That evening, in the dorm, Gusion was deep in thought.
He'd considered Aizen's analysis, and combined with how difficult his mission seemed, he agreed with Aizen's reasoning.
Unless something unexpected happened, old man Yamamoto would probably find a captain to educate him.
If he had to beat a captain with matched spiritual pressure during the exam, it would be extremely difficult—that would be a perfect excuse to keep him in the academy.
With the nice-sounding justification that it wasn't for lack of opportunity, but because he wasn't good enough.
The Captain-Commander's intentions were good… if he truly belonged to this world.
But in reality, he was a traveller placed in this world by Endspace, and if he failed this speedrun, he'd be erased—there would be no staying at the Academy for further study.
"Sosuke, who do you think the captain examiner will be?"
Gusion, stuck at an impasse, decided to ask the sharp-minded Aizen.
This time, Aizen didn't dodge. He pondered, "Judging by the timing, I think there are three possible captains."
"Which three?"
Gusion asked with interest.
"First, the captain of the Fifth Division. I happen to know one of their seated officers. He recently mentioned their squad is pretty idle, so their captain might take the role."
Aizen analyzed, "He also said their captain is quite strong, the martial type. If you face him, it'll be tough."
The current fifth division captain was someone Gusion hadn't heard of from the original manga: Akimoto Noritaka. He did know the officer Aizen mentioned—Hirako Shinji, who'd visited the academy recently.
Hirako was just a seated officer now; he'd become a captain in a century or so, and would later be betrayed by Aizen.
"And the others?"
Gusion pressed.
"The other is Eleventh Division's captain, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi. According to my info, that squad's also not busy. But the Eleventh is full of battle maniacs who don't know how to hold back. If he's your examiner… that's the worst outcome."
Aizen said gravely. Kuruyashiki Kenpachi's strength was well-known in Soul Society. Anyone who bore the Kenpachi title was no weakling. Rumor had it he once single-handedly slew a Vasto Lorde-level Menos, and even received an invitation from Squad Zero.
"Sounds interesting. Is there a best-case scenario?"
Gusion nodded.
Aizen glanced at Gusion oddly. He almost forgot his roommate was also a battle maniac, maybe he'd get along with the Eleventh's muscleheads.
He thought, then continued, "There is a best case: recently, squad casualties have been low, so the Fourth Division isn't busy. You can tell by how often Captain Unohana's been coming to give lectures. She's gentle by nature and a support-type captain—probably not that strong in combat. If she's your examiner, it should be easy."
Gusion's expression turned odd. That's the best case?
In some sense, that was his favorite kind of opponent—but when it came to holding back, Unohana-sensei was the scariest one!
In fact, besides the Captain-Commander, the strongest in the Thirteen Squads was probably the original Kenpachi, Unohana herself!
And Kyoraku Shunsui wasn't yet old and cunning enough at this time; it was hard to say if he could even match her.
Seeing Aizen's serious analysis, Gusion realized he wasn't joking. Even Aizen wasn't omniscient—at least, as a student, he didn't know Unohana's dark history.
Gusion asked, "Sosuke, how will the exam be conducted?"
"Other than spiritual pressure, probably an all-out fight. That's why I tried to talk you out of early graduation."
Aizen said, "If they want to test you comprehensively, the captain will go all out. Your skills are so strong, that's a problem."
Gusion understood: his combat ability was so high, that the captain examiner couldn't hold back.
Blades is blind—he could easily die in the exam.
Even if the Captain-Commander liked him, it was his own choice. If he died in the exam, he'd just be a footnote in the Academy's history.
A dead genius was worthless.
If he chose the special graduation exam, he was essentially signing his life-and-death waiver.
"If their spiritual pressure is at sixteenth class, the captain can still use Shikai, right?"
Gusion mused.
Aizen nodded, "Of course. As for Bankai, you don't have to worry—they can't use it without at least third-class spiritual power."
Gusion was now feeling the true [nightmare] difficulty. According to Aizen's earlier explanations, even if captains suppressed their spiritual pressure, their hidden stat boosts wouldn't disappear.
They might seem similar in speed and strength, but they could see and react to everything he did.
In that case, beating a battle-hardened captain was nearly impossible. If he drew Unohana as his examiner, that would be a nightmare within a nightmare.
He'd always trusted his martial arts and instincts, but to complete this task, he'd need another boost.
Time was running out. If he wanted a significant power-up, he had to focus on his Zanpakuto.
Aizen hadn't mentioned it, but historically, all geniuses who graduated early had mastered Shikai—this was a default requirement.
"Sosuke…"
With this in mind, Gusion looked up at Aizen and made up his mind. "Can you show me your Shikai?"
He'd figured it out. No matter what Aizen became in the future, right now they were on good terms, and Aizen had no reason to harm him.
Not to mention whether Aizen would use Kyoka Suigetsu's full hypnosis on him—even if he did, once Gusion returned, Endspace could probably help him deal with it.
But if he failed the mission, he'd be erased—he had no time to worry about Kyoka Suigetsu's issues.
Right now, he had to master his Zanpakuto's Shikai!
Aizen smiled. "Don't worry, I'll try to teach you Shikai within two days."
As he spoke, he drew his Zanpakuto. The flowing blade shimmered with the moonlight outside, giving off a gentle beauty.
"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu."
With Aizen's magnetic whisper, a mist rose from his Zanpakuto, refracting the light like water, irresistibly drawing the gaze and lulling the mind.