They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 448 Hogyoku and the Attack on Soul Society
After entrusting the research task to Tobirama Senju and Hiruko, Orochimaru began to fulfill his responsibilities as Hokage.

Soon, an emergency notice was issued to the entire village.

Orochimaru stood on a makeshift platform, below him were countless villagers, their faces filled with fear.

Despite his intervention, the war in this world had not been over for long, and the sudden collapse of a landmark like Hokage Rock would naturally trigger a stress response.

He didn't say much, but his words carried an undeniable calmness.

After briefly explaining how he and the First Hokage had repelled the enemy, the crowd's agitation gradually subsided.

But appeasing the villagers was only the first step; the real storm was just beginning to brew.

……

In the conference room of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, a secret remote meeting was urgently convened.

The room was dimly lit, with only a few huge scroll screens emitting a faint glow.

On the screen, the figures of the four nations of Thunder, Earth, Water, and Wind, along with their high-ranking officials, all wore extremely serious expressions.

Orochimaru sat in the main seat, and in the shadows behind him, Hashirama Senju stood silently with his arms crossed, like a cold statue.

When Orochimaru described the existence of Isshiki Otsutsuki in the most concise language and stated the fact that Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha still suffered a crushing defeat despite joining forces, the entire conference room fell into a deathly silence.

It was a silence so profound that even breathing ceased, and the expressions on every figure's face on the screen froze.

On the Third Raikage's usually fierce face, veins throbbed at his temples, and muscles twitched uncontrollably beneath his bronze skin.

He had witnessed Hashirama's power firsthand...

They joined forces... and they still lost?
"What kind of monster is that..."

The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, had a voice as dry as weathered rock.

"The Otsutsuki, who came from the depths of the starry sky and brought the power of chakra to our world..."

Orochimaru replied.

Fear, like an invisible plague, is spreading deep within the hearts of leaders in various countries.

They were the pinnacle of their respective villages, the rulers of the ninja world, but at this moment, they felt the same powerlessness.

After a long silence, the Third Raikage slammed his fist on the table, making a dull thud.

"I am from Kumogakure," he said.
He said in a deep voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.
"We are willing to follow Konoha's unified command! All our forces, everything! Just tell us what you need us to do!"

Under the absolute and irresistible shadow of annihilation, all past grudges, suspicions, and conflicts of interest become insignificant.

"Iwagakure Village agrees."

Onoki closed his eyes and nodded.

"No objection to Kirigakure."

"Sunagakure, fully cooperate."

The threat brought about unity.

The entire ninja world, and all the nations, united as never before at this moment.

……

Meanwhile, beyond the barriers of time and space, lies another world.

The Hollow Circle, an underground research lab.

"Hehe... Hahaha... It's finally finished!"

A nervous, frenzied laugh echoed through the research room, shattering its morbid tranquility.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood in front of a huge petri dish, her gaze fixed on the object that floated silently within it.

It was a fist-sized, deep blue crystal with a smooth, mirror-like surface, yet its interior seemed to contain a constantly evolving and dying universe.

Countless nebula-like energy vortices flowed and collided within, sometimes born, sometimes annihilated, emitting a strange light that stirred and yearned for the very soul.

The complete form of the Hogyoku.

Another piece of information from the [Infinite World] completed the theoretically final and most crucial piece of the puzzle for him.

It is no longer Aizen's unfinished product that needs to merge with a host to exert its power, but an independent, complete "wishing machine" with its own consciousness.

"Congratulations, Mayuri-sama."

Nie Yinmeng behind him bowed as always, her tone as flat as a program.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi nodded in satisfaction, but did not turn around. His gaze shifted to the shadowy entrance to the research room.

"Alright, since you're here, just come in. Sneaking around isn't like you, Captain Aizen."

As soon as the words were spoken, the deep shadow seemed to come alive, and two figures emerged from it.

Leading the group was Aizen Sousuke, who wore a gentle, impeccable smile, as if he were strolling in his own backyard rather than entering a laboratory full of grotesque creations.

Behind him, Tosen Kaname silently gripped the hilt of his sword, warily surveying his surroundings.

"What an amazing talent, Captain Nexus."

Aizen's gaze passed over Mayuri Kurotsuchi and landed directly on the perfect Hogyoku, where he sincerely praised it.

The praise was genuine, purely the appreciation of another great achievement by a top researcher.

"It has propelled my research, no, it has propelled Kisuke Urahara and my research to a completely new level."

You have surpassed us.

His gaze finally settled on Nirvana-Lee's bizarre makeup. "So, as the creator of this achievement, I extend an invitation to you once again."

Aizen's tone was gentle yet magnetic, full of allure:

"Come with me to the throne and witness the birth of a new world."

There, you will have endless research material and an endless amount of time to squander your talent.

However, Mayuri Kurotsuchi merely let out a disdainful sneer.

He casually operated the control panel next to him, and the huge petri dish opened silently, with the perfect Hogyoku slowly floating into his hand.

He didn't even glance at it, tossing it at Aizen as if it were an ordinary stone.

"Our cooperation only includes getting this done."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi turned around and answered,

"As for your boring creation game, I have absolutely no interest in it."

Aizen reached out and gracefully caught the Hogyoku, which exuded endless allure.

The icy touch from his palm, containing a vast power capable of distorting cause and effect, deepened the smile on his lips.

"Really? That's a real shame..."

He spoke softly, quietly watching Mayuri Kurotsuchi's back as he walked straight towards the exit without looking back.

"Lord Aizen!" (East)
Xian took a step forward, her voice tinged with urgency and confusion.
"Are we just going to let him go like that?"

These days, he has witnessed firsthand Mayuri Kurotsuchi's terrifying talent.

Whether it was the modification of the Arrancar, the analysis of the essence of Zanpakuto, or the improvement of the Hogyoku, it all far exceeded his imagination.

In Tosen's view, letting such an uncontrollable monster escape would pose an immeasurable threat to their future plans.

Aizen did not answer.

He simply raised his hand slowly, holding the perfect Hogyoku up to his eyes, his gaze piercing through the deep blue crystal, as if he were staring at a brand new future.

Is Mayuri Kurotsuchi a threat?

of course.

An uncontrollable genius with top-notch intelligence is itself the biggest variable.

But for him, who is about to step into the realm of gods, how boring would a world without opponents or variables be?

"Heh~ He won't interfere with us, just proceed according to plan..."

It's time to go back to Soul Society and change all of this...

After a long while, until Mayuri Kurotsuchi's figure disappeared, Aizen finally gave his answer.

"Yes……"

Tosen nodded and said calmly.

But judging from his trembling hands, his heart was not as calm as it appeared.

Because he had been waiting for this day for far too long...

(End of this chapter)