Bleach 401

Aizen explains the power of the Hougyoku to Isshin.

Aizen doesn't get ignored very often, but he seems to be taking it well.

Summary:
Aizen declares that the Hougyoku has begun to understand his heart. Aizen then explains that the Hougyoku's true power is to capture and materialize the heart/desires of everything around it. He then goes on a long winded speech about how everything up to this point, from the Vizards to Ichigo's power to Orihime and Chad's powers were all creations of the Hougyoku and therefore are all part of his master plan. At this moment, Ichigo flies by and is sent into a building by Gin's bankai, but Ichigo managed to block the attack and recovers quickly. Gin arrives and wonders if he interrupted Aizen's speech, but Aizen is finished with his words and starts powering up with the Hougyoku. Neither Ichigo and Isshin know what's going on and they start arguing with each other as Aizen is powering up. Suddenly, Aizen is shot from behind by a beam, but Aizen is unfazed and turns around to greet the arriving Urahara.

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So Mr. Hat and Clogs has finally decided to show up to the fight. This could have made for a good chapter, but the chapter was marred by another one of Aizen's long-winded "It's all part my plan" speeches. I suppose it was important to explain what the Hougyoku can really do, but I'm getting tired of Aizen and his speeches. If I understood correctly, the Hougyoku is what makes "Amazing" happens and is therefore what powers the NBA (Where Amazing Happens) the cause of many of the unlikely events in the series. That's certainly a nice and simple explanation to cover everything. With the Hougyoku, Aizen can probably give himself more crazy powers (not that he really needs them...) and make it even less likely that anyone can beat him. Kubo probably added Urahara into the mix at this time to even up the fight a little. On the other hand, since the Hougyoku supposedly listens to the will of people around it, maybe Ichigo can wrestle control and use the Hougyoku to give himself a power-up. The whole battle at fake Karakura Town has been a mess, but I'm interested to see what happens from now on.

Note that since next week is Golden Week in Japan, there will be no Weekly Shounen Jump, so no Bleach, Naruto, or One Piece.