Admittedly, in the future Kyoya saw, Aizen didn't use Kyoka Suigetsu in his battle with Ichigo.
But who could guarantee that the current Aizen wouldn't use Kyoka Suigetsu in a battle against Ichigo?
At that time, Aizen believed himself to be invincible after evolving through fusion with the Hogyoku.
Therefore, he looked down upon all enemies besides himself.
In the battle with Ichigo, he even attributed the destruction of the small mountain caused by Ichigo's power to his own.
Under such circumstances, how could Aizen possibly use Kyoka Suigetsu on Ichigo?
But now is different.
Whether it was the speed and abilities Kyoya displayed at the Central 46 in the Seireitei, or the power Ichigo showed when facing Yammy and Ulquiorra, all were enough to make Aizen more cautious.
Unless Aizen truly completed the five evolutions of the Hogyoku, he might not use Kyoka Suigetsu's power in a battle with Ichigo.
Before fully completing his evolution, Aizen was unlikely to lose his composure as in Kyoya's memories.
However, thinking carefully, Kyoya could understand Aizen.
He spent his entire life's efforts, only to fall at the hands of Ichigo in the end, leading himself down the wrong evolutionary path. How could his mindset not become unbalanced?
Ultimately, Aizen being sealed in Muken actually allowed his mindset to recover, successfully completing his most important evolution.
What the current Aizen's evolution would ultimately become, even Kyoya didn't know.
Probably the only one who could know Aizen's final form was the Soul King.
"I'll give it a try."
Finally, after pondering for a while, Ichigo nodded, agreeing to Shinji's request.
"Then let's go. Everyone is waiting for you."
"Alright."
After confirming, Kyoya, Ichigo, and Shinji didn't return to Ichigo's home but went directly to the Visored's base.
"Hirako, you're here."
When the Visored saw Shinji bringing Ichigo and Kyoya, they already knew Ichigo had agreed to their approach.
Of course, Kyoya's arrival was somewhat unexpected.
"Captain Kyoya."
"Captain Kyoya."
Seeing Kyoya, everyone in the Visored greeted him.
Although they didn't have much interaction with Kyoya in the Seireitei, they had a good understanding of this legendary swordsmanship prodigy.
In fact, after learning Kyoya's swordsmanship, their own strength had improved considerably.
Those who could train to Captain-level were geniuses among geniuses.
Even though most of them weren't dedicated swordsmanship practitioners, they had still trained to the Great Swordsman level over the past hundred-plus years.
Shinji and Lisa had even stepped into the Master Swordsman level.
Therefore, they were quite grateful to Kyoya.
Over the years, if not for sensing the Reiatsu increase after Hollowfication and the progress in swordsmanship training, they probably wouldn't have held even a sliver of hope for revenge against Aizen.
"Everyone, long time no see."
"Yeah, over a hundred years."
Kensei sighed. "By the way, Captain Kyoya, before I left the Seireitei, I remember that kid from 9th Division, Hisagi Shuhei, was pretty good. How is he now?"
"Hisagi Shuhei?"
"He's now the Lieutenant of 9th Division. After Tosen Kaname left, he's currently acting as the acting Captain of 9th Division."
Hisagi occupied a significant place in Kensei's memory.
He was Kensei's fan. As a child, after being saved by Kensei from a Hollow, he carved the same '69' mark on his face as the one on Kensei's abdomen.
He was also a youth Kyoya paid attention to.
His Bankai was one of those unreasonable abilities, forcing both sides to a 50-50 battle on the same level.
Ubuginu Hikone's Reiatsu, though perhaps not as strong as Ichigo's, was at the Shinigami limit, only needing a Hogyoku to reach the Soul King realm.
Combined with the Zanpakuto Ikomikidomoe in their hands, even the then-Captain-Commander Kyoraku probably wouldn't have fared well if he encountered them.
But after being forcibly bound by Hisagi's Bankai, they could only end up with depleted Reiatsu.
If not for time constraints, Kyoya would also have liked to test Hisagi's ability.
Forced 50-50!
However, such an ability wouldn't have much effect on Kyoya.
After all, even if Kyoya's Reiatsu were depleted, his physical attributes and swordsmanship skills would still make his strength far beyond what Shinigami could match.
Even without Reiatsu, few could break through Kyoya's physical defense.
"He's already a Lieutenant? Hahaha..."
Hearing that Hisagi's situation was even better than expected, Kensei was very happy.
"Mhm, that kid is quite good. Although his personality is somewhat introverted, his way of doing things has some of your style, Kensei. He's quite popular in 9th Division."
"The last time I saw him, I could sense significant fluctuations in his Reiatsu. He's probably started Bankai Training."
"Barring accidents, that Hisagi should complete Bankai Training within ten years."
"If 9th Division still doesn't have a Captain by then, he'll probably be promoted from acting Captain to official Captain."
"That's really good..."
Kensei let out a sigh, looking at Mashiro beside him.
If he had been stronger a hundred years ago, would Mashiro have been able to live a carefree life in the Seireitei like Hisagi?
"Captain Kyoya, I have a request."
"Go ahead."
"I want to learn the Rokushiki from you!"
Kensei bowed to Kyoya in request.
Kensei's Zanpakuto, Tachikaze, took the form of gauntlets after Bankai.
His fighting style leaned more towards Hakuda.
After all, his Zanpakuto was wind-elemental, which had good compatibility with the Rokushiki. If he could integrate his Zanpakuto's abilities into the Rokushiki, or even their secret arts, Kensei's strength would improve tremendously.
Additionally, Mashiro was also a Hakuda expert, but her Hakuda was not on the same level as Rokushiki at all.
Learning Rokushiki would greatly enhance Mashiro's strength as well.
In future battles, the stronger Mashiro was, the safer she would be.
"No problem."
Kyoya never refused what others wanted to learn.
"Coincidentally, during this period, I also need to teach Ichigo some things. After he finishes learning, you can learn whatever you want."
"Alright, thank you."
Although Kyoya placed him after Ichigo, Kensei didn't feel dissatisfied.
Their current top priority was indeed making Ichigo stronger and adapting to battles with Aizen.
His and Mashiro's importance was far from comparable.
"Then, let's begin!"
"Stop stop stop..."
Ichigo and Lisa's battle had just exchanged one move when it was called to a halt.
"Ichigo, you looked at Lisa's Zanpakuto just now, right?"
"If it were Aizen releasing his Zanpakuto at that moment, you would already be under his spell!"
Shinji pressed his forehead, saying to Ichigo.
"Sorry."
Ichigo didn't argue, only apologized.
Battling itself required devoting one's full attention, observing the enemy's Reiatsu, judging their moves, and taking corresponding measures.
But just as it happened, these required using one's eyes to see.
Although Ichigo knew he had to abandon his previous fighting style, it wasn't something that could be done in a short time.
"Hirako, you're too impatient."
At this moment, Kyoya, who was sitting and watching from the side, couldn't help but speak.
Although Kyoya didn't oppose such a fighting style for Ichigo-
In Kyoya's view, the training by Shinji and the others was also twice the effort for half the result.
"Captain Kyoya, I don't want to be impatient either, but who knows when Aizen will come?"
"You said earlier that Aizen needed half a year to complete his full fusion with the Hogyoku."
"Five months have already passed."
"If we don't hurry, what will we use to fight Aizen?"
Shinji's expression was grave.
"I meant your training for Ichigo is too impatient."
"If you want someone to not look at the Zanpakuto from the start when fighting, the best way is to have them not look at the enemy's Zanpakuto when they first learn to fight."
"What you're doing now is forcefully trying to break the fighting habits Ichigo has already developed. It would be strange if it were effective."
"Then, Captain Kyoya, what should we do?"
The gazes of the others also turned to Kyoya at this moment.
This was like the last straw they grasped.
"For Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu ability to take effect, it requires people to see the moment his Zanpakuto releases."
"In that case, you should just fight Ichigo as you normally would."
"Then, during the battle, you can release your Zanpakuto at any time."
"What Ichigo needs to do is to sense the Reiatsu changes when you release your Zanpakuto, so that at the moment you release it, he doesn't look at your Zanpakuto."
"Of course, such training can only be conducted by Hirako, Kensei, Aikawa, and Otoribashi."
"After all, Lisa hasn't completed her Zanpakuto's Bankai training and can't release her Zanpakuto without calling its name."
"Wouldn't that be more effective?"
"That's right!"
Hearing Kyoya's method, immediately, Shinji and the other Visored members, as well as Ichigo, all had a sudden realization.
What they originally wanted Ichigo to do was to prevent him from seeing Aizen's Zanpakuto release during battle, hence they thought of having Ichigo train the ability to fight without needing to see the Zanpakuto.
But as Kyoya said, Zanpakuto release lasts only that instant.
As long as Ichigo paid attention when Aizen released Kyoka Suigetsu and didn't observe Aizen's Zanpakuto, then he wouldn't be controlled by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Why didn't I think of that before?"
Yes, the most crucial point in Aizen and Ichigo's battle was preventing Ichigo from seeing Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu.
As long as Ichigo mastered sensing the Reiatsu changes when the opponent released their Zanpakuto during battle, he could always be alert, thus avoiding his five senses being controlled by Aizen.
This way, Ichigo's own strength wouldn't suffer any loss.
"Then, I'll start first!"
Aikawa stood up, replacing Lisa.
"Then, I'll be the referee!"
Kyoya's figure flashed, appearing in the sky. He raised his index finger, its tip glowing with golden light.
"Ichigo, from now on, you must be constantly alert!"
"Once I find your eyes seeing the moment someone else releases their Zanpakuto, I will attack you."
"Mhm, thanks."
Ichigo said solemnly, gripping his Zanpakuto with both hands and pointing it at Aikawa.
"Then, I'm starting!"
Boom—
Without any warning, Aikawa didn't chant his Zanpakuto's release command. Reiatsu erupted from his body, and the Zanpakuto in his hand directly transformed into a massive spiked club.
"Crush Down … Tengumaru!"
Whoosh—
To Ichigo's astonishment, the laser beam from Kyoya's hand directly blasted him.
Boom!
Amidst the fierce explosion, Ichigo's disheveled figure flew out from within, his feet carving two trails on the ground. He looked up at Aikawa.
At this moment, Aikawa had already canceled his Zanpakuto's Shikai state, returning it to the Asauchi form, and launched an attack at Ichigo.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
A series of sparks flashed. Compared to Aikawa's sudden surprise earlier, blocking Aikawa's attacks wasn't much for Ichigo.
But—
Boom—
Aikawa's Reiatsu surged once again.
The Zanpakuto in his hand also instantly changed.
"Not good!"
When Ichigo saw this, he hurriedly closed his eyes.
However, in Kyoya's judgment, Ichigo still counted as having seen Aikawa's Zanpakuto release.
Therefore—
Whoosh!
Boom!
Another laser beam blasted down, blowing Ichigo away.
In the thick flames, Aikawa swung Tengumaru, continuing to strike down at Ichigo—
Boom!
Ichigo raised his sword to block, forced back by Aikawa's Tengumaru.
"Ichigo, don't think closing your eyes and not looking at the Zanpakuto release is enough."
"This is a battle to the death, not a game."
"Even if you aren't controlled by Kyoka Suigetsu, Aizen's attacks won't stop just because you close your eyes!"
Ichigo didn't speak, only single-mindedly blocking Aikawa's attacks.
But Aikawa's Zanpakuto once again returned to its Asauchi form.
"Ichigo, I don't know what Aizen's Zanpakuto release looks like."
"But what I want to tell you is that for us, Zanpakuto release can be performed multiple times in a short period."