Chapter 616 - 616 The Inverted World

"What a good look in your eyes. Over a hundred years... I finally see that look in your eyes again... Hirako Shinji." Seeing Shinji looking at him with an ice-cold, murderous gaze, Aizen didn't get angry. Instead, he looked quite interested.

"Do you... hate me, Hirako Shinji? If you hate me, then come at me with all you've got. For the sake of our past acquaintance... I'll make a special exception and receive you with my sword." Aizen placed his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist.

Hearing Aizen's challenge, Shinji didn't respond directly. Instead, he turned to look at Unohana: "Unohana-san, how is Hiyori's condition?"

"Her injuries are quite severe. For now, I can only do my best to stabilize her and prevent her condition from worsening. For a full recovery, she needs to rest for a while in a suitable environment. However... as you know, this is a battlefield, not a suitable place for recovery," Unohana said with a frown.

"Is that so? But... being able to stabilize her injuries and prevent them from worsening is enough. After this war is over, I'll ask you to let Hiyori rest quietly in the 4th Division for a while," Shinji said with relief.

"'After this war is over, let her rest in the 4th Division for a while.' Really, the way you say it... makes it sound like you've already won this war," Aizen said with some displeasure.

"Isn't it obvious? From the very beginning, this war was destined for us to win!" Shinji said with certainty.

"Oh? Why? Why are you so certain? Do you naively think that with your strength, you can defeat me?" Aizen asked curiously.

"Perhaps my strength alone is indeed no match for you. But... Aizen! You are not invincible. There are still those who can deal with you!" Shinji said in a deep voice.

"Someone who can deal with me?" Aizen looked around the entire field, then said, "You mean Hitsugaya Toshiro?"

"Ah, that's right. Although it's somewhat unsatisfying, Hitsugaya Toshiro, who can counter Kyoka Suigetsu, is indeed the final means to deal with you. If we can't defeat you with our own strength, then in the end, we can only place our hopes on Hitsugaya Toshiro," Shinji said.

Having said that, Shinji shouted without turning his head towards Toshiro outside the battlefield: "Hitsugaya Toshiro! If... I said if! If we are defeated in the upcoming battle against Aizen! Then... Aizen is yours to handle! No matter what, you must defeat Aizen! If you can defeat Aizen... and avenge Hiyori... then whatever you ask of me, I will do willingly and without hesitation!!"

"Heh, you don't need to tell me... I will defeat Aizen anyway," Toshiro's light laughter drifted leisurely into the field.

"But let me be clear, what I said was 'if' we happen to be defeated, then Aizen can be left to you. So if we are not defeated... don't interfere in our battle. Just stand there obediently, be your secret weapon, and play a deterrent role!" Shinji forcefully added.

"Is that so? It seems you really... believe in Hitsugaya Toshiro a great deal." Hearing Shinji's words, Aizen looked with an inscrutable expression at Toshiro at the rear of the battlefield.

"Hmph, you, who have never trusted anyone, probably find that hard to understand," Shinji sneered.

But Aizen said calmly: "In my view, so-called 'trust' is actually quite similar to 'dependence'… both are behaviors of the weak. The truly strong have no need for such things."

"To say such things without a care... it truly makes me feel for your fallen subordinates. You must have used many sweet words to get them to trust you, right?" Shinji laughed scornfully.

"You're wrong. I have never asked my subordinates to trust me. Although I have said 'follow me' to them, I have never said 'trust me, follow me'. Instead, I often remind them not to trust anyone, including me. But sadly... there are few strong enough to carry out that order completely."

"All creatures trust those superior to themselves. If they don't follow blindly, they cannot survive. Thus, the trusted, to escape this heavy pressure, have to seek out someone stronger... And the stronger go on to seek someone even more trustworthy. From this, all 'kings' are born... and thus..."

"—all 'gods' are born!"

Aizen said indifferently, like a god in the heavens: "Don't trust anyone yet, Hirako Shinji. Because next, I will slowly show you... who is the 'god' worthy of trust! And then... you can trust!"

Clang—

Having said that, Aizen drew his Zanpakuto.

"You've finally drawn your sword... Are you feeling afraid, Aizen!" Shinji spoke provocative words, but his expression grew increasingly grave.

However, Aizen remained unmoved by Shinji's provocation, as if disdaining to respond.

"Well, ignoring me won't work. No matter how strong you are, you still feel uneasy. That's normal..." Shinji muttered provocative words while quietly drawing his own Zanpakuto.

"By the way, Aizen, a hundred and ten years ago, you mocked me... saying that I never trusted you, never exchanged any information with you, and never wanted to get close to you... But then... you probably don't know my Zanpakuto's ability either..."

Shinji's expression suddenly turned ice-cold: "Let me tell you, Aizen... if you think that only your [Kyoka Suigetsu] can control other people's nerves... you are sorely mistaken!"

"Collapse! Sakanade!"

Shinji instantly activated his Zanpakuto's Shikai. A faint fragrance spread across the field.

After its Shikai, Shinji's Zanpakuto also changed slightly. A circular iron ring appeared at the end of the hilt, and five small holes appeared on the blade.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh—

Shinji put his right hand through the iron ring at the end of the hilt and swung it, making the Zanpakuto spin continuously like a pinwheel. More fragrance spread silently towards Aizen.

"Your sword... has an interesting shape," Aizen said.

"Right? You think so too! But... even if you say that, I won't lend it to you!" Shinji said, casually dealing with Aizen while continuing to spin his Zanpakuto imperceptibly, letting the invisible fragrance continue to blow towards Aizen.

"But... I don't feel any change at all. Did I mishear you say 'control nerves' just now?" Aizen waved his hand in confusion.

"What are you talking about? Hasn't it already... changed?" Shinji said with a cold smile. "What? Didn't you smell a very fragrant scent?"

Hearing Shinji's words, Aizen quickly and subconsciously held his breath.

"It's too late to hold your breath now... Welcome, Aizen, to..."

"—The Inverted World!"