Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 302 ⥤ Forehand and Backhand Teaching

"Congratulations indeed." Aizen's lips curled into a smile, his expression radiating anticipation and delight.

As one of the Hōgyoku's developers, no one understood its abilities and potential better than him. The device was originally created to break through the limits of Shinigami souls, enabling them to reach a higher state of being.

Just as he had predicted, the Hōgyoku achieved this effect perfectly. However, through Kisuke's involvement and further development, Aizen discovered its true ability — to materialize and realize one's inner desires.

{T/N: Notice that I've been using different names for the same person in parallel universes. Just so there's no confusion.}

As the husky had described it, the device was like a universal wish-granting machine.

The only prerequisite was that one needed to possess the potential or ability themselves. In essence, the Hōgyoku acted as a converter, transforming latent potential into tangible reality.

Driven by his intense desire for power, Parallel Aizen's wish was fulfilled. The Hōgyoku enabled him to evolve rapidly, breaking through his soul's limits to ascend to the ranks of transcendent beings.

Yet his current form, though marginally stronger, remained grotesque. The humanity in his eyes had vanished entirely, replaced by an obsessive pursuit of divinity.

Aizen wondered if he too would have taken this form, had he not encountered that person.

What force could have opposed him then? Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto? Or perhaps Yhwach?

It wasn't mere arrogance — the gap between transcendent beings and ordinary Shinigami or Arrancar was truly vast. Despairingly vast.

Ordinary Shinigami could no longer even sense Parallel Aizen's Reiatsu.

And yet, this was far from his limit. Aizen maintained a clear judgment of his own potential.

Observing the calm, peaceful smile before him, Parallel Aizen felt an inexplicable surge of rage.

I'm clearly standing at your level now — why do you still maintain such a lofty attitude?!

If that's how it is, then die!

The Hōgyoku in his chest erupted with brilliant light, illuminating everything like a miniature sun rising among the ruins.

His butterfly wings spread slowly as his Reiatsu, now so dense it became tangible, dispersed and expanded. The ground groaned under unbearable pressure, fracturing to reveal endless darkness.

In the next moment, Parallel Aizen's body emanated white light before dissolving like morning frost, vanishing completely.

Clang!!!

The sound of clashing metal echoed across the ruins. The shockwave erupted, completely obliterating the broken buildings behind and turning them into countless particles that fell into the abyss-like cracks.

Light appeared at Aizen's right rear — countless points of light assembling to form Parallel Aizen's body. A light-form movement, or teleportation.

Tremendous power burst forth from the blade. Parallel Aizen's expression changed slightly as he was nearly pushed back by the reactive force. In this moment, he finally understood the vast difference between two identical beings.

After multiple close encounters, he sensed the power of the other Hōgyoku. In terms of Hōgyoku development alone, the other had already far surpassed him.

Strong resentment grew in his heart, instantly transforming into extreme anger. How could his hundred years of perfect planning lose to another version of himself?

What exactly was the difference between them?!

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

"You say your world-shocking wisdom surpasses all Sangai, far exceeding even Kisuke Urahara and Aizen?"

"That's right!"

"And in terms of combat ability, you're supremely powerful, with no equal in all Sangai?"

"Mm-hmm!"

"The reason I took you as my disciple was entirely because I recognized your extraordinary talent, and after accepting you, I treated you like my own child, even passing the position of Captain-Commander to you?"

"Exactly right!" Akira nodded, showing a sincere and affirmative smile.

Yamamoto looked at the new Captain-Commander haori in his hands. He immediately recognized it as a product of the Sewing Division, bearing Senjumaru Shutara's handiwork, and found himself half-believing what had been said.

But what followed was an extremely strange feeling.

How could this youngster, who looked every bit like a brainless brute, have the audacity to claim such world-shocking wisdom?

Had the Yamamoto from the neighboring world gone senile? The position of Captain-Commander wasn't something that could be inherited by just any brute with overwhelming combat ability!

Even if one couldn't achieve both wisdom and courage, shouldn't they at least choose someone with more balanced qualities?

"Let's set aside wisdom for now." Yamamoto raised his hand to interrupt the boasting, "You say you're strong, but I find that hard to believe."

The reason was simple - even face to face like this, he couldn't sense the other's Reiatsu, which already said something. Earlier when Akira was helping treat his injuries, he hadn't displayed particularly strong Reiatsu either.

This proved the kid was merely boasting. His earlier claims were likely less than 30% true.

Akira was stunned. Many had questioned his world-shocking wisdom, but this was the first time anyone had doubted his strength.

As expected of Yama-jii — even his way of thinking differed from ordinary people.

Speaking of which, how could he prove his strength? By tearing apart Parallel Aizen?

No, no, stealing Sōsuke's enemy might cost him his adopted son.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

While the husky pondered this, the battle nearby had intensified. Driven by the stark difference in their levels, Parallel Aizen erupted with 120% of his potential — his sword strikes swift as lightning, each move unleashing world-destroying shockwaves.

The vast Karakura Town lay utterly demolished, not a single boulder intact. The Tenkai Kecchu began to give way.

Seeing this, Urahara, alongside the mobile Shinigami Captains and Visored members, rushed to reinforce the pillars. Fighting here wouldn't matter, but damage to the real Karakura Town would spell disaster.

Parallel Aizen stood panting heavily, glaring with utter resentment at the ever-composed Aizen. His turbulent Reiatsu betrayed his unsettled state of mind.

"You seem to have reached your limit." Aizen remarked coolly, "Can the Hōgyoku no longer support your evolution? I must reassess my evaluation — your potential is far lower than anticipated."

His clinical tone, as if appraising an object, shattered Parallel Aizen's last threads of self-control. Rationality burned away in the flames of his rage.

He screamed at that familiar face, "Shut up! Sōsuke Aizen, you're just luckier than I am! If our positions were reversed, you couldn't have done any better! What are you so proud of?"

Looking at his unhinged "self", Aizen seemed to recall something.

His lips curved into a slight smile as he spoke with quiet amusement, "Lucky? Perhaps you're right. But even now, you haven't grasped the true reason for your failure. Lecturing others from your high perch?

Thinking that knowing a few secrets about the nature of the Sangai elevates you to a higher position — what you call the throne above the heavens. Little did you know, these secrets were merely what others wanted you to see. From beginning to end, you never escaped fate's arrangement. The Hōgyoku that made you what you are is also destroying you.

Aizen, you are too arrogant."

The person who knows oneself best is undoubtedly oneself.

These words pierced through Parallel Aizen's heart like a sword, shredding his remaining dignity. He stared at the other's calm face, his eyes widening as his pupils constricted. Blood seeped from the corners of his eyes as his features twisted with savage rage.

Without warning, he swung his Zanpakutō forward, instantly crossing space, aiming to decapitate Aizen with a single strike.

Clang!!

Another clash of blades sent sparks flying.

⤫ Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi ⥤ Black Coffin! ⤬

Parallel Aizen pointed skyward as surging Reiatsu churned beneath his feet, transforming into endless darkness that covered the vast ruined battlefield. Yet surprisingly, the Black Coffin didn't target Aizen — instead, it gathered at the other end of the battlefield.

Akira watched as black lines suddenly encircled him, the surrounding space-time distorting like flowing gravity, blurring his figure.

Yamamoto's expression changed abruptly. He instinctively reached for his sword, but his movement came too late.

Akira vanished, swallowed and sealed by the Black Coffin.

"Though I'm not quite sure what relationship you have with that guy." Parallel Aizen said mockingly, his gaze fixed on his counterpart, "But I imagine he must be important to you. We are both destined to be lonely people..."

Crack!

Before he could finish speaking, a breaking sound echoed from the distant Kurohitsugi.

Under several shocked gazes, a hand extended from the crack. With a light pull, the Black Coffin — capable of killing any Shinigami Captain — shattered completely.

Yamamoto watched with a dazed expression as the young man reappeared, wearing a refreshing smile.

A thought rose in his mind: Could everything this kid said earlier be true?

Although Parallel Aizen had anticipated this possibility before the battle, seeing such extraordinary power — even beyond his other self — made his breathing irregular.

What exactly happened in that other world?! How could such a terrifying monster be born?

Slash—

The sound of tearing flesh rang by his ear, interrupting Parallel Aizen's thoughts. He stared in shock; his proudly maintained body was as fragile as paper before the other's strike.

Just a casual attack had nearly bisected him!

The intense pain shattered his sanity. Combined with his string of failures, he descended into a frenzy. A hysterical roar escaped him as the eye in his forehead spun madly, threatening to burst from its socket.

Rip, Rip—

A crack appeared at the corner of his eye, spreading rapidly across his entire face. Dense purple Reiatsu shot skyward like a violet sun, illuminating the city.

"Aaaaaah!!" Parallel Aizen's scream pierced the air as his face shattered. Ugly tentacles burst from his back, spraying viscous blood like a fountain.

The pillar of Reiatsu cracked and shattered, revealing a monstrous figure.

His face had split down the middle, exposing pure black features and sharp teeth. Three massive holes gaped in his chest, the Hōgyoku pulsing with blue-purple light. His butterfly wings now bore grotesque skull heads at their ends.

Nothing remained of Parallel Aizen's original form — he had become the epitome of grotesque ferocity.

This transformation surprised even Aizen. Among all the evolutionary paths he had calculated, he never imagined one so repulsive that even Akira would recoil.

Parallel Aizen drew a deep breath, feeling Reiatsu surge through his body. Despite his hideous form, his confidence returned — his power had made a quantum leap.

⤫ Fragor ⥤ Clamor! ⤬

The skull on his butterfly wings gaped open, launching a blue-purple sphere that materialized before Aizen.

Then came the nuclear explosion.

BOOOOMMMM——!!!!!

A mushroom cloud towered over the ruins. Intense flames melted the ground, leaving a crater that gaped like an endless abyss.

As the aftershocks faded, Aizen emerged from the swirling dust, completely unscathed.

Parallel Aizen's features contorted in fury. Even at the peak of his power, why couldn't he harm his counterpart?

How could the gap between two identical beings be so vast?!

Refusing to accept defeat, Parallel Aizen teleported beside Aizen, trapping him between his skull-adorned wings. Each skull's maw opened, radiating brilliant blue-purple light.

⤫ Ultrafragor ⥤ Beyond-Clamor! ⤬

"It's over, die!"

Parallel Aizen now resembled a Hollow more than a Shinigami — the Hōgyoku had transformed his desperate desire for power into reality.

His Reiatsu multiplied explosively, condensing into pure substance that warped the fabric of space-time.

Boom!!!

The Ultrafragor erupted — its scorching torrent surged forth, swallowing the sun and darkening the sky. Space itself twisted and warped, deep fissures spreading near the torrent as if threatening to tear the world apart.

A violent Reishi storm roared in the explosion's wake, its spine-chilling crackle filling the air. The sheer force of the aftershock nearly shattered the binding spell barrier maintained by the gathered Shinigami Captains.

They stared anxiously toward the explosion's center, the fate of the Tenkai Kecchu now forgotten.

When the chaos settled, a massive crater stretched across half the city. Dark red magma churned at its bottom, radiating intense heat while flames distorted the air above.

In the sky, Parallel Aizen stood silently, satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Finally, it's over. Underestimating your opponent will be your epitaph."

"Farewell, my other self..."

But then, a calm voice spoke behind him, "What are you looking at?"

Parallel Aizen spun around in shock to find Aizen standing nearby, completely unharmed — not even a speck of dust on him.

"Impossible!!" He stared in disbelief, "What did you do..."

Seeing his counterpart's composure crumble again, Aizen smiled.

"When did you fall under the illusion that I wasn't using Kyōka Suigetsu?"

⤫⤬⤫

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