Death: Then stood in the sky.

【Name: A flawed and cracked Hōgyū (semi-finished product)】

[Attribute: To a certain extent, it can materialize the host's inner desires and protect the host, but the host must possess the strength to realize those desires. When the host's life is threatened or their abilities reach their limit, the Hogyoku can enable the host to enter a higher realm to a limited extent.]

[Note: A replica of a great creation, but unfortunately, it's not even a true half-finished product at this moment.]

Upon seeing the stone—or rather, the gemstone—again, Aoji was still overjoyed.

He actually managed to get the Hogyoku out!

Ignore the claims about flawed and cracked Hōgyoku (semi-finished products), and even those that aren't even truly semi-finished products—these statements sound quite plausible.

Even if we try to retrieve it again, it'll still be a Hogyoku!

Why is Aizen immortal?

Answer: Bōgyō-gaku.

Why was Aizen able to keep evolving until he became a transcendent being?

The answer is still the Hogyoku.

When Aizen merged with the Hogyoku and entered the first stage, also known as the First Hogyoku, his offensive power was enhanced to the point that he could kill "Black Rope Tenjury Myōō" with a single blow. His maximum defensive power was enhanced to the point that even point-blank attacks like the One-Sword Cremation and Getsuga Tenshou could only inflict minor injuries on him. His maximum regenerative power was enhanced to the point that even deep wounds would heal rapidly.

It was precisely because of the terrifying power of the Hogyoku that Kisuke Urahara said it was impossible to kill Aizen, and Aizen himself said that his power had surpassed the combined power of the Espada.

What if I could fuse with the Hogyoku?

That's what Aoji thought, and that's what he did.

However, through continuous alchemy and synthesis, all that was ultimately obtained was a stone containing a large amount of spiritual pressure.

The four-not-like creature belongs to this category.

So, Aoji turned his attention to Aizen, or more precisely, to the Hogyoku in Aizen's possession.

After a long period of preparation, this Hōgyoku has finally been synthesized.

As for whether to merge or not?

Need I say more!

The fact that this body has lasted this long already shows how strong Aoji's will is. If he wants to survive, this is the only way; there is no other option!

Come!

melt!

Do!

Aoshi took off his shirt, revealing his smooth muscle lines, picked up the Hogyoku, and pressed it against his chest.

Upon contact, an invisible suction force appeared, and the flawed and cracked Hōgyoku slowly fitted itself into the center of his chest.

Everything was so perfect, as if it were meant to be.

Following closely behind, spiritual pressure began to increase, a double increase in both quality and quantity, propelling the host toward a higher dimension.

Aoshi stood in front of the mirror. Everything in his reflection was normal, except for a jewel on his chest that emitted a soft, shimmering light.

"The spiritual pressure has increased significantly, and this is only the initial fusion... It can only be said that it is worthy of being called Hogyoku, even though it is only a Hogyoku (a semi-finished product) full of flaws and cracks."

Shinigami are pure spiritual beings, and spiritual pressure is everything to them. That's why Aizen said that the battle between Shinigami is a battle between spiritual pressure.

"The feeling of weakness in my body is also subsiding, which is something that life-restoring drugs can never do."

The illness affecting both myself and Jushiro Ukitake deducts from the maximum health bar. While life-restoring potions can restore life force, they cannot restore health.

Qing Si closed his eyes and concentrated, waiting for more transformations to occur.

And then... nothing more.

Just like middle-aged men after marriage, it always gets faster and faster as things go deeper. Some people start sweating, but I won't say who.

"It didn't completely cure my illness, nor did it allow me to directly evolve to the first stage of the Hogyoku. Is this the best I can achieve?" Aoshi was slightly disappointed.

"No."

"To be precise, my spiritual pressure is still increasing, but the progress is very slow, and my body is continuing to recover."

I looked at the mirror again.

Aoji's gaze was fixed on the jewel in the center of his chest, which emitted a dreamlike glow that even distorted his vision.

Cracks are everywhere.

Even that faint light was somewhat dim.

Is it even a semi-finished product that can't be considered a semi-finished product?

It looks like this...

"It seems like I still have a long way to go."

The evaluation I had of Kisuke Urahara back then is now being used to describe myself.

Life glycosides. [A series of sounds, possibly related to a person or product, are included here.]

But you can't rush it.

Judging from the general timeline, we are probably close to the stage where Inize's experiments will be fully launched.

Rushing will only expose your weaknesses.

If Aizen catches you, you really will die.

He put on his shirt, covered his upper body and the Hōgyoku, opened the door, and prepared to go see Ukitake Jūjūrō again, but stopped after taking only a few steps.

Because a man wearing glasses was slowly walking down the corridor.

He wore a white haori coat, signifying his status as captain of the Gotei 13, and had a pleasant smile on his face.

Captain of the Fifth Division, Aizen Sousuke.

Has it finally arrived?

Chapter 7 Your Talent Is Once in a Century

A great philosopher.

Owner of large glue sticks.

A person standing in the heavens.

Because of his overwhelming power, his vision was on a completely different level from others. In his solitude, he even began to cultivate an existence that could surpass him.

This is Aizen.

"Seiji-kun." At this moment, Aizen walked over, revealing a smile that clearly indicated he was a kind-hearted person.

He is gentle and never discriminates against anyone based on their status, and he always treats people with the gentle demeanor of an older brother. As a result, he has extremely high popularity in the Shinigami Academy and the Gotei 13. Momo Hinamori, who is known as the Soul King's blood bar, was so infatuated with Aizen that she lost her mind... In short, that's roughly his character design.

"Captain Aizen." Aoji glanced at Aizen and confirmed that he hadn't realized he had fused with the Hogyoku. Well, who said that a Hogyoku full of flaws and cracks, not even a half-finished product, isn't a Hogyoku?

“I’m not here to ask what happened yesterday or how it went, so you don’t need to be nervous.” Aizen pushed up his glasses and praised, “Protecting so many students and fighting to this extent, you’ve already done enough.”

Kindness, Captain Aizen.

It's so touching it makes you want to cry... just kidding!

Qing Si thanked him calmly, wearing a grateful expression. Acting is something everyone does; he had already mastered acting skills in his past life. In the end, he even managed to make a group of young ladies cry their eyes out with his acting skills, though the main reason was still the character model.

Even her parents genuinely believed they had come to terms with it.

But in reality, Aoji really didn't want to die.

There's really nothing we can do.

In my past life, I didn't give up; I just accepted my fate.

"I admire you, Seiji-kun." Aizen praised him like an older brother, and when Seiji looked over, he smiled and put on a serious expression: "Have you considered joining the Fifth Division?"

"The Fifth Division?" Seiji revealed the right expression at the right time, his face showing obvious excitement.

Aizen's lips curled up slightly.

"I think it's better not to."

Aizen's lips no longer curled upwards.

No, not at all.

"Captain Aizen should know my own body too. It's really not suitable for me to go to other divisions and cause trouble for the captains." Aoji shook his head, pretending to look regretful, talking nonsense without even blinking.

“I see, I understand.” Aizen nodded, then suddenly changed the subject: “However, Seiji-kun, you’d better be careful about your dangerous research. If the Seireitei and the 46 Chambers are paying attention to it, it might cause unnecessary trouble.”

"You must have been researching that spiritual pressure amplification potion for quite some time, right?"

"Able to unleash power exceeding one's spiritual pressure limit in a short period, although it leaves one weak for a time afterward, and in severe cases, could even lead to serious injury and near death, but when used in crucial moments..."

"What a brilliant idea! Your talent is one in a million."

Aizen's voice was full of admiration.

"Ai... Captain Aizen?!" Seiji exclaimed in shock.

"Please don't panic. I won't tell anyone else about this, so please rest assured." Noticing Seiji's micro-expression and narrowed pupils, Aizen's lips began to curl up slightly again.

"Thank you, Captain Aizen."

This is the smoke bomb that Aoshi threw.

Appearing at the site after Aizen's experiment would naturally attract the attention of Aizen, whose intelligence is like that of a demon.

The absence of flaws is the greatest flaw.

Then let's expose Aizen's weakness.

If a character similar to Kisuke Urahara or Aizen himself is created, then Aoji's actions will naturally be rationalized in Aizen's eyes.

Everything is fate, everything is Tokiomi... cough, in short, everything is for the sake of research.

At this moment, Aoshi raised an eyebrow and began to complain and stir up trouble: "Isn't Room 46... meddling a bit too much?"

"Although I also think some of the actions of the 46th Chamber are problematic... please don't bring up such things again." As if to make Seiji realize the seriousness of the problem, Aizen's expression turned serious: "Seiji-kun, you must not question any of the decisions of the 46th Chamber. Please remember that."

The 46th Chamber is the highest authority in Soul Society, composed of nobles and elders. All its decisions have absolute power, and even Captain-Commander Yamamoto cannot overturn them.

Their judgments usually represent absolute fairness, impartiality, and justice.

But... is that really the case?

That's all bullshit!

The crimes committed by nobles are entirely different from those of commoners without connections or ordinary grim reapers. There are many nobles who commit wrongdoings but do not receive the punishment they deserve.

For example, the likes of Tsunayoshi Tokisawa.

At that time, Kaname Tosen, who was not yet the Grim Reaper, repeatedly reported Tsuna Michida, but his reports were ignored time and time again by the 46th Chamber.

If Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro hadn't ultimately joined forces to escalate the situation, it would have remained largely ignored.

Even so, Tsunayoshi Tokihachi did not receive the punishment he deserved; he was only sentenced to imprisonment.

I know, but I just won't change.

The 46's unruly behavior completely disappointed Tosen Kaname, who ultimately accepted Aizen's offer to overthrow this corrupt, stubborn, and dark world.

In the end, Aizen killed all of the 46 members.

So Aizen had actually disliked the 46 Chambers for a long time.

I've gained more goodwill towards you.

"Although I would like to continue our conversation, I have to visit Captain Ukitake to offer my condolences, so I must take my leave for now." Aizen's tone was full of regret, but after smiling, he said sincerely, "The Fifth Division welcomes you anytime, Seiji-kun. I look forward to your arrival."

All that talk about is really just three words: gain favor.

"By the way," Aizen casually remarked, "Speaking of which, Seiji-kun, you haven't seen my Zanpakuto unleash yet, have you? I heard you're already training in Bankai. Next time I go to the Shinigami Academy to demonstrate my Zanpakuto, why don't you come along and take a look? It might be helpful for your training."

Aoshi almost lost his composure, but fortunately, thanks to his professional training, he managed to hold it together.

Are you kidding me?