The same.
When they heard the two men's Kidō incantations, the crowd atop the walls of Las Noches immediately widened their eyes.
As Captain-class Soul Reapers, how could they not know the formidable power of Hadō #99?
Especially Urahara Kisuke and Kurotsuchi Mayuri, two Kidō masters, who were well aware of the terrifying nature of this spell.
The sheer difficulty of learning it left other Kidō spells in the dust.
Although the Arrancars didn't understand, seeing the shocked expressions of the Soul Reapers allowed them to figure out a thing or two.
In truth, the current scene atop the wall was even more bizarre.
Soul Reapers and Arrancars mingled together, standing side by side without the slightest sense of incongruity. They even seemed exceptionally friendly with one another, like comrades who had fought shoulder to shoulder.
If the Soul Reapers of the Soul Society saw this scene, they would definitely scream that this bunch had gone mad.
Soul Reapers and Menos Grande were natural enemies; how could they sit together so harmoniously to watch others fight?
However, whether Arrancar or Soul Reaper, they had all cast off the shackles of their so-called identities.
Their entire attention was focused on the two figures in the distance, expressions of shock surfacing on their faces.
When the earth-shattering roar echoed and an indescribable sense of oppression struck.
Everyone's hearts instantly tightened, as if gripped by a massive hand.
A strong illusion of suffocation washed over them, causing the spectators' pupils to contract violently.
Before the dense purple torrent, the endless desert was like paper; wherever it passed, everything collapsed and crumbled.
The fierce wind swept up the silver sand, stacking it layer by layer, connecting the earth and the sky.
Explosive power bloomed beneath the moonlight, and Reiatsu as vast as the ocean crushed downward, constructing a terrifying scene akin to the descent of the apocalypse.
*Hum—*
Space twisted madly, and deep fissures crisscrossed around the torrent, as if aiming to swallow the entire battlefield whole.
*Crack!*
The black-purple torrent surged endlessly, flowing with reckless abandon.
In an instant, a deafening roar echoed across the desert, causing the spectators' expressions to turn even more horrified.
At the very edge of their line of sight.
The massive, materialized Reiatsu transformed into ferocious dragons roaring at the sky. As their cold gazes met, an endless sense of oppression erupted from the depths of their souls.
Confrontation!
The two massive dragons of similar size loomed in the sky. After a brief pause, they fiercely launched their charge.
The black torrent poured down like a falling sky, instantly filling the boundless desert, kicking up waves of dust that piled high toward the crescent moon.
When the rumbling sound of shattering rang out, everything within sight was obliterated like dead weeds, leaving not a single trace behind.
Abyss-like ravines stretched outside Las Noches, extending to the edge of sight, forming a spectacular landscape akin to a natural moat.
In this seemingly evenly matched clash of Hadō, only the parties involved understood who the true victor was.
Naraku Sora twitched the corner of his mouth, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
Although he had perfectly mastered Goryūtenmetsu, being impeccable in technique and flawless in detail.
Aizen was the exact same.
As an absolute genius in the field of Kidō, he had mastered Hadō #99 a long time ago.
Moreover, his Reiatsu was stronger than Naraku Sora's.
Therefore, the ultimate winner of this Kidō duel was actually Aizen.
Compared to his other combat skills, Kidō was one of Naraku Sora's shortcomings.
Since he lost the first round of the duel, he would just have to win back his pride in other areas.
Naraku Sora drew his sword backhandedly, brewing his Reiatsu, preparing to ruthlessly beat up Aizen and let this guy experience the greatness of a father's love.
Just as he was about to erupt.
Aizen suddenly sheathed his sword, retracted his Reiatsu, and simultaneously deactivated his Hollowfication.
His eyes returned to their original brown color.
'?'
'What is the meaning of this?'
Aizen activated Flash Step, his figure flickering as he arrived by Naraku Sora's side.
"I am not fighting anymore."
"Not fighting anymore?"
Naraku Sora revealed a sinister sneer, baring his gleaming white teeth, his expression instantly becoming as ferocious as an evil spirit.
'You offended the King of Hueco Mundo and still think you can just walk away?'
'As if it were that easy?!'
"Today, you're going to fight whether you want to or not."
Naraku Sora fiercely stretched his body, pulling his arms back. A sound like a taut bowstring rang out as his joints rubbed together, mimicking the collision of metal and making one's scalp tingle.
Seeing this scene, Aizen's heart skipped a beat.
Clashing head-on with a brute like this truly went against his aesthetics.
This guy would often drag people down to his level and then defeat them with his wealth of experience.
If they fought for too long, it would be very easy to be infected by his hot-bloodedness.
Thinking of this, Aizen did not hesitate. He immediately erupted with astonishing Flash Step speed and vanished from his spot in an instant.
'?'
Unwilling to be outdone, Naraku Sora kicked off and flickered away, simultaneously erupting with Reiatsu from behind in an attempt to shoot him down from the sky.
But Aizen's reaction was faster.
The moment he blocked the Reiatsu, he activated Hollowfication once more, used Sonído, and appeared directly atop the wall of Las Noches.
Based on his understanding of Naraku Sora, he knew that although this guy was a bit reckless, he still had a sense of proportion and wouldn't run wild inside Las Noches.
Therefore, upon arriving at this location, Aizen turned his head and flashed an ambiguously mocking smile at the menacing figure behind him.
'?'
Naraku Sora's eyes widened, and his fists clenched hard.
'Aizen Sōsuke, I despise you!!'
After his taunt, Aizen dashed straight into Las Noches, disappearing completely.
As the person primarily responsible for the remodeling of Las Noches, no one knew its internal structure better than him.
Naraku Sora landed on the wall, looking at the others with an unkind expression.
The spectators scattered like birds and beasts. Only Grimmjow, who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, still looked eager to try his luck.
But before he could even open his mouth, he was forcibly dragged away by a suddenly appearing black claw.
Although Ulquiorra was indifferent by nature, he couldn't just watch helplessly as his comrade was beaten to death by their own king.
A certain someone who enjoyed watching Naraku Sora suffer misfortune also prepared to run away, but because he laughed a couple of times too many, he was a step slower than the rest.
So, before he could leave, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
Looking at the demonic smile that suddenly popped up beside him, Urahara Kisuke wanted to cry but had no tears. He muttered softly, trying to awaken the little conscience this certain someone had left:
"Lord Naraku, I have bled for the Department of Research and Development, I have risked my life for Las Noches! I am the most steadfast member of the Sora Faction..."
Hearing these words, Naraku Sora sneered:
"Did you think no one knew about you slacking off all day?"
"In the entire Department of Research and Development, your working hours are the lowest."
"You don't even clock twenty hours a week! You truly are the ultimate slacker!"
"Furthermore, your laugh was the loudest just now!"
Hearing this, Urahara Kisuke panicked:
"Lord Naraku, words alone are no proof. Do you have evidence?"
As soon as he spoke, Naraku Sora pulled a notebook out of his pocket and threw it over.
Urahara Kisuke opened the notebook and took a look. Surprisingly, it was filled with his specific working hours, and even what he was doing while slacking off was clearly marked.
'...'
"Sōsuke wrote it."
Urahara Kisuke's eyes widened, his face full of astonishment.
'Aizen Sōsuke, I despise you!'
Naraku Sora took the notebook back and dragged the devastated Urahara Kisuke toward the outside of Las Noches.
All the past grievances would be settled together today.
Inside the laboratory.
Aizen stared at the continuously soaring values on the screen, the corner of his eye twitching uncontrollably.
Just now, he had tested the changes in his overall strength after Hollowfication.
Without a doubt, he already stood at the pinnacle of the Soul Society.
Whether Soul Reaper or Arrancar, there were very few existences that could compare to him.
Except for a very few monsters.
For example, the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society, Yamamoto Shigekuni, and that rebellious son who vainly attempted to defy the natural order, Naraku Sora.
Although Naraku Sora's Reiatsu was still slightly inferior to his.
But this guy could not be judged by common sense.
The theory that a battle between Soul Reapers is a battle of Reiatsu simply did not apply to him.
Even in his base state, Naraku Sora was already at a realm that ordinary Soul Reaper geniuses could not reach.
Once he activated his Shikai, this guy's combat power would soar to another level.
After Bankai, he became so powerful that it was immeasurable.
Not to mention he still had the trump card of Hollowfication.
If he erupted with his full power, even Yamamoto might suffer a huge loss at Naraku Sora's hands.
Looking at the two sets of comparative data on the screen, Aizen's expression was somewhat complex.
It was hard to imagine that this petty guy could actually be a terrifying monster capable of easily destroying the world.
But judging from his usual behavior, he didn't have the slightest bit of demeanor expected of a powerhouse.
Speaking of which, a certain someone's Reiatsu seemed to have grown significantly stronger than it was during the Hell Rebellion.
Even though not much time had passed...
The moment he thought of a certain someone's ugly mug, Aizen felt a sense of unease, unable to eat or sleep in peace.
How much longer could his insignificant advantage in Reiatsu last?
The mindset he had finally managed to relax slightly tensed up once again...
Naraku Sora was somewhat surprised.
Under the premise that there were no emergencies, Yamamoto, this old shut-in, was actually willing to leave the Squad 1 barracks.
As the Head Captain of the Gotei 13, whose duty was to protect the Seireitei, Yamamoto had always sat in the center, commanding the Soul Reapers.
In emergencies, he usually just issued orders.
Unless the situation was so urgent that the other Soul Reapers couldn't resolve it, he would not take action personally.
Yet this time, he had actually taken the initiative to leave the Seireitei.
"What exactly did that old man go do?"
Naraku Sora looked into the courtyard with a puzzled expression.
Sasakibe Chōjirō, who was watering the flowers, replied without raising his head:
"Squad 12 reported finding traces of the Saitō family members in the Dangai."
"Furōfushi originally planned to go investigate with Batsu'unsai, but Lord Genryūsai considered that the two of them knew very little about the Dangai, so he offered to accompany them."
Naraku Sora stroked his chin. "Why is that old man suddenly being so kind?"
Sasakibe Chōjirō raised his head and sighed helplessly:
"Lord Naraku, do you know whose hands Saitō Furōfushi died by?"
Naraku Sora shook his head.
"It was Lord Genryūsai."
A look of reminiscence appeared on Sasakibe Chōjirō's face. "At that time, Saitō was controlled by a Quincy. The enemy originally intended to use her as a hostage to force Lord Genryūsai to hold back."
"However, before they could even finish speaking, Saitō and the Quincy controlling her were burned to ashes together."
"Therefore, Lord Genryūsai feels guilty in his heart..."
Naraku Sora clicked his tongue.
The Yamamoto from a thousand years ago was truly a ruthless man.
He was fully worthy of the fierce moniker, Demon of the Sword.
He shook his head and prepared to leave Squad 1. However, before he could take more than a few steps, his path was blocked by the suddenly appearing Sasakibe Chōjirō.
"Lord Naraku, there is one thing I forgot to tell you."
"The Head Captain is unsure of when he will return, so before leaving, he specifically submitted an application to Central 46."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora already had an ominous premonition in his heart.
"For the next period of time, you will act as the substitute Head Captain, responsible for all matters big and small within the squads."
'?'