Aizen kept a gentle smile. His words were as warm as a spring breeze as he replied to Shinji:
"Captain Hirako, thank you very much for your appreciation. However, Fifth Seat Mirai and I are good friends."
"I also personally admire the logic behind his statement: 'A Shinigami's battle is a battle of Spiritual Pressure strength.'"
As he spoke, he naturally turned his head. He looked at Mirai with eyes curved in a friendly way.
"Therefore, I personally prefer to join the 9th Division. That way, I will have more chances to talk and learn from Fifth Seat Mirai so we can improve together."
He looked at Mirai with a smile and asked in a polite tone, "Fifth Seat Mirai, you won't reject me, right?"
Before Mirai could speak, Shinji Hirako pouted. He looked at Mirai with his dull eyes and a playful tone.
"Oh? Does that mean you also really want Aizen to join the 9th Division? No wonder you came for the recruitment this time."
Mirai's face was as calm as water, but internally he was screaming.
This is a misunderstanding! I'm not! I didn't! I only came here because the Captain and Lieutenant teamed up to trick me!
And Aizen, what are you doing?! According to the script, shouldn't you find it easier to hide and cause trouble in the 5th Division because Shinji is suspicious of you?!
Why come to the 9th Division? Our Captain Kensei is a straightforward, honest guy. He won't watch you like Shinji does. That's bad for your secret plans!
He forced down his inner panic. He replied with the steadiest tone possible:
"Aizen, in my opinion, your excellent grades and balanced skills mean you would have a better future in a squad like the 5th Division."
As he spoke, he quickly turned to Shinji. His eyelids blinked rapidly like he was having a cramp. He gave him desperate signals.
Captain Hirako! Do you see? Look at my sincere eyes! I really didn't want to steal your recruit! This isn't my fault!
He turned his head again, trying to wake up the "lost" Aizen.
"With your talent and ambition, you surely wouldn't want to stay in a small seated officer position forever, right?"
Aizen! What about your hundred-year plan! What about your pride! You want to stand in the cima! Wake up! Go to the 5th Division; that's the stage for you!
Aizen kept his perfect, gentle smile and said:
"Whether someone is a regular soldier, a seated officer, a Lieutenant, or a Captain, everyone works hard for the peace and prosperity of Seireitei. There is no high or low status. Aren't you also working as a seated officer and doing a great job?"
"That's true," Shinji Hirako said. He smiled in a half-joking, half-serious way.
"With your strength, staying as a seated officer is a waste of talent. How about you come to the 5th Division too? I'll leave the Lieutenant position for you. What do you think?"
Although his tone was teasing, there was no smile in his dull eyes.
Hiss! Mirai took a sharp breath.
Wait, are you two teaming up to trap me?!
What did I do to be targeted by both of you at the same time?!
I can understand Aizen, since I used his life story to get money for drinks and stole his famous quote.
But Captain Hirako, what do you mean? Do you want to take me there so you can watch me too? I'm just a lazy guy who wants a quiet life. Why target me?!
Mirai took a deep breath and stated again:
"My ability is far from being enough to be a Lieutenant."
"Whether in the 9th or 5th Division, high-level positions need more than just fighting strength. They need management and decision-making skills. I don't think I've trained enough in those areas."
He tried to push the focus back onto Aizen.
"On the other hand, Aizen has balanced and excellent skills. He is much more suitable to be trained as a Lieutenant. Captain Hirako, you should consider him."
But Aizen seemed determined to stay focused on Mirai. He smiled and continued:
"Fifth Seat Mirai, you are too humble. Just the precise control of spiritual energy you showed earlier and your clear teaching style prove your extraordinary ability."
He then changed the subject to something that made Mirai's head ache:
"Besides, you also possess the 'most beautiful Zanpakutō' in the entire Soul Society."
He looked sincere and spoke with the right amount of admiration.
"A Zanpakutō is a reflection of a Shinigami's soul. Having such a beautiful blade proves that your heart is pure and noble, doesn't it?"
"Tch," Shinji Hirako became interested. He looked at Mirai with suspicion. "Now that you mention it, is your Zanpakutō really as beautiful as the legends say?"
Every Shinigami has a Zanpakutō. They evolve from a standard Asauchi.
An Asauchi is like a blank piece of paper. A Shinigami must use their own soul to shape it into a unique Zanpakutō.
One could say the form and true name of a Zanpakutō directly reflect the owner's soul.
Just like Hiyori's wild "Kubikiri Orochi" reflected her direct and fiery personality.
Anyone who can evolve their Asauchi into a Zanpakutō and master Shikai while still at the academy is a genius.
Mirai's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
How did this happen? How did Aizen change the topic to me showing my Shikai?!
Actually, he had only used his Shikai a few times.
The only time he was forced to use it in public was when Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna frustrated him so much that he used it out of desperation.
Since then, for some reason, the title of "the most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society" started spreading.
Even though that Shikai was a fake form triggered by using a "wrong" release command...
Mirai looked at the two men in front of him.
Aizen had "pure" curiosity in his eyes. Shinji had an obvious look of investigation.
Suddenly, Mirai understood what was happening.
Damn it! These two sneaky guys teamed up to force me to show my power!
Aizen might be curious or have another goal.
And Shinji probably wants to see how strong I—a "suspicious person"—actually am!
When did you two develop this understanding?! You two deserve to spend the next few decades in the same squad!
Don't drag me into this, you bastards!
Mirai's mouth twitched as he tried one last time to resist.
"There will be plenty of chances to see my Shikai later. Right now, we should focus on Aizen's choice of division..."
However, Aizen smiled and said in a gentle tone:
"Actually, a big reason why I want to join the 9th Division is that I hope to see the 'most beautiful Zanpakutō' up close. If I can see it here..."
Hiss! Mirai took another breath.
Aizen, that's enough! You won't stop until you get what you want!
Shinji Hirako immediately helped him. He crossed his arms and said:
"Your junior is asking so sincerely. If you don't show it, you're being a bit too cold for a senior, aren't you?"
"That's right," Shunsui Kyōraku walked over at some point. He had a lazy smile and looked like he was enjoying the drama.
"I'm also very curious about what your Zanpakutō looks like. Just do it to satisfy everyone's curiosity~"
Whether he was truly curious or just trying to gather information, only he knew.
Mirai looked at the three men and knew he couldn't escape today.
He took a deep breath and slowly nodded.
"...Fine, then take a look."
He took a few steps back to gain distance from the three of them.
He gripped the hilt at his waist with his right hand. He slowly drew the Zanpakutō and held it horizontally in front of his chest.
His left hand slowly reached out and touched the cold blade.
At that moment, the entire training ground went silent.
Every graduate, including the defeated Hiyori and a calm Lisa Yadōmaru, held their breath. They stared with wide eyes, afraid to miss any detail.
They all wanted to see what this legendary "most beautiful Zanpakutō" actually looked like!
Mirai slowly ran his left hand along the long blade. At the same time, a cold and pure Spiritual Pressure burst from his body and spread out like a ripple.
He chanted softly in a clear, cold voice:
"Fall—Fūsetsu Egaki."
In an instant, the Zanpakutō in his hand turned into countless sparkling ice and snow particles. It looked like a galaxy scattered by the wind.
These particles gathered and shaped themselves in his hand. They turned into a semi-transparent folding fan made of cold ice and never-ending falling snow.
There were countless snowflakes slowly moving and floating on the surface of the fan. They reflected the light from the sky, creating a soft and beautiful glow.
The ice crystal frame had an elegant curve. The entire fan was stunningly beautiful. it felt like it held all the winter poetry in the world.
At the same time, the temperature in the training ground dropped. A few cold breezes appeared out of nowhere, carrying tiny, beautiful snowflakes that fell silently.
Mirai held the dream-like ice fan. He stood quietly in the middle of this sudden snowfall.
His black Shihakushō stood out against the snow.
Under the falling snow, his handsome face looked even more detached and elegant.
At this moment, everything was quiet. Only the wind and snow silently drew a beautiful picture.