Help! I am bound to Aizen!-Chapter 253

Chapter 253

2-in-1 chapter.

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“Sōsuke, did you notice?”

“Notice what?”

“That just now, when we were talking, Kisuke was eavesdropping outside the door.”

“…?”

Aizen was running through the Garganta, momentarily taken aback by Kaelith’s words.

Urahara Kisuke, hiding outside?

Because of Kaelith’s monstrous sixth sense and detection skill, Aizen usually didn’t bother scanning the surroundings when Kaelith was present. Even so, avoiding his own perception wouldn’t be an easy feat.

If Aizen himself hadn’t noticed Urahara, it meant the man must possess some kind of special reiatsu-concealment technique or had developed an outfit much like Aizen’s own reiatsu-isolating garb—either possibility highlighting Kisuke’s formidable talents.

He looked at Kaelith.

“You want to drag Kisuke in with us?”

Kaelith nodded. “If he’s willing, sure. If not, at least keep him from ending up on the opposite side.”

Aizen raised an eyebrow. “Do you think he can actually stop us?”

“Heh heh, don’t underestimate him.” Kaelith grinned.

In the original timeline, Aizen—with all his meticulous plotting—was ultimately brought down by Kurosaki Ichigo and Urahara Kisuke. True, Kaelith was here now, a chosen one brimming with the Soul Society’s combined cunning, yet he still couldn’t guarantee a sure bet against Kisuke.

That was why he’d deliberately dropped hints, dragging Urahara into their orbit. Once Kisuke dug into the matter, they’d see how he chose to respond. If Urahara cooperated, that was that. If not…Kaelith would employ heavier measures.

Watching Kaelith’s expectant smile, Aizen mused. Indeed, Kisuke was clever, skilled in the tech domain, but he did seem rather mild-tempered. Not the kind to shake the world.

Aizen himself wasn’t overly interested in him, but he did trust Kaelith’s knack for picking the right people. For all Kaelith’s casual antics, he seldom misjudged competency.

…

They exited the Garganta, stepping onto the white-sanded deserts of Hueco Mundo. Because they’d previously relocated the lab beneath Las Noche’s shadow, returning to the lab required a new ritual. Such trivial chores that didn’t showcase “grand wisdom” were fully delegated to Aizen.

While Aizen was setting up Kidō, Kaelith wandered around. He sensed traces of an odd reiatsu lingering in the air. Lifting a finger, he tasted it:

Rage, despair, resentment.

It brought to mind the agony of a bitter death.

What happened here?

Before he could think further, Aizen was done arranging the Kidō. The two of them walked into the formation, and the scenery shifted rapidly. Moments later, they reappeared in the Shadow Lab.

At once, they caught sight of Szayelaporro, covered in blood, grinning as he stabbed a syringe into himself. Noticing their arrival, he looked up in delight:

“Hey, Boss. Aizen-san. Good timing. My latest body-mod serum is practically finished. You can alter a Hollow’s appearance any way you like—extra arm, extra mouth, anything’s possible. I tested it on myself earlier; the effect lasts at least four hours! But I’m not sure what happens with Shinigami… Either of you feel like trying?”

“Nope.” Kaelith refused without hesitation. In the Soul Society, he’d heard a similar pitch from Kisuke and Kurotsuchi Mayuri so many times. No way he’d take that bait again.

Szayelaporro looked a bit disappointed.

Then the air off to the side rippled. Harribel and Nel appeared together via Sonído.

“Kaelith-sama, there’s trouble.”

Under their grave stares, Harribel said:

“A few days ago, Baraggan clashed with Senzo Tsunayashiro. The battle’s scale was enormous—half of Las Noches was leveled. Senzo lost, and Baraggan devoured him. Most of Senzo’s Shinigami fled into the deserts, but Baraggan’s army pursued them and slaughtered many from the Tsunayashiro clan out there.”

Kaelith looked genuinely surprised. He turned to Aizen.

“Pull up the day’s reiatsu readings and recorded data.”

Aizen reached inside his uniform for his glasses, only to realize they were gone. Kaelith also paused, then fished out a pair from his pocket.

“Haha, Sōsuke, I figured you’d forget—so I brought these for you.”

“…?”

Aizen felt a twinge of suspicion while accepting them. He suspected Kaelith had simply swiped them earlier, but concluded that wouldn’t make sense—these glasses were originally a gift from Kaelith anyway. Why would he steal a worthless item he’d already given away? Probably not.

Donning the glasses, he walked to the monitor and operated it swiftly. After some time, Aizen stood up again.

“It’s confirmed. A major battle took place at Las Noches—an immense clash of forces. We detected the ‘heavy spirit particles’ that appear when Senzo Tsunayashiro, a third-rank spirit, died.”

“Heavy spirit particles” referred to the residue left by those of third-rank spiritual power or above, something the world itself couldn’t dissolve. The Soul Society periodically conducted Soul Funeral Ceremonies to send such remnants to Hell.

If Senzo’s heavy spirit particles turned up, there was no chance of it being fake.

Kaelith felt a mix of emotions. Senzo had schemed so ruthlessly, only to lose to a Hollow in the end. Likely that lingering aura of despair he’d picked up outside was Senzo’s final bitterness…

Aizen continued, “Besides Senzo’s reishi residue, the data also reveals an unusual reiatsu wave. After devouring Senzo, Baraggan evidently achieved a partial Arrancar transformation. He’s advanced further in power.”

Kaelith raised an eyebrow. Even before partial Arrancarization, Baraggan had outclassed Harribel and Nel. Now that he’d evolved, his strength had doubtless taken another leap.

Reading his thoughts, Aizen said, “He may be strong, but the two of us combined aren’t necessarily weaker. Besides, we’ve got three Vasto Lordes on our side. He’s only just reached this new level; fully mastering it will take time. Striking now is our best opportunity.”

Harribel nodded. Though she disliked bloodshed, she understood that if Baraggan fell and Kaelith took over Hueco Mundo, the realm’s chaos and cruelty would surely improve. In that sense, Baraggan’s death was an acceptable price.

Szayelaporro scratched his head. “Um, am I required for this? Not to be rude, but fighting’s not my thing. Wouldn’t it be better if I—?”

“Relax,” Aizen said calmly, cutting him off. “After this, I’ll give you all the data on soul-splitting you want.”

Eyes shining, Szayelaporro had no further objection.

Nel glanced at the group.

“Kaelith, sir… what about Baraggan’s subordinates?”

Baraggan’s army included countless Adjuchas, who in turn commanded hordes of Gillians. One or two Adjuchas was no threat to them, but if tens or hundreds converged, that was formidable.

Kaelith let out a knowing laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ve got a plan.”

Nel grew uneasy. “You’re not planning on calling in a Shinigami force, are you?”

Surely bringing an army from Seireitei was the easiest way to handle that many Adjuchas. Kaelith shook his head.

“No need. The force we need is already here and waiting.”

Hearing that, Aizen quirked a smile. Perfect. He’d just been thinking of the same group.

…

Somewhere out in the vast white deserts, a band of Shinigami fled in desperation. They were part of the Tsunayashiro clan who’d come to Hueco Mundo with their patriarch.

They wouldn’t have been chosen if they lacked strength. Yet after witnessing Baraggan devour Senzo, any fighting spirit they had drained away. If even their invincible lord was defeated, what could they hope to do?

All they wanted now was to outrun Baraggan’s dominion, never crossing paths with him again. But the heavy reiatsu of Hollows pursuing them in the distance filled them with dread. Apparently, Baraggan had no intention of letting them go.

Up front, a few leaders exchanged glances, seeing the same resolve in each other’s eyes. This was Hueco Mundo, the Hollows’ domain—whether it was familiarity with the terrain or absorbing reishi to recover stamina, the pursuing Adjuchas had the upper hand. Continuing to run would only tire them out and lead to slaughter.

Better to halt here, stage a rearguard stand, and buy time for those ahead to escape. Not all Tsunayashiro loyalists were with them; some were further along. If they could stall the Hollows, maybe some portion of the clan would survive.

Clenching his teeth, the leader shouted, “Stop!!”

The others, startled, watched him draw his Zanpakutō.

“Everyone, prepare to fight! We’ll hold them here, do or die… We mustn’t let these damn Hollows catch up to the ones in front!”

Despair flashed across many faces, but after a brief inner struggle, they all drew their blades. Twice they’d become hunted strays; they were done running. If they were going to die, at least they’d die honorably in battle.

They spotted the Adjuchas in the distance. With both dread and a wild final resolve, the Tsunayashiro Shinigami readied themselves. Seeing the Shinigami stop, the group of Hollows cheered. After Baraggan devoured that Shinigami lord and soared in power, they’d all felt the surge. Who was to say they might not also gain strength by eating more Shinigami?

With that hope burning in their hearts, the Adjuchas roared and charged.

Then, unexpectedly, a voice rang out from above:

“Heaven and Earth in wonder, the cosmos ancient beyond measure—yield unto My Blessing! The sun and moon sink, yin and yang are reversed—oppose Me and face oblivion!”

Startled, both Tsunayashiro’s Shinigami and the Hollows looked upward. They saw a figure standing proudly in midair, wearing a white haori with the kanji for “Eleven” on the back. At the sight of him, both sides cried out in terror:

“S-S… San… Kaelith Yū!!”

“Ha! Indeed, that’s me!”

As exclamations echoed, Kaelith laughed heartily. Then, from that great height, he leaped straight toward the Hollow’s formation. Midair, he shrugged off his haori, yanking open the front of his Shihakushō.

A sudden eruption of brilliant blue flames burst from his arms and back.

“One-step Shunhō—Kaelith Flying Kick!!”

Boom!!

Before the stunned eyes of the Tsunayashiro Shinigami, Kaelith crashed into the Hollow’s ranks like a meteor. A terrifying shockwave threw sand in every direction as though a mountain had erupted. Just warding off the billowing sand cost the Shinigami plenty of energy. Frozen in place, they stared at the explosion’s epicenter.

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Once again, Kaelith…had he grown even stronger?

That blow was insane. Surely he’d taken damage too, right? If so, perhaps now was their chance to— The lead Tsunayashiro member swiftly considered ways to take advantage… Then a gale howled from the center of the battlefield, blasting the swirling sand away and revealing the scene within.

At the bottom of a massive crater stood Kaelith, motionless. His well-defined muscles glowed with reiatsu. Broken chunks of Hollow flesh littered the sand around him. Farther off, some still-breathing but gravely wounded Hollows lay prone, too frightened to stand.

Kaelith rolled his neck. Spotting the Tsunayashiro Shinigami, he flashed a grin.

“Dear old brothers who’ve shared life and death—I’ve come to save you!”

The Shinigami: “…”

Was that so-called “bond of life and death” genuine?