Dimensional Invasion: I Can Fish for All Heavens

Chapter 440 Aizen's Expectations for Gin Ichimaru, Former Captain of the 3rd Division of the Gotei 13

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Angel Yan looked at Ye Xuan's calm appearance and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Fine.

After all, it's just a "Clow Card," so it's normal for Ye Xuan not to care.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that he received three cards at once before, but only one this time, so in some ways his luck has actually "worsen".

Well, if we don't take into account the commotion caused by the "Silver Form Tiga" incident.

But the "Dream Card"?

After awakening this "intuition" ability, Ye Xuan obtained the [Dream Card] containing "precognition" magic. Is that a coincidence?

That's too much of a coincidence.

However, although it possesses the ability to "predict," it is of little use to Ye Xuan; of course, not only the [Dream Card], but most of the [Clow Cards] are useless to Ye Xuan.

Because the Clow Cards were essentially created by Clow Reed as "basic equipment" for Sakura Kinomoto to train and lay the foundation for magic.

Its true potential can only be fully unleashed when the holder transforms it into a unique "card" of their own.

But Ye Xuan obviously wouldn't take the path of "collecting, transforming, and upgrading Clow Cards".

Well, it's not entirely impossible.

At least if one day in the future the original magic power belonging to Clow Reed on the Clow Cards is about to dissipate, perhaps he will transform it into his own "cards" like "Sakura Kinomoto" did, to prevent the Clow Cards from dissipating.

But that's all. After the transformation, it will most likely be shelved, just like many other treasures he acquired from the heavens, becoming just another item in his collection.

It might be used occasionally on specific occasions, but it would never be used as a regular method.

Of course, the original purpose of creating the Clow Cards was not for fighting.

Pengcheng, inside the training ground of the Tian Shu Bureau.

Two figures clashed at a speed too fast for the naked eye to perceive, their sharp blades colliding fiercely in the air, producing a series of crisp metallic clangs, with sparks constantly flashing and falling at the point of contact.

One of them was dressed in a loose white training uniform, but had a striking head of short silver hair. He always had a half-smile on his face, and his narrow eyes were almost slits, making it impossible to see through his gaze.

It was Gin Ichimaru, the former captain of the 3rd Division of the Gotei 13, who descended upon this dimensional life form.

The other person was naturally Shen Mo.

Shen Mo gripped his Hyōrinmaru tightly in his hand, the blade humming as he unleashed a fierce attack like a storm. Although he did not use spiritual power, he still unleashed considerable strength thanks to his powerful physique and skills.

However, no matter how swift his attacks were, Gin Ichimaru could always deflect or redirect them with minimal movement using his Zanpakuto.

The blades clashed, producing a series of crisp, rapid sounds, and sparks flew everywhere.

Shen Mo's forehead was already covered in sweat, and his breathing had become somewhat rapid.

He had already used all his swordsmanship, but he couldn't even force Ichimaru Gin to move an inch, let alone get him to take things seriously.

The difference in strength between the two is like a chasm.

After another fierce exchange, Gin Ichimaru flicked his wrist slightly, and his divine spear touched the point of Shen Mo's Zanpakuto's attack at an incredible angle. A clever force instantly halted Shen Mo's attack, and he involuntarily slid back several steps.

"Alright, alright, that's enough for today."

Gin Ichimaru still had that same smiling look on his face. He casually put away the divine spear and called for a halt in a relaxed tone.

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the surging blood and qi within his body and his somewhat disordered breathing, and slowly returned the Hyōrinmaru to its sheath.

He raised his hand and wiped the sweat that was sliding down his cheek with his sleeve, his gaze towards Gin Ichimaru filled with helplessness.

"The teacher's strength is truly despair-inducing."

"Even in the most basic 'slashing technique' contest, without using Shikai or any other abilities, such an overwhelming level can be achieved."

Shen Mo calmed his breathing, his tone filled with heartfelt admiration.

What he was referring to was the cornerstone of the Bleach world's combat system, consisting of four basic skills: "Slash" (swordplay), "Fist" (hand-to-hand combat), "Walking" (flash step), and "Demon" (kido).

This system, established as a six-year core curriculum by the Seireitei's Shinigami Academy, aims to systematically cultivate Shinigami's control over and practical application of spiritual power.

The same foundation that Gin Ichimaru is teaching him now. "Zan" refers to swordsmanship techniques using Zanpakuto, "Kun" refers to hand-to-hand combat techniques called "Hakuda," and "Zou" refers to high-speed movement techniques called "Shunpo."
"Oni" refers to the "Oni Path," a magic technique that releases spiritual power through chanting. It is divided into three types: the offensive "Hado," the binding "Bakudo," and the healing "Huido."

The art of swordsmanship is represented by Retsu Unohana and Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto; the art of hand-to-hand combat is represented by Yoruichi Shihouin and Soi Fon; the art of Shunpo is represented by Yoruichi as "Shunshin" and Byakuya Kuchiki is skilled in the "Flash Flower" technique that combines footwork; and the art of Kido is represented by Sosuke Aizen and Kisuke Urahara, who are proficient in chanting rules.

A few, like Kenpachi Zaraki, specialize solely in slashing techniques, abandoning other skills.

Gin Ichimaru is an extremely rare "all-around" powerhouse whose various abilities are all very balanced and stable.

In terms of talent, he may not be as talented as the once-in-a-century genius Toshiro Hitsugaya, but his hidden shrewdness and powerful strength often give many people the illusion that he is more talented than Hitsugaya.

Of course, Shen Mo is a staunch "newbie" (or "naive"), after all, his Zanpakuto is Hyōrinmaru.

Upon hearing this, Gin Ichimaru's smile remained unchanged as he said with a grin:

"Oh dear, Shen Mojun, you flatter me. I've just lived a little longer and practiced the basics a bit more."

"After all, 'slaying fists and walking ghosts' are the very foundation of death; you can't afford to neglect any of them."

"Although it is the basics, only a very few people can reach the level of perfection that you, teacher, have reached."

"Even Captain Aizen always believed that you, Sensei, had the potential to kill him, didn't you?"

Shen Mo said in a serious tone.

This is not flattery. Gin Ichimaru's Zanpakuto is called "God Spear". It usually appears to be an ordinary short sword. It is a direct attack type, and its power is not weak. It also has a long range and high attack power.

He once easily shattered Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollow mask with a single blow.

His Bankai, "God Slayer Spear," also demonstrated extremely high power during the final battle against Ichigo Kurosaki.

He claims that its maximum extension length can reach thirteen kilometers, and its extension and retraction speed reaches an astonishing five hundred times the speed of sound.

Although it was later explained that this was a lie told to lull Aizen into a false sense of security, and the actual data was not as exaggerated as claimed.
but!

Even if the length and speed are exaggerated, "God Spear" is undoubtedly the "fastest Zanpakuto in Soul Society".

If its speed truly didn't reach some terrifying level, Aizen Sousuke and the many captains present would never have been so easily deceived by such a lie.

Especially considering that Aizen was already close to the limits of a Shinigami at that time.

The reason they failed to see through it was that the speed of the "sharp gun" was indeed fast enough to make them misjudge in the blink of an eye and subconsciously believe the exaggerated data!
In previous battles, whether facing Ichigo Kurosaki, Toshiro Hitsugaya, or Shinji Hirako, Gin Ichimaru was never forced to use his full strength, and he might not even have been serious.

You can never know where the limits of his strength truly lie.

During the Battle of Karakura Town, he instantly killed Hiyori Sarugaki in front of Shinji Hirako and even Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

You can attribute this to Hiyori's impulsiveness and carelessness, but to be able to strike so cleanly and decisively amidst strong opponents of that caliber, her own strength and grasp of timing are far from ordinary.

That's why Aizen always had that special curiosity and expectation towards him; he believed that Gin Ichimaru had the potential to threaten him, and was even curious about what he would do.

If there was absolutely no possibility of Gin Ichimaru killing him, how could someone as proud as Aizen possibly care about such a thing?
When Gin Ichimaru heard Shen Mo mention Captain Aizen's name and the phrase "I believe you have the potential to kill him," his squinting smile seemed unchanged, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the narrowed slits in his eyes narrowed slightly for a moment.

Captain Aizen may have indeed had that kind of "expectation".

He thought so in his heart.

But that kind of "expectation" is not a sign of respect for an equal opponent, nor is it a sign of fear of his abilities.

That's nothing more than the slight boredom that arises from being strong, and the little bit of leisure and amusement that one retains to dispel that boredom.

Aizen relishes manipulating everything, treating all living beings and even their destinies as pawns, and enjoying their struggles, resistance, and eventual despair within the script he has woven.

His own betrayal and his meticulously planned assassination were probably just an interesting plot twist in this grand drama in Aizen's eyes, adding a bit of suspense and tension to the play.

Gin Ichimaru was almost certain that Aizen had foreseen it from the beginning, or at least keenly sensed his hidden ulterior motives.

But Aizen's deep-seated confidence, stemming from an absolute disparity in strength, made him disdainful of eliminating this "hidden danger" in advance. Instead, he watched with great interest how Aizen would act.

He knows Aizen too well.

That arrogance was etched deep within Aizen's soul, stemming from the unparalleled loneliness brought about by his absolute strength and wisdom.

Aizen's so-called "expectations" for him were essentially a condescending scrutiny and a fascination with "variables," and he never truly believed that Aizen could kill him.

Even though, in the "future" he saw in the real world, he almost did it, almost killed Captain Aizen.

(End of this chapter)