"You're... alive...?"
"Oh? That's quite harsh, Izuru. Your own Squad 4 concluded there was a possibility of my survival. Have you forgotten already? Right, Captain Yukawa?"
"...Yes."
I squeezed out a nod. After all, he's wearing an audacious expression that practically screams, 'The mask of the handsome, kind man is officially off!' and he's even switched his self-pronoun to 'Watashi.' This is proof that Sosuke Aizen has no intention of hiding it anymore.
Still, where on earth was he hiding? If he had come out from somewhere, I should have noticed him, but... Ah! One person is missing from the count of the fallen members!
Wait, does that mean he was here from the start? He was sticking close to us and monitoring me this whole time from such a short distance...? Ugh! Even though I knew what he was capable of, being forced to experience it firsthand makes me realize how terrifying he truly is!
'And he even added the surprise performance of "losing on purpose" to Izuru! Is it a spirit of service, or is he just a natural actor... Gwah! This is why handsome guys are the worst! Everything they do looks like a scene from a movie!'
"But, Captain Aizen... if you were alive, why did you hide your presence until now?"
"To monitor and confirm your movements, of course, Captain Yukawa. Didn't Captain Hitsugaya explain it to you?"
Oh, that absurd theory of his. ...Does that mean Aizen was the one who came up with that script?
"I wondered if someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes of this incident. With that thought, I created a doll identical to myself and faked my death to gain the freedom to move as I pleased."
"By deceiving all of us...?! But why was it necessary to go that far?!"
"They say that to deceive your enemies, you must first deceive your allies. Since becoming free to move, I have been hiding in this Assembly Hall to monitor and investigate. Oh, naturally, I obtained permission from the Central 46. I couldn't afford to cause them any trouble."
Cause them no trouble, huh...
'The target is already dead, so there's no trouble to be had! What a load of crap!'
"But it seems, Captain Yukawa, that you are dissatisfied with my explanation. Even after hearing my story, it's written all over your face that you don't believe a word of it."
"Of course not. I have no memory of any of the things I'm accused of."
"Heh... A fine voice. However, you should save your pleas for the Central 46. Come, this way. I shall guide you."
You're really going to keep up this pointless act.
"N-No!"
Izuru stepped forward to block Aizen as he reached out toward me ominously.
"Do you understand? Do you realize what you're doing?"
"I do! Even so, even so, I...!!"
At the sight of the shouting Izuru, Aizen placed a hand to his forehead, let out a light sigh, and looked up at the ceiling.
"Hah... The only thing I didn't anticipate was your existence, Izuru."
"What... are you...?"
"Given your personality, I thought you would hand over Captain Yukawa obediently... I never imagined you would come this far with her. I was quite surprised by your calculation."
"Calculation... N-No, I..."
Calculation? What is he talking about? I don't really get it, but it seems Izuru exceeded Aizen's expectations. That's amazing! Way to go, Izuru! That's my student for you!
'You have plenty of students, My Lord. Even that Makizo Aramaki fellow is one of your students, remember?'
"Betraying her just before handing her over to the Central 46 so you could rescue her yourself... My, what a wonderful performance to heighten the tragedy and leave a lasting impression."
"That's not it!"
Ah, so that's what he meant by calculation.
"If you released her in a place like this, you could easily catch her even if she ran. By personally striking down an opponent who isn't particularly strong, you could gain her trust, and by fleeing together, you thought you could naturally grow closer."
"You're wrong!!"
"Oh, perhaps when you agreed to cooperate with this plan, such a blueprint was already in your head?"
"...!! That was!! You!!"
Wait, Aizen! You're taking it too far! Izuru isn't that kind of boy—no, wait! Is his goal to make him snap?!
"Really... love is a truly irredeemable thing. To think a fine young man like you would harbor such vulgar and base thoughts. I feel like a fool for ever listening to your concerns."
"Don't say... another word!!"
"Don't do it!!"
An enraged Izuru tried to slash at Aizen, but I grabbed him to stop him. No, I didn't just stop him; I tried to leap backward all at once to put distance between us. However—
"When a Third Seat turns their blade on a Captain, that is treason. And this is self-defense."
Aizen's blade moved even faster, deeply slashing Izuru's body.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh?!?!"
"Calm down! I'll heal you right away!! ---!!"
The intense pain must have registered a second later. A scream erupted from Izuru's mouth. I called out to him to keep him calm while trying to use Kaido—
"It's alright. While not quite on the level of Captain Yukawa, Izuru is an excellent member of the Fourth Division. He should be able to treat a wound of that caliber himself. He won't die immediately."
—but my attempt was interrupted by Aizen's attack. I messed up. I instinctively pulled back from a powerful strike filled with killing intent. Aizen stood between me and Izuru, speaking calmly while exerting pressure on me.
"After all, I adjusted the blow so that would be the case."
"...I won't say it twice. Move."
"I refuse. After all, I can finally speak with you without any distractions."
I threw my own killing intent back at him, but Aizen brushed it off effortlessly. And... what?! Speak with me?
'Aizen is starting to say some strange things!'
"Izuru over there is in too much pain to listen. I just finished off the pesky Stealth Force members as well. There is no one left to worry about, is there?"
You finished them?! Oh, for heaven's sake! Why do you shed blood so unnecessarily?! Izuru is... okay! He's managed to start using Kaido! He'll make it!
"Why are you doing this?! I don't understand the meaning behind any of it!! If you had business with me or wanted to talk, you could have just summoned me normally!!"
"If you were the type to come to me without any schemes or preparations, I would have gladly done so. But you aren't that type of person, are you? Therefore, this was necessary. No, if I hadn't done this, you wouldn't have been so... honest, would you?"
What does he mean, I wouldn't have been "honest"...?
"Let me ask you point-blank. Captain Yukawa, you are...?"
---!!
"Oh, your expression changed slightly. Did you hear something from your contact with Yoruichi Shihoin? Or perhaps you noticed even earlier? For instance—"
"—from the moment you called me 'Captain Aizen' back when I was still Shinji Hirako's subordinate?"
He noticed!! From all the way back then!! When I accidentally let "Captain Aizen" slip in front of Captain Hirako!! I spent every moment after that desperately trying to cover it up by turning it into a recurring joke!!
'Ah, so that really was dangerous... Although at the time, the danger level was probably just "arousing suspicion." But there's no doubt we were "Target Locked!" from then on!!'
Oh, come on!! After the incident a hundred years ago, I thought I completely erased that by having a sentimental scene where I said, "I was only joking back then, but you really did become Captain Aizen, didn't you?!" Why does he still remember that!! Was he holding a grudge?!
"Don't tell me your goal was just to ask me that? You went through all this trouble, even manipulating Captain Hitsugaya and the others, just for that?!"
"Are you playing dumb this time? Well, I do feel a bit bad for Captain Hitsugaya. I only intended to listen to his story for a bit... but he became more attached to me than I expected. It seems he was quite displeased that the 'eyes of a certain person' were fixed on 'someone else.'"
That certain person... he means Momo, definitely. I caught her interest, and she even ended up joining the Fourth Division. And that somehow spiraled into this mess?! But would he really take such impulsive action just for that?
No, but Aizen said he gave "advice." I have to consider the possibility that he used eloquent words to manipulate him from there.
'If My Lord had pampered Captain Hitsugaya, perhaps the result would have been different.'
Don't give me those "what if" scenarios now!!
"Furthermore, it seems that 'special treatment' is more effective than I imagined. I was surprised to see that it was the same even for Captain Hitsugaya. Though I only persuaded him a little 'face-to-face.'"
Face-to-face? ...Ah! So that's it?!
'What do you mean?'
Probably, Aizen revealed that he was alive. To someone who thought he was dead, he must have added a killer line like, "This is something I can only ask of you."
'I see, indeed. He would definitely feel like he's being treated specially and get carried away!'
They supposedly had a prior relationship, so the foundation was already there.
"Now then, I have answered your questions. It's my turn now. Oh, that's right. If it's hard for you to answer, shall I give you a little help?"
"Gwaaaaaaaah!!"
Aizen thrust his Zanpakuto through Izuru's leg as he was concentrating on Kaido.
"Izuru!! Stop it, Aizen!!"
"Heh..."
It looks like I have no choice. As I lunged forward to stop Aizen, he immediately pulled out his blade and pointed it at me.
"I see, there is also the option of asking your body directly. I'm torn."
"Ugh...!"
I twisted my body to dodge an upward slash, but his attacks didn't stop there. I managed to read the strike as it transitioned from a downward slash to a horizontal sweep, evading in sync with his movements.
But as expected of Aizen. I hate to admit it, but his swordsmanship is top-notch.
'I hate to admit it too...'
Don't butt in right now!!
"Ugh...!"
"Oh, your concentration wavered. Was there something on your mind?"
The moment I retorted to Nubatama's joke, I slightly failed to dodge. My cheek was grazed, and a few strands of hair that couldn't escape the blade fluttered through the air.
But did he say my concentration wavered...? Wait, does he even realize Nubatama is here?
'Eh!! Is it finally time for my silver screen debut?! This is quite a dilemma...'
There's no way! Aizen shifted his gaze for a split second, so he's probably trying to draw my attention to Izuru. That must be it.
'What a shame, so it was about Izuru...'
That's dangerous in its own right! I have to heal him soon or his life will be in danger!! But Aizen keeps getting in the way! And I don't even have my Zanpakuto, which makes it harder! My fighting style is basically dependent on having a weapon!
But I don't have the luxury of wishing for things I don't have!!
"Take this!!"
I threw a punch in sync with his slash, parrying the blade while diving into his guard. My skills might be amateur compared to my swordsmanship, but I still have training in Hakuda!! My target is his face! I'm going to land at least one hit!!
"Hou? Impressive."
"...Tch... So close...!"
He caught it with his hand! Dammit!! I was sure I'd hit him!!
"But!"
"Guh!?"
I can't stop there. If it was blocked, then so be it! Keeping the position where he caught my hand, I threw myself forward to deliver a strike with my shoulder. It seemed to be an effective tactic, as even Aizen couldn't completely block it.
'The "Aizen-dono! Catch me!!" style, I see!'
I told you not to make fun of it right now!!
With his posture broken, I delivered a palm strike with my other hand. I'm aiming for his stomach! I'll send a shockwave through him and rattle his insides!! Prepare to vomit!
"Hah!"
"Ngh!!"
You're kidding me?! He jumped back and escaped!! I hit him, but like this, it barely does any damage!! No, more than that, the problem is that the distance has opened up again!!
"How scary. As expected of someone who used to instruct new students at the Spiritual Arts Academy. It actually made my spine tingle."
It seems he's regained enough composure to crack jokes. But in reality, I'm at a major disadvantage again. Without my Zanpakuto, my combat power is significantly down. I can use Hakuda, but I doubt it will keep working on Aizen. Kido is a possibility, but if I'm not careful, I might get Izuru caught in it. I need to adjust my timing.
Is there any other means of combat... I have...? ---
---Ah!!
There is...
But...
Wait, no way!?
No way no way no way no way no way no way no way no way!?
Was that his goal?! Did he go through all this trouble just to make me use that?!
No, but I thought Aizen's goal was... and part of it was... then, could it be...?!
I have no proof... but, probably... there's no mistake...
"...Ah, I see. So that's what this was about."
"Oh, what's wrong, Captain Yukawa?"
Now that I think about it, Aizen did say, "There is no one left to worry about." Those words were a hint too. All the roundabout actions and the words he piled up were all for the sake of cornering me.
"I finally understand your goal."
But to think he took such a circuitous route just for that... Should I feel appreciated, or should I feel looked down upon...?
Fine! I'll play along!!
"Goal? I'm not sure what you're referring to."
"Izuru, can you hear me?!"
Ignoring Aizen, I called out to Izuru.
"Remember how I told you a while ago, 'Today is a secret'? Well, that's still in effect... so make sure you keep this a secret too... Haaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
---Hollowification.
I held my left hand up in front of my face, and as I wrapped my inner spiritual pressure around my entire body, the transformation was complete.
"Hou..."
From beneath my mask, I saw Aizen flash a thin, satisfied smile for a fleeting moment.
It seems my deduction was correct.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]