Tōsen Kaname was an extremely conflicted person.
This trait, in fact, had already been evident in the original storyline — he had become friends with Komamura Sajin and a mentor in the life of Hisagi Shūhei…
Despite hating and despising the nobility and the shinigami, in the end, he couldn't help but form bonds with them.
Perhaps it was precisely this internal conflict that inevitably led him down a path of self-destruction.
The situation, in essence, was that.
But, in any case, now that Arima Shinya was standing before him, Tōsen wanted to do everything possible to prevent something like that from happening again.
— Well… overly complicated matters can be dealt with later. If the heart is confused, then it's time to wield the sword.
After setting down the plastic bottle, Arima Shinya stood up and stepped back a few paces, positioning himself in front of Tōsen Kaname.
His tired right hand moved lightly, tracing a clean and precise motion in the air, drawing a flower with the blade.
— After all, ninety-nine percent of the world's worries exist only because people are too weak!
Hearing this, Tōsen's expression subtly changed, and soon he too smiled, relieved.
— Sometimes, you even manage to say some things with remarkable depth, huh?
— Huh?! I'm a genius, you hear?! Now get ready, Tōsen! I won't go easy this time!
After training, the two parted ways as usual at the dojo entrance.
Watching Arima limp as he disappeared down the corridor, Tōsen Kaname remained silent for a while. However, instead of heading to the dormitory, he ended up in a secluded corner of the academy building.
There, standing in silence for a long time… until a calm and comforting voice sounded behind him.
— You called me here… was there something important you wanted to discuss?
Aizen's figure emerged from the shadows. His hands were hidden under the sleeves of his kimono, and that serene, friendly smile he always wore lingered on his face.
— Tōsen-kun?
It wasn't something Aizen had done deliberately — Tōsen had sought him out on his own, gathering information by other means.
— Sorry to bother you so late at night, Aizen-san.
Tōsen maintained his usual courteous tone. Aizen merely smiled slightly and responded warmly, though in his mind, curiosity revolved around a single question: what exactly did he want?
— I want… to become stronger.
With fists clenched, Tōsen's voice grew heavier.
— At this rate, I'll never fulfill my dream. I need speed, a shortcut… even if it's a twisted path, I need to grow stronger.
— I see… — murmured Aizen, in a thoughtful tone.
— Because your best friend was killed, you harbor resentment toward the nobility and the shinigami… a past worthy of compassion. Tōsen-kun, I understand your motivation. But… —
Adjusting his glasses over the bridge of his nose, Aizen smiled in a nearly playful way.
— Could it really be just that?
— …
Appearing hesitant, Tōsen fell silent for a few seconds before replying.
— I also… don't want to be left behind by Arima Shinya.
— He is advancing too fast. Perhaps he doesn't even notice, but I can barely keep up with him in swordsmanship.
— If this continues, soon he will completely surpass me.
As a friend, Tōsen was happy with Arima's progress.
So, this wasn't jealousy, nor resentment.
It was guilt.
— I can't keep dragging myself along like this… I need to grow stronger. Only then, the next time I encounter injustice, will I be able to rise and defend what I believe is right.
— One, two… on the third time, no more. Even if I must burn my own body in flames, I will fight against what is wrong.
It was a vow — of morality, of friendship, and of Tōsen Kaname's own way of living.
That was why he desired power with such urgency.
Taking a step forward, Tōsen knelt before Aizen, in a gesture almost of submission.
— I know your methods are extraordinary… and that Arima Shinya also grew stronger after getting close to you. I don't ask for the same treatment he received; just use me as you see fit — as long as you grant me power.
Faced with such conviction and determination, Aizen had no reason to refuse.
A smile spread across his lips as he extended his right hand.
— In that case, I hope our cooperation proves fruitful, Tōsen Kaname.
The two seemed to have reached an understanding. However, before moving on to the next stage, Aizen still had something to do.
Smiling, he drew his zanpakutō from its sheath.
— Tōsen, before you begin your training, I need you to wait a moment.
— You intend to… do what? — asked Tōsen, confused.
— Nothing much. I just want you to experience the sensation of releasing my zanpakutō. From what I know, you haven't mastered the shikai yet, right? So a close observation might inspire you.
The words didn't sound suspicious. Tōsen simply remained silent.
And, as Aizen smiled kindly, everything began to move along an inevitable path…
Like rivers flowing to the sea, without return, without resistance.
A butterfly with shimmering wings flitted through the air.
The gentle breeze it created crossed oceans, reached the ends of the world — and turned into a gale capable of altering the very sky and earth.
Something had changed. Yet something remained the same.
Was it destiny? Or perhaps some deeper, more mysterious force acting behind the curtains?
No one knew for sure.
⸻
Half a moon later, the tranquility of the days seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Arima Shinya began to dream.
Strange dreams.
He found himself, without apparent reason, standing at a sort of crossroads.
Around him, nothing. No scenery, no sound.
Only a streetlamp illuminating the empty space above his head.
There was no sun, no moon — nothing indicating the passage of time.
Arima wandered aimlessly, trying to understand what that place meant.
The four paths extended in opposite directions, plunging into increasingly dense and unsettling darkness.
And no matter which direction he chose, after a few minutes he always returned to the same starting point.
As if that crossroads were a closed space, an eternal circle — a serpent devouring its own tail.
The cycle repeated, endlessly…
Until Arima finally woke up.
— That's basically it… and it's been happening for over a week now.
If it happened only occasionally, it could be ignored. But with such frequency, even the most carefree person would notice something was wrong.
Finishing scraping the last bit of curry, Arima wiped his mouth and made a face of exasperation.
— Sounds a bit weird, doesn't it?
Sitting across from him, Kotetsu Isane gave a light giggle and shook her head.
— Not weird at all. This type of dream usually happens when someone is about to awaken their zanpakutō. That means, soon, Arima-kun will synchronize with his asauchi.
Theoretically, it made sense. But in practice, the situation was frustrating.
— But mine doesn't even show up to talk to me… I don't even know where it is! I keep wandering around that crossroads, aimlessly — is it like a labyrinth?
Isane scraped the last bit of porridge from her plate and smiled.
— Each zanpakutō has its own habits and way of thinking. But if it's a manifestation of Arima-kun's soul, it should reflect his deepest feelings.
That's why, at this moment…
— Asking others won't give you the right answer, you know?
Arima knew she was right. Even so, hearing there was no "shortcut" possible, he sighed in exasperation.
No choice…
But what, after all, was his subconscious trying to tell him?
He had no idea.
Throwing his body against the cafeteria bench, he let out a long yawn. He looked exhausted.
Isane, who was already clearing the tray, blinked curiously at him in that state.
— Arima-kun, what's wrong?
— Nothing… it's just that I've been dreaming too much. I guess I haven't been sleeping very well lately…
It wasn't serious. He just wanted to vent a little.
But, as soon as he tried to get up, he saw Isane walk around the table and stop in front of him.
Her thick eyebrows curved into a concerned expression.
What was she intending…?
Before he could think, Isane blushed lightly and lowered her head.
Bringing her lips close to his ear, she whispered:
— Starting tomorrow morning… how about I give you a massage? It might not be very effective, but it could help relieve some of your fatigue.
The kaidō, after all, was part of the art of kidō — and over the years, techniques for relaxation and physical recovery had also become part of this branch.
As the future vice-captain of the 4th Division, it was natural for Isane to be skilled at this type of thing.
What better reward could there be than that?
At that moment, all of Arima's fatigue seemed to evaporate.
With sparkling eyes, he looked at the girl before him, excited.
— Then I'll gladly accept!
Isane smiled happily, nodding slightly before turning to leave — but Arima's voice stopped her.
— Ah, yes… Kotetsu-senpai…
She turned and found him with an expression half anxious, half hopeful.
— About the invitation I gave yesterday… have you thought about it?
The day before, Arima had confessed to her, asking them to go out together for a while.
No beating around the bush — that was never his style.
If you like someone, say it.
And, after seeing her defend him in the dojo, Arima had no doubts: this girl, direct, somewhat clumsy, but pure of heart, had won him over completely.
How could he not fall in love?
Direct moves hit the heart straight on!
Isane's face flushed immediately. She stepped back and covered her face with her hands.
Ah… that question again…
To be honest, she hadn't slept all night thinking about it.
So… what would her answer be?
Taking a deep breath, the girl slowly parted her lips.
— I…