#aizen asks

Thank you for your support! I put a lot of mental energy into these posts and analysis.

I love your question! It is an extremely interesting topic!

The three hollow holes of the Monster Aizen (AKA The three-holes problem).

This is the question that is bothering me from a while now, and I still don't have a satisfying answer to it.

But let's try to come up with some possible meanings.

We know that a Hollow hole is created when a soul leaves the body and their soul chain is broken and corroded. So the hole replaces the core of the chain. The chain itself might symbolize the attachment to the material realm (anchoring to the body in literal sense, but to all the things in the Human World in the metaphorical sense, like your connections to the family and friends, hobbies, goals, everyday life etc).

Sure!! Putting it under a cut in case it gets long.

@arcxnumvitae

You're too kind! I'm flattered. ^^ And I want to say that it is always a joy to read your works, I love how you write Bleach characters!

To answer your question, hmm, Aizen has so many really good lines.

"Good morning, my dear Espada. We are under attack. But first... let's have some tea." - OK, so this one made me fall in love. Absolute cinema! Absolute lack of concern, absolute control over the situation. And on a top of that - prioritizing tea! Since I love a good cup of tea myself, this line fills my heart with joy. Peak villainy with class!

"A winner shouldn't talk of how the world is, but how is should be!" - I love that one because it is actually inspirational if you take it a healthy way. What I mean by that is, it can be optimistic to believe you can actually make a difference.

"There is no truth and lies - only hard facts." - I like that line because I kinda agree, I like to think of truths being very subjective things.

"Since when were you under the impression I wasn't using Kyoka Suigetsu?" - well, absolute classic and peak Aizen trolling. Gotta love how cold that one is. Pure badass line.

"A betrayal you can see is trivial, a truly terrifying betrayal is the one you cannot see." (to Shinji) - Sound obvious but in the context of Pendulum Arc, it works so painfully well. And I love the delivery of this one.

"You are laying here today because you never tried to get to know me." - this one gives me serious feelings, ah, the bitterness of it, the irony of it!

"Do you hate me? If you hate me, come and attack me. I will make exception for you and fight you with my sword." (to Shinji) - I love that one because it sounds so personal and provocatively intimate. Of course he wants that hate like it is fun to trigger it. It gives me so many thoughts.

"Perhaps I did feel something akin to excitement. Do you find that strange?" (to Gin) - I love that one because it shows how incapable he is at openly talking about his inner world and feelings, and yet, in his veiled way, he does admit to enjoyment. And then has to check if that is 'normal'. I love the detachment that this suggests.

I hope I got these lines correct because I was typing them from memory.

That is another great question! Let's try to think of possible options.

First of all, the sheer fact that Aizen wanted to speak with a human, a human whom not long ago he called "lowly" and dismissed entirely - this is telling! It suggests that Aizen recognized Ichigo as worthy, perhaps even as his better? Or if not, then his equal. And I think Aizen feels something like gratitude toward Ichigo, for defeating him - but specifically for proving to him that:

a) Aizen is not alone with his immense power

b) There is still more power to Shinigami then Aizen had known off, Shinigami can fuse with its sword and achieve new heights of self-acceptance, and self-integrity by merging with its spirit

c) That change to the system can happen from within, not forcefully (after all, even Yamamoto made exceptions for Ichigo)

d) That something unexpected can always happen and you just have to embrace that even if you don't understand it

So these themes could inspired Aizen to wanting to talk to Ichigo, not to openly thank him, but I guess, in a warped attempt to actually connect with him on some level of understanding. Because yes, Ichigo DID reached him during that battle. And for Aizen, who believed he is above connections - this was a life-changer.

But what exactly would Aizen said to Ichigo there?

Maybe a warning about Ichibei preparing him for the next Soul King? Maybe some different detail about what needs to change (according to Aizen) so Ichigo could potentially make a change in his own way?

We know that Aizen gathered vast knowledge about Three Realms so perhaps he wanted to share it with Ichigo, not only to 'educate' him but more like, to try if their worldviews could align if they powers could.

I like this question, especially because it rightfully-so implies that there is no love in his cold, handsome heard - only Hogyoku. :D

I have two types of answer. One is wishful, and one is realistic.

Realistically speaking, if we assume Aizen could be able to genuinely care and love someone - he would need that someone to be equal to him on some level. Not necessarily a power level (this would be difficult) but at least mental level, intellectual, or self-realization. And I don't think Hinamori meets this criteria, at least not when she was his lieutenant. She was a lost, little girl back then. Probably without any knowledge of the Three Realms and inner Soul Society working.

My wishful thinking says, in many years, when Momo grows confident, and unlocks her full potential, perhaps then she could reach the level of self-understanding and some understanding of Aizen that would interest him. But the thing is, after all he did to her, I don't believe it would be healthy to engage with him. Although, it would be an interesting story of forgiveness, and compassion if knowing full-well what he is, she still accepted him (deep 'goodness' is really hard to write without making a character look naive, but I'm a sucker for stories about selfless compassion).

With that said, Momo might be at least physically his type, even if her admiration for him is what actually would rather repeal him then attract him. She relied on him so much that for a sheer boost of his already inflated ego, I guess, he potentially could have indulged. But that would be not a connection, not care or love, it would be using her for his own, twisted games. If he wanted to really devastated Toshiro emotionally,, he should go for that option.

Hi! Thank you for asking! This sounds like a very interesting topic.

I think it is possible that Aizen heard a call of his spirit long before he joined the Academy. I am basing this on how Toshiro had dreams of Hyorinmaru talking to him even before he became a Soul Reaper. And in Aizen's case, the additional factor is his existential loneliness and intellectual and emotional gap between him and the others - that is why I think a zanpakuto spirit could possibly serve as a companion (a little like Yachiru is to Zaraki, but without the others being able to see it manifested). So at the early stage, this relationship is perhaps a little like a parental bond? Perhaps more reluctant on Aizen's side, and more protective on Kyoka Suigetsu's side?

Later, in his Academia days, I think he was able to manifest his zanpakuto spirit and enter his inner world very easy and very quick, exceptionally easy. It is because his potential, but also because he was in touch with his spirit before. So this feels like reunion. Like your childhood 'friend' suddenly returning. However, there is no joy in it. Familiarity, yes. But I think Aizen is a little dissatisfied with how easy and natural it all is for him. No challenge. And the same goes for his Kanzen Saimin - this power is so cruel, it gives him all the control he could have ever ask for. So where is challenge in that?

Because of this (or maybe additionally because of his Bankai) I think Aizen slowly got distant, visiting his inner world less and less, claiming that he mastered all his Shinigami skills and believing he hes a perfect control over Kyoka Suigetsu - he is her master. They relationship went colder. And perhaps there was some resentment on both sides: in Kyoka for being treated like a tool, not a partner; in Aizen for showing him things about him that he didn't wish to see - a part of him that isn't integrated.

Oh, he will! No worries! He can fake kindness, and understanding so well, and the fact that he secretly despises such weakness. But oh well, he never had high expectations of his little, fragile female subordinates anyway. You can't blame a flower that it loses petals from a scorching sun, after all, it is just a part of its nature.

But he will act supportive. Perhaps offers he will reschedule her patrols and give her a paperwork instead. She should feel better soon, and the office is calm and cozy. Maybe he'd even offer a tea.

Soon, all the female Shinigami at Squad 5 inform Captain Aizen about their period calendar so on the first day they wouldn't have to be sent on patrols or difficult missions. And dear, kind Captain Aizen will have to somehow make that paroling schedule work.