Chapter 182 – Ailin’s Fury

Chapter 182 – Ailin’s Fury

"Therefore, I suspect that Captain Ailin was the one who stole the Ōken," Kyoraku concluded. "Judging by the casualties suffered by the Ninth Division during that incident, if there is something within the Muken that Captain Ailin desires, the sacrifice of those Eleventh Division members was likely intentional."

An explosion of reiatsu erupted from Yamamoto, his anger palpable. This was the first time he had heard of Kyoraku’s suspicions.

"Kyoraku, why did you keep this from me?" Yamamoto demanded.

If he had known that Ailin was responsible for the theft of the Ōken, he would have apprehended him and imprisoned him within the Muken long ago. This would have prevented countless problems.

Looking back on the major incidents of the past century, almost every one of them had some connection to Ailin.

"Old man, it was just a suspicion. I had no concrete evidence to prove that Captain Ailin was the culprit," Kyoraku explained helplessly. "Besides, judging by the outcome of that incident, both Captain Ailin and Captain Muguruma successfully retrieved the Ōken and ensured its safety.

If I had acted against Captain Ailin based on mere speculation, what would the other captains think?"

"Hmph!" Yamamoto grunted, suppressing his reiatsu.

Kyoraku was right. Without evidence, he couldn't justify apprehending Ailin based on mere suspicion.

His grunt was a final expression of his frustration.

"And the second suspect?"

"The second..." Kyoraku hesitated before continuing, "is Captain Sōsuke Aizen of the Fifth Division."

"During the captain proficiency test, Captain Aizen claimed that his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, was a water-type Zanpakutō. Upon release, it would create a mist that would confuse enemies, causing them to attack each other.

However, according to information I obtained from other sources, Kyōka Suigetsu is not a water-type Zanpakutō, but an illusion-type Zanpakutō.

If this information is accurate, then Captain Aizen poses a far greater threat to the Seireitei than Captain Ailin."

"Hmm? Sōsuke Aizen?"

Yamamoto’s haori fluttered as his reiatsu surged, sparks igniting from his beard as it swayed.

"Explain."

Yamamoto had made a decision. If Kyoraku’s information proved that Aizen posed a greater threat than Ailin, he wouldn't repeat the same mistake. He would eliminate Aizen before he could become too powerful.

Evidence or not...

Everything was for the sake of the Seireitei!

"Sigh..." Kyoraku let out a deep sigh.

This was why he was hesitant to share information with Yamamoto.

"The reliability of this information is still uncertain," Kyoraku cautioned, preparing Yamamoto for what he was about to reveal.

He then proceeded to share everything he had learned from Ailin about Kyōka Suigetsu’s abilities.

"Kyōka Suigetsu is the strongest illusion-type Zanpakutō. Its ability is known as 'complete hypnosis'. Anyone who witnesses its release will have their five senses permanently controlled by Aizen.

"The thirty-second time," Ailin announced.

A flicker of relief appeared in Baishin’s eyes upon hearing the number. It was finally over.

Ailin drew his Zanpakutō and swung it down.

The splattering blood danced in the air, as if celebrating Baishin's release from his torment.

Ailin caught the object that had been flung into the air by the impact and turned to leave.

As he walked away from the crater, a quiet chant escaped his lips.

"Hadō #96: Ittō Kasō!"

"Triple!"

Three pillars of flames erupted from the ground, each forming a massive blade that soared over twenty meters high.

Boom!

The second blade emerged from beneath the first, even larger and more radiant, its length exceeding fifty meters.

Boom!

And then, a third blade, surpassing the previous two in size and intensity, burst forth from the flames.

The space within the Muken distorted under the immense heat and pressure.

The final blade was over ten meters wide and a hundred meters tall, illuminating the darkness of the Muken like a miniature sun.

Baishin’s body, despite its fusion with his Zanpakutō, was reduced to a skeleton within seconds. And then, the skeleton crumbled into ash, disappearing into the distorted space.

...

The day after the attack, Ailin emerged from the underground prison, carrying the head of the perpetrator. His presence commanded respect and instilled fear in all who crossed his path.

He presented Baishin’s head before the thirty-two fallen members of the Eleventh Division, then crushed it before their eyes, offering a final act of vengeance.

Later that night, Ailin stood alone on the roof of the Kuchiki Manor. Everyone assumed he was mourning the loss of his subordinates, but they were unaware of the true source of his fury.

While he mourned those who had died at Baishin’s hands, it was not their deaths that had enraged him.

As someone who had wielded Kyōka Suigetsu, Ailin was intimately familiar with the lingering traces of reiatsu within Baishin’s body.

It was the reiatsu of Aizen’s Zanpakutō.

Baishin’s desire to challenge Azashiro was understandable. However, over a century had passed since Azashiro’s imprisonment and Ailin's ascension to the position of captain.

Why would Baishin choose this time to return and attack the Eleventh Division?

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