"Idiot, what's wrong with that?"
"Isn't he doing great? Most Shinigami go out of their way to hide their Zanpakutō's abilities. But this freshman, Aizen? Just to help his classmates connect with their Zanpakutō during sword ditation, he openly released his Zanpakutō and even let everyone see his Shikai."
"You're just full of suspicion yourself, so you think everyone else is the sa. Typical."
Sarugaki Hiyori rolled her eyes at Hirako Shinji, clearly unimpressed by his doubts about Aizen. Even though Aizen and Aiyan had only been at the academy for a short while, their nas were already being spoken across the entire Gotei 13—from captains to lieutenants and even seated officers. Everyone was talking about them.
"If all he wanted was to help his classmates, I'd completely understand," Hirako said calmly. "I might even admire him, like you do. He'd be a kind, reliable guy."
"But now? Everyone at the Spiritual Arts Academy has seen his Shikai. That's too much. That's not normal. Sothing's off. Very off. He's dangerous."
Hirako's tone was serious, and his brows were drawn tight.
"So you're calling him dangerous just because he showed off his Zanpakutō?"
"I don't buy that. If that's all it takes, then you're no good either, idiot!"
Hiyori huffed, clearly annoyed.
"Exactly what I expected," Hirako muttered. "Trying to explain this to you is like trying to teach a rock to sing. Waste of ti."
"But I guess this is what I get for choosing my own lieutenant. You might not be the brightest, but I'd still take you over that four-eyed fox nad Aizen. At least you're honest."
Hirako leaned back and picked up Aizen's personnel file from the desk.
"If you haven't gone blind yet, take a look at where this guy was born."
He tossed the docunt over.
"His birthplace?" Hiyori asked, catching the file.
"Rukongai, North 80th District."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So what? It's not like he's from Hueco Mundo."
"Exactly the point," Hirako said, crossing his arms and legs. "That's one of the four most lawless, chaotic districts in all of Soul Society. You're telling a kind and noble guy like Aizen ca out of there? Who would believe that?"
"Who said people from District 80 have to be bad?" Hiyori snapped. "You? Or is it just that you've already made up your mind because of where he's from?"
"Maybe his brother Aiyan protected him well. That's why he's turned out so 'pure.'"
"And don't forget," she added, "Aiyan is no joke. He crushed a team of a Lieutenant-level Shinigami and nine third-seat-level officers like they were nothing. If anyone can raise a decent person, it's him."
Hirako sighed.
"Talking to you is pointless. You drag down to your level, then beat with experience in being unreasonable."
He stopped trying to convince her—but in his heart, the suspicion didn't fade. If anything, it grew stronger.
Everyone trusted Aizen. Everyone admired him. That was the scary part.
He stared at the photo clipped to the file: a gentle smile, refined features, kind eyes.
But all Hirako saw was ice.
He stared a mont longer, then stood up abruptly.
Snap.
He let the file drop and walked out.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Hiyori called after him.
"To et that mud-free flower Aizen Sōsuke you like so much," Hirako replied without looking back, shrugging on the Fifth Division haori and heading toward the Tenth Division's area with a calm but focused stride.
Shin'o Kendo Hall – Fifteen Minutes Before Class
Aiyan and Aizen entered together through the front gate.
Thanks to the sword ditation class Shiba Isshin had led yesterday, nearly everyone had experienced rapid improvent overnight. The Rukongai students especially had shown major growth.
Tousen Kana and others were already inside, standing quietly in pairs and small groups as they waited for class to begin.
"Aiyan."
"Aizen."
Whether it was Tousen Kana and Amagai Shusuke from the outer districts, or noble-born students like Shihouin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke, everyone greeted them with visible respect.
Aiyan was the undisputed top student in terms of talent and strength, standing head and shoulders above every other genius in Class One.
Aizen, on the other hand, had left a different kind of impact. Yesterday, he had openly released his Zanpakutō for everyone to see, a gesture that made a deep impression. His modesty, grace, and generosity had earned him admiration from all sides.
So of the students had even prepared breakfast in return.
Tousen Kana and Amagai Shusuke, grateful for Aizen's guidance, brought him a breakfast made entirely of tofu dishes—his favorite.
"Thank you."
Aizen smiled warmly, accepting the als with both hands.
"Here, this one's for you," he said, about to hand one to Aiyan—
When a chocolate-colored hand suddenly extended in front of him, holding a beautifully wrapped bento box.
"You made one for too?" Aiyan blinked, clearly surprised.
He wasn't shocked that Aizen had been given food. After all, several groups of students had already offered Aizen breakfast on their way to the hall.
But for himself?
He hadn't expected the heir to the Shihouin family to personally make sothing for him.
"You better eat it properly," said a teasing voice from the side.
It was Shiba Kūkaku, the only girl in Class One aside from Yoruichi. She looked at Aiyan with a wicked grin.
"Do you know how long she worked on that? All night! You'd better eat it with gratitude."
"Shut up, Kūkaku!" Yoruichi snapped, clearly flustered. "I just... wanted to try cooking for once. I made too much. That's all."
"I couldn't throw away sothing rich in spiritual energy, so I brought it to share. What's the big deal?"
Back then, Yoruichi was still a noble young lady—not yet the wild, carefree royal she would beco over the next century. In this era, she was elegant, restrained, even a bit shy.
As her cousin Suì-Fēng often described her: noble, radiant, and terrifyingly powerful.
The cat-like shalessness she would later beco famous for was nowhere to be seen yet. Right now, she is still very careful with her image.
Embarrassed by Kūkaku's teasing, she tried to play it off, but the faint pink on her cheeks didn't go unnoticed.
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