Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 636 A Flower in the Mirror, a Moon in the Water: Aizen's Bankai

This scene is absolutely terrifying!

Hueco Mundo has never seen a battle of this caliber before!

Everyone present assumed that Orochimaru and Aizen Sousuke were evenly matched, and that the battle shouldn't have ended so quickly...

However, Aizen Sousuke's unleashed power made everyone realize that he possessed the strength to easily defeat Orochimaru, and everyone knew that Aizen Sousuke might be very strong...

I just didn't expect...

Aizen Sousuke, even in his Shikai state, managed to cleave Orochimaru, the guide of Hueco Mundo, in two with a single strike. Generally speaking, this would be a fatal injury!

Aizen Sousuke doesn't seem to believe that Orochimaru will be killed by him.

Perhaps because Orochimaru was too strange, even Aizen Sousuke did not believe that his attack, which unleashed his full spiritual pressure, could completely kill Orochimaru.

indeed.

Whether it's Hollow or Shinigami...

Anyone could die under Aizen Sousuke's blade...

However, Orochimaru survived. After his body split in two, it transformed into countless small white snakes that scattered and fled, only to quickly regroup and coalesce into a single white phosphorus snake!

"Hehehehe..."

A sinister, cold face appeared atop the head of the white phosphorus serpent. The face slowly opened its mouth, emitting Orochimaru's hoarse voice: "What a terrifying brat... to actually push me to this point..."

The next moment, countless purple mists burst forth from the body of the white phosphorus serpent!

These purple mists were all the paralyzing poison from the White Phosphorus Serpent, but this poison had no effect on Aizen Sousuke at all.

Under the onslaught of spiritual pressure…

The purple poisonous fog has been completely dispelled!

"A useless trick."

Aizen Sousuke slowly shook his head, muttering softly, "Orochimaru-san, no matter how many strange abilities you still hide, you are powerless against absolute strength..."

Aizen Sousuke looked up at the white phosphorus serpent high in the sky and slowly said, "From the moment I knew someone was spying on me, I was already prepared for today..."

From that day on, I stopped releasing my spiritual pressure, stopped using any techniques beyond my limits, and stopped using any power that could alert you, making you subconsciously believe that everything I did relied on illusions and hidden conspiracies...

Aizen Sousuke's lips curled slightly as he smiled and continued, "Only in this way will Orochimaru believe that everything about me is under your control, thus leading you to focus your efforts on breaking the Kyoka Suigetsu curse..."

"..."

Orochimaru's expression stiffened slightly.

Because at this moment, there was a faint shadow of Uehara Naraku behind Aizen Sousuke. No, Aizen Sousuke was becoming more and more like that guy Uehara Naraku!

Even with Black Zetsu's help...

No, or rather, even without Black Zetsu's help, Aizen Sousuke might be able to turn the tide with his own wisdom!

Aizen Sousuke achieved the reversal almost entirely through his patience and cunning. He began to plan as soon as he realized that someone was monitoring him!

Orochimaru couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Aizen Sousuke was right. Because Kyoka Suigetsu's ability to manipulate the five senses was too powerful, Orochimaru also believed that Aizen Sousuke would definitely fight using Kyoka Suigetsu...

Who would give up the bizarre power of such a Zanpakuto?

therefore…

Orochimaru's gaze remained fixed on the illusory scene.

Even though Orochimaru was well aware that Aizen Sousuke possessed immense spiritual pressure, he was unaware that Aizen had become this powerful...

Moreover, Aizen Sousuke has never revealed his true power, which makes Orochimaru subconsciously overlook him. In fact, this guy is already incredibly strong!

Even if he doesn't quite reach the level of Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, who terrified many a thousand years ago, he has already far surpassed the likes of Kyoraku Shunsui...

"You little rascal..."

The white phosphorus serpent slowly opened its mouth, revealing a set of ferocious fangs: "It really knows how to hide itself..."

"This is something that leaves one feeling helpless."

Aizen Sousuke looked up at the white phosphorus serpent and calmly continued, "Because it's impossible to determine from what moment Orochimaru began monitoring me, no matter how I hide, I can't escape Orochimaru's preconceived notions about me..."

Aizen Sousuke wore a faint, indifferent smile as he slowly sheathed his Kyoka Suigetsu Zanpakuto and continued, "At this point, using strategy and tactics is futile; only by relying on our own strength can we break this deadlock..."

At this point, Aizen Sousuke's spiritual pressure erupted once more, a tangible spiritual pressure that swept across the entire venue, forcing all the Arrancar and Hollows present to retreat from the area in a disheveled state!

At this moment…

Even Koyatai Stark, who was known for having the strongest spiritual pressure, couldn't help but take a second look!

"Although I hate using absolute power..."

Aizen Sousuke clenched his fists, his face gradually showing dissatisfaction, seemingly not truly pleased with the immense power he possessed: "But in a situation where others are in control, there's no better choice..."

Yes.

There was no better option.

If someone else forcibly controls your life, it seems there's no other way but to rely on your own unwavering will to unleash your power and change the situation...

after all…

No matter what schemes or tricks Aizen Sousuke might use, they could never surpass the enemy who had been monitoring him for who knows how many years…

"This spiritual pressure..."

The white phosphorus serpent stared intently at Aizen Sousuke: "This is truly intriguing... What exactly did you brat do to yourself... This is beyond your current capabilities... Even compared to Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, you might not be too far off..."

"It's very simple, just find a way to break through the limits."

"That's not as easy as it sounds..."

The white phosphorus serpent's face immediately turned cold.

"No, it's very easy."

Aizen Sousuke seemed unconcerned about Orochimaru's current state. As if victory was assured, he casually explained, "When a person's emotions erupt, they can easily unleash power beyond their physical limits. That's what's called potential..."

Aizen Sousuke adjusted his glasses and continued, "However, overly rational people are very good at controlling their emotions."

Therefore, it was more difficult than I imagined for me to feel angry or even a little agitated, even when I knew that Orochimaru had been watching me all along…”

At this point, Aizen Sousuke looked up at Orochimaru and calmly continued, "It's a bit too extravagant for people like us... Of course, this also means that when we lose our minds, there should be two possible outcomes."

To allow oneself to lose one's reason, thus preventing the exertion of one's inherent power, or to allow oneself to lose one's reason, thus unleashing power that the body cannot develop.

"Hehehehe... Interesting..."

The white phosphorus serpent nodded slowly, a chilling laugh emanating from its head: "Indeed, some hot-blooded idiots can unleash the hidden power within them... The first outcome is often more likely to occur in people like us..."

To put it bluntly...

This is what happens when emotions dominate reason.

However, this is usually a characteristic of hot-blooded idiots; those who are rational all the time would never exhibit this state.

Because if you lose your mind...

They might become even weaker!

The next moment, the white phosphorus serpent suddenly raised another question: "If you become stronger by losing your mind, this doesn't seem to fit your current state at all. I can't see any signs of losing your mind on you..."

No matter who it is...

They probably wouldn't even notice anything wrong with Aizen Sousuke.

Because this guy appeared exceptionally calm throughout the entire battle, and aside from unleashing a power that seemed somewhat inconsistent with his usual abilities, he appeared to have no other weaknesses…

Aizen Sousuke looked at Orochimaru and calmly asked, "Then... why didn't Mr. Orochimaru notice anything amiss?"

"Um?"

The head of the white phosphorus serpent swayed slightly.

next second...

Orochimaru immediately realized something was wrong!

Orochimaru quickly understood everything, and there seemed to be a hint of gritted teeth in the voice of the White Phosphorus Serpent: "Your Zanpakuto... Kyoka Suigetsu... has never been used like this before, has it?"

Beyond illusions and fleeting beauty!

This is a Zanpakuto with a flowing water system!

Originally, Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai ability was to manipulate a person's five senses. In the eyes of the ninja world, this was a genjutsu-type ability, and it was impossible for Aizen Sousuke to unleash such powerful combat power. This was completely against the rules!

A Zanpakuto that dominates illusions...

How could it possibly become so powerful!

No, or rather, how could someone like Aizen Sousuke possibly be willing to use this Zanpakuto like this?

This is an illusion-based ability that can manipulate and deprive people of their five senses!

"You guessed right..."

Aizen Sousuke slowly tightened his grip on the scabbard of his Zanpakuto, and continued with a smile: "I always believed that Kyoka Suigetsu should be like me... that battle should always be elegant... until I figured out its Bankai."

Aizen Sousuke stroked the Kyoka Suigetsu sword at his waist and continued coldly, "I have never used Kyoka Suigetsu's Bankai. It's not that I want to hide Kyoka Suigetsu's Bankai form; after all, when it's in Bankai form, a Shinigami's abilities are greatly enhanced..."

At this point, Aizen Sousuke continued softly, "Because its Bankai ability... is an ugly image hidden deep within my heart... making me no longer want to obtain the power of Bankai."

"Hehehehe..."

Orochimaru seemed to have guessed something, and a terrifying, sinister smile appeared on the eerie face of the White Phosphorus Serpent: "Interesting... So, its Bankai form is actually a second you... no, it should be said that it hypnotized another form of you!"

The white phosphorus serpent's face suddenly turned crazed, as if it had discovered a huge secret: "No wonder you never use the Bankai of Kyoka Suigetsu... it's because it knows your truest thoughts, which happen to be a state that your rational mind would never want to face..."

The white phosphorus serpent's laughter gradually became somewhat eerie: "Let me think, you wouldn't happen to have obtained... a more outstanding Aizen Sousuke, would you?"

"..."

Aizen Sousuke remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "In a sense, perhaps that's true... though there are some subtle differences..."

"And that doesn't mean they're better than me..."

Aizen Sousuke gripped his own Kyoka Suigetsu, and continued coldly, "It's just a shadow that appeared in my mind under the hypnosis of Kyoka Suigetsu..."

To some extent...

Orochimaru's guess wasn't wrong!

Because a Zanpakuto reflects a person's true inner self.

Even someone as deep and calculating as Aizen Sousuke harbored desires he didn't want to contemplate—desires he longed for from a high vantage point…

Lonely…

The mental state that everyone who stands at a high position inevitably experiences is like that of Koyatai Stark, one of Aizen Sousuke's subordinates, who chose to split his own soul.

Just like its name, "Mirror Flower, Water Moon"...

In its Bankai form, Kyoka Suigetsu, this Zanpakuto will reflect another image of Aizen Sousuke, just like the moon in a water mirror!

Another form of Aizen Sousuke has always been hidden within Kyoka Suigetsu; he will fight alongside Aizen Sousuke, transforming into Kyoka Suigetsu himself…

That Aizen Sousuke!

But this is something Aizen himself absolutely did not want to see!

Therefore, Aizen Sousuke never used the Bankai state of Kyoka Suigetsu in public. In fact, after he learned about his Bankai, he did not use it and instead completely bound it!

It must be admitted that…

Aizen Sousuke in that state was a superior being.

Flowers in a mirror, the moon in water—they appear to be exactly the same.

However, in the Bankai reaction of the Kyoka Suigetsu Zanpakuto, the Aizen Sousuke in Kyoka Suigetsu was more outstanding than Aizen himself!

because…

Aizen Sousuke is already standing in the heavens!

When Aizen Sousuke quietly unleashed his Bankai in Kyoka Suigetsu, he saw another form of Aizen Sousuke in the world of Kyoka Suigetsu, another Aizen Sousuke who was like a true master of the world!

High above...

It's awe-inspiring...

It's unbelievable...

He was clearly just a character from Aizen's hypnotic delusions...

The illusion, hypnotized by the mirage, looked down upon its true self, easily crushing it time and time again…

It is for this reason.

Only then can Aizen Sousuke become stronger.

In order to make himself stronger, Aizen Sousuke had to occasionally activate the Bankai of Kyoka Suigetsu, using the shadow of Kyoka Suigetsu that was generated from his heart to fight, trying his best to push beyond the limits he faced...

because…

That reflection, like a flower in a mirror or the moon in water, provided him with a perfect reference point, letting him know his true limits and how much power he could still gain!

I'll start earlier and earlier!

(End of this chapter)