Chapter 260: Aizen's Deadly Question
Hueco Mundo, Las Noches.
Silver moonlight bathed the land.
Countless collapsed and shattered walls testified to the ferocious battle that had taken place here.
Traces of corrosion from Respira, impacts from Cero and Kidō were visible everywhere.
Numerous Adjuchas and Shinigami of the Tsunayashiro Clan were busily engaged in restoration work throughout Las Noches.
In a damaged tower, Baraggan stood in his room, gazing out the window.
One day earlier, during the war that would determine the ruler, he had used Respira as his trump card, demanding that Aizen and Satoru submit to him.
Unexpectedly, Aizen's threat proved real.
Under powerful mental interference, Baraggan was shocked to discover he couldn't determine how much power he was using!
Gritting his teeth, he roughly confirmed he had activated his protection and released Respira.
In that instant, he realized something was wrong.
Several parts of his body had been corroded by Respira.
Acting decisively, Baraggan swung his arm and severed those sections of bone.
Watching what were once parts of his body turn into decaying dust scattering in the air, Baraggan felt utterly disturbed.
Could such a perverse ability truly exist in this world?
How many protections had I unknowingly placed on my own body?
If it grew any stronger, could it even interfere with others' thoughts?
Satoru. Sōsuke Aizen.
These two names were etched into his mind like a curse.
After all methods had proven ineffective, he finally chose to surrender.
Death was the best resting place for a fallen emperor.
Unfortunately, he lacked such courage.
Facing death willingly sounded easy, but few could actually do it.
The more Baraggan thought about it, the angrier he became. He simply sat down on the throne he'd moved into his room and gave up thinking.
...
...
Somewhere in Las Noches.
"Huh? You're staying here?"
Satoru looked surprised upon hearing Aizen's words.
Aizen nodded. "Las Noches has just changed hands. This is the perfect time for rebuilding."
"You have captain duties. You can't stay here long-term."
"As for me... before departing, I arranged for a subordinate to handle official business in my study."
"Using Kyōka Suigetsu, I made him appear as me to others."
"Captain Hirako doesn't dare disturb me during official business, so exposure is unlikely."
"During this period, I'll focus on overseeing Las Noches' reconstruction and complete several projects with Szayelaporro."
Hearing this, Satoru nodded.
He yawned and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Aizen spoke:
"Satoru."
"Yeah?"
"Besides what I already know, you have another special ability, don't you?"
"Huh?"
Satoru turned back, looking at him blankly.
"Special ability? What ability?"
Aizen gazed at him calmly and said:
"The ability to enhance Reiatsu."
"For example... the ability to synchronize your Reiatsu with others'."
Upon hearing this, Satoru froze.
He'd been discovered?
Though he'd long prepared himself mentally—with Aizen's intellect, he'd eventually figure it out—actually being exposed still made him slightly nervous.
What should he say?
"Congratulations, you're right! Keep working hard to maximize your remaining value?"
That would probably get him killed.
"I'm very sorry, I do have such an ability, but I can't return what I've already taken. How about I compensate you with my life?"
Well, that would be just as suicidal as the previous option.
"I'll get on the operating table immediately. Feel free to study me—if I flinch, I'm not a Satoru!"
This response wouldn't get him killed, but it was even more terrifying than death.
Maybe he should just lie and say he didn't have such an ability?
The moment this thought emerged, Satoru felt intense self-disgust.
Satoru, Satoru, how could you even consider this?
Sōsuke is your friend. It's already bad enough that you exploited your system to take his power for free—how could you even think of deceiving him?
Under Aizen's gaze, he took a deep breath and revealed a determined expression—
"HAHAHAHA! Sōsuke, you're such a joker! How could such an ability exist in this world!"
Damn morals and principles!
Since when did I, Satoru, care about such trivial formalities?!
Watching Satoru laugh heartily as if nothing was wrong, Aizen pondered for a moment.
Then, he shook his head with an amused smile.
"Alright, I was just joking."
"If there's nothing else, you should leave quickly. I need to start working."
Hearing this, Satoru felt as if he had been granted a pardon.
"You're starting work already? Well then, that's fine, you go ahead and busy yourself!"
"I'll be taking my leave now!"
Waving his hand, Satoru made a quick escape.
Watching his retreating figure, Aizen stroked his chin.
The world was vast, and indeed, all sorts of marvelous things could exist.
Previously, during Satoru's battle with Starkk, he had sensed something amiss.
When Satoru went all out against Starkk, the Reiatsu intensity he displayed was exactly the same as his own.
This strange scene unconsciously evoked many memories in him.
Their usual sparring sessions, Satoru's battles with other enemies...
But what left the deepest impression on him was back when they were still in school.
That day, Satoru had suddenly sought him out, asking him to take him to the First Division to see the Captain-Commander.
At that time, Aizen had simply thought his classmate was a bit eccentric.
Later, the things Satoru said to him also seemed inexplicable.
Now, working backward from the answer, he was gradually beginning to understand.
Standing in the laboratory, Aizen looked at the various instruments arranged before him, feeling a peculiar mood.
Given his nature, knowing that someone might be using some ability to steal the fruits of his hard work should have made him furious.
Even if it was just a possibility, he couldn't simply stand by and do nothing.
But at this moment, he didn't feel that way at all.
Was it a change in mindset?
Or... was it simply because the person possessing this ability was Satoru, so he didn't mind?
Whichever it was, the fact that he had undergone such a change was undoubtedly connected to a certain individual.
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Aizen sat down in front of the screen and began organizing data.
Meanwhile, things weren't going so well for Satoru.
After returning to the Soul Society, the first thing he did was take out his secret stash of money and secretly set up a textile factory in Rukongai.
On the surface, the factory's main business was producing civilian-style clothing and bedding.
But its real function was to help Satoru manufacture haori.
A few days later, Satoru proudly went to the First Division wearing his newly forged haori.
However, it didn't take long for Yamamoto to notice issues with the fabric and chase him down, beating him along the way.
Covered in bumps on his head, Satoru returned to the textile factory and explained the problems Yamamoto had identified.
On his way back, he had also stopped by the Eighth Division to steal his dear senior's haori for disassembly and analysis.
Finally, after getting beaten two more times, the tailors at Satoru's textile factory perfectly mastered the method of forging haori.
Looking at the freshly produced, indistinguishable haori, Satoru was overjoyed.
From now on, he would be invincible!
That old man Yamamoto, let's see how you'll find excuses to beat me now!
...
...
In the following period, Satoru unexpectedly enjoyed a stretch of peaceful life.
With Aizen and several Menos Grande underlings in Hueco Mundo, everything was quite peaceful there.
He found time to visit a few times.
Thanks to the efforts of the Adjuchas and Tsunayashiro Shinigami, the reconstruction of Las Noches was progressing rapidly.
Satoru mingled at the renovation site, occasionally offering critiques and pointing fingers.
When inspiration struck, he would even personally design something to add to it.
Regarding Satoru's reformation actions, Aizen felt his blood pressure rising slightly.
In the second year after he conquered Hueco Mundo, Marenoshin came to visit.
Accompanying him were large quantities of gold and silver, along with various precious artifacts.
Seeing such extravagant gifts, Satoru was somewhat surprised.
He had known Marenoshin for quite some time. Normally, given their relationship, if the other needed help with something, a simple request would have sufficed.
Making such a formal presentation felt rather intimidating.
Indeed, Marenoshin didn't bother with pleasantries and immediately stated his purpose.
"Mr. Satoru, I've heard that the Eleventh Division under your leadership has been completely transformed."
"An acquaintance told me that many of the talented students from Shin'ō Academy were actually trained by the Eleventh Division!"
"So... I was wondering if you could take my son under your wing and help groom him a bit?"
"Rest assured, as his father, I know exactly what level my own child is at. I don't expect him to become one of those monstrous geniuses—I just hope he can eventually take over my position without bringing shame to the Second Division!"
"These are just a down payment. Once the matter is settled, there will certainly be more tokens of gratitude!"
Hearing Marenoshin's words, Satoru suddenly understood.
"I see... So you've come seeking us out after hearing about the formidable strength of our Satoru Training Institute?"
"Sir, you've made the right choice! Our Satoru Training Institute has always aimed to cultivate the finest dol... ahem, the finest Shinigami!"
"Where is the child you wish to entrust to us?"
Upon hearing this, Marenoshin grinned and pulled a boy who had been clinging to his back out from behind him.
The boy had a chubby face and round belly, wearing clothes adorned with gold pieces and a gold necklace hanging from his chest.
Being dragged out by his father, he cautiously looked at Satoru.
Though their age difference wasn't that great, the boy acted as if he were meeting an elder, showing clear timidity.
Seeing this boy, Satoru was amused.
As expected.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo... known throughout the martial world as Ōmaeda God, the top comic relief of the Shinigami world, and in some sense, could be considered a child of destiny.
The Eleventh Division produces talented individuals—this statement should actually be reversed.
It was he who recruited these people, all historically renowned talents from the original work.
Tōsen, Komamura, Zaraki...
Without exception, all future Captains.
Even Rangiku, who originally remained stuck at the Vice-Captain level, now has limitless potential because she preserved the Soul King's Finger.
And what about Ōmaeda God?
Recalling his various battle records, Satoru felt that such a genius, even if sent to the Eleventh Division for training, would probably struggle to achieve greatness.
Fortunately, Marenoshin never expected his son to amount to much anyway.
Since the client's expectations were so low, he felt reassured.
"Alright, since you've said so, brother, I'll take Ōmaeda God... ahem, I'll take Marechiyo under my wing!"
"But let me make this clear—once Marechiyo is with me, you shouldn't come to visit."
"When I finish training him, I'll naturally send him back to show you the results."
Seeing Satoru nod, Marenoshin was overjoyed.
He was more than willing to agree to these simple conditions.
Filled with anticipation for his child's growth, he left contentedly by carriage.
Satoru smiled as he watched Marenoshin disappear from view.
Then, he abruptly turned back to face Marechiyo.
A devilish grin spread across his face.
The next day, Ōmaeda Marechiyo's screams echoed through the Eleventh Division grounds.
Satoru's training method for Marechiyo was simple.
The first priority was weight loss.
In the original work, Ōmaeda could overwhelm an Arrancar Adjuchas with Flash Step despite his bulky figure, proving his innate talent wasn't bad.
If he succeeded in losing weight, his speed would undoubtedly reach another level.
After that, all kinds of life-or-death battles and high-pressure training would be arranged.
As for the intensity... he'd start with one-tenth of Zaraki's level.
He hoped that when Marenoshin came to pick up his child in the near future, he'd still find a living Ōmaeda God...
...
...
Several years passed in the blink of an eye.
Before they knew it, another recruitment season had arrived.
Wearing his Captain's Haori, Satoru smiled as he recruited fresh blood for the Eleventh Division.
Years ago, when he first came to recruit for the Eleventh Division, it caused quite a stir.
The division, which had only ever recruited rugged men, actually gained over thirty female members that year!
Shunsui was the first to voice his discontent.
After some investigation, he finally learned that these female members had all attended Satoru's calligraphy classes at Shin'ō Academy.
The female members developed various romantic aspirations toward Satoru, who could write beautiful calligraphy.
After graduation, they naturally flocked to join him.
Satoru accepted them all without refusal, laughing heartily.
Shunsui cried himself unconscious in the restroom.
In the following years, the number of female members recruited by the Eleventh Division continued to grow.
People's attitudes shifted from surprise to acceptance, and from envy to numbness.
"Alright... Aizawa Kita, congratulations on joining the Eleventh Division!"
Satoru reached out and shook hands with the female member across from him, smiling.
The female member blushed deeply and quickly nodded.
Then, the next applicant plopped down into the seat.
Satoru's gaze remained fixed on the information form he had just received, not looking up.
Seeing such a casual sitting posture, he instinctively thought it was a guy.
But when he looked up, he froze in surprise.
Sitting before him was a girl with golden-orange hair.
The girl looked at him with a bright, cheerful smile:
"Shin'ō Academy graduate, Matsumoto Rangiku…"
"Here to apply for the Eleventh Division!"