The movement of an ippon seoi nage (shoulder throw) wasn't complicated at all.
All it took was finding the right point of force, breaking the opponent's balance, and then completing the motion with ease.
The opponent would be thrown to the ground, and due to their own weight, would land awkwardly…
Although this strategy was simple — even overly simple — it was the best counterattack Arima Shinya could think of at that moment.
Anyway, I just need to throw her!
But the instant that thought crossed his mind, the expected result… simply didn't come.
Suddenly, he felt a slight emptiness in his hands.
— What…?
As if only now noticing, Shinya realized that all that remained in his hands was just a thin layer of fabric — the top part of her uniform.
Yoruichi's body had vanished.
Only the clothing remained.
— "This is the Third Form of the Four Leaves of the Hidden Step — Utsusemi."
Yoruichi's voice came from right behind him, making every hair on his body stand on end.
She was on his back — the worst-case scenario in close-quarters combat.
Instinctively, he tried to twist his body and strike backward, but before he could complete the movement, two hands had already "affectionately" reached around his neck.
He felt the firm, warm touch — and then the pressure.
— "You really are… a little different, aren't you?"
Her voice was soft and low, whispering near his ear, almost like a murmur between lovers.
But Shinya had neither the time — nor the air — to be affected by it.
Like a constricting snake, Yoruichi's arms tightened, millimeter by millimeter.
Within seconds, Arima Shinya completely lost the ability to breathe.
Her right arm trapped him inside the crook of the elbow, while her left hand closed to reinforce the hold.
— Guah! This is… a naked choke…!
"Gah—!"
Yoruichi's entire body weight pressed down on him.
Shinya's vision began to blur. He clenched his teeth, his face contorted with pain and frustration.
Damn… I don't want to lose! Especially like this ridiculous…!
This was supposed to be just training, and she's using a secret technique on me!?
But no matter how much he struggled — it was useless.
Once formed, that technique left almost no room for resistance.
It pressed directly on nerves and arteries, inducing cerebral hypoxia until complete unconsciousness.
Only a few seconds remained before his body would completely give in.
Is this… how I'll lose…?
No… I won't accept this!
Desperate, Shinya flailed his hands searching for something — anything.
And, for a moment, his fingers brushed against the body behind him.
A soft… warm… elastic touch.
A brief, surprised sigh escaped Yoruichi — and immediately after, Arima Shinya plunged into darkness.
Unconscious.
⸻
"…Hhss!"
Gasping for air, Shinya suddenly sat up, panting.
Before he could examine his surroundings, a calm and familiar voice reached his ears:
— "Finally awake, Shinya-kun."
It was Aizen.
He was sitting beside him, slowly closing a book in his hands.
Still dizzy, Shinya massaged his head and murmured in a low voice:
— "Professor Aizen, I…"
— "It's been about twelve minutes since you passed out. Miss Yoruichi and the other veterans have already left."
Hearing that, Shinya looked around.
As Aizen had said, the dojo remained the same — but now it was empty.
Only the two of them remained.
Holding the book to his chest, Aizen stood, smiling lightly.
— "So, Shinya-kun… how was it fighting Miss Yoruichi?"
Shinya shut his mouth, and with a sigh, lay back down on the tatami.
— "No chance of resistance…"
Yes, exactly as Yoruichi had said.
She was one hundred percent confident — and with good reason.
Even if he had surpassed his own limits, she would still have handled everything with ease.
The difference between them was simply absurd.
Yet, curiously, Shinya didn't feel discouraged.
After all, that "choke play" had earned him something valuable.
[You participated in a hand-to-hand combat training and had intense contact with Shihōin Yoruichi.
Hand-to-Hand Combat +10]
Ten full attribute points.
If he had been training with other rookies, it would have taken an eternity to earn that much.
Looking at the invisible panel in his mind, Shinya couldn't help but smile.
Now his hand-to-hand combat value reached 22 points — and his best skill, Kenjutsu, was still at 31.
Worth the beating. Literally.
— "Hehe, it seems Shinya-kun also gained a lot from this experience. Good…"
Aizen extended his hand to him.
Shinya, a little awkward, took it and stood with the support.
Recalling the professor's previous words, a doubt made him frown.
— "Professor Aizen… when did you realize…?"
— "That you were special?"
Aizen adjusted his glasses, the gleam in his eyes subtly enigmatic.
— "Probably from the start. I'm not someone of great talent, but I'm quite observant.
Shinya-kun is different — and I couldn't help but take an interest."
The words were calm, but carried a strange weight, almost frightening.
Before Shinya could react, Aizen continued, smiling:
— "And apparently, I was right. You really do possess incredible talent."
His gaze narrowed.
— "After all, being able to predict Miss Yoruichi's movements and react in time… very few can do that."
It wasn't something a simple first-year student could achieve.
And Aizen knew — he had been observing Shinya the whole time.
Surely, the boy hadn't had this level of skill before.
So there was only one explanation:
— "You can absorb what you see during a battle — analyze, comprehend, and reproduce the opponent's abilities, improving in real time."
— "I see…"
— "An enviable gift, Shinya-kun. You're a true prodigy.
As your teacher, I feel genuinely happy to witness this."
Aizen's voice carried a rare enthusiasm, almost sincere.
— "I'm seeing a great tree growing with my own eyes… there's no more gratifying news than this."
Shinya scratched his cheek, awkward.
— "I may have something special, but… I don't think it's as much as you say, Professor."
— "Humility combined with talent… a rare combination. Hehe, it's no wonder I chose you."
Aizen smiled, then fell silent for a few seconds.
And then added:
— "Ah, there's one more thing. Miss Yoruichi asked me to convey a message to you."
— "…Yoruichi?"
— "She said that although your performance wasn't enough to pass, she was still very impressed.
If you wish, she can personally recommend your early graduation — and accept you as a subordinate."
Aizen paused, then asked without turning his face:
— "So, Shinya-kun? What do you think of this offer?"
Shinya was momentarily confused.
Huh? She beat me with two techniques and even made me pass out! Why would she be interested in me?
Aizen seemed to read his thoughts, chuckling softly.
— "It's natural that you don't understand yet. Even if Yoruichi held back, the fact that you managed to defend, retreat, and even counterattack was already beyond expectations."
— "Besides, the mere fact that she used a secret technique on you… is practically cheating."
In other words —
— "Yoruichi fully recognized your strength.
While you were unconscious, she asked me to offer you this opportunity."
— "If you want, you can join Division 2, the Secret Operations Squad, or even the First Penal Squad.
All departments have their doors open for you."
Aizen turned slightly, his gaze calm.
— "So, what is your answer, Shinya-kun?"
Shinya hesitated for a moment.
— "If I go… then you, Professor Aizen…"
— "We would no longer have a formal connection. I am just an instructor at the Academy, after all.
But, of course, as friends, that would be different."
Those words were enough to define his decision.
Nobles, Division 2, Secret Squad… pompous names, it's true —
but none compared to Aizen Sōsuke.
How could I leave this man aside?
Without thinking twice, Arima Shinya replied firmly:
— "I won't!"
Aizen stared at him for a long moment — then turned, walking calmly toward the door.
— "I understand. If that is your answer, I will convey it faithfully."
— "For now, let's end our conversation here, Shinya-kun."
He paused briefly before continuing:
— "I have some ideas… but I still need time to develop them.
Give me a little patience — then I'll make new arrangements for you."
Shinya raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
— "Arrangements… specifically? For me?"
Aizen chuckled softly.
— "Nervous, Shinya-kun?"
— "No… if it's something planned by you, then there must be a good reason."
By now, Shinya already saw Aizen not just as a teacher, but as a true ally.
And everything he had done so far was impeccable.
His trust was genuine.
— "I understand… I'm glad to hear that."
Aizen's smile widened.