Masatsuki Aozaki’s figure darted swiftly between buildings, as elusive as a spirit flitting through a field of flowers—appearing out of nowhere, and vanishing just as suddenly.
His pristine white haori billowed in the wind, his entire presence radiating an air of otherworldly grace. His elegant movement felt less like a human’s and more like a divine being descending into the mortal realm.
But just as he moved between the tall walls, his body suddenly halted.
As if sensing something, he came to an abrupt stop and looked up.
From behind a wall as pale as paper, two figures slowly emerged.
Leading the way was a man in a black Shihakushō draped with a white haori. His hair was loosely tousled in soft brown curls, and a wooden badge symbolizing a Lieutenant hung from his sleeve.
It was Sōsuke Aizen.
Following behind him was Chōjirō Sasakibe, the former 1st Division Lieutenant, wearing a short-style haori and a neatly kept black mustache.
Watching the two men walk slowly forward and stop before him, Masatsuki Aozaki blinked.
What was this?
A Lieutenant-led rebellion?
Sōsuke Aizen wore a faint smile as he met Masatsuki Aozaki’s gaze.
"As I thought... you really can see through our true identities."
There was a hint of surprise and admiration in his tone.
"You’re not carrying any 12th Division detection equipment, and I don’t see any other captains nearby—yet you could so easily tell whether we were real or not."
"This has made me quite curious. I truly want to know—how did you manage it?"
Masatsuki Aozaki narrowed his eyes, coldly staring at Sōsuke Aizen. The chill in his gaze was completely undisguised.
His voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"Hmph. If I want to do it, that’s all that matters."
Facing Masatsuki Aozaki’s openly hostile stare, Sōsuke Aizen gave a small smile, waving a hand casually as he replied in a light tone,
"Don’t look at me like you’re ready to devour me. It’s not like I became this way by choice."
"Besides, my existence is temporary. This body is ultimately too weak."
"And this encounter of ours will be like a shooting star in the night sky—just a fleeting moment in your long life."
In his understanding, Masatsuki Aozaki had never looked at Sōsuke Aizen with such eyes before.
Yet Reigai Aizen could clearly feel the revulsion in that gaze.
"If the world is destroyed, there won’t be any long life to speak of. So, you’re certain that Kagerōza Inaba will fail?"
Masatsuki Aozaki’s voice was calm and detached, as if speaking to a corpse.
"Of course. I’m no different from the Aizen you remember—including his sharp mind."
Under Masatsuki Aozaki’s piercing gaze, Aizen spread his hands and smiled with confidence. Intelligence gleamed in his eyes.
"Kagerōza Inaba is far too inferior. His failure is inevitable, just as your victory is assured."
"You really are as smart as Aizen. But no matter how smart you are, you’re still a pawn. That’s just pathetic."
Masatsuki Aozaki narrowed his eyes, a mocking smile curling at the corners of his lips.
His gaze was sharp as a blade, as though he wanted to pierce through Aizen’s eyes and into the very depths of his soul.
Reigai Aizen Sōsuke gently shook his head, a trace of subtle helplessness flashing through his eyes as he spoke with a light smile.
"You really are Masatsuki Aozaki. But I’m not like the others. I’ve already managed to shake off part of Kagerōza Inaba’s influence."
There was pride in his tone, but also an undercurrent of resignation—an acknowledgment of the shackles he still couldn’t break.
"Knowing you’re going to fail, why come here at all? Don’t you find your actions ridiculous?"
"What is this, some kind of tragic heroism—charging in despite knowing you’ll lose? You don’t seem like that kind of person."
Masatsuki Aozaki let out a cold laugh.
His eyes brimmed with contempt and disdain, as if he were looking at an overconfident clown.
Yet Aizen wasn’t provoked. Instead, he smiled faintly and replied softly,
"Because I have my own reasons."
His voice was low, magnetic.
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