"Alright, Captain Isshin."
"I won't target him again. Is that good enough?"
Hirako Shinji gave Isshin a long look. Seeing the determination in his eyes, and that he had already half drawn his Zanpakutō, Shinji sighed inwardly—troublesome.
He knew he couldn't provoke Isshin any further.
If the man really drew his sword here, no matter who won, the moment a captain-level fight broke out, Aizen would definitely be smiling inside.
"You're serious?"
Shiba Isshin still didn't quite trust Shinji's sudden change of heart.
"Yes."
"Not only will I stop targeting Aizen, I'll even apologize. I want to personally train him. After he graduates from the Spiritual Arts Academy, I'll transfer him to the Fifth Division as my lieutenant."
"Captain Isshin, what do you think? Straight out of the academy, directly becoming a lieutenant—how's that for fast-tracking a career?"
A crooked grin played across Shinji's face.
"You...!"
Isshin's expression darkened. He knew what Shinji was trying to do.
If it were any other captain, such an offer would seem like a golden opportunity. But with Hirako Shinji, it was clear he was scheming.
Sending Aizen to the Fifth Division as lieutenant wasn't about mentorship—it was containment.
But even knowing that, Isshin couldn't argue.
As the Fifth Division's captain, Shinji had the authority to make that call.
Clack.
Just as Isshin's mind raced, a hand reached from the side and gently pushed his Zanpakutō back into its sheath.
"Aiyan?"
Isshin turned his head to find Aiyan standing beside him, his hand still on the hilt of Isshin's sword.
"This is the second time."
"Hirako Shinji."
"You've gone too far."
Aiyan smiled faintly, but to those present, the smile sent a chill down their spines.
It felt like a blade was slowly being pressed to their throat—calm, cold, and terrifying.
"I don't understand what you mean."
"Is it wrong for me to mentor Aizen and offer him the vice-captain seat of the Fifth Division? As the squad captain, it's my duty to promote talented subordinates who show promise and are respected by others."
"Or would you prefer I suppress him instead of helping him?"
Shinji narrowed his eyes.
Whether Aiyan was a doting brother or a mastermind behind Aizen, one thing was clear: he was dead set on protecting him.
And now that Aizen's mask had cracked, there was no going back.
He didn't want to act yet—but he wouldn't hold back either.
He would bring Aizen to his side. Not just talk—he would make it happen.
Even if it made Aiyan angry, Shinji didn't care.
He wasn't afraid of stepping on Isshin's toes. So why would he care about Aiyan?
"I'll give you one more chance to rephrase that."
Aiyan's gaze locked on Shinji.
"Are you afraid your younger brother will surpass you?"
"That's fine. I can train you too."
"How about this? Once you graduate, I'll transfer you to the Expeditionary Force. With your strength, you'll be captain in less than a hundred years."
Shinji chuckled.
He was the Fifth Division's captain. There was no reason to fear a mere student.
Sure, Aiyan had shown his skill earlier by pinning his sword to the wall, but that was a display of kendo.
When it came to Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—Shinji had the edge.
He had no doubt he could subdue a freshman who hadn't even mastered Bankai.
If he couldn't split the Aiyan–Aizen pair through words, he'd use his authority to forcibly separate them.
One would stay in the Fifth Division. The other would be sent to the Expeditionary Force in Hueco Mundo.
It was the most effective solution.
"Captain?"
"Got it."
"Teacher Isshin, I have a question. What's the requirement to become a captain of the Gotei 13?"
Aiyan shifted his attention. In his mind, he quietly praised Shinji.
He really was the first Shinigami to realize Aizen's threat.
Although Aizen had intentionally let himself be noticed, it still showed Shinji's insight and competence. No wonder, even after becoming a Visored, he could lead powerful ex-captains like Muguruma Kensei and Love Aikawa.
Sure, Visoreds fumbled when facing Aizen later, but they were all former captains and lieutenants. That said a lot.
Now Shinji wanted to split the brothers up.
It was the best move.
"To become a captain?"
Isshin thought for a moment. "There are three ways."
"First: pass the captain's exam under the supervision of three captains, including the Head Captain."
"Second: be nominated by at least six captains and approved by three of the remaining six."
"Third: defeat the current captain in a one-on-one duel witnessed by at least 200 squad members."
Isshin's eyes widened suddenly.
He realized what Aiyan was planning.
The words that followed confirmed it.
"I see."
"In twenty-seven days, I'll apply for early graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy."
"Then, I'll personally go to the Fifth Division… and challenge Captain Hirako Shinji."
Aiyan's declaration stunned everyone—Yoruichi, Urahara, and even Isshin himself.
Early graduation? In just one month?
And not just that—challenging a captain straight after?
That had never happened in Soul Society's history.
Even applying for early graduation was a feat. The fastest ever recorded was a year.
That's because mastering the core skills—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—took time. Comprehending and controlling one's Shikai and Bankai? That took years.
Even prodigies like Hitsugaya Tōshirō and Ichimaru Gin had needed several years to graduate.
"You want to challenge me?"
Shinji stared in disbelief.
"Why not?"
"I've already given you three chances."
"But you didn't take any of them seriously."
"So now, I'll deal with you myself."
"And let you understand just how foolish you've been, Captain Hirako."
Aiyan's tone was casual, like it was no big deal.
As if graduating in one month and defeating a captain was no harder than kicking a pebble off the road.
Effortless.
Calm.
And absolute.
[Small Challenge for you guys, If we hit 10 new comments on today's chapters, I'll drop 5 extra chapters later today]
[Let's aim for it before 7 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)]