Sōjun Kuchiki, who had stepped in front of Masatsuki, froze, his expression stiffening.

  Before his shocked eyes, a pilr of Reiatsu shot up from Masatsuki, piercing the sky.

  "Boom!"

  In an instant, the force of the Reiatsu pilr bsted away the dojo's ceiling, flooding the entire room with blinding light.

  The sudden surge of overwhelming Reiatsu sent several students with weaker spiritual pressure flying. They crashed into the walls with a series of loud thuds.

  One unfortunate student was even flung out the door—only to be caught by a man wearing bck-framed gsses.

  "Young man, there's such a thing as knowing your limits when practicing Zanjutsu."

  "Ah… Aizen-sensei, what are you doing here?"

  "I just finished my css. What's going on in there? Either way, whether it's unleashing Reiatsu or throwing students out of the dojo, this is a bit excessive…"

  Aizen adjusted his gsses and turned his gaze toward the dojo.

  Inside, Sōjun Kuchiki had released his own Reiatsu—captain-css spiritual pressure of Third-Css Reiatsu Rank—to forcibly suppress Masatsuki's rampaging power, preventing it from harming the other students.

  Through this csh of Reiatsu, he was absolutely certain—Masatsuki's Asauchi had fully transformed into a Zanpakutō. At this moment, his Reiatsu had reached the level of a Sixth-Css Rank, just a step away from breaking into the Fifth-Css.

  His first thought was to be happy for his student.

  But that joy was immediately repced by confusion.

  Masatsuki Aozaki had enrolled from Rukongai. His records were clear—when he first entered Shin'ō Academy, he had only possessed a Sixteenth-Css Reiatsu Rank. Yet now, he had skyrocketed to the Sixth-Css, surpassing most Seated Officers.

  Even achieving Shikai shouldn't result in such a drastic increase…

  Normally, when a Shinigami awakens their Shikai, their Reiatsu rank rises by one level, or two at most if they're exceptionally gifted. But to leap ten ranks in one go? That was unheard of.

  Aizen stood motionless, his fingers tightening around the frame of his gsses. His entire body seemed frozen, his eyes locked onto Masatsuki Aozaki.

  Unbeknownst to him, the usual gentle smile on his face had begun to distort, the corners of his mouth stretching wider and wider.

  To the students watching, the ever-kind and approachable Lieutenant Aizen suddenly looked like a monstrous demon.

  As a Shinigami born to commoners, Aizen had no knowledge of how to cultivate Reiryoku before entering Shin'ō Academy.

  Yet, due to his unparalleled talent, he had reached the level of a top Seated Officer—Sixth-Css Reiatsu Rank—within less than half a year of beginning his training.

  Even though he had concealed his true strength from others, he had always taken pride in it.

  The records of the academy's most outstanding students throughout history were publicly avaible, and they made one fact clear—no one had ever surpassed his rate of progress.

  So, while he had long acknowledged that Masatsuki was growing at an astonishing pace, his starting point had been too low.

  Never, not even once, had Aizen considered the possibility that Masatsuki was a genius on his level.

  At times, Aizen had wondered if he had simply been born different from ordinary people—something beyond them, something… superior.

  That thought had often left him feeling utterly alone.

  For a long time, he had subconsciously sought out someone who could stand at the same height as him, only to be met with disappointment, time and time again.

  And just when he had been ready to abandon that search, fate had pyed a cruel joke on him.

  This man… his talent is equal to mine.

  Perhaps—just perhaps—he could stand beside me.

  Once the thought took root, it refused to leave.

  For the first time in years, Aizen found himself overwhelmed by a complex mix of emotions.

  Even he wasn't sure what he was feeling.

  This man is too dangerous. I should eliminate him as soon as possible.

  No… perhaps he's just a fleeting anomaly. In a few years, he might fade into obscurity.

  Why take the risk? The pn is approaching its critical stage—any potential threat must be dealt with immediately.

  A storm of conflicting thoughts raced through Aizen's mind, disrupting his normally fwless reasoning. He exhaled slowly, as if trying to steady himself.

  He had always anticipated that someone like this might one day stand in his way.

  Yet, strangely enough… a sense of relief washed over him.

  So I'm not an anomaly. I'm not alone.

  There truly is someone else who stands at my level.

  And that person… is right in front of me.

  "Let's observe for a few more years."

  Aizen took a few deep breaths, calming the excitement surging within him.

  For the first time in a long while, he felt anticipation—even though what he was looking forward to carried immense risk.

  "Aizen-sensei, are you alright?" a student asked, concern in their voice.

  Aizen's eyes flickered slightly before he quickly put on his usual, practiced smile. "I'm fine, just felt a little unwell for a moment."

  "Ah… I see. I was wondering why your expression looked so terrifying just now. I'm fine, but you should go check in with the Fourth Division."

  "You saw everything?"

  The student nodded, and Aizen smiled. "Thank you for your concern. I'll be on my way, then."

  ...

  "Sōjun-sensei, are you alright?"

  Masatsuki had finally managed to suppress his Reiatsu. He reached out, waving a hand in front of Sōjun Kuchiki's face.

  "I'm fine," Sōjun replied, still staring at Masatsuki in a daze.

  Learning Shikai and dispying the Reiatsu of a top Seated Officer—on his first attempt at Jinzen.

  It was only the second day of his enrollment at Shin'ō Academy, the first day of formal lessons.

  This was beyond extraordinary.

  Even his brother-in-w, Kōga Kuchiki—hailed as a once-in-several-centuries genius and now a Top-ranked Seated Officer the First Division's Special Forces—hadn't shown such an absurd level of talent when he first entered the academy.

  For the first time in a long while, Sōjun's eyes shone with excitement, as if he were witnessing the rise of a new star.

  This child… he might one day become a pilr of Soul Society.

  His own broken body was of little use, but if he could train a Shinigami capable of protecting Soul Society, then perhaps he wouldn't have failed his father's teachings.

  At that thought, Sōjun couldn't help but smile even more. But unlike his usual noble composure, this smile carried a trace of foolish delight.

  Masatsuki shook his head and coughed twice, snapping Sōjun out of his thoughts.

  "Sōjun-sensei, you said before that if someone infuses their soul into an Asauchi and learns its name, they will obtain their own Zanpakutō. That means I don't have to return mine to the academy, right?"

  He slid Banshō Senran into its sheath, securing it at his waist while his fingers idly traced the hilt.

  As if I'd return it even if you asked.

  Seeing that Masatsuki had absolutely no intention of giving the sword back, Sōjun shook his head with a helpless smile.

  "Of course. It's your Zanpakutō now. But after css, you'll still need to come with me to report this to the academy."

  "You're the best, Sensei!" Masatsuki cheered, jumping excitedly. "Let's go now!"

  Back in his previous life, when he had watched Bleach, he had always fantasized about having his own Zanpakutō.

  Now that his dream had become reality, there was no way he could stay calm about it.

  "You brat… Sit down first. Css isn't over yet."

  Despite his Sixth-Css Reiatsu Rank, Masatsuki was still easily pushed back into his seat by the seemingly frail Sōjun Kuchiki.

  "So, a Shinigami's battle is really a battle of Reiatsu?" Masatsuki muttered, gritting his teeth. "Sensei looks weak, but he's got some serious strength."

  "You sure know a lot, Aozaki-kun," Sōjun chuckled. "But don't underestimate your teacher. I may not be much of a fighter, but I'm still Third-Css in Reiatsu. You've still got plenty to learn."