Back to the Present
The Mayuri of Hueco Mundo could be seen in front of the prison cell, peering at the unmoving figure of Uryu Ishida.
Something felt... off.
The Quincy just sat there, looking as calm and composed as ever. No signs of stress, no fear, no attempts to escape.
It was as if he was waiting.
Szayelaporro tapped his chin, smirking.
Hmph. Perhaps I should have him transported somewhere else.
Of course, he'd tell Aizen that it was for security reasons. That it was a precaution against any potential rescue attempts.
Not because he wanted to experiment on the boy's genetic makeup.
Oh no, that would be completely unethical.
And he was a scientist. He had morals. He would never do anything unethical, like planting a seed of himself inside the boy to make sure that Sora didn't kill him... unless, of course, he wanted to see his cousin/brother in 4K.
He chuckled, signaling to his subordinates.
Yes... a little field study wouldn't hurt.
POV Change
Aizen sat in his chair, sipping from a delicate glass of wine as Kaname Tōsen entered the room.
Tōsen bowed respectfully. Yet the bow felt stiff, forced.
"Lord Aizen... Grimmjow has lost to Ichigo Kurosaki."
Aizen took another sip.
Didn't even blink.
Didn't even care.
Grimmjow losing was not a surprise.
But... something else was.
Aizen smiled faintly, swirling his drink.
Did Sora think he was an idiot?
And then—
"Alright, Sora. Come on out."
Tōsen froze.
His grip on his sword tightened.
"...What are you talking about... Lord Aizen?"
Aizen exhaled through his nose, amused.
He turned to face him, resting his chin on his palm.
"You slipped."
Tōsen's eye twitched.
"What?"
Aizen's smirk widened.
"The way you referred to me. It wasn't like you at all."
Tōsen's jaw clenched.
"You would never address me so casually, Kaname."
A moment of silence.
Then—
Tōsen clicked his tongue.
His form rippled.
The illusion shattered—revealing Sora.
The Quincy crossed his arms, scowling.
Sora, who was usually good at acting, couldn't control himself. He was shaking. He wanted to kill this thing.
Yes, he refused to acknowledge Aizen.
Aizen chuckled.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You did well, I'll admit. But you can't fool me, Sora."
Oh, Sora just hated everything about this being. He could not wait until he adapted to him.
"Damn. Guess I underestimated your bullshit detector."
Aizen's expression remained smug.
"I must say, your plan was quite intriguing. But it had an obvious flaw."
Sora's smirk grew wider.
"...Oh? And what flaw is that?"
Aizen's eyes darkened.
And then—
Aizen's spiritual pressure came crashing down on Sora. Sora could sense it. It was massive—almost seemed infinite. Like it was infinite.
This pressure alone could probably force Captain-class Shinigami to their knees.
Yet Sora remained standing.
Aizen's spiritual energy was... weaker than he had expected.
Flashback
Sora stood before his team, arms crossed, explaining his plan.
"More than likely, Aizen's stronger than me."
"You say that like it's normal," Ichigo said.
"It is."
Well, Sora knew for a fact that current Aizen probably could beat him. However—
Sora's adaptation wheel appeared once more.
He was ready.
He was ready for this.
"So what's the plan?" Chad asked.
Sora smirked.
"Simple. I'll use this to evolve further."
Present
Aizen gazed down at Sora, his Reiatsu shaking the walls.
"Your deception was clever, but ultimately, it only delayed the inevitable. A plan built on chaos is fragile—it crumbles the moment someone takes the time to analyze it."
Flashback
Sora grinned.
"Aizen's gonna say some bullshit like that with his 'I got you all figured out' face."
Ichigo blinked.
"...He really does have a face like that."
Sora nodded.
"Right? Smug ass."
Present
Aizen's voice remained calm, measured.
"The key flaw in your plan, Sora, was believing that deception alone could fool me indefinitely. It bought you time, but time only matters if you can outmaneuver me. Which—"
His Reiatsu flared.
"—You can't."
Flashback
"Win, or some dumb shit like that," Sora said, sighing. Trying to predict what a smart person would say annoyed him to no end, and he acted like it was a bother.
"Your impressions of him are on point. Are you sure you're not rela—"
Ichigo stopped mid-sentence.
He retracted his words immediately upon feeling the cold end of a Smith & Wesson Model 500 pressed against him.
He loved life, and he felt like his would end if he finished that sentence.
Being the very smart person that he was, he chose to live instead of gamble it all.
Sora sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I know that he probably wants me to be here. He wants to get me mad. Enraged, even."
Sora took a deep breath.
"Anyway, if I ever lose my shit during this raid, I want you guys to keep going. I'll be fine. And if worse comes to worst, Rukia can show up. I would never forgive myself if I hurt her."
"Why are you so sure of that?"
The wheel above Sora's head spun, and something was engraved into his very instinct.
Even if he were to turn into a Hollow—a mindless being with no sense of self—he would not lay a single hand on Rukia.
This should make sure mostly everyone is safe during the raid.
A/N....aw, he cares, he is starting to look like [Finish that sentence, I fucking dare you], nice day we have here today.
Kaede Ishida