Soul Society, West Seireimon – The White Path Gate.
A handsome youth wearing a white yukata gazed at the towering wall of Sekkiseki stone that pierced the clouds, separating the Seireitei from the Rukongai. Beside him stood a giant holding a pair of L-shaped twin axes.
"Halt. If you wish to cross the Seireimon, present your pass."
The giant's booming voice echoed down from above. The youth appraised the behemoth, who was roughly estimated to be ten meters tall.
"I am Jidanbō, guardian of the Seireimon's entrance. If you do not have a pass, please turn back."
Pausing, Jidanbō looked down at the youth at his feet with a hint of ill intent, his tone carrying a note of anticipation.
"Of course, you could also try to defeat me and force your way through."
Glancing at Jidanbō, who had already begun tightening his grip on his axes, eager for a fight, and then at the ordinary sword hanging at his own waist, the youth was momentarily stunned. He promptly pulled a document from his robe, intending to hand it over. But realizing he wasn't even as tall as the giant's knee, he put some strength into tossing it up instead.
"Let's see... Kensei Kenzuru, from West District 80. Reason for entering the Seireitei is... new student at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy."
Jidanbō gave a surprised look at Kensei Kenzuru by his feet, a trace of astonishment in his voice. He hadn't expected to encounter a soul from District 80—such a chaotic place—entering the Seireitei now. However, he didn't say much more. Although he wanted to spar with the boy, he shouldn't delay his enrollment. After securely storing Kensei's pass, Jidanbō turned and used his massive frame to heave the White Path Gate open.
"Alright, hurry through."
After offering a simple word of thanks, Kensei Kenzuru crossed the White Path Gate, officially entering the core region of the Soul Society—the Seireitei.
Looking at the address on the flyer, Kensei felt a complex mix of emotions as he walked down the street.
[Half a year ago I was just an ordinary person on Earth, and now I'm standing in the Soul Society, about to attend Shinigami Academy…]
[And the one who pulled me here was that very "Soul King."]
Kensei Kenzuru's crossing wasn't ordinary—he had been "personally" fished over by the Soul King.
According to the residual will of that supreme existence, while the balance between the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the World of the Living remained, the future's "variables" had become too singular. The world was like a straight line gradually converging.
The Soul King did not wish for everything to proceed toward a predetermined end. Thus, He plucked Kensei Kenzuru from among countless worlds and implanted within the depths of his soul a seed "similar to the Hōgyoku."
—Similar, but in truth, it was more like a "controllable power of miracles."
It could perceive the desires and laws of surrounding souls and guide spiritual power to evolve in the desired direction. However, it was currently in a "standby" state, requiring Kensei himself to nurture it with his own spiritual power and will.
But back then, Kensei had only heard the words "similar to the Hōgyoku" and didn't know the specifics of this cheat's function.
Besides, other people who crossed worlds at least had some grand, unique method. For him, did they just skip the process entirely? Even though he looked the same as before, was this a soul transmigration or a body transmigration?
He also had no idea what the current timeline was. Damn Kubo, only knowing how to write poetry and act cool, making the story's timeline so vague. No wonder everyone says he's just a manga artist who doesn't understand a damn thing about Bleach.
Kensei Kenzuru's mind wandered chaotically through these questions. The Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy wasn't far from the White Path Gate, just a few hundred meters' walk. Today was the enrollment day for the new cohort, and many figures were coming and going. After all, it was the Soul Society's sole top academy for training Shinigami. Every soul with spiritual power dreamed of graduating from here, becoming a Shinigami, and living a shameless, decadent life.
Looking at the line ahead, a scene involuntarily surfaced in Kensei's mind: some arrogant noble brat suddenly jumping out, declaring that filthy commoners weren't fit to study here, and without another word, attacking him. He would then effortlessly defeat the noble with a minor display of his power. The academy instructors would be utterly shocked, immediately reporting to all the Captains and Old Man Yamamoto, causing the Gotei 13 to clamor, "This child must join my division!"
If it really came to that, which Captain should he choose? What if the Captains started fighting over him? Ah, a genius truly stands out everywhere.
"Hello, you must be Lord Kensei Kenzuru, recommended for enrollment by the Vice-Captain of the 2nd Division—Lord Ōmaeda Nozomishin. Please follow me."
The receptionist's voice shattered Kensei's fantasy. Right. He had been recognized as a potential recruit by the father of "Lord Ōmaeda," who was on a mission in District 80, and recommended to Yamamoto. Due to his special talent, even the legendary Yamamoto Genryūsai himself had come to District 80 to find him, taking him on as a disciple. He was practically a semi-noble Shinigami heir!
Besides, there were plenty of guards here. Such tasteless incidents wouldn't happen. Damn those novels he read before, making him instinctively think of showing off and making a stunning debut in such situations. Novels are harmful!
Muttering to himself internally, Kensei followed the senior student into the classroom. Seeing the row-style long desks and blackboard similar to a university lecture hall from his previous life, for a moment he thought he had returned to college. Sitting down in a random seat, perhaps because of the familiar atmosphere, a wave of drowsiness washed over him.
"Excuse me, sorry, may I get through?"
A low, magnetic voice sounded beside him, startling Kensei, who had begun nodding off from sleepiness. He quickly stood up to clear the path.
"Sorry, sorry. Old habit—I get sleepy as soon as I enter a classroom."
The newcomer nodded politely and took the seat to Kensei's left. Kensei sat back down after he passed, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the stranger beside him: brown short hair, black-rimmed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, his every movement exuding a calm, composed demeanor.
He seemed somewhat familiar, but Kensei couldn't quite remember where he might have seen him before.
"Hello, I am Aizen Sōsuke. I look forward to getting along with you from today."
As if sensing Kensei's scrutinizing gaze, the man smiled gently, extended his hand, and introduced himself, his attitude courteous and proper.
"I'm Kensei Kenzuru. Nice to meet you..."
Being caught staring was rather embarrassing. Kensei forced a smile, reached out to shake the offered hand, and gave his own name. It seemed like a perfectly pleasant scene of fellow students getting acquainted—until Kensei registered the other's name.
The familiar name sent Kensei's mind into chaos. His pupils uncontrollably widened slightly, and the hand still holding Aizen's unconsciously tightened its grip.
Aizen Sōsuke. Future Captain of the 5th Division. Traitor to the Soul Society. Emperor of all Hueco Mundo. And he was sitting right next to him now? His luck seemed a bit too good, but at least it guaranteed he wouldn't be sleeping in class every day.
"Oh?" Aizen gently withdrew his hand, which was now slightly sore from Kensei's grip. He pushed his glasses up with a fingertip, his gaze behind the lenses curious as it settled on Kensei. "This should be our first meeting. Why did my name cause you such surprise, Kensei-kun?"
"Could you tell me the reason for your lapse in composure, Kensei-kun?"
Objectively speaking, Aizen's voice was truly the kind that easily inspired goodwill and lowered one's guard—if one didn't know what he was really like.
"Uh, your name sounds a lot like a friend I had in the World of the Living. But it seems I was mistaken."
Kensei adjusted his mood and offered a random excuse. After all, souls entering the Soul Society retained memories of their past lives. His explanation shouldn't raise any flags. And besides, he had a cheat. Was he supposed to be afraid of this guy Aizen?
Heh heh heh, why not take advantage of the fact that Aizen hasn't created the Hōgyoku yet and make him submit to my overwhelming power? Save future trouble.
"I see." Aizen smiled, appearing to accept that this was truly the reason for Kensei's surprise. "It seems we are fated to meet."
Of course, Aizen did not believe Kensei's excuse. A person's demeanor when lying couldn't be concealed. He knew very well that Kensei's loss of composure was the result of pairing the name "Aizen Sōsuke" with his appearance.
It seemed his days at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy would not be as uneventful as he had anticipated.
Aizen did not know that within the soul of this youth who had climbed up from District 80, slumbered a "variable" personally planted by the Soul King.
The trajectory of the world had, from this moment, quietly begun to shift.
***
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