Chapter 196 – A Precedent?

Chapter 196 – A Precedent?

Over hundreds of thousands of years, these Zanpakutō had passed through the hands of several masters, establishing illustrious reputations. Each had become the "strongest" in their respective fields, leaving behind their own legends.

Later, Ōetsu Nimaiya's forging techniques advanced to a higher level. He no longer used powerful souls to create complete Zanpakutō, instead forging only half-finished products known as Asauchi.

These Asauchi required Shinigami to cultivate their "spirits" through Zanzen, nurturing them with their own souls.

Once the spirits within the Asauchi matured, they would ascend to become true "Zanpakutō."

To conceal the dark origins of the initial Zanpakutō, the Central 46 issued a peculiar order: within the same era in Soul Society, no two identical Zanpakutō were permitted to exist.

This was because the abilities of Zanpakutō cultivated from Asauchi were incredibly diverse. Since no two souls were identical, it was naturally impossible for two completely identical Zanpakutō to emerge.

However, the initial batch of "strongest" Zanpakutō could choose their own masters. As long as there was a certain degree of compatibility, these Zanpakutō would respond to the Shinigami and become their weapons.

If two identical Zanpakutō appeared in the same era, the "truth" that "Zanpakutō are born from the souls of Shinigami, coming into existence and fading away alongside their masters," would be exposed.

To protect Ōetsu Nimaiya's reputation as the "God of the Sword," the nobles of Seireitei would never allow such a situation to occur.

If the existence of this world were to be revealed, Captain Ailin would have no place in Soul Society.

However...

Looking at the swords in this world, Aizen knew that such a situation was almost impossible.

Even without using the Zanpakutō currently wielded by Shinigami in Soul Society, there were still countless powerful Zanpakutō awaiting Ailin's use.

Nevertheless, looking at the nine Zanpakutō that had just appeared, Aizen still couldn't understand.

Why were there even Hollow Zanpakutō in this world?

Could it be that Captain Ailin could create any weapon in this world, as long as it was a weapon?

...

Two lieutenant-level Zanpakutō, four captain-level Zanpakutō, and three hundred-year captain-level Zanpakutō further increased Ailin's reiatsu.

Now, among all the "swords" in the entire Bleach world, perhaps only the Zanpakutō of the Royal Guard could significantly enhance Ailin's reiatsu.

Therefore, Ailin didn't spend much time on the lottery these days.

Instead, he focused on using his existing sword-making experience to create the weapons from his memories.

Any weapon that Ailin could remember was at least a seated officer-level Zanpakutō. The boost they provided was far greater than what he could gain from the lottery.

And Aizen, sealed and hanging on the cross, watched as Ailin created one Zanpakutō after another.

With each Zanpakutō created, Captain Ailin's reiatsu would increase slightly.

This terrifying rate of growth was even faster than when Aizen had reached the limits of a Shinigami with the help of the Hōgyoku.

Moreover, Aizen himself had been stuck at the limits of a Shinigami for many years, unable to make any progress. He had only been able to conduct repeated experiments on Hollowfication of Shinigami to complete the Hōgyoku in his possession, hoping to break through the limits with its power.

But Ailin's reiatsu had already surpassed those limits.

It was as if Captain Ailin simply had no "bottlenecks."

In fact, that was indeed the case.

The upper limits of power in the Bleach world were locked. The limits of a Shinigami were the strongest realm that living beings could reach.

Even with the help of the Ōken, Zanpakutō, or Quincy Schrift, the difference in reiatsu wouldn't be too significant after breaking through those limits. In many cases, the outcome of battles still depended on the compatibility of their abilities.

In this world, only three individuals could continue to grow stronger after surpassing the limits of a Shinigami.

Yhwach, Ichibei Hyōsube, and Ailin.

The Soul King didn't count.

He was born from the will of the world, reaching the peak of power the moment he came into existence.

Over the past million years, the Soul King had been weakened by the Tsunayashiro clan. But even so, the Soul King, now reduced to a limbless torso, was still the strongest being in the Bleach world.

When Aizen's reiatsu broke through to the level of a hundred-year captain, he came into contact with the Soul King's will and learned of his secrets.

The Soul King was an omnipotent god, deserving of his position in the heavens.

However, he had been betrayed by the Five Great Noble Houses and ultimately reduced to a "lynchpin" to stabilize the world.

Therefore, after obtaining half of the Hōgyoku from Kisuke Urahara, Aizen had declared, "No one stands on the heavens to begin with. Not you, not I, not even gods!"

Although this was the Soul King's own choice, sacrificing himself for the sake of the world, such a "god" could no longer be considered "standing on the heavens."

"The throne in the heavens has been vacant for far too long. From now on, I will stand at the top." This was Aizen's declaration to the Shinigami, proclaiming his intention to fulfill the Soul King's will and desires, then become the new "god" himself.

Of course, his "god" would undoubtedly be different from the Soul King's "god."

The Soul King had been betrayed by his five followers. Therefore, Aizen never trusted anyone.

He believed only in his own strength!

Unfortunately, within all of Seireitei, Ailin had not been affected by Kyōka Suigetsu’s ability.

In order to eliminate Ailin, this unpredictable factor, Aizen had devised a series of plans. If they could be successfully implemented, the best-case scenario would be Ailin’s death.

The worst-case scenario would be exiling Ailin from Soul Society.

However, Ailin hadn't given him the chance.

After the first attempt, Ailin had directly confronted him and sealed him within Unlimited Blade Works.

"Indeed, I knew who you were from the moment I first met you. For all these years, I haven't stopped any of your actions. As long as you didn't provoke me, I was happy to watch you grow step by step.

I told you before, I have no interest in the current you. When you reach your peak, I will come to kill you again.

However, you crossed my bottom line. No matter how much I desire to fight you at your peak, I cannot use the lives of those I care about to gamble on you not harming them."

On the sword hill, Ailin didn't hide anything from the sealed Aizen.

After all, unless there were unforeseen circumstances, Sōsuke Aizen's future had already been determined by him.

"So, all this time, it was just my own wishful thinking. It turns out Captain Ailin never even considered me a threat..."

Aizen didn't doubt Ailin's words. He had been reduced to his current state. Captain Ailin had no need to deceive him.

"No, it's not that I didn't consider you a threat. It's just that the current you isn't worthy of my attention."

Ailin shook his head, correcting Aizen's words. "What I value is the future you, who has achieved great things, not the current you, who is still as weak as a baby in my eyes."

"To be so highly regarded by Captain Ailin, Aizen is truly honored. However, Captain Ailin, with your strength, you must have already contacted 'that.' Why do you accept this world so calmly?"

After witnessing Ailin's true power, this was something Aizen couldn't understand.

With Ailin's strength, he could conquer the Soul King Palace and become its master whenever he wished.

Why hadn't he done so?

"Captain Aizen, as long as the people I care about in this world are happy, then I don't care what it becomes. Whether it's the current Five Great Noble Houses, the Espada after you successfully become the new Soul King, or the Sternritter of the Wandenreich, they are all the same to me."

"Why? Don't you find this twisted world disgusting?"

"Hah? What does the world's twistedness and disgust have to do with me?"

Ailin raised an eyebrow, offering Aizen a faint smile.

"If anyone dares to disgust me, wouldn't Captain Aizen be the perfect precedent?"

Indeed, with Ailin's current strength, he could easily kill someone without them even realizing it.

No matter how disgusting the world might become, he and those he cared about would never be affected by it.

Because in this world, the most fundamental thing was still strength.



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