'This Aizen… there's definitely something wrong with him.'
'When I pointed my sword at him earlier, there wasn't a single trace of fear in his eyes.'
'Almost like... he expected it.'
As Hirako Shinji remembered the subtle changes in Aizen's expression, the flicker of calm and calculation in his eyes, his suspicions only deepened.
'That confirms it. Aizen is dangerous.'
He sighed and narrowed his gaze.
But what troubled him now was not just Aizen.
It was Aiyan.
'Is he just a kind older brother, protective and loyal to his sibling…?'
'Or is he the mastermind—the one quietly enabling everything from behind the scenes?'
Hirako couldn't tell. And that was what bothered him most.
But one thing was certain—if he wanted to expose or stop Aizen, he'd have to get through Aiyan first.
And that... gave him a headache.
Unlike Aizen, whom he had come to suspect through action and behavior, Aiyan was an enigma.
He had power, presence, and influence—already enough to make even a Gotei 13 captain like Shiba Isshin take his side.
But his true heart?
Hidden.
'If Aiyan really is just a good brother, then fine. I only need to reveal Aizen's true nature to him.'
'But if he's the one backing Aizen… the one encouraging him… then he's not just dangerous—he's a hundred times more dangerous than Aizen.'
He took a breath, then turned to face Aiyan.
His tone was steady, but sharp.
"You probably won't like what I'm about to say, but your younger brother… isn't a good person."
"Even before he was born—while he was still in your mother's womb—he already had darkness in him."
"You might think I'm just picking a fight, but think about it: I'm the captain of the Fifth Division. I have no reason to lie to you. No grudge. No benefit in targeting a student from the Spiritual Arts Academy."
"Aizen Sōsuke... looks like a gentleman, polite and refined."
"But you should keep a close eye on him. If you truly don't want to lose your brother..."
"Then watch him carefully."
Hirako stopped and looked straight into Aiyan's eyes.
This was it. The moment of truth.
Was Aiyan the loving brother? Or the real mastermind?
Aiyan's expression flickered.
His gaze became slightly colder—but also deeper.
Of course, he didn't want to lose his brother Aizen.
He knew better than anyone what kind of person Aizen would become.
Cold. Proud. Lonely. Misunderstood.
Pushed to extremes by betrayal, despair, and obsession with evolution. Until one day, even the Hōgyoku gave up on him.
So Aiyan had made up his mind a long time ago—to become the brother Aizen never had.
To walk the path Aizen couldn't finish.
To protect him from a fate where even his soul collapsed under the weight of isolation.
To succeed where Aizen failed—to change things, not through cruelty and lies, but through overwhelming strength and undeniable results.
And it all started here—with the Visored incident.
'...You really do see people well,' Aiyan finally said, his voice low.
"You're right—I don't want to lose my brother."
'That's exactly why I'll make sure he never walks that dark path again.'
He paused for a moment, then added with a calm smile:
"And honestly… although you did try to cut me earlier, that's also what convinced me you're not like Aizen."
"So I'll remember your words. I'll keep watch."
Hirako Shinji glanced at the wound on his shoulder—the one from Aiyan's counterattack.
If that strike had been even slightly lower, his shoulder would've been unusable for weeks.
Aiyan had held back.
And that wasn't mercy.
It was a statement.
A quiet warning.
"I know," Aiyan said softly.
"Aizen is my younger brother."
Hirako was slightly stunned.
There was something odd in Aiyan's voice.
He had misjudged him.
Aiyan's earlier words, calm and polite, hid something darker underneath.
If Aiyan hadn't chosen to protect Aizen… if he hadn't restrained himself… he would be ten times more brutal and extreme than Aizen ever was.
This world—the Soul Society—was built on power.
And Aiyan had it.
Shinō Academy, Gotei 13, nobles—none of it mattered.
Only strength.
Aiyan didn't say anything more. He turned and began walking away.
"That's all I have to say."
Hirako didn't stop him.
He had made his move. He had planted the seed of doubt.
He couldn't expect someone to turn against their own blood with just a few words from a stranger.
But he had to try.
As Aiyan passed by, Aizen was standing nearby.
Hirako's sharp eyes observed him silently.
That same soft smile.
That same kind, humble demeanor.
A perfect mask.
Even now—after being watched, suspected, and nearly attacked—Aizen looked as gentle as ever.
A spring breeze.
But Hirako's heart turned cold.
He had been watching closely since he stepped into the Shin'o Kendo Hall.
Still—no flaws.
Not one crack in the mask.
"Captain Shinji, you really seem to have a strong prejudice against me."
Aizen smiled gently, eyes slightly narrowed.
"Aizen Sōsuke…"
"Keep hiding."
"But I'll keep watching."
Hirako made a gesture—two fingers to his own eyes, then pointed directly at Aizen.
"Until you show your true self."
"Captain Shinji, are you ignoring my warning?" came Shiba Isshin's cold voice from the side.
He wasn't happy.
Earlier, he had tried to stop Shinji from making a scene.
And now—he had gone right back to provoking Aizen.
"Captain Isshin," Hirako replied coolly, "in strength and heart, you're solid. But when it comes to judging people…"
He raised a thumb—praising Isshin—then slowly turned it down.
Insulting his judgment.
That was the final straw.
BOOM—
Shiba Isshin's Reiatsu exploded.
It filled the entire dojo with forceful pressure as his hand moved to his Zanpakutō.
"Don't be reckless, Captain Isshin."
"Central 46 strictly forbids captains from releasing their Zanpakutō inside Seireitei."
"Do you want the Shiba Clan, already declining, to fall even further?"
Hirako smiled fearlessly.
"...You!"
Isshin's face darkened.
He knew it was true.
The once-glorious Shiba Clan had already fallen from noble grace. Now, barely hanging on in the Rukongai District.
Only a few members were left—Kaien, Kūkaku, and Ganju.
If even the Spiritual Arts Academy stopped supporting them, the family would collapse.
He had already been tricked once—by Sarugaki Hiyori. Now this?
But Isshin wasn't someone to abandon people.
Even if Aiyan was just a student, even if he'd only taught him once—
He stood by those he chose to protect.
Clang.
Isshin slowly drew part of his blade.
His cold gaze met Shinji's without flinching.
He had made his choice.
And he'd stand by it—with sword in hand.
[Small Challenge for you guys, If we hit 10 new comments on today's chapters, I'll drop 5 extra chapters later today]
[Let's aim for it before 7 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) ]