Chapter 92: Foundation Stone
White beard hung before Suoh.
"Get up."
The Captain-Commander's voice sounded before him.
"Cough—"
Suoh endured the pain, propping up his body. His steps staggered once, then he stood firm again.
"Who taught you the fundamental style?"
"Uh, my hakuda instructor, Yuuki Shinosuke."
"Shinosuke—?"
The Captain-Commander repeated this name in his heart, pondering briefly.
The fundamental style lineage had spread for a thousand years with numerous disciples. Within several breaths, he still couldn't find a corresponding face in his memory.
"Captain-Commander—is there some problem?"
Suoh looked puzzled toward the silent Captain-Commander. He had one and only one hakuda instructor—Yuuki Shinosuke.
He'd always felt the teaching was excellent, gaining immense benefits himself.
Could it be his hakuda performance was too poor?
Suoh immediately began reviewing his examination performance.
But during hakuda, after just two punch exchanges, he'd been knocked down. Racking his brains, he couldn't figure out the problem.
However.
Beyond Suoh's expectations.
"Your examination has passed."
The Captain-Commander didn't directly answer the question. After granting passage, he reached toward the stone wall beside them.
Two blade shadows instantly flew from the rock. The Captain-Commander's Asauchi steadily landed back in his palm, smoothly returned to its sheath, transforming back into the simple cane.
Kikou hovered before Suoh, its blade emanating gentle radiance, as if congratulating him for passing the trial.
This actually stunned Suoh momentarily.
He unconsciously examined the Captain-Commander again.
However, the old man's face remained stern as stone, revealing not half a trace of emotion. His entire presence seemed slightly softer than before.
Too subtle—Suoh himself wasn't certain.
"Thank you, Captain-Commander."
So Suoh thought no more about it.
Gripping the hilt, he returned Kikou to Asauchi state, sheathing the sword.
Clearing his throat, straightening his body, he bowed solemnly.
"Tsukasa, congratulations."
"I knew you could definitely do it."
As his words fell, Ukitake Jushiro's voice sounded beside him.
He'd been keeping watch at the rocky ground's edge. The examination concluded, he immediately came to Suoh's side.
He stepped forward, reaching out to return Hazy Night to Suoh, his eyes carrying relief and pride.
"Thank you, Captain."
Suoh nodded, returning Hazy Night to his waist. His expression relaxed. The pain in his body also lessened several degrees.
The Captain-Commander's low voice sounded again. The cane in his hand lightly tapped the ground, producing clear knocking sounds.
"Suoh, your aptitude and performance merit proper training."
"I'm now giving you two choices."
"First, transfer to the First Division, training under me."
"Second, continue remaining in the Thirteenth Division, receiving periodic guidance as stated in the previous letter."
As the Gotei 13's Captain-Commander, he had his considerations.
Though appreciating Suoh's potential, he had no intention of competing with his own disciple for subordinates.
However, daily affairs were busy. Only by keeping someone close could he provide timely guidance.
Thus he returned the choice to the young person's hands.
"Tsukasa, don't hesitate."
"Regardless of which division you're in, the path we walk remains consistent."
Though Ukitake Jushiro felt reluctant in his heart, he still spoke to advise.
"I choose to continue remaining in the Thirteenth Division."
After the earlier trial, Suoh deeply understood how precious receiving close guidance from a powerhouse like the Captain-Commander was.
However, he didn't hesitate, because he'd always been very clear—the First Division didn't suit him, contradicting his path.
The Captain-Commander's gaze lingered on his face momentarily before slowly nodding.
He quite appreciated Suoh's firm adherence to his decision.
"Since you've made your choice."
"Starting next month, on the first and fifteenth of each month, come to the First Division dojo for training."
"Let's go. The time is still early today."
"I will give you some more guidance."
"I respectfully obey the Captain-Commander's command."
"Thank you, Genryusai-sensei."
Ukitake Jushiro stepped forward, bowing solemnly.
The Captain-Commander nodded slightly, leading both of them away from this place.
At the same moment at Sōkyoku Hill.
Atop the towering rock platform, a section of air seemed brushed by invisible hands, quietly lifting a transparent curtain.
The originally empty position was replaced by two tall figures.
One possessed a kindly, refined bearing—brown hair impeccably groomed, simple black-framed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, wearing a captain's haori, an appropriate smile gracing the corners of his mouth.
The other moved with relaxed casualness—conspicuous silver hair crowned a face where perpetually narrowed eyes held an ambiguous expression between smile and something else entirely, black Shihakusho worn loosely, a lazy smile playing at his lips.
Whether from the prominent facial features or the distinct numbers emblazoned on the captain haori's back, their identities became instantly clear.
Fifth Division Captain Aizen Sosuke and Lieutenant Ichimaru Gin.
"What a fine performance we witnessed!"
"Captain Aizen, aren't you coincidentally going to lack a lieutenant soon enough?"
"I actually think that young Shinigami just now was quite impressive."
Ichimaru Gin's hands rested leisurely within his sleeves, his gaze directed toward where Suoh had stood earlier. As if discovering some interesting trinket, he offered the suggestion casually.
Beside him, Aizen's gentle smile remained unchanged. He lightly adjusted his glasses, speaking with measured calm.
"Indeed very decisive and very promising."
He offered mild affirmation of Suoh's earlier performance, then his tone shifted subtly, his voice remaining as temperate as spring breeze.
"However, Gin, currently Suoh Tsukasa's radiance shines far too brightly. He is not the foundation stone our advancing path requires."
Hearing Aizen's words, Ichimaru Gin's expression grew contemplative, though not a trace of change entered his tone.
"Oh my—didn't expect even this newcomer couldn't escape your observation."
"Even knowing his name so clearly. I was preparing to show off a little."
"Just unfortunate—if only a few years later would have been perfect."
Ichimaru Gin's tone floated lightly, yet carried deeper meaning.
The Class 2066 elite class internship incident—he'd participated throughout, crafting it alongside Aizen. He naturally understood Aizen's intentions behind it all.
He knew every elite class record from the Shinoreijutsuin by heart. Suoh's file was no exception.
One could say, if not for Suoh and Abarai Renji's cohort entering school in such close succession, graduating with such unusual speed—
Similar incidents would have inevitably descended upon him as well, sooner or later.
"No, the same performance—I have no interest in staging it twice."
Aizen's gaze lifted, sweeping across him with casual disinterest before he shook his head slowly. His voice carried gentle notes of mild boredom.
Suoh's reputation at the academy—as a calligraphy guest instructor, he'd naturally heard whispers of it.
However, at that time his focus had centered entirely on the Hogyoku's subsequent experimental phases. He'd possessed no spare capacity to expend thought on any elite class student.
Like this—one deliberately avoiding notice, one never paying excessive attention—they had never crossed paths.
And now, when Suoh first formally entered Aizen's field of vision, he stood accompanied by two captains—the Captain-Commander himself and Ukitake Jushiro no less.
This situation rendered any investment of effort or energy into Suoh entirely unsuitable.
"Let's go. Encountering this unexpected drama has provided adequate diversion."
Aizen turned. His haori traced an elegant arc through the wind.
Today, both had originally lingered in the First Division's vicinity handling crucial matters. Yet unexpectedly, the Captain-Commander's unusual spiritual pressure fluctuations had drawn their attention. Only then had they paused to observe this unplanned examination.
"We still have numerous unfinished matters awaiting completion, Gin."
"Yes, Captain Aizen."
Ichimaru Gin responded with a quiet chuckle, falling into step behind.
His role had always consisted solely of obedience, following, and silent observation.
As for what this captain truly intended—that had never been something requiring his inquiry.