Restricted Death

Chapter 233 The King Meets the King

Matsumoto Rangiku instinctively held her breath. Her horrified gaze couldn't leave the ground—the four powerful enemies who had just been radiating earth-shattering spiritual pressure were now barely breathing, completely covered in thick frost, their limbs stiff as rocks, utterly incapacitated.

If she hadn't witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that this lopsided battle of one against four had ended with Captain Xin's utterly crushing victory. Her gaze towards Xin was filled with lingering fear and an incredulous awe.

Shin's white haori fluttered gently in the wind before settling down. He was spotless, his composure as if he were simply returning from an after-dinner stroll, completely out of place amidst the chaotic battlefield. Even his breathing remained steady as his cold gaze swept over the four immobilized Espada on the ground, finally settling on Gin Ichimaru.

The stiff smile that had been etched onto Gin Ichimaru's face finally faded slowly. The impact of the ice sculpture hitting the ground far exceeded any of his expectations regarding the outcome of the battle. Looking at the Arrancar on the ground, a symbol of Aizen's top-tier fighting force, in such a sorry state, a huge wave of emotions surged within him.

“Vice Captain Ichimaru,” Shin’s voice broke the silence, calm yet carrying an invisible pressure. His gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing directly into the most bewildered corner of Ichimaru Gin’s heart.

"Shouldn't you say something in a situation like this?"

That fox-like signature smile completely vanished from Gin Ichimaru's face. Although Shin didn't exude any chilling killing intent, Gin Ichimaru's extraordinary keen intuition was frantically sounding the alarm.

The coincidences of today were too bizarre, no wonder Tachikawa Shin targeted him directly. Ichimaru Gin was as clear-headed as a mirror; if his answer at this moment could not satisfy the unfathomable captain before him, there was no way things would end well today.

Would he harm himself?

This thought was impossible to suppress. Previously, Gin Ichimaru might have felt that the gap between him and Shin Tachikawa was not insurmountable, since the other was younger than him. But the overwhelming scene before him made "youth" no longer a flaw, but rather an even more chilling and unbelievable aspect of the other.

Matsumoto Rangiku, standing to the side, was full of doubts and failed to immediately grasp the hidden meaning in the captain's words. Why was he questioning Gin?
However, her loyalty as an adjutant led her to remain silent. Her principle was simple and unwavering: unconditional support was her duty under any circumstances.

Just as Gin Ichimaru's Adam's apple bobbed, about to speak—

"!"

The expressions of the three people present suddenly changed drastically!

A completely different and powerful spiritual pressure fluctuation spread out suddenly, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, clearly reaching the depths of everyone's spiritual pressure perception.

This spiritual pressure was completely different from the flamboyant and domineering Ten Espada on the ground. It was not outwardly displayed, and it had no destructive impact or violent aggression. Instead, it exuded a profound and weighty feeling, like a bottomless black trench containing immeasurable, tranquil, and boundless energy.

Its composure and restraint were so profound that every captain-level Grim Reaper present clearly sensed its absolute and superior strength. This effortless ease itself was a deeper, more chilling, and sophisticated form of deterrence.

Shin's cold gaze lingered on Ichimaru Gin's face for only a moment before he suddenly commanded, "Matsumoto."

"Yes." Matsumoto Rangiku straightened her back instantly, forcibly suppressing the fear in her heart.

"Take these team members away from here. If you can re-establish contact with Soul Society, immediately open the portal back."

"Yes Yes!"

Matsumoto Rangiku agreed without hesitation. The captain's words stirred up a storm in her heart—this tone, as if facing a formidable enemy, was far more solemn than when she was facing the four Espada!
Her mind raced: Who is this spiritual pressure that is appearing now? Is it the captain's enemy? But... in terms of direct intimidation, the spiritual pressure that appeared this time is far less terrifying than the previous four Arrancar. So why would the captain, who is usually unfathomable, show such a tense posture?
A chill ran from her feet to the top of her head. She had no time to think; she had to carry out the order immediately and protect her team members as they evacuated this place that was about to become even more dangerous.

Seeing the letter's gaze fixed on him like a chain forged from cold iron, as if he were the letter's only target at that moment, and the powerful spiritual pressure coming from afar was nothing more than background noise.

Gin Ichimaru finally sighed and said, "Captain Tachikawa... would you believe me if I said I didn't actually know anything?"

Shin coldly asked, "Vice-Captain Ichimaru, would you betray us?"

"..."

Gin Ichimaru was momentarily dazed. He had only heard this question recently from Aizen.

Something suddenly flashed through his mind, giving him a sense of enlightenment.

He slightly raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

"Betrayal? Whom would I betray? Captain Tachikawa, your words are quite presumptuous."

Gin Ichimaru's expression slowly faded, and he glanced at Rangiku Matsumoto standing to the side, having not spoken to her at all since they arrived.

"I have never betrayed myself."

Then, he turned his gaze to the direction from which the spiritual pressure was coming and said, "Captain Tachikawa, are you going? This is clearly an invitation."

invite……

Shin also turned his attention to the location of the spiritual pressure fluctuations, and after realizing where it was, his brows furrowed even more.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly leaped into the air and sped off in that direction.

Gin Ichimaru was about to follow when a voice suddenly rang in his ears.

"silver!"

He turned his head to look and met Matsumoto Rangiku's worried eyes. She must have had a million questions in her mind at that moment, but in the end, all that came out of her mouth was her most instinctive concern.

"careful!"

"..."

Ishida family.

The strange, powerful spiritual pressure that had permeated the courtyard had completely receded like a tide, vanishing without a trace, as if it had never existed. However, what shrouded the mansion was not tranquility, but a heavy, unsettling stillness. Even the meticulously manicured flowers and plants in the courtyard seemed to exude an invisible fear and unease under the oppressive atmosphere.

Xin arrived first, appearing in the courtyard of the villa.
Gin Ichimaru followed closely behind.

Pushing open the main gate of the mansion, one finds only two figures inside the magnificent hall.

Xin hadn't expected the other party to be able to find this place, and he secretly thought that he had underestimated the other party's intelligence capabilities.

Was it because Aizen knew that Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro had been here before? Aizen's presence here must be related to the Quincy. This was still good news for Shin.

"What a coincidence, Captain Aizen."

Aizen sat on the sofa, a warm smile behind his glasses. He looked at Shin and Gin Ichimaru and spoke in a gentle and calm tone: "It's not a coincidence. I came here on purpose, thinking that I might meet Shin-kun. Shin-kun did not disappoint me, and in fact, he surprised me a little."

Are you referring to those four broken faces?

Nellyel and Ulquiorra must have been sent by Aizen to carry out the attack, but judging from Aizen's current state, it seems that he already knows they will be defeated.

Shin remained calm, then glanced at Ishida Sōgen, who stood stiffly behind Aizen, his face pale.

Ishida Sogen might be the most innocent among them, having never provoked anyone, yet inexplicably dragged into the incident.

But considering his original fate, things are much better now.

“There’s no need to see him that way. I had a very pleasant conversation with Mr. Ishida, of course, only if he treated me as someone else. But that doesn’t diminish my goodwill towards him.” Aizen gestured to the sofa opposite him. “Please sit down.”

His posture made it seem as if he were the true master of the mansion, and even the air seemed to submit to his composed aura. Meanwhile, Ishida Sogen, standing stiffly to the side, his face pale, looked more like a servant trembling in fear under the master's imposing presence.
Without any hesitation, Shin walked over and sat down on the sofa opposite Aizen.

Aizen's smile deepened: "Shin-kun, you're not surprised at all. It seems my guess was right."

His words seemed to reveal some information.

Aizen's smile seemed to deepen: "Shin-kun, you're not at all surprised to see me here. This just proves that some of my previous guesses were correct."

He leaned forward slightly, adopting a posture that suggested he was in control of the conversation.

"What do you want to say?" Xin asked directly.

“There are many topics I would like to share and discuss with you. However,” Aizen paused meaningfully, “there are still guests who have not arrived yet. So, we don’t need to rush.”

Are the guests not all here?

Shin's expression shifted slightly; the spiritual pressure from just now...

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the seemingly unchanging smile on Aizen's face, trying to find even the slightest flaw in it.

Aizen seemed to see through his thoughts and said calmly, "Gin, there's no need to look at me like that. One of your doubts is correct: I didn't kill you because I admired you enough. Originally, I should have admired you even more, but unfortunately, you disappointed me, making you revert to the essence of a tool in my heart. Or rather, I had too high expectations of you. A person's vision and perspective are limited, restricted by their narrow imagination. I see this very clearly in you, so I don't blame you. Truly special people don't seek understanding from others; that would be an act of self-destruction."

Gin Ichimaru's face instantly turned even paler than Ishida Sogen behind him, fine beads of cold sweat quietly seeped from his forehead, and a chill ran down his spine.

Aizen then looked at Shin and said with a smile, "Shin-kun, I hope you can feel my sincerity. Today, I only hope to have a friendly exchange. Therefore, under such sincerity, any arrogance is a sin."

In the luxurious living room, only the clear ticking of the old wall clock remained, so silent you could hear a heartbeat, as time passed heavily, second by second.

Aizen suddenly spoke again: "The last guest has arrived."

Everyone present noticed that there were many spiritual pressure fluctuations surrounding the mansion, indicating that there was clearly more than one person present.

A short while later, the living room door was pushed open again.

This time, those who walked in were Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, Tessai Gahishi... as well as several figures with powerful auras, yet filled with historical scars and deep-seated hatred—the Visoreds gathered here.

Eleven in total.

Eleven captains, vice-captains, and even those beyond that level instantly filled one side of the hall! The moment Hirako Shinji's gaze locked onto Aizen, his pupils contracted sharply, and his entire body erupted with a chilling killing intent that froze the air!
That was no longer murderous intent, but rather a blade formed from a vast sea of ​​blood and endless hatred accumulated over a century.

"Blue! Stain!"

He practically spat out his name, word by word, and the air froze. Everyone foresaw that a devastating collision might erupt here in the next instant!

However, Aizen, sitting on the sofa, did not lose his smile at all. He even turned his gaze slightly, scanning the faces of each guest with interest, his eyes lingering briefly on Urahara Kisuke's familiar green and white striped hat, before speaking in a calm tone like a host: "What a rare sight... Long-lost friends have gathered here today."

His demeanor remained casual and elegant, as if he were truly welcoming a group of long-lost friends. However, apart from Ishida Sogen, who was still unaware of the truth, every "guest" present harbored a deep-seated and irreconcilable blood feud and resentment towards Aizen.

Gin Ichimaru was almost certain that a major battle was inevitable today.

Aizen was all alone.

Tachikawa Shin and his allies have arrived at full strength, giving them an overwhelming numerical advantage. It's possible that more Arrancar might arrive from Hueco Mundo through the Black Hole to provide support, but for Urahara Kisuke and the others, this is already an excellent opportunity.

Although Gin Ichimaru believed that Aizen was almost invincible, Shin Tachikawa's ability to easily defeat four Arrancar, including Nelliel and Ulquiorra, was not to be underestimated. He was probably the closest in strength to Aizen among everyone present.

Furthermore, Kisuke Urahara, Shinji Hirako, and others would also believe that this is the place where Aizen will die.

Gin Ichimaru stared intently at Aizen's composed smile, his heart wavering once more.

Aizen is always like this, as if nothing in the world can threaten him. He must know that Shin defeated the four Arrancar, yet he can still be so calm. How strong must his confidence be?

And what about myself? Which side should I be on...?

Aizen's words have already exposed his betrayal. Can Tachikawa Shin still trust him?

Gin Ichimaru's hands, hidden in his sleeves, trembled slightly as a sudden, overwhelming sense of crisis arose within him.

No, that's not right!

Now is not the time, absolutely not the time. These people cannot win!
He instinctively wanted to cry out and warn Tachikawa Shin and the others, but the words caught in his throat, and he lacked the courage to speak.

(End of this chapter)