Naruto: God Reborn

Chapter 16: Revel in Chaos

The battlefield trembled as Aizen's Bankai, Kurama no Ōkami, loomed over Unohana. The nine-tailed fox's massive form radiated power, each tail pulsating with deadly energy. Aizen hovered at it's core, a calm and commanding presence amidst the chaos.

Unohana's breathing steadied as she gazed up at the towering beast. A flicker of exhilaration danced in her eyes, and then, to Aizen's mild surprise, she laughed, a clear, melodic sound that echoed through the battlefield.

"A magnificent sight," she said, her voice tinged with unrestrained joy. "In this world, Sosuke, I've never faced a foe as exhilarating as you."

Aizen tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Flattery, Captain? Or an admission of defeat?"

She raised Minazuki, the blade gleaming with her reiatsu. "Neither. Merely an acknowledgment of the truth. If this is to be my final dance, I will make it unforgettable."

The blood surrounding her erupted in a crimson vortex, spiraling outward and tearing through the ground like a storm. The energy coiled around her, its acidic aura intensifying. She lunged, her blade aiming for Aizen's core, her laughter ringing like a battle hymn.

The fox's tails moved to intercept her, each one acting independently. One tail swept low, aiming to crush her, but Unohana's blood surged forward, corroding its tip. She vaulted over the attack, her blade slashing at another tail that lashed out at her midair. Sparks of reiatsu and corrosive blood flew as their powers collided.

Unohana landed gracefully, only for three more tails to strike simultaneously. She twisted her body, narrowly evading one tail while her blood shield deflected the other two. Her movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as she navigated the chaos.

Aizen observed her with detached interest, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're laughing, even now. You truly are a monster of the battlefield, Captain Unohana."

She grinned, her feral joy unwavering. "Perhaps. But what does that make you, Sosuke, who stands at the pinnacle of this battlefield?"

Her words hung in the air as Aizen raised his hand, the fox's massive jaws opening wide. The air distorted as a gravitational pull began to form, a harbinger of the "Devouring Void". The vortex drew in debris, energy, and fragments of the battlefield, threatening to consume Unohana.

But she didn't flinch. Instead, she charged forward, her blood surging in defiance of the pull. With a guttural cry, she thrust Minazuki forward, her blade slicing through the vortex. The gravitational pull weakened momentarily, allowing her to leap directly at the fox's core.

The nine tails whipped around in response, forming a protective barrier. Unohana's blade clashed against the tails, her strength and precision carving through one before she was forced to retreat. Her laughter grew louder as she landed, blood trailing from a fresh wound on her shoulder.

"You've surpassed even the legends, Aizen," she said, her voice laced with admiration. "No one in this world has pushed me this far. This... this is what I live for!"

Aizen's lips curled into a faint smile. "How rare, to see you enjoying yourself. But I wonder... how long can you endure?"

Without waiting for her response, the fox's nine tails each generated an orb of concentrated reiatsu. The air hummed with the sheer density of the energy as the orbs shifted, locking onto Unohana.

"Nine-Tailed Judgment," Aizen intoned.

The orbs unleashed beams of destruction, each one cutting through the battlefield with devastating force. Unohana darted between them, her blood forming barriers to absorb some of the beams while others tore past her, creating massive craters.

One beam grazed her side, the heat searing her flesh. Yet she only laughed louder, her bloodlust and joy reaching their peak. "Yes! This is it, Sosuke! Show me everything!"

Her reiatsu flared, countering the beams with crimson tendrils that spiraled toward Aizen. The tendrils wrapped around the fox's legs, corroding its spectral form. Unohana used the opening to close the distance, her blade aimed at Aizen himself.

The fox's jaws snapped shut, shielding Aizen at the last moment. Unohana's blade clanged against the spectral teeth, sending shockwaves through the air. She grinned fiercely as she pushed against the barrier, her strength almost breaching it.

But Aizen's calm voice cut through the chaos. "Enough."

The fox roared, its tails slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave that forced Unohana back. The energy surrounding the fox condensed, the sheer force of its reiatsu pressing down on the battlefield.

Unohana landed heavily, her body finally showing signs of exhaustion. Blood dripped from multiple wounds, though her healing kept her standing. She gazed at Aizen, her exhilaration fading into quiet satisfaction.

"You are truly unparalleled," she said, her voice softer now."

Aizen stepped forward, his aura still radiating dominance. He raised a hand, and the fox's form began to dissolve.

"You fought well, Captain," he said. "Perhaps better than anyone else could. But this is where it ends."

Unohana met his gaze, unafraid. "Then finish it, Sosuke. Strike me down."

Aizen stopped mere inches away. Slowly, his hand rose, and to her surprise, he cupped her cheek with a tenderness that felt entirely out of place on the battlefield. His touch was warm against her bloodied skin.

"Marry me," Aizen said, his tone calm yet "sincere".

Unohana blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, the corners of her lips curled into an amused smile, her eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Are you serious, Sosuke?" she asked, her voice carrying both incredulity and intrigue.

In response, Aizen gently took her hand and placed it over his chest. Beneath her palm, his heart raced, its rhythmic pounding betraying the otherwise composed facade he maintained.

"You are the only woman," Aizen began, his voice low and steady, "who has made my heart beat like this."

Unohana's smile widened, but it wasn't one of acceptance. With a swift motion, her blade sang through the air, severing Aizen's hand at the wrist. Blood sprayed briefly before his severed hand fell to the ground with a dull thud.

"I'm flattered, truly," she said, stepping back. "But the answer is no."

Aizen's expression didn't falter. His hand regenerated in moments, the flesh knitting together effortlessly as if her rejection, and the injury were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. A chuckle escaped his lips, rich and full of amusement.

"You can refuse now," Aizen said smoothly, flexing his newly formed hand. "But I won't give up on making you mine."

Unohana laughed lightly, shaking her head. "Persistent, aren't you? But tell me, Sosuke... what is your goal in this world? What is it you truly seek?"

Aizen's chuckling ceased, and for a brief moment, his face turned contemplative. Closing his eye, he replied, "I have no grand goals, no lofty ambitions. I am simply... going with the flow of this world."

Unohana's smile faltered as she studied his face. She didn't fully believe his words, yet she also knew there was nothing she could do to stop him. With a resigned sigh, she sheathed her blade.

"Then I hope," Unohana said, her voice calm once more, "that we can fight again someday, Sosuke."

Aizen's smirk returned. "I'll make you a deal. Agree to marry me, and I'll ensure we can fight as much as you desire."

Unohana chuckled, shaking her head. "I think I'll pass."

Turning away, she began to walk, her steps unhurried yet purposeful. As she reached the edge of the battlefield, Aizen's voice called after her.

"Tell me, Captain Unohana," he said, his tone curious, "are there others? Other reincarnations other than us?"

Unohana paused, glancing back at him over her shoulder. She gave him a simple nod before continuing her path, disappearing into the distance.

Aizen stood in silence, basking in the aftermath of their battle. The battlefield was a canvas of destruction. He breathed deeply, taking in the sight, as if committing it to memory.

After a few moments, Aizen's form flickered and vanished. He reappeared among his allies with a flicker of Shunpo.

The suddenness of his arrival startled everyone. Ino gasped, her eyes wide with shock. "Naruto! What happened? Did you kill her?"

Aizen's gaze met hers, calm and unyielding. "No. I spared her."

Kurenai's eyes narrowed slightly, a questioning look flashing across her face. She opened her mouth to speak, but Aizen raised a hand to forestall her.

"All of your questions will be answered," he said smoothly, "once we arrive at the Land of Waves."

Tazuna let out a sigh of relief. He thought "With him on our side, it doesn't matter what Gato throws our way. Assassins, mercenaries, none of them stand a chance!"

Aizen glanced at Tazuna briefly before turning his gaze to the horizon. His thoughts were elsewhere, replaying the battle with Unohana in his mind. Though he had won, her refusal lingered like an itch he couldn't scratch.

"Soon," he murmured to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips. "She'll come around."

To be continued...