Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō-Chapter 223: Anticipation

Sōsuke Aizen reached out with a slightly trembling hand and slowly shut off the flashing electronic screen.

As the only source of light disappeared, the laboratory was instantly swallowed by darkness, shrouded in an oppressive, almost tangible force.

He remained still, taking slow, deep breaths, trying to steady his emotions.

Seconds stretched into minutes. Finally, once he regained his composure, he reached forward and gently lifted the glass cover, his gaze locking onto the growing mass of black coal-like material.

Stepping forward, he moved with deliberate grace, shedding his black robe and draping the captain's haori over his shoulders. With practiced care, he smoothed out his disheveled hair.

For a brief moment, an overwhelming sharpness radiated from him—like a blade on the verge of being unsheathed, impossible to look at directly.

Standing before the mirror, Aizen studied his reflection.

At a glance, he appeared to be nothing more than a refined, kind, and approachable man. freёnovelkiss.com

But only a select few understood the depth of cunning and calculation lurking behind that facade.

Kōga Kuchiki pushed open the door and stepped inside, freezing in place the moment he saw him.

Aizen stood upright, an unusually radiant smile spread across his face.

Typically, his lips carried a gentle, practiced curve—an effortless mask meant to obscure his true emotions.

But this?

This was different.

Aizen rarely, if ever, displayed such an unguarded expression.

Kōga couldn't help but feel uneasy.

It wasn't that the smile was hideous—it was simply unsettling, far worse than the polished, artificial one he usually wore.

What had happened to make this man so elated that he failed to control even his own expression?

At that moment, Aizen looked like an excited child, staring at a long-coveted toy, his face brimming with anticipation.

Kōga didn't react immediately. He merely led the Ox-headed Vasto Lorde inside, closing the door carefully behind them.

He meticulously checked the lock, ensuring no one could enter unannounced.

Then, moving without a sound, he stepped behind Aizen, shrugging off his blood-soaked black robe with one hand while pressing the other against his wounded shoulder.

The Tsunayashiro estate wasn't far from the laboratory—barely thirty miles—but to avoid the ever-watchful surveillance of the Gotei 13's monitoring insects, he had to take a roundabout route, skirting the outskirts before finally arriving.

By now, the wound on his shoulder had begun to scab over, but even the slightest movement threatened to tear it open again. A thin stream of crimson trickled down his arm.

He retrieved a medical kit from the metal case. Returning to the estate was not an option, so for now, these rudimentary tools would have to suffice.

As a seasoned warrior, Kōga had endured far worse. A wound like this was nothing—he had survived much graver injuries. In under a minute, he had bandaged himself up.

Once finished, he changed into a clean Shihakushō, securing the Sixth Division's camellia armband over his shoulder and covering it with a red windflower sash, ensuring no signs of injury remained visible.

He scrutinized his reflection in the mirror. Outwardly, there was nothing amiss, though his complexion was noticeably pale, lacking its usual warmth.

Without hesitation, he discarded his bloodstained garments, tossing them into the incinerator.

Given the nature of their experiments, a facility for disposing of biological waste was essential.

Once that was taken care of, he methodically swept through the laboratory, erasing any potential traces of his presence.

Not a single clue could be left behind.

Because the Kōga Kuchiki who walked out of this room...

Would be a different man entirely.

A man with no connection to Sōsuke Aizen.

The world knew him as the ideal son-in-law—an honorable swordsman who respected his father-in-law's teachings, trained diligently alongside his closest friend, and remained a devoted husband, utterly faithful in both heart and action.

Sometimes, even Kōga himself marveled at how seamlessly he had crafted this facade—so much so that he was beginning to forget who he used to be.

But that illusion was what had won over his father-in-law and wife.

If they ever uncovered the truth about him...

They would no longer love him.

They would see him as a monster.

And in the moment he annihilated the Tsunayashiro Clan, he had felt nothing but satisfaction.

Yet he understood one thing better than anyone—no one loves a monster.

Not even himself.

That was why he hid his true nature.

That was why he continued the deception.

Because Kōga Kuchiki wasn't ready to lose them.

Not yet.

Sōsuke Aizen wrapped the coal ball in a strange metallic film. As his Reiatsu flickered, the metal sphere gradually turned transparent.

"How did the experiment go? Judging by your expression, it doesn't seem ideal."

"Well, it's the same as always. Spiritual bodies with weak Reiatsu collapse, while those with strong Reiatsu become Hollows." Kōga Kuchiki nodded. "This experiment has undoubtedly failed... You don't seem surprised at all?"

"We've run this experiment so many times already. Shouldn't you be prepared for the outcome by now?"

"So, does this mean the experiment will be terminated again?" Kōga Kuchiki asked with a frown.

"No, I've already found the solution." Aizen's lips curled into a confident smile.

His gaze was unwavering and sharp, as if he had foreseen everything from the beginning. His words made it clear—the experiments wouldn't end here. The outdated methods would be discarded.

Kōga Kuchiki's eyes widened in surprise and confusion, but he quickly masked his emotions and gave a slight nod. "I see."

He had no doubts about the intellect of the man before him. Aizen had achieved countless astonishing breakthroughs, far beyond the reach of ordinary minds.

Even if the Hollowfication experiments hadn't been a complete success, the ability to transform Shinigami into Hollows and greatly enhance their power was already a remarkable feat. If Aizen continued his research, perhaps one day, his vision would become reality.

"You're looking forward to it as well, aren't you?" Aizen suddenly turned to Kōga Kuchiki and asked softly.

"Looking forward to it?" Kōga Kuchiki was momentarily taken aback. Was he really anticipating something?

Aizen, however, simply shook his head.

Behind him, space itself seemed to be torn apart by an invisible force, revealing a massive, elliptical black void. Thick mist swirled within, exuding an air of mystery and unpredictability.

A Garganta!

This was a Hollow's spatial passage, akin to the Shinigami's Senkaimon.

But stepping through it was not a Hollow—it was Kaname Tōsen.

Without sparing Kōga Kuchiki a glance, he raised the transparent metal sphere and walked into the Garganta.

"Aizen... has even figured out how to manipulate the Hollows' Garganta?" Kōga Kuchiki was stunned.