AN: Here's the second upload as promised! This Arc will probably be wrapped up in the next couple chapters so stay tuned for what's next to come!

As always, a big thank you to all who continue to support me and the story!

Reading the story:

-Scene change: "888"

-Rated M Scene: "XXX"

-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)
-Hello how are you? (A different person speaking in someone's mind)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 54

Fa-BAM!

Fa-BOOM!

CRACKLE!

SMASH!

Gin stood in silence atop a tall building in the distance as he simply watched the battle between Aizen, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Isshin. He had been watching since the very beginning of every battle that Aizen fought with every outcome being exactly the same. Aizen's victory. And he saw no reason why this battle would end up any different. No matter how clever Urahara was. No matter how quick Yoruichi was. No matter how strong Isshin was. None of it mattered for he had seen what Aizen could do. There was no one here who'd be able to match Aizen, that he was sure of.

Before he had seen a small glimmer of hope within Kishin, but ever since Aizen had fused with the Hogyoku Gin had lost all confidence in that route. He watched as Yoruichi was flung into a large tall building in the distance whilst Urahara and Isshin were pummeled deep into the ground. A slight frown appeared on Gin's face as he knew the battle was nearing its end, but what made him frown the most was the appearance that Aizen currently took on.

Sometime during the battle Aizen had completely transformed into a being that Gin didn't recognize. He appeared completely encased in some strange white armor that had the strength of an Arrancar's hierro. And his eyes, they had turned a deep purple. What was even more alarming than Aizen's strange look was his reiatsu. Ever since Aizen took on his strange form, Gin had lost the ability to sense his reiatsu.

A bead of nervous sweat rolled down the backside of Gin's head as he knew what this all meant. It meant that Aizen was now so powerful that his reiatsu was at a level where Gin couldn't sense it. In fact, he noted that Isshin, Yoruichi, and Urahara were unable to sense it as well. Once more he glanced at the fallen trio and frowned as they struggled to get back up only to fall again.

It's pointless. Captain Aizen is too strong. All of the Kido that Urahara used didn't even scratch Aizen. His Zanpakuto didn't work either nor did Isshin's for that matter. Not even Yoruichi's Shunko…

He took a deep but silent breath and anxiously shifted in place when he noticed the strange armor that encased Aizen begin to crumble and fall away. What was revealed beneath was Aizen's familiar face again, though he seemed more...divine for lack of a better word. His hair was well groomed with a curled strand hanging down the front of his forehead and the irises of his eyes became white in color with a deep purple sclera around them. What caught Gin's attention next was Aizen's Zanpakuto.

His brow slightly furrowed and his heart started beating faster. The one thing that he rejoiced over after waiting and watching all this time despite everyone failing to defeat Aizen was the fact that Aizen had become so confident in his raw power that he had stopped utilizing the ability of his Kyoka Suigetsu. It was the one thing that Gin always kept his eye on and now he knew, his chance had finally come. With a quick step he Shunpo'd and arrived by Aizen's side.

"Gin." Aizen said with a neutral voice, giving his long time Lieutenant a curious glance.

"Yaaa, guess that's the last of 'em eh? Captain Aizen."

"Hmm...it would seem so."

Gin took notice of how badly beaten Urahara and the others were, but he was slightly surprised to find that none of them were dead.

Aizen took note of Gin's confusion and smirked. "There's no need to kill them, Gin. As a reward for their efforts in allowing me to evolve and test my newfound powers, I will spare their lives. There is nothing they can do to stop me anyways."

"I see…" Was all that Gin could respond with.

Just as Gin was contemplating how he should make his next move, the sound of several people arriving on site appeared before them. They were precisely the stationed Lieutenants who were still around in the area. They stayed out of the battle earlier knowing that they would only be in the way of the Gotei 13 Captains and Urahara and his entourage, but now that things had come to this with no one else able to stand in Aizen's way they had no choice but to make a final stand.

Gin immediately felt his heart clench tight in fear when he saw that Rangiku was amongst the Lieutenants that came. Aside from her were Hisagi, Nanao, Nemu, Iba, Chojiro, Izuru, Isane, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. The ten of them looked worse for wear, but they stood their ground regardless. They each had finally managed to defeat their opponents after they received accidental aid from Yamamoto's pillars of fire from earlier.

The expression in Aizen's eyes became slightly amused as he fully turned towards them.

"Oh? How unexpected. After seeing your Captains fail one after the other I figured you all would have simply run away. I admire your courage to come stand before me."

Rangiku's hand slightly trembled in fear, but she managed to speak her mind. "Aizen, you aren't going any further than this. You too Gin."

Aizen's expression instantly became bored after hearing her speak.

"Strong words require the strength to back them up otherwise they are simply empty remarks. If you are going to give your last words then at least speak of your justice and valiance in your final stand rather than fool yourself in believing that you still have a chance. At least in that way you would have held more honor to your name."

Aizen then took one step forward and raised up his Zanpakuto, but it was at that exact moment that Gin blocked the way.

"Gin?" Aizen questioned, both confused and curious.

Gin simply grabbed the blade of Aizen's Zanpakuto, stopping him from making another move.

"Captain Aizen, Lieutenants aren't worth spending any of your time on. I haven't done much since we arrived anyways. At least let me take out the small fry for ya."

…

"Very wel-UH!" Before Aizen could finish his sentence a blinding flash of white silver light blinded his eyes as he felt something pierce through the center of his chest.

Everyone was so startled at what just transpired that they couldn't even react or move. Shock and confusion was all that could be expressed on everyone's faces as they realized that there was a blade pierced right through Aizen's torso. Furthermore, that blade belonged to none other than Gin. The blade of his Zanpakuto stabbed through Aizen and stretched on far beyond the eye could see. Finally the blade lodged in Aizen's chest disappeared in a fraction of an instant and returned to Gin's side as a small looking wakizashi.

The one to break the silence first was Gin as he said in a calm tone of voice, "Bankai: Kamishini No Yari."

"Kuh...Gin…" Aizen managed to grumble out as he placed his palm over the bleeding slit in his chest.

Gin simply let go of Aizen's Zanpakuto with a look of relief on his face.

"I've waited a long time for this moment, Captain Aizen."

Aizen's brow slightly furled as he glared at Gin with dagger-like eyes. "Gin. Damn you...when did you activate your Bankai?"

"When? I had already prepared it before the Gotei 13 Captains entered the Las Noches throne room. You see, one of the greatest benefits of my Bankai is that it can easily be masked as my Shikai or sealed Zanpakuto. I've waited for a long time for you to let down your guard Captain Aizen. The only one who knows of your Kyoka Suigetsu's weakness is me and it took me years to get you to divulge that information."

Aizen's expression relaxed once more as the bleeding from his chest began to slow down.

"I see, but I'm disappointed, Gin. If you think that this is enough to kill me then y-"

"No I don't." Gin interrupted.

Again Aizen's face frowned in confusion and caution. Gin raised up his Zanpakuto and pointed to the center of the blade which had a missing chip in it.

"See this? I've told you about the power of my Bankai before right? If I recall, I told you that it extends up to 13 km and at 500 times the speed of sound. Sorry, but I lied. It doesn't extend as far as I said and it doesn't release as fast as I said, however, for just an instant, when I retract or expand my blade it turns into dust. That dust contains a powerful poison that erodes the body on a cellular level. Just now," he pointed to the slit in Aizen's chest, "I left a piece of it inside you."

"Kuh!" Aizen's expression immediately became alarmed as he understood what was happening.

Gin took a simple step forward and stuck out his arm to Aizen's chest.

"Any last words? Well, not that it matters anyway since you're gonna die here with a hole in yer chest, just like ya always wanted. Korose, Kamishini No Yari."

"Gin!" Aizen shouted, but it was too late.

"GUAAAAH!" He shouted in pain as a purple silver light erupted from his chest where Gin had stabbed him.

Immediately the surrounding tissue began breaking down, dissolving away creating a giant hole in Aizen's body. The place where the Hogyoku resided immediately became free and Gin wasted no time snatching it out from Aizen's chest. The light from Aizen's eyes instantly dimmed as all signs of life from his body ceased to function. With a dull thud he hit the ground, lifeless.

Gin glanced down at the Hogyoku in his trembling hand and finally let out the nervous breath that he didn't realize he was holding in. The entire time he seemed calm and collected, however in truth he was scared and doubtful if he would actually succeed.

"G-Gin…" The sound of Rangiku's voice startled him forcing him to turn around and face the Lieutenants that had gathered here. He had completely forgotten about them and could see the extremely confused and shocked look on all of their faces.

"Rangiku…" He softly called.

She gave him a tearful look while taking a hesitant step forward, but Hisagi's hand quickly gripped her shoulders to stop her.

"Wait Matsumoto! We still don't know what's going on here," he interjected.

Rangiku bit the bottom of her lip and wiped the tears from her eyes coming back to her senses. "Gin...w-what's going on here?"

…

For several long moments Gin stood there in silence, but he knew that he had to explain himself sooner or later. Finally he gathered his courage and stared Rangiku in the eyes with a loving and pained expression.

"I told you didn't I? That I was going to become a Shinigami so that I can change things. So you'd never have to cry again...but it seems I couldn't fulfill that last part."

Rangiku felt a loud thump in her chest as she wasn't prepared for this. For the Gin in front of her. He was acting like how she remembered him all those years ago when they first met. The kind, gentle, and caring Gin that always took care of her.

Nanao quickly stepped in trying to make sense of everything as she was the most cool-headed one here.

"Ichimaru Gin, explain yourself properly! What do you mean that you waited all this time? What do you mean you know Kyoka Suigetsu's weakness? What promise? Do you mean to take the Hogyoku for yourself?!"

"Relax, I can see that you're all still on edge. I don't blame ya for not believin me, but it's the truth."

Izuru's face immediately turned angry and confused as he shouted, "You expect us to just believe that! Captain Ichimaru, I-I trusted you! But you betrayed us! And now you say that you had planned all of this since the beginning!"

Gin glanced at his old Lieutenant for a good long while before giving an apologetic look.

"I don't expect any of you to believe me, but it is the truth. The reason I became a Shinigami was for Rangiku."

Rangiku was taken aback as she didn't know where Gin was going with his story.

"Me?" She questioned aloud.

"Yeah. You." He took a step forward, slowly at first to see what everyone's reaction would be, but seeing as no one made a move to stop him he continued. One step at a time until he and Rangiku stood face to face. His hand gently brushed against her hand before he laced his fingers with hers. The beautiful, cool, and cerulean blue color of his eyes held her gaze in a trance-like state.

"Rangiku. Remember the days when we lived together in Rukongai? The day I found you collapsed and ill?"

She merely nodded in response as she was still having trouble processing what was happening. She and Gin were holding hands so intimately, it was something she never thought would be possible ever since he defected.

Gin then continued, "That day, I went out to get some firewood so we could stay warm for the night...but what I found was more than that. That night, I also found out that you were attacked by some Shinigamis. They stole something from you that day. It was the reason why you felt so weak that day. I trailed them and discovered that they were working for Aizen. He was the mastermind behind everything. I vowed ever since that day that I would kill him and take back what they stole from you."

He held up the Hogyoku in his right palm between them with a slight frown. "All that's left is to figure out how this thing works."

Rangiku didn't even care about the Hogyoku at this point nor did she care about the reasons why Gin had done what he did, all she cared about was that he was back. The tears flowed down her eyes, blurring her vision as she immediately closed the final distance between them and embraced him in a loving hug. She didn't hold back her voice at all as she began loudly crying against his chest.

"Gin! You idiot!"

"Rangiku…" He softly called her name.

Just as he raised his hand to embrace her he paused when he felt the Hogyoku radiate a burning heat in his hand.

What the?!

BOOM!

Not a moment later an unfathomable surge of purple colored reiatsu burst and rose into the air from Aizen's corpse on the ground. Everyone could only stare in complete and utter disbelief at what was happening before their eyes. The hole in Aizen's chest began to slowly close up as his corpse rose into the sky.

Gin glanced down at his hand and exclaimed in alarm, "It can't be?!"

The Hogyoku he was holding gave off a bright light before dissipating in his hands and reappearing in the hole in Aizen's chest that was now held together in the center with a cross-like frame. Once more Aizen had undergone a transformation. This time one of the most prominent changes other than being clad in a completely white garment were the three pairs of long white wings protruding from his back and the fusion of his Zanpakuto's hilt with his right hand. Aizen stood completely still in the middle of the sky with a look of gratitude on his face. He took one glance at Gin and Rangiku before disappearing in a burst of purple light. Without warning he reappeared behind Rangiku and slashed out with his Zanpakuto.

"Rangiku!" Gin shouted in alarm and instantly moved on instinct.

SCHLING!

A spurt of blood flew in the air as Aizen's blade ran across Gin's chest. The look in Aizen's eyes remained indifferent as he watched Gin fall to the ground. The world was spinning slow as if time itself had become compressed in this single instant from how quickly everything was happening, and in that single instant Aizen remarked, "Even in the end, she had always lived inside your heart. Gin. But I thank you. I was able to finally cast away my fear of death and reach the plane of god."

And as he finished his sentence it seemed as if time began moving once again. The sound of Rangiku's crying voice echoed loudly in the air as she quickly caught Gin's falling body before it hit the ground. The other Lieutenants in the vicinity felt their heartbeats stop from the overwhelming pressure coming from Aizen. They were unable to move from their spot even though they knew they should do something.

Aizen took note and merely glanced over them with pity and disdain.

"Worry not. It won't be long before you all bear witness to the change of a new and better world, and I...as your god."

Without another word a senkaimon gate appeared before Aizen leading into the Dangai. As he walked down the dark hall towards the portal leading to the real Karakura Town hidden within the Soul Society a loud rumbling could be heard as the tunnel began shaking and creaking as if something large was making its way through. Aizen just paused and took one glance behind him where the familiar light of the Kototsu sweeping through the Dangai illuminated the dark. Under normal circumstances Aizen would have bolted out of there, however this time he merely smirked and stared down the Kototsu with disdain.

A glowing light began shining from Aizen's eyes before a loud burst resounded in the creepy tunnel from the explosion of the Kototsu. The Kototsu, an unknown entity that didn't conform to the typical laws known to the Soul Society, had been easily crushed into smithereens by one simple look from Aizen. Its corpse and bones lay still on the hard cold floor as a strange fluid began dripping down to the ground. Aizen didn't make a single comment on what just transpired. Instead he simply turned and continued on his way as if nothing had ever happened.

It took no time at all before he stepped back out into the familiar sky of the Soul Society, and it took no time at all for all the spiritual beings in Soul Society to take notice of Aizen's presence. The sheer volume of his reiatsu resonated throughout all 80 districts in each direction. This of course greatly alarmed Ukitake and the rest of the Gotei 13 members. Since the situation of the invading Hollows was now in a manageable state, Ukitake immediately took off to confront Aizen.

"Aizen…" Ukitake anxiously called out as he took in Aizen's strange appearance.

Aizen simply gave a quick once over of Ukitake and smirked.

"Ukitake, so this is what you've been doing. I must thank you for controlling the situation here. Due to your efforts Karakura Town is still intact. Well enough for me to create the Oken with, and the damage to your forces is crippled enough that they won't be mounting a counter response anytime soon."

Ukitake furrowed his brow, worry clearly shown on his face. "What do you mean? What happened to the other Captains?!"

"Heh. Are you unable to deduce the answer yourself? Or are you clinging onto meaningless hope?"

Ukitake's heart clenched tight as he began thinking that the worst possible situation had occurred.

It can't be! The other Captains have fallen? Kishin...Kyoraku...Genryusai-sensei…

Ukitake focused his entire being on Aizen as he began to ready his massive amounts of reiatsu in preparation for a last stand defense. His hands tightly gripped the hilts of his Shikai blades as he pointed them straight at Aizen.

"Ban-KUGH!" Blood spilled out from Ukitake's mouth as he felt the stinging pain of Aizen's Zanpakuto impaled in the center of his chest. Aizen then removed his blade with disdain and watched as Ukitake fell to the ground.

"If you had wanted to fight then you should have joined the other Captains. It is meaningless now for you alone to challenge me, Ukitake Jushiro. It would merely be a waste of both of our times."

With a single step, Aizen arrived above the center of all of Karakura Town and grinned.

"Now then. The Oken."

"Not quite." The sound of an old but powerful voice came echoing from behind.

Aizen immediately frowned as he recognized who it was and slowly turned around to see the door of a senkaimon gate open up with someone stepping out from within.

"Yamamoto Genryusai."

Yamamoto grinned at the look on Aizen's face. "What's the matter? You don't seem too pleased to see me, Aizen Sosuke."

The frown on Aizen's face only deepened, however he took a moment to get a better look at the current state the Head Captain was in. Yamamoto's clothes were ragged with multiple rips and tears in it and his left arm was completely gone, however the power that emanated from him did not resemble his current outward appearance. Aizen smirked as he now just deduced how Yamamoto had recovered so quickly.

"I see. I suppose I should praise Captain Unohana for her remarkable healing skills. She's quite a nuisance. Perhaps I shouldn't have left her to her own devices."

"Too late to regret, Aizen Sosuke. This is as far as you go."

BOOM!

Yamamoto's blazing red reiatsu violently erupted into the sky like a surging ocean of flame and smoke. This display of power slightly surprised Aizen as the reiatsu coming from Yamamoto's body was as transcendent as his own. Then again he was only slightly surprised. He had previously expected the old Captain to wield such tremendous power which was why he had taken counter measures in the form of Wonderweiss to put the Head Captain out of commission.

"It was foolish of you to come back and face me, Yamamoto Genryusai. Had you simply stayed put then you may have actually survived another day, however now you will truly perish at the end of my blade."

"Hah! If you truly believed that you could defeat me in a head-on fight then you would have never bothered to create that Arrancar that could seal away my powers. But now that your asset is gone, do not think for a moment that the outcome will be the same."

Aizen frowned once more as he felt the incredible power radiating from Yamamoto which slightly sobered him up from his empowered ego. Just when he believed that he no longer needed to rely on the power of his Zanpakuto, in the face of a transcendent being like Yamamoto, he began to have second thoughts.

This old man thinks that he can contend with MY power?!

"Hmpf. Don't make me laugh, Yamamoto Genryusai. Even you, the most powerful Shinigami in all of Soul Society, no longer stands a chance against me."

BOOM!

Aizen's purple colored reiatsu violently surged into the sky like a cosmic wave displaying a force just as powerful if not even slightly more powerful than Yamamoto's.

Yamamoto furrowed his brow at the sheer volume of Aizen's reiatsu, however he still remained completely calm and unfazed as he held up his Zanpakuto.

Aizen narrowed his eyes at Yamamoto's action, realizing what the old man was about to do.

"Are you sure it is wise to unleash your true powers here? Have you already forgotten, our battlefield is now amidst the center of the real Karakura Town. The moment you unleash your Zanpakuto will also be the moment that you incinerate all the Humans living here."

Yamamoto merely gave a mocking grin at Aizen's attempt to stop him from releasing his true powers.

"How considerate of you, Aizen Sosuke. Still trying to force me into a handicap. However, you need not worry. This is Soul Society. We can fight with our full powers here. And the town below us...is not real."

"Hm?!" Aizen's brow slightly twitched as he witnessed Karakura Town transform into the fake Karakura Town, however his shock lasted only for a split second as he knew exactly what had happened.

"I see. So this is why Captain Unohana did not return with you." Aizen remarked, as he figured that after Unohana healed Yamamoto, she destroyed the four pillars of the Tenkai Kecchu in the World of the Living which switched back the fake and real Karakura Town once more. Aizen showed a look of annoyance as he'd now have to return to the World of the Living after just coming from there.

He was snapped back to reality as he heard Yamamoto utter, "Bankai...Zanka No Tachi."

"Kuh…" Aizen grunted in annoyance as he stared at the old scorched longsword that Yamamoto's Zanpakuto now resembled. One small line of steaming smoke rose out from Yamamoto's blade as an incredibly hot and dry heat swept all throughout the Soul Society as a side effect from the release of Yamamoto's power.

"Aizen Sosuke. For you, I shall not leave even a single speck of ash left behind."

"Heh...you think I fear your power? Yamamoto Genryusai. Of all the Zanpakuto in the Soul Society yours indeed contains the greatest attack power, however, what use is all that power if you are unable to hit your target?"

Just as Aizen was about to release his Shikai he flinched in shock and quickly dashed to his left just managing to dodge a fatal strike from Yamamoto's blade.

"Do you think I will give you time to activate your Kyoka Suigetsu? How naive."

Aizen frowned and continued dodging left and right knowing that one strike was all Yamamoto needed to kill him.

"Tch! Very well, then let us test which of us is faster than the other!"

BOOM!

Several fake buildings instantly turned into ashes from the sheer force and swing of Yamamoto's Zanpakuto. This happened over and over and over again as Aizen continued to expertly dodge. He only needed a split second to release his Kyoka Suigetsu, but he had to silently praise Yamamoto for not even giving him that small amount of time to activate his Shikai. The Head Captain continuously slashed and stabbed easily keeping up with each of Aizen's movements.

Yamamoto knew that his Bankai would destroy all of Soul Society if he had it activated too long and his chances of killing Aizen would greatly worsen if he let him successfully activate Kyoka Suigetsu. He continued keeping up the pressure, however Aizen finally decided to act as he stuck out his left arm to block the scorching sword. Yamamoto's Zanpakuto easily cut through Aizen's arm like it did the air, but that moment was all Aizen needed to create some distance between him and the Head Captain. The instant they separated was all Aizen needed to activate his Shikai. He took a deep breath as he felt the burning pain of his missing left arm, but he soon regenerated a new one.

"Heh-Hehehe! Hahahaha! Seems you've lost Head Captain."

Yamamoto instantly frowned as a dark shadow fell over his face. He was no fool. He instantly knew that Aizen had sacrificed his arm to create just enough resistance to slow down the swing of his blade which would give Aizen the time he needed to step out from the zone of danger. Furthermore, he clearly felt Kyoka Suigetsu's reiatsu release into the area making him even more frustrated.

"Aizen Sosuke...you are too quick to claim victory. Do you truly think that you can defeat me simply with your Kyoka Suigetsu? Your illusions make no difference since your blade will never reach me."

"Hmpf. That arrogance of yours will be your undoing, Yamamoto Genryusai. I told you that you would die by my sword, and that...is no illusion!"

BOOOOOM!

"Uh?! What?!" Aizen exclaimed in shock as he struck at Yamamoto's neck from behind only for his Zanpakuto to hit some sort of invisible barrier.

Yamamoto grinned with disdain shown in his eyes. "Heh. I told you did I not? Your blade will never reach me. Hah!"

He swung his sword out at Aizen only for it to cut through an illusion. "Hmpf. Hiding behind your little tricks, Aizen Sosuke?"

"Tch. I see you're one for tricks as well, Head Captain. Tell me, did you place your invisible barrier before coming to confront me?"

Yamamoto merely laughed. "Do you truly think that I need to prepare such petty tricks in advance? Well, I can understand your confusion. What you struck was no trick. Here, I shall make it visible to your eyes."

WHOOM!

A bright light instantly began illuminating around Yamamoto's body as he seemed to be wreathed in a cloak of scorching flames. With a voice of eminence and power, Yamamoto then said, "Zanka No Tachi, Nishi: Zanjitsu Gokui."

Aizen narrowed his eyes and immediately understood that what he was seeing was not actually flames, but rather Yamamoto's own reiatsu. It was almost as if Yamamoto was wearing the very sun itself on his body. Though Aizen found Yamamoto's ability troublesome he merely let out a light chuckle.

"Heh-Hehe-Hahaha! Indeed, the heat that radiates from your body provides quite the impenetrable defense, however, what now? Yamamoto Genryusai. You too are unable to kill me with your blade. Kyoka Suigetsu's hypnosis is flawless. In fact, it is my victory. Your power will eventually destroy all of Soul Society. You will deactivate your power before that happens. Why not just accept your defeat now and save us both the time?"

Yamamoto instantly frowned as he was slightly ticked off at the fact that what Aizen said had some truth to it. Since he didn't have a good answer he simply swung his blade.

"Zanka No Tachi, Kita: Tenchi Kaijin!"

There was no fanciful movement from Yamamoto. It was really just a simple swing of his sword, however that simple swing carried within it the destructive power to destroy all things that stood in its way. Aizen understood this immediately as he felt incredibly threatened by that attack. Even though Yamamoto couldn't hit Aizen due to the influence of Kyoka Suigetsu, his attack had created a giant trench that stretched out from where he stood reaching all the way to the end of the 80th district in Rukongai.

"Tch. Very well, since you have no intention of stopping then let's see how long you can last Head Captain. Hado #90: Kurohitsugi!"

A giant black coffin immediately encapsulated Yamamoto inside, however the old Captain didn't even bother moving. His sun-like armor was truly impenetrable. Even the force of a level 90's Kido couldn't touch him. Once more Yamamoto took to the sky slashing out at the Aizen that he could see, whether or not it was real or illusion at this point didn't matter. All he had to do was continue attacking with every slash sending out an unbearable heatwave. He'd eventually hit his mark.

The sky was filled with flashes of scorching flame and colorful Kido as Yamamoto and Aizen continued their battle of endurance. All those in Soul Society could only watch on in fear and awe at what could only be described as a battle of gods. The residual reiatsu filling the air from Yamamoto and Aizen's fight pulsed throughout all of Soul Society causing some of the infrastructure to split and crack. The worst part was the heat. The longer Yamamoto spent in his Bankai state the hotter the atmosphere started to become. Yamamoto himself knew this which was why he was currently frowning.

Aizen on the other hand didn't notice the frown Yamamoto was making since he felt the increasing intensity of the heat the most. He was currently dripping with sweat and there was a prickly sensation all over his body as if he was being stabbed with needles. His eyes shone with frustration at the fact that no matter what he did, even with his current power, he couldn't break through Yamamoto's defense. He wanted nothing more than to kill Yamamoto with his own hands, but the sun-cloak around Yamamoto made it impossible.

It was almost as if Yamamoto was mocking him. Which of them is the true god? That was what was running through Aizen's head. He who had subjugated the Hogyoku, evolved into a being that surpassed both Hollows and Shinigami, was still struggling to kill Yamamoto who was still just a Shinigami at the end of the day.

Enough!

"Yamamoto Genryusai!" Aizen shouted in anger.

That stopped Yamamoto in his tracks as he just finished slashing through another one of Aizen's illusions.

"Yamamoto Genryusai...you are indeed powerful, however, you are still only a Shinigami at the end of the day. I am someone who has stepped into the realm of god! Now let me show you the difference between us. Bankai!"

"Hm?!" Yamamoto immediately shut his eyes. If Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai required one to see the release then Yamamoto figured that Aizen's Bankai release would require a similar prerequisite, however, Aizen just smirked in disdain.

"Ika Yougetsu."

For a moment there was a still silence hanging on the air as neither of them moved from their original positions.

Finally Aizen commented, "What's the matter? Yamamoto Genryusai. If you don't continue your attack then how will you stop me?"

Yamamoto frowned and opened his eyes giving a fierce glare at Aizen.

"I see you still have not learnt your lesson, brat. That smirk on your face means that the activation of your Bankai was successful, am I wrong?"

"Heh. Curious as to what it does? Or perhaps you are afraid?" Aizen responded nonchalantly.

"Hmpf. If you are so confident in your Bankai's power then what are you waiting for? Afraid that it is unable to help you against me?"

"Heh-Hahahaha!"

"What's so funny?"

"Ah, my apologies, but it appears you didn't notice."

Yamamoto frowned and was about to say something when a look of shock and disbelief showed on his face.

Why am I kneeling?

Aizen grinned even more in satisfaction as he saw the confusion in Yamamoto's eyes.

"What's wrong? Yamamoto Genryusai. Do you happen to feel your anger, your hate, and your frustrations leaving you?"

Yamamoto's hand started to tremble as he tried to fight the strange feeling inside of him. For some odd reason he was losing the will to fight and instead he was feeling...love? Obedience? No. It was devotion. He felt it in his very bones. In his heart. Devotion to a god. He felt as if he was a devout follower all his life and that he had finally had the chance to meet the divine being that he worshipped face to face. It was an indescribable feeling of joy and bliss. It was maddening and driving the old Captain insane inside. His body and mind knew that this was wrong, but he just couldn't help feeling this way.

"Ai...zen Sosuke...YOU! Ugh...What did you do?!"

"This is the power of my Bankai: Ika Yougetsu. You see, Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai requires one to see its release in order to be placed under complete hypnosis. My Bankai however requires one to hear its release. Its power is not hypnosis of the five senses, but instead, it allows me complete and free reign over one's emotions. A fitting power for a god, don't you agree? Head Captain. The power to control all of one's physical senses and the power to control all of one's feelings."

"I see...so this is the full power of your Zanpakuto."

"Indeed. If there is one flaw to my powers then it is that I can't directly control what you think or do, but even still, that is irrelevant. For all actions and thoughts are fueled by one's emotions and senses. So long as I control both, you are nothing but a puppet before me."

Yamamoto knew through his years of experience that he was currently in a bad spot. As much as he hated to admit it, him being caught in Aizen's power just now made it near impossible for him to see a path to victory. Even if he could still move his body and fight, every one of his attacks would not be at 100% of his full power due to the influence of Aizen's Bankai. His attacks will slow down, begin to reveal a pattern, he'd begin to hesitate, to lose focus, change moods, there were too many variables that eventually he'd only wear himself down and exhaust all his strength. The only thing he could think of that would guarantee victory was to completely destroy all of Soul Society along with himself and Aizen, but that would defeat the purpose of protecting the Soul Society.

CRUMBLE.

The loud sound of the surrounding area slowly melting and turning to ashes caught Yamamoto's attention causing him to frown in anguish. He knew that it wouldn't be long before irreversible damage would be done to the Soul Society by his own power. Just as he was lost on what to do a random thought crossed his mind. There wasn't really any reason for it. He was just thinking so hard filtering through his memories that a spark of revelation hit him, giving him a small but last piece of hope. It was the thought of the existence of Ichigo and Kishin. Both of whom were powerful in their own right, both who were absent during the battle in the World of the Living against Aizen, and the most important of all, both of whom did not yet fall prey to Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.

A small grin found its way to his lips making Aizen slightly frown.

"Exactly what are you plotting that you can still smile in your dire situation?"

"Heh. Aizen Sosuke. Do you think that you have won?"

"Hmpf. You truly cannot accept defeat when it is right in front of you. No matter. I've grown tired of seeing your face, Yamamoto Genryusai."

An involuntary tear fell from Yamamoto's eyes as he was overcome with a deep sadness. It was a feeling like he had just lost his one true love. It completely broke his will to fight and Yamamoto knew in his mind that this was all due to the influence of Aizen's Bankai. He didn't want to accept the fact that he was this susceptible to Aizen's power, but he couldn't deny the reality of the situation. Instead he decided to put his faith in Ichigo and Kishin, hoping that they would arrive in time to stop Aizen.

The sound of a forest in the distance crumbling into ashes made Yamamoto grit his teeth as he finally deactivated his Bankai. Instantly the air in the atmosphere started to cool down and the heatwave plaguing the Soul Society began to slowly disperse. Aizen rejoiced at his victory.

"So you are finally ready to concede defeat."

Yamamoto frowned and was just about to say something when he felt a blade pierce through his chest.

"Guah!" He groaned from the stinging pain. Blood spilled from his lips as Aizen removed the blade from Yamamoto's chest and threw the Head Captain down to the ground.

BOOM!

A large crater formed from the force of Yamamoto's fall as he lay unmoving in the center, however a strange sense of freedom overcame him as if he had been released from the shackles binding his soul. It almost seemed as if the moment that he was stabbed by Aizen's Zanpakuto was the moment that he was freed from the influence of Aizen's Bankai.

I see. So that is the weakness of his Bankai.

"Yamamoto Genryusai. This is the end for you."

Just as Aizen began chanting the spell for Hado #90, a large Garganta ripped open the sky interrupting him. And stepping out from within the dark portal was precisely Ichigo and Kishin.

Kishin blinked several times just to make sure that the Aizen he was looking at was actually Aizen before he finally smirked and commented, "Well...can't say I'm a fan of the outfit."

MISC.

Finally! Kishin and Ichigo have made it on scene. Their fated battle against Aizen is about to commence. What will happen? How will things be resolved?

Aizen finally revealed his Bankai in this chapter! A fitting power for someone who believes himself to be a god, but as Yamamoto discovered, it does have a caveat to its use.

Anyways, I'm creating a database page that will have a list of the characters and their information on it such as their powers, affiliation, etc. That way I don't need to keep putting that information at the end of every chapter. Stay tuned for when that gets posted.

As always, thanks for everyone's support and patience!