Chapter 160: Vasto Lorde
The courtyards of both the 1st and 5th Divisions are adorned with Karesansui, but their styles are completely different. The Captain-Commander's courtyard exudes a sense of *wabi-sabi*—an aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection and transience.
"The one who got caught doesn't seem worried at all," Naruto remarked quietly, carefully watching every subtle expression on Aizen's face.
Aizen remained calm and composed. "A shadow was stepped on. Are you worried you can't move forward?"
As they spoke, they reached the entrance to the division quarters. Aizen paused, nodded in farewell, and said, "Keep pushing forward, Naruto-kun. The only way you might catch up to me is by moving faster."
Naruto stopped in his tracks and stared at him. But Aizen didn't engage further; he called for Gin Ichimaru and turned to leave.
What does he mean by that? What does he mean by "have hope of catching up to him"? Did he let himself get caught on purpose?
Naruto frowned as he made his way back to his division, turning over the implications in his mind.
No... Aizen always has a clear purpose. Letting himself get caught would only give him the satisfaction of provoking the Seireitei. But what other benefits could there be? He can't even shift the blame onto someone else.
Yet, from the beginning, Aizen's demeanor suggested he was fully prepared for this.