The chat group erupted with speculation as everyone processed the shocking question that had just appeared before them.
[Urahara Kisuke]: So it's actually related to Aizen? I have a feeling this question isn't going to be as straightforward as it seems.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: Answering questions correctly grants rewards? I still find that difficult to believe.
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Is this really Aizen's doing? Starting with a question about himself—are you trying to show off, you bastard?
[Aizen Sōsuke]: Captain Hitsugaya, I assure you I'm not quite that narcissistic.
[Urahara Kisuke]: True, that doesn't seem like Aizen's style at all...
[Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]: Could it be that whatever Aizen created became the target of all his previous conspiracies?
[Aizen Sōsuke]: Naturally, my ultimate objective has always been the Hōgyoku! This is my answer! Without question, it should be the most perfect creation of my existence!
[Kyōraku Shunsui]: Oh dear, Aizen got his answer in first. I wonder if he'll actually receive such generous rewards?
[Urahara Kisuke]: Hey now! If we're talking about the Hōgyoku, how could you have that finished product without my contributions?
After submitting his answer, Aizen's expression remained characteristically serene and confident. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that his greatest achievement was the Hōgyoku.
After all, no one understood the Hōgyoku better than Aizen himself! The mystical orb possessed its own consciousness and could absorb the desires of those around it, materializing their deepest wishes into reality. It could protect its host from death, and when the host's abilities reached their absolute limit, the Hōgyoku could trigger evolution to an entirely higher plane of existence.
Only by obtaining the Hōgyoku could one truly break the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow!
Compared to the Hōgyoku, even my own Zanpakutō and kidō abilities pale in comparison, Aizen thought to himself. Will this so-called Three Realms Projection actually deliver on its promised rewards?
Though Aizen already possessed the Hōgyoku, acquiring additional power or abilities would certainly be beneficial. After all, if he intended to break into the Soul King Palace and completely replace the Soul King, he should be as prepared as possible!
Meanwhile, in the Ice Palace of the Wandenreich, Jugram Haschwalth observed the golden screen and monitored the chat group conversations with a contemplative frown.
They had gathered intelligence about this "Hōgyoku" during their reconnaissance operations. It was supposedly a substance capable of breaking the boundary between Shinigami and Hollow.
But as Quincy, they had little interest in such things.
After all, they possessed Schrifts granted by His Majesty Yhwach, along with abilities like Vollständig. Even without their emperor's direct intervention, they could easily deal with Aizen.
A mere Hōgyoku was hardly worth their concern!
Once His Majesty Yhwach fully awakened, their Quincy forces would rise and crush Soul Society beneath their heel! Neither Aizen Sōsuke nor Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni posed any real threat!
Therefore, Haschwalth and the other Sternritter continued their covert observation of Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and this Three Realms Projection, refusing to impatiently expose their presence.
Back in Soul Society, Senyu—the mastermind behind this entire spectacle—smiled quietly to himself.
This question isn't nearly as simple as it appears. Even Aizen, with all his planning and foresight, is about to fall into my trap.
Senyu quickly activated the Three Realms Projection system to determine the correct answer.
[DING!]
[Now determining the correct answer...]
[Unfortunately, Aizen Sōsuke's answer is INCORRECT! Penalty: 10% spiritual pressure reduction!]
Huh?!
Countless viewers across all three realms were absolutely stunned! Aizen, the man who controlled every situation and planned every outcome down to the smallest detail, had answered incorrectly?
And the question was about his own work!
If it wasn't the Hōgyoku, then what could possibly be his greatest masterpiece?
At the same moment, Senyu felt an incredible surge of energy flooding through his body.
Buzz!!!
Enormous spiritual pressure began flowing into his entire being, spreading through every limb and filling him with power he had never experienced before.
Both his body and mind felt absolutely incredible.
So this is 10% of Aizen Sōsuke's spiritual pressure? Senyu marveled. No wonder Yhwach later classified him as a Special War Power. His spiritual pressure at this point in time is absolutely terrifying.
It was no surprise that Aizen could overwhelm entire groups of captains through spiritual pressure alone!
For Senyu, whose combat abilities had been mediocre despite his exceptional healing skills, this represented a qualitative leap in power!
At minimum, he had just crossed the threshold into captain-level strength!
While Senyu celebrated his newfound power, the other participants were thrown into complete confusion.
[Aizen Sōsuke]: ???
In Las Noches, Aizen's typically calm demeanor finally showed cracks. Though he maintained his composed exterior and refused to lose his footing, internally his mind was reeling.
How is this possible?! Even the Hōgyoku isn't my most perfect creation?
No one understands the Hōgyoku better than I do!
What gives this Three Realms Projection the authority to make such a claim?
[Ichimaru Gin]: Well, well, Captain Aizen. Looks like even you can be wrong sometimes.
[Kaname Tōsen]: This is... unexpected. I believed the Hōgyoku was indeed your greatest achievement.
[Ulquiorra Cifer]: If not the Hōgyoku, then what could possibly surpass it?
[Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]: Even Aizen doesn't know his own greatest work? How interesting.
[Kurotsuchi Mayuri]: This is fascinating! I must study this phenomenon further!
[Hitsugaya Tōshirō]: Ha! Serves you right, Aizen! Not so all-knowing now, are you?
[Kurosaki Ichigo]: Wait, if option A was wrong, then... option C said I was supposed to be Aizen's masterpiece? That's completely insane!
[Kuchiki Rukia]: Ichigo, what possible connection could you have to Aizen?
[Kyōraku Shunsui]: This is becoming more intriguing by the moment.
[Urahara Kisuke]: If the Hōgyoku isn't the answer, then we need to think about this differently. What else has Aizen been working on?
[Zaraki Kenpachi]: I don't care about any of this complicated stuff! I just want to know if I can fight stronger opponents!
[Aizen Sōsuke]: I refuse to accept this result. The projection must be mistaken.
But even as Aizen voiced his denial, a small part of him wondered: Could there truly be something I've created that surpasses even the Hōgyoku? But what could that possibly be?
The golden screen remained silent for a moment, allowing the shock and speculation to build across all three realms. The revelation that even Aizen—master manipulator and supreme intellect—could be wrong about his own greatest achievement had shattered everyone's assumptions.
What other surprises did this mysterious Three Realms Projection have in store?
[Senyu]: Don't worry everyone! I'm sure the correct answer will be revealed soon!
And when it is, Senyu thought with barely contained excitement, the real chaos will begin.