Shin hadn't expected Aizen to be able to cast Hadō #99 without incantation at this point, but doing so significantly reduced its power.
After he unleashed the weakened version of "Tenpa Jōsai," the side effects weren't too severe. He merely felt weak all over, though he was injured by the lingering shockwaves.
Aizen was also not feeling well. Casting Goryūtenmetsu without incantation was a bit much for him at the moment, and he had been hit in the chest by a stream of flames.
Aizen coughed up a mouthful of blood. The flame stream, weakened by Goryūtenmetsu, hadn't penetrated his body.
Shin, having lost the power to fight, fell like an angel with broken wings. Yoruichi swiftly used Shunpo to catch him.
Seeing this, Aizen called out, "Gin, Kaname!"
Gin saw Aizen was seriously injured and almost couldn't suppress his urge to kill Aizen right then. However, he quickly calmed down. Without breaking Kyōka Suigetsu, everything would be futile.
"Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi!"
After receiving Aizen's instructions, Kaname directly released his Bankai, pulling Soi Fon and the others into the barrier.
Meanwhile, Gin took the opportunity to abduct Rukia.
Once they had succeeded, the two immediately used Shunpo to reach Aizen's side.
The black barrier then disappeared.
"Rukia!"
Renji and Ichigo, seeing Rukia being taken, wanted to act to save her.
"Don't move recklessly." Gin drew his Zanpakutō and held it to Rukia's neck.
Many captains and lieutenants, after dealing with the lava, arrived at the ruined Sōkyoku Hill.
"Aizen, what exactly is your goal?" Jūshirō questioned.
"To seek the highest place." Aizen said, holding Rukia with one hand.
"Shinigami have four basic combat methods: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kidō. However, these four all have limits to their intensity, this is the limit of a Shinigami."
Aizen continued, "I have been researching ways to break through this limit, which is Shinigami 'Hollowfication' and Hollow 'Shinigamification.' Therefore, I have secretly conducted many experiments."
"And besides me, there was another person who also conducted research. We both created the Hōgyoku, an item capable of breaking the limits of a Shinigami."
"However, both of our Hōgyoku were incomplete, and he even tried to destroy his Hōgyoku."
Aizen looked at Rukia. "That Hōgyoku is inside Rukia's soul. Urahara created an undetectable Gigai. A Shinigami who enters this Gigai will have their Reiryoku continuously broken down, gradually becoming an ordinary human."
Rukia's pupils constricted, and she was speechless.
"Do you understand? He just wanted you to become completely human, thereby hiding the Hōgyoku."
"Since discovering your whereabouts, I killed all members of Central 46 and used Kyōka Suigetsu to create the illusion that they were still alive."
"All orders from Central 46 were given by you?" Jūshirō asked, surprised and uncertain.
"That's right."
"To successfully obtain the Hōgyoku, I issued the order for the execution at Sōkyoku. As long as the soul evaporates, the Hōgyoku is within reach."
Aizen's tone shifted. "However, considering Nohara-san's presence, I was worried the execution would be interfered with, leading to the failure of this method. So I sought another way."
"The method of implanting objects into the soul was created by Urahara. I studied all of his research results and finally found the answer."
Aizen then pulled out an unknown object. After opening it, white smoke emerged, and six sharp wooden stakes shot out from the ground. His hand also turned green.
His hand plunged into Rukia's chest, extracting a gem that shimmered with blue-black light.
"The soul itself is undamaged? What remarkable technology." Aizen looked at Rukia, whose chest was closing up.
"However, there's no use keeping you now." Aizen lifted Rukia.
"Gin, kill her."
"Yes, Captain Aizen." Gin picked up his Zanpakutō, ready to finish off Rukia.
Just as the blade was about to pierce Rukia, a figure blocked it—Byakuya.
Light finally appeared in Rukia's hollow eyes.
"Brother, why? Why did you save me?"
Shin leaned in Yoruichi's arms, quietly watching Aizen's performance. Before, he was the one holding Yoruichi, but now it was reversed.
Hmm... it felt pretty good too. No wonder everyone likes lap pillows.
Aizen was about to step forward to deliver the finishing blow when suddenly, Soi Fon used Shunpo to appear beside him and held him at bay with her Zanpakutō.
Meanwhile, Gin and Kaname were controlled by Rangiku and Shūhei, respectively.
Rangiku looked at the person before her, her emotions complex. "Gin..."
"Do you really think that just because I'm injured, you can reach me?" Aizen remained unperturbed, even with a blade at his throat.
"Soi Fon, let him go!" Shin didn't believe Soi Fon could restrain Aizen.
Hearing Shin's shout, Soifon paused, then chose to let go.
Aizen's hand, gripping his Zanpakutō, loosened. "What a pity. Captain Soi Fon, my blade was just about to cut your throat."
"Time is almost up, Shinigami."
No sooner had he spoken than a huge rift tore open in the sky, from which dozens of Menos Grande heads emerged. Three orange-yellow beams of light enveloped Aizen and his two companions, pushing Rangiku and Shūhei away.
The three slowly ascended within the light beams.
Gin looked back at Rangiku. "Farewell, Rangiku."
"Trying to escape?" Iba drew his sword, about to step forward to stop them.
Yamamoto, who had been silent, finally spoke, "Stop, that light is called Negación. It's what Menos Grande use to help their kin. They are currently in another dimension, and the outside world cannot interfere."
Sajin, who had now woken up, roared at Kaname, "Tōsen! Get down here! Where has your justice gone?"
He and Kaname were close friends. Kaname had once said that he had become a Shinigami for a deceased friend, to uphold justice. Yet now, he was doing such a thing.
"Komamura, the path I see is filled with blood, and justice lies there." Kaname was unmoved.
Jūshirō looked at Aizen. "To cooperate with Hollows... Have you fallen, Aizen?"
"That's too self-righteous, Ukitake. From the very beginning, no one stood in heaven—not you, not me, not even God." Aizen said, taking off his black-rimmed glasses and crushing them.
Then, he slicked his hair back with his hand. "But that unbearable emptiness of the heavenly throne will now end. From now on, I will stand in the heavens."
Momo looked at Aizen, her eyes misty with tears. "Captain Aizen, why..."
She still hadn't come to terms with the cruel truth.
'Is this the legendary hair gel?' Shin thought, watching the scene.
He had to admit, Aizen was full of gravitas.
"Nohara-san, no, Shin, as a human, your strength far surpasses that of a Shinigami. How about we ascend to the throne together?" Aizen invited Shin.
"I refuse."
Aizen wasn't surprised. In his view, Shin hadn't yet grasped the truth of the world, so his refusal was only natural.
"Shin, the next time we meet, you will understand and agree with me." Aizen's gaze held deep meaning.
"Farewell, Shinigami."
"And Ichigo, you are also very interesting."
With that, Aizen and his two companions disappeared.