"Did you hear a sound?"
"That's right."
"I heard a voice whispering to me just now… telling me its name. I engraved it into my heart."
Akira hadn't expected such a large commotion to follow.
He could only blame his Zanpakutō for being too competitive. The moment it sensed that his younger brother had manifested a Zanpakutō, it immediately took action—initiating Shikai entirely on its own. And not just any Shikai, but one belonging to the rare and coveted Kōgonkei—the light-based lineage of Zanpakutō, regarded among the most powerful in the Soul Society.
As if worried Akira wouldn't hear it clearly, the spirit's voice had rung in his ears like a divine echo, repeating its name obsessively, its will so overwhelming that it practically forced Shikai activation in front of everyone. Whispering its name over and over. Teaching him its release command—relentlessly.
"Seriously…"
"To forge a Zanpakutō by oneself."
"Then, not a day later—but in a moment—hear its name and achieve Shikai!"
Even though Jūshirō Ukitake had mentally prepared himself, hearing Akira say this still sent a shock through him. His vision went momentarily dark, and his mind blanked.
When he finally recovered, he couldn't help but take a deep, controlled breath.
As a captain of the Gotei 13, he couldn't remember the last time something had left him this rattled.
"Shikai…?"
"This monster…"
"The growth rate is too fast…"
Shihōin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, and the others all changed expressions, gazes sharp and disbelieving as they stared at Akira.
Each of them had trained diligently with their sealed Zanpakutōs for decades, often taking years—if not longer—before they could hear the spirit's name and unlock Shikai.
But Akira?
He had forged a Zanpakutō without a sealed state.
And now, with impossible ease, he had achieved Shikai in an instant.
In terms of spiritual pressure and release control, he was already equivalent to a seated officer—or even a junior captain—despite not yet undergoing formal training in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō (Zanpakutō combat arts, hand-to-hand, flash step, and demon arts).
"Shikai?"
"I see now… that voice must be the Zanpakutō's spirit. Knowing its name… that's what unlocks Shikai."
Aizen narrowed his eyes. Though surprised, he wasn't willing to be left behind. Without hesitation, he asked inwardly for his Zanpakutō's name.
"Mirror… flower…"
He focused intensely, but could only make out two syllables—Kyōka—echoing faintly like fragmented whispers. The remainder was elusive.
"An incomplete name… which means an incomplete Shikai."
"Is it because I'm unworthy to hear the full name?"
"Or… are you simply refusing to reveal it?"
After trying repeatedly and still hearing only Kyōka, frustration flashed through Aizen's eyes.
Not at the Zanpakutō. At himself.
He couldn't accept how far behind Akira he currently was.
To grasp only a partial name. To wield only a partial release.
"You've stepped into a higher realm, Brother…"
"It appears I've become complacent."
Aizen dismissed the wave of dissatisfaction quickly. He had no use for self-pity. He made a decision then and there—cold and resolute.
Three days.
He would give himself and his Zanpakutō just three days.
By then, he would either master its true name and Shikai—
Or sever his connection and destroy the blade altogether.
He would accept only absolute submission. A Zanpakutō must serve.
If it would not surrender its name, then it was unworthy to remain by his side.
He would not be left behind Akira again.
If the spirit refused him, he would carve a new path without it.
"…And what about you, Aizen?"
Jūshirō Ukitake, now somewhat composed, looked over with narrowed eyes.
He had nearly forgotten in the chaos that there was still another genius standing on that field.
I've let you down, Jūshirō-sensei."
"Compared to my brother, I only heard an incomplete name."
"Come to think of it, my Shikai is also incomplete…"
In response to Jūshirō Ukitake's question, Aizen lowered his head slightly, voice tinged with quiet regret.
But it was not truly regret—it was performance.
Now that he had adjusted his persona, he no longer intended to portray himself as just another ordinary prodigy.
Instead, he had taken on the guise of a rare genius—one who was polite, humble, and sincere.
Of course, how much of that sincerity was real… depended entirely on Aizen's intent.
"You heard it too?"
"No, no—why would I be disappointed?"
"You did exceptionally well. At your age, I couldn't even catch a glimpse of your back."
Ukitake waved his hand, almost embarrassed by the thought.
Disappointed? How could he be?
In a single day, the elder brother—Akira—had heard his Zanpakutō's name and awakened Shikai.
The younger brother—Aizen—had manifested his Zanpakutō, heard part of its name, and achieved an incomplete Shikai.
If this was failure, then the rest of the Soul Society would have to redefine genius.
If anything, Jūshirō felt a joy deep enough to laugh in his sleep.
"Sensei, you praise me too highly. I am ashamed to receive it."
Aizen gave a humble smile, his posture respectful.
"Don't pressure yourself too much."
"Every Zanpakutō is unique. The timing of Shikai differs for each Shinigami. What I can give you is my experience in Kendō-Zen—the sword meditation practice to deepen your resonance with your Zanpakutō."
"Also, once you've trained properly in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—all part of Zanjutsu-Soul Communication—you'll be able to hear its name more clearly."
Moved by Aizen's modesty, Jūshirō Ukitake generously offered what nobles often kept for themselves: sword meditation techniques—ways of entering the inner world to commune directly with one's Zanpakutō.
For those of noble birth, these teachings were traditional and passed down.
But for someone from Rukongai? They were invaluable.
"Thank you, sensei."
Aizen's expression was grateful, but inwardly, his thoughts stirred.
Kendō-Zen… entering the spirit realm to meet the Zanpakutō face to face. Interesting.
I'll meet my Zanpakutō tonight. We'll talk. I'll demand its name directly—through the blade.
"Alright, everyone."
"Now that you've received your sealed Zanpakutōs and understand the basics of Shikai and spirit name resonance, focus your training in that direction."
"But remember—how fast you master Shikai doesn't determine your ultimate height as a Shinigami."
Noticing how Sajin Komamura, Tōsen Kaname, and even noble students like Shihōin Yoruichi and Byakuya Kuchiki seemed discouraged by the overwhelming performance of the Akira brothers, Ukitake chose his words carefully to lift their spirits.
After all, a single Sōsuke could dominate the Soul Society.
Now there were two.
And the elder was even stronger than the younger.
"Yes, Sensei Jūshirō!"
With his encouragement, the students' morale visibly improved.
"Everyone, please follow me."
"This morning, we have Kidō class. This afternoon is culture studies…"
"I'll now teach you how to use Kidō practically—especially how to engage Menos Grande in battle."
With the sealed Zanpakutōs distributed, Ukitake led the class toward the Kidō training field.
In other classes, a first-day Kidō course involved quiet memorization of incantations in the classroom—no casting, no practice.
But this was the First Class—the elite. Every student here had the potential to be a future Gotei 13 captain.
Even if born in Rukongai, with no prior training in Shinigami arts, their raw spiritual power and talent more than made up for the lack.
Some could already manipulate Reiryoku with enough precision to cast Hadō and Bakudō below #10 without incantation.
As a veteran captain who had taught for over a century, Ukitake understood perfectly: true teaching requires tailoring the path to each student.
He would guide them not by rigid method, but by their unique strengths.