Bleach: The Two Gods of One Family

"What color a piece of white paper will be painted depends on what kind of paint I want to use."

Of course, Aiyan knew exactly what Aizen meant by "forcing the king."

If Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin chose to become Seireitei's Lieutenants, then find an opportunity to kill them; if they chose to become his Lieutenants, then keep them.

"That's right."

Aizen nodded in agreement. Once he knew his brother understood his intentions, he dropped the subject.

Frankly speaking, even if Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku truly insisted on becoming Seireitei's Lieutenants in the future, he still had ten thousand ways to arrange them.

"What Matsumoto Rangiku holds in her body is not an ordinary Soul King fragment, but a complete Soul King component."

"It's the fingertip of the Soul King."

"In other words, it allows the Hōgyoku in your hand to evolve instantly. Together with the Soul King fragments obtained from the Kuchiki family, it may not be perfect, but it would definitely be close to a finished product."

Aiyan suddenly spoke, his gaze meeting Aizen's eyes:

"Aizen, don't you want it?"

He knew the king's character.

When he first mentioned Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin, he already sensed Aizen's murderous intent toward Matsumoto Rangiku.

"I want it! After all, it determines whether you and I can break the boundaries of Shinigami."

"If I find the chance, I would take the Soul King's fingertip from her body without hesitation."

"In my eyes, as a Shinigami, Matsumoto Rangiku herself does not possess value beyond the Soul King's fingertip, nor is she worthy of holding it. Her only role is as a temporary container for the Soul King's parts. But now, she belongs to you."

Aizen did not avoid the question at all and looked directly into Aiyan's eyes.

He frankly admitted that he wanted it, but he also acknowledged that compared to his relationship with Aiyan, even if it allowed the Hōgyoku to evolve to near perfection, it was nothing.

No.

It should be said the two weren't even qualified to be compared.

He always believed that feelings were just products fermented by hormones and time — they could exist, but their effect was limited to mere self-satisfaction, nothing more.

When emotions become obstacles hindering progress, they should be cut off without hesitation.

But before becoming a Shinigami, back in District 80, those early days of supporting each other had continuously influenced Aizen and changed his thoughts.

Aizen was still the king who wanted to become a god and stand atop the sky.

However, his thinking had slightly changed.

If standing atop the sky meant sacrificing his relationship with Aiyan, he would rather give up becoming a god.

"Brother, since you chose to let Matsumoto Rangiku live rather than extract the Soul King's fingertip, you must have your reasons."

"No matter what the reason, I will allow her to continue existing in Soul Society as a Shinigami, even if that means passing up the Soul King's fingertip. But the prerequisite is that she must become your Lieutenant. Not the Lieutenant of Gotei 13 — that is her only value."

"If she exists in a form that fails to meet your expectations, I will erase her from Seireitei at all costs, even if not a single spirit particle remains."

Aizen glanced at Kyōka Suigetsu in his hand without a trace. No, it should be said — Demon Blade Muramasa.

This was Aiyan's birthday gift to him.

It was also the first gift he received in Soul Society, and one of the reasons that prompted him to change his views and deeply value his relationship with Aiyan.

For this reason, he did not hesitate to give up letting the Hōgyoku in his hand go further and did not feel any regret.

"It's different from other Soul King fragments that are incomplete and broken."

"The complete parts of the Soul King can grow on their own, whether by developing self-awareness or falling into others' hands."

"Don't you think that compared to a Hōgyoku that must devour souls constantly and needs to be carefully fed, a Hōgyoku with consciousness, thought, and emotion is more interesting, has greater evolutionary potential, and requires less worry?"

Aiyan leaned back gently in his chair, speaking meaningfully.

"I see."

"Is she your Hōgyoku?"

Hearing this, Aizen thought of certain secret information about the Quincy that he had investigated in recent days after becoming First Division Lieutenant.

Thinking of this, a flash of understanding and realization passed through his eyes beneath his glasses.

Obviously.

He already understood that the reason Aiyan kept Matsumoto Rangiku was to create another Hōgyoku.

It's just that their views and forms of Hōgyoku differed.

The Hōgyoku in Aizen's eyes existed as the gemstone in his hand, controlled entirely by his will.

The Hōgyoku in Aiyan's eyes existed in the form of Matsumoto Rangiku — in the form of a Shinigami.

The gem form was easy to control, but it lacked self-growth. Before reaching an ideal level, it needed to be fed large amounts of souls and spiritual power, or even other Hōgyoku, Soul King fragments, or Soul King parts to push it forward.

The Shinigami form had the ability to grow independently, advancing through practice. Just like Pernida Parnkgjas, Gerard Valkyrie, and Lille Barro in the Sternritter — Soul King parts that evolved through their own practice to a level surpassing Gotei 13.

In the former case, it required constant effort and feeding; in the latter case, it could be left alone to grow or occasionally nourished to accelerate its progress.

"A second Hōgyoku?"

"Interesting."

"This way of creating a Hōgyoku is indeed just like you."

Aizen looked quite happy. He had originally planned to help Aiyan create a second Hōgyoku after finishing the one in his hand.

Now it was no longer necessary.

After learning that Aiyan also had plans to create a Hōgyoku, he completely extinguished his intent to kill Matsumoto Rangiku.

If his initial reason for letting Matsumoto Rangiku live was out of respect and affection for Aiyan, then now he could allow her to continue existing even aside from their brotherly bond.

Because in his eyes, Matsumoto Rangiku was no longer simply a Soul King fragment container, nor a waste of Soul King parts, but another Hōgyoku in itself.

It was Aiyan's Hōgyoku.

It just existed in the form of a Shinigami, not a gem.

At this moment, Aizen also had an idea in his mind.

To compete with his brother — to see whose Hōgyoku was more perfect.

Was it the Hōgyoku in his hand?

Or Matsumoto Rangiku in Aiyan's hand?

Just like their countless competitions in the past.

"Not necessarily. It's just out of a momentary curiosity. Will the seed I planted by chance bloom? And if it blooms, what kind of fruit will it bear? In truth, I don't even care."

"Compared to Hōgyoku, I'm more pleased to hear what you just said to me."

"To be honest, the Hōgyoku and Soul King parts mean nothing to me. I've never truly cared about these things."

Seeing Aizen open up for the first time, Aiyan also decided to confide in him:

"Even without Hōgyoku or Soul King parts, I am confident that I can break the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow."

"You can consider it my boasting."

"But if you fail, I will lend you a hand and help you stand atop everything."

His tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something as simple as lifting a finger.

Even if that meant sending a king to the heavens with one hand.

Taking the place of a god.

"Why?"

Aizen's expression didn't change, but his deep eyes rippled slightly.

The kind of ripple invisible to the eye.

"Don't you think the answer lies within yourself?"

Aiyan asked instead of answering.

"Um?"

Aizen appeared slightly puzzled.

"Why didn't you allow Matsumoto Rangiku to exist in a form that failed to live up to my expectations?"

Aiyan asked again.

Upon hearing this, Aizen froze slightly, as if realizing that what he had just said was inconsistent with his character and style.

Thinking this through, he fell silent.

After a while, he spoke again, changing the subject to his own Hōgyoku.

"Even after absorbing Muguruma Kensei's Reiatsu, this Hōgyoku still didn't display the power I expected."

"It requires more spiritual power, at least dozens of Reiatsu containers to satisfy it and push it further."

"Of course, Soul King fragments are also essential."

Aizen glanced at the Hōgyoku in his palm, then handed it over.

"What a glutton."

"Have all the Soul King fragments extracted from Kuchiki Ginrei, Kōga, and the Kuchiki family been used up?"

Aiyan reached out and took the Hōgyoku, sensing the terrifying power contained within the small gem.

The two had planned so much before, and they naturally wanted more than just a Hollow feast at Kuchiki's house. Besides settling accounts with Kuchiki Ginrei, they also aimed to harvest the Soul King fragments.

The Hōgyoku in his hand was the culmination of the entire Kuchiki family's efforts and contributions.

...

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