After reinforcing Aizen's seal once more using a Kidō barrier, Shimo opened a Senkaimon and sent him directly into a separate space he had personally created.
This was a secluded dimension formed through the fusion of Spatial suspension and Spatial Severing—completely isolated from the outside world.
As for Aizen's ultimate fate, it would proceed much like in the original timeline: he would eventually be transferred to the Eighth Level of Muken.
Whether the Central 46 would impose additional punishment afterward… remained unknown.
Shimo had no intention of imprisoning Aizen in his personal dimension indefinitely.
...
Shimo descended from the sky and walked toward the gathered Shinigami, a faint smile on his face.
"Everyone… the war is over."
For a brief moment, the crowd froze, unable to process his words.
Then—
Joy gradually spread across their faces.
"We… we won?"
"Captain Shimo achieved victory! The Human World and Soul Society have been saved!"
"It's finally over…"
"I… I actually survived…"
Many Shinigami still couldn't fully comprehend what had happened.
Although the outcome was favorable, numerous questions lingered in their minds.
For example—
How exactly had Shimo achieved victory?
What had happened after he merged with his Zanpakutō?
From their perspective, Shimo had simply moved his hand a few times in midair—yet Aizen's spiritual pressure was completely suppressed.
Then—
Countless black chains extended from Aizen's body.
Chains that directly bound the soul.
They sealed Aizen instantly.
And soon after—
Aizen vanished completely from Karakura Town, leaving no trace behind.
At that moment, everyone understood—
This war, which determined countless lives…
Had finally ended.
However, although Soul Society achieved victory, the losses were devastating.
While no Captains or Lieutenants had died, the dignity of the Gotei 13 had undeniably been trampled.
Aside from a few individuals, including Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, many Captains and Lieutenants had suffered severe injuries—some even life-threatening.
And as Captain of the Third Division, Kyoraku Shimo had become the greatest contributor of the war.
He alone sealed Aizen.
He alone ended the conflict.
Compared to him, the contributions of others seemed almost negligible.
Additionally, the Gotei 13 lost two former Captains:
Former Third Division Captain Gin Ichimaru.
Former Ninth Division Captain Kaname Tōsen.
Tōsen's reappearance in Karakura Town—despite being presumed dead—once again raised doubts about soul resurrection.
However, the truth proved otherwise.
Tōsen's "revival" was merely a reconstruction of memory and body.
His soul had already become nourishment for Szayelaporro Granz.
As for Gin Ichimaru, his actions surprised everyone.
During the battle, he released Bankai and ambushed Aizen, completely destroying his body.
Unfortunately—
The Hōgyoku's evolution rendered the assassination meaningless.
Although no one denied Gin's contribution, neither did anyone forget his crimes.
Simply defecting from Soul Society alone was enough to condemn him to thousands of years of imprisonment.
Not to mention the numerous crimes he committed while serving under Aizen.
Returning to the Gotei 13 was impossible.
At best, they could only hope the Central 46 wouldn't sentence him to thousands of years in prison.
Just as everyone was immersed in the aftermath—
A tear suddenly opened in the sky.
Deep darkness spread from within.
The Shinigami instinctively grasped their Zanpakutō.
"Yare yare… looks like we're late."
A relaxed voice echoed from the rift.
A figure wearing a pink haori stepped out.
Shunsui Kyōraku.
His eyes widened in shock.
The devastation before him far exceeded his expectations.
The city had been nearly reduced to ruins.
More terrifying still—
Among the Shinigami below—
His teacher, Captain-Commander Yamamoto, was burned black, his skin cracked, and his spiritual pressure extremely weak.
If Isane Kotetsu hadn't been treating him nearby, Shunsui would already be worrying about inheriting the position of Captain-Commander.
Shunsui led the reinforcements returning from Hueco Mundo and descended to the ground.
"Would someone mind telling me… what happened?"
He stroked his stubble, looking troubled.
"We were only in Hueco Mundo for a short while…"
"And this place turned into… this?"
"And where's Aizen?"
The Shinigami exchanged glances—
Then burst into laughter.
The atmosphere suddenly became lively.
Seeing this, relief flashed deep within Shunsui's eyes.
He looked toward Shimo—
And noticed Shimo was also looking at him.
Two members of the Kyōraku family exchanged smiles amid the ruins of Karakura Town.
"Though I hate to ruin the mood…"
Jūshirō Ukitake rubbed his nose and spoke.
"Shimo-kun… what exactly was that seal?"
"And… cough… where is Aizen now?"
His face was pale.
The battle had placed enormous strain on his body.
He would likely need to recuperate in the Seireitei medical ward for quite some time.
Shimo smiled calmly.
He had expected this question.
Naturally—
He had no intention of revealing the power of his Third Shikai.
Let them speculate.
He simply wouldn't confirm anything.
Shimo turned toward Kisuke Urahara.
"You should ask Kisuke about that."
"As the creator of the Hōgyoku, his understanding of it far surpasses mine."
"All I did… was apply a spatial seal to the Hōgyoku."
The moment those words fell—
Urahara's expression froze.
As the Shinigami's gazes gathered on him—
A bad premonition suddenly surfaced in his mind.
…It seemed Shimo-kun had just pushed the responsibility onto him.
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