Aizen Sōsuke was debating whether to pull out the small blade he had just tucked into the cloth pouch.
But he dismissed the idea almost immediately.
Revealing hostility before understanding the opponent's strength would be a foolish move.
Still, there was one thing Aizen was sure of.
This Shinigami was stronger than him.
Because he hadn't even sensed the man's presence before he appeared right in front of him.
"The moonlight sure is beautiful tonight, Shinigami-dono," Aizen Sōsuke said with a warm and peaceful smile. "A view like this really deserves to be admired from high up, don't you think?"
They were indeed standing in an elevated area—once they descended the slope, they'd be out of the Fuwai District.
"It is quite beautiful, I'll admit," Nanatsuki raised his head to glance at the full moon, smiling faintly before lowering his gaze to Aizen. "But… why cut your hair while admiring the moon?"
"Ah, well… this is actually an old custom from my hometown," Aizen made up on the spot. "Hair is like the plants growing on one's body—it symbolizes life and vitality, and shouldn't be cut carelessly. Where I come from, there's a belief that moonlight is the source of life. So only when the moon is at its fullest and brightest—just like tonight—is it considered an auspicious time to trim one's hair."
"Oh? That's a fascinating tradition. I'd love to visit your hometown someday," Nanatsuki replied with a smile, then asked again, "Then why the glasses? You were cutting your hair just now with perfect precision. Doesn't seem like your vision's a problem."
A drop of cold sweat slid down the back of Aizen's neck.
'This Shinigami really had been watching me from the shadows all along… terrifying.'
He blurted out, "I can see things clearly at close and medium range. But anything far away gets blurry. The mountain path's a bit rugged, so I wear glasses to avoid any mishaps on the way down."
And the moment he finished speaking, he regretted it.
He knew well that this condition—good near vision but poor distance vision—did exist.
But his glasses had no actual prescription. They were just plain lenses.
If the Shinigami insisted on checking them, his lie would fall apart instantly.
Thankfully, the Shinigami didn't seem interested in verifying.
"The sun's about to rise. The woods can be dangerous during the day. Let's get you back, young man. Where do you live? I'll escort you home."
Someone like Aizen, with such excellent potential, was not someone Nanatsuki intended to let slip away. This was the perfect excuse to probe his residence.
"I live in the hut district of the Fuwai area."
Aizen figured the Shinigami had probably been tailing him since he left home, so he didn't bother lying.
But Nanatsuki knew he was lying.
Judging by Aizen's behavior earlier, he had clearly been trying to leave the Fuwai District.
Still, Nanatsuki didn't press the issue. "Alright then, lead the way. I'm not too familiar with this area—I nearly got lost just now."
Part of the reason he asked Aizen to lead was because he himself didn't know the mountain path well.
He wanted to take this chance to plant some surveillance spots along the way.
Left with no choice, Aizen had to start walking back with the Shinigami beside him.
"So, young man—what's your name?"
"Aizen Sōsuke."
"Nice name. I'm Katori Nanatsuki."
Aizen Sōsuke made sure to remember that name.
"You're too kind, Katori-dono. It's really a very ordinary name."
"You seem a little tense, Aizen-kun."
"Maybe I'm just too thrilled to meet a real Shinigami. It's not every day someone as powerful as you shows up."
"Oh? So you can sense how strong I am? That's quite the talent, Aizen-kun!"
Aizen recalled what Katō had said—that he was gifted a "Divine Blade" because he'd caught the attention of a certain powerful adult.
He feared the Shinigami beside him would suddenly pull out one of those "Divine Blades" as well.
"Katori-dono jests. I only noticed that your haori is different from standard Shinigami uniforms," Aizen replied calmly.
"Ah, this?" Nanatsuki turned slightly, showing the bold calligraphy on the back of his haori. "This is a uniform for instructors at the Katori-ryu Dojo. See?"
On the back of the haori, the word "Katori" was scrawled in a flamboyant, semi-cursive style.
"Katori-ryu Dojo?" Aizen Sōsuke had never heard of it.
While the dojo was relatively well-known among Shinigami circles, Aizen's knowledge of such matters was limited.
Nanatsuki chuckled. "That's right. The Katori-ryu Dojo mainly teaches Zanjutsu. But I also offer training in other areas—Shunpo, Kidō, Kaido, you name it."
"Would you be interested in training at the dojo, Aizen-kun?"
"A bright talent like you would be wasted lingering in a place like this."
Aizen Sōsuke became increasingly wary of the Shinigami's sudden enthusiasm.
He was never one to trust others easily.
Still, he masked his unease with a look of pleasant surprise. "To receive Katori-dono's attention is an honor I hardly deserve."
Then he added with a touch of regret, "But I fear I lack the talent. I'd only bring shame to your dojo."
"Aizen-kun, I wouldn't say you lack talent. I can sense your Reiatsu, you know." Nanatsuki smiled slyly, continuing to prod.
He could tell that Aizen was becoming guarded.
He had a bad feeling—if he let Aizen go today, he might never find him again.
And with talent like this, who knows how powerful Aizen might become in the future?
There was no time to waste. He had to act fast and drag him to the dojo—by hook or by crook!
Aizen Sōsuke was shaken to the core by Nanatsuki's words.
Despite his efforts to stay composed, his expression gave him away.
He had always believed he'd concealed his spiritual pressure well. He'd even tested it in front of full-fledged Shinigami multiple times and passed without raising suspicion.
But this man had seen through it instantly!
Clearly, they weren't even operating on the same level.
'If this is the same Shinigami who gave Katō that "Divine Blade," then I'm probably destined to be its next "feeder,"' Aizen thought, a heavy sense of helplessness welling up inside him.
"You're trembling. Your back's practically soaked." Nanatsuki chuckled softly.
After a pause, Aizen Sōsuke spoke bluntly: "Katori-dono, did you come here specifically for me?"
Running away clearly wasn't an option. It was better to play along for now—and wait for a better chance to escape.
"That's right. The moment I saw you, I knew—you'd make an excellent swordsman. If you don't come back with me to the dojo, I doubt I'll sleep tonight. I'm thrilled to have found you, Aizen-kun!" Nanatsuki beamed, no longer hiding his fox's tail.
He hadn't originally come here for Aizen—but now that he'd seen him, that had changed.
"…"
Aizen Sōsuke took a deep breath. He couldn't tell whether Nanatsuki was telling the truth or just playing him.
But with things already at this point, he had no choice but to go with the flow.
"It would be my honor to learn under you, Katori-dono."
"Call me sensei."
"Sensei."
Aizen Sōsuke obeyed without hesitation.