Chapter 618 - 618 An Unexpected Move!

"Aizen, at this point, this war has gone on long enough. And between the two of us... it's time to settle things," Toshiro said in a deep voice.

"Yes, we really should settle things. But... not now. Rather, after I achieve my goal and everything is over, then I will settle things with you," Aizen shook his head.

"Hmph, that's not for you to decide!" Toshiro snorted coldly, immediately drew his Zanpakuto, and pointed it at Aizen.

Then Toshiro said to Kyoraku and the others: "Shunsui... and everyone else, please step back. Otherwise, once I start fighting Aizen, you might be caught in the crossfire."

However, for some reason, Kyoraku and the others did not obey Toshiro and leave.

"Shunsui! Didn't I say? With your strength, even if you all attack together, you're no match for Aizen. There's no need to stay here and sacrifice yourselves pointlessly..."

Clang—

Clang—

Before Toshiro could finish, Kyoraku and the others suddenly, one after another, drew their swords and pointed them at Toshiro.

"What!?" Toshiro said in disbelief. "Wh-what is... going on? Shunsui... what are you doing?!"

"Aizen! You have nowhere left to run! Surrender now!!" Kyoraku pointed his Zanpakuto at Toshiro and shouted righteously.

"What are you talking about, Shunsui? I'm Toshi..."

"No! You are Aizen! Aizen Sosuke! At least in their eyes at this moment... you are no longer Hitsugaya Toshiro," Aizen suddenly spoke.

"What do you mean?" Toshiro frowned deeply at Aizen.

"Heh heh heh... what do I mean? Haven't you figured it out yet, Hitsugaya Toshiro?" Aizen said with some smugness. "I have used Kyoka Suigetsu to control their five senses. So at this moment, in their eyes, you are me, and I am you. You are Soul Society's great sinner, Aizen Sosuke, and I am the Gotei 13's great hero, Hitsugaya Toshiro."

"I see..." Toshiro's expression turned extremely grim.

Aizen had used Kyoka Suigetsu to control the five senses of Kyoraku and the others, making Toshiro appear as Aizen himself in their eyes. This was completely unexpected for Toshiro.

"It seems just as I thought, Toshiro-kun. Although you yourself have a way to counter Kyoka Suigetsu's ability and ignore its complete hypnosis, you cannot share that ability with others. So although you yourself are not hypnotized, you cannot stop me from hypnotizing others..."

"So no matter how many troops you have, they are useless before me. In fact, they may even become my aid," Aizen spoke smoothly.

"Damn it... I was careless. I should have thought of this earlier!" Toshiro clenched his fists in frustration.

Ever since finding a way to counter Kyoka Suigetsu, Toshiro no longer regarded Aizen's hypnotic ability as a threat. But precisely because of that, he had unconsciously overlooked the possibility that Aizen might use Kyoka Suigetsu to hypnotize others to attack him.

"Toshiro-kun, I must admit that in terms of direct combat power, you are indeed slightly stronger than me. Even borrowing the Hogyoku's power, I am not confident I can defeat you in a short time."

"But, precisely because of that, I currently have no intention of fighting you. That would just be a waste of time. So, let me first achieve my goal and evolve to another level, then I will come back to deal with you. For now... you just play with your Gotei 13 companions and these few half-baked Arrancar. I will go take care of Yamamoto Genryusai first."

Aizen smiled gently, then turned and walked towards Yamamoto in the distance.

"Aizen!" Toshiro roared, about to block Aizen.

But Kyoraku and the others immediately rushed forward, surrounding Toshiro.

"Don't try to run, Aizen!" Kyoraku and the others swung their swords at Toshiro without hesitation.

"Damn it!" Toshiro roared, but had no choice but to swing his sword to block their attacks.

The Gotei 13 Shinigami, and the Vizard Captains, and even Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad joined in the fray.

A vast group of Captain-level, Lieutenant-level, and Beyond-Captain-level strong attackers swarmed towards Toshiro from all directions.

Even with his strength, if he didn't take it seriously, he could easily get overwhelmed.

After all, Toshiro was not Aizen. Although his combat power was stronger, Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu was an excellent tool for group battles.

One hypnosis, and the enemies would just stand there obediently. Then Aizen could walk over and cut them down one by one, easily.

And most importantly, Kyoraku and the others were Toshiro's companions. He couldn't really kill them. So he had to hold back.

But in the eyes of Kyoraku and the others, Toshiro was the heinous criminal Aizen Sosuke. They had no reservations attacking him, each one fiercer than the last, every strike aimed at his vitals.

Blocked by Kyoraku and the others, Toshiro was unable to break free for the time being, forced to watch helplessly as Aizen walked away.

…

Rear of the battlefield.

Aizen calmly walked towards Yamamoto, as if this so-called strongest Shinigami in a thousand years was beneath his notice.

Clang—!!

As Aizen approached, Yamamoto's Zanpakuto was drawn again.

Boom!

Endless scorching flames erupted from Yamamoto's Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, forming a towering pillar of fire. The bright flames flickered across Yamamoto's face, making him look like an Asura from hell, fierce and terrifying.

If anyone who had known Yamamoto a thousand years ago were present, seeing this scene would surely remind them of his former epithet… Sword Demon.

"Captain-Commander's action is truly extraordinary. But... at this point, don't you think it's too late? Toshiro-kun is fighting his own comrades and those half-baked Arrancar. Even if they don't both suffer, they won't be able to break free anytime soon. So..."

"...the only one left who can be considered a combatant now is you alone. If I defeat you, the Gotei 13 will be completely disintegrated. You have no hope of victory anymore. You shouldn't have appeared. Wouldn't it have been better to hide and live in obscurity? Why come out and seek death?" Aizen smiled.

"Boy! Do you think someone like you... can kill me?" Yamamoto roared.

"I haven't thought about whether I can kill you. It's that... I already have," A glint flashed in Aizen's eyes.

"Ridiculous!"

Yamamoto shouted, swinging his sword and charging at Aizen.

But Aizen simply sidestepped lightly, avoiding Yamamoto's attack. Yamamoto himself, as if mistaking the direction of his attack, staggered past Aizen.

"Hmph!"

Yamamoto snorted coldly, turned, and swung his sword at Aizen again.

But without even looking, Aizen casually thrust his sword behind him.

Stab!

As if not seeing Aizen's Zanpakuto at all, Yamamoto was directly pierced through the body by Aizen's sword without any resistance.