Chapter 553 - 553 A Delighted Aizen

Las Noches, Aizen's Bedchamber.

"Report!"

An Arrancar knelt on one knee, reporting to Aizen. "The Arrancar, Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, who was removed from the Espada, has been defeated by the intruders."

"Oh? It seems to have taken more time than I expected."

Aizen stood up from his stone chair, looking puzzled.

The Arrancar delivering the report lowered his head. "Yes."

"How strange. I originally thought an Arrancar of Dordoni's level would be instantly killed by Hitsugaya Toshiro. Unexpectedly, he surprisingly managed to delay Hitsugaya Toshiro for this long. It seems my previous assessment of Dordoni was slightly off. If I had known, I would have given him another chance."

Aizen seemed to be talking to himself.

"Actually..."

"Well, whatever. Such trivial matters are no longer important."

Just as the Arrancar was about to explain why Dordoni had been able to 'delay' Toshiro for so long, Aizen waved his hand, cutting him off.

"You don't need to say anything more about Dordoni. However, aren't you forgetting to report something else?"

Aizen walked to the Arrancar delivering the report, looking down at him indifferently. "Who ordered the Exequias to go after Hitsugaya Toshiro?"

Aizen didn't deign to use his Reiatsu to intimidate such a small fry delivering a report. Yet, even so, the other party seemed to feel a mountain-like pressure, his entire body trembling involuntarily.

"Th-this is... is..."

"What? Is that question so difficult to answer?"

Aizen's expression grew even colder.

"It was I, Aizen-sama!"

Just as the reporting Arrancar was about to crack under Aizen's pressure, a voice suddenly came from the entrance of the bedchamber.

Then, the Octava Espada, Szayelaporro, walked in.

"It's you, Szayelaporro."

Aizen looked expressionlessly at the suddenly appearing Szayelaporro.

"A thousand apologies, Aizen-sama!!"

Szayelaporro suddenly knelt on one knee with a thud, a look of panic on his face. "I only wanted to serve Aizen-sama. I wanted to eliminate the intruders to ease your burden, so I took the liberty of giving the order..."

"Although I did it for Aizen-sama's sake, since it wasn't your order... your servant willingly accepts any punishment!!"

Having said that, Szayelaporro lowered his head and offered no further excuses, as if truly awaiting Aizen's punishment.

But Aizen, hearing Szayelaporro's explanation, said nothing, merely looking silently at the kneeling Szayelaporro.

"Drip!"

As if unable to bear the silent pressure, a drop of cold sweat fell from Szayelaporro's forehead.

"No, it's nothing!"

No one knew how long this oppressive, uncomfortable silence lasted. Finally, Aizen spoke.

"Hmm?"

Hearing that Aizen's words didn't seem to blame him, Szayelaporro looked up at Aizen with some surprise.

"As long as there's a reason. After all, you wanted to ease my burden. So, I will not blame you."

Aizen walked back to his stone chair and sat down.

"Th-thank you, Aizen-sama, for not pursuing this!"

Szayelaporro looked extremely grateful, as if moved to tears.

"Then, your servant will take his leave!"

As if afraid Aizen might change his mind, Szayelaporro quickly stood up and walked out.

"However..."

Just as Szayelaporro reached the doorway, Aizen's voice suddenly sounded again.

"I hope your reports will be more accurate in the future, Szayelaporro. I imagine the records of Hitsugaya Toshiro's Reiatsu you collected through Dordoni are quite beneficial to your research, aren't they?"

Aizen said meaningfully.

Drip!

Cold sweat fell from Szayelaporro's forehead. Unlike most of his previous fear, which was mostly feigned, this time Szayelaporro felt genuine terror, as if Aizen had seen through everything.

"Ye-yes, they were indeed helpful to my research, Aizen-sama."

This time, Szayelaporro didn't dare try to hide anything from Aizen. He admitted it directly.

"Is that so? Good."

Aizen said, as if unconcerned.

Then Szayelaporro, sweating profusely, walked out somewhat awkwardly.

Szayelaporro had sent the Exequias originally to collect data on Toshiro, hoping to glimpse the secrets of powerful beings like Toshiro and Aizen.

However, the Exequias were blocked by Dordoni and never got to see Toshiro.

So, in the end, Szayelaporro only managed to collect some records of Toshiro's Reiatsu from Dordoni, who had come into contact with him. But even that was very helpful for his research.

Szayelaporro had intended to hide the true purpose of sending the Exequias. Although he was collecting data on Toshiro, what he really wanted to probe were the secrets of beings at that level, including Aizen. So, he was worried about crossing Aizen's line.

But Szayelaporro didn't expect that despite his efforts to hide it, Aizen saw through it all at a glance. Even Aizen's words just now were filled with warning.

Szayelaporro could feel that if he had still refused to admit his true purpose after being exposed by Aizen, even if he was the most brilliant scientist in Hueco Mundo, Aizen would not have hesitated to let him die for real.

In just a few short exchanges, Szayelaporro had walked right past the gates of death. So, he became even more wary and fearful of Aizen.

Finally, after the reporting Arrancar also left, the vast bedchamber was left with only Aizen and Gin, who had been standing in the corner.

Gin had gone to the monitoring room earlier and then come to Aizen.

"What's this? Your subordinate got taken out, but you seem pleased, Captain Aizen?"

Gin suddenly spoke.

Gin had been by Aizen's side for many years. He could be considered very knowledgeable and familiar with Aizen. So, he could sense that Aizen was acting somewhat strange. Although he looked no different from usual, he gave off a feeling of being very pleased.

"Is that so? Do I look pleased?"

Aizen stood up from his stone chair again and walked to the balcony of the bedchamber, looking at the false sky of Las Noches.

"Are you not? You look very 'delighted.' Is it because Hitsugaya Toshiro is defeating one opponent after another, getting closer and closer to here?"

Gin said with narrowed eyes.

"I am 'delighted'? I wonder why. It does seem I feel that way!"

Aizen looked down at his own hand with some incredulity. Although his hand remained slender and strong, Aizen could clearly feel it trembling slightly, and even the long-cooled blood in his body was beginning to boil.

'Was this the feeling of approaching one's fated enemy?'

"Do you find me strange like this, Gin?"

Aizen turned to ask Gin.

Gin smiled with narrowed eyes. "How could I? I feel the same way."