A few days later.
On the grounds of Shin'ō Academy, hundreds of first-year students, diverse in appearance and age, stood in orderly rows. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they eagerly watched the podium ahead.
Today marked the start of the admission ceremony for the 2066th cohort of Shin'ō Academy—a moment that symbolized their first step on the path to becoming Shinigami.
As the academy's dean delivered a welcome speech, which was neither impassioned nor particularly inspiring, the event reached its most anticipated moment.
As per tradition, each freshman ceremony included a speech by a captain or vice-captain from the Seireitei's Thirteen Divisions Imperial Guards or Gotei 13 in short.
Naturally, the freshmen were far more interested in seeing a squad leader—a seasoned warrior of immense power—than in hearing from the elderly dean, who had lived for millennia yet exuded no excitement.
---
"I wonder who the squad captain will be today!"
In the crowd, Renji, swept up by the electrifying atmosphere, rubbed his hands together in anticipation, his eyes fixed on the stage with a hopeful gleam. It was as though he could already envision his future self standing proudly in such a position.
Standing beside him was a gentle-looking boy with blonde hair. Hearing Renji's question, the boy pondered for a moment before replying thoughtfully:
"Well… according to Hinamori-senpai, it's very likely that the guest this year will be Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division."
This boy was Kira Izuru, destined to become the future vice-captain of the Third Division. For now, he was Renji's new roommate at the academy.
Being of a similar age, Renji and Kira got along easily. What made Kira stand out even more was his exceptional talent—he had achieved a tenth-dan score, the highest possible, during the entrance assessment.
Due to a delay in his arrival, Kira had missed meeting Renji's other friends earlier, but this seemed to be why the academy had paired him with Renji in the same dormitory. After all, geniuses often find common ground.
Thanks to Renji's introduction, Kira soon became acquainted with Rukia and Linlin. Sharing compatible personalities, a background in Rukongai, and the rare distinction of possessing tenth-level spiritual power, the four naturally formed a close-knit group. In the days since, they had been inseparable.
---
"Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division?"
Straining on tiptoes but still unable to see the stage, Rukia perked up at the mention of the captain's name. She turned toward Kira, her curiosity piqued.
"Yeah…" Kira replied with a faint smile. "According to Hinamori-senpai, Captain Aizen is a very kind and approachable leader. He often visits the academy to teach students the techniques of becoming a Shinigami."
"Oh, and speaking of Hinamori-senpai…" Kira added, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "She also mentioned that if we freshmen ever have questions or need guidance, we can always turn to her for advice."
---
"Hah?!"
Renji, ever the mischief-maker, immediately noticed Kira's flustered expression. With a sly grin, he leaned closer and jabbed Kira playfully.
"Well, look at you! School hasn't even started, and you've already charmed an upperclassman. Guess that pretty face of yours is paying off!"
"Knock it off!" Kira batted Renji's hand away, half-embarrassed, half-amused. "Hinamori-senpai is just really kind, okay?"
"She's incredibly talented yet so humble. She's always willing to help out clueless first-years like us. Honestly, she's the gentlest woman in the world!"
---
"Hah! By saying that, you're really leaving me and Linlin in the dust here!" Rukia teased, her tone full of mock indignation.
---
The most taboo thing is to praise another woman in front of a woman.
Although Rukia believed she wasn't exactly known for her gentleness, she still couldn't help expressing her dissatisfaction.
"Hey! I'm sorry, my bad, my bad!"
Kira, clearly well-versed in women's psychology, immediately raised his hands in surrender. With an apologetic grin plastered on his face, he admitted defeat.
"Hmph~ At least you know what's good for you!"
Rukia snorted lightly, satisfied with his response, and decided to let it go.
However, her gaze soon shifted toward Linlin, who had been standing silently beside the three of them the entire time.
"Hey, Linlin, what's up with you? You've had that weird look on your face since earlier..." Rukia asked, her voice laced with concern. "Are you feeling unwell or something?"
Don't think souls in the afterlife can't fall ill. Even spiritual beings can be afflicted by mysterious diseases. And if that happens, it might be one of those terrifying, incurable ones.
Hearing Rukia's question, both Renji and Kira also turned their attention to Linlin.
Truthfully, the two of them had already noticed her odd behavior but had hesitated to say anything. After all, with Linlin's striking appearance and overwhelming presence, drawing attention to her often put them in awkward situations.
In fact, over the past few days, countless freshmen—and even some seniors from the prestigious families—had delivered challenge letters to Renji and Kira, attempting to "win" the privilege of being close to Linlin.
Fortunately, the challengers usually backed off once they learned of Renji and Kira's spiritual power levels. Otherwise, the sheer volume of challenges might've overwhelmed them.
Having a beautiful friend, as they were quickly learning, was a double-edged sword.
---
Linlin, noticing Rukia's concern, gave a small, awkward smile.
"Ahaha... It's nothing. I'm probably just a little sleepy from getting up too early today."
Rukia smiled in return, but her sharp eyes glimmered with suspicion. She didn't entirely believe the excuse but chose not to press further. If Linlin didn't want to talk about it, there was no point in prying.
What Rukia didn't realize, however, was that Linlin's mind was elsewhere, completely preoccupied.
Using her heightened perception, she could sense an overwhelming aura approaching the academy grounds. Whoever this person was, their strength far surpassed her peak power.
"That must be one of those terrifying, powerful individuals I detected earlier," Linlin thought to herself.
"Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division?" she mused, her thoughts racing. "I'd love to fight someone like that someday!"
Before, when this powerful aura had been far away, it felt distant and unthreatening. But now, as it drew closer, her fighting spirit ignited.
As one of the Four Emperors from the pirate world, Linlin was no stranger to battle. Combat ran deep in her veins, and her instincts screamed for her to test her strength.
She longed to recover her peak power and face these mighty beings in battle to see how she measured up in this world.
However, reality was another story. It would take her at least a year or more to regain her full strength.
And on top of that, their mentor, Sir Leo, had repeatedly reminded them during training: a dimensional merchant must always control their impulses.
A merchant who openly revealed their true power could risk exposing their weaknesses, jeopardizing their status and influence.
In simpler terms, a dimensional merchant who only cared about fighting was considered... low-tier.
---
Luckily, Linlin's mood had improved significantly since her defeat at the hands of Zoro. That humbling experience had tempered her impulses somewhat.
Realizing her current state might cause concern, she quickly composed herself. With a deep breath, she adjusted her thoughts and rejoined the conversation with Rukia and the others.
The four of them continued chatting casually, as though nothing had happened.
That was, until a few minutes later...
"Hello, everyone. I am Aizen Sosuke," the man began.
"At the same time, I serve as the captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13.
I am truly honored to meet so many future Shinigami here today. It is you who allow me to envision the future peace and stability of the Seireitei. It is you who make the blade of duty within my heart sharper..."
Standing on the high platform was a man with gentle features and square-framed glasses. His magnetic voice resonated through the crowd of freshmen, captivating their attention.
The content of his speech wasn't particularly groundbreaking—it was the usual welcoming remarks, a brief introduction to the academy's history, and hopeful words about the future.
In fact, many seniors had already shared the details of this speech with the new students, noting that it had barely changed in a century.
However...
In Aizen's hands, even these simple words seemed to carry immense weight. Each phrase was precise and masterfully delivered, leaving the freshmen awestruck.
For the majority of them, this was the moment they truly felt the gravity of becoming a Shinigami. Aizen's charisma made him appear as both a symbol of honor and a figure to aspire to.
But among the hundreds of freshmen present, there were a few skeptics who were less impressed.
---
"Tch. So that's the guy everyone's been hyping up? What a disappointment," Rukia muttered under her breath.
Her expression remained neutral, but her heart was filled with disdain. For some reason, the man on stage gave her an unsettling vibe, like he was hiding behind a facade of righteousness.
Renji quickly chimed in, matching her tone. "I know, right? I thought captains were supposed to be these amazing, larger-than-life warriors, and here comes this guy... another one of those boring, nerdy types."
As someone who once led a gang in Rukongai, Renji couldn't stand people who looked refined but lacked physical presence. He had imagined captains as hulking, muscular warriors.
"Hey, hey, hey! Just because you whispered it doesn't mean I didn't hear you say 'another one,'" Kira Izuru said, kicking Renji lightly in protest.
While Kira maintained the same look of admiration as the rest of the freshmen, it was all part of his calculated facade. His quick reaction to Renji's jab betrayed his attentiveness and underlying awareness.
Unlike Renji, Kira didn't want to leave a bad impression on a squad captain during the first day of school.
"Ah, so you 'did' hear me!" Renji laughed softly. Discovering someone else who shared his lukewarm feelings toward Aizen seemed to brighten his mood.
But what Renji failed to notice was the brief moment when Aizen glanced directly at him from the stage.
---
"You idiot! Stop laughing like that!" Linlin snapped suddenly, breaking her silence as she noticed Aizen's gaze. Her voice was sharp, layered with anger and urgency.
"Do you want him to single us out?"
She then quickly adjusted her expression, mimicking the composed and admiring looks of the freshmen around her.
Though reckless by nature, Linlin wasn't foolish. Over the past few days, her strength had slowly returned, though it was only a fraction of her former power.
If she were to compare her current state to Pokémon levels, she estimated herself to be around level 20. While she wasn't entirely sure what that translated to in this world, she knew it was already stronger than the two Shinigami who had greeted them on their first day.
Still, she couldn't let her guard down.
Who knew what kind of detection abilities the powerful beings in this world possessed? If someone were to notice her abnormal nature, there was no telling what consequences might follow.
Despite its small size—only slightly larger than her former Cake Island—the Seireitei was teeming with powerful individuals and concealed secrets.
To her, it was impossible to believe that a place like this didn't have hidden undercurrents of danger.
Her strategy was simple: stay unnoticed for as long as possible. Just two years—if she could avoid attracting attention during that time, she would regain enough strength to defend herself against this world's elite.
---
"Sigh, this is so frustrating..." Linlin thought, suppressing a sigh.
Once a world-renowned emperor of the seas and now a merchant of the Transdimensional Chamber of Commerce, she found it hard to stomach how far she had fallen.
If this humiliation ever reached the ears of her past allies, she wouldn't be able to face them.
Thankfully, her prayers seemed to be working.
Though Aizen's gaze lingered on their group for a moment, he didn't seem to notice anything unusual.
For now, Linlin remained in the clear.
"Finally, I look forward to the day when all of you officially become Shinigami."
"And now, if you'll allow me, I'd like to make a small advertisement..."
"Once you've completed your studies and become a trainee Shinigami, consider joining me—the Fifth Division under my leadership~!"
"While I may not claim to be the strongest among the captains, I can assure you the Fifth Division will not disappoint anyone."
Aizen spoke in a lighthearted, half-joking tone as he recommended his division.
For most of the freshmen, his humor and gentle demeanor seemed genuine and approachable.
However, for someone like Linlin, who had already begun adapting to her perception in the world of the Shinigami, this playful and humble act felt entirely calculated.
If she hadn't already sensed the immense strength emanating from Aizen—second only to the overwhelming aura at the center of the Seireitei—she might have been fooled by his seemingly modest claim.
"Not the strongest? Yeah, right! I don't buy it, you sneaky old man!"
Linlin silently complained, her inner voice full of disdain.
Though she was nearly 70 years old in her world, compared to Aizen—an ancient being who had likely lived for millennia—she felt like nothing more than a child.
As Aizen's speech concluded, the crowd of freshmen began to disperse, leaving in small groups.
Linlin followed closely behind Rukia, Renji, and Kira, determined to get as far away from Aizen's presence as possible.
But just as they were about to leave the courtyard...
"Linlin, Rukia!!! Please wait a moment!"
A cheerful voice rang out, stopping them in their tracks.
They turned to see a bubbly girl with her hair styled into twin buns dashing toward them. Her face lit up with an extremely warm and friendly smile as she addressed them.
"You four scored exceptionally well during the admission test's tenth dan, didn't you?" she asked, her tone polite but enthusiastic.
"Captain Aizen has specifically requested to meet with talented students like yourselves."
She paused briefly, then added with a grin, "I think he might be hoping to recruit you for the Fifth Division after you graduate!"
"He's already waiting for you in the small conference room in the west wing of the academy."
"Please don't keep Captain Aizen waiting too long! While the Fifth Division may traditionally handle support tasks for the other divisions, I'm sure that with Captain Aizen's leadership, it will be an incredible place for you to thrive."
Her voice was brimming with encouragement and admiration for her captain as she delivered her message.