>>3120652
She jerks her head briefly in the direction of Ichibē, who shakes his head sternly.

“I doubt he would respond,” you shrug, admitting that for now at least you're unlikely to ever know what exactly happened on the occasion Yoruichi is speaking of. “Even Inari Ōkami refused to speak of it outright... or at least I believe we may be thinking of the same barely-recalled event.”

“It's possible,” Yoruichi admits, “though I'd have no way of knowing for sure. It's that event which marks the beginning of our recorded history, though many of the records are vague or incomplete. What I can tell you is that the problem was solved by Ichibē, Ōetsu, and five individual shinigami of great prowess. Their names were Shiba, Kuchiki, Shihōin, Tsuniyashiro... starting to notice a pattern?”

“The great Noble clans,” you muse, nodding along. “And so those families cemented their positions in the order that emerged after this event which was prevented?”

Yoruichi nods once. “Yes. And the way that they solved that problem was through the creation of the Soul King.”

“The creation of the Soul King?” Kirio repeats blankly. “How come this is the first I've ever heard of it?”

“The only people who are supposed to know are the heads of the more important noble houses and the Central 46,” Yoruichi explains. “Myself, Shunsui, Byakuya for example. Sui Fēng doesn't know, Yūshiro doesn't need to know, and I'm not sure who in the Shiba clan knows aside from their representative on the Central 46. It might be that Kaien never passed that information along, and strictly speaking I wouldn't be allowed to tell them myself.”

“Information like that is carefully guarded,” Yoruichi continues. “There are details about how the Seireitei is intended to run that the noble families would rather people not know.”

“Such as?” you press quizzically. “I can understand why the fact that the great noble houses are themselves responsible for the way the world works would be treated as a secret, but you said 'details'. The implication is that there are other details which are treated similarly?”
>2/3

>>3120662
“There are,” Yoruichi admits. “For example that the Central 46 is not the ultimate authority... the noble houses are, with Ichibē treated as coequal. Those really are the two biggest lies which we allow everyone else to believe.”

“Aizen,” you mutter, glaring sidelong at the traitor. “If that was the sole reason for your rebellion against the Seireitei I will be sorely disappointed.”

“It was not,” Aizen admits. “However, we're still talking about miss Shihōin Yoruichi.”

“Why would it be that you would not speak of this, even to those closest to you?”

“It's pretty irrelevant,” Yoruichi shrugs. “It was something that happened two thousand years ago, done by a bunch of people I'm barely even related to. And there's exactly nothing we can do to change the facts that are left after that event.”

“That isn't quite true,” Aizen argues. “The noble houses still have a systematic advantage in terms of producing powerful shinigami, and the great houses have a further advantage over even the other nobles in terms of their authority.”

“And that is something everyone present knows, and has known forever,” you point out.

Aizen's eyes narrow. “Of course, there is more to it.”

“And what else do you think there is to it?” Yoruichi demands. “Why have me tell the story if you think you know better?”

“Because I find all the backstory tedious,” Aizen shrugs dismissively. “I do hate the idea of having someone else controlling not just my life, but my prospects, since the day I was born.”

>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?
>I do not care. I have heard nothing that changes my mind.
>Why don't we hear with Ichibē has to say?
>Other?

>>3120668
>>I do not care. I have heard nothing that changes my mind.
But
>>Why don't we hear with Ichibē has to say?

>>3120668
>>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?
>Why don't we hear with Ichibē has to say?

>>3120668
>>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?
>>Then when your done, Ichibe can say his piece, and we will have gotten all the long winded story telling finished at one time.

>>3120668
>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?

and then, If he is even willing to add anything-

>Why don't we hear with Ichibē has to say?

>>3120668
>Why don't we hear with Ichibē has to say?
>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?
>other: So what else besides having a god complex that made you go rogue?

>>3120694
supporting

>>3120668
>So what else is motivating you, Aizen?

>>3120668
“Ichibē, have you anything you wish to add?” you ask, sparing the Monk a stern glance like a teacher who's caught a disobedient student.

“I cannot discuss the details any further,” Ichibē responds, his tone resolute. “That is what was decided more than a thousand years before any of you were born, and the rationale which applied then still apply now.”

“That is about what I expected you to say,” you shrug, turning back to Aizen. “There must be something else to your own plans, Aizen. Some other motivation.”

“I will say this,” Aizen muses, “I needed you and Shihōin Yoruichi to lead the effort in defeating several individuals I might otherwise have considered somewhat troublesome.”

“Is that so?” you reply calmly. “And which fighters would you have believed that necessary for?”

“You just killed one of them,” Aizen tells you. “Gerard Valkyrie.”

“And why would someone like you require help dealing with Gerard Valkyrie?” you press.

“Well, that will have to remain a surprise for now,” Aizen declares. “When we get to the point where it becomes relevant you will already be able to understand.”

>Well then, I believe that concludes our conversation. Draw your sword, Aizen Sōsuke.
>I think that we can do this in a civil manner. Do you disagree?
>Introduce yourself, draw your sword, and wait to see what Aizen does.
>Other?

>>3123050
>Well then, I believe that concludes our conversation. Draw your sword, Aizen Sōsuke.

>>3123050
>>Well then, I believe that concludes our conversation. Draw your sword, Aizen Sōsuke.

>>3123050
>>Well then, I believe that concludes our conversation. Draw your sword, Aizen Sōsuke.


>at a guess you stole their powers and incorporated them into your won via that rock in your chest.

>>3123050
>Well then, I believe that concludes our conversation.
>Put our hand over our swords and release centuries of pent-up bloodlust
>Attack hard and brutal

>>3123050
>Introduce yourself, draw your sword, and wait to see what Aizen does.

>>3123050
>>Introduce yourself, draw your sword, and wait to see what Aizen does.

>>3123050
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCB6b5Q2Ij4
“Well then,” you sigh, shaking your head, “I believe that ends our conversation. That means there is only one thing left for us to do.”

“You're quite right,” Aizen readily agrees. “And I have been waiting for it for some time.”

You slowly step away from Yoruichi and pace quietly in a wide circle as she watches, her uncertainty obvious. Aizen for his part also moves across the broken ground to close the distance between you slightly, moving Yoruichi even further from the direct line from your blade to his in doing so. Ichibē and Kirio watch you cautiously as well as you carefully arrange your Captain's haori to take care that it will stay out of the way of your legs when you inevitably have to move, and you take a moment to ensure that your hair is carefully arranged such that it won't get in your eyes.

Even Ōetsu, barely able to lift his head, makes a strained effort to do so for this. The other Royal Guards lay still, either unable to move or else unwilling to get in the way.

For his part Aizen lowers his blade to his left side, edge held downward as he prepares for your attack. His eyes take all of you in, from your stance to your hands to the focus of your own eyes.

“Inari Riku,” you present yourself, left hand finally finding your sheath. “Captain of the Ninth Division and master of the Tennen Rishin-ryū.”

“The name of the one who is to kill me?” Aizen muses with a smirk. “My, aren't we feeling formal today... very well. I shall entertain you.”

“Aizen Sōsuke, master of the Jigen-ryū.”

Your right hand lowers towards the hilt of your sword, Aizen's grip on his own blade tightens slightly as his muscles tense. Your eyes narrow, your brow furrows, your waving tails slowly come to a standstill as you focus your attention purely on this moment.

“Well then, student of the Jigen-ryū,” you reply. “Show me the skills to back up your bravado!”

In an instant you cross the gap between you and your foe, drawing your kodachi from its sheath in the same impossibly smooth movement with a silver blur and a clash of steel against steel. Aizen brings his own blade across his body with the tip held low to raise a barricade along his entire right side, predicting the use of iaijutsu and angling the flat of his sword so that your blade slides against it. Your own attack having been dissipated and redirected, you anticipate Aizen's downward swing and raise your sheath against his wrists before he gets the chance.

Your left foot lashes out at his ribs and he moves with the blow, repositioning his sword in an instant to try and attack your outstretched leg before you can withdraw it. But you're just a bit too quick for that, much as he's just a bit too quick to evade your flat thrust.

His blade bites slightly into your upraised sheath, and you push to the side with it to push that blade out of alignment, opening his shoulder to a downward swing.
>1/2

>>3125589
Each slash, each thrust, is cleanly and easily evaded. Every step is carefully matched. In fact it would normally be quite difficult to tell between the two of you who was maintaining the upper hand through this nonstop engagement which plays out more like a deadly game of go than a typical brawl between shinigami. Aizen's sparse technique and direct movements serve to amplify his already increased speed, and his shunpō are now quick enough that in several instants you can effectively duel one another from several paces outside your own 'natural' fighting space.

In fact, that concept seems to have lost meaning when every attack can seamlessly incorporate a shunpō to instantly close the distance. The reach of your arm is no longer relevant.

A slight nick opens up on your cheek and closes almost as quickly from your regeneration. Aizen's ribs crack under a punch, then knit themselves back together as though the impact had never happened. But even that exchange serves to highlight a key point... your own movements, while typically wider and thus slightly slower than they could be otherwise, are coordinated and relentless. Even though Aizen is clearly a master of the sparse Jigen-ryū, and uses it to his advantage as a master would, your own unique take on the Tennen Rishin-ryū and your observations of Yoruichi's personal style of kempo let you mix in quick, direct movements of your own that fill in the gaps between the wider, powerful movements you favor.

In terms of kenjutsu and hakuda, it's clear that you maintain an insurmountable advantage. But can you leverage that against Aizen to the degree that it will bring you a victory, given the state you have found him in?

>Use a few of the more exotic tricks afforded by hakuda and zanjutsu, see if he can match them.
>You may now cast kidō through your sword, as you Tenkotsuki might otherwise do for you.
>Try to lure him into using a kidō to narrow the skill gap, then counterattack into it when he does.
>Other?

>>3125725
>cast kido through your blade
>other: if we’re using kido, how about using kyokko to screw with his reaction on perception of our sword length? a invisible sword blade twirling can disguise a intentional swing to his eyes

>>3125725
What even IS riku now?
We've fused with tenkotsuki and rosa, haven't we? can we still use bankai? resurrección?
Does akirashi shunko still place all that stress on our body?

I guess for now, i'd say
>Cast kido through our blade
>Something strong

>>3125725
>>You may now cast kidō through your sword, as you Tenkotsuki might otherwise do for you.

>>3125725
>Use a few of the more exotic tricks afforded by hakuda and zanjutsu, see if he can match them.

>>3125725
>>You may now cast kidō through your sword, as you Tenkotsuki might otherwise do for you.

>>3125725
>>Try to lure him into using a kidō to narrow the skill gap, then counterattack into it when he does.

>>3125725
>You may now cast kidō through your sword, as you Tenkotsuki might otherwise do for you.

>>3125772
We're in full release (Bankai & Resurrecion)

>>3125725
>XMas Sides: Rangiku
Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku is operating on a short time schedule.

The Ninth Division has occupied a central place in the Seireitei's cultural life for longer than she's been alive, and that includes keeping up with what is considered “modern” practices. And one place where modernization has made a clear impact is in the celebration of Christmas.

It's not that there are a lot of Christian shinigami living in the Seireitei, though there certainly are a few to be found: especially after the practice of Christianity was decriminalized so that its adherents in the living world could worship openly alongside the Buddhists. But Christmas as a holiday has had a little more purchase since years before the American occupation, more so afterwards as modern Japanese consumer culture developed. Many of the things that had become 'normal' in America also became commonly accepted norms in Japan.

One of those things was lighting.

The tradition of public Christmas trees illuminated by electric lights began in 1904 in San Diego, with average households adopting lights in the mid-1950's. Next came Japan's “economic miracle”, where the nation's economy not only recovered from the war but boomed to the point of becoming the second largest export economy after the United States.

So naturally, by the seventies it became the fashion in Japan to string up electric lights every year much as the Americans would do. And after some years of trying, Rangiku has finally gotten tired of waiting.

“Lieutenant Matsumoto,” Akon greets her. “What brings you out here?”

“Oh, I think you know the answer to that,” Rangiku growls. “How many years have I been asking?”

“A few,” Akon replies vaguely.

“Because I think it's been seven,” Rangiku presses rather pointedly. “So when will the Research Bureau deliver?”

“I don't know what else to tell you,” Akon sighs, scratching lightly at the small horns on his forehead. “It's just not a very high priority.”

“Not a high priority?” Rangiku repeats incredulously. “Not a high...”

“I mean, all you're asking for is a string of lights.”

Rangiku blinks in disbelief at what she's hearing. “Alright, Akon. Alright. Let's get this straightened out.”
>1/?

>>3128717
“You seem to be missing the point here, Akon,” Rangiku muses, forcing her way deeper into the Research Bureau with Akon following close behind her. “This isn't just a string of lights I'm asking you people to make for me. What I need are at least three hundred small incandescent bulbs in a variety of colors including white, and the power draw has to be low enough that you can run a dozen strands end to end.”

“It's still not a priority,” Akon repeats his previous point. “I mean, you don know what we're here to do, right?”

“Develop and deploy technologies using spiritual tools and the principles of kidō,” Rangiku states as if reading it from a brochure.

“How did you...”

“Who do you think prints all the Division advertisements for the Academy graduation?” Rangiku muses, casually jiggling the handle to a closed off laboratory. When she fails to get the door open, she snaps off the handle just as casually.

“What do you think you're doing?” Akon demands.

“Your job,” Rangiku insists, rummaging through the desks and cabinets for parts. Wiring, filaments, a small burner, glass tubes. “But I have to warn you, I'm actually not all that good at this stuff.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, I know a lot of the basics,” Rangiku explains, taking the burner and a striker in her hands. “Accident prone, you know.”

“... accident prone?”

“Don't know my own strength, you know,” she shrugs, squeezing the striker a few times. Sure enough, massive gouts of sparks shoot out... a shower that the tool certainly was never designed to produce. In fact, Akon simply stares at it for a few seconds until Rangiku reaches for the gas burner.

He quickly grabs it away.

“So... what would you say are the odds of this... going well?” Akon asks nervously.

Rangiku glances at the assembled items on the counter, seemingly counting in her head. “I'd say there's a fifty-fifty chance of an explosion.”

Akon gulps. “I... okay. I can probably make that happen, just promise me you won't blow up my lab.”

“Have them ready in time to put up before the twenty-fifth,” Rangiku nods calmly. "Thank you, that will be all."
>2/2

Nice

>>3128800
Rangiku is the best daughter

>>3128717
>MXas Sides: Riku
You are Kusajishi Riku, and your current task is quite possibly impossible.

Rangiku and Gin are easy enough to find gifts for, you've known what they like since they were small. Kauru, Kai, and Mirai are similarly easy as you know their interests and hobbies well. Even your arrancar compatriots are something of a no-brainer, since damn near any comforts you can offer them will be gratefully accepted.

But there is one person you have to find a gift for that will make this hard, if unintentionally. And that person is your wife.

It's not that Yoruichi is a difficult person, far from it actually. You know that with her it's always the thought that counts. But at the same time the thought doesn't really come easily to you when the person you're thinking about has no material desires. Yoruichi has all the wealth, prestige, and influence of the Shihōin clan and doesn't have any needs that are really left un-filled. Anything she wants, she can easily get one way or another.

That, and she simply loves to tag along with you when you're trying to do things in the living world. And over a century or so, you've still failed to learn how to say no to her.

“So, you ready to go through?” she asks as you stand together in front of the official Senkaimon.

You nod. “Yeah, I'm ready.”

The two of you step through into the living world in Kyoto, on a side-street near the corner of Pontocho and Kawaramachi. It's the last shopping weekend before Christmas, the two of you have gigai with cold weather neneko-kimonos, and warm shoes, and the day is yours.

“Thanks for letting me tag along,” Yoruichi muses happily as you step around the corner and onto Kawaramachi-dori. “Captain Unohana has been rooting around for people to go to the Shinigami Women's Society meeting today.”

“I'd much rather be here.”

“I'll bet you would,” you sigh. “You have any shopping to do?”

“One thing,” she shrugs. “I did most of my shopping a month ago.”

“Alright, so first thing to do is hit the Nishiki market,” you declare, leading the way away from the Kamo river.
>1/?

>>3130634
The market is bustling this time of the year, with countless stalls all selling wares of every possible kind, and doesn't offer anything specifically tailored for any particular person on your list. You pick up green tea and tea-flavored snacks, along with the yatsuhashi and pickled vegetables that Kyoto is particularly known for. Laden with such goodies, you move on to selecting gifts for specific people.

For Halibel, Starrk, and their group you find something particularly beautiful. You've been into their home in Hueco Mundo and can remember its stark character, with few if any amenities to speak of and nothing pretty to look at that they haven't made for themselves. So what you buy for them are yukata, traditionally made in the spiritual heart of Japan by local artisans. It may not be particularly useful, but what they really need they've always been able to make for themselves.

“Those are nice colors,” Yoruichi muses, approving of your selections. “Should make things a little brighter and more colorful for them.”

“That's what I was thinking,” you nod. “If there's anything I can say about Hueco Mundo it's that the constant grayscale would get to me after a while.”

“Same here,” Yoruichi admits. “So where to next?”

It takes a while to find the right place out further west in the city, but eventually you find a nice little shop that stocks a variety of kitchen tools all produced in the Japanese style. Out of all these knives like tiny little swords, you pick something for Gin.

“Very nice,” Yoruichi nods. “He should put those to excellent use.”

“He was complaining a few months ago about his garden shears,” you shrug. “So Rangiku and I decided on who would get to give him these.”

“You mean you played rock paper scissors,” Yoruichi points out.

“Yes, and that decided it.”

The next thing you track down is a new set of calligraphy brushes and an ink stone for Rangiku. The ones she has at the moment are some five years old and the bristles are pretty much beyond salvation. These should give her at least another five years of good service.

“Well chosen,” Yoruichi nods approvingly.
>2/?

>>3130797
A kitchen knife for Mirai, a polishing kit for Kai, and for Kauru? You find a massive pack of origami folding paper, enough to last her at least until next Christmas. One after the other you work your way down the list until only one person remains... and it's the same person who's still tagging along with you at this very moment.

“So, anything else?” she muses playfully. “It's getting kinda late.”

“It is,” you agree. “And I do have one more gift to figure out.”

“So what are you thinking?” she presses you playfully. “Or have you thought that far ahead?”

“Nope,” you admit. “I was really hoping for some inspiration while I was here.”

“You know you don't even have to get me anything,” she declares, bumping her hip against yours as you walk down a side street in the heart of Kyoto.

“You've already gotten me something though, right?” you ask her.

She nods curtly. “Yeah, of course.”

“You know you didn't have to get me anything either,” you point out. “But you did anyway.”

“Because I wanted to,” she agrees.

“Same story with me,” you reply. “It's the things we don't have to do that speak the loudest.”

After a few seconds, Yoruichi nods again. “I get you.”

“So what do you want?” you finally ask. “Maybe something we can get here that we can't get in the Seireitei?”

Yoruichi seems to consider your question, before turning towards a nearby window.

You match her gaze and your eyes fall on something red and lacy.

A few moments of silence pass between you.

“... done.”
>3/3

>>3130970
Lewd, way too lewd

Lewdicrous!

>>3130970
>XMas Sides: Halibel and Gin
You are Tia Halibel, and today is already proving to be an unusual one.

“So what brings you here?” Ichimaru Gin asks curiously. “It's quite unusual for an arrancar to come calling like this.”

“I need your assistance,” you admit quietly.

“Well what do you need?” Gin replies, waving you into his office. “I'm not good for all that much, but if it's something I'm any good at I'll do what I can of course.”

“I'd like to do something nice for the Captains,” you explain. “As a token of our gratitude. I was thinking a large holiday meal would be ideal.”

Gin nods thoughtfully as he listens to your intentions. “Well, that sounds lovely to me. What were you thinking would be the main course?”

“I understand that turkey, ham, and goose are the traditions in the west,” you reply. “I had not made up my mind.”

“Ham is doable,” Gin agrees, “though turkey and goose are both still kinda rare over here. I gather the usual substitute is actually fried chicken.”

“Really?” you muse, now even more certain in your decision to come here. “It seems I came to the correct place.”

“Alright then, let's get to work,” Gin sighs. “I'll show you what needs to happen.”

“Teach me, sensei,” you reply flatly.

Gin actually pauses for a moment. “Did you just... nah, couldn't have been.”

Gin leads you from his office over towards that of his Lieutenant, a girl by the name of Hinamori if your memory serves you. The Lieutenant seems to be busily working behind her own desk, across which is a spread of what looks to be extremely tedious paperwork.

“I'm goin' out for a bit,” Gin declares. “Hold things down here, Lieutenant Hinamori.”

“When do you expect to be...” she begins, glancing up and spying you with a little jolt of surprise. “I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were here.”

“It isn't a problem,” you insist quietly.

“It may be a while,” Gin admits candidly. “Captain business, I'm sure you understand.”

“Of course, sir!” Hinamori replies hastily.
>1/?

>>3131630
Gin leads you from the Third Division headquarters towards a market, set up in a posh residential area within the Seireitei. All sorts of stalls are set up, each selling a variety of foods both fresh and otherwise.

“Perhaps we should get the chicken last,” you suggest, trying to ignore the stares you and the Captain are attracting from the other patrons: a mix of Shinigami in their uniforms, petty nobility of varying degrees, and well-off souls connected to those groups.

Gin nods in agreement. “Sounds better than carrying around a dead chicken for however long this takes.”

“Fair point.”

The first thing Gin suggests is buying sweet potatoes, which he insists are traditional. Then you find the flour, spices, and other ingredients to cook the chicken. Carrots, green peas, broccoli, freshly-baked bread. The list of things to purchase grows longer and longer, the expenses continue to add up until you have enough to fill thirty people nearly to bursting.

“Doing some shopping, I see?” a voice interrupts you.

Gin glances up from a collection of red wins to find Captain Unohana standing there. “Ah, Captain Unohana! I didn't realize you were here!”

“More like you were ignoring me?” Unohana muses with a smile that leaves you feeling distinctly uncomfortable. What is it about this woman?

“Maybe you can tell me where Captains Shihōin and Kusajishi have disappeared to so soon before the last annual Shinigami Women's Association meeting?”

Gin seems to seriously consider lying for a moment... you can tell by the way his eyes seem to almost imperceptibly narrow even by his normal standards. But eventually he settles on the truth.

“Captain Kusajishi usually holds off all her holiday shopping until the last second,” Gin admits with a sigh. “Captain Shihōin went with her.”

“And where is it they crept off to?” Captain Unohana presses.

“To Kyoto, I believe,” Gin explains. “Captain Kusajishi is quite fond of that city from her time as a Lieutenant, and Captain Shihōin will take any excuse she can get to spend more time with her wife.”

“As I'm sure you know by now they are married.”
>2/?

>>3131872
That explanation seems to satisfy Captain Unohana, at least for the time being, allowing you and Gin to slip away with several fresh chickens and all the other ingredients you will need to pull this off.

“I'll get the messages sent out,” Gin informs you. “Think you can handle the rest?”

You find yourself staring at a pile of uncooked, unprepared food. “I believe so.”

Gin wishes you luck, and you step into the Ninth Division's kitchen. In an out of the way corner you open a Garganta and call through it.

“We're ready on this end.”

Through the Garganta step three more figures: Apacci, Sung-Sun, and Mila Rose, all ready and willing to help make your wild idea into a reality. The trio quickly don aprons and fish through the cabinets and drawers for knives, spoons, and measuring tools.

From that point things get a little bit out of hand.

You do your best at first to direct everything, but eventually you decide that the Tres Bestias can't actually cooperate at all. So instead you end up doing all the preparations yourself, before giving each of the others a specific task to finish. Things become much simpler from there, with each dish slowly coming together in roughly the correct order. The only awkward point is where Apacci gets the oil just a little too hot for the chicken and nearly burns down the entire kitchen, and you have to stop yourself from simply dousing the whole place in water and spreading the grease fire.

Finally, you start to sense the arrival of powerful spiritual presences, just as the last piece of chicken which hasn't been incinerated comes out of the fryer.

“So this is what you were up to,” Captain Unohana muses, seemingly impressed.

“What's all this about?” Head Captain Kyōraku asks curiously. “Not that I mean to disapprove of course.”

“I'm curious as well,” Riku admits cheerfully, still wearing the kimono she took to the living world some hours ago. “After all, it's not every day that all the Captains and Lieutenants get together in my headquarters.”

“I felt it appropriate to show our appreciation,” you explain simply.

“Appreciation of what?” Kaoru asks.

“You have been very even-handed towards us,” you continue, laying out the thoughts which brought you here. “More so than we expected.”

“So you threw together a holiday dinner?” Yoruichi muses playfully. “For twenty-six guests no less.”

“I'm impressed.”

As the assembled officers of the Gotei 13 seat themselves at the long table you've had prepared, Riku catches your eye.

'Good job', she mouths towards you silently with a warm, approving smile.
>3/3

>will return from hiatus tomorrow night

>>3125725
>3d10, Best of four
>DC 18, critical 24

Rolled 1, 1, 8 = 10 (3d10)

>>3137023
>four
dice be a rusty cunt.

Rolled 3, 4, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>3137023
Dice pls

Rolled 9, 4, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>3137023

Rolled 9, 6, 4 = 19 (3d10)

>>3137023

At least we pass

>>3137023
You elect for something of a simple strategy inspired by Tenkotsuki's abilities, and channel a fairly low-level bakudō into your blade. At one point that would have been Tenkotsuki, but now you are Tenkotsuki, in all the ways that matter.

The blade glows golden, and you exchange blows with Aizen again waiting for the opportune moment to release the spell stored within it. Then, as you bring your edge down against his sword, you seize a sudden opportunity as it appears: you use the upraised blade that used to be Kyōka Suigetsu to split the Shitotsu Sansen into its required parts. Or rather, you manage to split it into two parts... not quite technically perfect, but it'll have to suffice.

The two spears of light slam into Aizen, one in his shoulder and the other in his gut, propelling him backwards and pinning him into the ground.

“I see,” he muses. “So that is what you had prepared.”

In a massive burst of reiatsu, Aizen's body abruptly changes. A massive growth erupts from his back, destroying the ground he's been pinned to in an instant and pushing himself back up to his feet. The growths are like tentacles, each ending in an eyeless head with massive jaws and teeth, and writhe menacingly behind his back.

“Adaptation...” you mutter, observing him carefully. “No, rapid microevolution?”

“Fascinating,” Aizen grins at you, applauding slowly. “You grasped the reality of the situation so quickly. Though I suppose it makes sense that you would be the one to figure it out.”

“And why would you believe that?” you question him. “Or are you giving me too much credit again?”

“Because you have had a similar experience, have you not?” Aizen asks, holding out his sword. “You have become one with your two swords, a new being entirely.”

“Not entirely,” you point out. “The components were all there previously.”

“And the same is true of me,” Aizen asserts.

“But who is charting your evolutionary course, I wonder?” you ask.

Aizen scoffs at the question. “Evolution has no predetermined end point, no goal, no intent. Evolution is an endless process so long as selective pressures continue to change.”

>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.
>Sometimes I wonder if we would be enemies were you not so determined to make it so.
>I cannot allow you to have your way. Any further words between us would be wasted.
>Other?

>>3137475
>>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.

>>3137475
>>Put an end to this, Aizen. This is not worth sacrificing your soul for.
>>Sometimes I wonder if we would be enemies were you not so determined to make it so.

>>3137475
Evolution also has no end goal, and plenty of evolutionary dead ends. Its improvement through mass random change, none of which are guaranteed to be the best option.

>>3137963
this, evolution tends to lead to what's best at the moment in time. Trees are still using an incredibly inefficient way of moving water because they never needed to evolve a more efficient one.

>>3137475
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 3, 9, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>3138826

Rolled 4, 6, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>3138826
Well fuck. We're going to need a 22 just to pass this one. Because convincing AIZEN of all people to stand down at the last minute is going to be hella difficult, not when so much blood has been shed.

Rolled 9, 10, 9 = 28 (3d10)

>>3138826
ah lawd

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37 KB JPG

>>3138887
>Aizen gets told to BTFO

>>3138826
“Aizen, listen,” you sigh dramatically, lowering your sword for a moment. “Given what Yoruichi has said, I can understand why you would want to take on a battle like this. But consider what you are doing to yourself, to your own soul. This process of 'evolution' as you call it is destroying what you once were.”

“Is that truly your goal here? To take back control of your existence by destroying yourself? I always figured you were too arrogant for that.”

Aizen freezes, suddenly rooted in place like a statue on a pedestal. “Destroying myself, you say?”

He seems to take a few moments to consider the point.

“I suppose I must concede that the measures I have taken are drastic,” Aizen eventually admits. “But no less drastic than those taken by the ancestors of the great noble houses, or by this disgraceful Monk. But I most certainly am not doing this without a plan, Captain Inari Riku.”

“I never meant to imply that you were not,” you point out. “Only that perhaps events were not following your plan as closely as you seem to believe.”

“Then shall I tell you,” Aizen muses, “what my true plan is? Then you may judge for yourself whether events are unfolding as they need to or not.”

“Had you simply announced your plan rather than systematically making enemies of every single person who may otherwise have lent you strength,” you counter, “then we may not be in this situation. So perhaps coming clean regarding your ultimate intentions could not hurt at this point.”

“You might be surprised,” Aizen tells you. “My intention is to revive the being now called the Soul King and kill it. To take its complete power for myself and replace it as the new lynchpin of this world.”

So that's it, then?

“You're insane,” Yoruichi accuses him. “As if anyone would let a man like you do it!”

“Know your place, insect!” the Monk barks angrily. “Do not think that we of the Royal Special Task Force will allow such a thing to occur, even if you have gained some measure of divine prowess yourself.”

>Actually, I think this is not an entirely unreasonable solution.
>I agree with Yoruichi. Aizen, you are not the sort of being I will allow to rise to such a position.
>If you let Aizen 'win', he will progress to the Royal Realm. You plan to follow him and determine the truth for yourself.
>Other?

>>3138970
>I agree with Yoruichi. Aizen, you are not the sort of being I will allow to rise to such a position.

>>3138970
>"To what end? Surely there is more to your plan than that?"

>>3138970
>>3138983
Supporting

>>3138970
>>3138983
I'll support this

>>3138970
>other: Go full Socrates on Aizen. "And then what? Suppose you've managed to kill Izanagi the Soul King and took his throne? What then? What do you plan to do with your newfound power? What problems in Seireitei did you witness that led you to believe that Killing the Soul King was the solution to the problem? Have you done your research? Have you consorted with the other divine beings of the pantheon and asked for their opinion?
>>3138983
This I support full-heartedly

>>3138983
>>3139051

Adding my support to these

>>3138970
>"To what end? Surely there is more to your plan than that?"

>>3138970
>Other?

"While I understand why you think to desire such a thing, any being that reaches such a height of power becomes inherently limited in their capacity to act.

A god is not a lynch-pin, but a pillar. Immovable, yes. But immobile."

>>3138983
>>3139051
>>3139658
Supporting these.

>>3138970
>Aizen, even if you do kill the Soul king and take his place, what then? Achieving Apotheosis isn’t the end all be all solution. Have you ever asked yourself “if the Soul King is the lynchpin of Seireitei and the Royal Realm and has all the power on this plane, why hasn’t he done anything to fix the problems that have you so concerned about in the first place? What if he had the power but couldn’t put that power to use?”
>>3138983
supporting

Alright, at this point there needs to be a secondary vote. I want you to think very carefully about this one.
>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.
>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

>>3140142
>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

>>3140142
>>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.

>>3140142
>>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

>>3140142
>>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.

>>3140142
>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

I mean, the only way he's getting past us is if we die, so setting a final trap might be sort of pointless, but whatever, screw Aizen.

>>3140142
>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.

Because there is nothing worse than to learn all you have sacrificed means nothing, and if we can end this fight now I am all for it.

>>3140142
>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.
I doubt he’d listen to us at this point. Still, better to take the practical approach.

>>3140142
>>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.
Let's not give Aizen any ideas of cutting his ascension short like we did?

>>3140142
>>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.
ye reaaaaly sure you won't get a stomach ache?

>>3140142
>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

Man, this is super contentious.

On one hand, it's Aizen. The man has stepped on so many toes that practically everyone is baying for his head and blood.

On the other hand, this is a very big opportunity to talk him out of his stupid shenanigans. Which also carries very big risk. Can we debate about this?

>>3140142
>>Warn Aizen that his Apotheosis as the Soul King would essentially leave him powerless, much as the current Soul King is.

Give him something else to think about, maybe talk him out of it if possible, he doesn't seem 100% committed to his own plan as of now.

>>3140712
Well, on one hand, the Soul King is Izanagi-no-mikoto; who among other things abandoned his wife in the underworld to suffer forever. This led to the divine curse that created all Hollows and Hueco Muendo.

By this, I mean that Izanami-no-mikoto cursed her husband and promised that every day she would claim one thousand human souls as punishment. Izanagi only made it worse by boasting that he would create twice as many to make up for the loss.

Besides that, Izanagi killed Kagu-tsuchi or Ho-Musubi (incarnation of fire/causer of fire, they're both kind of interchangeable if I recall), their child, after Izanami died during the birth.

On the other hand, Aizen...

Maybe we can just let Izanagi die, and then maybe the other gods can appeal to Izanami to remove her curse when Izanagi dies.

>>3140142
>Do not warn him. If he refuses to act reasonably, the reality of becoming Soul King will serve as one final trap.

Rolled 6, 9, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>3140142
>3d10, Best of three

Rolled 7, 1, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>3141267
Here goes nothing!

>>3141270
Ouch.

Rolled 2, 6, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>3141267
Here I go

Rolled 10, 2, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3141267
ah lawd

Rolled 3, 9, 5 = 17 (3d10)

>>3141267

>>3141278
>>3141267
What is this? Opposed dice?

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>>3141267
“To what end?” you press, drawing a surprised stare from Yoruichi and an incredulous one from the Monk. “Let us assume for a moment that you succeed, and gain dominion over all that exists. What then? What do you hope to accomplish by taking control beyond what you can accomplish by simply ensuring your own freedom?”

“I will reshape the world,” Aizen declares. “The difference between freedom and authority is that I can reshape the things that should be reshaped, to change those things which I cannot tolerate.”

“This will not end the way you think it will end, Aizen,” you insist. “This is your final warning.”

Aizen stares at you for a few seconds. “Your words mean nothing, Inari Riku.”

“Then it seems that there is no further room for negotiation,” you sigh wearily. “So it has come to this.”

Aizen raises his sword once more, and you do the same. The two edges clash against one another, several times in quick succession each separated by a flash step. You manage to land a palm strike to his ribs, and a wide kick meets a small barrier at the base of his neck, but it's otherwise impossible to make any headway like this. At least until you learn more about his physical abilities in his newly evolved form.

“Congratulations, Inari Riku,” Aizen finally bows politely to you. “This is the first time that I have ever considered using this power. You should feel honored.”

“What power is this?”

“The power that they call Bankai.”

There's a pulse of reiatsu, and in an instant... nothing.

You feel nothing.

And an instant later everything reverts to normal. Things are different however from what you remember an instant before. Yoruichi has one of her blades lodged in Aizen's wrist and the other is pressed against his throat, while Aizen's blade is stuck through her shoulder. She kicks him in the chest, wrenching her blade out of his wrist and his blade from her shoulder.

“Riku?” she asks breathlessly. “What is going on?”

“Indeed,” Aizen agrees, staring at you strangely. “How are you here?”

“Was I gone?” you ask, feeling somewhat confused.

“Aizen apparently erased you from existence,” Yoruichi explains, now holding her wounded shoulder. “Or so he says. Shikai alters perception of reality, Bankai alters the reality of one thing at a time.”

>Well, considering the number of times I have crossed my own timeline 'erasing' me is basically impossible.
>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?
>You should never have tried something so reckless. And now you have lost your trump card.
>Other?

>>3141427
>>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?
>Mentally do a self check make sure all 3 of you are there.

>>3141427
>>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?

>>3141427
>>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?

first of, fuck you aizen, we got our own keikaku
second, do NOT tell him how it worked, he can't erase us if he doesn't understand how it even came to be

>>3141427
>>Well, considering the number of times I have crossed my own timeline 'erasing' me is basically impossible.
>>Good try though Aizen. Now I believe we were in the middle of something?

>>3141427
"Altering reality of one thing at a time" Well that's a horrifying power. Riku may be immune to that due to proof of paradox, but that doesn't mean Best cat is immune to it also. I'm not sure if she has something in her toolbox that can counter Reality Manipulation on a conceptual level.

>>3141427
>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?
>Well, considering the number of times I have crossed my own timeline 'erasing' me is basically impossible.

>>3141427
>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?
Inb4 Aizen desperately tries to alter aspects of Riku in hopes of 'Erasing her', he just ends up turning Riku into the Many AU versions of herself.

>>3141427
>Well, considering the number of times I have crossed my own timeline 'erasing' me is basically impossible.
> And before you get any funny ideas, Yoruichi was with me when I did it.
>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?

>>3141427
>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?

>>3141427
>>Ah. Impressive ability, shame it didn't work. Where were we, Aizen?
Don't tell him about the looping for fuck's sake. You guys can be moronic at times.

>>3141427
>You should never have tried something so reckless. And now you have lost your trump card.

>>3141427
"That would have been impressive," you admit, stretching your sword-arm in a slow circle. "Had it only worked."

Aizen stares at you, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. Then there's a moment of horror as he turns his attention to Yoruichi.

She blinks once before realizing what Aizen is thinking. "Hey now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking if it doesn't work on Riku why not use it on Yoruichi and treat it as leverage?"

"Well, the answer might surprise..."

And in the next instant your wife is gone.

Ichibe turns to frown at you. "You had better not, Captain."

You cock your head, as if waiting for him to finish the thought. Eventually you realize no more words are coming.

"Not what?"

"Start cooperating with Aizen," the Monk clarifies with a stern look.

You shake your head at his foolishness. "Why would I want to do that?"

"Because he erased Captain Shihouin from existence?" Ichibe points out. "You seem rather fond of her?"

You shrug, already suspecting the truth. "He gave it a good effort."

"What do you know that I don't?" Aizen demands.

"You need to be more specific," you counter.

Before Aizen can try to fire back with a witty riposte, Yoruichi interrupts him.

"... you," she finishes, before glancing around. "What just happened?"

"You took a brief vacation from existence," you summarize. "Welcome back."

Your wife chuckles at Aizen's obvious confusion. "It's okay. You'd hardly be the first man to have 'performance issues' with an intimidating woman."

"I hate you," Aizen grumbles, raising his sword. "So deeply."

"I thought it was funny," you shrug.

>Take Aizen on headlong, ask Yoruichi to stay back.
>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.
>Let Yoruichi lead, support her to make sure she hits.
>Other

>>3145349
>>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.
Top kek

>>3145349
>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.

>>3145349
>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.

>>3145349
>>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.

>>3145349
Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy
Aizen got actually frustrated with us, no smug keikaku, no aloof grin
That might actually be the greatest psychological win we ever pulled

>>3145349
>>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.
>I know you're a playboy aizen, but you blew your load early and struck out with two women. You're losing your touch.

>>3145349
>other: show him our BIGGEST SHIT EATING SMUG GRIN.

>>3145349
>>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.
>>3145349
DIVINITY CREATES ITSELF HOLY SHIT

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>>3145349
> "I hate you," Aizen grumbles, raising his sword. "So deeply."
This is just soooo enjoyable. Let's all remember to take a moment and bask in his incredible suffering.

.....

...Beautiful.

> Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.
Because what could possibly be a better lover's game than to see who can the BBEG cry first?

>>3145349
>Cooperating with Yoruichi would be both fun AND a powerful strategy.

>>3145349
>Aizen: *snaps fingers*
>Aizen: Perfectly balanced, as all things should b-
>Riku: What were you saying there, Aizen?

>>3147008
>70
kek

>>3145349
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 3, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>3147595

Rolled 3, 5, 8 = 16 (3d10)

>>3147595
bo3? wouldn't co-op be bo4?

Rolled 8, 1, 9 = 18 (3d10)

>>3147595
And here we go!

>>3147607
You right.

Y'all get one more.

Rolled 6, 10, 10 = 26 (3d10)

>>3147628
derp

Rolled 4, 8, 4 = 16 (3d10)

>>3147628

>>3147675
>>3147628
So would the 26 count?

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>>3147675

>>3147697
Yup, the 26 counts.

My work here is done.

>>3147675
I think Aizen will have some deep seated issues with powerful women after this.

>>3147728
more like he'll have issues with women in general.

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>>3147697
Let the salt commence!

>>3147628
You decide that it's time to go back to work, and you can't think of a better way to do that than to team up with Yoruichi one more time. This whole thing started with the two of you arm in arm, and that's how it should end.

“Yoruichi,” you glance at her. “Shall we do this together?”

She smiles and nods in agreement. “Yeah, sounds nice.”

Her two swords come out in a playful, flashing twirl, arcs dancing across their steel. Your own sword, the extension of your own body and essence which has no name or identity other than 'Inari Riku no Ken', glistens as you raise it into a high guard that crosses your midline. Aizen's blade also rises, a dead lump of steel with the shape of Kyōka Suigetsu but lacking the soul.

“So you're finally taking this seriously,” Aizen realizes, sweeping aside your blade with a parry, and swiftly doing the same for Yoruichi's initial charge. “Consider me honored.”

“If you really feel that way,” Yoruichi muses with a smile, “then there's an easy way to show us some gratitude. Just die already, Aizen Sōsuke.”

Her blades spark as they clash against Aizen's sword, raised and re-angled deftly to parry a rapid series of strikes before he ducks under your swing as it comes from behind. He must have been anticipating such a maneuver, not unreasonable given the situation. Yoruichi stays with him as he moves, crossing her swords to strike like a pair of scissors to pin Aizen's sword, then reversing the sword in his left hand and pushing against the blade with her right.

He evades the backhanded thrust of Yoruichi's left-hand blade, then leans back as you slash at him with your own kodachi and sidesteps as you reverse the swing and aim for his ribs coming from the opposite side.

Gotcha.

You lead with your left foot with a flying kick, then pull back with that leg as Aizen tries to block your feint and swing round with your right heel to catch him in the cheek with a powerful blow that spins him in place. You narrowly avoid his sword, which he swings at you as his body turns, only to be engulfed by a powerful blast of electricity.

“Raikōhō!” Yoruichi roars, sending Aizen crashing to the ground in a bolt of lighting big around as a tree trunk that cracks stone and sends fragments of walkway high into the air.
>1/?

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>>3148169
Aizen springs to his feet as you bring your sword down against his, but doesn't catch you as your foot lashes out for his crotch.

There is no defense.

Only a solid impact that you can see radiate up through his white-clad body an instant before the pain registers in his face.

There's an audible ping as Aizen's blade cracks.

Then a sharper, almost physically painful noise beyond description as your right hand leaves the hilt of your kodachi and slams into the spine. Aizen's blade comes apart, and your own passes through down towards your left hip.

The edge flips in an instant from downwards to horizontal as you sweep it through Aizen's side, just under the ribs.

Aizen staggers backwards, only to find Yoruichi's crossguard cracking the bridge of his nose. The pommel of her other sword connects with the ribs on the side opposite where you cut him, and a blade traces a clean red line up his back.

“Kuyō Shibari,” you declare, aiming two fingertips towards him and pinning him where he stands with an array of nine black orbs of burning reiatsu.

Yoruichi steps forward with a shunpō, her right arm cocked back. The edge of her sword collides with Aizen's chest as she shouts.

“Ikkotsu!”

Instead of crumbling away Aizen's body essentially quarters, splitting roughly along two lines: one breaks his body in two across the sternum, and the other splits him from his crotch to the top of his head more or less at perpendiculars to the first break.

The body parts fall to the ground with a satisfying series of thuds.

“That can't have been it,” Yoruichi frowns, using a flash step to join you at your side. “But nice work anyway.”

“He will continue recovering so long as he maintains possession of the Hōgyoku,” you confirm. “Or until his shinreiryoku is extinguished.”

“You have a plan for that,” Yoruichi points out.

>I do, and I shall use Sōgenbi when I see a chance. You should wait for that moment.
>You can use the Ise family heirloom against him. That will create an opportunity for me.
>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.
>Other?

>>3148200
>>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.
>other: Also, for a shinigami who thinks himself a god, what better method of ending his fight is to render him mortal with two simple strikes in two simple places?

>>3148200
>>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
>>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

File: 1528990696952.gif (2.57 MB, 480x272)

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>>3148200
>There is no defense.
>Only a solid impact that you can see radiate up through his white-clad body an instant before the pain registers in his face.
>There's an audible ping as Aizen's blade cracks.
tfw we broke both his sword and this OTHER sword with one kick.

>>3148200
>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148224
>The Aizen bloodline has been terminated at the source
If nothing else, Riku has achieved that much.

Wow we just cracked both his blades in a matter of seconds. Quite possibly permanently.


>>3148224
Can you imagine that pain?

>>3148200
>>You can use the Ise family heirloom against him. That will create an opportunity for me.

>>3148200
>>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
>>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
>The real problem is the Hōgyoku. We need to separate him from it and destroy it.

>>3148200
“The real problem is the Hōgyoku,” you declare, extending a finger as Aizen's body begins to reassemble itself in a purple glow. “If we are to finish this we need to separate it from him somehow.”

“Then why not take it?” Yoruichi muses, dashing forward and taking the stone between her fingertips before Aizen can fully recover. But she's forced to release the Hōgyoku and slash at Aizen's arm and sword as the reconstituting body teleports so that the stone is back at its place near the center of his chest.

“Okay, so that's why,” Yoruichi muses, holding both her swords in one hand as she waves the other to make sure it's clean. “Nasty.”

“It will not be so simple,” you continue. “He believes he is commanding the Hōgyoku's loyalty, and it seems likely that the Hōgyoku believes the same is true.”

“They will not be easily separated.”

“Then are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

You nod to Yoruichi. “It makes sense to try.”

The two of you circle around each side, turning around Aizen faster and faster until you fall into position in front and behind him. Then in two perfectly synchronized flash steps you charge, your kodachi sliding through Aizen's torso and hitting his saketsu while Yoruichi slides one of her swords into his back to hit his hakusui.

Two blades slide back out of Aizen's body as a burst of reiatsu pushes you and Yoruichi away, and a red slash appears across Yoruichi's cheek as Aizen lashes out at her.

Your wife's eyes narrow. “The hell is going on now?”

“He has no Hakusui or Saketsu,” you realize.

Yoruichi spares you a glance. “You mean his whole body has become homogenized?”

You nod quietly. “Seems that way.”

“You figured it out so quickly,” Aizen muses now that his mouth is no longer split vertically. “That is precisely what has happened with this most recent evolutionary leap.”

This is a dangerous new development, and one that is verifiably true. Destroying Aizen's ability to produce reiatsu was the one obvious way to separate him from the Hōgyoku, leaving you without a clear concept for doing that which seems likely at all to work.

>Maybe try isolating it in time using kidō?
>If you can do the cutting Yoruichi is skilled at sealing techniques.
>The Hōgyoku must be destructible. All you need to do is find the means.
>There's one person who may have an inside view on Aizen's new powers...
>Other?

>>3150182
>>The Hōgyoku must be destructible. All you need to do is find the means.

>>3150182
> >There's one person who may have an inside view on Aizen's new powers...
Also
> Perhaps there is a way to prove to the Hōgyoku that Aizen does not deserve its loyalty.
He's abandoned his duty, betrayed his comrades, abused his followers, and destroyed his precious zanpakuto. What's stopping him from abandoning the Hōgyoku when it is convenient?

>>3150256
>>3150182
Support.

>>3150182
>>Maybe try isolating it in time using kidō?
I'm not particularly interested in trying to persuade an object with a sure to be alien mindset. Plus, we know Aizen is pretty sold on keeping the Hogyoku, and it should be able to tell that. It's a matter of if we think it cares about being "used".

>>3150256
Support
Along with
>"If you submit to me, little hogyoku... i promise not to destroy you when this is over."

>>3150182
>>There's one person who may have an inside view on Aizen's new powers...

>>3150182
>The Hōgyoku must be destructible. All you need to do is find the means

>>3150182
>>There's one person who may have an inside view on Aizen's new powers...