"Mr. Jushiro, what brings you and the Head Captain here today?"
Ran En responded to Jūshirō Ukitake's previous explanation with only a faint smile before smoothly shifting the topic to the reason behind their sudden appearance.
An apology?
That kind of thing is never truly offered it's claimed. Soul Society may have everything, including falling fragments of the Soul King, but it doesn't hand out goodwill so easily.
Still, regardless of the outcome, whether it's him or Aizen, they would find whoever was responsible and face them directly.
Even if it meant going against the Four Great Noble Houses.
"It wasn't my decision to come find you today," Jūshirō Ukitake replied honestly. "It was Teacher Yamamoto's."
At those words, both Ran En and Aizen turned their eyes to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Before anything else," Yamamoto said, his tone as sharp as a drawn blade, "I want to ask you something."
"Why did you choose to become Shinigami?"
His gaze cut through all pretense and politeness, piercing straight into the hearts of the two brothers.
"To see what lies at the summit of a Shinigami's power," Ran En answered without hesitation.
The ultimate mastery of Zanpakutō. The peak of Reiatsu. The limits of Shunpo, Hakuda, and Kidō.
He wanted to see, with his own strength and growth, how far one could truly go.
"A higher realm," Aizen added.
He had already deviated from his original path. Now that he'd chosen to show his talent openly, there was no reason to hide his ambition.
"I see."
Yamamoto said no more, simply giving a slight nod. His expression remained unreadable. Even Ukitake couldn't guess what his old teacher was truly thinking.
Silence fell, heavy and somewhat tense.
But Ran En wasn't anxious. His attention was currently drawn elsewhere to the "voices" of his own abilities.
[Your Zanpakutō is extremely satisfied that you used it to destroy the enemy in the last battle. In a good mood, it has revealed a new Shikai ability to you: "Heavenly Cloud Sword."]
[Your Kendo is thrilled that you relied on its very first gift, "Sword Pressure," during the fight. It felt appreciated and has now gifted you with a new technique tailored just for you: "Hundred-Step Flying Sword."]
[Your Kidō, however, is upset. You used both your Zanpakutō and Kendo, but left him behind. Still, he's chosen to forgive you this time and has delivered the newly mastered Bakudō #63: Locking Bind. He only asks that next time, when you show off, don't forget to include him.]
"...Tailored, huh?"
Ran En couldn't help smiling.
The Hundred-Step Flying Sword augmented with Reiatsu and paired with the Shikai ability Heavenly Cloud Sword would be a perfect combo. He could throw his blade at will, control it without effort, and not even worry about retrieval.
But Kidō's attitude made him chuckle awkwardly.
It looked like next time he fought, he'd need to throw in a little Kidō flare just to keep it happy.
" Ran En. Aizen."
"You may return to Spiritual Arts Academy now. I'll personally assign someone to investigate what happened here. For now, do not disclose today's incident to anyone."
Yamamoto Genryūsai spoke at last.
Ukitake's eyes narrowed slightly but said nothing.
"Understood."
"Farewell, Captain. Goodbye, Mr. Jushiro."
Ran En and Aizen shared a glance before nodding in sync, then turned and walked away without hesitation.
"Teacher Yamamoto... Why?"
Jūshirō Ukitake couldn't hold back his question once the brothers were gone and their Reiatsu could no longer be sensed.
"You came here intending to take them as your disciples. Why change your mind?"
"A team of ten: one vice-captain and nine third-seat level Shinigami, at minimum sent to assassinate two Spiritual Arts Academy students after only one day of enrollment."
"And yet, all ten were killed. Not a single one survived."
"Jushiro, let me tell you plainly: Ran En's talent... surpasses even what you described. In all the centuries I've lived, I have never seen a more gifted pair of brothers."
Yamamoto Genryūsai's words were measured but powerful.
"Then why let them go back?" Ukitake asked, even more confused. "Shouldn't that level of genius be cultivated, not pushed away?"
"No matter how high the talent," Yamamoto said quietly, "if one does not uphold righteousness, it is meaningless."
"Let's wait. Time will reveal who they truly are."
"I'm not concerned about how strong they'll become. I want to see whether they'll be the kind of people who will wield that strength with justice in their hearts. If they are, then it won't be too late to take them as disciples. Their journey as Shinigami is only beginning."
Yamamoto's voice was calm, but there was a deeper emotion behind it regret, perhaps, or hesitation.
And this time, he wasn't hiding his thoughts from his student.
Originally, he had wanted to bring the brothers under his wing, nurture them personally.
But when he saw the battlefield saw the aftermath of destruction left behind by two mere students he was reminded of a distant memory. A familiar figure.
One that once led Soul Society's fiercest warriors under the name of justice... and was eventually destroyed by his own hand.
That man was himself two thousand years ago.
The "Sword Demon."
And now, Yamamoto understood.
Soul Society did not need another "Sword Demon." Or two.
What it needed were talents who could be guided, tempered, and ultimately controlled.
Like the future Zaraki Kenpachi.
It looked like he taught Zaraki swordsmanship. But in truth, it was to dull the edge to prevent another monster that could surpass even Unohana.
"Teacher... you've changed."
"You used to cultivate talent without fear. But now, when faced with power that could challenge Soul Society's rules and order you hesitate."
"You've gone from nurturing to monitoring."
"But don't forget... they were the victims in all this."
Ukitake whispered to himself as Yamamoto walked away, disappearing down the stone path.
He might not be as sharp as Kyoraku Shunsui, but he could feel it.
The aura behind the attack on the Ran En brothers was not ordinary. It ran deep maybe even reached into the nobility.
And Yamamoto's decision... confirmed it.
Compared to the past, the Head Captain now had less kindness and conviction and more caution and conservatism.
Just like the Central 46.
Afraid of risk. Afraid of threats. So they suffocate all exceptions with rules.
Soul Society doesn't even allow two Zanpakutō with the same name.
And now, Yamamoto Genryūsai seemed to feel the same way.