Chapter 161: Aizen’s Trap
In the Seireitei, inside the great Spirit Book corridor.
"As I thought." Aizen's lips curved as he looked at the files on Uchiha Madara. "This is a man who only cared about pursuing his own fighting glory."
"But he was terrifying too." Ichimaru Gin, standing beside him, chimed in. "He actually killed a special-class Vasto Lord two hundred years ago?"
"If the records in this file are correct, then it wasn't Vasto Lord." Aizen paused for a moment, then said calmly, "There's almost no sign of Hollow traits—his cheek looked entirely human… This must be exactly what we're looking for."
"What we're looking for?"
Gin stiffened, puzzled. "Captain Aizen, are you talking about the Arrancar?"
"That's right. It's surprising." Aizen stood from the desk and glanced at the glowing archive before him. "I didn't expect such beings to still exist in the gaps of Hueco Mundo. It seems our exploration of the Hollow realm is far from complete."
"It's not entirely our fault." Gin narrowed his eyes and gave his characteristic fox-like smile. "After all, even the King of Hollows has no information about them."
"Gin, do you really think the King has no info on these people?" Aizen's tone was gentle, unhurried. "Don't forget, the King only pretends to obey us."
"Heh, that's so devious." Gin feigned helplessness as he shook his head. "Comrades should trust each other, you know. This isn't right."
"Of course, I'm only guessing." Aizen turned toward the corridor entrance and smiled. "Perhaps the King really doesn't know. We can't punish our subordinates based on an unfounded suspicion."
Ha, you won't punish them? Then how did the Fourth Seat of Squad Five die?
Gin cursed in his heart but nodded as if in agreement.
"We should go, Gin." Aizen glanced at him. "Hinagiku has already prepared lunch for me. A man shouldn't break his promise."
"Captain Aizen seems different with that little girl." Gin hinted.
"People who look up to you are easiest to control."
Aizen's lips curved in a slight smile. He slowly walked out of the corridor entrance, facing a shadow to his right. "Thank you, Mr. Tokinada."
"No, we each get what we need." Tsunayashiro Tokinada emerged from the shadow with a slightly sick smile. "I'm quite eager to see what great deeds you'll accomplish next."
"Ah, you'll see." Aizen smiled confidently. "But until then, I advise you to be careful. Last I heard, that veteran from Squad Four has his eye on you."
"Is that so? I'd love to see how they deal with me." Tokinada grinned, excitement in his eyes.
What an idiot—still as arrogant as ever.
Aizen said nothing more and walked out of the corridor with Gin.
He looked down on Tokinada—on the surface, Tokinada hated nobles, yet he kept using his own noble status to commit crimes.
And this guy, though not very bright, had a huge urge to destroy things.
Aizen thought someone like him would never succeed, and such a twisted personality would be hard to control as a subordinate.
So Aizen never planned to build a close relationship with Tokinada. But when he needed a scapegoat, this guy was perfect.
With that thought, Aizen's figure vanished from Tokinada's sight. What Tokinada couldn't see was that the man behind Aizen was staring at him with scarlet eyes and three black Tomoe slowly turning.
The "villain" of Soul Society: It seems Aizen has fallen into the trap.
Amegakure Village's Angel: Yeah, next he's probably going after those Arrancar hiding in the cracks of the Hollow Forest.
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: ?
Doujin Artist: You guys are secretly watching Aizen again and still not streaming it for us!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Right? Let us enjoy the fun too!
Amegakure Village's Angel: Next time for sure.
Doujin Artist: Pfft, that joke! Hahaha! Brings back memories.
Machete Girl: What joke?
Doujin Artist: Back when Anran-san was playing Aizen in Naruto, Gin said the group leader should lead everyone to take down Aizen. Anran-san just replied with "Next time for sure."
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: So Anran-san was supposed to take himself down? That's way too real!
Curly-haired Guy: Back then, no one knew the boss was actually Aizen.
This is an Actor: Kisame shouldn't approach Aizen directly. Let Aizen work for it. If something comes too easy, he won't value it.
Shark-Faced Guy: Got it.
Soul Society's Villain: Anran, what are you planning to do with Tsujijo Souya?
This is an Actor: I'll keep him in Muken for now, wait for the right moment. Have him keep an eye on the other big clans too. We need to cut off those shady trade chains first.
Doujin Artist: Making full use of everything. Anran-san is always sharp.
Curly-haired Guy: I'm curious—how's Kisame's progress? How many former Espada has he recruited?
Shark-Faced Guy: Two. Starrk and Harribel.
Curly-haired Guy: Only two? Man, your recruiting skills are pretty weak!
Amegakure Village's Angel: What about Nel? I kinda like her. Didn't you try to bring her in?
Doujin Artist: Yeah, Nel's super cute!
Shark-Faced Guy: She's still Aizen's Number Three Espada. Probably not willing to join us yet.
This is an Actor: No rush. She won't be an Espada for much longer.
As someone who has Aizen's memories, Uchiha Madara was confident. He knew exactly what happened to Nel in the original story.
And even though Aizen knew the full story, he still never punished Nnoitra or Szayelaporro, the ones responsible.
That was basically encouraging the Arrancar to fight and kill each other.
At the root of it, Aizen never really saw them as comrades. To him, everyone was just a tool for his own goals.
That kind of thinking is not only scary—it's also really sad.
A selfish perfectionist will never understand what "unity" truly means.
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