"I knew that no Shinigami in Gotei 13 had swordsmanship like that."
"Aiyan?"
"I think I've heard the name before."
When Unohana Retsu heard Hirako Shinji say that the one who cut him wasn't another captain, she didn't look surprised at all.
She might not know every single person in the Gotei 13, or every hidden powerhouse lurking in the shadows, but she knew nearly all of them—at least nine out of ten.
And within all of Seireitei, there wasn't a single Shinigami who could wield a sword with such skill and elegance.
Not even one.
"I remember now… he's the top student from this year's Shinō Academy."
Unohana recalled Aiyan's identity clearly.
"Captain Unohana, aren't you surprised at all?"
"A freshman from the academy actually managed to hurt me, a captain of the Gotei 13."
Seeing her calm expression, Hirako Shinji couldn't help but look confused.
"For someone with that kind of swordsmanship, it doesn't matter if he's a freshman or not—it's no surprise he cut you."
"He probably went easy on you."
"If that blade had gone just a bit deeper, or a little lower, you might not be here right now."
Unohana glanced at Hirako without much emotion in her eyes.
Age?
Noble status?
Rank?
Those things never mattered when it came to actual power.
"Captain Unohana… you seem really interested in this Aiyan," Hirako said with a slight smirk.
His eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed like something unexpected had come from all this.
At first, he had just come to get his wound treated.
But now it seemed like something far more dangerous had been triggered.
Unohana Retsu—this woman, known as the greatest hidden danger in all of Soul Society—was interested in Aiyan.
If she had truly taken a liking to Aiyan…
Even if he still wanted to protect Aizen, it would probably be too late!
Unohana didn't respond.
She silently used Kaidō to treat the sword wound on Hirako's shoulder.
But even if she didn't speak, the look in her eyes said everything.
Aiyan.
He's mine.
Yes.
Just one look at the wound on Hirako Shinji's shoulder was enough.
Unohana's heart trembled slightly, and an uncontrollable flood of desire and excitement surged within her.
She couldn't stop it even if she wanted to.
And it wasn't just because of the strength in that cut…
It was because this was a kind of kendo that had never existed in the Soul Society before.
As the one known as the Yachiru of the Kenpachi, she had mastered every sword style in the Soul Society.
But now, someone has created something new—something powerful, unique, and elegant.
How could she not be excited?
More excited even than when she first met Zaraki Kenpachi, who had yet to seal his power.
That fight had stirred her blood, but it hadn't been the true sword duel she longed for.
This…
This might be.
That night.
As if by some silent agreement, both Aiyan and Aizen chose to begin training after returning to their dormitory.
Only difference was—
Aizen was studying Shunpo, Zanjutsu, Kidō, and theoretical lessons on his own.
Meanwhile, Aiyan lay flat on his bed, calmly "watching" his Zanpakutō, Kidō, Shunpo, and Zanjutsu—all practicing by themselves.
Yes.
He watched while his abilities trained themselves.
He wasn't practicing.
They were.
[Your Kidō coughed up spiritual blood until 3 AM, vowing to master Bakudō #90 with incantation omission.]
[Your Kendo sneered, saying it would train until 5 AM, pushing to create new sword forms.]
[Your Shunpo announced it would stay up all night to overtake everyone and proudly reported it had just mastered the third form of the "Four Maple" stealth footwork techniques—Kūchō (Empty Glide).]
Aiyan watched all this silently, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction
These powers of his—always pushing themselves to improve, to grow stronger.
With this kind of development speed, why couldn't he surpass the Soul King?
So what if he had no Quincy bloodline?
So what if he wasn't born with Hollow powers?
So what if his techniques were incomplete?
Even as a pure-blooded Shinigami, with this level of self-discipline and effort…
He would surpass them all.
"Hmm?"
"This feeling… it's so calm, yet so overwhelming."
"Someone's looking for me?"
Aiyan frowned slightly.
Just a moment ago, he'd been enjoying watching his powers improve on their own.
But now, something made him sit up straight in bed.
A gentle voice suddenly entered his ears,
"Aiyan Sōsuke… good evening."
"I am Unohana Retsu."
"Forgive me for the late-night visit."
His face stayed calm, but in his mind, thoughts raced rapidly.
The First Kenpachi.
Her goal tonight was obvious.
And sure enough, her voice followed with a polite-sounding but dangerous request,
"Would you let me witness your swordsmanship?"
Unohana's tone was soft, like a spring breeze through the trees.
It sounded like she was asking permission.
But Aiyan knew better.
If he dared say no…
This woman, this hidden monster of Soul Society wouldn't politely wait for an answer.
She'd draw her blade, crash into the academy, and cut down his door.
Then she'd force him into a fight.
"First Kenpachi, huh…"
"Interesting."
"It's all because of the wound on Hirako Shinji's shoulder."
Aiyan chuckled.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
He looked like a child who had just found a favorite new toy.
Then, without hesitation, he grabbed his Zanpakutō, stood up, and walked toward the door.
Coincidentally
Just as he opened the door of his dorm room, the room across the hallway opened too.
Aizen stepped out.
Although the voice transmission was aimed only at Aiyan, it wasn't enough to escape Aizen's senses.
"I used Bakudō #58: Kakushitsuijaku to track the Reiatsu," Aizen said casually.
"It wasn't easy. This one is very different from a normal Gotei captain like Hirako Shinji."
"In fact… even Shiba's Isshin doesn't seem to have this kind of focused pressure."
Aiyan opened his mouth and said the name.
"Unohana Retsu."
"The captain of the Fourth Division."
"A healer from the medical corps… has Reiatsu far above Hirako Shinji's?"
"Is Soul Society really this blind and corrupt?"
"Or is it because Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni is too old-fashioned… putting a swordswoman like her in the Fourth Division?"
Aizen's tone carried surprise, but also something darker—like doubt.
At this point in time, he was still just a freshman.
Not yet a member of the Gotei 13.
He hadn't even graduated from the academy.
So he hadn't yet learned the truth about Unohana Retsu.
His understanding of the Gotei 13 came from a few vague words dropped by nobles like Shihōin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke, or what he'd read in the Shinō Academy library and heard from his classmates.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered,
Unohana Retsu had come.
And she wasn't here for tea.
...
[If you are enjoying the story so far, consider dropping power stones.]