Chapter 140: with translation of chapter title

As Aramaki's gaze gradually grew serious.

"Boom!"

Like a heaven-shaking, earth-splitting wave, spiritual pressure burst from Aramaki's body, pressing down on the young Aizen before him……

"What immense spiritual pressure!!"

Merely facing Aramaki's released spiritual pressure, Aizen felt his stance wobble in an instant, as if he were about to kneel to the ground.

"Is this the worth of the strongest Shinigami of Soul Society?!"

"Even a captain-level Shinigami feels as weak and powerless as an ant before him!"

"Just by relying on the spiritual pressure emanating from within him, it is enough to make me lose the will to fight him..."

In that moment, Aizen gained a new understanding of Aramaki's strength, realizing his previous estimate of Aramaki's combat power had been too conservative—just as a captain-level Shinigami could rob the wandering souls of Rukongai or ordinary Shinigami of the 13th Division of their will to fight with a single glance, Aramaki could likewise sap the fighting spirit of ordinary captains of the 13th Division with just his gaze……

Although Aramaki, like the captains of the other divisions, is a captain of the Gotei 13, the gap between him as Commander-General and the other captains is far greater than that between the infantile souls just born in Rukongai and the ordinary captain-level Shinigami of the Gotei 13.

"Boom!!"

While Aizen's thoughts raced, Aramaki once again increased the spiritual pressure leaking from his body.

"Oh no, the spiritual pressure that Commander-General Aramaki just released has intensified again!"

"Could it be that the immense, abyss-like spiritual pressure just now wasn't even the Commander-General's limit?!"

"Heh, Commander-General Aramaki is practically a monster wearing human skin! No one in this world can know just how far his limits can extend!"

"If I rely solely on the most basic Shinigami art of 'Soul-Cutting Fist' or training with my Zanpakutō, could I truly reach the same stage as Commander-General Aramaki now?!"

Feeling Aramaki's ever-rising spiritual pressure, Aizen couldn't help but doubt his own prodigious talent.

"This is impossible, right? This is no longer a limit that a mere Shinigami can reach, is it?"

In just a moment, an answer formed in Aizen's mind.

Aizen concluded that Aramaki's power could not be attained by merely pushing the limits of a Shinigami……

Aizen concluded that Aramaki's power had surpassed the Soul Society's very definition of what a Shinigami is!

Aizen concluded that Aramaki had now reached a completely new realm never before touched by anyone in the Seireitei!

"Interesting!"

Upon this, Aizen smiled, having thought Shinigami were limited to their limits, never expecting there to be a path beyond them—indeed, his decision to become Aramaki's disciple was correct……

For the thousand years since the founding of the Gotei 13, having Aramaki, the city of the strongest Shinigami, is like a vast treasure trove, constantly bestowing upon Aizen the emotions of surprise and joy~

"Oh no."

After a brief joy, Aizen forcibly suppressed the slight upturn of his lips.

Just a little more, and his self-constructed persona would go OOC! Now is not the time for joy; he must conceal all his emotions……

"So now, I should give Captain Aramaki some response."

Thinking this, Aizen did not resist Aramaki's released spiritual pressure, allowing Aramaki to press him to the ground with it.

"Ar-Aramaki-sensei, I, I can't……"

At the same time, after crawling to the ground, Aizen still didn't forget to give Aramaki a wry smile and beg for mercy.

Devoted to acting, Aizen is constantly immersed in the script and persona he writes for himself……

Until hundreds of years later, when Aramaki passed the position of Commander-General to him, Aizen obtained the Hōgyoku, evolving beyond the Shinigami limit, and then, right before Aizen's face, laid bare his own possession of the mind-reading ability……

At the same time, Aramaki smiled and told Aizen that, from the very first day Aizen became his disciple, he had read all of Aizen's thoughts, and remarked that Aizen's acting back then was truly "adorable"~

That day, no longer acting, with his personality returned to normal, Aizen, upon hearing his teacher's words, suddenly smiled and said to Aramaki: "I really wish I could stab my past self! Aramaki-sensei, do you really say there's no time machine in this world?!"

Hmm, the memories of Aizen's deceased self began to revive, incessantly attacking him, making him wish he were dead……

"Heh……"

To this, Aramaki merely gave a light smile, then spread the matter throughout the Seireitei, and also incorporated it into the curriculum of the Shinigami Academy.

And so……

Some Aizen fans say: "Aizen, Commander-General, ushered in an age where everyone is like a dragon! He balanced the Three Worlds! Since the Hueco Mundo, Human World, and Soul Society have been eternally stable! Since Hell's devouring of the world will never occur again, he is truly meritorious enough to overshadow the Soul King!"

Aizen's detractors say: "But Aizen, Commander-General, was toyed with by Commander-General Aramaki……"

Aizen's fans say: "Aizen, Commander-General, single-handedly made the Vandenreich dance in circles! His intellect reigns supreme over the Three Worlds!"

Aizen's detractors also say: "But Aizen, Commander-General, was still toyed with by Commander-General Aramaki……"

An Aizen fan says: "No, isn't that just Aizen, Commander-General's sole black point? It never ends, right?"

Thus, Aizen's detractors say: "Aizen, Commander-General, wasn't just toyed with by Commander-General Aramaki; the very person hailed as the Three Worlds' greatest intellect has continually acted cleverly, not knowing……"

In response, Aizen's fans: "……"

Henceforth, Comrade Aizen Sosuke, hailed as the Gotei 13's most perfect Commander-General in history, shall forever accompany his dark past and his legion of detractors!

Of course, Aizen hasn't not considered erasing this black history entirely—for instance, by using Mirror Flower Water Moon on the whole Three Worlds to usher in an era of eternal Mirror Flower Water Moon—but those detractors again say: "Peak produces false admirers, twilight bears witness to devout believers! In fact, we are your true fans! We aren't like your fake fans who only see your strengths and love only those, worshipping you as a god! We detractors, however, deeply love even your flaws!"

In response, Aizen said: "Heh, let the Three Worlds just be destroyed! What the Vandenreich says isn't without reason!"

"Cough cough……"

"1st Division Captain's Office."

"Sosuke, you alright?"

Aramaki looked at the surrendering Aizen and withdrew his released spiritual pressure.

"Hah……"

In that moment, Aizen, slumped on the ground as if about to faint, suddenly felt his body grow light.

As for Aramaki, he naturally knew exactly what Aizen, lying on the ground, was thinking; but as a teacher, he was willing to go along with this "foolish" disciple's performance~

As Lao Xue once sang: "I, who should cooperate with your performance, turn a blind eye!"

"As expected of the Commander-General, I am far inferior……"

After a while, having rested on the ground for a moment, Aizen slowly rose to his feet, first catching his breath, adjusting his breathing and condition, then respectfully addressed Aramaki.

Hehe, someday you'll reach my current level.

Upon hearing that, Araki lightly stroked his chin, then faced the acting Ren with a faint smile.

Hehe...

Ren didn't say anything in response, merely echoing Araki with a light laugh.

Sosuke, go...

Come practice outside with me~

As Ren gave a light chuckle, Araki tossed him a wooden training sword and spoke with a smile.

Huh?!

Ren stared at the wooden sword in his hand, lost in thought, and the smile on his face froze.

Araki-sensei, are you perhaps planning...

Ren's hand gripping the wooden sword trembled slightly, then he looked at Araki and asked.

Just as you thought, next I will teach you the sword technique from the Slash-Fist Walking Ghost style!

Araki looked at Ren and explained.

Araki-sensei, wouldn't it be a bit... to start sparring with you right now?

Ren gripped the wooden sword in his hand, feeling that sparring with Araki right now would be premature.

Ren, you can relax! I have plenty of time, and as for the First Division's duties, I've entrusted them entirely to your Vice Captain Saito, so you don't need to worry about me overworking from sparring with you.

Araki looked at Ren's wry smile, his own face breaking into a brilliant grin.

Teacher Araki, you've misunderstood me! I mean, my understanding of swordsmanship is extremely shallow; all my study of 'slash' has only been some superficial basics at the Spirit Arts Academy! I haven't had any deep, systematic study. With my half-baked swordsmanship, if I were to fight you, wouldn't that be too premature?!

Ren spoke to Araki using the most tactful words he could muster.

It's not early anymore...

After hearing Ren's words, Araki smiled, walked up to him, and lightly patted his shoulder.

Ren! You need to have confidence in yourself—you're a genius!

The teaching of a genius must be somewhat different.

If it were Jingli, Fuzhu, or Shitan like that, I'd have them drill the basics for a full hundred years, but you don't need that! You can jump right in and spar with me! I'm very optimistic about you...

Araki painted a big pie for his beloved disciple.

I...

I thank you, Araki-sensei!

Ren remained silent for a while, then finally expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Araki.

Hehe, it's fine~

Who are you to me? You are my beloved disciple!

I teach you with all my heart—that's my duty! You don't need to say thanks to me.

Araki spoke, pulling the person before him, having poured out his heartfelt thoughts, Ren's words came out garbled, and he left the First Division's captain's room.

Hill of Double Punishment...

After Araki rendered Twin Punishment useless with a single strike, this place became an empty space!

As for that Twin Punishment severed by Araki, it was naturally sent to the Zero Division, entrusted to Sword God Wang Yue for repair. Upon seeing that huge Twin Punishment, Wang Yue said: "Araki, you are truly my only friend!"

Araki ignored Wang Yue's inner dissatisfaction and gave him something to do...

Meanwhile, the Hill of Double Punishment, now devoid of Twin Punishment, became the ideal place for Araki to teach Ren.

Sosuke, go ahead and make your move~

After Araki and Ren took their stances on this barren hill, he did not launch the first attack; instead, he politely smiled at Ren.

Inhale...

Upon hearing Araki's words, Ren sharply inhaled a breath, his full attention fixed on Araki, with no intention to attack; right now he was searching for an opening in Araki, facing such a monster, he dared not be careless in the slightest, for any lapse would mean his immediate defeat.

Araki-sensei, perhaps you should go first~

After a moment, Ren looked at Araki, whose whole body seemed full of openings yet had none, raised his wooden sword, and took a defensive stance; since he couldn't find any opening in Araki, he decided to launch a counterattack.

If that's the case, then I'll make the first move...

Sosuke, don't be too tense, relax a bit! I won't be too serious, after all, between us master and disciple, we're not here to fight; the so-called sparring is mainly for teaching~

Araki couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the extremely nervous Ren Sosuke.

Exhale...

It's my fault for not adjusting my mindset properly, making you laugh, Araki-sensei!

Upon hearing that, Ren's expression shifted slightly, just as Araki had said—Araki, as his teacher, would surely not go all out on him; thus, the tension in Ren's heart eased a little.

Then here I come...

Araki said, swinging his wooden sword and slashing toward Ren.

It was precisely at the moment of Araki's action...

Ren's pupils dilated infinitely at that moment.

Only to see Araki, in Ren's eyes, turn into a blur, arriving instantly before Ren, his wooden sword raised high above his head, steadily descending toward Ren in a powerful chop.

Meanwhile, Araki's ordinary wooden sword, in Ren's eyes, kept enlarging, enlarging further...

In the blink of an eye, it became as huge as heaven and earth!

I'll die! If this strike hits me, I will definitely die!

Cold sweat continually beaded on Ren's forehead; at this moment his body was no longer under his brain's control, having forgotten all about concealing his weakness, his body instinctively retreated backward.

Boom!!

It was exactly when Lan Ran used his exquisite flash step that, in the moment he retreated, Huang Mu's blade landed steadily on the ground.

Immediately after, that half of the hill vanished without a trace in Aizen's gaze.

"Sosuke, what are you running for?!"

"Our lesson today is swordsmanship, not some flash step!"

Araki watched the fleeing Aizen and spoke with a chuckle.

"Um, Araki teacher, do you really think I can block that strike just now?"

After hearing Araki's words, Aizen looked at the hill that had been cut in half, sweat pouring down his face as he gazed at Araki and asked.

"Of course you can! I believe you can do it……"

Upon hearing that, Araki gave a light smile.

"I'd believe you only if you were a ghost!"

Aizen's eyelid twitched slightly at Araki's words; that old geezer is really nasty!

He's just deceiving this ignorant, youngster who's not even a hundred years old!

Damn Araki, the captain, expects me to be young and powerless!

"Sosuke, are you distracted in our fight?"

In the moment Aizen was thinking, Araki, who had been hundreds of meters away, suddenly stood before him, pressing a finger firmly against his forehead.

"I……"

Before Aizen could think further, Araki flicked at him.

"Bang!"

With a loud roar, Aizen's body burst into a sonic boom in midair, then slammed into the hill below, blasting a huge rift through the entire hill.

"Cough cough……"

Aizen lay in the rift, continuously coughing up fresh blood.

"This old bastard is serious!"

In his heart, Aizen kept roaring at Araki.

"Swish!"

Before Aizen could think further, Araki released his Soul-Cutting Sword; a lapis-colored light descended from the sky, healing Aizen's wounds and restoring his strength, while subtly reshaping his body, elevating his physique to a new level.

"Exhale……"

Aizen subtly relaxed his breath; it seemed Araki teacher wasn't trying to kill him, but rather his teaching was this pattern—letting his students constantly struggle between life and death before breaking through.

"Araki teacher, you said today's lesson was swordsmanship, but that just now wasn't swordsmanship at all!"

After Aizen relaxed his breath, he posed a counter-question to Araki standing before him.

The ability Araki just displayed was clearly hand-to-hand combat!

"Ah? Sosuke, are swords and blades really such inconvenient things?!"

Upon hearing that, Araki lectured Aizen.

"I……"

At this moment, Aizen's mindset collapsed.

"'Slashing Fist Walking Ghost' is inherently indivisible! Since you're a genius, Sosuke, let's train together! Sosuke, if you want to become a true powerhouse, you can't have any weaknesses……"

Araki said, throwing his second punch at Aizen.

"I……"

Facing Araki's fist technique, Aizen was clearly prepared; a simple sidestep let him dodge it.

"Boom!"

And the cracked earth behind Aizen also shattered into countless fragments at that moment……

The ground was completely pulverized by Araki.

"With this punch, even an Adjuchas-level Menos would probably be beaten to death outright!"

Aizen watched Araki's martial prowess, his eyelids twitching nonstop.

"Captain Araki, do you really have any weaknesses?!"

Thinking this, Aizen used his strongest spirit way against Araki.

"O Sovereign! Mask of flesh and blood, all phenomena, soaring high on wings, crowned in the name of man! Azure fire wall engraves the double lotus; the distant heavens silently await the abyss of great fire. Way of Destruction seventy-three: double lotus azure fire plummet!"

Aizen soared into the sky, chanting the full incantation of the spirit way, then channeled all his spiritual pressure, releasing a tremendous double lotus azure fire drop; I fear that even the complete release of some attack-type Soul-Cutting Sword wouldn't match the power of this double lotus azure fire drop he unleashed.

"Pop~"

However, Araki merely glanced at the fireball above his head and casually swung a palm.

"Whoosh!"

The howling palm wind instantly scattered Aizen's double lotus azure fire drop.

"Araki teacher didn't use counter-spirit against me! He just used the airflow generated by rubbing his palm against the air, and just like that, he scattered my spirit way numbered seventy and above?!"

Aizen stared at Araki's motion, dumbfounded; this completely defies common sense.

"Such a monster as Araki teacher, does he really have any weaknesses?"

Regarding this, Aizen fell into contemplation.

"Divine Ability·Thousand-Mile Heaven-Reaching Palm!"

Araki watched Aizen flying in midair and directly used the divine ability he had copied from a monk.

"Boom!"

As Araki's words fell, a huge palm appeared before Aizen's eyes and swung at him.

"What the heck is this?! This is!"

After being slapped away by Araki's palm, Aizen was completely dazed.

What ability did Professor Araki just use? Spell arts? Or is it his Soul-Cutting Sword's ability? But neither seems right!

Moreover, Professor Araki's Soul-Cutting Sword isn't of the Restoration type, is it? I've never heard that his Soul-Cutting Sword can also enlarge his palm!

As for spell arts……

He also never heard of any spell art that can enlarge one's own palm!

Professor Araki just seemed to have said the two words 'divine ability'—what the heck, what is a divine ability?!

In these six years I've studied at the True Central Spiritual Arts Institute, I'm afraid I've just learned loneliness……

Aizen's mind is full of paste right now; he's completely stunned by the ability Araki just displayed.

'Aizen, anyone hit by my Thousand Mile Heaven-Reaching Palm will, as the name suggests, fly straight out a thousand li before stopping! As for the ability I just used, don't be too surprised—it's just a regular skill for the royal special agents of the Zero Division.'

Araki said lightly to Aizen.

Although, even in the Zero Division, only the fake monk and he can use it!

'Zero Division?'

'What is that?!'

At this moment, Aizen's focus is not on the Thousand Mile Heaven-Reaching Palm Araki just used; he's merely curious about what the Zero Division Araki mentioned is, and why he's never heard of it before!

'Boom!'

Before Aizen could think further, a palm suddenly appeared behind his body, which was continuously flying toward the sky, and slammed him hard toward the ground.

'Whoosh! Boom!'

In the end, Aizen collapsed before Araki.

'Hum!'

At this moment, the lapis-colored light flashed continuously, restoring the injuries Aizen had suffered.

'Cough cough...'

Aizen climbed up from the ground, enduring the soreness in his body, and asked Araki: 'Professor Araki, what exactly is the Zero Division you mentioned?!'

'Ah? I accidentally let it slip~'

Hearing Aizen's words, Araki couldn't help but show a wry smile.

Perhaps it's because Aizen has been acting in front of Araki...

Araki also suddenly became enthusiastic and put on a performance in front of Aizen...

Clearly, Araki deliberately revealed it to Aizen, yet he pretended it was an accident.

'With your current strength and status, Aizen, learning about the Zero Division is still too early!'

'The Zero Division is higher than the Thirteen Court Guard Squads that protect the Seireitei; it directly serves the Soul King, who resides in the Soul King Palace, as his royal special agents! They normally aren't in the Seireitei but guard the Soul King Palace~'

Araki looked at Aizen and spoke with a cheerful laugh.

'Is the Zero Division strong?'

Upon hearing that, Aizen asked Araki doubtfully.

'Very strong! The Zero Division has few members—only six so far—but the combined combat power of those six far exceeds the total strength of all the members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads! Of course, that total excludes this old man…'

Araki looked at Aizen and spoke with a cheerful laugh.

'Does the combined strength of six exceed the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?!'

Aizen's eyelid twitched slightly.

According to Araki, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are no pushovers; right now, the strength of that monster Kenpachi Zaraki from the Eleventh Squad, which Aizen has personally experienced……

Even with his strength, his odds of winning against Kenpachi aren't great; indeed, if they fought head-on, given his current strength, there's a chance he could be instantly killed by Kenpachi's swift kick.

'Actually, that statement isn't quite accurate……'

'Theoretically speaking, any member of the Zero Division, unleashing their full Bankai, could instantly annihilate the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!'

After hearing Aizen's words, Araki first smiled, then continued.

'Um……'

Araki's words gave the young Aizen a slight shock to his strength.

Aizen still hadn't realized just how many powerful beings exist in the Soul Society……

'Haha, but this is still too early for you!'

'One day you'll become as strong as a Zero Division member, even surpass them, but you're still young, so don't rush!'

Araki said this while lightly patting Aizen on the shoulder.

'Then let's continue training~'

Next, Araki used his Soul-Cutting Sword to brush off the dirt clinging to Aizen from the ground, and began a new round of instruction.

'Since you, Sosuke, like to run away……'

'Then next, I will teach you Flash Step~'

Araki said this and directly used the Instant Coax technique, filling his surroundings with lightning.

'Professor Araki, what ability is this?'

Aizen's mind is now numb; any technique Araki casually uses is something he's never heard of.

'This is called Instant Coax, a product of combining spell arts and hand-to-hand combat!'

'Next, I want to play a game with you; I'll give you five seconds to run away, and after you flee, I'll chase you with all my might—once I catch you, you'll feel the sting of the electricity surrounding me!'

Araki looked at Aizen and spoke with a cheerful laugh.

'Um……'

Upon hearing that, Aizen's face drastically changed.

'Professor Araki, can we change the method……'

In response, Aizen hoped Araki could adopt a slightly gentler teaching method.

Five, four...

However, after hearing Aizen's words, Araki merely smiled and began counting numbers.

I...

Upon hearing that, Aizen did not dare hesitate, directly turning into a lingering afterimage and embarking on his escape route.

... Three, two, one!

Sosuke, I, as your teacher, have come to chase you~

Araki quickly finished counting the five numbers, then set off in pursuit of Aizen.

Ah!!

For a moment, Sosuke's tragic, piercing cries rang out from the sky.

In those cries, how much was Sosuke acting in concert with Araki, and how much was Aizen truly suffering? Perhaps only Aizen himself knew...

Years later, when the captains of the Masked Army looked at Aizen in bewilderment and asked, "Aizen, why are you so strong?!"...

Only Aizen himself silently wiped away the nonexistent tears at the corners of his eyes, then calmly said, "My present strength is all forced out by my beloved teacher! If I were even slightly weaker, I would have long since gone to hell, let alone breathing the same air as you."

Some years later...

Yhwach gazed at Aizen, who had become the new Captain-Commander of the Guardian Thirteen Squads, and roared, "Aizen! If you had experienced everything I have! Listened to the wails of those souls returning to my body! You would not possess even a fraction of my kindness!"

"Heh..." In response, Aizen merely gave a faint smile to the angry Yhwach and casually said, "If you had gone through the childhood I endured, you might not even have lived to grow up!"

However, these are matters for later...

At this moment, the young Aizen could only helplessly face his teacher's frenzied blows, like a broken doll being tossed back and forth in the sky...

Should this Three Realms be destroyed? Let whoever wants to stand in this sky stand! I'm tired!

The young Aizen felt life was hopeless, seeing no hope for his future at all.

Sosuke! To wear the crown, one must bear its weight!

The trials you must endure have only just begun...

In response, Araki looked at the hopeless Aizen and offered guidance with a smile.

Upon hearing that, Aizen inexplicably felt as if his innermost self had been seen through by Araki.

So, let's begin body technique training now!

Give your all in defending against the teacher's attack! Sosuke!

Without giving Aizen time to think, Araki assumed a boxing stance.

It's probably just an illusion!

Upon hearing that, Aizen revealed a friendly smile.

My teacher seems to be an idiot with no weaknesses, absurdly strong~

Bang!

Thinking that, Aizen was sent flying into the sky by a single punch from Araki amidst a sonic boom.

And he's a guy who shows no mercy whatsoever toward his own disciple!

Aizen flew through the sky, enduring the pain on his face, and pondered in his heart.

In this world, even the Grand Hollow possesses the seven emotions and six desires; when facing death, it also feels instinctive fear! When confronting weaker kin, some Grand Hollows feel reluctant to strike, showing compassion, but Araki does not...

Ora ora ora...

Thinking that, Aizen gazed at the sky-full of fist shadows, his eyes showing a hint of relief.

This damned world shall be changed by me!

Aizen thus spoke to himself.

Boom!

The next second, Aizen was engulfed by the countless fist shadows unleashed by Araki.