Mirai stood frozen in place.
Guide his Shikai? Aizen Sousuke's Shikai?
Is this guy… moving this early?
Using such a reasonable request as an excuse to get close and test me?
"You're joking, Aizen," Mirai said, his voice as steady as a calm sea.
"I'm merely a 5th Seat, the same rank as you. How could I possibly 'guide' you?
"Zanpakutō training, especially a critical step like Shikai, would be best handled by an experienced senior like Captain Shinji."
The curve of Aizen's lips seemed to deepen slightly.
"The same rank, hm?" he repeated softly. It was impossible to discern any specific emotion from his tone.
Then, a smile bloomed on his face again.
"I've already consulted Captain Shinji, but the Captain admitted that his Zanpakutō's abilities are fundamentally different from my 'Flowing Water' type. He felt he couldn't offer any effective advice."
He paused, looking at Mirai with a sincere gaze.
"However, your 'Wind and Snow Scroll' manipulates ice and snow. Like my 'Flowing Water,' it belongs to the elemental and form-shifting categories. Given your success in achieving Shikai and your mastery of it, I'm sure your experience would be enlightening."
Mirai's brow twitched.
Shinji has already "seen" it? Or rather… he's already "fallen" for it?
Though he didn't know the specifics, Aizen had clearly found a way to "reasonably" display his supposed "Flowing Water" Shikai to Shinji and secured the conclusion that Shinji couldn't guide him.
Shinji's Sakanade and your Kyōka Suigetsu are the real "similar types" here!
Both are "Illusion" types that mess with senses and flip perceptions!
As for my… well, my fake "Wind and Snow" type, it has absolutely nothing to do with yours!
In fact, my true ability, "Teibun Banshō," is even further removed from it!
Instinctively, a refusal almost burst from his lips.
But a second later, Mirai forcibly suppressed the impulse.
No. Aizen was not the type to make a seemingly simple request for no reason.
Choosing this specific time to ask for "Shikai guidance" definitely served a purpose.
Wait, what did he just say? "Wind and Snow" and "Flowing Water"?
Could this guy have suspected, or even confirmed, back during the Academy days…
That my Shikai, "Wind and Snow Scroll," is a fake? That it's an incorrect Shikai?
It was highly likely. In fact, considering Aizen's terrifying observational and analytical skills, the probability was astronomical.
So, was this request a test?
If Mirai flatly refused, would it confirm Aizen's suspicions? Would it reveal that Mirai actually knew the truth about Aizen's Zanpakutō and was… wary?
However, Mirai's true Zanpakutō ability, "Teibun Banshō," had never been recorded in the history of the Soul Society. Its mechanism was unique.
No matter how smart Aizen was, he couldn't possibly guess that out of thin air.
At most, he suspected something was wrong with the "Wind and Snow Scroll," but he shouldn't be able to imagine what the real ability was.
Still, would refusing guidance make Mirai look overly cautious or abnormal?
Sparring between colleagues and asking for help with Zanpakutō training wasn't unusual in the Gotei 13, especially since they were "equal in rank."
In just a few seconds, Mirai weighed various possibilities, risks, and the countless layers of intent hidden beneath Aizen's gentle smile.
"I see." Mirai gave a small nod, acknowledging Shinji's predicament. His tone remained flat.
"However, over the next few days, I need to focus all my energy on organizing and writing the story of Lord Kōga Kuchiki for early publication. My schedule might be a bit tight."
He looked up, meeting Aizen's eyes to deliver his answer.
"Once this matter is concluded, if you still need me, we can arrange a time to exchange notes."
The universal tactic of stalling. Get through the immediate hurdle first and worry about the rest later.
Maybe by then, he'd have another excuse, or Aizen would simply "forget" about it.
Aizen showed no sign of displeasure at being put off. Instead, his smile grew even warmer as he bowed slightly.
"Then I thank you in advance, Mirai. I look forward to that day."
The two returned to the bustling banquet hall, one after the other.
For the rest of the time, Mirai felt that the exquisite dishes and fine wine prepared by the Kuchiki family had lost all their flavor.
He ate without tasting a thing and didn't even dare to touch the sake. In a state where he had to maintain a "cold-faced" disguise at all times, alcohol was a liability.
Shinji Hirako and Shunsui Kyōraku seemed to be in high spirits. After a few cups, they took turns trying to goad Mirai into drinking, teasing him about how a "Noble Son" couldn't possibly skip the celebratory wine.
Fortunately, Captain Kensei Muguruma stood by his side this time.
Kensei kept a stern face and blocked the other two Captains' attempts to force the drink.
The banquet ended while Mirai was still in a daze.
Back in his own room at the Ninth Division barracks, Mirai collapsed onto his bed. He let out a long, heavy breath he had been holding for far too long.
As he relaxed, his mind began to function clearly again.
Aizen's Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, had the ability of "Complete Hypnosis."
As long as one witnessed the Shikai process, they would fall under its spell, after which their five senses would be under his control.
It sounded unbeatable, but theoretically, there was a clumsy way to prevent it. One just had to avoid seeing the Shikai process.
The problem was that Aizen had proactively requested "guidance."
That meant he would definitely perform the Shikai in front of Mirai.
Mirai couldn't exactly blindfold himself or turn his head away.
That would be too obvious. It would be the same as telling Aizen, "I know your Zanpakutō is a problem."
He had to find a way.
A way to "see" Aizen's Shikai without actually falling under the hypnosis of Kyōka Suigetsu.
He needed to think this through very carefully…
Meanwhile, at a remote coast in the Rukongai.
Under the night sky, waves gently lapped against desolate reefs.
A youth with an exceptionally tall build and long, messy black hair stood silently by the shore. He stared out at the boundless sea, which shimmered with a dark luster under the moonlight.
A small girl with pink hair sat on his shoulder.
The little girl, Yachiru, puffed out her cheeks. She yanked hard on the youth's hair with her small hands and pointed forward, sounding huffy.
"Ken-chan! I told you we should have turned left at that last intersection! Look! The ocean is right there! There's no way this is the road to the Seireitei!"
The youth called "Zaraki" didn't respond immediately.
He seemed to be seriously observing the other side of the water, as if trying to confirm whether the Seireitei might be right across the sea.
"Stop looking! Turn around!" Seeing him unmoved, Yachiru pulled harder on his hair and kicked her small feet against his shoulder.
"From now on, you have to listen to me! I'll tell you where to go, and that's where we'll go!"
Zaraki finally withdrew his gaze from the ocean, seemingly abandoning his plan to "cross the sea directly to the Seireitei."
He gave his head a nonchalant shake, making Yachiru giggle.
"Fine," he grunted in a deep, gravelly voice.
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