Shin followed Grimmjow into Las Noches, the path was completely unobstructed.
Inside Las Noches, there was blue sky and white clouds, a stark contrast to the dark sky outside.
"Las Noches is like a maze."
"Aizen modified Las Noches. Each of us Espada has our own palace."
As they spoke, the two arrived at the main hall.
The remaining nine Espada were standing outside the hall, their expressions varying as they watched the two approach.
"Yo, Grimmjow, did you lose the fight? Why are you bringing someone back to Las Noches?" Yammy spoke, his face filled with mockery.
Grimmjow ignored him and pushed open the main hall doors, but he did not step inside.
The main hall was vast and empty. Aside from the throne in the center, there were only a few tables and chairs on the terrace to the right.
Aizen was not sitting on the high throne. He was standing below it, his back to the door, turning around only when he heard the doors open.
"Shin, long time no see." Aizen maintained his gentle demeanor.
Anyone who didn't know him would surely assume he was an approachable, gentle man.
Shin nodded. "Indeed. Who would have thought that Captain Aizen would establish such a powerful force in Hueco Mundo?"
Aizen asked, "What do you think of Las Noches?"
"It's good, very magnificent, but it's too monotonous."
The uniform white architecture and vast, empty environment gave off a feeling of oppression and loneliness.
"Oh? Please, have a seat." Aizen walked toward the terrace.
Shin sat down in a chair. There were two steaming cups of tea on the table, suggesting Aizen was living quite comfortably.
Shin asked, "Captain Aizen, you sent Grimmjow to find me. Weren't you afraid he'd die by my hand?"
Aizen should be well aware of Grimmjow's nature—he fights first and asks questions later.
"The existence of powerless subordinates only serves to increase the weight of one's own stumbling blocks."
"Moreover, Grimmjow pursues power. Dying at your hands would be an honor for him."
Aizen's expression didn't waver, the lives and deaths of his subordinates were worthless in his eyes.
Shin shook his head. "You are truly ruthless."
Aizen was unconcerned. "This is the highest mercy I can grant them."
"Shin, what do you think a Shinigami is?"
Aizen clearly didn't want to waste time discussing his subordinates.
Shin said, "Although I'd like to say that Shinigami exist to maintain the stability of the three worlds and purify Hollows, in reality, they are merely tools used by the nobles to protect their interests."
Aizen looked slightly surprised, then smiled. He hadn't expected Shin to see the true nature of Soul Society so soon after making contact with it.
"Exactly. Shinigami possess great power, yet they are reduced to being tools in the hands of others. Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto is no exception."
"But no one wants to change this reality, calling it adherence to the Soul King's will. The Soul King is nothing more than a tool himself—the original sin of this world."
As he spoke, Aizen made no attempt to hide his contempt and disgust for the Soul King.
Shin said, "I heard you plan to create Ōken to enter the Royal Palace?"
"It seems Soul Society has already discovered my objective."
"Shino, join me in creating a new future." Aizen extended the invitation once more.
Shin smiled and shook his head. "I live in Karakura Town. I can't just stand by and watch it be destroyed."
Aizen was slightly taken aback. In his view, this reason was utterly absurd.
"Shino, you truly are gentle."
Aizen guessed that Shin couldn't bear the sacrifice of those hundred thousand souls.
"Captain Aizen, actually, I came here this time to play a game with you."
"Oh?" Aizen's interest was piqued.
Shin said, "As a human who has waded into these troubled waters, I naturally won't be able to remain uninvolved in the future. But I also don't want to become a tool of Soul Society."
"Just like you, I also believe Soul Society needs a complete overhaul, but I don't agree with your methods. I will solve it in my own way."
"So, Captain Aizen, do you want to play? Let's see who wins this game."
"Interesting."
Although they couldn't be allies, having a formidable opponent was not a bad alternative.
"Shin, I'm very curious about what exactly you plan to do."
Initially, Aizen had thought Shin was working with Kisuke, but now it seemed they were quite different.
"Hahaha, you'll find out when the time comes."
If Aizen's plan remained unchanged, it meant he was essentially playing an open hand against him.
—
Shin left Las Noches and headed off, searching for the Reiatsu of Nel and the other two.
Reviewing the conversation with Aizen, Aizen had not displayed any arrogance toward him. It was simply a case of differing philosophies preventing cooperation. He and Aizen were fundamentally on different paths.
Meanwhile, in Las Noches, Gin and Kaname approached Aizen after Shin left.
"Captain Aizen, you look quite pleased. Did you succeed?"
Gin was eager to know the purpose of Shin's visit.
Aizen shook his head. "No, he refused. But the interesting thing is, he proposed playing a game with me."
"A game?"
"That's right. Things are going to get much more interesting from now on."
...
"Big brother, you're back."
When Nel saw Shin, she immediately leaped into his arms.
"Mhm."
"I'm hungry." Nel said, giving him a pitiful look.
Shin smiled helplessly.
Ever since Nel tasted food from the Human World, she had completely turned into a little glutton.
Pesche and Dondochakka watched the affectionate interaction between the two and decided they needed to talk to Shin.
"Nohara-san, there's something we need to tell you." Pesche's tone was serious, devoid of his usual antics.
So, the three of them moved aside.
"Actually, we are not Nel's brothers."
"I know." Shin replied calmly.
The two were surprised. "What? You knew?"
"I could tell instantly. The difference in your appearances is too great." Shin said, sizing them up.
The two felt slightly attacked, but at the same time, they sighed in relief. They had just been worried that Shin already knew Nel's true identity.
"Nel's real name is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. She was actually the former Third Espada. She was attacked by two other Espada, which caused her mask to break, turning her into this form and causing her to lose her memories."
"We were originally Nel's Fracción, but afterward, to avoid unnecessary trouble, we pretended to be her brothers to protect her while she was powerless."
"The reason we are telling you this is because we can see that you genuinely care about Nel."
Actually, there was another reason that Pesche didn't mention.
Shin was too strong. If he intended to harm them, he wouldn't need to beat around the bush.
"Nohara-san, your power is immense. Compared to us, you are far more capable of protecting Nel, so we earnestly ask you to take good care of her. Please."
"Isn't that obvious? I'm Nel's big brother too."
As for the ones who ambushed Nel—No. 5 Nnoitra and No. 8 Szayelaporro—they were already on Shin's hit list.