Naruto: God Reborn

Chapter 26: The Mirage of Power 

The battlefield grew eerily quiet as Aizen stood over Yagura, his blade poised for the final strike. The rebels, led by Mei and Zabuza, pushed back Yagura's forces, their victory imminent. The scene was a study in contrasts: the rebels' roaring triumph, the loyalists' despair, and the grim determination on Yagura's face. 

But then, a sudden surge of power disrupted everything. 

Yagura's chakra flared violently, the crimson aura of his Version 2 form warping as the silhouette of a monstrous turtle with three tails began to emerge. His body contorted, and the bubbling chakra thickened, turning his skin into a jagged, armored shell. 

"I... will not fall!" Yagura roared, his voice merging with the guttural growl of Isobu. His body expanded, a massive tail whipping outward and smashing the ground with devastating force. The shockwave sent Aizen sliding back, dust and debris rising in a thick cloud. 

From the smoke emerged Isobu's massive form, towering over the battlefield. Its three tails swayed with menacing grace, and its single eye glared down at Aizen and Gin. The beast's presence overwhelmed everyone, friend and foe alike. 

"A full transformation," Gin said, his smirk fading for a moment. "Well, this just got more fun." 

Aizen, however, remained calm, his hand tightening around the hilt of his Zanpakutō. "He's desperate. Let's not disappoint him." 

Isobu wasted no time, releasing a deafening roar that sent a ripple of destructive energy across the battlefield. The ground cracked and splintered, forcing the rebels and loyalists alike to retreat further. Mei created a defensive wall of Lava Release, while Zabuza shielded Haku and Anko with his massive sword. 

The beast's tails lashed out, one targeting Aizen and the other sweeping toward Gin. Aizen sidestepped the attack, his movements effortless, while Gin leaped into the air, spinning mid-flight to avoid the tail's jagged spikes. 

"Now, this is what I call a fight," Gin said, Shinsō extending in a blink to strike Isobu's eye. The blade stopped just short as a layer of chakra hardened into a shield. 

Yagura's voice echoed from within the beast. "You won't pierce my defenses that easily!" 

Isobu retaliated, spitting a barrage of coral-like projectiles that spread rapidly across the battlefield. Aizen and Gin moved in unison, dodging the growing forest of jagged coral. Aizen used Shunpo to close the distance, slashing at the beast's armored hide, but his blade barely left a mark. 

Aizen observed the situation carefully, his eyes narrowing. "Gin, fall back for a moment." 

Gin landed gracefully beside him, his grin returning. "Got a plan, Captain?" 

Aizen's smile was faint but cold. "Of course." He raised Kyōka Suigetsu, holding the blade before him. "Let's end this charade." 

As Isobu prepared another attack, Aizen spoke, his voice carrying a commanding presence. "Look closely, Yagura. Witness the reflection of your downfall." 

Kyōka Suigetsu released a faint ripple, a wave of light so subtle that it seemed almost imperceptible. The effect was instant. 

Yagura's single eye narrowed, his focus drawn to Aizen. From his perspective, Aizen appeared to move in ways that defied logic, splitting into multiple forms, each one attacking from a different angle. 

"Enough of your tricks!" Yagura roared, swinging one of Isobu's massive tails in a wide arc. He struck nothing but air. 

In reality, Aizen hadn't moved at all. He stood calmly, watching Yagura thrash about under the illusion. 

Gin tilted his head, watching with mild amusement. "I hate when ya pull me into these things. You sure I'm not on the list of folks being tricked?" 

Aizen's gaze didn't waver. "You are. But only to ensure you act naturally. Now, let's proceed." 

Under Kyōka Suigetsu's influence, Yagura saw a flurry of attacks. He perceived Gin lunging at his exposed flank while Aizen leapt high, aiming to deliver a decisive strike from above. 

Yagura countered, releasing a high-pressure torrent of water that obliterated the imagined Gin. He then spun, his tails creating a protective barrier to block the descending Aizen. But the strikes never came. 

Instead, the real Aizen calmly stepped forward, raising his hand. "Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi." 

The black coffin materialized around Isobu, its edges lined with countless spikes of spiritual energy. The massive construct clamped down, eliciting a roar of pain from Yagura as the beast thrashed violently, cracking the technique but not breaking free. 

In his mind, Yagura saw himself breaking out, striking Aizen with devastating force. 

"You're done!" Yagura bellowed, convinced he had landed a critical hit. 

The moment of triumph was fleeting. The illusion crumbled, revealing the truth: Aizen had never been struck. Instead, Yagura's claws had passed through empty air, and his real body was heavily restrained within the remnants of Kurohitsugi. 

Aizen's calm voice cut through Yagura's confusion. "You never stood a chance. From the moment you gazed upon Kyōka Suigetsu, this outcome was inevitable." 

Yagura roared in defiance, his chakra flaring wildly as Isobu's form began to destabilize. 

---

Taking advantage of the chaos, Mei unleashed a massive Lava Release: Lava Dragon, the molten beast crashing into Yagura's forces and scattering them. Zabuza and Haku pushed forward, cutting down the loyalists who still resisted. 

Ao's voice carried over the battlefield. "Now! Focus your attacks on the remaining forces! Take them down while they're disoriented!" 

The rebels surged forward, overwhelming the remaining loyalists. 

---

As Yagura's chakra weakened, Isobu's form began to dissolve, shrinking back into his humanoid state. Exhausted and injured, Yagura fell to his knees, glaring up at Aizen. 

"You… you tricked me," Yagura muttered, his voice filled with bitterness. 

Aizen stepped closer, his expression cold and indifferent. "Tricks? No, Yagura. This is simply the power of a superior being." 

Gin appeared beside Aizen, Shinsō pointed casually at Yagura. "Want me to finish him off, Captain?" 

Aizen shook his head. "No need." He turned his back on Yagura, addressing the battlefield. "This conflict is over. ." 

Tbc