"Putting aside the facts, even if Ran En spoke lightly of the Kuchiki family, I have to admit... he is upright."
"He defeated me without humiliation. He didn't go further once it was over."
"This entire situation, after all, started because I followed grandfather's arrangements and challenged him deliberately."
Byakuya Kuchiki thought back on his previous conflict with Ran En. He didn't regret it, but some of the sting had faded. He had made peace with the outcome, for now.
Still, pride demanded retribution.
Not just because it was his first real loss since childhoodbut because he bore the face and honor of the Kuchiki clan. It was not something that could be allowed to be scuffed.
…
Ran En, hearing Shihouin Yoruichi's earlier words, noticed the subtle shift in Byakuya's gaze.
But he said nothing.
What was there to say?
Go along with Yoruichi and Byakuya to "watch" Kyōka Suigetsu? Really?
Even if he knew how to counter iteven if his own Zanpakutō might be able to resist Complete Hypnosiswhy bother?
Not everything needed to be a spectacle. No reason to crowd around for the show.
"Crack, Kyōka Suigetsu."
From the front of the room, Aizen stepped calmly to the podium.
He drew his Zanpakutō slowly, reverently. Then, under the watch of the entire class, he turned it upside downblade tip facing the ground.
Crack.
The sound was like breaking glass.
Immediately, a thick mist and pools of reflective water began spreading around Aizen's figure. Mirages flickered to lifeidentical versions of him standing all around.
No matter how hard one tried, by sight or by sensing Reiatsu, there was no telling which was the real Aizen.
Clang!
Byakuya, focused, tried to observe the illusion carefully, attempting to think of ways to decipher or counter the trick.
Then came the chill of steel against his neck.
A blade.
Cold. Pressed gently against his throat.
His entire body stiffened, muscle memory reacting in shock, as if electrocuted. His hair stood on end.
"Pardon the intrusion, Kuchiki."
Aizen's voice came from directly behind him.
He hadn't picked anyone else in the room. Not Komamura. Not Sentarō. Not even Yoruichi.
He had walked directly up to Byakuya Kuchikithe noble who once clashed with Ran Enand placed a sword at his neck, without a sound.
"..."
Byakuya didn't respond, but his pupils constricted. Internally, it was like a dam had broken. Waves of emotion crashed through him.
Until now, he had believed that only Ran En was a threat in their classperhaps Shihouin Yoruichi as well, given her noble lineage.
But this?
He couldn't even move before Aizen's blade reached him.
In front of Ran En, he couldn't even withstand Reiatsu. He was flattened by a Hadō no. 4Shakkahō.
And now, Aizen had humiliated him in front of the entire class.
Why was it always him being shown up?
"One brother is terrifyingly strong..."
"The other might be worse..."
"These two aren't just prodigiesthey're monsters."
Shiba Isshin, watching the scene, was equally stunned. He watched Aizen appear behind Byakuya as if out of thin air, placing a sword to his neck without triggering even a hint of Reiatsu.
"This... is the younger brother of Ran En?"
"Too strong."
"This kind of ability, especially used for assassination... it's terrifying."
"No wonder people are calling him a once-in-a-century genius."
Whispers of awe rippled through the class.
Even though it didn't shake the room like Ran En's Bai Rai (White Thunder) Hadō did, Aizen's quiet dominance sent chills down everyone's spine.
He had revealed his ability openly. And stillno one could stop him.
"Hey, Aizen," Yoruichi said suddenly. "Have you ever considered joining the Second Division?"
She looked back and forth between Ran En and Aizen.
"Both of you. After you graduate. The Second Division would welcome you. Patrol corps, surveillance unit, internal affairswe'd find a place worthy of your talents."
Before Aizen could answer, Shiba Isshin jumped in.
"Ahem! Yoruichi-san, you do realize you're not technically in any official position right now."
"And also, this is classnot your recruitment office."
Isshin waved a hand, then turned toward Ran En and Aizen with a wide grin.
"But seriouslyyou two. If you're ever interested in the Tenth Division, let me know."
"Pay, benefits, and promotion potential are top-tier. You won't find better."
Ran En finally moved.
He removed his hand from his face, finally revealing his expression. Calm, as always.
He smiled lightly. "It's an honor, Teacher Isshin."
"But we're still students. Graduation comes first."
"When the time comes, the Tenth Division will certainly be a top choice."
He didn't even glance at Yoruichi.
Though she held the Shihouin name, her current status held little sway.
Inside her own clan, she hadn't fully taken powerothers still spoke with more authority.
"I feel the same," Aizen added.
After last night's attackand after learning that the nobles were behind ithe and Ran En had already decided their path.
The Second Division wasn't for them. The Tenth... maybe. But they had something else in mind.
"For now, our priority is growth," Ran En continued. "We'll let our blades and abilities speak for us when the time comes."
Isshin's grin deepened.
"Impressive."
"You've got strength, but no arrogance. Talent, but still humility."
"Ran Enmajestic, ambitious."
"Aizenelegant, composed."
"Both of you are born leaders."
As class continued, a strange thing happened.
Perhaps it was Aizen's Shikai.
Perhaps it was the shock of the demonstration.
But more than a few students began having breakthroughs.
Zanpakutō meditationsword zensuddenly felt easier.
Some heard whispers. Some felt warmth from the blade. Tousen. Komamura. Even others from less distinguished backgrounds.
It wasn't much. But it was a start.
And from that moment, the path to Shikai no longer seemed so distant.