Plotting to Seize the King's Seal  

After leaving the 1st Division, Ailin stroked his chin thoughtfully. This was Head-Captain Yamamoto practically handing him a pillow to take a nap on.

The power of the King's Seal was something Ailin coveted as well! Within his Unlimited Blade Works contained the elements of all "swords", but for Ailin to utilize these "sword" elements to create swords, he needed to understand them first.

The more Ailin understood these elements, the stronger the abilities of the swords he created using them would naturally be.

So far, whether it was lightning, fire, wind, water, light, or earth, Ailin's comprehension was extremely profound, allowing him to create many powerful Zanpakutō with these elements.

However, because Ailin had yet to come into contact with any Zanpakutō possessing "space-time" abilities, his understanding of the elements of "time" and "space" was lacking.

Even the "Avalon" was only created by Ailin through analyzing the spatial structure of the " Negación ".

The "King's Seal" was a divine artifact capable of controlling space among the Shinigami. If he could obtain the "King's Seal" and analyze the spatial power within, Ailin could create many weapons imbued with spatial abilities.

Thinking of this, after returning to the Kuchiki Manor, Ailin didn't go see Haruko. Instead, he headed to the training grounds and used "Sword Meditation" to re-enter the Innate Field.

***

A crimson sky, slowly rotating giant gears - this was the spatial boundary of Unlimited Blade Works.

Standing atop Sword Hill, Ailin extended his hand, summoning a Zanpakutō with a gorgeous purple hilt to fly into his grasp.

Raising the Zanpakutō high, Ailin called out its name.

"Whisper, Muramasa!"

Boom!

Immense spiritual pressure erupted from Ailin's body, infusing into the Zanpakutō in his hand. Then, through the blade, it transformed into purple ripples that swiftly swept and expanded across the entire Unlimited Blade Works space.

"Hmmm..."

Within the Innate Field, all the Zanpakutō affected by these purple ripples began to vibrate. Then, silhouettes appeared beside these Zanpakutō, reaching out to draw their manifested forms. These manifested Zanpakutō then turned toward Sword Hill.

Those that were mere shadows, their essences not fully nurtured by a Shinigami, knelt on one knee before Ailin, submitting to him. These were the most numerous yet weakest Zanpakutō within Ailin's Innate Field. They were unworthy to approach Lord Ailin, lacking the right to ascend Sword Hill.

The Zanpakutō that had coalesced physical forms all stood atop Sword Hill, arranged in concentric circles according to their respective strengths.

The weakest Zanpakutō occupied the bottom rings of Sword Hill.

The stronger the Zanpakutō's power, the closer it could approach Lord Ailin.

Only the most elite Zanpakutō could stand directly beside Ailin.

"Lord Ailin."

Seeing these familiar faces beside him, Ailin felt a momentary daze. These were his youth, his precious memories...

"Alright, I've called everyone here today because I need your help with something."

Regaining his composure, Ailin smiled at the manifested Zanpakutō. "Everyone, in a few days, I will be assigned to escort a divine artifact of Soul Society. However, I intend to seize this artifact to analyze its spatial power."

These Zanpakutō were all created by Ailin, imbued with 'souls' by him. To them, Ailin was their "creator" - their entire existence belonged to him.

So Ailin didn't beat around the bush, directly stating his intentions to them.

"Thus, I ask that you all attack the escort team transporting the artifact at that time and seize it for me. Then, I will pursue and fight you - yes, under the watchful eyes of the other Shinigami. Once out of their sight, you can return to the Unlimited Blade Works..."

Ailin then detailed his arrangements to everyone.

"Hahaha, seizing something? That's my specialty!"

The one speaking was a swashbuckling man with a red cape and black curly mustache.

The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!

Of course, this wasn't the real Pirate King, but merely the manifested "Zanpakutō spirit" based on Ailin's memories of him.

"I'll join too, that's right up my alley as well."

A half-demon in a red fur robe with long white hair also piped up.

According to Lord Ailin's bestowed memories, he had once raided a village to steal a treasure called the "Jewel of Four Souls".

"I'll go, Lord Ailin, pick me..."

"Choose me, Lord Ailin..."

Seeing that long-time follower of Ailin speak up, the other Zanpakutō began clamoring to join as well.

"Wait, wait..."

"Everyone, please calm down first."

Seeing their eagerness, Ailin quickly waved his hands to quieten them.

"Don't rush to volunteer yet. Let me first explain the situation clearly, then you can consider who should participate in seizing the King's Seal. You all know that our actions this time cannot see the light of day. So whoever joins this mission will never have their power utilized by me again in Soul Society, lest I reveal myself."

Ailin's words gave the Zanpakutō pause.

They were weapons - a weapon's destiny was to accompany its master into battle. If they could never be summoned by their master again, how was that different from being dead?

No, it was even worse than death.

At least in death, they would have fulfilled their destiny, perishing in battle. But after this mission, they would essentially be living worse than death.

"Hahaha... This is perfect, isn't it?"

Just as everyone hesitated, Gol D. Roger broke into boisterous laughter.

"I recall from the memories Lord Ailin gave me that I died to usher in a new era, making the entire world call out my name. They worshipped me, followed me, loathed me, feared me... In the end, I became a legendary king of that world. Who would have thought that in this world, I could achieve such greatness as well..."

Indeed, if Roger succeeded in seizing the King's Seal, to a certain extent he would truly become a legend.

After all, this was seizing the "King's Seal" while under the guard of two captains.

However, it was clear in Ailin's script that he would kill the criminals who stole the King's Seal, retaking it as the "hero".

"Very well, we now have one confirmed - Gol D. Roger embodying Ace."

After confirming one candidate, Ailin continued, "Because apart from me, there is another captain escorting the King's Seal this time. So to make it realistic, we need at least three captain-level Zanpakutō to besiege me. One captain-level Zanpakutō to engage the other captain, while the remaining captain-level Zanpakutō defeats the other guards and seizes the King's Seal. In other words, we still need four more captain-level Zanpakutō. As for lieutenant-level and below, anyone who wishes to join can, but consider carefully. Once you go this time, you will be the same as them in Soul Society..."

As he spoke, Ailin gestured toward the other Zanpakutō. They were all replicas Ailin had made of every lieutenant and above in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads of Seireitei.

"Hmph!"

Seeing those Zanpakutō glance their way, they couldn't help but snort coldly.

From the day Lord Ailin created them, they knew that if he didn't want to reveal himself, they would rarely have a chance to go out.

This mission to seize the King's Seal would definitely attract investigation, and they all had separate "selves" in Soul Society. If they went out, it could easily link back to Lord Ailin's abilities, exposing him.

The only exception was perhaps that one over there.

Standing aloof with hands in his pockets, Sōsuke Aizen cast a sidelong glance at the sour group before looking skyward, maintaining his arrogant demeanor.

"That throne of heaven... has belonged to Lord Ailin from the start, with no vacancy period... I suppose I can accept that..."

"Ahem..."

Ailin cleared his throat, having just wanted to hear Aizen's iconic "From now on, I alone will stand atop the heavens" line again.

It seemed if he wanted to hear the great Aizen's classic quotes once more, he needed to revisit many scenes...

"Alright, let's not discuss other matters for now. Those at captain-level, report your interest."

"Me, me, me..."

Inuyasha was hopping up and down, waving his arm frantically to catch Ailin's attention.

Ever since Lord Ailin's strength had grown so immense, it seemed he had forgotten about Tessaiga.

"Inuyasha" felt that since Lord Ailin no longer needed his power, he should expend his remaining value for his sake.

"Not you."

Yet before he could even speak, Ailin rejected him.

"Ah? Why not, Lord Ailin?"

"Not just you, Sesshomaru, Fanatio, and Shimotsuki Koushirou are also excluded. Because I have used your powers before. If you were to go, how would that be different from me going myself?"

"Is that how it is?" Inuyasha grumbled but obediently didn't persist.

"Then allow me to take the second spot. Captain, after so many years, we finally embark on another adventure together."

The speaker was a middle-aged man with only his right hand remaining, red hair, and three claw marks over his left eye.

The Pirate Emperor, Shanks!

"Hahaha, Shanks, you've grown so old."

"Roger" clapped "Shanks" on the shoulder, laughing heartily. "Then let us make a big splash in this world!"

"Three more to go."

"Count me in."

A black-cloaked youth scratched his head, a black longsword sheathed at his waist.

This was Kirigaya Kazuto from the 'Sword Art Online: Alicization' series.