Welcome to Gaia! ::

The area of Las Noches that Aizen holds many of his meetings as well as where he keeps the Hougyoku when he isn't keeping it on him.

Over the course of their trek through the fortress, Aizen filled Nagaharu in on everything of significance that had been going on in Soul Society since the 14th Squad had been banished, paying particular attention to how his plans had unfolded over the centuries. "Now that the Hougyoku is in my possession, it will reach full awakening within the month and I will begin my attack on Karakura Town, thus obtaining the Royal Key, which will grant me access to the throne of Soul Society. All the pieces are falling perfectly into place with the exception of a few minor incovinences that caused me to force my hand." Aizen explained as they reached his throne room, the man himself taking a seat in his favored lounging position.

"I always knew there was more to you than you let on, but this is a complete surprise to me. I thought you simply wanted captainhood of the 5th Squad. Who knew you wanted to be a god? You certainly seem to have worked for it." Nagaharu admitted, something of a rarity for the prideful Shinigami, noting the dramatic change in Aizen's reiatsu since last he saw him. The man was far beyond a simple captain-class Shinigami, but still he wanted more.

Aizen nodded and replied, "You honor me with your praise. I was actually hoping you or your captain would pay a visit to me. I still remember the day your squad was exiled and tossed to the Hollows lest you brew up anymore trouble for Seireitei. I would be honored if you would join our ranks and make my army truely invincible. As you can see, my Espada are far beyond any normal Hollow, even natural Arrancar. I performed this using the Hougyoku at a simple half-awakened state. Imagine what could be accomplished once it's fully awakened. A Shinigami gaining the powers of a Hollow, thus reaching a state beyond the spiritual limitations beset upon Shinigami and reaching a state none could ever hope to overcome. Should your squad choose to ally yourselves with me, I will grant you this gift of power in return for your loyal service. I will, of course, wait for you to discuss this with your captain before expecting an answer."

Nagaharu stood for a moment, in silence, as he considered Aizen's offer. Finally, he turned and began to leave, stopping just before the door before he looked over his shoulder and said, "Consider my word as good as Ikkimaru's. We will join your cause, but as allies, not servents. We left the shackles of servitude when we were cast from our home into this barren wasteland. Now, there is only one man we follow and towards victory or death, we shall follow him always and only him. On the subject of your "Hougyoku", you may keep it. We've fought these creatures off for long enough to know their powers and any augmentation would only taint us with unearned strength. Strength no member of the 14th Squad would ever want." Nagaharu's expression soften a bit into a grin, "It was good to see you again, Sousuke." Turning back around, Nagaharu exited the throne room, informing Dreza that they were going back to make their report to Ikkimaru.

Aizen's expression remained its usual grin as Nagaharu left, chuckling at his old friend's total lack of respect towards him. Those of the 14th Squad truely thought themselves invincible, refusing to cower even before his might. They would make powerful allies.

Having intentionally lagged behind the liutenant, his reiatsu simply blending in with that of the hollows. He spoke directly to aizen as he left. "You have not given yourself the power you offered us, which hints you still do not know how to give the powers of a hollow to a pure soul do you? The last time I was in the seiretei, I was still the only ryoka to become a shinigami.." Leetting his last words trail off Dreza left also, returning to the Sanctuary with shunpo.

"You are truly a strategist Aizen-sama." Halibel said as she unfolded her arms and let them hang at her sides. "But is it not rather early in the game to trust that their place as pieces to your plan will be required is it not?" She asked out of pure curiosity.

"I understand Aizen-sama." Halibel said as she bowed. The more she thought about it the more she realized Aizen was right. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared. "So do you plan on letting the gotei 13 and squad 14 wipe each other out? "

"Well I guess only time will tell. Hopefully we espada will be prepared for any troubles that may arise." Halibel bowed at Aizen politely. "If there is nothing that requires my services, I shall take my leave back to my room." She said waiting long enough to see if Aizen needed her for anything.

"If you need me, you know where I am." Halibel turned and walked down the hallway towards the main lobby.
"Things will be set in motion soon. I can feel it. Halibel was soon out of sight from Aizen.

Ikkimaru cocked his head slightly and said, "I don't like striking alliances without first getting to speak with the one whom I am allying myself with first. So you've been in Hueco Mundo for what, three months? My time perception is a bit skewed, but I can understand that we've been here for over 600 years. Either way it doesn't matter, it's just interesting to know. So, I was a bit curious to know exactly how you intend to use my squad as a resource. Obviously I wasn't intending on allying with anyone, but since the situation has shown itself to be the way it is I can't help but be interested. I mean, you seem to have a pretty fearful force here at the moment and I would guess that your actions have Soul Society quite worried. Why do you need us?"