Help! I am bound to Aizen!-Chapter 366

Chapter 366

2-in-1 chapter: Aizen: Reflection Part 2

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“Hm?” In the lab, Aizen paused and turned his gaze toward the corridor outside.

Szayelaporro, hearing his call, turned and re-entered the laboratory, quickly approaching and glancing at the screen beside him.

He was visibly excited, eyes darting over the newly gathered experimental data. A knowing expression lit up his face.

“So that’s it… There’s still this kind of difference between the spiritual particles of Hollows and Shinigami. No wonder we couldn’t break through before. Lord Aizen, this is a major step forward! We should immediately begin testing—”

“Hm? Lord Aizen…?”

Szayelaporro called out a few more times but received no response. He instinctively turned to look.

Aizen still had his gaze fixed outside the lab, his brows slightly lowered. His glasses obscured his eyes, as if he were lost in thought over something he could not comprehend.

Szayelaporro followed his line of sight—there was nothing there.

He frowned. Something wasn’t right.

“Lord Aizen, what are you looking at?”

Only then did Aizen stir. But his eyes didn’t shift from that direction. Instead, he said, “Szayelaporro, I suddenly remembered something I need to deal with. You may leave for now. I’ll call for you when the next stage of experimentation begins.”

“Huh?” Szayelaporro was clearly confused. They had just made progress—this was the time to push forward. Why would Aizen choose this moment to back off?

Besides, if he recalled correctly, wasn’t this his laboratory....right?

He grumbled inwardly but dared not question the order.

Following Kaelith for so long, he had learned a few things: disobeying Kaelith’s orders didn’t usually lead to much trouble. In fact, if you brought something amusing enough, Kaelith might even laugh and go along with it.

But Aizen? Defy his commands, and your fate was uncertain.

“In that case, Lord Aizen, I’ll take my leave,” he said respectfully and swiftly exited the lab.

After he was gone, Aizen kept his eyes on the doorway and suddenly spoke.

“Not coming in for a chat?”

“Heh.” At the invitation, the other Aizen standing at the door gave a soft chuckle.

Without further pretense, he stepped inside the lab. As he did, the lab door sealed silently behind him.

At the same time, he could clearly sense a previously non-existent barrier materialize—an invisible spiritual formation isolating the entire lab from the outside world.

Looking at the person standing not far away, whose face mirrored his own, only slightly more youthful, the newly arrived Aizen couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

“So cautious. I suppose that’s to be expected from the me of this world.”

“The me of this world?” the native Aizen pushed up his glasses, a faint smile on his lips. “So what you’re saying is, you're me from another world? Hmph. And you think I’ll believe such nonsense?”

The visiting Aizen’s smile widened. “Whether you believe it or not is your business. But since you are me, I’d like to believe you’re not like those simpletons who can’t handle truths beyond their comprehension.”

“This world has many wondrous methods—countless strange phenomena that can fool even the sharpest minds. Just like our Kyōka Suigetsu.”

“Your ears can deceive you. Your eyes can deceive you. Your experience and even your imagination can deceive you.”

“But if you truly are me, then you should have the aptitude to rise above that, to grasp true reality. Otherwise, you’re just another mediocrity who happens to share my name.”

The Aizen of this world remained unaffected and responded calmly, “If you claim to be me from another world, then you should know what I’m currently researching. Prove it, and I’ll believe you.”

The other Aizen chuckled lightly. “That’s too easy. You’re studying the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow, intending to use—”

“Hmm?”

He abruptly cut himself off and asked instead, “Where did you pick up this habit of sneaking in a free advantage?”

Clearly, the native Aizen had already believed him from the start but had pretended otherwise to try and squeeze out free information.

The native Aizen gave a quiet inward sigh—he was simply too sharp, too fast on the uptake. He hadn’t even managed to leech one useful piece of data.

He shrugged and changed the subject. “Since you’re me from another world, and you look considerably older than I am, does that mean you’ve already succeeded? Have you ascended above all?”

Now that was just impolite.

The visiting Aizen noted it silently, though outwardly he displayed a serene expression.

“To speak of ‘standing above the heavens’ depends on how you define it. The so-called success the world speaks of doesn’t apply to geniuses like us. For someone like me, who has already surpassed the boundaries of Shinigami and Hollow, and holds the power of infinite evolution… anything I wish to do in this world, I can accomplish.”

“Just like this—crossing time and space to appear before you. For you, this may seem unimaginable. But for me now, it’s nothing at all.”

To others, this kind of long-winded speech might have been confusing.

But the Aizen of this world calmly pushed his glasses and nodded.

“I see. So you failed.”

“…...”

The visiting Aizen had no comeback. In that moment, he realized—he kind of hated himself.

The native Aizen fell into thoughtful silence.

It made no sense… If his research had succeeded—especially with Kaelith’s help—there was no reason to fail.

Was it Yhwach? Or maybe the Royal Guard?

Unable to understand, he asked directly, “From your appearance, you’ve crossed over in a form more abstract than spiritual particles—a form of conscious will.”

“Judging from your physical form, the clothing and blindfold you wear seem to function as a seal.”

“In other words… you were sealed in your world.”

“So let me ask: What happened to him?”

“Oh?” The visiting Aizen raised an eyebrow, then gave a calm, detached smile. “You mean Kaelith? Now that’s a secret. I’m not giving that away for free.”

“How about this—we exchange information. You tell me about your current situation in this world, and I’ll share with you what happened to Kaelith in mine.”

The native Aizen narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean? If you’re me from the future, then everything that has happened here should already be part of your past. Our events should be history for you. What use would our intel be?”

The visiting Aizen smiled faintly. “Worlds are infinite extensions of possibility. The one you live in and mine may well be running parallel to each other—not past and future.”

“That means things won’t necessarily be identical. I’m very interested in those differences.”

“Not entirely the same…”

The native Aizen looked contemplative.

Then he asked, “What do you want to know?”

Who exactly is Kaelith?

The parallel-world Aizen very much wanted to ask that question outright—but it remained only a thought.

Because he understood himself too well.

If he truly asked such a question, the rhythm of the entire conversation would inevitably fall into the other Aizen's hands.

Though, to be honest, it wouldn’t matter much—this entire exchange between them, filled with probing and testing, was already inefficient and meaningless.

Since they were the same person, they could have simply spoken openly.

But… scheming against himself was just too entertaining.

From childhood, he had been a genius in the absolute sense. Even after being sealed away in Muken, his inner pride never wavered. Not a single person had earned his full recognition.

Even Kisuke Urahara—he had only acknowledged him halfway.

There had never been anyone who could keep up with his mind, who could stand on equal ground and compete with him.

Until now.

Now that he had crossed over and encountered another version of himself.

The competitive instinct he had long buried was stirred—he didn’t want to lose. Not even to himself.

The parallel-world Aizen pondered for a moment and asked, “Then let’s start with Hueco Mundo. What’s the story behind those noble Shinigami from Soul Society?”

The Aizen of this world replied, “They were the remnants of the Tsunayashiro clan, exiled to Hueco Mundo after their failed rebellion. After Tsunayashiro Senzo died… I absorbed them into my ranks. They’re helping out in Las Noches now.”

“Oh?” The parallel Aizen raised an eyebrow, his tone full of implication. “Using decayed noble Shinigami as underlings... that’s not like you.”

The local Aizen adjusted his glasses. “Who knows. Your turn.”

“You just asked about those exiled Shinigami—does that mean the Tsunayashiro clan wasn’t exiled in your world?”

The parallel Aizen thought for a moment. “No, they weren’t. In my world, the rebellion was much larger in scale, but it was eventually suppressed by the Thirteenth Division. Though Seireitei uncovered traces of the noble families backing them, Central 46 ultimately suppressed the matter. Genryūsai Yamamoto did not press further.”

“As for Tsunayashiro Senzo, I believe he died of illness.”

The local Aizen nodded, quickly analyzing the situation in that world from these few remarks, deducing how things had unfolded.

The more he thought, the more uneasy he felt.

Because what the other Aizen described sounded… too normal. So normal that it all seemed natural and orderly, as if that version of events aligned perfectly with Soul Society’s usual rules.

By contrast, what had happened here—toppling one of the Five Great Noble Houses, even driving them into exile in Hueco Mundo—was what seemed abnormal.

And at the center of all that… was Kaelith.

In other words, the reason the other world was so “normal” might well be because Kaelith didn’t exist in it.

A possibility gradually surfaced in his mind.

What had been vague suspicion was now close to confirmed.

The parallel Aizen continued, “Alright. Second question. How much do you know about the Soul King? After you and Kaelith learned the truth, what did you decide to do?”

He asked casually, while subtly seeking information.

The local Aizen frowned. “That’s two questions.”

“As for the Soul King, I already know most of it—including the nauseating methods of the noble clans.”

“As for what Kaelith and I plan to do—that’s a separate matter. Now it’s my turn.”

He paused briefly, then asked:

“Who were Yamamoto Genryūsai’s disciples?”

“Hmm?” The parallel Aizen was taken aback. What kind of question was that?

Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō—everyone in Soul Society knew they were Yamamoto’s disciples.

Wait, something wasn’t right. The question was too simple. Too low-value. He was probing.

Were there more disciples in this world?

Who could it be?

Given the limited intel, what was the biggest difference between the two worlds?

His brain raced, but outwardly he remained composed. “Kyōraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jūshirō… and Kaelith.”

The local Aizen smiled. “Congratulations. Wrong answer.”

The parallel Aizen froze.

He was wrong?

Kaelith wasn’t Yamamoto’s disciple?

Wait.

He suddenly realized—of course. In a world that diverged so much, Kaelith’s identity could differ greatly.

He should never have acted like he was guessing. He should have stated it flatly as if it were fact.

He tried to remain calm, but it was already too late.

In that moment of hesitation, everything had been exposed.

The local Aizen’s smile deepened. “Game over. I win.”

The parallel Aizen glared. He was furious. One wrong move, and the entire match had been lost!

The other Aizen smiled even more cheerfully. He even offered some consolation: “No need for that expression. This isn’t your fault. In a match of intel, it was inevitable. Your world developed too ‘normally.’ That alone made it suspicious. Well then, let’s talk openly now.”

“To show my sincerity, I’ll begin by telling you about this world.”

He adjusted his glasses and began recounting.

From being classmates at Shin’ō Academy, to noticing Kaelith’s unusual nature, to being amazed by his talent, then growing together through incident after incident until they became true companions who recognized each other deeply—all the way to the present.

At first, the parallel Aizen simply listened quietly.

But the more he heard, the more uncomfortable he became.

How could someone like that exist?

A person whose talent rivaled his own, whose power grew in tandem with his, who earned the Head Captain’s recognition, maintained good relations with everyone, and even gained the support of noble houses like Kuchiki and Shihōin?

What shocked him most was that after achieving such status, Kaelith still retained his original intentions—and became this world’s Aizen’s closest friend.

Even after learning the truth of his plans, Kaelith had supported him without hesitation.

Even knowing the cost could be everything he’d earned in Soul Society—even if it meant being misunderstood by his former friends and teachers.

Was there really such a person?

Wasn’t this all fabricated?

Suddenly, the parallel Aizen felt… complicated.

Why hadn’t he met someone like Kaelith?

If he had had someone like that beside him while growing up… his life would have been completely different.

He sighed deeply. And when the local Aizen finished speaking, he found himself strangely disinterested in recounting his own story.

But in the end, he still spoke.

Due to how much had happened, he focused on the later stages—after the birth of Kurosaki Ichigo.

After listening, the local Aizen thought for a few moments.

“Kisuke Urahara, huh… I see.”

A smile crept across his lips. “Seems like Kaelith, who first recognized Urahara’s potential, wins again.”

The parallel Aizen couldn’t help snapping, “The way you say his name is incredibly annoying.”

The local Aizen gave him a sidelong glance and smiled. “Jealous, are you?”

“Living in a world without Kaelith—always standing alone at the top, viewing everyone as beneath you—you must be lonely. Do you dream of having a friend who could truly walk beside you?”

“Well… I have all of that.”

“....Aizen Sōsuke you bastard.”

The parallel Aizen’s blood pressure was rising fast.

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