Chapter 16 Aizen's Teaching
"I didn't expect Captain Aizen to notice that," Shin said in surprise.
Aizen smiled and said, "Oh? Could it be that Tachikawa Chairman was deliberately hiding it?"
Shin shook his head and said, "It's not really hiding. This is indeed the ability of my Zanpakuto. Since I've only had my Zanpakuto for a short time, I've been practicing how to use it. Additionally, I often cultivate on a daily basis, and this spiritual particle helps me avoid injuries during cultivation."
"So that's how it is." Aizen nodded, "Tachikawa Chairman is so diligent, no wonder he's so outstanding."
"Many people around me are like this; I really can't be considered diligent," Shin humbly added.
"Tachikawa Chairman is too modest. I heard that your Kendo class scores far exceed those of your peers. To achieve such a level, it certainly can't be done by talent alone. And with your sword skill level, your Zanpakuto is a healing type, which is truly surprising," Aizen said again with a smile. His tone was just like that of casual conversation, and as a Captain, he had no airs at all, making it very easy for people to let down their guard.
Shin sighed, "Actually, I'm quite surprised myself. I also hoped my Zanpakuto would be one with great power."
"Tachikawa Chairman is not being honest."
Aizen suddenly shook his head, and the smile on his face seemed to become more meaningful, causing Shin to be momentarily startled.
"The existence of a Zanpakuto is inherently a part of one's soul, and the ability of a Zanpakuto is actually a reflection of one's inner self. Since Tachikawa Chairman has a healing-type Zanpakuto capable of using Koten, it indicates that you actually deeply desire such power. It's clear that Tachikawa Chairman is someone who thinks of others."
"…"
Shin was at a loss for how to respond to these words for a moment, so he stood there looking pensive.
Aizen then put down the documents in his hand and said, "Let's go to Class A first. Are they about to start class?"
Shin also looked at the class schedules for each class and said, "Coincidentally, they have Kido class today and should be practicing Hado. We can observe, and Captain Aizen, if you're willing, could offer some guidance."
Shin, along with Rukia, then led Aizen and Ichimaru Gin to the outdoor Kido classroom where the first-year Class A was located.
The arrival of the Fifth Division Captain and Vice-Captain caused quite a stir among the students.
The teacher currently giving the lecture quickly walked up to Aizen.
"Hello, Captain Aizen, may I ask…"
"It's nothing, I just came to take a look. You can continue with your class as normal," Aizen said gently.
The lecturing teacher then asked, "Would Captain Aizen be willing to give the students some guidance?"
"If the teacher doesn't mind."
"Of course."
Aizen then walked to the front of the students and greeted them in a friendly manner.
Shin quietly stood at the classroom entrance with Rukia. Rukia seemed to be secretly greeting a certain student. Shin followed her gaze and saw a red-haired boy with a peculiar hairstyle.
Aizen took over from the teacher and began explaining some theoretical knowledge for Kido class to the students. Every student present listened with rapt attention, as they believed that an opportunity for a Gotei 13 Captain to personally teach was rare.
Afterward, Aizen even thoughtfully asked all the students to come forward and try performing Kido, and he pointed out each of their flaws and areas for improvement.
This made Shin, who was standing to the side, unable to help but sigh with emotion. Aizen's dedicated demeanor was truly "admirable"; even Shiba Kaien, who could also get along well with students, was slightly inferior.
However, there was a small interlude during Aizen's lecture. When it was Renji's turn to step forward and perform Hado Number Thirty-One, Shakkahō, he made a mistake and nearly injured himself. Aizen used his own spiritual pressure to dissipate the aftershocks of the explosion, then carefully explained the principles of Shakkahō and what to pay attention to during its release, and encouraged Renji to try again.
Renji stood in the field, feeling all the students' gazes focused on him, and even Rukia was watching from the side, which doubled his pressure.
He took a deep breath, raised his arm forward, and chanted, "O' ruler! Mask of flesh, all creation, flapping wings, things crowned with the name of man! Scorching heat and strife, raging across the sea to the south, marching forward…"
There was nothing wrong with the incantation, but Shin noticed that the spiritual pressure fluctuations within Renji's body were completely off. He subtly retreated half a step.
"Hado Number Thirty-One: Shakkahō!"
Aizen evidently noticed this as well. The moment the spiritual pressure erupted from Renji's body, he swiftly reached out and pressed his hand on Renji's arm. The spiritual particles that were supposed to turn into flames instantly died down, and only a bit of black smoke spewed from his palm.
Renji: "…"
Aizen: "…"
Aizen stared intently at Renji, then suddenly sighed, "Student, please go back and thoroughly understand the theoretical knowledge of Kido."
Laughter immediately erupted from the student crowd. Renji's face turned crimson. He didn't even dare to look at Rukia by the classroom door, only meekly said "Yes," and turned to return to his seat.
Shin had been watching Aizen's reaction and unconsciously let out a soft chuckle. Despite wearing glasses, Shin perceived something flash in Aizen's eyes from the side.
It was like the calm after realizing someone had no talent.
"Renji tries very hard!"
But Rukia, who was beside him, suddenly spoke up.
Shin glanced sideways, realizing that Rukia thought he was also laughing at Renji just now, so he said, "I wasn't laughing at that student."
"Then who was Tachikawa Chairman laughing at?"
Another voice sounded beside him; it was Ichimaru Gin, his eyes narrowed, looking with a half-smile.
"Nothing, I just remembered how I was when I first learned Kido. Actually, I wasn't much better than that student just now."
"Is that so?" Ichimaru Gin seemed a little surprised, "I find that a bit hard to believe."
In his opinion, this Student Council President of the Spiritual Arts Academy was at least not a mediocre talent in terms of cultivation aptitude, and Ichimaru Gin clearly knew what it felt like to be talented—that feeling of being adept at learning anything.
"Naturally, it's true."
Shin's expression remained normal, and he changed the subject: "However, although that student's Kido performance was a bit lacking, I see that his bones are unique. Perhaps he has great talent in other areas."
[Rukia]
[Affection: 31]
Ichimaru Gin no longer responded.
Shin's smile, however, grew wider.
Aizen taught the entire class with great dedication, successfully gaining the goodwill of every student. Everyone liked this approachable Captain very much. Initially, many had thought that a Squad Thirteen Captain would be someone very authoritative and difficult to approach.
After class, amidst the students' reluctant gazes, Aizen and Shin left the classroom.
"These students' classes are really interesting. It reminds me of my time studying at the Spiritual Arts Academy."
Aizen seemed to still be reminiscing about what had just happened, speaking involuntarily.
He then chuckled and looked at Shin: "I haven't been to the Spiritual Arts Academy in a long time. I suddenly feel like I can come more often in the future. If the teachers and students here don't mind, occasionally substituting for a class would be quite nice."