Kiganjō, looking dazed and bewildered, was unceremoniously pushed into the assembly hall under the watchful gaze of the gathered captains.
The sharp stares from everyone present were like needles piercing his flesh, making him tremble uncontrollably.
Fear.
The suffocating tension of being scrutinized by superior officers, combined with the looming presence of Yamamoto, wrapped around Kiganjō like an iron shroud.
He couldn't help but think:
I've angered Yamamoto… can I still remain in the Gotei 13 after this?
What had driven him to suddenly unleash his Bankai?
Why did he go so far as to cause such destruction?
Did I really use my Bankai against my own subordinates and beat them into bloody pulp?
It all felt bizarre. Strange.
There was an overwhelming sense of wrongness.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't figure out what exactly had gone awry.
Yamamoto's cold, commanding voice echoed through the chamber.
"Kiganjō's actions cannot be overlooked. He must be held accountable."
After a brief pause, the Head Captain continued.
"We have discussed two potential courses of action.
The first option: Imprisonment for five years to reflect on your actions.
The second: Banishment to Rukongai, where you will serve for ten years, quelling uprisings and defending the outskirts."
Yamamoto's gaze was as piercing as a sword as he stared at Kiganjō, whose head was only half-raised, his expression a mixture of shame and confusion.
The Gotei 13 was pragmatic. Even trash had its uses.
As an organization born from an assassination corps, their guiding principle was simple:
"If you can fight, you have value."
Thus, Yamamoto presented the choice.
"Make your decision, Kiganjō."
Faced with the choice between rotting away in a prison cell or continuing to fight in the wild, the answer was obvious.
Kiganjō's heart surged with excitement as he prepared to shout his decision.
But suddenly…
"Awake, Seiya-kun?"
Seiya Arima's eyes fluttered open.
Above him was a familiar sky filled with stars.
He turned his gaze to the side, where he saw Aizen Sōsuke smiling gently at him.
They were still within Seireitei, but it was a part of the city Seiya had never visited before. He couldn't identify their exact location.
His body felt heavy, his mind sluggish.
But he wasn't so out of it that he couldn't think.
Struggling to sit up, Seiya noticed Aizen standing beside him, with Tōsen Kaname silently observing from a distance.
Seiya rubbed his eyes.
Everything around him seemed to blur, creating strange afterimages.
Aizen noticed this and reassured him.
"Don't worry. That's just a side effect from overexerting your spiritual energy. Once you've recovered, your vision will return to normal."
Hearing that, Seiya let out a small sigh and lowered his hands.
Tōsen opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but he ultimately held his tongue and stepped back, giving Seiya and Aizen some privacy.
Aizen's gentle voice broke the silence.
"How are you feeling? Can you stand on your own?"
"…Yes, I think I can."
Bracing himself, Seiya stood up, albeit with some difficulty, before exhaling deeply.
As he did, the memories of what had just transpired came flooding back.
"Where… where are we now?"
"Three hours have passed since your battle with Kiganjō," Aizen explained calmly, adjusting his glasses. His voice was steady, measured.
"Kiganjō was apprehended by the Captain of the Seventh Division, Love Aikawa. Considering the Head Captain's strict adherence to rules, I believe Kiganjō's trial has already concluded by now."
Seiya nodded slightly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Unleashing Bankai within Seireitei… that's a serious crime.
Aizen smiled warmly.
"But let's set aside those trivial matters for now, Seiya-kun."
"More importantly…" Aizen's gaze sharpened.
"Have you discovered your Zanpakutō's true name?"
Seiya's expression remained calm as he nodded.
"Yes. Its name is—"
"Wait."
Aizen raised a hand, cutting him off.
"This is a power you gained through life-and-death experiences. It's your most precious treasure.
Since I did nothing to help you achieve it, there's no need for you to share everything with me."
Although they were technically superior and subordinate, Aizen had made it clear from the beginning:
He didn't want followers.
He wanted allies — partners who shared his vision.
Seiya hesitated briefly before chuckling softly.
"There's no need to keep it a secret. It's not some world-shattering ability, after all."
Aizen's lips curled into a slight smile as Seiya continued.
"Its name is Sāgara Ryū."
He spoke with quiet confidence.
"Its abilities are an evolution of Ouroboros."
Seiya began to explain.
"The first ability creates a sealed space."
"A maze, if you will," Seiya continued.
"This space traps the opponent within, forcing them to endure my spiritual pressure while searching for an exit."
"But of course…" Seiya smirked.
"If the power difference is too great, the maze can be forcibly broken."
"The second ability is what I call Analysis."
"This allows me to gather data during combat — observing the opponent's movements, behaviors, and actions — and then simulate countless possibilities in my mind to determine the optimal countermeasure."
Seiya raised his right hand and made a slicing motion, mimicking his attack on Kiganjō.
"My first strike may have appeared ineffective, but in truth, it was the beginning of the data collection process."
"Like planting a seed," Seiya explained.
"I nourish it with my spiritual energy, watching it grow into a towering tree.
Each branch, each leaf represents a path, a possibility, a future I can foresee."
Aizen nodded in understanding.
"So, your second strike succeeded because your Zanpakutō identified a weak point in Kiganjō's defense."
"Exactly."
Aizen's eyes gleamed with admiration.
"However," he said softly, "this isn't your limit, is it?"
Seiya tilted his head in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Aizen smiled knowingly.
"Your power is fueled by spiritual energy.
In theory, as long as you have enough energy, your second strike could always target a vital point and… deliver a fatal blow."
Seiya scratched the back of his head, chuckling awkwardly.
"That's just theory. I'm nowhere near that level yet."
Tōsen, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
"But… it's possible, isn't it?"
Aizen picked up where Tōsen left off.
"Indeed. The essence of your Zanpakutō is its limitless potential."
Aizen continued with reverence.
"The first ability is not weak. It lays the groundwork for the second.
Splitting your spiritual pressure into fragments allows you to endure battles against stronger foes."
"Collect information. Analyze it. Break them down."
Aizen sighed in admiration.
"My judgment was correct."
He took a step forward, looking directly at Seiya.
"Seiya-kun… you are a warrior who walks the most dangerous path."
"You are someone who places your life on the scales — forcing your opponent to gamble their life in a deadly wager."
Aizen extended his hand to Seiya.
"Come, Seiya."
"Together, let's forge a path where none can stand before us."
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Powerstones?
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