Ever since that internship…
Natsuro realized that he had probably already appeared on Aizen's radar. However, Aizen likely just found him somewhat interesting, just not enough to warrant special attention.
After all, he hadn't exposed much of his true strength.
And just as he expected, Aizen wasn't going to focus all his attention on someone over a single incident.
But not long afterward, Natsuro began discovering certain books in the library, books detailing the dark history of the Soul Society.
It wasn't that these books were inherently problematic, but rather... why were they in the Shin'ō Academy at all?
From any angle, these books clearly weren't meant for Shinigami students.
What was stranger was each time he finished one, it would vanish from the library, like someone had deliberately arranged for him to read them.
That was probably Aizen's doing. Aizen wouldn't do it himself, of course, but he could easily tell a subordinate to make it happen, and this was the result.
"He really does value me," Natsuro remarked. As for the dark history of the Soul Society, he honestly didn't care. He wasn't from this world, so what did its corruption have to do with him?
What did surprise him though, was just how many layers of governance stood above the Gotei 13.
There was the Royal Guard (Zero Division), the Central 46, the Noble Assembly, and even the Golden-Seal Noble Assembly.
Yes, that many. The Gotei 13, seemingly so lofty to the common folk, was actually ranked lower within this hierarchy.
And the darkness festering in these upper layers was laid out in disturbing detail in those books.
What he couldn't quite figure out was, what was Aizen's intent in showing him these things?
Did he want to plant seeds of discontent against the ruling elite? Was Aizen hoping he would help overthrow the nobility?
To be honest, he did think there were problems with the system, but ultimately, it had nothing to do with him. As long as they didn't mess with him, he wasn't interested in whether they lived or died.
So Aizen's ploy? Like playing music to a cow, was completely ineffective.
Still, something happened during these years that surprised Natsuro, yet felt in line with the original story.
Rukia had been noticed by Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki clan, and was invited to join their noble house.
The Kuchiki clan, after all, was one of the Four Great Noble Houses, and among the Golden-Seal Nobility previously mentioned.
Apparently, before making the decision, Rukia had asked Renji for advice. His response didn't need to be spelled out.
In the end, Rukia joined the Kuchiki clan, took on the name "Rukia Kuchiki," and graduated early from Shin'ō Academy to join the 13th Division of the Gotei 13.
Natsuro made no comment on Renji's choice, though he did notice that Renji often stared blankly into the distance after Rukia left, which was a rare sight for someone so boisterous.
He understood Renji's thinking. After all, joining one of the Four Great Houses would mean better resources and opportunities for Rukia.
And hopefully, a happy life.
But unfortunately, given what Natsuro knew of the nobility, Rukia probably wouldn't receive a warm welcome.
Even biological children of nobles didn't necessarily live happy lives, let alone someone like Rukia, adopted midstream.
If Natsuro were in Renji's shoes, he wouldn't have let Rukia join the Kuchiki clan. He believed Renji's own talent was enough to give her a good life.
Moreover, the fact that Rukia even asked for Renji's opinion… that alone showed what she truly wanted.
Sadly, by the time he learned of it, Rukia had already joined the Kuchiki family.
With a sigh, Natsuro shifted his thoughts to Byakuya Kuchiki. He didn't have a strong impression of him, though he did remember his Zanpakutō.
It was a particularly beautiful one. Herecalled its Shikai and Bankai forms, like drifting cherry blossoms, elegant and refined.
"Senbonzakura…" Natsuro murmured. That might be the only Zanpakutō he still remembered, because it had left the deepest impression.
Then, he stood up and set off in full gear toward his next destination, the final step for graduates... The annual Gotei 13 entry exam.
Each division had its own requirements, except for the 4th Division.
The 4th Division didn't care whether you could use Kaidō or not; even those who couldn't heal could serve as pure support staff, handling chores and logistics.
Of course, for most students, this test didn't matter, they had already received verbal offers, especially those like Renji, Izuru, and Momo, who didn't have their own personal agendas like he did.
Their goals were clear. Once they entered the exam grounds, they went straight for the 5th Division, not only was Captain Aizen there, but so was a familiar senior…
Shūhei Hisagi!
Natsuro didn't concern himself with their choices. Instead, he walked alone to the 4th Division's registration desk.
Unsurprisingly, this side had the fewest people. Everyone hoped to become a combat Soul Reaper. Only after failing every other division would they come to the 4th.
That said, a few realistic individuals had already gathered here to register.
The 4th Division officer handling the registration didn't even look up, and just handed Natsuro a form and told him to fill it out himself. The 4th Division had no requirements; if you wanted to join, just write your name down.
He was a little taken aback, was the 4th Division always this laid-back?
Still, he didn't mind. Wasn't this exactly what he wanted? A job where he could slack off and focus on his own affairs.
As he looked over the form, nothing stood out except for one interesting question, whether he had a healing-type Zanpakutō or could use Kaidō.
This determined whether a 4th Division recruit would be assigned to logistics or medical duties.
Just as he was about to fill it out, a warm voice spoke beside him.
"Natsuro-kun, so this is where you are."
Natsuro turned his head and saw all the surrounding students widen their eyes in shock.
Because the speaker was none other than the 5th Division Captain, Aizen Sōsuke.
"Hello, Captain Aizen. What brings you here?" Natsuro asked, ignoring the frantic winks from the trio behind Aizen, clearly hinting that he should join the 5th Division.
Aizen looked at Natsuro. Since their internship, he'd had a mild interest in this student who concealed his strength. So he'd had his subordinates do a little digging.
The report seemed ordinary enough, but Aizen remembered that the 13th Division had once filed a special report about a soul with unusually high spiritual pressure entering the Soul Society via a Konsō.
Typically, such reports weren't necessary unless the pressure was exceptional, so it caught Aizen's eye.
Comparing it to his record, Aizen was now nearly certain: Natsuro was the one.
Yet, during their earlier meeting, Aizen hadn't sensed such spiritual pressure from him at all, it must've been deliberately concealed.
Not only that, he had easily detected the invisible Menos Grande Aizen had summoned. His spiritual pressure likely exceeded vice-captain level, and maybe even reached captain-class.
To have such power so soon after arriving in Soul Society, no wonder Aizen was interested.
Facing Natsuro's calm demeanor, Aizen wasn't offended. He said, "Natsuro-kun, do you remember our previous conversation? The doors of the 5th Division are always open to you."
"That invitation still stands. Natsuro-kun, I would like to formally invite you to join the 5th Division." As Aizen spoke, gasps erupted all around.
Most people hadn't even passed the entrance test, some were only here because they'd already failed elsewhere. Yet here was someone being personally invited by Aizen and still hesitating.
Renji, realizing Natsuro's intent from his nonchalant attitude, grew anxious. He desperately tried to signal him to change his mind.
"Sorry," Natsuro said flatly, ignoring Renji's hints, "I want to join the 4th Division."
"But with your talent, joining the 4th is such a waste," Aizen frowned. He hadn't expected to be turned down again, even after making a personal appearance.
"But the 4th Division is so relaxing," Natsuro replied.
At that moment, Aizen was speechless. No matter how he tried to rationalize it, he couldn't have imagined that his reason for choosing the 4th Division over any other was… this?
It wasn't just Aizen, everyone around was stunned by his answer. They couldn't understand how someone could reject the offer of a captain, a figure they all dreamed of serving, for that reason.
It was utterly ridiculous!
At this point, even some other captains and vice-captains nearby had taken notice. Hearing Aizen's personal invitation and Natsuro's rejection left them a bit surprised too.
Someone had actually refused a captain's personal invitation?!
Quite a few people started to take an interest in this newcomer who had just turned down Aizen.
Over in the 13th Division's area, the captain was absent due to health issues and had delegated authority to his vice-captain.
At the moment, Vice-Captain Kaien Shiba had also noticed what was happening. He didn't seem too concerned.
But his wife, Miyako Shiba, widened her eyes as she stared in that direction. "Kaien, do you remember the person I mentioned in my previous report?"
"I do. What about it?" Kaien was puzzled, why bring that up now?
Soon, Kaien followed Miyako's gaze and saw what was happening. His eyes widened. "Don't tell me the person you mentioned is the one Captain Aizen just personally invited?"
Miyako nodded.
"Tch." Kaien clicked his tongue in admiration. "Figures. If that's the case, it makes sense that Captain Aizen would personally extend an invitation."
Still, the couple only sighed in amazement. Talents of that caliber most likely wouldn't end up in their division anyway. Hadn't Aizen himself come to invite him?
Back at Aizen's side, even his usually composed smile looked a bit strained. He said, "I still hope you'll reconsider, Natsuro-kun. As I said before, if you ever wish to join the 5th Division, its doors are always open to you."
"Even if by then you're already a member of the 4th Division, I can request Captain Unohana to transfer you to me."
Upon hearing this, everyone around Natsuro couldn't help but feel a surge of envy. A captain's personal invitation was already beyond their wildest dreams, yet this one had been rejected. And instead of getting angry, the captain even made such a generous promise…
At this moment, the surrounding students couldn't help but feel even more favorably toward Aizen, and as for Natsuro, they were all wondering... What has he done to deserve this!?
Natsuro nodded to acknowledge Aizen's words, but his expression clearly showed he had no intention of joining the 5th Division.
Aizen's eye twitched slightly, but he said no more and left with his group, he couldn't stay away from his own area for too long.
The other captains also withdrew their gazes. Some looked toward Unohana, who was calmly sipping tea as if nothing had happened, even though someone had just tried to poach her recruit.
Someone personally invited by Aizen? That Natsuro guy was definitely not ordinary.
Now that Aizen had finally left, Natsuro breathed a sigh of relief. He handed the completed form to the dumbfounded 4th Division member.
"I've finished filling it out," he said.
"Um, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" The 4th Division officer was clearly shaken, he had never seen such a scene before. Usually, only those rejected by other divisions ended up here.
Now someone being personally invited by a captain was insisting on joining them?
Even though he was a member of the 4th Division himself, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief, what had they done to deserve this kind of talent?
"I've already made up my mind. I meet the requirements for the 4th Division, don't I?" Natsuro asked.
"Yes! Of course you do!" the officer replied quickly. He might doubt his own judgment, but there was no way he'd doubt the judgment of a captain. So this young man must possess some incredible hidden potential.
At that moment, a voice suddenly rose from the crowd.
"Hey! Do you dare accept my challenge?!"
A student strode up to Natsuro and stared at him aggressively.
Natsuro frowned and looked at the challenger.
"Tch tch, don't tell me the guy favored by Captain Aizen is too scared to fight me?" the student provoked again, his voice louder now and dripping with sarcasm. He glanced at Aizen, who hadn't gone far, and escalated the taunt.
He had just failed to get into the 5th Division, and seeing this scene filled him with resentment.
Now, a thought had surfaced in his mind... If I can defeat him, maybe Captain Aizen will see me in a new light. Maybe I'll be allowed into the 5th Division after all.
And he wasn't the only one thinking this, he was just the first to voice it.
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Currently on Chapter 471 - To Find a Heart