"Did you hear a voice?"
"I really did hear a voice whispering to me just now... it told me its name, and I've engraved it in my heart."
Aiyan hadn't expected such a huge commotion.
He could only blame his own Zanpakutō for being too competitive. The moment it saw his younger brother obtain a Zanpakutō as well, it immediately began to evolve into Shikai on its own—and not just any Shikai, but the most prestigious and cutting-edge light-type Zanpakutō in all of Soul Society.
As if afraid he hadn't heard it clearly, the Zanpakutō's voice pierced directly into his mind like a magic incantation, madly whispering its name again and again. And just in case that wasn't enough, it directly demonstrated Shikai in front of him.
All served to force him into awakening.
"Create a Zanpakutō completely on your own..."
"And in the span of a single day—no, in an instant—heard your Zanpakutō's name and mastered Shikai!"
Even though Jūshirō Ukitake had mentally prepared himself, he was still visibly shaken when he heard this. His pupils contracted, his vision dimmed for a moment, and his brain went blank.
When he recovered, he let out a deep breath.
As a captain of the Gotei 13, it had been a long time since he'd lost composure .
"This... this monster!"
"His growth speed is terrifying!"
Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, and the others also looked stunned, their expressions filled with disbelief as they stared at Aiyan.
From the time they received their sealed state and began training as Shinigami, they had dedicated themselves without rest for decades. Even so, it had taken years before they heard their Zanpakutō's name and achieved Shikai.
He created his own Zanpakutō, bypassing the sealed state entirely.
And then, as if that weren't enough...
He immediately mastered Shikai.
With a 7th-level Reiatsu rank and control over Shikai, aside from lacking mastery in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, he was already at the threshold of a full-fledged captain.
"I see now... that voice I heard was the Zanpakutō, and learning its name means unlocking Shikai."
"So then—what's your Zanpakutō's name?"
Aizen was surprised, but unwilling to fall behind. He immediately focused inward, trying to hear his Zanpakutō's name.
But no matter how he strained to listen, he only caught two syllables, vague and incomplete—he couldn't discern the rest.
"An incomplete name... so the Shikai is incomplete as well."
"Is it because I'm unworthy of hearing your name?"
"Or do you simply refuse to tell me?"
Despite his efforts, the name remained elusive—just those two teasing words, "Kyoka..." Aizen's eyes flickered with dissatisfaction—not at his Zanpakutō, but at himself.
He was deeply unsatisfied that he was still lagging behind Aiyan. Unable to hear his Zanpakutō's full name, he could only grasp a fragmented Shikai.
"You've stepped into a higher realm..."
"I must've slacked off."
Suppressing his emotions, Aizen made a silent vow.
He would give himself—and his Zanpakutō—only three days.
In three days, he would either fully master Shikai...
Or shatter the blade himself.
He would not allow himself to remain in Aiyan's shadow. If his Zanpakutō refused to submit, he would abandon it and forge a new path.
"What about you, Aizen?"
Jūshirō Ukitake had barely regained his composure. Remembering there were two prodigies, he turned to Aizen with great expectation.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Jūshirō-sensei."
"Compared to my brother, I only managed to hear an incomplete name."
"Naturally, my Shikai is incomplete as well."
Aizen responded sincerely—at least, that's what it appeared to be.
Now that he'd decided to abandon the image of an average genius, he would play the role of a humble, honest, and soft-spoken prodigy.
Of course, just how honest that modesty was… depended entirely on his own whims.
"No... there's no disappointment at all."
"You did exceptionally well. At your age, I can't even see your shadow clearly!"
Jūshirō Ukitake quickly reassured him.
Disappointment? He could barely believe it.
In a single day, the elder brother awakened Shikai.
The younger brother, even if only partially, did the same.
He would be grinning in his sleep, not sighing in disappointment.
"Sensei, you're too kind. I don't deserve such praise."
Aizen responded with practiced humility.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Regarding Shikai—every Zanpakutō is different. What I can offer you is the guidance of Sword Zen—how to communicate and resonate with your blade."
"Also, once you begin training in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, you'll likely hear your Zanpakutō's name soon enough."
Seeing Aizen's humble and sincere demeanor, Jūshirō Ukitake didn't hesitate to offer the profound techniques of Sword Zen—the path of directly conversing with one's Zanpakutō.
Among noble families, this was a known method.
But to those born in Rukongai, it was more precious than gold.
"Thank you, teacher."
Aizen showed heartfelt gratitude.
To enter the inner world and meet the Zanpakutō spirit directly?
He decided—tonight, he would enter the spirit world and force his Zanpakutō to tell him its name through direct dialogue.
"Now that you've received your sealed states and understand the relationship between Shikai and your Zanpakutō's name—continue cultivating in this direction."
"Remember, how quickly you awaken Shikai does not define your future as a Shinigami."
Jūshirō Ukitake saw that Kaname Tōsen, Komamura Sajin, and others were disheartened after being utterly outclassed by the Aiyan brothers, and quickly offered encouragement.
After all, just one Sōsuke Aizen was enough to pressure the entire Soul Society.
And one was even stronger.
Even Shihouin Yoruichi and Byakuya Kuchiki—born into nobility—looked utterly speechless.
With Ukitake's continued encouragement, the others gradually recovered their morale.
"Everyone, please follow me."
"This morning is Kidō class, followed by culture class in the afternoon..."
"Now, I'll teach you how to use Kidō to fight a Menos Grande."
After the sealed state was distributed, Jūshirō Ukitake led the students to the training ground.
In other classes, students in their first Kidō lesson would usually be memorizing chants in a lecture hall before attempting practical application.
But everyone in Class One possessed captain-level potential.
Even those born in Rukongai, unfamiliar with Shinigami arts, were not limited to reciting incantations.
Because if one had enough spiritual power and natural talent, and understood the essence of Kidō, they could directly cast Hadō and Bakudō under number ten—even without chanting.
As a seasoned Gotei 13 captain and a teacher of over a century, Ukitake deeply understood the importance of individualized instruction.