Shin asked, "Have you already evolved to the point where you can use Kyōka Suigetsu without even releasing your Shikai?"
"That's right, but it seems like it's useless against you." Aizen said, looking at the giant flaming eye above Shin's head.
"It seems you already had a method to counter Kyōka Suigetsu."
"Hahaha, always keep a backup plan."
In truth, Shin wasn't confident before using it, unsure if "Judgment" would work.
"Then let me see how much you're truly hiding."
Hado #63: Raikōhō!
Golden lightning instantly covered the entire domain. The Kido released by Aizen, who was in his Fourth Fusion State, without incantation was astonishingly powerful.
A flame barrier rose in front of Shin. The lightning and flames collided, causing a fierce explosion.
"That barrier is decent. How about this one?"
Aizen raised his hand and swung. The slash broke through the flame barrier's defense, but Shin did not dodge and had his left hand instantly severed.
'Holy crap, that hurts. I shouldn't have been showing off.'
This was the first time Shin had sustained such a severe injury. He was screaming in pain internally, but showed no sign of it outwardly.
Reverse Cursed Technique!
In just a moment, his left hand was restored to its original state. Reverse Cursed Technique was more effective and faster when used on himself.
"Oh? You can heal too?" Aizen was slightly surprised.
Among the Shinigami, only the Fourth Division practiced Kaido, and the healing speed wasn't this fast.
Aizen was very curious about how many abilities Shin was still hiding that he didn't know about.
Shin replied, "Yes."
However, this ability was not as monstrous as Aizen's immortality.
He felt that the current battle with Aizen wasn't a fight to the death at all, but rather a sparring match.
"Scales of the Dragon! Recoil! Twin Meteors!"
The invisible slash easily ignored the Super Reiatsu Barrier on Aizen's body, cutting him in half at the waist.
Seeing that Aizen didn't even try to dodge, Shin muttered internally, 'What's he doing? Returning the favor?'
Aizen's body fell to the ground, then pieced itself back together, and the wound gradually healed.
The next moment, a surge of Reiatsu erupted, and Aizen's appearance changed once again.
His face ripped open, revealing a black visage. Three black holes appeared on his abdomen, his wings became thicker, and the tips of all the wings bore heads consisting only of mouths. The largest wing grew two eyes, and his right hand fused with his Zanpakuto.
In this state, Aizen looked even more like a Hollow. He now possessed true immortality, able to regenerate even if shattered into dust.
But Shin thought Aizen's previous form was much cooler, this appearance looked like a monster.
"Shin, this is the power of the Hōgyoku. The power called 'The Heart'."
Aizen sensed the immense power contained within his body, then asked, "Shin, what was that strike just now?"
It was an invisible attack, yet it made him sense extreme danger.
"World-Cutting Slash."
"I see, a slash capable of tearing space? Very strong."
"Shin, let's stop here."
Shin was stunned by the words, not understanding what Aizen meant.
"I can help you achieve the final victory in this game."
In this state, it was impossible to discern any change in Aizen's expression.
Shin asked in surprise, "Aren't you going to continue with your plan?"
"Our stances are aligned, and I look forward to you establishing a new order in Soul Society."
For Aizen, finding someone who understood him to walk alongside was far more interesting than sitting alone on the throne.
Shin hadn't expected Aizen to abandon his own plan so easily. Cooperating with Aizen was indeed a very good option.
However, Kisuke had already placed a sealing Kido inside Aizen, although currently, Aizen's "Heart" showed no problems.
Therefore, Shin spoke up to remind him, "Urahara should have set up a Sealing Kido inside your body."
Unexpectedly, Aizen was unconcerned. "I sensed it, but with the Hōgyoku present, his seal cannot harm me."
Aizen had provided Shin with too many surprises, he was having trouble processing them all.
"Shin, let's exchange one final attack. You defeat me, and afterward, I will retreat back to Hueco Mundo."
"Judging by the losses sustained by Soul Society this time, it will be impossible for them to start another war anytime soon."
"But now it seems those Arrancar must be kept."
Previously, Aizen had planned to use Soul Society's hands or his own to eliminate the Arrancar under him, as he believed they could not be of assistance. But now, to cooperate with Shin's plan, even ants had value.
Shin nodded, indicating he had no objections.
He took Excalibur from Yogasa, intending to try it out while he had the chance.
Aizen saw the magnificent sword, which was very different from a Zanpakuto, and asked, "What is this sword called?"
"Excalibur!"
"Excalibur? A good name."
Shin was about to dispel the domain. Since they were putting on a show, they definitely needed an audience.
He suddenly remembered one more important matter.
"One more thing. I wonder if you could give me Rangiku's soul?" Shin asked with a slight smile.
Aizen said, "Oh? Did Gin tell you about this? It seems he pledged allegiance to you long ago."
Originally, to satisfy the Hōgyoku's needs, Aizen had captured hundreds of souls possessing Shinigami power, and Rangiku was among them.
As for Gin, Aizen merely kept him around because he was curious how Gin would try to kill him, but Gin did indeed help him with many things.
Aizen removed the Hōgyoku from his chest, separated a pure white substance from it, placed it in a small, glass-like box, and handed it to Shin.
"Now that I am completely fused with the Hōgyoku, I no longer need her soul."
Shin put the box into Yogasa and thanked him.
"Let's begin."
After Shin finished speaking, he dispelled the domain.
Aizen, having transformed yet again, came into the view of the spectators, whose expressions all turned grave.
This transformation meant Aizen's strength had risen another level. If Shin were also defeated, Soul Society would find it even harder to resist Aizen.
On the other side, Gin stood alone on a mountaintop. At this moment, he did not wear his usual smile.
Shin raised Excalibur. The surrounding rocks, trees, dirt, and other matter all turned into Reishi, gathering onto the blade, gradually forming a massive light.
"Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy. Boil forth and deny. Grow numb and flicker. Disrupt sleep. Crawling queen of iron. Eternally self-destructing doll of mud. Unite. Repulse. Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness."
"Hado #90, Kurohitsugi!"