Having expended all its power with this strike, the Horned Hollow could no longer fight and fell into weakness.
Staggering a bit, the Horned Hollow fell backward.
The Hollow shell on its body surface shattered. Ichigo, looking utterly exhausted, reappeared. His Bankai deactivated automatically.
Now his injuries were completely healed, only his Reiryoku was completely gone. His body felt like running ten marathons… extremely fatigued! His entire condition was at its historical lowest!
Feeling the uncomfortable sensations constantly transmitted from his body, Ichigo only wanted to sleep immediately.
But there was one thing he still cared deeply about.
"Aizen... Rukia..."
With his only remaining strength, he turned his head, finding Rukia and Aizen's figures.
As he expected, Rukia had already fallen into Aizen's hands.
At the same time, holding the collar around Rukia's neck, Aizen walked step by step towards Ichigo.
With the only one who still resisted Aizen fallen, Aizen could now do as he pleased!
"Aizen, what are you going to do?" Ichigo asked with difficulty.
Hearing this, arriving directly in front of Ichigo, Aizen, who had been tormented by Ichigo for a while, showed a sly, black-hearted smile:
"You know, there are only two methods to extract an implanted foreign substance from a soul."
"One is using high-temperature destructive power like the Sokyoku to evaporate the outer soul shell and then extract it."
"Or, using some method to directly intervene in the soul's composition and forcibly separate it!"
"If the method using the Sokyoku execution fails, I must find another method."
As he spoke, Aizen took out a small vial and continued:
"For that, I needed the information hidden in the Great Spirit Book Gallery under the Central 46 Compound! I carefully investigated Urahara Kisuke's past research."
"Implanting foreign substances into souls was his past research. Then, the method for extraction naturally must also be hidden in his past research!"
Aizen pressed the vial in his hand.
A stream of liquefied gas quickly released from the vial.
"That's right. This is the answer!"
As the gas was released, six wooden stakes appeared around Ichigo, Aizen, and the others!
At the same time, Aizen's arm also turned wooden!
Using his wooden arm, Aizen plunged into Rukia's chest!
Under Kisuke's technology, Rukia's flesh was like water's surface, submerging Aizen's hand! Aizen showed a victorious smile!
Because at this moment, he had already grasped the Hogyoku in the deepest part of Rukia's body!
Ichigo also understood what Aizen was going to do.
Why, after capturing Rukia, did he specifically walk towards him?
This was intentionally hurting Rukia in front of him!
Witnessing this scene firsthand, even though Ichigo already knew this would happen and had fought desperately for it, he truly couldn't do anything.
Yet limitless anger still surged in Ichigo's heart!
"Aizen!" Ichigo roared in anger!
Hearing his shout, the corner of Aizen's mouth lifted slightly and he pulled his hand out.
Not bothering with Ichigo, who was like a defeated dog, Aizen examined the crystal-clear Hogyoku in his hand!
"Truly astonishing. To think it's such a small thing?"
Simultaneously, Rukia, with a hole like a Hollow's void opened in the center of her chest, powerlessly knelt on the ground.
Rukia breathed with difficulty.
Only then did Aizen notice Rukia, his eyes showing a few traces of surprise.
Because the large hole in Rukia's chest was slowly healing.
"Oh? It doesn't harm the soul itself? Truly remarkable technology!"
"But it's a pity... you still have to die!"
Grabbing the collar around Rukia's neck, Aizen lifted her up and called towards his back: "Gin, kill her!"
Seeing this, Ichigo became truly worried!
Byakuya was directly slashed by Aizen, and added to the injuries from a few days ago that hadn't fully healed, his current injuries might be worse than originally.
Now, it seemed no one could save Rukia!
"Tch!" Ichigo silently spat in frustration and looked around.
"Anyone? Can someone come save her?!"
Complete silence.
No one could answer Ichigo.
Not far away, Gin drew Shinso.
"Shoot to kill, Shinso!"
A high-speed blade light shot forth, aiming straight for Rukia's chest!
Fortunately, at this time, the reinforcements Ichigo wanted finally arrived.
Kukaku, who had been hidden all along, appeared.
"Hado #63, Raikoho!"
A lightning cannon precisely hit Gin's Shinso, causing it to deviate by an inch.
Then, Byakuya, who didn't fall short, forced himself to charge forward. At the last moment, he snatched Rukia from Aizen's hands, while using his body to take this slash!
"Pfft!"
Shinso, piercing Byakuya's body, slowly withdrew. A large amount of blood gushed from Byakuya's chest.
"Onii-sama..." Rukia was deeply shaken by Byakuya saving her.
But watching this deep sibling affection scene, Aizen merely frowned slightly and prepared to step forward and draw his blade to act personally.
But just before drawing his blade, Aizen as if sensing something and looked to the side.
"Aizen, how much further will you run rampant!"
Yamamoto's roar arrived! His thick Reiatsu washed over them!
Under Yamamoto's intimidation, Aizen ceased moving.
And Yamamoto's roar was like a signal!
Tosen's Bankai, Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Korogi shattered, and the three people inside, each with injuries, appeared.
And on Aizen's side, two high-speed afterimages arrived!
Yoruichi and Sui-Feng, one left, one right, pinned Aizen!
"Don't move!" Yoruichi coldly commanded. "If you move..."
Sui-Feng continued: "...we'll cut your head off!"
Not far from Aizen, Gin was similarly pinned by Rangiku in the same posture!
For a moment, the previously deadlocked situation seemed instantly reversed!
"So cool Yoruichi-neesan!"
"My wife Sui-Feng is great too!"
"Ahhhhh Rangiku forever the goddess!"
"Wuwuwu Hisagi. Am I the only one concerned about Hisagi? He caught someone too!"
"Hahaha, he's not a girl, who cares!"
"So true to life..."
The live stream video feed, the BGM also subtly changed, becoming stirring!
Everyone thought this was justice defeating evil. Victory would finally come!
"It's over, Aizen." Yoruichi issued the final judgment to Aizen.
However, Aizen looked at the two people on his left and right and merely let out a light laugh.
"What is there to laugh about?" Yoruichi didn't understand.
"Ah, sorry. Time's up." Aizen replied.
With his words, the sky suddenly tore open!
Sensing something, Yoruichi's expression changed and shouted to Sui-Feng: "Get away quickly!"
The two jumped away from Aizen.
The next second, three golden membranes descended from the sky, and they enveloped Aizen and the other two!