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[Anime] Ch 277: Aizen Arrives
🕑 Added 2025-06-01 22:33:13 +0000 UTC— — — — — —
Hueco Mundo.
Black cubed panels unfolded from space, forming a dark path.
In the next moment, a figure appeared above Las Noches.
Wearing a captain's haori, glasses on his face, brown hair fluttering lightly in the wind, and a soft smile tugging at his lips—
Aizen Sōsuke had arrived.
Right behind him, Tōsen Kaname, ponytailed and stoic, wearing his usual sunglasses.
But the moment they saw the state of Las Noches—even Tōsen, who rarely showed emotion—couldn't hide his shock.
What the hell happened here?
Aizen's smile almost faltered when he took in the devastation.
So that's what they meant by "under attack".
He had precious research data inside that fortress!
He winced inwardly for a second—just one second—but quickly resumed his calm demeanor.
Thankfully, he'd memorized most of the important material.
His eyes scanned the battlefield in the distance.
He saw the Espada—all of them.
"Well, this is rare," he remarked, voice filled with mild amusement. "The entire Espada… actually mobilized?"
Even Baraggan Louisenbairn, who normally clashed with him, was fighting with unusual enthusiasm.
But after seeing the destruction of Las Noches, Aizen understood why.
Compared to Aizen, this scene would be even more infuriating for Baraggan.
After all, when Aizen took over, Baraggan still had some hope of reclaiming control one day.
But now? All that was left was a flooded, ruined wreck.
Of course he was furious.
Still, whether back then or now, Baraggan's chances hadn't changed.
Taking Hueco Mundo back from Aizen?
That was always just wishful thinking.
Now though, even that illusion had been washed away.
But Aizen didn't care about Baraggan's feelings.
Instead, his eyes shifted to the enemy standing opposite Starrk and the others.
The moment he saw Katerea Leviathan, Aizen's brows rose slightly.
Her power was on par with Starrk.
But what intrigued him more— was the source of that power.
"…Incredible."
"No Reiatsu at all."
Aizen's eyes sparkled behind his glasses, a rare trace of excitement in his voice.
This?
This was the first time in his entire life he'd encountered something like this.
And it didn't stop there—
He swept his gaze over Midoriko, Ingvild, Miko, and Kikyo.
Nothing.
Still nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Oh my~
What amazing experimental subjects!
They had no Reishi —spirit particles— in their bodies at all—none!
So how the hell were they generating this kind of power?!
What was that completely different energy flowing through them?
How was it formed?
Aizen's eyes gleamed like he'd discovered an entirely new world.
He was so absorbed in his observations.
He completely forgot about helping Starrk and the others.
Tōsen hadn't forgotten them, though.
He couldn't see what Aizen saw, but he could sense both Aizen's mental state and the intensity of the battle.
Still, until Aizen gave the word, he remained where he was, silent and waiting.
— — —
Meanwhile, in the main world…
Lynn watched Aizen's arrival through a virtual screen.
He rested his chin on one hand, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"…He finally shows up."
"Huh?" Satoru Gojo glanced around. "Nah… it's just us here."
— — —
Hueco Mundo.
The waters above Las Noches churned violently as Reiatsu and magic collided, waves crashing in midair. Aizen Sosuke's brown hair fluttered slightly in the chaotic flow of reishi.
He adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, the lenses catching the deep blue glow of magical energy wrapped around Katerea Leviathan.
"So that's how it is…"
His fingers brushed across the hilt of Kyōka Suigetsu, murmuring, "Not a trace of reishi manipulation, yet a perfectly stable energy system…"
Tōsen, blind as ever, turned toward the battlefield. "Should we back up the Espada?"
"Not yet," Aizen replied.
His gaze swept over Harribel being pinned down by Midoriko, then over the damaged Baraggan Louisenbairn, finally landing on the fading green light lingering on Nelliel's lance.
Nelliel?
He kept watching her, his eyes narrowing with interest. After a moment, he muttered, "Completely transformed…"
"And—"
"She's even stronger than before."
Aizen could sense it clearly—besides her Reiatsu, there was another kind of energy within her.
"This is… truly unexpected."
A quiet laugh escaped Aizen's lips, and his interest deepened.
The fusion of reishi with another energy system.
It was—
"Perfect."
Two completely different energies coexisting inside her without any sign of conflict!
More than that—
He could faintly feel that the reishi inside Nelliel wasn't just tolerating that second energy—it was actually working with it.
Just that alone made Aizen suspect that this unknown energy might be even more advanced than reishi!
He exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.
Who would've thought…?
Other than the Hōgyoku, something in this world could still catch his interest.
"I've seriously underestimated this world…"
He thought he'd already peeled back its layers and grasped its truths—but clearly, he was far from the whole picture.
There were still powerful, unknown forces out there waiting to be discovered.
The thought sparked a renewed sense of curiosity in him about this world's future.
But first, there was the current Las Noches situation to deal with.
Things had gone a bit off script, sure, but his great plan still had to move forward.
Which meant the Espada couldn't die. At least—not yet.
After quietly observing and gathering enough intel, Aizen finally spoke.
"Do it."
At his side, Tōsen didn't hesitate. His hand moved straight to his Zanpakutō's hilt.
In the next second—
"Cry, Suzumushi."
A steady voice rang out as he drew the blade, and a brilliant flash of light burst from the sword.
Bzzz—
A high-pitched hum, like an insect's cry, echoed across the ruined skies of Las Noches.
The sudden noise drew everyone's attention.
Coyote Starrk, having just dodged another attack from Katerea Leviathan, glanced over mid-motion.
When he saw Tōsen's figure, he let out a noticeable sigh of relief.
"Finally…"
And now that Tōsen had shown up, it was clear that Ulquiorra's arrangements had been set in motion.
Sure enough—
Starrk's gaze shifted upward, where he spotted Aizen calmly floating in midair with that ever-present smile.
Sensing Starrk's stare, Aizen met his eyes briefly.
Starrk's expression stiffened—and then he quietly looked away.
Seeing this, Aizen chuckled lightly.
"Never thought I'd see you in such a sorry state."
Starrk sighed. "Hey, I'm not slacking off this time."
"Heh…"
Aizen didn't respond. His gaze drifted to the wolves constantly circling around Starrk.
Aizen's expression didn't change, but in his heart, Starrk's value dropped like a stone.
Just another pawn for the cause.
He couldn't even hold Las Noches.
That said, even if Las Noches fell, what Aizen had gained today far outweighed its loss.
He could barely contain his eagerness to study Nelliel and the others.
As if she sensed the pure malice emanating from Aizen, Nelliel's heart skipped a beat. She immediately turned to him, eyes alert.
"Be careful," she warned. "He's not just the ruler of Las Noches—no…"
"He's the king of all Hueco Mundo!"
Her tone was deadly serious.
Midoriko picked up on it too, shifting her focus to Aizen with growing caution.
If Starrk—supposedly the top Espada—was already on par with Katerea (a top Satan after she joined the familia), then the man who ruled over all of them, wouldn't he be Satan?
Maybe even stronger?
A Super Devil?
Midoriko was on high alert now.
Nearby, Katerea Leviathan also stopped her assault on Starrk, turning her eyes toward Aizen.
"A king, huh?"
She smirked. "He doesn't look like much."
"Don't let your guard down," Midoriko warned.
Across from them—
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, Aizen maintained his gentle smile and said calmly:
"Don't mind me. You can keep going."
Starrk: "…"
Aren't you here to help?!
Baraggan: "?"
"Tch, this bastard… Still as infuriating as ever!"
With a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, Aizen said softly:
"You couldn't even defend Las Noches… How utterly useless."
As his words fell... Silence swept over the Espada.
Baraggan gritted his teeth but had nothing to say.
Starrk, on the other hand, didn't seem to care.
But still, seeing Aizen's reaction, Starrk couldn't help but form a few thoughts of his own.
So… he's interested in the strange energy inside these people too, huh?
.
.
.
