Chapter 224: Dialogue
The Muken stand that had sealed Aizen was destroyed. Red aura emerged from the damaged portions of the seal and transformed into a sphere of light, gradually revealing Aizen's original appearance.
"Hah..."
Aizen drew a deep breath, savoring the long-absent sensation of free air, then addressed Fiander with calm indifference: "It's been quite some time, Fiander!"
"When did you realize I had awakened? I shouldn't have revealed any flaws, correct?"
Aizen's upper torso was exposed. His lower body remained covered by a milky-white carapace-like shell, resembling an insect's protective covering.
Fiander positioned beyond the entrance approached Aizen with hands clasped behind his back and declared: "If you comprehend Yhwach's fundamental nature, you should understand he's an individual who won't surrender until achieving his objectives."
"He invested tremendous effort infiltrating Las Noches. For this purpose, he sacrificed numerous elite subordinates. I believe... he didn't come merely to observe me. Only one reason exists for his voluntary withdrawal—the objective he desired has been accomplished. I simply deduced why he came to Hueco Mundo with such tremendous fanfare to provoke me. Only one consequence exists for provoking me—the Wandenreich he's labored so arduously constructing will be obliterated by me instantaneously!"
After speaking, Fiander clenched his fist. With frost spreading across his features, he demanded: "What about you? Have you reached some agreement?"
After stating this, Fiander had already positioned himself directly before Aizen, his face drawing close.
"I believed we maintained excellent relations, Fiander!"
Aizen spread his hands and spoke helplessly: "Actually, within my heart, compared to Gin and Tōsen, you prove far more dangerous than them. Tōsen suggested to me numerous times that I should eliminate you. However, I rejected all such proposals!"
"Yet you killed him regardless, didn't you?"
Recalling Tōsen Kaname who'd been destroyed by Aizen, Fiander spoke sarcastically with a half-smile: "Compared to Gin and myself, he proved far more loyal to you!"
Observing Fiander's face positioned so proximately, Aizen sighed. He extended his fingers to press against the other's forehead, pushing him away, then continued: "Too close. No need exists for maintaining confrontation between us. The reason you saved us from Urahara Kisuke—isn't that precisely what you'd planned accomplishing?"
"Too naive, Aizen! How do you know I didn't preserve you for the sake of Hōgyoku's power? After all, your transformation proves obvious to all!"
"I believe we should communicate honestly, Fiander."
"That concludes the tedious probing. I understand you just as you understand me. However, you may not realize—I comprehend you far better than you imagine."
Aizen's tongue-twister-like statement made Fiander suddenly laugh aloud. He gripped the other person's shoulders and declared: "You can deceive children like Kurosaki Ichigo..."
"No, Fiander!"
Suddenly, Aizen rarely interrupted Fiander, speaking emphatically: "During the duration after my defeat by Kurosaki Ichigo, I've been contemplating one matter continuously!"
"I once wished creating the Ōken to enter the Soul King Palace—to replace the Soul King and become the supreme existence. When I revealed this to you, your eyes contained no surprise whatsoever, only profound contempt. From that moment, I understood that you might know certain matters better than I do. If I failed, what would you accomplish? What constitutes your ultimate objective? What purpose drove you to lurk beside me constantly? Suppose your goal also involves the Soul King Palace. However, if you'd remained concealed within shadows assisting me, achieving your objective would obviously prove more probable. Because if we'd cooperated, destroying Soul Society could be accomplished effortlessly. Yet you didn't act thus. Instead, you concealed yourself within Hueco Mundo alongside those weak Arrancar. For some duration, I felt disappointed—believing I'd misjudged you entirely. Until Yhwach arrived, I finally sensed that long-hidden throbbing within your heart!"
"Sensed? Are you the parasite dwelling within my stomach?"
Fiander no longer appeared as aggressive as previously. However, the smile across his features grew increasingly pronounced.
"Hōgyoku's feedback cannot err. Your transformation remains inseparable from Hōgyoku's influence. Consequently, I feel extraordinarily certain regarding this matter. Then I comprehended—the individual you've been awaiting isn't Kurosaki Ichigo, but Yhwach. You believe Yhwach can assist you achieving your objective. So... tell me, Fiander! What precisely do you desire?"
Listening to Aizen's eloquent discourse, Fiander felt extraordinarily peculiar. Compared to the arrogant demeanor displayed when fighting Kurosaki Ichigo, the current Aizen proved as impressive as he'd been initially within Soul Society—possessing gentle appearance and radiant eyes.
"How strange, Aizen! Could it be that Kurosaki Ichigo shattered your skull with his blade? Your current thinking appears profoundly distorted—as though your once-grand ideals have been annihilated by yourself."
Sensing the transformation within Aizen, Fiander spoke thoughtfully.
"I once considered myself a prodigy. My greatest life objective amounted to nothing beyond becoming a figure like Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni—until I discovered that every existence within Soul Society possesses inherent soul shackles. Regardless of how diligently you train, once you reach this bottleneck, you can never breakthrough. At that time, I felt desperate regarding this for considerable duration. That was before I became Fifth Division Vice-Captain—until I learned about the Soul King and Squad Zero's existence through chance. The peculiar aspect is that I could discover Soul King records through those noble families' historical documentation. I even learned the Three Realms' truth. Presumably, you understand such matters better than I do."
Facing Aizen's inquiry, Fiander responded without hesitation: "Correct! Perhaps I know more comprehensive details than you."
"As expected!" Aizen continued with natural expression: "However, regarding Squad Zero's records, I never obtained a single word within any document. Do you know about their existence?"
"Naturally I know!" Fiander nodded again and spoke with certainty: "I even understand that even if you'd defeated Kurosaki Ichigo, even if you'd eliminated Yamamoto Genryūsai, even if you'd destroyed Gotei 13 and Seireitei—when you attempted stepping vainly into the Soul King Palace, you would be completely annihilated!"
"Even the current you?"
Aizen regarded Fiander with longing evident within his eyes.
"Correct! Even the current me. As long as one constitutes a creature possessing designation after the Three Realms' birth, one cannot breach the Soul King Palace!"
Fiander regarded Aizen and declared decisively: "Consequently, Yhwach represents an excellent chess piece. However, when I walk upon the chessboard, perhaps... I also constitute their chess piece."
"I understand!"
Aizen closed his eyes and displayed a relieved smile. Then he raised his head and spoke calmly: "Actually, I'd intended concealing myself within the seal continuously, quietly observing your actions before making final decisions. Now it appears unnecessary."
"So, after hearing all this, what options will you choose?" Fiander folded his arms and gazed into Aizen's eyes directly.
"Proceed with your plan, Fiander! When you're prepared stepping there, I hope you can bring me along!"
Aizen rose to his feet. His eyes appeared to perceive everything. Compared to long-term victory, this manner of failure—from peak to absolute bottom—perhaps represented greater precipitation within life. When you surpass this obstacle, you become stronger.
At this moment, Aizen may have achieved this state within Fiander's perception—a state where fighting means nothing and existence means nothing. This spiritual sublimation would make this man even more formidable.