Aizen's utterly provocative words instantly threw the entire underground chamber into chaos once again.
Quite a few of the sages began shouting furiously, demanding that he be made to pay.
Some even proposed destroying an entire world if that was what it took to ensure Aizen's complete death.
Naturally, no one with any sense supported such idiotic suggestions.
As for Shimo, his disappointment toward the Central 46 only deepened.
In his eyes, some of these people might not even compare to Rukia.
"You treasonous criminal!"
At last, one of the judges roared:
"To think we spared your life, yet you still dare speak with such insolence!"
"Seal his eyes and mouth as well! Extend his sentence to twenty thousand years!"
Aizen remained completely unmoved.
His lowered gaze swept calmly across the members of Central 46.
And the instant their eyes met his, those so-called wise mens and judges instinctively recoiled into their seats.
Only after their backs touched the cold chairrests did they suddenly realize where they were—
the Underground Assembly Hall.
As judges and sages, they should not have shown fear toward someone standing below them.
Even if that person was Aizen.
Clinging to that thought, they forced themselves to regain their composure.
Yet before they could speak again, Aizen's calm voice echoed throughout the entire chamber.
"A false display of authority… merely nurtures the fear within your hearts."
"At your core, you are still nothing more than insects."
The moment his words fell, a pale violet glow flashed through his eyes.
In the next instant—
more than a thousand layers of Bakudō barriers shattered simultaneously!
Aizen's Spiritual Pressure exploded outward, instantly engulfing the entire underground chamber.
The terror of death invaded the hearts of Central 46 in an instant.
Driven by primal fear, their ugly sides were laid bare.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down their faces like bursting floodwaters. Snot dripped messily from their noses.
Some lost all control of their limbs, accidentally knocking aside the partitions before them and exposing their disgraceful appearances to everyone present.
"Kyōraku Shimo."
Aizen curled his lips into a faint smile as he spoke softly.
"These fools… are the ones you choose to serve."
"Tell me, do you find that pathetic?"
Hearing this, Shimo's eyes revealed a trace of surprise as he replied:
"Aizen…"
"When did you start believing that I was loyal to these people?"
Aizen's expression froze briefly.
Then the smile on his lips widened further.
"I see."
"So that's how it is."
The chaos in the chamber was swiftly suppressed by Yamamoto and the others.
Once Aizen's Spiritual Pressure had been sealed away again, Central 46 gradually recovered from that overwhelming fear of death.
But after such humiliation, it was impossible for them to continue the sentencing proceedings.
And so, Aizen was ultimately escorted to the deepest level of the underground prison—Muken.
After the verdict was carried out, the mess left behind fell to the Gotei 13.
Both the Seireitei and the Human World had been left in ruins.
Nearly half the Shinigami forces were dispatched to the Human World to assist in rebuilding the city.
Since the real Karakura Town had descended during the final stage of the battle and fused together with the devastated battlefield, numerous civilian casualties had occurred.
On top of that, the ruined city itself still had to be completely cleared away.
Even for the Seireitei, it was an enormous undertaking.
Meanwhile, the Fourth Division had become utterly overcrowded.
Occasionally, Shimo would stop by to heal a few Shinigami he found agreeable—mostly just to give himself something to do.
However, on the third day after Aizen's sentencing—
he received a Hell Butterfly message from the First Division.
"Report to the First Division barracks."
"Now what happened this time…"
Shimo shook his head before leaving the Third Division barracks.
---
First Division Barracks.
"IDIOTS!!"
The thunderous roar echoed far across the central courtyard, reverberating throughout the entire First Division compound.
The surrounding Shinigami hurried along nervously, and upon hearing that voice, they quickened their pace even more.
As Shimo stepped into the courtyard, he arrived just in time to hear the scolding continue.
"You three actually LOST your captain haori?!"
Yamamoto's voice boomed like thunder.
"If it had been destroyed in battle, that would've been one thing!"
"But to actually lose it? That's utterly disgraceful!"
"And look at the relaxed expressions on your faces! Truly infuriating!"
Standing before him in a line were three individuals of drastically different heights.
"Captain-Commander."
Byakuya Kuchiki lowered his gaze calmly.
"If it is merely an inexpensive haori, I can compensate for it myself."
THUD! THUD!
Yamamoto slammed his staff against the floor in fury.
"That's not the issue!"
"And it is NOT some cheap piece of clothing, you fool!"
He glared at the three captains before him, his voice rising another several levels.
"Listen carefully! Do you think victory in battle is all that matters?!"
"What do you think a captain's haori represents?!"
Kenpachi Zaraki raised his chin slightly, his lone visible eye filled with disdain.
"A nuisance?"
Byakuya replied in the same calm tone:
"A cheap garment."
As for Tōshirō Hitsugaya, he looked noticeably nervous.
"It… symbolizes a captain's dignity?"
Even he sounded uncertain of his answer.
Only after hearing Hitsugaya's response did Yamamoto's expression ease slightly.
"You two idiots."
His tone toward Kenpachi and Byakuya still carried obvious exasperation.
"The Captain-Commander's energy is as overwhelming as ever."
Shimo's amused voice broke the tense atmosphere.
"Shimo."
"Captain Shimo."
"Oh!"
The three captains greeted him in their own respective ways.
The moment Yamamoto saw Shimo, his expression visibly softened.
As the greatest contributor to the Battle of Karakura Town, Shimo's significance had already surpassed that of the overwhelming majority of captains.
Although Yamamoto had heard Shimo's earlier remarks in the underground chamber, he had not taken them to heart.
In truth, Shimo was far from the only captain dissatisfied with Central 46.
"Thanks to your treatment, this old man has recovered quite well."
Yamamoto's tone had finally calmed considerably.
Shimo, however, had no intention of wasting time with pleasantries.
"So, Captain-Commander, why did you summon me here?"
"I didn't lose my captain haori."
Yamamoto's expression stiffened instantly.
For a moment, he was speechless.
"...Cough."
"Shimo."
"The reason I called you here…"
"There is something I wish to discuss with you."
Shimo raised an eyebrow, smiling lightly.
"Then please, go ahead."
Yamamoto's expression gradually turned solemn, his voice growing slightly hoarse.
"Captain Shimo of the Third Division…"
"What are your thoughts…"
"…on the position of Captain-Commander?"
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