Although Aiyan had previously criticized the Kuchiki family without holding back, Byakuya Kuchiki had to admit—he was still a righteous man.
"Before our duel ended, he didn't injure me further, nor did he humiliate me."
"Come to think of it, I was the one who picked the fight on purpose under my grandfather's instructions…"
Recalling the confrontation with Aiyan, Byakuya no longer felt that same discomfort. He didn't regret the fight, but at least his heart had settled.
Still, the defeat could not be left unaddressed.
As someone who had never been defeated before—and as a noble of the Kuchiki family—he couldn't simply walk away from the loss.
Aiyan noticed Shihouin Yoruichi glancing between him and Byakuya and then sensed the shift in Byakuya's gaze. But he said nothing.
Go stand next to Yoruichi and Byakuya to watch Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai?
Even if he knew how to counter it—even if he was confident that his own Zanpakutō could resist Complete Hypnosis—why go through the trouble?
This kind of thing was best left to the crowd. Let them enjoy their little show.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
Aizen walked calmly to the center stage, drawing his Zanpakutō from the scabbard at his waist. He flipped the blade so the tip pointed downward.
A clear, glass-shattering sound rang out. Instantly, a dense fog rolled out from around Aizen's feet. Reflections danced in the mist. Water shimmered.
In the next moment, multiple Aizens appeared—each indistinguishable from the real one, whether judged by eye or sensed through Reiatsu.
Just as Byakuya Kuchiki was watching intently, trying to analyze the technique behind Kyōka Suigetsu, he heard the sound of a blade sliding from its sheath—right behind him.
A cold blade pressed against the side of his neck.
His whole body tensed. His breath caught.
Hair stood up across his skin, like a cat sensing a predator behind it.
"Apologies, Kuchiki."
Aizen's calm voice came from behind.
Whether intentional or not, of all the people he could have chosen, Aizen picked Byakuya—the same noble who had previously clashed with Aiyan—to demonstrate his Shikai ability.
Byakuya didn't say a word.
But his pupils contracted slightly, and a storm of emotion erupted within.
He'd thought only Aiyan could overpower him in this class. Yoruichi, older and already famous, was a given.
He had been unable to respond.
No defense. No counter. Nothing.
In front of Aiyan, he couldn't block a simple Hadō #4: Byakurai. In front of Aizen, he couldn't even sense the blade that was now at his throat.
"Why is it always me?" he thought bitterly.
"The younger brother is terrifying."
"Now the older brother is terrifying too."
Shiba Isshin stood there, stunned, watching Aizen silently sneak up on Byakuya.
He couldn't hide the amazement in his voice.
"Aizen's Reiatsu… It's easily at the captain level."
"And this Zanpakutō ability… if he used it to assassinate, even a Lieutenant wouldn't stand a chance."
"So this is Aiyan's little brother?"
"To think a technique like that exists."
"No wonder they say he's a once-in-a-century genius."
The others whispered among themselves, shocked by the demonstration. It might not be as flashy as Aiyan's earth-splitting Byakurai, but the psychological impact was immense.
Aizen had disclosed the ability openly.
Yet even with that knowledge, Byakuya couldn't resist it and was defeated instantly.
"Aizen, your ability would be perfect for the Second Division."
Yoruichi's eyes lit up with inspiration.
"You and your brother should consider joining us after graduation. Whether it's the executive squad, patrol corps, or special forces—you'll have your pick."
"Cough! Cough!" Shiba Isshin interrupted loudly.
"Yoruichi-san, don't forget—you're not even officially holding a post right now."
"And this is still class, not a recruitment meeting!"
He turned toward the brothers with a grin.
"Aiyan, Aizen—how about considering the Tenth Division?"
"I guarantee the benefits are just as good!"
Isshin straightened up with a flourish, trying to act the part of a serious instructor.
His recruitment pitch may have been a bit casual, but the sincerity was real.
As the captain of Squad 10, this was a rare personal invitation.
"Thank you, Teacher Isshin."
"It's truly an honor."
Aiyan finally lowered his hand from his face, smiling politely.
"But we're still students. We'll wait until after graduation before making any decisions."
"If the opportunity is there, we'll give priority to the Tenth Division."
He completely ignored Yoruichi's suggestion.
After all, despite her noble lineage, she held no true authority within the Shihouin family yet. Her influence was limited at best.
"I agree with my brother."
Aizen stepped in with a soft smile, pushing up his glasses.
"We appreciate the offer, but we'll consider it carefully when the time comes."
After last night's ambush—and realizing that the culprits had backing from the Four Noble Families—both brothers had made a decision about their future paths.
Neither the Second Division nor the Tenth would be their final destination.
"That's a good mindset."
"Right now, the focus should be learning and growth."
Isshin nodded with approval.
Two outstanding students.
Aiyan—majestic, ambitious.
Aizen—refined, humble.
Different personalities, but both had the makings of future captains.
Perhaps it was the shock of seeing Aizen's Shikai, or perhaps the spiritual pressure had somehow inspired them—when the students returned to their Zanjutsu meditation, something changed.
More than one student heard their Zanpakutō speak.
Some voices were faint and fragmented, but others were clear as day.
Progress bloomed across the room.
Komamura Sajin, Amagai Shusuke, and several others meditated with newfound focus.
Their minds grew calm.
Their spirits aligned.
The class, which had once seemed average, was now filled with a sense of quiet intensity.
The kind that comes just before a breakthrough.