Yamamoto's gaze swept through the room, and in just a few moments, Kiganjo Kenpachi — wearing a blank, bewildered expression — was pushed into the meeting hall.
The stares piercing him felt like needles against his skin, making Kiganjo flinch involuntarily.
Tension.
That sensation of being under the gaze of the most powerful — a mix of fear and unease — completely enveloped him.
Had he angered Yamamoto?
Was there still a place for him in the Gotei 13 after this?
And why had he suddenly released his Zanpakutō? What the hell was he thinking?
Had he really used his Bankai against his own subordinates… and turned them into minced flesh?
Everything felt absurdly strange.
But no matter how hard he tried to understand, he found no answers.
"Kiganjo's actions cannot be ignored. His responsibility must be properly assessed."
"After discussion, two possible paths have been decided."
"The first — imprisonment and confinement for reflection, lasting five years."
"The second — exile to Rukongai, to suppress uprisings and patrol the outer districts, serving for ten years."
Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni looked directly at the man before him, his gaze cold and unwavering.
Even a despicable being can hold value. The Gotei 13 was never an institution bound by formality or morality.
Born from the spirit of an army of killers, its essence had always been one thing — strength above all else.
And because of that, Yamamoto gave him a choice.
"Choose, Kiganjo."
On one side, years of imprisonment and isolation.
On the other, freedom — though burdened with duty.
The answer was obvious.
Kiganjo's heart throbbed with excitement. A glimmer of hope flashed across his face as he was about to shout his decision.
…
"You're awake, Shinya-kun."
When he opened his eyes, Arima Shinya saw the familiar starry night sky.
Turning his head to the side, he found Aizen smiling gently at him.
They were still inside the Seireitei — though Shinya, having never been there before, couldn't tell exactly where.
His body felt heavy, his mind hazy. But he could still think. With effort, he sat up and saw Aizen and Tōsen Kaname nearby.
After a brief silence, Shinya rubbed his eyes — there were faint double shadows distorting everything around him.
"Don't worry," Aizen said calmly. "It's merely a side effect of spiritual exhaustion. Once your condition stabilizes, those symptoms will disappear."
"I see…"
Shinya lowered his hands.
Tōsen looked like he wanted to say something, but held back. The words died in his throat, and he simply took a step back, leaving Aizen and Shinya alone.
"How do you feel? Can you stand on your own?"
"…Yeah. I think so."
With effort, Shinya braced himself and stood up, exhaling deeply.
The memories of battle returned slowly, one after another — and with them, the awareness of what had happened.
"So… we are…"
"It's been three hours since the battle."
Aizen, as if predicting the young man's thoughts, calmly adjusted his glasses.
"Kiganjo was detained by the captain of the 7th Division who arrived afterward. Considering the commander's strictness regarding the rules, the trial should already be over."
"So… he really wasn't allowed to release his Bankai within the Seireitei."
Shinya nodded slightly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"But let's put that aside for now, Shinya-kun."
Aizen smiled.
"Have you already discovered your Zanpakutō's true name?"
Shinya replied naturally:
"Yes. Its name is—"
"Wait."
Aizen interrupted, adjusting his glasses again before continuing.
"That's the power you obtained by crossing the line between life and death. It's your own strength — a precious treasure. Since I wasn't directly involved in that process, there's no need to tell me everything."
Although, in terms of hierarchy, they were captain and subordinate, Aizen never sought blind followers — but rather companions of vision.
Shinya fell silent for a moment, then chuckled softly.
"It's fine. It's not that impressive of a power anyway."
He had already decided to walk this path to the end. And if Aizen was someone he trusted, sharing information was part of that alliance.
Besides, his ability wasn't exactly subtle — anyone observant enough would notice it eventually.
"My Zanpakutō is called Sagara Ryū."
"Its power is an advanced form of the spiritual bow — and it can manifest in two ways."
"First, I can convert the information I receive into reference data, creating an isolated space that traps the enemy."
"This space takes the form of a labyrinth. The opponent becomes trapped inside it, enduring the pressure of my spiritual energy until they find the exit."
"But if the power difference is too great, that space can be forcibly destroyed."
"Also, while using Sagara Ryū, I lose the concept of 'vital points.' My body turns into pure spiritual energy."
"As you saw earlier — if Kiganjo had destroyed my last two spiritual bodies, I would've died with them."
It was indeed an extremely high-risk ability.
But the true power lay in the second aspect.
"The second power… I call it 'Analysis.'"
He raised his hand, making a small gesture to illustrate.
"During combat, I observe and collect information about the enemy. Based on that, I analyze their patterns and movements to determine the ideal response."
"Like when I attacked Kiganjo. The first strike seemed to fail, but in truth, it was meant to gather data."
"It's like planting a seed — nourished by my own spiritual energy until it grows into a tree that branches out."
"And on each branch, each leaf… lies knowledge of my opponent."
"That's how, on the second attack, I was able to break through his defense."
Aizen narrowed his eyes slightly, nodding.
"I see. But that's not the full extent of your power, is it, Shinya-kun?"
"…?"
The young man looked at him, puzzled.
"If your strength grows by feeding on spiritual energy… then what it ultimately becomes is unknown."
"In other words — if you have enough energy, you might be able to discern your opponent's weak point by the second strike."
"One strike to analyze. The second… to kill."
A probing attack. A fatal thrust.
Shinya scratched his neck, letting out a weary sigh.
"That's just a theory. At my current level, it's impossible."
Tōsen spoke calmly:
"But possible, nonetheless."
Aizen added:
"Yes. That is the essence of your Zanpakutō — the power of infinite potential."
"The first ability isn't weak. It's the necessary preparation for the second — the analysis."
"If you can divide your spiritual energy, then no matter how vast the power gap, you'll always be able to get close, observe, and find an opening."
Collect. Analyze. Destroy.
Each step toward the final objective.
Aizen exhaled softly, a faint trace of admiration in his tone.
"As I thought… I wasn't mistaken about you."
"Shinya-kun, you're the kind of warrior who faces the impossible without hesitation."
"Regardless of position, power, or circumstance — you place your life and your enemy's on the same scale and bet everything."
"A duel between life and death."
"Either your blade finds the opening first…"
"Or your opponent's strike shatters you completely."
"No matter how powerful they are — you still face them head-on."
Aizen gazed at the young man before him.
For a brief moment, his usually calm heart wavered.
A smile formed — subtle, yet genuine.
Joy? Fascination?
Perhaps both.
But above all else, there was a deep and sincere feeling — trust.
"For revealing something like this to me, Shinya-kun, your trust is something I hold in the highest regard."
And as every gesture should be returned…
After a short pause, Aizen made a bold decision.
"Then, allow me to return it with a secret of my own."
He drew his Zanpakutō, and in a calm voice, declared:
"My Zanpakutō is called Kyōka Suigetsu. Its power is… complete hypnosis."
Shinya had heard the rumors, but hearing Aizen himself explain his blade's power was something shocking.
After all, in every story, Aizen only did that when victory was already assured.
But to his surprise, Aizen continued:
"Of course, this ability isn't invincible."
"If someone touches the blade before the hypnosis is activated, they can completely escape its effect."
…
"…Huh?"
Shinya blinked, stunned.
The very secret Gin Ichimaru had spent decades trying to uncover… was now revealed so casually?
He lifted his gaze — and saw Aizen kneeling slightly before him, extending his hand.
"Sharing secrets deepens bonds and trust."
"Shinya-kun, I am truly glad — and honored — to walk by your side."
"Come."
"Let us stand together."
Yes — if it had to be put into words…
"Before us… there are no enemies."
(End of Chapter)
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