Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 433 A woman three thousand years older than herself can be ranked among the immortals!

Just as Aizen was filled with suspicion, Captain-Commander Yamamoto walked over carrying his Zanpakuto, followed by Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake.

Yamamoto Shigekuni gave Unohana Retsu an approving look: "Well done, Captain Unohana, as expected of you."

This time, the Gotei 13 was completely outmaneuvered by Aizen, who manipulated them from beginning to end, allowing them to gradually acquire the dangerous Hogyoku.

If Aizen hadn't been strongly thwarted by the Ryoka, which caused him to reveal clues and forced him to fake his death to buy time, these three traitors would probably have succeeded, and they would still be completely unaware of anything.

In that case, the Spirit Court would not only be disgraced, but in grave danger.

Kisuke Urahara's creation, the Hogyoku, could destroy the entire Spirit Court if even a tiny bit of its energy were to leak out; it was a terrifying thing capable of destroying the world.

Although he didn't know Aizen's purpose, the thought that he would give up his years of pretense to obtain the Hogyoku sent chills down Yamamoto Shigekuni's spine.

That's the powerful captain of the Fifth Division, the captain of the Third Division, and the captain of the Ninth Division. To use such power as a bargaining chip, what he's after must be something terrifying.

Fortunately, Aizen was defeated by Retsu Unohana at the last moment. Although he was not able to kill Aizen with a single sword strike, he broke the illusion of Aizen's Zanpakuto and saved face and dignity for the Gotei 13.

How could Yamamoto Shigekuni not feel gratified?

It's still more reliable to fight alongside your old comrades-in-arms.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni slowly walked up to Aizen, raised the Zankatana in his hand high, and prepared to kill the culprit.

Aizen suddenly laughed, tapping the Hogyoku on his chest, and said, "Captain-Commander, did you think that with the Hogyoku I could withstand Captain Egg Flower's slash, but couldn't withstand yours?"

"You are too unwise and too stubborn, and have long been a burden to Seireitei."

Ignoring Aizen's words, Yamamoto Shigekuni focused solely on gathering his power, unleashing his spiritual pressure, and then suddenly slashing at Aizen's neck.

Suddenly, several Deaths looked up at the sky above.

Suddenly, the azure sky was torn apart by something, and two claws emerged from the crack—pale, fleshless claws with sharp, long nails.

The enormous bony hand suddenly exerted force, tearing the crack in the sky into a spacetime tunnel amidst a buzzing sound that shook the air.

A jet-black liquid surged from the spacetime tunnel; it was the spiritual pressure of a void compressed to its limit.

With the spiritual pressure acting as a barrier, the edge of the spacetime tunnel stabilized initially. Then, countless masked Hollows could be seen trying to pass through the spacetime tunnel and enter the Soul Society, which was rich in spiritual energy.

Upon seeing the strange phenomenon in the sky, the captains drew their Zanpakuto and released their spiritual pressure.

Although the number of Gillian Hollows in the spacetime tunnel was enough to cause an explosion, they were ultimately just lower-level Gillian Hollows, and they didn't take them seriously.

Those who were truly frightened by the sheer number were the Shinigami below the rank of vice-captain, as well as outsiders like Chad and Yasutora.

The fourth division lieutenant, Isane Kotetsu, who was not good at fighting, muttered, "Even if all the Shinigami in the thirteen divisions were added together, there wouldn't be this many—"

"What, what should we do?!"

Suddenly, three beams of light shot out from the space-time tunnel, precisely striking Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, and Kaname Tōsen, completely enveloping the three Shinigami.

Then, Aizen and the other two floated up under the pull of the light pillar and slowly rose into the air.

Captain-Commander Yamamoto's slash missed by just one step, ultimately landing on the pillar of light. Terrifying flames enveloped the pillar, but ultimately failed to penetrate it, and could only dissipate helplessly.

After resting for a while, the immortal Ichigo Kurosaki has been able to stand up again.

Furthermore, Aizen's heinous actions plunged him into immense rage, causing him to unleash an even stronger spiritual pressure.

He raised Tensa Zangetsu in his hand and unleashed a full-force attack on Aizen within the pillar of light: "Getsuga Tenshou!!"

After the spiritual pressure on Tensa Zangetsu was stained black, it suddenly erupted and, under Ichigo Kurosaki's slashing motion, transformed into a crescent-shaped sword aura that shot straight forward.

But the slash that drew the attention of all the Death Captains did not shake the beam of light in the slightest; it shattered upon impact.

After his attack failed, a panting Ichigo Kurosaki realized that all the Shinigami were watching him and had not launched an attack together.

He was filled with resentment and shouted at the Grim Reapers, "They're all trying to escape, why are you just standing there watching?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto sighed deeply and shook his head regretfully, saying, "It's no use, that beam of light is a reflective membrane."

"The Reverse Membrane is a technique that Hollows only use when saving their comrades."

"The inside and outside of the beam of light are two completely isolated worlds that do not interfere with each other. Once you are surrounded by this light, it is as if you are in another space."

"The distance between us, who are standing outside the membrane, and those inside the membrane is immeasurable; we are simply compressed into a single membrane."

"We have absolutely no way to contact Aizen now."

Captain-Commander Yamamoto glanced at the impulsive youth with disdain before continuing, "Any Shinigami who has fought against a Hollow knows this."

"For thousands of years, countless Shinigami have tried to attack the anti-membrane, but have never succeeded, so this is common knowledge in Soul Society."

Ichigo Kurosaki knew he was being looked down upon, but he was still unwilling to accept it and tried to argue, "Common sense? How come I don't know that at all?"

"Although I've only been a Shinigami for a short time, I have fought against Hollows. Why have I never seen them use such powerful techniques?"

Captain-Commander Yamamoto snorted coldly, completely disdaining to answer such a common-sense question.

His lengthy response was based on the fact that this young wanderer had fought desperately and helped the Soul Society thwart Aizen's plot.

Now that all goodwill has been used up, the stubborn old man is unlikely to answer any questions.

The old man firmly believed that he was not simply embarrassed, nor was he angry out of embarrassment.

Absolutely not!

Jushiro Ukitake, the Shinigami with the highest moral standards in Soul Society, stared blankly at Aizen in the sky.

Prior to this, although he and Aizen were not close, they admired each other's character and personality.

Even knowing that Aizen had betrayed them, Ukitake believed that Aizen was simply a difference in ideology.

He never imagined that Aizen would actually collude with a beast like a Hollow.

How could a person lower their head and mingle with pigs and dogs?

Jushiro Ukitake's face flushed with anger. He shouted, "Aizen! How could you associate with Hollows? How could you stoop to the level of a beast?"

Aizen looked at Jushiro Ukitake, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Naive Captain Ukitake, do you think I can befriend you and pretend to admire you because I respect your character?"

Captain Ukitake was dumbfounded: "Is this an act? Is it an act?"

Aizen sneered, "With your moral standards, it's all just personal ethics in the end. What's the use of that?"

"What I admire is the power within you. I've spent so much effort studying you precisely to seize that power from you; power is the foundation of everything!"

He stroked the Hōgyoku on his chest again and laughed, "However, it's no longer necessary. I have gained enough power to overturn this filthy world."

"Jushiro Ukitake, I don't need you anymore!"

"No need—no need, I—Pfft!" The sickly Captain Ukitake became emotional and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing limply into his friend Kyoraku Shunsui's arms.

Tosen Kaname sneered, "Hmph! Coward! You can't even handle this little setback. Nobles are useless!"

Aizen smiled and said, "Tosen, the nobles are still very powerful and can produce very good talents. They just have too many benefits and enjoy too many things, which makes them prone to corruption and fragility."

"Moreover, these noble reapers are far too arrogant and aloof."

"They are completely incapable of understanding the truth. Whether it's an illusion or death, everything that exists has its own value."

"And I—I'm simply pursuing a higher realm!"

Aizen finally had his fill of talking and felt completely satisfied.

Whether he secretly squeezed a handful of hairspray into his hands or not, Aizen skillfully took off his glasses, crushed them, and ran his hand through his hair, instantly transforming Bae Yong-joon's hairstyle into a slicked-back look.

With the change in his hairstyle, his aura instantly transformed from a warm and gentle man to a domineering CEO.

Without his glasses obscuring his eyes, Aizen surveyed the world with disdain, bidding farewell to everyone from his lofty position: "Farewell, fellow Shinigami, and to the wandering youth."

"Although I've said it before, I'll say it again: From this day forward, I will stand in the heavens!"

Pretentiousness is like the wind, always with me!

Aizen's aura was so intense and ruthless that it thoroughly enraged the Shinigami, but they could only watch helplessly and resentfully, each of them seething with hatred.

Unohana Retsu suddenly remembered that Natsusa had told her before that he had a way to attack the anti-membrane.

So, the older sister re-braided her heel-length hair into a thick braid while using [Instant Step] to get to Xia Zuo's side.

Before she could ask, Xia Zuo smiled and said, "I'll give it a try."

Retsu Unohana asked, slightly embarrassed, "Will this have any impact on you?"

Xia Zuo nodded, then shook his head: "There will definitely be an impact, but I've already stepped forward, so I need to demonstrate some convincing strength in order to better conceal my true strength."

Unohana's eyes widened: "You, you brat, you actually have hidden strength! Just how powerful are you?"

Xia Zuo chuckled and said, "I won't tell you, but Sister Hua, you can find out for yourself."

He admitted that he had taken a liking to this female death goddess with a salary of three thousand.

As for being old, that's not a problem.

As the old saying goes: A woman three years older than you brings you a golden brick. A woman thirty years older than you brings you an empire. A woman three hundred years older than you has an elixir of immortality. A woman three thousand years older than you is destined for the ranks of the immortals!

Becoming an immortal is impossible, but achieving immortality is not difficult, since they are all gods of death.

Moreover, Retsuto Unohana is beautiful, has an incredibly gentle personality—and is also versatile, so he's never boring.

Most importantly, she is a truly independent woman, a strong and resilient leading lady.

As long as she can keep out the power and shadow of the Flower of Eggs, she is the best wife and the most perfect life partner, not the kind of vulgar woman who will become tiresome after a few decades.

The best way for Natsusa to win over Unohana Retsu's heart is not to cling to her, but to arouse her curiosity about him.

A woman's curiosity about a man can unconsciously lead her to fall in love.

This is presented as prey, the best way to flirt with girls.

As the altitude increased, Aizen finally turned his gaze to Ichigo Kurosaki.

After that brief encounter, he had discovered the boy's identity; he was the very experiment he had thought had failed and been lost.

It was that super experiment that combined the characteristics of a Shinigami, a Quincy, and a Hollow, an experiment that originally had no hope of success.

Now, this experimental subject, which shouldn't exist in the first place, is alive and kicking right in front of me—this is a miracle!

This miracle also demonstrated astonishing talent; in just a few months, he transformed from an ordinary mortal into a powerful Shinigami who had mastered Bankai.

How far will you go in the near future?

Kurosaki Ichigo, can you also surpass the limits of Shinigami power and ascend to the sky with me?

Oh, right!

And Kenpachi Zaraki, to this day I still don't know whose experimental product you are, yet you possess the spiritual pressure of the Bankai Limit without mastering Shikai.

Once you've retrieved your Zanpakuto and completed its Shikai and Bankai, will you be able to show me a new path?

In Soul Society and the Soul Reich, only you, Kenpachi Zaraki, possess the potential. I hope you won't disappoint me.

Just as Aizen felt he had no regrets and was about to turn around to receive the enthusiastic welcome from the Hollows, he caught a glimpse of a Shinigami out of the corner of his eye.

Xia Zuo, Xia Zuo? Xia Zuo! !

Aizen was startled, only then realizing that Natsume had assumed a dragging sword slash stance, his eyes fixed on him—Tosen Kaname on his left.

What does he want to do?

Xia Zuo has been a Grim Reaper for many years. As the fourth seat of the 11th Division, he has experienced battles that are no less than, and perhaps even more than, those of other division seats.

He couldn't possibly be unaware of the properties of the reflective membrane!

Therefore, he will only launch an attack if he is confident that he can succeed!

Aizen's pupils suddenly contracted, and he turned to shout at the pillar of light on his left, "Tosen, watch out—"

'

Kaname Tosen and Gin Ichimaru were both startled and turned to look at Aizen, not understanding what he meant by being careful.

boom!

A surge of spiritual pressure suddenly erupted at an unimaginable speed. Aizen, inside the protective membrane, could not sense the spiritual pressure, but he could see it blowing away sand and soil and breaking trees, knowing that it was a terrifying spiritual pressure.

Immediately afterward, Xia Zuo's Zanpakuto unleashed an incredibly dazzling slash. The massive sword energy displayed a five-colored brilliance and struck Tosen Kaname's shield with lightning speed.