"What are you all doing back here?! Hurry up and run!" Shūhei roared at the group of newcomers.
"You're disobeying orders!" At this point, Shūhei was covered in wounds, his blood still flowing.
"We're here to save you, so cut us some slack, senpai!" Renji shouted while blocking the Hollow's claws.
"That's right. With all of us together, we can at least buy some time. Maybe a captain will arrive as backup during that time," Natsuro said calmly as he stood beside Shūhei, raising his hand and casting Kaidō (healing Kidō) to treat Shūhei's injuries.
"This is… Kaidō?!" Shūhei was surprised to feel his wounds rapidly closing.
Was there actually someone in Class A who had taken the time to learn Kaidō?
But Natsuro's words weren't wrong. With more people, their odds were better. And realistically, it was too late to tell them to flee now.
Shūhei sighed, gave a quick nod of thanks once his wounds had closed up, and jumped back into the fight.
As for Natsuro, others already saw him as someone focused on Kidō, so as long as he kept his spell power under control, tossing out some support-level Kidō in the background wouldn't attract attention.
But what happened next caught even him off guard.
It was Hadō #31 – Shakkahō (Red Fire Cannon).
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!!"
Each of the students recited one line of the incantation, then were able to each cast a fully powered Shakkahō.
Which meant, only one incantation was needed, as long as they had declared their intent to cast it. The spell's full power still manifested for each of them.
So… the chant was just a way to inform the world that the spell was being cast?
Then in theory...
A spark flashed in Natsuro's eyes as his spiritual pressure surged.
"Hadō #33 – Sōkatsui (Blue Fire, Crash Down)!"
A blazing white explosion rocketed toward the Hollow—and then…
He began to chant:
"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!!!"
In that moment, he watched as the already-launched Sōkatsui flared even brighter, growing in power mid-flight.
It worked.
He had successfully enhanced the spell after casting it, just by finishing the chant afterward.
Natsuro rubbed his forehead. His previous theory seemed even more plausible now.
The incantation was simply a ritual declaration to the world, a signal to not resist the coming spell. So… it didn't matter when it was recited.
Just then, he looked to one side, several more large Hollows had appeared, all emitting spiritual pressure comparable to the one they were currently fighting.
But he merely smiled.
Because he had sensed a familiar reiatsu, Gin Ichimaru, the vice-captain of the 5th Division.
And if Gin was here, then his captain, Aizen Sōsuke, likely was as well.
Their arrival so quickly? It all but confirmed they were involved in this "accident."
At that moment, the hidden Hollows emerged, surrounding the students.
Each one was massive, with wide grins on their white masks, glaring hungrily at their prey.
Even with good mental fortitude, everyone present felt their hearts sink.
They might not make it out alive.
"ROOOAAARR!!"
The Hollows howled and pounced.
"Ahhh! I don't want to die! I don't want to die!!" Izuru screamed in terror, his face pale with fear.
Suddenly, a white spear, long and seemingly limitless, pierced straight through the mask of the first Hollow lunging at them.
"…So you've finally decided to act?" Natsuro turned and saw Aizen and Gin approaching slowly.
Aizen held no weapon in hand. Gin, however, already had his Zanpakutō drawn.
That white spear had clearly come from Gin.
The other students looked at the pair like they were angels sent from heaven, here to save them.
Aizen smiled gently as he approached, his eyes locking with Natsuro's.
Their gazes crossed.
Aizen's smile deepened. Just as he'd suspected, Natsuro's eyes showed no fear, no relief at surviving, not even surprise at Aizen's arrival.
This first-year student from Shin'ō Academy was… interesting.
Aizen had, of course, noticed how quickly the Hollow had been discovered. So he'd "asked" Aoga, one of the group leaders, about it, and received a rather unexpected answer:
It had been a first-year student who had discovered the Hollow capable of invisibility and spiritual pressure suppression, one of Aizen's own experimental creations.
…Intriguing.
Natsuro's earlier hope to keep Shūhei from mentioning him? Useless now.
From the moment he met Aizen's gaze, he knew, he had been noticed.
He couldn't help but marvel... All he did was casually point it out, and that alone drew this much attention?
Maybe that simple warning had caused this internship to veer off Aizen's script, and that's what got him flagged.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We're here to assist," Aizen said kindly, walking toward them, Gin silently following with his sword in hand.
"It's Captain Aizen of the 5th Division! And Vice-Captain Gin Ichimaru!!" Shūhei shouted excitedly. Their arrival meant they were safe.
Aizen stepped forward and gently patted Momo's head.
"You all did well. That must've been frightening, right? But it's alright now."
"Leave the rest to us. You can rest."
With that, Aizen and Gin walked toward the approaching Hollows, while the others remained behind to watch.
Natsuro straightened slightly, he might as well observe. Perhaps he'd catch a glimpse of their true strength.
Gin, with his ever-present smile, commented playfully on the number of enemies:
"That's quite a lot…"
Then...
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō."
And just like that, the white spear that had saved them earlier appeared again.
It pierced through every Hollow in its path, ignoring numbers, size, or resistance, like a divine weapon that obliterated all in its way.
Not a single Menos Grande stood a chance against Gin's Zanpakutō.
As for Aizen, he remained calm and motionless, not even making a move.
However, one rather unlucky Menos raised its fist and swung it straight at Aizen.
Faced with such a massive blow, Aizen merely lifted his right hand. Just as the huge fist was about to strike him a wave of immense spiritual pressure exploded from Aizen's body. That enormous fist, nearly a hundred times larger than Aizen's hand, was stopped midair by his single palm.
Aizen looked calmly at the Hollow before him and gave a slight chuckle. Then, with just his spiritual pressure, no Zanpakutō or Kidō used, he crushed the Menos into oblivion, its body disintegrating instantly.
Having finished, Aizen turned and gave the stunned students a reassuring smile.
Natsuro didn't need to look to know that everyone around him was utterly shocked. They had expected a captain-level Shinigami to be strong, but not this strong.
After all, it's one thing to imagine power, and another thing to witness it.
But he sighed. Gin's display was decent, but Aizen? He hadn't even revealed a fraction of his strength yet.
Aizen then walked over to the students and spoke gently:
"It's over now. You all performed admirably. Thanks to your actions, we were able to keep casualties minimal."
"Especially you," Aizen said, turning to Natsuro. "Your sensory abilities are quite exceptional, even by the standards of the Gotei 13. Have you ever considered joining the 5th Division?"
His words stunned everyone.
The others all turned to Natsuro in amazement. Renji even leaned in and whispered, "What are you waiting for? Say yes already!"
But he simply looked at Aizen and replied calmly..."You flatter me, Captain Aizen. But I'd like to remain at Shin'ō Academy for now to continue my studies. So I'm not ready to join the Gotei 13 just yet."
The moment he said it, the others stared at him like he was from another planet. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Even sixth-years had to pass rigorous trials to join the Gotei 13. Getting invited personally was unheard of.
Even Gin gave him an extra glance.
Aizen, however, simply nodded and smiled:
"I see. That's understandable, you've only just enrolled. Perhaps I was being a little hasty. But my offer still stands. Whenever you're ready, the 5th Division's doors are open to you."
He then looked at the others and added, "....Of course, that offer extends to all of you. If your abilities are up to par, your character is already proven, you'll be welcome in the 5th as well."
"Really? We can join too?!" Renji and the others lit up with joy. Given their talent, joining the 5th Division once they reached the sixth year seemed all but guaranteed.
"Of course," Aizen said, still smiling kindly.
Natsuro gave Aizen another thoughtful glance. Even knowing he was one of the final bosses of Bleach, Aizen still came off as… honestly likable. Whether it was an act or not, he gave off a strong, trustworthy impression.
"Now then," Aizen said gently, "follow me and Gin through the Senkaimon. I'm concerned there might still be hidden Hollows around. We shouldn't risk another incident."
"Yes, sir!" the others responded enthusiastically, their hearts warmed.
So this is what a 5th Division captain is like… such a gentle man.
Natsuro, however, just silently watched Aizen's performance.
If someone can act this naturally, so convincingly... then chances are, their true nature is far colder than they let on.
Not that it mattered to him. After all, Ichigo Kurosaki would eventually take care of Aizen. If that conflict ever looked interesting, he might join in, but otherwise, he was content to continue training.
Back at the academy, Renji and Izuru were both shouting at Natsuro, "Why did you turn him down?! Do you even realize what a massive opportunity you just missed?!"
"Why are you so worked up?" Natsuro raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't we be? If you'd accepted, you'd have been the first first-year student in history to be specially invited into the Gotei 13!" Izuru said, louder than he ever had before. "Do you even realize how rare that is?!"
"But I'm not interested in joining the Gotei 13," Natsuro said casually.
"Don't tell me… you're still thinking about joining the Kidō Corps? They don't have anywhere near the status of a Shinigami!" Renji exclaimed.
"Kidō Corps? I never said that. I just don't want to work. Joining the Gotei 13 means I'd have to take on duties, and I'm not interested in that." Natsuro waved it off.
The trio stared at him, dumbfounded. Of all the reasons to reject the offer… he didn't want to work?!
They exchanged a glance, their eyes full of speechless disbelief.
"Also, I don't want to join the 5th Division," Natsuro added.
"Why not?!" Momo suddenly spoke up. "Captain Aizen is so kind! The 5th Division must be full of warmth and camaraderie!"
"Nothing personal," Natsuro replied. "Same reason as before, I don't want to work. That's why I want to join the 4th Division. Do a bit of healing here and there, and that's it."
"The 4th? But… isn't that the support division?" Izuru said in disbelief. "Don't they take all the students who couldn't get into other squads?!"
"Yup. Anyway, I'm heading back to the dorm." Natsuro turned and left.
The three of them stood in place, staring blankly at one another.
They couldn't comprehend why anyone would choose the 4th Division.
But he had a reason, low expectations and a big staff, which meant more chances to slack off.Plus, Kaidō was simple enough for him. Healing wouldn't interfere with his personal training.
What he didn't know, having never seen the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the 4th Division's captain, Retsu Unohana… is anything but ordinary.
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Currently on Chapter 470 - Ulquiorra Enters the Human World