"The Five Great Noble Houses attacked the Soul King and used his power to divide the World of the Living, the Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo. The cycle of Reishi was expanded, and the speed at which this world would eventually fuse into one was slowed down once again. This is indeed a good thing; however, those nobles did not attack the Soul King merely for this purpose. What they wanted was more status and power!"
"The current Soul Society, and indeed the entire world—all its forms and rules are entirely false. They were not formed naturally nor are they eternal; they are merely a mirage whitewashed by the Five Great Noble Houses and accepted by those ordinary people. The Soul King is nothing but a puppet, and the Seireitei, led by rotten nobles, should not continue to exist any longer."
Aizen gazed at Suzuki Makoto. He used his Reiatsu to isolate them from all outside prying, ensuring Kaname Tosen had no chance to hear, confining this conversation strictly between himself and Suzuki Makoto.
"After learning of the Soul King's existence, I have always believed that I could break the limits of being a Shinigami. This path is correct, and I am convinced that I am walking on the right path. One day, I can replace the Soul King. And you, Suzuki-kun—after knowing the truth of this world, do you still feel that maintaining your tiny little wish is correct?"
Aizen continued, his voice laden with persuasion.
"Should we not seek to explore the higher clouds? Should we not let that Soul King, who is nothing but a decoration, fall completely into the dust? Should we not ensure that the rotten nobles can no longer hinder the development of this world?"
There was not the slightest waver on Suzuki Makoto's face. He did not answer Aizen's question directly but instead asked a question in return.
"Then what about you? Is everything you are doing meant to replace the Soul King's duties, or do you want to obtain the Soul King's power? Do you want to succeed the Soul King in maintaining the existence of the Three Worlds, or do you want to succeed the Soul King in being worshipped by all living beings of the Three Worlds?"
Aizen was stunned. This was the first time he had spoken the truth of the world to another, and likewise the first time he had revealed his heart to another—and by the same token, it was the first time someone had asked him such a question.
"If, as you say, the Three Worlds would be destroyed without the Soul King, then why is he not qualified to accept such offerings? The Soul King was the guardian of the former world and is the foundation of the newly born Three Worlds, so naturally, he deserves the worship of the living beings of the Three Worlds. The Five Great Noble Houses betrayed the Soul King for their own selfish desires, so they indeed deserve to die. I do not mind eliminating the so-called nobles."
Aizen paused for a moment before continuing.
"However, I must understand your purpose in wanting to succeed the Soul King—is it that you want to maintain the existence of the Three Worlds yourself, or is it that you merely want to become the sole person sitting high upon the throne, accepting the worship of the living beings of the Three Worlds?"
Suzuki Makoto's question plunged Aizen into silence. He suddenly realized exactly where the divergence between himself and Suzuki Makoto lay.
"Suzuki-kun, so in your eyes, I am actually no different from those nobles? Because whether it is the current order or the new order I will shape in the future, neither will have anything to do with the commoners of the Rukongai—'No one of us has ever paid attention to the Rukongai.' The meaning of this sentence is actually that, regardless of the order, the order of the Seireitei will never allow the residents of the Rukongai to enjoy it, correct?"
"Yes. A Soul King who cannot make any movements or make any sounds... replacing him has no meaning to you. Because what you want to replace is not this current Soul King at all, but the 'Soul King' of the past who was still the guardian of the world and could use all his power!" Suzuki Makoto replied calmly.
"And if you possessed that kind of power, would you care whether the people of the Rukongai lived the life of District 1, or the life of the Zaraki District in the past?"
Suzuki Makoto could not help but sigh with emotion. Aizen was Aizen after all. Just from a clash of thoughts, the other party had already broken free from the shackles of his perspective and completely understood his meaning.
Of course not.
Aizen never concealed his contempt for the incompetent. His arrogance never floated on the surface, nor did it stem from his bloodline, but rather from the deeper levels of his soul.
"Whether it is the current nobles or the future you, to me, and to the people of the Rukongai, neither is important—but the new future the Yellow Turbans bring to them is what is most important."
"Then what if I make you a promise? After I replace the status of the Soul King, I will treat everyone in the Rukongai and the Seireitei equally. Would you be willing to come and help me?" Aizen suddenly asked.
"Do you think I am the kind of person who would give everything for an illusory promise? Especially when this promise comes from the hands of an expert in illusions?"
"Then, perhaps we can start from the simplest part: as long as we join hands in private, we can preserve the Yellow Turbans. Wait until the order of the Soul Society is rewritten. Whether you want to stay by my side or stay in the Rukongai to guard that order, you can choose freely. How about it?"
Suzuki Makoto found it somewhat strange. Why did Aizen want to cooperate with him so badly? Logically speaking, he had already made his attitude very clear both in words and implications: no matter how Aizen stirred up trouble within the Seireitei, he would not cause trouble nor would he care. Why was Aizen still so obsessed with him?
"That sounds a bit too favorable for me. So what about for you? A cooperation that is only favorable to one side looks more like a trap."
"Because the Captain-Commander hopes to recruit you and that Miss Jeanne into the Gotei 13 together. And those nobles hope for this as well, because only within the Seireitei can they better make a move on you."
Make a move on me?
Is this a 'Try Not to Laugh' challenge?
Suzuki Makoto barely managed to keep a straight face, his expression turning odd.
"They... want to make a move on me?"
"Correct."
Aizen's face resumed that smile which was hard to distinguish between mockery and friendliness.
Before fighting Suzuki Makoto, he still thought the nobles were as insidious as ever, knowing they couldn't take Suzuki Makoto down with brute force, so they wanted to take a detour and play some schemes.
But after fighting, he only felt that the method of death these people had chosen for themselves was truly very creative.
"I would like to ask, what is the Captain-Commander's psychological bottom line regarding the Rukongai?"
"District 40."
"Many thanks—could I trouble you to send me back? If I go back too late, the cat at home will make a fuss."
"Of course, but to go back, we will have to take the Garganta. It will take a little bit of time."
After receiving Suzuki Makoto's thanks, Aizen said nothing more. Since Suzuki Makoto had already accepted his intelligence, it meant that there would naturally be opportunities for cooperation between the two parties in the future; there was no need to rush.
"Oh right, may I ask Your Excellency's name—"
"Aizen. Sosuke Aizen."
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