Dimensional Invasion: I Can Fish for All Heavens

Chapter 536 "Spiritual Power" is the foundation of all abilities; "Evolution" should not come at the cost of losing oneself.

In Aizen's view, the super dangerous species from which "Demon God Manifestation: Devil's Essence" originated was not so much a master of both "freezing" and "time" abilities, but rather a "freezing" ability that possessed a certain characteristic of "time".

What the Hogyoku awakens is the part about "time" hidden within this power.

However, this does not mean that the "sovereignty" of this awakened "time" power is superior to "freezing"!
"Time" is merely a strange flower that grows from this "frozen" soil; it does not mean that the two have reached the same level.

However, when Amane Mio demonstrated her abilities, she only emphasized "time" and made no mention of her original power.

Is it deliberately hidden?

"Or is it that even she herself hasn't fully figured out the primary and secondary relationship between these two abilities?"

However, for Aizen, neither reason mattered.

"Whether it's space or time, what truly matters is never the ability itself."

"It is the possessor of the ability, their wisdom, capacity, and will, how skillfully they can apply this ability, and how high they can reach with it."

"Even the greatest power is nothing but crude brute force in the hands of a mediocre person; even the smallest ability can be transformed into something miraculous in the hands of a true sage."

"Moreover, spiritual power is the foundation of everything, more so than ability itself."

His thoughts slowly drifted to a more fundamental level.

In Aizen's view, all kinds of abilities in the world, no matter how diverse or powerful they may appear, are ultimately built on the same foundation: "energy".

In the Shinigami world he came from, "spiritual pressure" is the standard by which everything is measured; absolute spiritual pressure transcends everything.

In the real world, although the power system seems more diverse, the concept of "spiritual energy" or "spiritual power" plays a similar role in Aizen's view.

It is the source of all extraordinary phenomena and the foundation for building all abilities.

All abilities are merely specific applications and expressions of spiritual power within different rule frameworks.

Therefore, possessing absolute spiritual power means possessing "power" that transcends all apparent abilities.

This is one of the reasons why he was willing to give the "Hogyoku" to everyone.

If you want to reach a higher level, you need "fellow travelers" by your side.

Yes, "fellow travelers"! That's how he defines himself and his companions, such as Gojo Satoru, Senju Tobirama, and Ame no Kūmi.

They are neither friends nor enemies, but simply "people" who have come together in the real world by various coincidences.
However, such a relationship is loose and fragile. The word "walking together" alone is not enough to sustain it in the long run, let alone support the trust and cooperation needed to go on together.

It needs a more practical and robust bond to connect them.

This thing is "profit".

In Aizen's view, "interests" are not a derogatory term, but rather the most stable and enduring thing that drives rational individuals to cooperate.

It can be an enhancement of strength, a sharing of knowledge, a convergence of goals, or a sharing of risks.

Only when each other's existence and progress bring tangible and irreplaceable value to the other can this "partnership" become stable and withstand the test of time.

Therefore, he did not consider handing over the Hogyoku to others as a loss to himself, nor did he feel threatened in the slightest by the increase in the power of others, nor did he worry that they would one day surpass him.

Because his vision extends further than theirs.

Ultimately, Aizen, Gojo Satoru, and Ame no Kōmi all possessed absolute self-confidence.
They are confident in their talents and arrogant about their potential, so they never doubt their path and never really worry about being left behind by others forever.

This mentality is not unique to them; it is shared by the vast majority of strong individuals.

Without this self-confidence, it would be difficult to maintain one's original aspiration and forge ahead on the path of cultivation, let alone support them in overcoming countless difficulties and obstacles and constantly breaking through their own limits.

Even Tobirama Senju, who appears to be the most rational and calm, still has arrogance flowing in his veins.

In the world of Naruto, this arrogance may not be conspicuous, because there are two monsters in the same era, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, who used their power to overshadow everyone else.

However, when they arrive in the real world, witness firsthand the enormous potential of a systematic "science," and realize that through science they can fundamentally understand and reconstruct the power system;
The arrogance that had once been masked by the almost godlike power of his elder brother Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha has quietly resurfaced and become increasingly apparent.

He might admit that he is temporarily inferior to some in terms of pure individual combat strength, but he would never believe that he will always be weaker than others in the future.

The same applies to Kagura Shimizu.

However, her arrogance differed from others' confidence in their own talent, strength, and will, and it was not reflected in the pursuit of power or contempt for the weak, but rather in indifference towards "external things".

Standing apart from the world, the turmoil and fluctuations of power in the world could hardly stir any real waves in her heart. Isn't this state of mind, "not attached to material things," a deeper kind of arrogance?
It is this 'arrogance' deeply rooted in their souls that drives them to become stronger.

It is precisely for this reason that they are attracted by "profits" and gather here to become temporary "fellow travelers".

After Amayuu Mio, Kagura Shimizu, who had been silently observing, finally stepped forward.

Unlike Gojo Satoru and Ame no Sora, she did not deliberately guide her so-called "desire".

Although her obsession with "becoming stronger" wasn't deep, since she was in this situation and had this opportunity, going with the flow and making herself more at ease seemed like a good idea.

When the haunting blue light of the Hōgyoku enveloped her, she simply opened her heart quietly, like a calm lake under the moon, reflecting her truest self.

The process was unexpectedly brief and peaceful.

The first thing that was noticeable was the aura emanating from her body.

The already pure and peaceful spiritual energy became even gentler, as if all impurities had been removed, leaving only the most fundamental purity.

Instead of the oppressive aura that Gojo Satoru and Ame no Sora Mio exuded after they became stronger, it emanated a kind of cool and serene feeling, like the bright moonlight shining on a snowfield.

She stood there, as if she herself had transformed into a separate, tranquil realm, and the disturbances of the outside world naturally subsided when they approached her.

However, her own power, which also originated from the "demon-slaying power" of the priestess Kikyo, underwent a qualitative improvement.

The "purifying" properties contained in that demon-dispelling radiance seem to touch upon a higher level; it is no longer merely about dispelling evil spirits and purifying filth, but also carries a sense of "soothing wounds" and "comforting the soul."

As the light of the Hogyoku gradually subsided, Kagura Shimizu slowly opened her eyes. In the depths of her pupils, it seemed as if moonlight flashed by, and her eyes seemed clearer than ever before, as if they could reflect the deepest impurities in people's hearts.

She nodded slightly to Aizen, without saying anything more.

Aizen did not ask Kagura Shimizu what kind of power she had awakened; her outward changes had already provided the answer.

The power to ward off evil!

Only an increase in "magic-breaking power" can cause such a change.

Aizen had studied the "power of exorcism," and in his view, it was an extremely special power.

Its function is to "purify" and "exorcise" evil, restoring negative entities such as evil, filth, and curses to their original pure state, or completely "expelling" them from the current world so that they can return to their proper place.

The power of this force lies in its ability to restrain "negative" forces, thus requiring a certain level of mental discipline from the user.

Because power is a manifestation of the mind, and the mind is pure, power is what can "break through demons".

Rather than calling it an "ability," it's more accurate to say that the "purity" of the user's heart gives their spiritual power the characteristic of "breaking demons."

The same applies to the shrine maiden Kikyo, and also to Kagura Shimizu.

After Gojo Satoru, Ame no Sora, and Kagura Shimizu had all gained something from the power of the Hogyoku, only Senju Tobirama and Aizen remained.

As Aizen was the original owner of the Hogyoku, he had no shortage of opportunities to use it.

However, for him to make a major breakthrough now, he needs external pressure, or even the threat of death, as a catalyst. The reason he is so "generous" in helping everyone improve their strength is perhaps because he hopes that they can put such pressure on him after they become stronger.

As for Tobirama Senju, his hesitation was an instinctive caution.

He did not lack the desire for power, nor did he doubt the power inherent in the Hogyoku itself.

On the contrary, it was precisely because of his understanding of the Hogyoku that he clearly realized how uncontrollable the "evolution" triggered by the Hogyoku was, which is why he chose to observe and wait.

In Tobirama Senju's view, Aizen's evolved form using the Hogyoku in the original future was an external manifestation of power going out of control, or rather, a "deviation" or "distortion" in the direction of evolution.

If the end point of evolution is the loss of the "human" form and the original rationality, then the value of this power in Tobirama Senju's eyes must be seriously questioned.

Evolution should not come at the cost of losing oneself.

Therefore, he placed himself last, observing Gojo and the others' "enhancement" under the guidance of the Hogyoku, and only used it after ensuring that what he feared would not happen.

Aizen was aware of Tobirama Senju's thoughts, so he went along with his caution and let Satoru Gojo and the others try it first.

Now that the "experiments" of the first three have concluded, and all have proven that the power of the "Hogyoku" is not problematic, therefore...
"Next, it's your turn, Tobirama-kun."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, his gaze calmly fixed on Tobirama Senju behind the lenses. His tone was as gentle as ever, yet carried an undeniable undertone.

(End of this chapter)