Chapter 1102 Unveiled
Upon hearing his question, a contrasting expression emerged from Aizen and Shunsui's faces.
"What an interesting thing to ask now. Of course, this world is a mistake. The world may have its ruler but its stability should never depend on a single being," the former instantly answered while grinning.
Shunsui, on the other hand, sighed with a deep frown, "What a heretical question... That's not something I can answer."
"You just gave us your answer." Aizen commented, "I know your hatred of nobles, more specifically, the injustices they are doing for the sake of their own power. And after discovering the greatest injustice, the Five Noble Clan's [Original Sin] years ago, you couldn't look at this world the same anymore. Unfortunately, you're powerless to do anything but accept the current status quo."
Shunsui could only remain silent. Because they were in Muken, Shunsui could comfortably keep his mouth shut. If this is any other place, he would have instantly denounced Aizen if anyone else was listening.
"Why does it sound like you have a solution?" Kisuke asked again and Shunsui also became curious about this and perked his ears.
Seeing that the strange man is not perturbed by his words, Aizen assumes that he also knew about this [Original Sin] and started guessing his identity.
"There's no point in it as I am just a loser," Aizen answered.
"You might be a loser but you're also one of the only two people who came close to overthrowing this world."
"Well, it's nothing grand. The main goal is to let [Death] hold the world together and the first step is to remove the tumors from the cycle of reincarnation called 'Soul Society' and 'Shinigami'."
Although Aizen was only speaking in a soft voice, Shunsui still involuntarily shuddered at his statement. He doesn't understand what he meant but hearing him talk about 'removing' the Soul Society and Shinigamis made him shudder in fear. Shunsui nervously chuckled to hide his feelings and said, "How terrifying. I'm glad you were defeated."
"That's why I said there's already no point to it."
Aizen's attention then returned to Kisuke and said, "Now that we've answered your questions, what do you have for us?"
"I'm sorry, but one last thing." Kisuke turned to Shunsui, "Hell will most likely be hostile considering why they were sent there in the first place apart from probably few people. This will spark a new conflict and maybe even larger than what we saw with the Great War."
'We?' Both Aizen and Shunsui questioned themselves.
"My question is, are you willing to secretly cooperate with unknown people to mitigate this threat?"
Shunsui thought about it for a moment and befitting his reputation of 'nonstandard', he smiled and didn't hesitate to say, "If it benefits us both in the short and long run, why not? And we keep this meeting between us a secret as long as necessary."
There are too many people within the Seireitei who wanted him taken out so if what the strange man could offer becomes his hidden ace, he'll be willing to take it, 'I don't know what he came here for but it seems like he has no intention of freeing Aizen. That would be truly disastrous.' Although he knows that there's no way anyone could just control Aizen, the slight possibility of it still happening always gives him nightmares.
Aizen and Shunsui were eagerly awaiting what the strange man was going to show them but the unreadable pressure that he emitted suddenly changed to a more familiar one, "!?" Aizen and Shunsui looked at each other with surprised expressions and wanted to confirm if their senses were not fooling them.
It was a very familiar pressure yet there's something very different from it so the both of them aren't sure.
The man didn't make them wait as the Magic that was covering his Shihakushou and hair receded. Lastly, he removed his mask and took a deep breath, "Fuwa~ That was stuffy!"
Kisuke, with a large grin, looked at the dumbfounded Aizen and Shunsui, "What's up? Saw a ghost?"
Aizen's surprised expression immediately returned to a neutral one, "Indeed, a ghost of the past. Unless you were thrown to Hell, it doesn't explain your disappearance and that strange power."
"To think you were still alive... But how? The ritual wasn't performed for both of you and Yoruichi." Shunsui asked, "Is there another way to reach Hell?"
"No. Both of you misunderstand. I've never stepped a single foot in Hell."
"So you never died? But you haven't shown yourself this past decade? And why did you sneak into Muken?"
"I wanted to ask Aizen-san something but my plans have changed." Kisuke then turned to Aizen before continuing, "Speaking of which, I wanted to ask, is the Hougyoku still with you?"
Shunsui was instantly alarmed. The Hougyoku is the sole item that allowed Aizen to attain the power he has so his reaction is understandable.
Aizen stared at Kisuke for a few moments. He contemplated what answer he should give but ultimately, he decided to be truthful, "It's gone." Naturally, he didn't answer honestly because he just felt like it but wanted to gauge Kisuke's reaction as he asked a question that shouldn't have gone through someone's mind, 'Unless they experienced the Hougyoku themselves. Did he create a second one?'
"I see." Kisuke nodded at him and he also knew that he'd be revealing that he has one at some point to him, "Don't worry about it, Kyouraku-san, the Hougyoku is not in anyone's hand nor anyone will be able to find it."
Shunsui sighed, "This isn't really good for my health. And what do you propose that we do?" He instantly changed the topic as they are already running out of time. Although he entered the Muken alone, opening its locks is not a secret that he could keep and someone is probably keeping an eye on how much time he was spending inside, 'And this is my second time entering in such a short amount of time. I don't want them thinking that I'm secretly collaborating with Aizen.'
Kisuke also knows about his plight and said, "We won't be able to talk properly here so I won't be able to answer many of your questions. For now, I request you to make official contact with the woman who uses ice."
"You know her!?"
"Her?" Aizen curiously asked as he didn't know about any of this.
Kisuke, however, didn't give a concrete answer and a Magic Circle appeared beneath his feet before he started disappearing, "As long as I don't become your enemy, they won't become your enemies. And please keep my association with them a secret."
"W-what's happening!?"
Kisuke completely disappeared while Aizen answered Shunsui with a deadpan expression, "Teleportation."
"Teleportation!? That exists!? It's not your unique ability?"
Aizen then smirked at him, "That's how the Visoreds escaped my hands from long ago."
What Aizen didn't tell him, however, the 'Teleportation' that Kisuke used didn't use Reiryoku but something entirely different, 'Interesting. Will you preserve or destroy this world, I wonder?'
Anyhow, Aizen has a feeling that he'll be seeing the sky again not long after this meeting.
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