In the past, there was no other way.
Fighting and killing on the front lines, only to have the nobles who enjoyed their protection erase their achievements… how could anyone accept that?
Having established the Gotei 13 in the Seireitei under the name of 'Protection', Yamamoto would naturally not violate the belief of 'Protection'.
If he personally took action against the nobles, it would contradict the Gotei 13's original purpose.
The Gotei 13 would probably fall apart.
'Protecting the Court' itself is the foundation of the Gotei 13. If even the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 acted unreasonably, using violence to eliminate nobles without justification, would the Gotei 13 still be the Gotei 13?
Kyoya's appearance and his methods indeed suited Yamamoto's wishes.
But being directly called out by Aizen, Yamamoto would not admit it.
"The Gotei 13 I founded prioritizes protecting the Seireitei above all else."
"Indeed."
"My character and integrity cannot be twisted by your mere words."
Aizen's words weren't entirely baseless.
Aizen nodded slightly. "Captain-Commander Yamamoto, there aren't many people in this world I admire. You count as one."
Yamamoto is an existence who has reached the pinnacle of being a Shinigami.
Who stands at the peak of the Shinigami's path? Upon seeing Yamamoto, all bow their heads.
Even Aizen, who considered himself to have reached the peak of being a Shinigami, still did not dare to stand before Yamamoto.
In the Bleach World, how many can surpass Yamamoto?
One is the Soul King, but he is no longer truly a Shinigami.
Another is the Quincy Progenitor, Yhwach, but he's also not a Shinigami.
The Royal Guard's member, Hyosube Ichibe'e, is not a Shinigami but was granted the name [The Monk Who Calls the True Name] by the Soul King, giving him the ability to name all things in the world.
Currently, in Aizen's view, the only one who could rival Yamamoto is probably Kyoya alone.
Otherwise, in the realm of Shinigami, Aizen would like to declare Yamamoto the strongest!
And this was only after Kyoya displayed that speed, which even Aizen couldn't see or perceive, in the Central 46 Compound, that Aizen felt Kyoya possessed the strength to fight Yamamoto.
Of course, this was also because Aizen didn't know that Kyoya wasn't a pure-blooded Shinigami either.
Kyoya's strength came more from his swordsmanship, bloodline, physique, and Haki from the One Piece World.
However, currently, with Kyoya's Reiatsu having reached 1st-Class Reiryoku, his strength as a Shinigami alone is at least second only to Yamamoto.
The enhancement from the strongest light-type Zanpakuto lives up to its 'strongest' name.
Well, although this Zanpakuto also originated from the One Piece World's Marine Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino, being able to transform it into a Zanpakuto is, in Kyoya's view, still better than a Devil Fruit Ability.
At the very least, Kyoya wouldn't gain the two weaknesses of Seastone and losing strength when submerged in water.
Although there is no so-called [Seastone] in the Bleach World, the number of water-type ability users is still considerable.
"What are you trying to say, Aizen?"
Yamamoto frowned.
What kind of person he was didn't need Aizen's evaluation.
As for Aizen's attempt to stir up conflict between the Gotei 13 and the nobles, Yamamoto didn't care.
When it came down to it, the most troublesome batch had already been killed by 'Aizen'.
The remaining ones, even if they eventually re-established the Central 46, would carefully consider how to interact with the Gotei 13.
Should they properly manage the Seireitei, cooperate with the Gotei 13 to build a better Seireitei together, or inherit their predecessors' will and continue to erode the Gotei 13's authority, attributing everything to the 'nobles'?
Well, as long as they are smart, they will surely know how their predecessors met their end.
So, whether life is more important or authority is more important depends on their choice.
However, in reality, Yamamoto wasn't very worried about this issue.
After all, besides the old fellows of the Central 46, the nobles of the inner court had also been cleaned out by Kyoya.
Most members of the subsequently re-established Central 46 would still have moral standards above the average.
Of course, Yamamoto also knew that power corrupts most easily.
The present situation doesn't guarantee the future will be the same.
For example, he, hundreds of years old, probably never imagined he would become the guardian of the Seireitei in the future.
Or, for example, the unprecedented great villain of the Soul Society a thousand years ago would actually become the admired Captain of the Gotei 13's 4th Division.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, what I want to say is: I am waiting for rescue. What are you waiting for?"
Riiip, riiip...
As Aizen's words fell, the sky above Sokyoku Hill was suddenly torn apart.
Countless Gillians revealed their huge bodies from the fissures, letting out high-pitched howls and wantonly releasing their Reiatsu within the Seireitei.
Under the eruption of the Gillians' Reiatsu, three huge fissures shone down golden light, enveloping Aizen, Gin, and Tosen, lifting them upwards.
"Tch, letting them get away just like that..."
Kukaku was the same.
However, before leaving, she couldn't resist giving Tosen's head another kick, stomping his head into the ground.
"Ara, so sorry about that, Captain Matsumoto."
On Gin's side, seeing Rangiku still not letting go of his hand, Gin erupted his Reiatsu, directly shaking Matsumoto Rangiku off.
After all, if Rangiku were enveloped along with him, she would be in danger.
"I wanted to let you hold my hand a little longer..."
"Gin!"
Worry showed in Rangiku's eyes.
Kyoya had previously defected from the Seireitei, but at least, he was still in the Soul Society.
But Gin was leaving the Seireitei for Hueco Mundo!
Although she had long guessed Gin was doing something dangerous, she never expected the danger had reached the point where Gin had to defect from the Seireitei together with them.
Even for Captains, falling into Hueco Mundo would be very dangerous.
After all, Hollows capable of killing Captain-level Shinigami have appeared in Hueco Mundo before.
Even Yamamoto was once defeated by a Hollow a thousand years ago, wasn't he?
"Tosen!"
"Bankai-"
Seeing Aizen and the other two, along with the ground beneath their feet, enveloped in golden light and flying towards the Garganta in the sky within the golden radiance, Komamura struggled to get up from the ground.
Ignoring his body, which had been severely injured by Aizen's Kurohitsugi earlier, he raised his Zanpakuto.
"Kokujo Tengen Myo'o!"
A giant armored warrior appeared behind Komamura.
Then, Komamura controlled Kokujo Tengen Myo'o to slash towards the light pillar where Tosen was.
Boom!
Amidst the violent roar, Komamura's Kokujo Tengen Myo'o's great sword struck the golden light pillar.
However, this mighty attack failed to cause the slightest damage to the golden light.
The huge Zanpakuto passed directly through the golden light pillar as if the pillar were an illusory phantom.
"What?"
Seeing this, Komamura was greatly alarmed. Fearing his attack might injure the surrounding Shinigami, he immediately gripped his Zanpakuto with both hands and stopped it.
But Komamura was already injured. Such violent movement caused his wounds to burst open again, splattering blood that dyed his Captain's Haori red.
Originally, Komamura wanted to ask Tosen why he had betrayed his justice.
But unfortunately, Tosen was first severely injured by Kyoya, received some treatment from Gin, then was used as a punching bag by Kukaku for revenge and beaten several times.
Now his head was still buried in the ground and hadn't been pulled out.
Even if Komamura wanted to question Tosen, Tosen couldn't possibly answer.
"Don't waste your energy, Captain Komamura."
Seeing Komamura seemingly wanting to attack again, Kyoraku quickly stopped him.
"The golden light pillars surrounding Aizen and the others are spatial passages constructed by over a hundred Menos Grande from Hueco Mundo to rescue their comrades… the Negación!"
"Once enveloped by the Negación, the inside and outside of the Negación become two separate worlds."
"Our attacks simply cannot reach those inside the Negación."
Hearing Kyoraku say this, Komamura reluctantly released his Bankai.
"Aizen, have you fallen?"
Ukitake looked up and questioned Aizen.
"Fallen?"
Aizen, slowly ascending within the Negación, looked down at Ukitake.
"Ukitake, you are too arrogant!"
"No one has ever stood atop the heavens before."
"Not you…or I…."
"Or even the gods."
"But the unbearable vacancy of heaven's throne ends now."
"From now on…I will stand at the top!"
Saying this, Aizen took off his glasses, smoothed back his disheveled hair, and crushed the glasses he used to hide his eyes.
Unsurprisingly, except for Kyoya, the Shinigami on Sokyoku Hill were stunned by Aizen's words.
"Captain Aizen!"
They had never imagined that the previously so gentle, so understanding Aizen would say such things and show such an expression.
At this time, Momo, who had been left behind by Hitsugaya, arrived belatedly.
Although Aizen had now transformed into an overwhelmingly domineering appearance, Momo still recognized him at first glance.
However, facing Momo's call, Aizen's gaze didn't fall on her even for a moment.
His attention was more on Kyoya and Ichigo.
He looked at Kyoya because Aizen had already regarded Kyoya as an opponent he must defeat.
To deal with Yamamoto, Aizen already had ideas and had begun developing Menos Grande capable of immunizing against and absorbing flames many years ago.
Without the ability of Ryujin Jakka, Yamamoto, though still strong, was not unbeatable.
But regarding Kyoya-
At least, so far, Aizen hadn't thought of how to restrict him.
After all, that despair-inducing speed gap couldn't be solved by ordinary methods.
As for observing Ichigo, that goes without saying.
If Aizen had a target, Ichigo could be considered his ultimate goal.
It's just that, through a twist of fate, Ichigo is the 'ultimate form'.
And he, Aizen, hasn't yet begun his transformation towards Ichigo's 'ultimate form'.
One could say Aizen's evolution is copying the answers from Ichigo.
Therefore, Aizen needed to observe Ichigo to ensure he was always on the right path.
In fact, although Aizen experienced some setbacks, he ultimately walked the right path.
The stage where his entire body was encased in a Hollow shell corresponded to Ichigo's Hollowfication.
Breaking out of the cocoon and becoming a butterfly corresponded to Ichigo fully mastering Hollowfication.
The Zanpakuto shattering, no longer needing the Zanpakuto to release Kyoka Suigetsu, and internalizing the Zanpakuto's ability corresponded to Ichigo's Zanpakuto fusing with his right hand.
Later, the appearance of the black mask on his face corresponded to the fully Hollowfied Horned Ichigo.
Being abandoned and sealed by the Hogyoku corresponded to Ichigo using the [Final Getsuga Tensho].
Completing the final fusion with the Hogyoku in Muken corresponded to Ichigo reforging his Zanpakuto.
It was only after completing the most important transformation in Muken that, when Azashiro came to remove the seals on Aizen's right eye and mouth, Aizen would tell him that failure also has meaning.
However, after completely fusing with the Hogyoku, Aizen also realized that this was his own limit.
If he hadn't witnessed the strength of Yhwach, who had absorbed the Soul King, then Aizen would certainly still consider himself a god.
Didn't you see when Yhwach descended to the Seireitei, Aizen said, 'Welcome to my Soul Society'?
Even imprisoned in Muken, Aizen believed this world was still his.
Unfortunately, after the battle with Yhwach, Aizen also learned of the huge gap between himself and 'God'.
Without Ichigo, Aizen wouldn't have lasted more than a few moves against Yhwach.
After Yhwach's death, Aizen chose to return to Muken.
Was it because he didn't want to seize the chance to become 'God'?
No, it was because he knew he couldn't become God.
Even though, at that time, no one could stop him except Ichigo.
But Aizen couldn't deceive himself.
His limit ended here!
Kyoya looked at the current Aizen. Even though he had long known Aizen's 'evil', he couldn't bring himself to dislike him upon seeing Aizen now.
Doing everything possible to achieve a goal in one's heart isn't inherently wrong.
Looking at many antagonists, Aizen's charisma ranks among the top.
Even many of Aizen's words are quite philosophical, successfully breaking through the circle.
Even people who haven't watched the Bleach Anime know a few sentences spoken by Aizen, more or less.