Step aside, or else—”
Beneath this tranquil voice lurked an aura that sent chills down Tōsen’s spine. Trembling, he withdrew his blade from Ichimaru’s and quietly stepped aside.
“Understood...”
“Well, what a coincidence. I was just greeting them when you appeared. It’s been a long time for you too...”
Turning slowly, Aizen’s smile remained unchanged.
“Gin.”
“Long time no see, Captain Aizen.”
On Ichimaru’s face was the same inscrutable fox-like grin, giving no hint of his thoughts.
“You’re just the same as ever—unchanged—even your tone.”
Turning his body, Aizen walked toward Ichimaru with measured, steady steps.
“Wait! Aizen!”
To approach an enemy so easily, Aizen naturally intended to finish him off. Ichimaru was the first disciple he had personally raised from childhood. Chōjirō could not stand idly by and watch his disciple fall, so he rushed toward them.
“Whoosh!”
“!”
But Aizen did not lack subordinates. Though indifferent to their lives, he maintained appearances well enough that they were fiercely loyal.
Ulquiorra stood before Chōjirō, blocking his path.
“Step back!”
Every second wasted endangered Ichimaru’s life further. Chōjirō had no time to spar with a powerful foe like Ulquiorra—though, honestly, even this formidable opponent wouldn’t last long against a resolute Chōjirō.
“Do not disturb Captain Aizen.”
“You—”
Words were futile. Chōjirō summoned a massive thunderbolt, and as Ulquiorra resisted the lightning, he unleashed “Bone Break,” sending Ulquiorra flying.
Though Ulquiorra did not endure long, the moment was more than enough for a warrior of Aizen’s caliber.
“...”
Ichimaru, once close to Aizen, knew well how terrifying he was. He gripped his blade tightly, wary of every move.
The man was still twenty paces away.
“I once said, my vice-captain was only you from the start.”
“...”
Aizen leisurely sought conversation with Ichimaru, but it was clear Ichimaru had no intention of such casual talk.
“Nervous? Or do you think the distance between us justifies your current tension?”
“You still don’t understand me, Gin.”
Aizen’s smile deepened, his tone gentler, his presence utterly calm—without a hint of unnecessary fluctuation.
“How are you sure I’m still that far from you?”
“!”
As he spoke, Aizen suddenly appeared before Ichimaru. Though holding his zanpakutō, he showed no intention of striking.
“Pfft!”
Yet, crimson blood erupted from Ichimaru’s chest—enough to incapacitate him.
“Ugh...”
In that moment of pain, Ichimaru realized why events had turned so abruptly.
Kyoka Suigetsu.
It had deceived his senses, causing him to misjudge the distance and leading to this fatal predicament.
“Gin!”
Watching his disciple fall, Chōjirō quickened his pace.
But no matter how fast he moved, he could only watch helplessly as his severely wounded disciple fell from the sky like a fledgling bird losing its wings.
“Are you coming? But it’s too late... No—”
Aizen’s smile remained fixed; even after personally dispatching someone who had stood by him for so long, he remained unmoved.
“No matter what you do, the outcome won’t change.”
“Aizen!”
Enraged, Chōjirō swung his blade at Aizen, only for it to be casually deflected with a single stroke.
“Snap...”
“!”
At that moment, a red cube slipped from Chōjirō’s sleeve, catching Aizen’s attention.
“What is this...?!”
The red cube exploded!