Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works!

From what Ailin-sensei had said, Aizen was currently at the same level as him, not yet having broken through to the next stage. If that was the case, Aizen shouldn't be a match for Ailin.

If Ailin intervened, Aizen wouldn't stand a chance. Why, then, were Urahara and the others so wary of him?

"No, Ichigo. This isn't a matter of strength, but of ideology."

"Ideology?"

"Indeed."

Ailin tilted his head, noticing Ichigo's confusion. He sighed and patted the seat beside him. "If you're interested, sit down. I'll explain Aizen's conflict with the Soul Society in terms you can understand."

"Okay."

Ichigo sat down, curious about Aizen. He wanted to know more about the man he might have to face.

"Ichigo, I told you there's only one truly good person in this world, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

Ichigo remembered Ailin's words, how he had hinted that Ichigo himself might become the next "good person."

"Let me put it this way. There was once a 'good person' who possessed the most powerful, most versatile ability in this world. When the world faced a crisis, this 'good person' appeared and saved it. But he was betrayed by his followers, imprisoned, and his power was used to create the three worlds: the World of the Living, Hueco Mundo, and the Soul Society."

"How could that be?" Ichigo was astonished. "Ailin-sensei, you said he was the strongest. How could he be imprisoned?" In his mind, the strongest person, even if captured, could break free, using their power to eliminate their captors.

"That's why I called him a 'good person.'"

Ailin explained patiently. "He possessed the power to see the future. After being imprisoned, he saw what was to come. And to ensure that future unfolded, he chose not to resist, allowing his betrayers to use his power to create the worlds."

Ichigo was stunned. He was awestruck by the "good person's" power, how others could use it to create entire worlds. He was also shocked by his character, his willingness to endure betrayal to preserve the future.

"If the story ended there, I wouldn't have anything else to tell you. If Aizen dared to harm this world, I would kill him without hesitation. But there's more." Ailin looked towards the sky, as if trying to see the Soul King Palace beyond the clouds.

"Despite his immense power, the 'good person' didn't resist his captors. He became the linchpin, maintaining the balance of the worlds. But his betrayers, fearing his potential for revenge, severed his limbs, removed his organs, extracted his bones…"

Ichigo shivered, horrified. How could anyone do such a thing?

"It's been over a million years… He has endured unimaginable pain and loneliness. He seeks release… Ichigo, if you were in his position, would you allow him to continue suffering? Would you answer his plea and grant him release? Or would you remain silent, hoping he endures for millions more years?"

Ichigo fell silent, unsure how to respond. He was just a sixteen-year-old high school student. But he wasn't foolish. He understood the implications. Ailin had said the conflict between Aizen and the Soul Society was a clash of ideologies. The question he had just asked was at the heart of that conflict. Grant the Soul King release, or prolong his suffering?

It seemed Aizen had chosen to answer the Soul King's plea, while the Soul Society preferred to maintain the status quo. Where did Ailin stand?

He shook his head, dismissing the thought. It wasn't his place to decide. He was just a high school student.

But… he looked at the sun and made a decision. If granting the Soul King release would harm the World of the Living, he would choose to be selfish.

"Ichigo, strive to become stronger. No matter your choices, strength is paramount. When your power rivals that of the 'good person,' your will becomes the world's will. If you want to change the world, draw your Zanpakutō, conquer the Seireitei, ascend to the Soul King Palace, and grant him release. If you don't, anyone who attempts to disrupt the balance will face your opposition, their plans crumbling before your might. Use this time to train, Ichigo. Without strength, your voice will remain unheard."

…

"Captain Aizen, I have some… interesting news." Gin Ichimaru entered Las Noches, Aizen's palace in Hueco Mundo, finding him studying two Hōgyoku, slowly merging.

"Gin." Aizen didn't turn, unsurprised by his arrival. Only Gin could enter his chambers so casually. Even Tōsen Kaname, despite his high rank, would announce his presence.

"Tell me, what could possibly pique my interest?"

"It's Captain Ailin, Captain Aizen." Gin narrowed his eyes.

"Him? What has he done?"

"Not what he's done, but where he is. Head-Captain Yamamoto has stationed him in the World of the Living. He's the guardian of Karakura Town now. Our plans might be… complicated."

"It's irrelevant, Gin. We're not ready yet. As for those… insects… their lives are meaningless."

Aizen's words were chillingly indifferent. Since deciding to become the next Soul King, granting the current one release, he had adopted a detached perspective. As the future "Soul King," the only god in the Soul Society, he viewed all beings as equals: Shinigami, Hollows, Quincy, humans… they were all the same.

"You're truly cold, Captain Aizen."

Gin's tone was a mix of mockery and agreement.

"No, Gin. This isn't coldness, but mercy." To Aizen, treating all beings equally was the greatest mercy.

"However…"

He glanced at the merging Hōgyoku and his brow furrowed.

The fusion was proving more difficult than he had anticipated. At this rate, it would take at least six months. But both the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo were preparing for a decisive battle in two months, leaving them two years to recover before facing Yhwach.

They knew Yhwach, the son of the Soul King, possessed the Almighty, the ability to see the future. He had made a prophecy: nine hundred years to regain his heartbeat, ninety years to awaken his mind, nine years to recover his power, and nine days to conquer the world. This meant Yhwach would ascend to the Soul King Palace in nine days, becoming a god-like being.

"Ulquiorra."

"Lord Aizen." Ulquiorra Cifer emerged from the shadows.

"I'll send Grimmjow and some Hollows to Karakura Town to test the Soul Society's defenses. When the chaos begins, I need you to bring… her to me."

"As you command, Lord Aizen."

Gin Ichimaru glanced at the Hogyoku and a strange light flashed in his eyes, but he did not stop Aizen.

To him, these two pieces should belong to Rangiku.

He had to be patient, biding his time until they were fully merged.

…

Rip!

Black fissures tore through the night sky above Karakura Town, dozens of Hollows poured out, howling through the streets. Above them, six humanoid Hollows hovered, watching the chaos unfold.

"Tsk."

Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez spat on the ground with disdain. He hadn't wanted this mission. He preferred challenging opponents, not slaughtering weaklings. But he couldn't disobey Aizen's orders.

"I hope there are some captains among the Soul Society's forces. Otherwise, this will be… boring."

He was confident in his strength. Even before becoming an Arrancar, he believed himself to be on par with a captain. Now, after his transformation, he held Shinigami in even lower regard. Only the Espada ranked above him held his respect. While he was weaker than them, he wasn't lacking in confidence. Given time, he would surpass them all.

"Oh? They're here."

The Hollows hadn't bothered concealing their reiatsu. Several individuals in Karakura Town sensed their arrival: Kisuke Urahara in his shop, Tessai Tsukabishi in a dilapidated warehouse, a bespectacled doctor in a white lab coat, and a weary-looking man in a small clinic…

"Here we go! Here we go! Here we go!"

Ikkaku Madarame's bald head gleamed in the moonlight as he charged into the fray, his Zanpakutō and its sheath were like two peerless swords, killing all the Hollows in front of him.

"Ikkaku, couldn't you have left some for me?" Yumichika Ayasegawa called out from behind him.

"Hahaha! Yumichika, a hunter must catch his own prey. I'm not in the habit of sharing."

Meanwhile, Momo Hinamori in her hotel room and Rangiku Matsumoto, staying with Orihime Inoue, also sensed the Hollows' reiatsu.

Boom!

Hinamori burst from her Gigai, throwing open the window.

"Captain Ailin!"

"Hinamori, take care of these. I'll be watching."

"Yes, Captain Ailin." Reassured by his presence, she jumped from the window, drawing her Zanpakutō.

"Bloom, Tobiume!"

Not wanting to waste time, she released her Zanpakutō immediately, flames erupting from the blade as she descended.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several basketball-sized fireballs shot out, obliterating five Hollows. But more were approaching, drawn by her reiatsu.

Unfazed, she called out,

"Bakudō #12: Fushibi!"

Instantly, her reiatsu spread outwards, forming a web that ensnared the incoming Hollows.

Tobiume, a fire-type Zanpakutō, could unleash fireballs comparable to Hadō #33: Sōkatsui. As long as her reiatsu held, she could create an endless barrage. However, if she created too many, she would lose control, unable to aim them precisely.