'Aizen Sosuke!'
Feeling the Reiatsu approaching slowly, Toshiro's pupils constricted, and his mind instantly tensed.
"Hey, Toshiro, what are you staring at outside the door for?" Renji asked, seeing Toshiro staring at the empty hallway outside their private room.
The private room door wasn't closed, but besides them, there was no one else on the second floor.
Toshiro didn't answer, continuing to look outside.
"Hey, Toshiro, you..."
Tap, tap, tap...
Just as Renji was about to ask again what Toshiro was looking at, footsteps climbing the stairs suddenly sounded.
The footsteps seemed to carry a special power, impossible to ignore.
"Third Seat Hitsugaya, Hinamori-kun, Abarai-kun, Kira-kun. As expected, you're all here." The newcomer, upon reaching the second floor, walked directly towards Toshiro and the others.
Still the same spring-like smile, the magnetic voice. Just his appearance inspired trust and reassurance.
It was 5th Division's Captain, Aizen Sosuke.
Then Aizen looked at Toshiro and said, "Such sharp perception, Third Seat Hitsugaya. I deliberately concealed my Reiatsu, yet you still sensed it early. It seems your strength surpasses even mine as a Captain. It truly puts me to shame."
Toshiro inwardly grumbled, 'Keep pretending, keep pretending, damn it! If I were stronger than you, I'd cut you down right now! See if you dare bully my Momo-chan again.'
However, Momo, Renji, and Kira all showed expressions of agreement.
They were accustomed to Toshiro performing miracles repeatedly, defeating one powerful opponent after another.
After all, aside from the Captain-Commander, even Zaraki, hailed as the strongest Captain, had lost to Toshiro.
In their view, aside from the Captain-Commander, probably no Captain in the Gotei 13 was Toshiro's match anymore.
Of course, the main reason was that Aizen usually disguised himself as a nice guy, but regarding strength, he only displayed the standard of an ordinary Captain.
When others mentioned 5th Division's Captain, Aizen Sosuke, they all praised his character. But as for strength, no one truly believed he ranked among the top of the thirteen Captains.
"Captain Aizen, hello." Seeing Aizen, Momo, Renji and Kira greeted him.
The three actually had a rather good impression of Aizen.
First, Aizen's reputation was always excellent… strong character, helpful, with countless fans and admirers in Soul Society.
Second, during the Utsunomiya Family's incident, Aizen had righteously stepped forward and testified for them.
Although Aizen's rescue had been a bit late during that field training mission, in their view, that was an unforeseen circumstance and couldn't be entirely blamed on Aizen.
Moreover, Aizen, as a lofty Gotei 13's Captain, could set aside his status to apologize to them, mere students. That was also quite remarkable.
So, they didn't harbor any resentment towards him.
Though Toshiro was extremely wary of Aizen internally, his expression remained normal as he asked, "Captain Aizen said 'as expected', which implies you came specifically looking for us?"
Aizen didn't act like an outsider at all. He walked straight in, sat down cross-legged, and then smiled gently. "That's correct."
"We can be considered acquaintances. Thinking that Hinamori-kun, Abarai-kun, and Kira-kun are graduating, and their abilities are quite impressive, I wanted them to come to the 5th Division to assist me."
Aizen continued, "When I went to the Shin'o Academy to invite them earlier, I didn't see them. After inquiring, a student said they saw Third Seat Hitsugaya and Hinamori-kun heading towards Rukongai. So, I came looking."
'So, it really is about Momo and the others.' Toshiro's heart tightened.
The main reason Toshiro came to treat Momo and the others today, though to celebrate their graduation, was primarily to prevent Aizen from causing trouble.
In the original story, Momo, Renji, and Kira later became the 5th Division's Lieutenant, 6th Division's Lieutenant, and 3rd Division's Lieutenant respectively. But initially, after graduation, they all joined the 5th Division.
Among them, Renji, being impulsive and not easily manipulated, was kicked to the 11th Division by Aizen under some pretext, eventually transferring to the 6th Division.
Kira was handed over by Aizen to Gin as a subordinate.
Momo, simple-minded and fanatically devoted to Aizen, was easiest to use. So Aizen kept her in the 5th Division as his Lieutenant.
Therefore, based on this, Toshiro guessed Aizen might come to invite them to join the 5th Division after their graduation exams ended, before they filled out their preferences. So, he called them out under the pretext of celebrating their graduation.
Unexpectedly, Aizen, not giving up, still came looking.
"Hinamori-kun, Abarai-kun, Kira-kun, what do you think? Would you come to the 5th Division to help me?" Aizen looked at the three sincerely.
"Of course, Third Seat Hitsugaya, if you're willing to come as well, that would be even better. Since Gin became the 3rd Division's Captain, I haven't found a suitable Lieutenant." Aizen then said to Toshiro.
Toshiro refused without a second thought. "Thank you for your kind offer, Captain Aizen. I'm doing quite well in the 10th Division."
Aizen showed no surprise. "That's true. A mere Lieutenant position probably doesn't catch Third Seat Hitsugaya's eye. Otherwise, you would have been the 1st Division's Lieutenant long ago. But if Third Seat Hitsugaya ever wishes to come to the 5th Division, just say the word. The Lieutenant's position is always open and waiting."
Aizen then addressed Momo, Renji, and Kira. "So, what have the three of you decided? Will you come to the 5th Division?"
The three looked at each other, somewhat at a loss.
Honestly, Aizen, as a Gotei 13's Captain, personally inviting them made them feel quite honored. But earlier, aside from Kira, Momo and Renji had already made decisions.
Momo said apologetically, "I'm truly sorry, Captain Aizen. I've already promised Toshiro I would go to the 10th Division to help him."
Seeing Momo refuse Aizen's invitation without hesitation, Toshiro couldn't help but feel immensely gratified.
'Looks like the usual emotional investment wasn't wasted.'
Renji also refused. "Sorry, Captain Aizen. I want to go to the 11th Division. That place is more suitable for improving my strength."
"Is that so?" Aizen said with an inscrutable tone.
Two people in a row had refused his invitation. Aizen took off his glasses, wiped them, then put them back on. He looked at Kira and asked, "Then, Kira-kun, what is your choice?"