Chapter 252: Aizen

The flames on the Sokyoku Spear were extremely fierce, the fire as vast as a phoenix bathing in flames.

The flaming phoenix soared into the sky and then dove down.

Its target was Rukia Kuchiki.

Those scorching flames seemed capable of evaporating a person’s soul entirely; as long as it pierced through Rukia Kuchiki’s body, it could destroy both her body and soul.

Byakuya Kuchiki, who had just been fighting Ichigo Kurosaki, was silent at this moment, and a crystal-clear tear slowly flowed down the corner of his eye.

He was not a heartless person, but as the current head of the Kuchiki family, he could not ignore the rest of the Kuchiki family just because of his sister-in-law.

Rukia Kuchiki looked at the flaming phoenix before her, which carried the momentum of burning the heavens, and slowly closed her eyes, waiting to accept the moment of death.

As if feeling the power of the Sokyoku flames, a brilliant blue light radiated from within Rukia Kuchiki’s body.

It was as dazzling as a sapphire in the night sky.

Discovering this gem, Senju Hoshiya’s eyes flickered slightly.

"The Hogyoku!"

Sure enough, the Hogyoku was indeed hidden within Rukia Kuchiki’s body.

However, having seen the Hogyoku, Senju Hoshiya could have used the space ability of Amenotejikara to get the Hogyoku into his hands, but he was not in a hurry to retrieve it.

It would be better to let Aizen do this.

The menacing fire phoenix descended from the sky, and it looked like it was about to blast Rukia Kuchiki into ashes.

However, in the next second, the scene everyone was expecting did not happen.

Rukia Kuchiki was also puzzled, and only after slowly opening her eyes did she realize.

A figure was standing before her, just blocking the flames of the Sokyoku Spear outside.

"Itachi... Itachi are 3rd Seat Senju???"

Rukia Kuchiki vaguely remembered the scene of the Ryoka invasion earlier, where Head Captain Yamamoto didn't eliminate the Ryoka but instead gave him the status of a special Soul Reaper, and he was instantly appreciated by Captain Aizen, becoming the 3rd Seat of the 5th Division.

This person was naturally Senju Hoshiya.

However, the only thing Rukia Kuchiki didn't expect was that Senju Hoshiya would actually step in to save her.

"Why? Why take such a big risk to save a sinner like me?"

Senju Hoshiya looked puzzled: "Sinner? Itachi?"

"Heh, don't joke around; whether Itachi are a sinner or not has nothing to do with me."

"I just think this matter is very suspicious and needs to be reported to Head Captain Yamamoto before making any plans."

Just at this moment, Aizen’s figure appeared.

Sure enough, just as Senju Hoshiya had expected, with Aizen’s appearance, the Hogyoku within Rukia Kuchiki’s body fell into Aizen’s hands at the first opportunity.

Having obtained the Hogyoku, Aizen’s strength advanced by leaps and bounds.

However, Rukia vomited a mouthful of blood because of this.

Renji Abarai saw this and quickly stepped out, preparing to protect Rukia Kuchiki.

And at this moment, Aizen also expressed his approval of Renji Abarai’s actions:

"Lieutenant Abarai, seeing Itachi able to step forward, I am still very comforted."

"I obtained the Hogyoku today, and I am in a very good mood; I hope Itachi won't block me, because that would ruin my mood."

"Itachi must know that stepping over an ant without hurting it is also a very difficult thing."

Senju Hoshiya just watched Aizen show off, and he had to say that Sosuke Aizen was truly the ceiling of villainous presence.

The way he showed off was one thing after another, making people marvel.

The other captains clearly didn't expect Aizen to appear suddenly, and it looked like he was about to betray them.

"Captain Aizen! What is the meaning of this?"

"Are Itachi going to betray the Seireitei?"

"How could I allow Itachi to do this!"

Sajin Komamura saw the situation and immediately drew his Zanpakuto, preparing to stop him.

Just as he was preparing to step in to stop him, Kaname Tosen blocked Sajin Komamura’s path.

"Captain Komamura, Lord Aizen’s dignity does not allow for anyone’s infringement; don't force me to take action against Itachi."

Seeing that the person blocking him was his best friend from the past, Sajin Komamura looked completely incredulous.

"Tosen! I knew Itachi had other thoughts in your heart, but even so, I never expected Itachi to collude with Aizen!"

Sajin Komamura’s tone was heart-wrenching, as if he were disappointed that his friend hadn't lived up to his potential.

However, Kaname Tosen didn't buy it and retreated to Aizen’s side at the first opportunity.

Almost at the same time, Aizen used the power of the Hogyoku to open a Garganta.

This was a gate between worlds from Hueco Mundo, and just as the Garganta opened, countless Menos Grandes Gillian fell from the sky.

"Although I would like to say goodbye to Itachi all properly, Head Captain Yamamoto seems to be about to break free from his restraints, and my current strength is not enough to contend with Head Captain Yamamoto."

"So, everyone, I, Aizen, will take my leave this time."

"I believe we will meet again soon."

"At that time, I hope we old acquaintances can have a good chat."

While speaking, a dazzling white light appeared beneath Aizen’s feet, supporting Sosuke Aizen in mid-air as he slowly ascended.

Just at this moment, Sosuke Aizen looked toward Senju Hoshiya.

"3rd Seat Senju, although we haven't spent much time together, I think Itachi are a very talented person with potential. How about coming to Hueco Mundo with me?"

Senju Hoshiya looked up at Aizen, his lips curling into a smile: "Sure, I have the same intention."

In full view of everyone, Senju Hoshiya actually agreed to Aizen’s invitation without the slightest hesitation.

Even Aizen didn't expect that this would go so smoothly.

Although he knew that Senju Hoshiya had other thoughts in mind, Aizen still lowered the portal.

"In that case, let us head to Hueco Mundo together."

Senju Hoshiya just agreed casually, and then he was immediately led to Hueco Mundo.

Surrounded by a group of Gillian, Senju Hoshiya followed Aizen’s group and traveled directly to Hueco Mundo.

However, during the travel, Senju Hoshiya secretly used the effect of his Rinnegan and traveled directly to another location in Hueco Mundo.

A hundred years ago, when Aizen was conducting experiments, he had long since transformed Hueco Mundo to a great extent.

Senju Hoshiya prepared to observe the situation first before making his next move.

Seeing the endless desert before him, Senju Hoshiya also felt very emotional.

Such a vast Hueco Mundo had been easily mastered by Aizen.

This showed that Aizen actually had a certain level of ability.

For now, as long as he waited for Aizen to perform the Arrancar ritual for the Espada, Senju Hoshiya could sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; that is exactly what this meant.

Just at this moment, Senju Hoshiya suddenly heard the crying of a girl.

"Why? Why treat Nel like this! Wuwuwuwu..."

Hearing the sound, Senju Hoshiya teleported over at the first opportunity.

Sure enough, there were a few scattered people standing in the desert.

Nnoitra was raising his Zanpakuto and slowly approaching the little girl-like Nel.

"Nelliel, Itachi know I hate Itachi, so Itachi shouldn't have appeared before my eyes again."

While speaking, Nnoitra raised his sword, preparing to kill the Nelliel before him.

Senju Hoshiya directly used the ability of Amenotejikara to teleport Nelliel to his feet.

Nnoitra swung his sword down, but it hit nothing.

"Who dares to meddle in my business?"

Looking around, he noticed Senju Hoshiya’s presence at the first opportunity.

"Although Itachi are not a Soul Reaper, Itachi have that annoying aura of a Soul Reaper."

"Who exactly are Itachi? Why are Itachi appearing in Hueco Mundo?"

Senju Hoshiya looked at Nnoitra before him indifferently: "I! Senju Hoshiya! As for why I am appearing here, that is not something Itachi can manage."

Discovering that Senju Hoshiya’s tone was so indifferent, Nnoitra became completely unsettled:

"Are Itachi looking down on me?"

"Don't Itachi think Itachi are more powerful than me?"

Itachi must know that the last person to look down on him like this was the Nel before him; Itachi must know that Nel used to be the 3rd ranked existence among the original Espada.

Precisely because Nelliel ignored Nnoitra’s power, it touched Nnoitra’s fragile nerves, and he conspired with Szayelaporro to frame Nelliel.

That was why she had turned into the appearance of a little girl.

Senju Hoshiya looked at Nnoitra before him, his expression still very disdainful:

"Compared to ordinary power-type Arrancar, your strength can indeed be considered top-tier."

"However, I don't need power-type Arrancar, so please just go die."

As soon as the words fell, Senju Hoshiya directly formed hand seals:

"Sage Art: Summoning Jutsu!"

After a contract summoning, Orihime Inoue appeared in Hueco Mundo.

Looking at the surrounding desert, Orihime Inoue was completely confused.

"What is the situation?"

"Where am I?"

"What happened?"

Looking around, after discovering Senju Hoshiya nearby, Orihime Inoue seemed to guess some of the cause and effect.