There are eyes you feel before you see them.
I was halfway through warm-up drills at the sparring field when the tension shifted. Barely. A change in pressure. Like the wind had taken a breath and didn't let it out.
I wasn't the only one who noticed. Even Daigo and some of the loudmouths in the back went still.
An instructor had arrived.
But not just any instructor.
---
Sōsuke Aizen.
Not many of the first-years had seen him yet. He didn't usually deal with the lower levels. But his reputation? It preceded him like moonlight — gentle, calm, and impossible to hide from.
He was younger than I expected. Clean uniform. Warm eyes behind thin glasses. That soft-spoken presence that made others quiet down without ever being told.
He stepped to the edge of the sparring ring, hands behind his back, posture perfect.
"Instructor Aizen," the Zanjutsu teacher bowed, looking half-surprised himself. "We weren't expecting—"
"I'm only observing," Aizen said politely. "Just wanted to get a look at the new first-years."
His eyes scanned the field.
And then stopped.
On me.
---
We sparred in pairs, rotating through forms. I held back, as usual. Just enough precision to look like I was trying. Just enough reaction to look like I cared.
But Aizen's gaze didn't leave me once.
Even when others struck with wild, showy blows. Even when one student unleashed a low-grade Kido by mistake.
He watched me — silently, patiently — like he already knew something I didn't.
---
After class ended, I packed my gear quickly, hoping to slip out before anything strange happened.
No luck.
"You, there," the Zanjutsu instructor called out. "Katsu Joro. Instructor Aizen would like a word."
I turned, slowly.
Aizen nodded once, calmly. "If you don't mind. It won't take long."
---
His office was quiet. Tidy. Books stacked with absurd order on the shelves. Scrolls labeled by era and binding type. Everything neat enough to be fake.
He closed the door behind me and gestured to the floor cushion across from his desk.
"You're talented," he said simply. "Far more than you let on."
I said nothing.
"I've been with the Academy for some time," he continued, folding his hands in front of him. "Only a handful of first-years in history have shown the qualities of someone nearing their Shikai."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You've already awakened it, haven't you?"
He didn't ask like someone guessing.
He asked like someone who already knew.
---
My mouth was dry.
"…Yes."
"I'd like to see it, if you don't mind."
There was no malice in his tone. No threat. But I could feel it. Like his words were lined with silk — soft to touch, but capable of strangling you if you weren't careful.
Still, I drew the blade.
Held it at my side.
Focused.
"…Let the shadows devour the sun, Kage."
Shadows twisted from beneath my feet. Black tendrils flickered across the edges of the room. My Zanpakutō shimmered, reshaping — not longer, not sharper, just… different.
Slick. Mute. Like it didn't cut light — it devoured it.
Aizen's eyes gleamed behind his glasses.
"Shadow-based," he murmured. "A rare affinity. One I haven't seen in a very long time."
[Main Quest Complete]
Reveal your Shikai to a Captain+ Class Officer
Reward: +50 Stat Points
I hid the smirk. Barely.
---
He didn't ask to see its ability.
But I could feel the curiosity pulsing off him like low-grade static. He wanted to know. And if I'd offered, he would've let me explain it all.
But before he could speak—
Knock-knock.
"Apologies," the Zanjutsu instructor poked his head into the room, looking sheepish. "Joro's due back at the eastern grounds. Early spar review request."
Aizen smiled faintly. "Of course."
He looked at me one last time as I sheathed my blade.
"You're growing quickly. Be careful not to draw too much attention to yourself before you're ready. Strong lights cast long shadows."
His words chased me all the way back down the hall.
---
[Bonus Objective Complete]
Become a person of interest to two Captain-Class combatants
— Yoruichi Shihōin
— Sōsuke Aizen
Reward: +20 Stat Points
---
[Stat Sheet Updated]
Name: Katsu Joro
Race: Soul (Shinigami Trainee)
Level: 8
— Zanjutsu: C
— Hakuda: F+
— Hoho: E
— Kido: F
— Reiatsu Control: E
— Strength: D+
— Endurance: E
— Perception: E+
Zanpakutō: Kage (影 - "Shadow")
— Shikai: Yami no Itsukushimi (闇の慈しみ — "Stealth in Darkness")
— Ability: Instantaneous transport between connected shadows. User cannot engage in combat mid-transition. Silent movement technique with excellent infiltration potential.
Unallocated Stat Points: 70
---
Two captain-level powerhouses had taken notice.
That was either the beginning of an opportunity…
…or the edge of a trap.
Either way, the board was moving.
And I needed to be ready.