Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: The Catalyst Ignites

The twilight sky over Kuoh Town bled crimson, a fitting backdrop for the events about to unfold. Sosuke Aizen, disguised as Sosuke Yamada, stood on a rooftop overlooking an empty park, his presence cloaked by a masterful Kido that rendered him invisible to both human and supernatural senses. His glasses glinted faintly, reflecting the dying light, as he observed the scene below with detached curiosity. The pieces were moving, just as he had anticipated, and tonight would mark a pivotal shift in the game.Aizen had spent the past three years studying this world's factions, its Sacred Gears, and its fragile balance of power. His ideology remained unshaken: order was a lie, and power was the only truth. Issei Hyoudou, the perverted student with a hidden spark, was a tool—a potential catalyst for chaos that Aizen could wield to destabilize the factions. But Aizen held no attachment to the boy. If Issei's power failed to meet expectations, Aizen would discard him without hesitation. And if he became a liability, a blade would end the problem swiftly. For now, though, Issei was useful, and Aizen would guide his path from the shadows, much as he had once manipulated Ichigo Kurosaki in another world.Through meticulous observation, Aizen had pieced together Rias Gremory's plan. She had her eyes on Issei, likely aware of his dormant Sacred Gear. The Gremory heiress intended to draw him into her peerage, a move Aizen found predictable but intriguing. Tonight, the fallen angel Raynare would set that plan in motion, unknowingly serving as Aizen's pawn. The events mirrored the canon of High School DxD—Issei's fated encounter, his death, and his rebirth as a devil. Aizen cared nothing for Issei's life or dreams; only the power within him mattered, and how it could be shaped to serve a greater purpose.Below, in the park, Issei walked alone, his hands stuffed in his pockets, a goofy grin on his face. He was muttering to himself, likely fantasizing about his "harem king" aspirations. Aizen's lip curled slightly. The boy's obsession was a weakness, but it made him easy to predict. A faint ripple of energy caught Aizen's attention, and he shifted his gaze to a figure approaching Issei—a young woman with violet eyes and a deceptive smile. Raynare, disguised as Yuuma Amano, played her role perfectly, her voice sweet as she asked Issei for directions.Aizen watched, his mind calculating. Raynare's plan was clear: seduce Issei, confirm his Sacred Gear, and eliminate him before he could become a threat. Rias, ever vigilant, would intervene posthumously, reviving Issei as a devil. The outcome was almost certain, but Aizen's interest lay in the variables. Would Issei's Sacred Gear awaken in time? Would its power match the potential Aizen sensed? And how would the factions react to the ripples this event would create?As Raynare led Issei to a secluded fountain, her demeanor shifted, her smile turning predatory. Aizen's senses sharpened, detecting the surge of fallen angel energy as Raynare shed her disguise, her black wings unfurling. Issei's confusion was palpable, his voice cracking as he stammered, "W-What's going on, Yuuma-chan?"Raynare's laughter was cold. "You're a danger, Issei Hyoudou. A human with a Sacred Gear can't be allowed to live." She summoned a spear of light, its radiance casting harsh shadows across the park.Aizen remained still, his expression unreadable. This was the moment of truth. If Issei's power manifested, it would confirm his value. If not, he was expendable. The boy's fate held no weight in Aizen's calculations—only the outcome mattered.Issei scrambled backward, his bravado replaced by panic. "Wait! I don't even know what you're talking about!" The spear flew Ascended, Raynare hurled the spear, and Aizen watched, unmoved, as it struck Issei's chest, piercing through him. Blood sprayed, staining the grass, and Issei collapsed, his eyes wide with shock.Aizen's gaze remained steady, his mind analyzing. No sign of the Sacred Gear yet. Disappointing, but not unexpected. The boy was weak, his spirit untrained. Still, Aizen waited, his senses attuned to the faint pulse of energy within Issei's dying form. There was something there, a spark that refused to fade.Raynare approached the body, her wings casting a shadow over Issei. She knelt, inspecting him, her expression one of disdain. "Pathetic," she muttered, rising to leave.Aizen's attention shifted as a new presence emerged—a crimson glow in the distance. Rias Gremory, as expected, appeared with Akeno Himejima at her side, their demonic auras carefully restrained. Rias's expression was grim as she knelt beside Issei, her hand glowing with the power of a devil's resurrection. Aizen noted the efficiency of her movements, the determination in her eyes. She was investing heavily in Issei, a gamble that could either elevate her peerage or expose her vulnerabilities.As Rias performed the ritual, Aizen's thoughts turned to the broader implications. Issei's death and rebirth would draw attention, escalating tensions between the devils and fallen angels. The Grigori, the fallen angel organization, would likely retaliate, creating a fracture Aizen could exploit. His ultimate goal—unraveling the creation of Sacred Gears—required access to the Grigori's knowledge, and this conflict could open that door.The glow around Issei intensified, and Aizen sensed a shift. The boy's aura flared, a surge of energy that confirmed the presence of a Sacred Gear. It was raw, unformed, but undeniably powerful. Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly. Promising. The boy had potential, but potential alone was insufficient. If Issei failed to harness this power, or if he became a threat to Aizen's plans, elimination would be swift. Like Ichigo, Issei was a tool to be shaped—or discarded.Rias and Akeno vanished with Issei's body, leaving the park silent once more. Aizen remained on the rooftop, his Kido cloak undisturbed. His power, his true nature as Sosuke Aizen, former captain of the Gotei 13, remained hidden from all. Neither Rias, Akeno, nor Raynare had sensed him, their perceptions limited by his masterful concealment. Even Kyoka Suigetsu, his Zanpakuto, lay dormant, its hypnotic power a trump card for the perfect moment.Aizen descended from the rooftop, his movements silent, and walked into the night. His journal would gain a new entry: Hyoudou, Issei—Sacred Gear confirmed, resurrected by Gremory. Potential high, discipline lacking. Monitor closely. Fallen angel activity escalating—opportunity for Grigori contact. He allowed himself a faint smile. The board was shifting, and he was its unseen architect.Issei's fate was irrelevant, his dreams of harems and glory a childish distraction. Aizen cared only for the power within him, and how it could serve his vision of order. If the boy rose to meet expectations, he would be a valuable asset. If not, or if he became a problem, Aizen would end him without a second thought. The world was a canvas, and Sosuke Aizen was painting a masterpiece, one subtle stroke at a time.