Isshin Kurosaki, Kisuke Urahara, & Yoruichi Shihōin vs. Sōsuke Aizen

Isshin Kurosaki, Kisuke Urahara & Yoruichi Shihōin vs. Sōsuke Aizen is one of the last battles to take place in the Fake Karakura Town. The fight ends up showing the true power of the Hōgyoku and how its been involved in Sōsuke Aizen's plans.

Prologue
Following his confrontation with Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Sōsuke Aizen is immediately attacked by a masked Ichigo Kurosaki who uses a Getsuga Tenshō on him. Injured, Aizen blocks the rest of Ichigo's attacks stating he had missed his chance to kill him. When Ichigo points out Aizen's injury, it suddenly begins to heal itself. When Ichigo wonders if this is a form of high-speed regeneration, Aizen asserts that he wouldn't undergo mere Hollowfication. Aizen reveals that he has implanted the Hōgyoku into his own chest and its power is healing its master. Aizen then declares that Ichigo's reiatsu has developed well, just as he had always planned. He affirms tht all of his battles have contibuted to his growth, shocking Ichigo by disclosing how the events took place exactly as he designed.

Ichigo demands to know what he means but Aizen asks him not to yell before calmly explaining that once he realized that Ichigo had been the thing he'd been looking for, he'd decided to help him grow. Aizen reminds Ichigo of oddities he should have noticed as a Shinigami, informing him that he should have gotten stronger than this after blocking more of Ichigo's attacks. Ichigo declares that his words don't match his story back at Sōkyoku Hill but Aizen enquires as to why Ichigo should believe him back then him not now. Aizen reveals that he was the one who'd sent Rukia to World of the Living; that he'd equipped Renji with the ability to detect her reiatsu; that he'd informed the lieutenants on his whereabouts; that he'd always known where the Hōgyoku had been for the last 100 years; and, crucially, that he'd known about Ichigo since the day he was born. Just as he was about to explain Ichigo's heritage, Isshin Kurosaki interrupts and tells Aizen that he's said too much.

Isshin headbutts a shocked Ichigo across town, where he clings to a building before being kickied off it by his father. Aizen informs Isshin that this was a smart move. Isshin goes to his son, knowing that he will have many questions, however Ichigo kicks him and tells him that he knows when to keep quiet. Isshin can see the questions in Ichigo's eyes but his son denies this, knowing that if his father didn't tell him everything thn he was sure he had his own reasons for doing so. Isshin marvels at how his son now speaks quite competently and Ichigo thanks his father for punching him as he now feels more alive than before. Elsewhere, Aizen comments on how Isshin must have put up a strong barrier just as Gin Ichimaru shows up behind him. Gin lets Aizen know that he saw no opening or necessity to come to his aid up until this point. Ichigo and Isshin reappear then and Ichigo engages Gin in combat as his father takes on Aizen.

Battle
The two clash swords, and to Aizen's surprise Isshin grins and uses his middle finger to flick his own arm, which has the affect of sending Aizen straight through several buildings. As Aizen begins sliding back on a building, Isshin appears in front of him and swings his Zanpakutō down on him. However, Aizen dodges and the force of the blow destroys much of the rubble below them. Isshin immediately swings his Zanpakutō at Aizen's head, but he dodges this as well and Aizen uses Hadō #63 Raikōhō.

After battling a bit more, Isshin notices that Aizen's movements have gotten slower and he asks him if he has reached his limit already. Aizen states that he has, but only as a Shinigami, and he claims that his soul is going to undergo a metamorphosis. As Isshin asks him what he's talking about, Aizen states that it appears as if the Hōgyoku's will has finally begun to understand his mind. He goes on to say that the Hōgyoku possesses a will of its own. Isshin doesn't believe this but Aizen begins to explain that he only became aware of this after becoming its master. He then reveals that the true power of the Hōgyoku is not the removal of the boundaries between Shinigami and Hollow, but it is to capture and materialize the hearts around it. He claims that it has brought about the "miracles" surrounding Ichigo, Rukia, and Kisuke Urahara. He continues to explain that Kisuke misunderstood the nature of the Hōgyoku because the breakdown of the barrier between Shinigami and Hollow was his own desire, which the Hōgyoku made real. He then attributes reasons why Ichigo took all of Rukia's spiritual power and the awakening of Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado's powers to the Hōgyoku. Aizen states that he knew the Hōgyoku's ability was not manipulation of the boundary between Hollows and Shinigami, as if it had been, then Shinji Hirako's group would not have become Visored, and says that their Hollowfication was both an experiment in Hollowfication and a way to confirm the Hōgyoku's power. Then, with a theory on how the Hōgyoku worked, he sent Rukia to Ichigo's side. He then explains the limits of the Hōgyoku before being interrupted by Gin knocking Ichigo into a nearby building.

Gin tells Ichigo that he did good stopping his blow, but states that his attack was a fluke which angers Ichigo. Isshin tries to talk to Ichigo but he is yelled at by his son, telling him to stay out of his way and that in a few more attacks he'll win. As Isshin smiles at this, Gin asks Aizen if he interrupted his speech. Aizen replies that he had just reached the end of his speech and his body is enveloped by the Hōgyoku. Isshin and Ichigo are shocked by this, and Ichigo asks what's going on. Isshin tells him that he has no idea, and the two of them begin arguing. As Aizen states that the Hōgyoku deserves its name, he is interrupted as he is shot from behind by Kisuke Urahara, whom he welcomes onto the battlefield.

Urahara mentions that it's been a long time since last they met and takes note of the extraordinary form Aizen has taken. Aizen states that its nothing as midway through "evolution" is always ugly. Urahara clarifies that no one has said he is ugly, its just that he has finally fused with the Hōgyoku. Aizen explains that it isn't fusion and asks that the word "subdue" be used. He then states that the Hōgyoku Urahara failed to master has found a new master. Urahara glares down at Aizen and remarks that it's true he was unable to master it, if Aizen is referring to the past. Aizen questions his statement asking him if he's going to admit defeat. He then retracts the question making note that it shouldn't be the question. He then uses Shunpo and moves so fast that before Urahara can react Aizen impales him in the chest with his Zanpakutō. Aizen tells him that he'll forever lose the chance to drive the Hōgyoku. Urahara's body then bursts like a balloon as Urahara appears behind Aizen and places his palm against his back as he uses '''Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō'''. Aizen notes that he has seen the use of the portable Gigai decoy tactic in Yammy Llargo's report. He admits that he was careless as he never thought Urahara would use such a cheap trick. He then asks what Urahara will do now that he has been constricted. Urahara questions whether Aizen actually thinks that he would use just that level of Bakudō. He then follows up in quick secession with '''Bakudō #63. Sajo Sabaku and Bakudō #79. Kuyō Shibari''', which further immobilizes Aizen. Urahara then begins an incantation with Aizen asking whether he really thinks he'll let him use that Hadō spell, but Urahara tells him its too late as he initiates '''Hadō #91. Senjū Kōten Taihō''' and Ichigo is shocked at how powerful it is.

After the smoke explosion dissipates Urahara remarks at how careless Aizen has become because of his new found power. Aizen appears behind him unharmed and notes that he's correct. Urahara moves to react but Aizen slashes his right shoulder with his bare hand wounding him as he exclaims he is too late. Aizen then states that he's allowed to be careless as he doesn't have a need not to be, as he can feel the strength of the Hōgyoku in his body. He remarks that his strength exceeds that of his old self and he is now invincible, so he doesn't need to dodge a level 90 Kidō anymore. Urahara then states that he wasn't talking about dodging the Kidō, what he meant was that if it was the older version of himself, he wouldn't be letting him try his attacks on him one by one. Aizen is suddenly trapped by spiritual energy cuffs at his wrist. He stares in shock as Urahara explains that it is a seal, which seals the reiatsu flowing out of his own palms. He then states that Aizen will now be blasted by his own reiatsu, as Aizen is enveloped in a column of light.

After Aizen is enveloped in a column of light, Ichigo calls for Urahara, who tells him that the battle isn't over yet and Aizen will be coming back any second now. All of a sudden Aizen emerges from the column of light in a completely new form and Ichigo is shocked. Aizen instantly appears between Urahara, Isshin, and Ichigo and comments to Urahara about how he used a level-90 Kidō spell as a decoy to draw his attention in order to seal him with his own original technique, which would have worked had it been anyone else but him. He then corrects himself, stating that, had he not implanted the Hōgyoku in his body and subdued it, the battle would have been over. He then reaches in through the covering of his wrist and pulls out a bracelet, stating that unfortunately for Urahara, the Hōgyoku he created was beyond his comprehension. Therefore, the technique that Urahara most likely created solely for the battle with him was also incapable of reaching him. Urahara unsheathes his Zanpakutō, prompting Aizen to ask him if, since his techniques did not work, he now intends to use power against him. Isshin comes up from behind and Aizen attempts to attack them both at once, but he is quickly blocked as they both simultaneously entangle his sword hand and one of his ankles, stretching him into an awkward position. Aizen demands to know what is going on as Yoruichi Shihōin, wearing armor on her arms and legs, attacks him from above. She smashes into his back with such force that it destroys the surrounding area. Next, she lands a direct punch with even more force, causing damage to an entire block. Urahara then yells for Yoruichi to move away. Aizen quickly recovers, and before Yoruichi can fully dodge his counterattack, he destroys the armor on Yoruichi's left leg. As Aizen emerges from the rubble with his new form severely cracked, he asks them if this all they have and says that they had better hurry up and make the next move, as he plans on crushing them all one by one into tiny fragments down to the very last remnant.

Aizen states that the number of methods that Yoruichi, Isshin, and Urahara have devised in an attempt to defeat him are equal to the amount of hope that they still have and therefore it is his duty to crush everyone of them. With that he invites the three to try their next trick as Ichigo watches on in shock. Urahara says that they are in a bind and Yoruichi's armor that Aizen destroyed were his special design that were meant to counter Hierro, stating that he never thought they would break so easily. Yoruichi demands to know if Urahara is implying that they broke because her focus was broken. Urahara denies the charge but Yoruichi confronts him and tells him that they broke because they were badly put together. Aizen points out that the fact that Yoruichi's legs are fine would imply that the armor was special indeed. Yoruichi tries to divert Aizen's compliments to her legs but then starts picking on Urahara because of a look he gave her. As Isshin watches the two of them bicker, Aizen interrupts and tells them not to bicker about what was special since the armor disappeared in one swing, meaning that if Aizen swings his sword three more times - Yoruichi's special items will disappear altogether. Urahara asks Yoruichi if she can do it, and Yoruichi says that it is simply a matter of striking Aizen with something other then her left leg but even as she says this, Aizen suddenly appears next to Yoruichi and attacks, causing a large amount of destruction to the surrounding area.

Urahara asks Yoruichi, who now has her right arm-guard destroyed, if she's all right and she tells him to remember who he's talking to. She states that she was able to block the attack because of the "half-finished" armor, but that she would have simply dodged it without the armor. Aizen looks at Urahara and Urahara asks him what he's doing. Aizen explains that his act of worrying is simply a part of his plan and Urahara tells him that he thought he didn't caution himself anymore. However, Aizen explains that he isn't being cautious, but that he's simply making an observation. He continues to explain that he has an interest in him because he is the only person with an intellect that surpasses his own, but Urahara tells him that he's making too much of him and states that he's simply the poor owner of a small-time candy store now. Urahara uses Hadō #32, Ōkasen but Aizen easily blocks the attack and deduces that since he's using such a weak spell he must be planning a sneak attack. Yoruichi appears and she attacks him but Aizen easily blocks the blow with his left hand. He tells her that no matter how many times she attacks him it won't work but Yoruichi activates Shunkō, allowing her to break through his left arm and attacking Aizen himself. The blow ends up cracking the right part of Aizen's body, and Aizen himself falls into the town below. Yoruichi goes towards him and continues her assault, but this time Aizen catches her fist and reminds her that she can't beat him like this. Urahara suddenly attacks by using Shibari, Benihime, which binds Aizen, but Aizen tells him that he can't hold him down with something like this. However, Urahara uses Hiasobi, Benihime and Juzu Tsunagi which causes an explosion at Aizen's location, but Aizen appears barely harmed from the attack and questions if this could really be his trump card. All of a sudden Isshin appears in front of Aizen and hits him at point blank range with a Getsuga Tenshō.

A huge explosion engulfs Aizen, leaving a crater behind along with several destroyed buildings. Urahara questions Isshin on its effectiveness, to which Isshin responds that he can no longer sense Aizen's reiatsu since he transformed, indicating he doesn't know. Isshin then goes on to say that perhaps the only one's capable of perceiving Aizen's power the way he is now are those standing in the same place as him. To Isshin's and Urahara's disbelief, Aizen emerges from the smoke with a large slash on his face. Aizen then remarks that it was a "palpable hit" and that he "'understood'" the attack. He then raises his sword and says that it is time for them to understand his power.

Aftermath
Aizen easily defeats his opponents and goes to Gin and Ichigo's location. Aizen asks Gin what he was doing to Ichigo and Gin claims that he was merely testing Ichigo's strength. Aizen turns away from Ichigo and orders Gin to open a Senkaimon to Soul Society, where the real Karakura Town is, as it will be easier to storm the Royal Palace by creating the Ōken in Soul Society. Ichigo yells at Aizen to wait. Aizen turns, but his "face" seems to be falling off, to which Gin remarks that Aizen's incubation period must be over. Aizen fully turns and reveals his old face under the chrysalis, although he sports longer hair and black sclera, reminiscent of a Hollow. He then declares he can watch the fall of Soul Society with his own eyes. As Gin opens a gate, Aizen turns to Ichigo and says that they are leaving him there and that "eating" him can be done after all is finished, and disappears with Gin inside the gate. Ichigo stares as the gate closes, but is reprimanded by his father for just standing there. Isshin gets up and puts his arm around Ichigo, looking for support as he tells Ichigo to open a gate himself so that they can go and protect Karakura Town.