Chapter 425

The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard; no one had anticipated something like this happening.

Whether watching from afar or involved in the fray, all stared blankly at the scene before them.

"Aizen, you!"

Especially Dōshirō, who had been slashed by Aizen's blade, looked at him with shock and disbelief.

Yet before he could fully react, Aizen's second attack struck within his field of vision, unleashing a terrifying spiritual pressure.

In the face of danger, Dōshirō gripped his Zanpakutō and held it before his chest.

Jian—!

A deafening crash, like an arrow shot forth, slammed violently to the ground.

One-five-three

This situation was not unique to one person—it occurred among others as well.

August suffered an attack from Shūsuke, Precht and Jellal were struck by Xuanwozhang Sect, and Regulus attacked Timaria and Vale.

In an instant, the battlefield, which had barely paused, erupted again with even fiercer, more intense conflict.

But compared to these, everyone was more bewildered by what was actually happening right now.

"What's going on? They're allies—why did they suddenly attack?"

Blocking Shūsuke's attack, August stared in shock.

According to the intelligence he had, he clearly remembered these three Shinigami were allies—why had these otherworldly forces suddenly joined forces?

August was stunned enough, let alone the Fairy Tail members who knew Aizen well.

"I don't know…"

Watching the scene before her, Lucy stood frozen in disbelief.

As if responding to everyone's thoughts, Dōshirō, who had been cut down by Aizen and lay on the ground, roared furiously.

"Aizen, Shūsuke—what do you mean by this?!"

"Can't you see yet? I must have overestimated you."

Aizen pulled out the "Fragment of the Great Will" and, amid everyone's stunned gazes, tossed it toward Regulus.

At the same time, Regulus also pulled out a black fragment and threw it toward Aizen.

"This has always been a transaction."

"What?!"

Watching the scene before them, everyone stood frozen; Natsu and others were utterly stunned.

Even the most composed Erza was shocked by what she saw.

"What's going on? Mr. Aizen actually…"

"That fragment…"

Ignoring the astonished glances of others, as if recognizing the "Fragment of the Great Will" in Aizen's hand, Dōshirō said grimly.

"Is this… from the Hueco Mundo? How is it possible? Why does the Monu Sect have a fragment from the Hueco Mundo?!"

Perhaps due to his injuries, Dōshirō's voice now lacked strength, but the meaning of his words shook everyone present.

Because Dōshirō had uttered one word.

Hueco Mundo!

This was not an unfamiliar term.

Long ago, they had heard from Aizen and the Xuanwozhang Sect that it was the world where fallen souls dwelled, opposed to Seireitei.

A world existing only in the shadowy world.

But?

How could this be? Aizen wasn't a Shinigami?

What use did he have for the "Fragment of the Great Will" from the Hueco Mundo?

And if they were cooperating, why had Aizen once led them to hunt down the Akatsuki?

Yet before they could ponder further, after hearing Dōshirō's words, Aizen slowly shook his head.

"Do you think I'd associate with those filthy rats? I said it was only a transaction…"

Meanwhile, Regulus, who was fighting Timaria and Vale, immediately protested.

"Hey, hey, hey—that's a bit too harsh, don't you think?"

"A Shinigami like you isn't fallen too?"

Though he spoke this way, there was no real resentment in his tone—only mockery.

"But why? Didn't you once help us?!"

Erza couldn't understand.

She simply could not believe that Aizen, who had once helped them fight the Akatsuki, would now side with their former enemies.

"Help?"

Hearing this, Aizen smiled faintly.

"It was all just to obtain the 'Fragment of the Great Will'—a performance, nothing more."

"I thought you'd weaken them a bit before I stepped in, but your strength fell far short of my expectations, and with Kaguya's intervention, I had no choice but to abandon that plan."

"But at that moment, I discovered they possessed not only the fragment I wanted, but another valuable item."

Though they might not fully grasp it yet, anyone with eyes could see Aizen no longer stood with Ishgaria.

Hearing this, Erza froze in place, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"What did you say?!"

Not just Erza—even Natsu and the others stood utterly stunned.

And at this moment, Lan Ran continued speaking.

"Therefore, just now I reached an agreement with them—not to act against them—in exchange for this stone of the 'Fragment of the Great Will'."

"However, although the 'Fragment of the Great Will' is now in my possession, one matter remains unfinished."