Chapter 72: Chapter 72 I Refuse
Aizen leaned casually against the wall, his piercing gaze scanning the trail ahead. Despite the chaos within the Marine base, his Observation Haki had already sensed the approaching figures from both the World Government and Vice Admiral Tsuru's ship. The moment of confrontation was near.
Sliding his hands into his pockets, Aizen strolled toward a secluded pathway, choosing to meet his "guests" on his own terms. His calm demeanor masked the storm brewing within. As the distant figures grew closer, he leaned casually against a wall, waiting.
Moments later, a man in the signature white coat of CP0 approached, his masked face betraying no emotion. Behind him, Vice Admiral Tsuru and her entourage lagged slightly, keeping their distance. The masked agent halted in front of Aizen, his posture stiff and commanding.
"This should be a better place for your CP dogs to talk, don't you think?" Aizen remarked, his tone tinged with subtle mockery. "Ask your questions quickly. I still need to report to Vice Admiral Tsuru."
The CP0 agent's masked face betrayed no reaction, but his voice carried a cold authority. "Abel Vice Admiral, the World Government has reviewed your report. However, we've come to verify certain... details."
Aizen's brow furrowed slightly. "Verification? And if I refuse?"
The agent didn't flinch. "Your refusal is irrelevant. We will confirm the truth ourselves."
Aizen sighed, shaking his head. "Typical. The government's methods never change—always so irritating."
Without warning, the CP0 agent struck. "Tempest Kick!" he roared, launching a massive slash of air with the precision of a great swordsman. The attack tore through the air, aimed directly at Aizen.
Yet, Aizen didn't move. He raised his left hand casually and intercepted the Tempest Kick mid-flight, gripping it with his bare hand. The energy of the attack dissipated instantly as he crushed it in his grasp, fragments scattering harmlessly to the ground.
The CP0 agent's eyes widened in disbelief. "What...?"
"Is that it?" Aizen said coolly, his voice dripping with disdain. "If this is the level of your 'verification,' you're wasting my time."
The CP0 agent growled in frustration. "Gunfinger! *Dancing Wildly!*" He lunged forward, aiming a hardened finger strike directly at Aizen's throat. The speed and precision of the attack were unparalleled, designed to pierce even the toughest defenses.
But Aizen's eyes flashed coldly. "If you insist on fighting, then I won't hold back. *Hadō Number Ninety-Nine: Five Swirling Dragons of Destruction!*"
A monstrous surge of Reiatsu erupted from Aizen, flooding the air with an overwhelming pressure. Five massive dragons formed from pure energy roared to life, their luminous forms spiraling into the sky. Their deafening cries shook the earth, echoing for miles around.
The sheer force of the attack shattered the ground beneath their feet. Buildings crumbled as the five dragons swept through the area with relentless fury. The CP0 agent was hurled backward, crashing violently into a distant wall despite his Armament Haki and Iron Body defense.
Even as he struggled to rise, the agent could barely process what had just happened. His breathing was labored, and the overwhelming pressure of Aizen's Reiatsu kept him pinned. "This... This power... Hadō of Ninety-Nine... It's far beyond the intelligence we gathered..."
Aizen stood amidst the destruction, unbothered by the chaos around him. His gaze was sharp and unyielding as he stared down the agent. "You've witnessed the truth now, haven't you? If you're still alive, crawl back to your superiors and let them know this: their schemes won't reach me."
The CP0 agent struggled to his feet, trembling but unwilling to show fear. "You've made your point, Vice Admiral... but this isn't over."
Aizen smirked faintly. "It never is." Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the wreckage and the stunned agent behind.