Chapter 141: Kōga's Ultimate Goal
While Satoru was basking in his triumph, Aizen approached Kōga.
He needed to assess the latter's injuries.
If the wounds were too severe, he'd have to treat them quickly to prevent death.
A Shinigami of Kōga's caliber would make excellent experimental material, especially since Aizen was deeply intrigued by Muramasa's abilities.
If possible, Aizen even considered risking it himself, voluntarily letting Kōga invade him once.
What did it feel like to have one's Zanpakutō stripped away?
Would a Shinigami's soul undergo changes after losing their Zanpakutō?
Since the Zanpakutō was part of a Shinigami's soul, would a void appear in the soul if it were taken?
Could that void be filled with something else?
And if something else were inserted, would new abilities emerge?
There were so many things he wanted to know.
But... Satoru had mentioned earlier that after Muramasa invades a soul, it not only turns the Zanpakutō against its wielder but also accesses all of the victim's memories.
That was something he couldn't accept.
His mind held so much knowledge; just a fraction of it could nurture a villainous boss.
If someone dug out everything, it might backfire, creating a rival he'd have to contend with.
As Aizen reached the spot where Kōga had been defeated, he suddenly halted.
Amid the billowing dust, a thick pillar of ice shot out, aiming straight for his face!
"Bakudō #81: Dankū."
Aizen stood calmly in place, silently casting the 81st Binding Spell.
He particularly favored this Kidō.
It was stylish, versatile, and combined both power and aesthetic appeal.
Most people learned Kidō from the lower numbers upward, gradually progressing.
Unless a technique was particularly difficult or rarely used, they seldom skipped ranks.
But Aizen was different. Shortly after beginning his study of Kidō, he had focused intensely on mastering Number 81.
In the end, while others were still learning binding spells in the thirties, he had already mastered this advanced Kidō.
Now, he could even cast it without incantation!
A semi-transparent high wall instantly erected before him.
The ice pillars crashed against the wall, halted in their advance.
But the next second, cracks appeared on the Dankū barrier.
Under Aizen's somewhat surprised gaze, part of the ice pillars actually pierced through the Dankū's defense, shooting straight toward his face!
He channeled Reishi through his feet, preparing to use Shunpo to evade.
The moment he tried to move, he discovered his body was immobilized.
Aizen calmly looked down at his feet.
There, several shadows extended from the dust, binding his own shadow.
His inability to move was precisely because of these shadows.
Seeing these shadow tendrils, Aizen couldn't help but pause.
What madness was Satoru up to now?
But then he sensed it―these shadows didn't carry Satoru's Reiatsu.
Kōga Kuchiki... this guy actually mastered shadow manipulation too?
While processing this, a small purple energy sphere materialized before him.
Though his body couldn't move, "Simulated Cero" didn't require physical movement―it could be released from any position!
Just as he prepared to fire the Cero, dozens of black shadows suddenly descended from the sky.
These shadows plunged into the ground, instantly shredding the shadows restraining Aizen to pieces.
Satoru descended from above, landing beside Aizen.
"Ah, Sōsuke... ahem, my friend, are you alright?"
"Fortunately, I was quick-handed and quick-eyed, saving your little life just in time!"
"But no need to thank me too much―I, Satoru, always do good deeds without seeking recognition!"
Aizen dispersed the half-formed Cero.
He took a deep breath, calming his rising blood pressure.
As the dust settled, Kōga's figure gradually became visible.
Holding his Zanpakutō, he quietly observed Satoru and Aizen.
His face showed torn flesh revealing teeth beneath, giving him a bizarre and ferocious appearance.
Kōga raised his hand to touch the wound on his face.
His fingers contacting the raw flesh made him frown slightly.
He wiped his hand, releasing a layer of Kidō to temporarily cover the wound, stopping the blood gushing from his face.
Aizen gently clapped: "As expected of the genius Shinigami worthy of marrying into the Kuchiki Clan... my Dankū, though cast without incantation, should at least block destructive spells below number eighty-five."
"That technique just now must be your original Kidō creation."
"To develop an advanced Kidō close to level ninety, you truly have the right to be proud."
Meanwhile, Satoru seemed to suddenly remember something.
He raised his hand: "I have a question!"
Kōga looked at him.
The moment Satoru's fist had connected earlier, he finally understood the secret behind this guy's formidable defense.
Flowing over Satoru's body was a strange layer of Reiatsu.
This Reiatsu adhered to a layer of soul substance, clinging tightly to Satoru's skin.
Any attack, before hitting Satoru, would be blocked by this hybrid defensive layer of soul and Reiatsu.
Unless one exceeded the defense's upper limit, it was difficult to inflict real damage on Satoru.
This bizarre ability left him somewhat bewildered.
Shinigami themselves were composed of soul matter.
How could Satoru split off part of his soul to create a defensive layer?
No matter how he thought about it, it defied logic.
Unless... it wasn't his own soul, but something obtained from outside.
In the entire Soul Society, only one person mastered such a technique.
The Captain of Squad 12, Kirio Hikifune!
He had heard from Ginrei that artificial soul technology was Kirio's foundation and strongest ability.
Satoru... just what kind of charm did this guy possess?
Though they were both from Rukongai, he managed to have both Captain-Commander Yamamoto and Kirio Hikifune, a designated member of the Royal Guard, teach him everything they knew.
Meanwhile, he himself could only nod meekly every day, obeying his father-in-law's cold commands...
He took a deep breath.
"Whatever questions you have, go ahead and ask."
Satoru lowered his hand and asked curiously, "What exactly made you defect to the Tsunayashiro side?"
"It couldn't be because you were dissatisfied with old man Ginrei, could it?"
"If that's really the case, then your move is just too ridiculous... Think about it, how old is he already? He might pass away any day."
"Once he's gone, wouldn't there be no one to control you anymore?"
"Not only that, with your strength and status, it's not impossible for you to take over the Kuchiki Clan and become its head."
"Compared to that, by defecting to Tsunayashiro, you'll just be a subordinate forever, never entering the core leadership. Isn't that all for nothing?"
Hearing Satoru's words, Kōga sneered.
He slightly raised his head, looking at Satoru with the gaze of an intellectual looking at an illiterate person.
"Satoru, while you may be strong, your perspective is ultimately too narrow."
"The power struggles in Seireitei are ultimately insignificant."
"What I aim to do is ascend to the heavens together with the Tsunayashiro Clan!"
"I will make Tsunayashiro Senzaemon the new Soul King..."
"When that time comes, he will use the Soul King's great power to enhance Muramasa's strength!"
"With my new power, I will no longer be blocked by closed hearts... I will enter everyone's inner world, make the entire Soul Society acknowledge me, fear me, respect me!!"