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Fate In Bleach (383)
🕑 Added 2024-12-27 17:00:05 +0000 UTCChapter 383 - Disappointment
Hearing Ailin’s confirmation of Kisuke’s suspicions, Yoruichi felt a jolt of unease. It was one thing to suspect, another to hear it confirmed from the source.
“Ailin, are you unaware of how dangerous Aizen is? Why would you help him?”
Ailin laughed. “Captain Yoruichi, when did I say I was helping Aizen? Even Captain Urahara only said I preferred Aizen’s victory over the Soul Society’s. That’s all I confirmed.”
“Even so…”
“Captain Yoruichi,” Ailin interrupted, “I know you and Captain Urahara are childhood friends. You trust his judgment implicitly. But has he told you the truth about the Hōgyoku? About the Soul King’s will?”
Yoruichi glanced at Urahara, but he remained silent. A knot of apprehension tightened in her stomach. There was more to this situation than she had realized. How did Ailin know these things, things even Urahara hadn't shared with her?
“Sing, Benihime!”
A crimson arc of energy shot towards Ailin, who sidestepped it effortlessly. The attack carved a deep trench in the ground, splitting a nearby building in two.
“What’s this, Captain Urahara? Are you afraid I’ll reveal your secrets? There’s no need for such hostility. I have no intention of interfering in your choices, or Aizen’s. You both represent different facets of will – yours, the world's; his, the Soul King’s.”
He continued, “I’ve seen those two children in your shop. You clearly doubt your ability to defeat Aizen. They are your… contingency plan. But have you considered their feelings? Why should they bear the burden of a world they didn't destroy? Who decreed that the kind must sacrifice themselves for others?”
He looked at Kisuke Urahara, now understanding why Mayuri Kurotsuchi had ultimately surpassed him in creating a true soul.
Kurotsuchi had poured his heart and soul into Nemu, treating her as his own daughter. She had become his greatest creation, tragically sacrificed in the Thousand-Year Blood War to defeat Pernida Parnkgjas.
After Pernida's death, Kurotsuchi had used Nemu’s remaining brain tissue to create Nemu #8, another true soul. But while Nemu #8 was technically superior, she hadn't replaced Nemu #7 in Kurotsuchi’s heart. Nemu #8 was still just… Nemu #8.
Urahara had considered these questions before, but had always refused to answer them.
As Ailin had pointed out, Jinta Hanakari and Ururu Tsumugiya hadn't caused the world's impending destruction. Why should they bear the consequences? Even if they were artificial souls, potential Soul Kings, created for the very purpose of maintaining the world's balance, did that justify disregarding their own will?
The Soul King, in his boundless compassion, had been imprisoned within a crystal, enduring millennia of loneliness and the Tsunayashiro family’s relentless persecution. Urahara, like Yamamoto, prioritized the Soul Society above all else. “Everything for the Soul Society” – those words justified any action, any sacrifice, regardless of personal feelings.
Now, Urahara, along with Yoruichi and the others, had surrounded Ailin. It was difficult to dismiss the suspicion that Urahara saw Ailin as a threat, a potential danger to the Soul Society, someone best eliminated now, while the opportunity presented itself.
“Captain Ailin, your ideology is… dangerous,” Urahara said. “That is why we must restrain you, prevent you from interfering.”
Ailin shook his head in disappointment. “Urahara… I’m truly disappointed in you. But since you’ve come this far… I suppose I should respond.”
“Very well. Let’s play.”
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Golden ripples shimmered behind Ailin, each revealing the blade of a Zanpakutō, pointed menacingly at Urahara and the others.
“Be careful!” Urahara warned.
Swish! Swish!
The blades transformed into bolts of golden lightning that shot towards them. Urahara and the others scattered, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Boom! Boom?! Boom!
“Huh? Captain Ailin took action?"
"Who is the opponent?"
The Shinigami battling Aizen’s Arrancar in the replica of Karakura Town felt a tremor of unease as they sensed Ailin’s reiatsu. Even amidst the chaos of battle, they couldn't help but glance towards the source of the disturbance.
Then, they recognized the spiritual pressures of those fighting Ailin: Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, Tessai Tsukabishi, Isshin Shiba, and Ryūken Ishida.
Many of them knew Urahara and Yoruichi. Why would Captain Ailin attack them now, at such a critical moment? Had he fallen under Aizen’s Kyōka Suigetsu’s influence? But Aizen was trapped within Yamamoto’s Jokaku Enjō…
“What happened?”
The shinigami’s minds were in turmoil. Their battle against the Arrancar was distracted.
Yamamoto glanced at Ailin’s battle, but he didn’t intervene.
He had sanctioned Urahara’s actions. He had even deliberately excluded Byakuya and Rukia, Ailin’s disciples, from this mission, fearing they would interfere.
Toshiro Hitsugaya’s presence was unavoidable. Urahara had contacted him after Hitsugaya and Ailin had already arrived in the World of the Living. Fortunately, Hitsugaya seemed preoccupied with his own battle against a powerful female Arrancar.
Yamamoto’s precautions, however, were unnecessary. Hitsugaya, Byakuya, Rukia, Gin, even Soi Fon… those who had been trained by Ailin knew the vast gulf in their strength. They wouldn't interfere. The difference in their power was… immeasurable.
Aizen, trapped within Yamamoto’s fiery prison, watched the unfolding events with amusement.
“Captain-Commander Yamamoto, is it wise to allow such infighting at a time like this?”
“Don’t try to distract me, Aizen. My resolve is stronger than you think.”
“I don’t doubt that. If it weren't for your unwavering conviction, I wouldn't have chosen to oppose you.”
Aizen didn’t deny his apprehension towards Yamamoto. Every Shinigami in the Gotei 13 could sense the strength of Yamamoto’s resolve, his unwavering dedication to protecting the Soul Society. Aizen knew he couldn't create the Ōken, couldn't reach the Soul King Palace, without defeating the Gotei 13, without breaking Yamamoto’s will.
“However, Captain-Commander… you’ve done me a great favor.”
“I’ll confess something… embarrassing. During my time as captain of the Fifth Division, I was defeated and imprisoned by Captain Ailin. Even after my escape, even after gaining control of Hueco Mundo, I feared his intervention. But seeing this… I’m relieved. Even if he intended to oppose me, after this… he won’t.”
“What…?” Yamamoto’s eyes widened in disbelief. Aizen… imprisoned by Ailin? How? And why had no one noticed his absence?
“You seem surprised, Captain-Commander,” Aizen continued with a sly grin.
“Shall I reveal something even more… shocking? During my imprisonment, Ailin stole my Zanpakutō. He can even use its ability… Kyōka Suigetsu. Does that… concern you, Captain-Commander? What did he do during those decades impersonating me? What did he change? What did he erase? I haven’t dared to investigate. Will you… in my place? And if you do… will you share your findings?”
“I have no interest in your secrets, Aizen,” Yamamoto replied coldly. “Whatever Ailin did during your imprisonment, he hasn't harmed the Soul Society. You, however, have committed unforgivable crimes – experimenting on Shinigami souls, massacring the Central 46, leading Hueco Mundo’s attacks on the World of the Living…”
“Is that so? How… disappointing. I thought we might have been allies.”
Their conversation ended, neither making a move to attack. Aizen needed time to complete the Hōgyoku’s fusion, to surpass his limits. Yamamoto waited for his captains to eliminate the Arrancar, freeing him to confront Aizen directly. They both played for time, their motives hidden beneath a veneer of civility.
…
“Damn it! You insect! I’ll crush you!”
In Hueco Mundo, Yammy Llargo, now over thirty meters tall, towered over Zaraki, who, in comparison, seemed no larger than an insect.
But appearances were deceiving.
“Hahaha! This is… fun! You… you’re the opponent I’ve been waiting for!” Zaraki laughed, unfazed by Yammy’s attack. He raised his Zanpakutō, meeting the giant fist head-on.
The impact sent Zaraki flying, but his blade carved a deep gash in Yammy’s hand. Undeterred, Zaraki charged again, leaving a trail of wounds across Yammy’s massive form.
The pain only fueled Yammy’s rage, which caused his body to swell and his power to increase even further.
“Hahaha! Stronger! Become stronger!”
Zaraki’s excitement was growing. He had discovered that injuring Yammy only made him more powerful. He wanted to see Yammy’s limits, the extent of the… fun he could provide. He had abandoned his search for other opponents. This… this was entertainment.
…
“Is this… Las Noches?” Isane Kotetsu, following behind Retsu Unohana, stared at the strange architecture. Dozens of cylindrical towers of varying heights rose from the sandy plain, surrounding a central, castle-like structure.
“It seems so,” Unohana replied. “The spiritual pressure here is far greater than anywhere else in Hueco Mundo. It seems our… host has invited us in.”
Isane blinked, confused. This was the heart of Hueco Mundo, the Hollows' lair. Why would they invite Shinigami in? Were they eager to die?
Despite her apprehension, she remained close to Unohana. Hueco Mundo was dangerous. Without her captain’s protection, she doubted she would survive for long.
Comments
Ben Coffin
While it’s never explicitly stated in Bleach it’s fairly obvious Yoruichi knew about the hogyoku. So I find this portrayal of the situation odd.
