Fifth Division, Underground Chamber
The vast space was silent, save for the flickering screen. It felt like a morgue.
"The Miracle? Divine authority?"
Aizen's eyes, behind his thick glasses, flashed with disdain. Even seeing it firsthand, he rejected such absurd power.
In his worldview, strength was built through accumulation, not granted overnight.
He had spent centuries scheming to reach his current level. The Quincies, hidden for a millennium and nearly wiped out two hundred years ago, had no right to wield such illogical power.
"Captain Aizen, I understand your feelings. Honestly, I have no love for these pure-blood Quincies either," Gin said, glancing at Aizen's darkened expression.
For once, he wasn't stirring the pot. He genuinely meant it.
After watching the Schutzstaffel's increasingly perverse, unkillable abilities, Gin's initial curiosity had turned to hostility, then outright disgust.
If he had a choice, he'd kill the Quincies before taking on Aizen.
"Gin, this changes things," Aizen said unexpectedly. "We need to reassess our relationship with the Gotei 13."
"What?!"
Gin's pupils dilated, his heart racing. Was Aizen having second thoughts about defecting?
The idea sent a thrill of anticipation through him. If the Quincies' threat made Aizen reconsider, the Bleach world would descend into chaos!
"Lord Aizen, what do you mean?" Tōsen's voice trembled with fear, his blind faith in Aizen shaken.
To him, Aizen's path was justice, his unwavering belief for a century. The thought of Aizen wavering felt like the sky collapsing.
Aizen ignored Tōsen's panic, replying calmly, "Don't get worked up, Tōsen. It's just a fleeting thought. I haven't decided anything."
Though shaken, Aizen wasn't abandoning his goals or considering an alliance with the Gotei 13. The Wandenreich's emergence had merely disrupted his plans, denting his confidence.
Gin steadied himself, his sly grin returning. "Captain Aizen, you're waiting for your ranking to decide, aren't you?"
"Exactly," Aizen smirked, exuding confidence. "Not just me—the Arrancars in Hueco Mundo are likely waiting too. Ulquiorra alone can't control that rebellious lot. Some Espada are probably plotting, waiting for my ranking to expose Kyōka Suigetsu's secrets."
He turned, locking eyes with Gin. "You know why, don't you, Gin?"
Gin's fox-like smile froze, his eyes flickering with guilt. Cold sweat soaked his back.
Is Aizen… suspecting me?
Forcing a smile, he replied, "Captain Aizen, don't joke. I'm not an Arrancar—how would I know what they're thinking?"
The effort to say this left him drained, as if he'd brushed with death. All from a single glance.
"You're right," Aizen said, turning away, seemingly unaware of Gin's turmoil.
But a fleeting chill in his eyes revealed he had been testing Gin, rattling him to keep him in line.
As for the Arrancars, Aizen didn't care. They were mere cannon fodder in his plans.
The screen flickered, drawing their attention.
"Another ranking round?" Gin muttered, catching his breath. "It better not be another Quincy."
"There aren't many left in the three realms stronger than the Schutzstaffel," Aizen mused, picturing himself, Yamamoto, Yhwach, and Ichibē.
But the previous round was only seventh. That meant at least six stronger beings remained, yet Aizen could only account for four.
"Could it be… Yhwach's blond aide?"
The screen displayed new subtitles:
[NO.6]
[World Harmony, Power Exchange]
[Leader of the Schutzstaffel, Jugram Haschwalth]
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