Night, deep within the Kasumioji Clan's estate.
Candle flames flickered within exquisite lanterns, casting the Japanese-style room in a warm, serene light.
Kasumioji Yuka, the current head of the Kasumioji Clan, knelt before the tea table, pouring tea for her husband seated opposite.
She noticed her husband seemed unusually excited tonight.
Those eyes, usually carrying a hint of humility and forbearance, now gleamed with a near-fanatical light.
"Husband." Yuka spoke softly, her gentle voice tinged with concern. "...You seem... in high spirits?"
"Yuka, the research on the Bakkoto might be completed soon!" Sato Taishi said, laughing triumphantly. "Once the research is done, all those in your family who look down on me, who think I'm just a low-born noble son-in-law, will have to take notice because of me!"
Yuka started slightly, the teapot in her hand almost tilting. "The Bakkoto? That's a weapon developed by the Tsunayashiro Clan's lords to suppress the Gotei 13. It's also the reason our Kasumioji Clan can gain the Tsunayashiro Clan's support."
She set the teapot down, her expression serious. "Husband, the matter of the Bakkoto is of utmost importance. It absolutely cannot be taken lightly!"
"I know." Taishi reined in his smile. "The Bakkoto needs to devour Reiryoku. But among the lowly souls in the Rukongai, those with Reiryoku are too few. Although we've secretly targeted some Shinigami, their Reiatsu isn't high enough."
He lowered his voice. "And Shinigami with sufficiently high Reiatsu are at least at the Lieutenant level. If we try to move against Shinigami of that level, it might trigger a full investigation by the entire Gotei 13."
Yuka frowned slightly. "Then what is your meaning, husband?"
Taishi asked, "Haha, you must have sensed the Reiatsu collision from the Shin'o Academy during the day, didn't you?"
"Yes, I heard the Central 46 even issued a reprimand to the Shin'o Academy. The Academy's explanation was that the disturbance was caused by a rogue Shinigami challenging a student. They also said they would strengthen security to prevent unrelated personnel from entering the Academy again."
Yuka's tone was displeased. "The Shin'o Academy really treats everyone as fools. How could a wanderer and a student have such powerful Reiatsu?"
"No, you're wrong to blame them this time." Taishi smiled. "I personally gathered information. It turns out, there really are two such individuals. That rogue Shinigami is called Zaraki. He has repeatedly challenged the Captain of the 11th Division in the outer Rukongai. It's said their strengths are evenly matched."
"It's just because he was always in the outermost Rukongai and acted alone that I never noticed such a spiritually powerful Shinigami existed in the Rukongai."
Yuka found it hard to believe. "So, there really is a student in the Academy with strength comparable to a Captain-level Shinigami?"
Taishi nodded. "It's that 'strongest new student' from the recent rumors, the one who tested at third-class Reiryoku upon entering the academy: Chiaki Setsuna."
Yuka asked hesitantly, "Husband... you intend to target the two of them?"
Taishi affirmed. "One is a wanderer, the other isn't even an official Shinigami yet. The repercussions of targeting them would naturally be much smaller."
Yuka was still worried. "A genius like Chiaki Setsuna will surely attract the attention of the Gotei 13, won't he?"
"I'm not an idiot. Of course I wouldn't move against him openly." Taishi chuckled. "Moreover, compared to Chiaki Setsuna, that wanderer from the Rukongai is a better hunting target. If we succeed, we won't need to deal with Chiaki Setsuna at all."
Yuka remained hesitant. "But you said that Shinigami named Zaraki challenged the 11th Division's Captain multiple times and escaped unscathed. Is capturing a Captain-level Shinigami really going to be alright?"
Taishi smiled contemptuously. "Captain-level Shinigami' and 'Captain Shinigami' are two different concepts. The former is about strength, the latter about status. What makes us cautious is always power and influence."
"What use is strength alone? To get by in the Soul Society, you need influence and backing. As long as he hasn't joined the Gotei 13, he poses no threat at all!"
…
The next day, when Setsuna stepped into the dojo, the gazes of all the students toward him had changed.
It was awe mixed with fear, like mortals gazing upon a deity, instinctively feeling their own insignificance.
Even the noble students who had been somewhat dissatisfied towards him were the same.
The gap was simply too vast. They couldn't even withstand the collision of Reiatsu between Setsuna and Kenpachi.
As soon as Setsuna sat down, some noble students who weren't highly regarded in their families immediately surrounded him.
"Setsuna-san, did you rest well last night?"
"Setsuna-san, this is a special spiritual tea from my family. It's very helpful for recovering Reiryoku."
They crowded around Setsuna, inquiring solicitously, their faces wearing nearly obsequious smiles.
Yoruichi, sitting nearby, stared wide-eyed. She had initially thought these people were coming to curry favor with her and had instinctively wanted to rebuke them. Instead, she found herself completely ignored.
Some commoner students were also dumbfounded. They had heard from some upperclassmen that even becoming an official Shinigami didn't guarantee security, and that it was best to find a powerful patron.
But they still had some reservations, thinking it was too embarrassing to fawn over a fellow student. How come these high-and-mighty noble students were acting faster than them?
Aizen, on the other hand, felt somewhat speechless.
First, Yoruichi had taken the spot next to Setsuna. Now these people were pushing him further and further away.
'How unpleasant,' Aizen pushed up his glasses, a cold light reflecting off the lenses. 'I need to let them know that the spot next to Setsuna-nii isn't so easy to occupy!'
At that moment, a man with silver short hair and a robust build appeared.
Seeing Setsuna surrounded by so many noble students, he frowned slightly and said sternly, "Everyone, return to your seats!"
His face was quite fierce-looking, scaring the students into quickly returning to their places.
"I am your Shunpo Instructor. I am the third seat of the 9th Division, Muguruma Kensei."
Setsuna looked up, observing this 'combat power benchmark' from the original work with some interest.
Kensei said solemnly, "Here, I must first correct a misconception you may have."
His gaze swept over the students below. "Some might think that learning Shunpo well will make them safer, allowing them to quickly flee when in danger. But let me tell you, if you truly think that way and turn your backs to the enemy, that is the most dangerous!"
"Huh? Then what's the point of learning Shunpo?" a student asked, confused.
"To attack better, of course!" Kensei's voice was fervent. "Offense is the best defense!"
Below the platform, many students inwardly disagreed.
Take yesterday's battle involving Setsuna, for example. They couldn't even withstand the Reiatsu, so how could they possibly attack?
Kensei seemed to see through their thoughts. He said gravely, "It seems you don't quite believe me. Very well, let me demonstrate for you what 'Shunpo for offense' truly means."