A pure white haori draped over a black shihakushō. Long ebony hair tied back in a ponytail, with two strands hanging down like catfish whiskers. His slightly pale face betrayed no emotion. His pitch-black eyes radiated an endless depth, as if nothing in this world held his interest.
This was Akira's first impression of the pixelated figure that suddenly materialized in their dormitory. Although he didn't recognize the person before him, he could discern the man's identity from his distinctive attire.
On the back of the haori, the number "11" was embroidered in an elaborate style.
The Captain of the 11th Division, the 8th Kenpachi, Sōya Azashiro!
"Among this year's students at the Shin'ō Academy, you two are considered to have exceptional qualities." The man before him spoke calmly, as if stating a mere fact, "Leave the Academy as soon as possible. Staying here will only waste your talents. If you want to become true Shinigami, fulfill your duty — kill all the Hollows in this world!"
Hearing this, Akira scratched his head in confusion, "But I never said I wanted to become a Shinigami..."
Although he wasn't quite sure why this Captain of the 11th Division had appeared here, when Sōya materialized, the sense of danger Akira had felt earlier in the 32nd District resurged.
He deduced that the man before him had a significant connection to the massacre in the Rukongai. Consequently, his first impression of this 8th Kenpachi wasn't favorable.
It was even worse than when he first met Aizen.
Sōya paused, the words on the tip of his tongue suddenly difficult to express. It was his first time encountering a student who didn't aspire to become a Shinigami.
"What's so great about being a Shinigami?" Akira sneered, "You have to obey your superiors, be responsible for your subordinates, and sometimes even be commanded by incompetent, simple-minded individuals who are just occupying a position. Unless you get to be a Captain, then it might be okay."
After this speech, Sōya fell silent. So it wasn't that Akira wasn't interested in being a Shinigami, but that he wasn't interested in being an ordinary Division Member.
Beside him, Aizen's eyes gleamed with a faint light, a subtle Reiatsu fluctuating around his body, appearing rather eerie. The moment Sōya appeared, he had already entered a battle-ready state.
Akira, though unclear about this guy's intentions, surmised from his manner of appearance that it probably wasn't anything good. After all, a Shinigami Captain wouldn't be sneaking into the men's dormitory at night without reason.
However, just as he was about to make a move, a calm voice suddenly rang out.
"Put away your Reiatsu, Sōsuke Aizen." Sōya, with his back to him, said coolly, "I admit you have talent, but you haven't reached your limit yet. With your current abilities, you can't stop me from doing anything..."
Aizen's heart sank immediately, his brows furrowing. This man seemed to know him far too well.
"So, Captain Azashiro, you sneaked into the men's dormitory just to tell us about a Shinigami's duties?" Akira asked with confusion, "If that's all..."
"No." Sōya cut him off decisively, worried about another derailment of the conversation, "Everyone has different ideas, and I have no right to interfere with others' life paths. I came because I have a request."
Upon hearing this, both Akira and Aizen's faces filled with bewilderment.
A Captain, coming to ask a favor from a student?
"Moreover, regarding this matter..." His gaze turned ice-cold, and the temperature in the dormitory plummeted. Even the active Reishi (Spirit Particles) in the air grew still, "I hope you two can keep it a secret for me."
At this moment, Akira's Danger Instinct pierced through his mind like a high note that could obliterate the entire world.
"Of course we can." He answered without hesitation, choosing life over breaking the law.
Aizen's brows furrowed deeper as he struggled to comprehend the situation. When he was about to speak, he caught Akira's frantic eye signals. After careful consideration, he chose to remain silent.
Because based on his understanding of this guy, if there was even the slightest possibility of resistance, this guy would have directly given Sōya a flying midfinger to the face.
Such compliant behavior spoke volumes.
"If that's the case, then I'll take my leave."
From start to finish, Sōya's emotions barely fluctuated, like a precision instrument. Only when speaking with Akira did his expression show the slightest change.
"Tomorrow at one o'clock in the morning." He said finally, "I'll be waiting for you at the north gate of the Shin'ō Academy. Of course, Akira may come alone if he wishes."
As the words faded, the white figure began to blur. The Reishi disintegrated from his body, and his Reiatsu vanished from the spot.
With his departure, the dormant Reishi stirred back to life. The temperature slowly began to rise.
Akira and Aizen looked at each other, feeling powerless for the first time.
"What are you planning to do?" Aizen broke the silence, his voice deep.
Akira moved his legs, which had gone numb from the pressure. Through gritted teeth, he said, "What choice do I have? This old guy kills without blinking. If I don't go, I'm dead. By the way, I'm going alone."
Confusion immediately spread across Aizen's face.
Akira grinned frankly, "I don't know what he wants me to do, but if I can't accomplish it, I might not return. If you come along, you'd just be another soul under his blade. Then neither your ideals nor mine would be realized."
Aizen fell silent before asking slowly, "Don't you fear death?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Akira looked at him as if he were an idiot, "Do I look like someone who isn't afraid of death? If I had a choice, it wouldn't be me lying here, but that old guy with the catfish whiskers. Don't talk nonsense. If I don't come back, remember to take care of the Sakahone Shrine for me. Alright, good night, Sōsuke..."
As the words fell, the dormitory returned to silence once again.
Soon, the rhythmic sound of soft breathing filled the air as Akira drifted into dreamland.
Against the wall, Aizen stood bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, his face bearing an expression of deep contemplation...
⤫⤬⤫
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