Naruto: God Reborn

The Truth of Sosuke Aizen

The group continued on their journey towards the land of Waves.

The atmosphere was heavy, the tension from their earlier battles still lingering. Hana's gaze flickered toward Aizen, her curiosity evident but unspoken. Anko, walking slightly ahead, broke the silence with her usual bluntness.

"Alright, Aizen," she said, spinning around to face him mid-stride. "We've seen what you can do. We've heard bits and pieces about you. But who the hell are you really? No half-truths, no cryptic nonsense, spill it."

Hana gave her a sideways glance but nodded in agreement. Even Kurenai, always composed, looked expectantly at Aizen. Ino and Sasuke remained silent but clearly interested.

Aizen's expression remained calm, his stride unbroken. He glanced at the group, then at the canopy above, his tone reflective.

"Very well," he said, his voice carrying the weight of centuries. "If you're so curious, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to indulge you. But I warn you, mine is not the story of a hero."

The group exchanged glances but said nothing. Even the ninken, as if sensing the gravity of the moment, stopped their playful movements and sat attentively.

---

"I was not always the man you see before you," Aizen began. "My name, Sosuke Aizen, was once feared and revered in another world. I was a Shinigami, a soul reaper, tasked with guiding souls to the afterlife and maintaining the balance between the living and the dead. It was an existence dictated by rules, by traditions, and by a rigid hierarchy that stifled any form of true progress.

"I rose through the ranks swiftly, not because of privilege but because of my unparalleled intelligence and strength. I became a captain, one of the thirteen strongest in the Gotei 13. To everyone, I was the epitome of loyalty and perfection, a leader admired by my peers and subordinates alike."

Aizen chuckled softly, his smile tinged with something darker.

"But appearances can be deceiving. Beneath the facade, I harbored a secret, a vision for a world unshackled by the chains of fate. The Soul Society, the realm of the Shinigami, was built on a foundation of lies and stagnation. The so-called god we served was nothing more than a puppet. I sought to overturn that hierarchy, to claim the throne of the Soul King and reshape reality itself."

Hana's eyes narrowed as she listened, her ninken growling softly at the shift in Aizen's tone. Anko crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.

"How did you plan to do that?" Sasuke finally asked, his voice cutting through the silence.

Aizen's smile returned, sharper this time.

"With a single object, the Hōgyoku. A mysterious orb capable of erasing the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollows, it was a key to transcending one's limits. I uncovered its secrets, studied its power, and used it to experiment on myself and others. With the Hōgyoku, I created an army of Arrancars, Hollows that had gained Shinigami abilities. They were my soldiers in the war I waged against the Soul Society."

"And this war..." Kurenai interjected, her tone cautious. "What happened?"

Aizen's expression shifted, his eyes glinting with a mixture of pride and regret.

"I won battles but ultimately lost the war. I fought captains, lieutenants, and even the strongest among them, Kurosaki Ichigo. He was an anomaly, a human, Shinigami, Hollow and a Quincy, Quadbrid being who defied every expectation. In our final battle, he defeated me with power that surpassed my understanding.

"As a result, I was sealed away, condemned to an eternity in the darkness of the Muken a prison for those too dangerous to be allowed to live freely."

Aizen's expression grew thoughtful, a flicker of something indescribable crossing his face.

"There is one more chapter to my story," he continued. "A chapter that many would call my redemption, though I see it as something else entirely."

The group's attention sharpened, sensing the shift in his tone.

"You see," Aizen said, his voice low and contemplative, "though I was sealed in the Muken, my imprisonment was not permanent. The day came when the balance of the Three Realms, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the World of the Living, was threatened by a being greater than any I had ever faced."

"The Almighty Quincy King, Yhwach" Aizen

"Yhwach, the progenitor of the Quincy race, sought to destroy the balance between life and death and forge a new world in his image. His power, The Almighty, allowed him to see and alter all possible futures. He was invincible, or so it seemed.

"It was then that I was unsealed. I stood once more in the Seireitei, not as an enemy but as a weapon. They needed my power, my mind, to combat an enemy they could not overcome alone. Despite the irony, I agreed. After all, if Yhwach succeeded, there would be nothing left for me to observe or manipulate."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "And? Did you fight him?"

Aizen's smile returned, sharp as a blade. "Of course. Alongside Kurosaki Ichigo, the very man who defeated me, I faced Yhwach in battle. It was a clash of titans, a struggle of wills and powers beyond mortal comprehension. Even with my intellect and strength, and Ichigo's unwavering determination, the odds were against us. But together, we found a way to sever his connection to the future. In the end, it was Ichigo who struck the final blow."

The group absorbed his words, the weight of the tale hanging heavily in the air.

"And then?" Hana asked quietly. "What happened to you?"

Aizen chuckled, a low, almost amused sound. "Ah, yes. My reward." He gestured with his hand, as if recounting something trivial. "After the battle, I was returned to the Muken to serve out the remainder of my sentence. The Soul Society, ever bound by its rules, could not allow me to walk free, even after I helped save their precious realms.

But fate, it seems, had other plans for me. When I awoke in this world, I was no longer bound by the Soul Society's chains."

His gaze drifted to the horizon, as though he were recalling the moment he first arrived in this world.

---

Anko snorted. "So, what? You're some kind of world-ending villain who got a second chance? Why should we trust you?"

Aizen's smile didn't waver. "Trust is irrelevant, Anko. I have no grand designs in this world. I am merely... existing. Observing. If I act, it is only because the situation compels me to."

Hana spoke up, her voice firm. "But your power, it's dangerous. If you chose to, you could destroy entire nations. You expect us to believe you have no ambition left?"

Aizen turned to her, his eyes calm yet piercing. "Believe what you will. I have no need to prove myself to you. My actions will speak louder than words."

Ino, who had been silent until now, frowned. "If you don't have any goals, why are you here with us? Why not go off and do your own thing?"

Aizen looked at her, his smile softening slightly. "Because, Ino, I find this world intriguing. The people here are... different. Perhaps, in some way, I am seeking redemption. Or perhaps I am merely curious. Does it truly matter?"

The group fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them. Even the ninken seemed subdued, their ears flattening slightly as they sensed the gravity of Aizen's story.

---

As they continued walking, the tension began to ease, though questions still lingered in the air. Anko finally broke the silence with a wry grin.

"Well, I'll say this much, you sure know how to make a story dramatic."

Aizen chuckled, his tone lightening. "I'm glad I could entertain you, Anko."

Kurenai shook her head but couldn't suppress a small smile. "We'll see if your actions match your words, Aizen. For now, let's focus on the mission."

The group pressed on, the path to the Land of Waves stretching before them. But in the back of their minds, Aizen's story lingered, a tale of power, betrayal, and a man seeking purpose in a world that was not his own.

---

Chapter 19

With Zabuza

"A failure, huh?" Gato sneered, leaning back in his chair. "The great Demon of the Mist, bested by some brat? Demon of the mist my ass, more like Baby Demon? Maybe I hired the wrong the wrong demon for the job."

Zabuza's fists clenched, the veins on his arms bulging as he fought the urge to rip the little man apart. His teeth grit as he spat out, "That brat isn't some ordinary kid. His power... it's beyond comprehension."

"Oh, boohoo," Gato mocked, tossing a wad of bills onto the table before Zabuza. "Spare me the excuses. You're fired. I'll handle things myself now."

Zabuza's eyes burned with hatred, but he didn't move. Haku placed a calming hand on his shoulder, subtly pulling him back.

"And just how do you plan on handling it?" Zabuza growled.

Gato chuckled, leaning forward. "Once that bridge is finished, I'll blow it sky high. And when the Land of Waves sees all their hopes crumble into the sea, they'll know resistance is futile.."

Zabuza and Haku left the room, silent as the grave. The moment the door shut behind them, Zabuza slammed his fist into the wall, splintering the wood.

"Gato's a dead man walking," he muttered darkly.

---

At Tazuna's Home

The group arrived at Tazuna's home just as the sun dipped below the horizon. Tsunami greeted them at the door, relief washing over her face as she saw her father unharmed.

"Father, you're back! Thank you so much for protecting him," she said, bowing gratefully to the group.

Anko, as energetic as ever, waved her hand dismissively. "Eh, it was nothing. Just another day on the job!"

Tsunami smiled, but before she could say more, a young boy with wide eyes rushed into the room. "Grandpa!" he yelled, throwing himself into Tazuna's open arms.

Tazuna hugged him tightly. "Inari! It's good to see you, kiddo."

Inari pulled back, his gaze landing on the unfamiliar faces. "Who are they, Grandpa?"

Before Tazuna could respond, Aizen stepped forward with an amused smile. "I am a god, and these are my servants," he said in a tone that sounded playful, though the weight of his words made it clear he wasn't entirely joking.

Sasuke scowled at him. "Cut it out, Aizen."

Tazuna chuckled nervously. "They're here to protect me while I finish the bridge."

Inari's face fell, his expression turning grim. "Grandpa, please stop. Gato's going to kill you if you don't."

Tazuna placed a reassuring hand on his grandson's shoulder. "Inari, the bridge is the key to freeing us from Gato's reign. We can't live in fear forever."

"You're an idiot!" Inari shouted, tears in his eyes as he ran off.

Tsunami sighed, looking after her son. "I'm sorry about that. He's... he's been through a lot."

---

The next day

The morning light found the Konoha group outside, standing guard as Tazuna prepared his plans for the bridge. It was then that Zabuza and Haku appeared, emerging from the forest like wraiths.

"Round two already?" Anko quipped, cracking her knuckles. "Didn't get enough last time?"

Aizen, his lone eye closed, chuckled softly. "Relax Anko, Zabuza isn't foolish enough to start trouble with me here."

Zabuza ignored the jab, his gaze fixed on Aizen. "I need to speak with you. Alone."

Aizen's brow lifted slightly, but he nodded. "Very well. Lead the way."

Haku followed silently, his presence a constant shadow at Zabuza's side. The three disappeared into the forest, the rest of the group exchanging wary glances but staying put.

---

In the stillness of the forest, Zabuza wasted no time. "I need your help," he said, his voice heavy.

Aizen tilted his head, amused. "Help with what?"

"Freeing the Mist from Yagura's tyranny," Zabuza said bluntly. "You've seen what I'm capable of. You know I'm not weak. But no matter how strong I am, I can't take down Yagura alone. With your power..."

Aizen smiled faintly. "With my power, you believe I could turn the tide in your favor. Is that what you're asking?"

Zabuza nodded.

"Very well," Aizen said simply.

Zabuza blinked, clearly not expecting such an easy agreement. "That's it? No conditions? No demands?"

Aizen chuckled, his tone dripping with false sincerity. "Who wouldn't be moved, seeing a man so desperate to save his home that he swallows his pride and begs for help?"

Zabuza scowled. "Cut the crap. You don't care about the Mist or its suffering."

"You're right," Aizen admitted with a smirk. "But it amuses me to see what you'll do next. So, yes, I'll help you. For now."

---

One Week Later

The days passed uneventfully as the group continued to guard Tazuna during his work on the bridge. Despite the calm, the air was heavy with tension.

One evening, as they sat around the dinner table, Tazuna spoke up. "It's strange. Gato hasn't sent more assassins after us. You'd think he'd be trying harder to stop me by now."

Aizen, ever composed, leaned back in his chair. "It's possible he's decided to take matters into his own hands. He's no fool, Tazuna. He likely realizes that his usual tactics won't work with us around."

Tazuna frowned. "What do you mean?"

Aizen steepled his fingers, his tone contemplative. "Consider this. Gato may decide to target the bridge itself. Perhaps he'll wait until it's completed, only to destroy it in one fell swoop. A public display of power to crush the Land of Waves spirit, showing them that resistance is futile."

Tazuna paled at the thought, his hands tightening into fists.

Inari, sitting quietly in the corner, suddenly snapped. "Why don't you all just give up? Gato's invincible! There's nothing you can do to stop him!"

All eyes turned to the boy. Aizen's gaze, sharp and unyielding, bore into him, making Inari shrink back.

"I am a god," Aizen said coldly. "And no one, not even Gato, can stop me."

Anko whistled, breaking the tension. "Well, if that's not a confidence boost, I don't know what is."

The room fell silent again, Tazuna's expression grim as the weight of Aizen's words sank in.

---

For @CallMeBigZaddy

Omake: Aizen's 1000 Bottles of Baby Oil

The scene opened in Tazuna's home, where everyone was gathered around the dining table after dinner. It was supposed to be a quiet, relaxing evening. Supposed to be.

"Aizen," Anko drawled, leaning back in her chair. "Can I ask you something?"

Aizen, seated with his usual air of calm and superiority, didn't even glance her way. "If you must."

"Why," Anko began, gesturing vaguely, "do you have a thousand bottles of baby oil in your storage scroll?"

The room fell silent.

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "Wait, what?"

Tazuna froze mid-sip of his drink, nearly choking. "A thousand bottles of what?"

Even Tsunami paused in the kitchen, her eyes wide as she peeked into the dining room.

Aizen's lone eye opened slightly, his expression cool as ever. "It's for... tactical purposes."

Anko barked out a laugh, nearly falling out of her chair. "Tactical purposes?! What tactical purpose requires that much baby oil?!"

Aizen set his cup of tea down with deliberate grace. "You wouldn't understand."

"I think we'd all like to understand," Kurenai interjected, her voice equal parts curious and horrified.

Ino crossed her arms, glaring at Aizen. "This better be good."

Aizen sighed, as if he were explaining something painfully obvious to children. "Baby oil enhances certain... techniques."

"What techniques?!" Anko demanded, clutching her stomach as she laughed harder.

Aizen stood, his movements fluid and dramatic. "Observe."

With a snap of his fingers, one of his scrolls unraveled in midair, releasing an absurd number of bottles that clattered to the ground. The group stared in stunned silence as Aizen picked one up, poured some oil onto his hand, and began to rub it across his chest.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Sasuke yelled, his face burning red.

"Behold," Aizen said, his tone deadly serious as his oiled-up chest gleamed under the dim light. "The art of intimidation."

Inari, who had just walked into the room, screamed and ran away.

Tazuna slammed his hand on the table, laughing harder than he had in years. "Kid, you're insane!"

"Aizen," Kurenai said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is not intimidation. This is..."

"A masterclass," Aizen interrupted smoothly, flipping his hair back as the light caught his glistening form.

Tsunami covered her face, trying to stifle her laughter. "I can't..."

Anko, now on the floor, wheezed. "So, this is the secret to godhood? Baby oil?"

Aizen nodded solemnly. "Precisely."

The door slammed open as Zabuza and Haku burst into the house, weapons drawn. "What's going on here?!" Zabuza demanded.

Aizen turned to face them, his oiled-up form practically glowing.

Zabuza froze, his sword dropping to the floor. "What the...?"

Haku tilted his head, blinking. "I think I need to lie down."

Aizen smirked. "Intimidation."

Zabuza backed out of the room slowly, dragging Haku with him. "Nope. Nope. I'm not dealing with this."

The room erupted into laughter as Aizen returned to his seat, as composed as ever.

"Any more questions?" he asked, taking a sip of tea.

Anko wiped a tear from her eye. "Yeah. Can I borrow a bottle?"