When Aiyan bluntly claimed that Byakuya's talent wasn't as great as it seemed—and casually dismissed the prestige of the Kuchiki family—Byakuya Kuchiki's face darkened.
He had been groomed since childhood by the Kuchiki clan as their future head. All his life, he was surrounded by praise: genius, talent, nobility.
But now, standing before Aiyan, those praises felt hollow.
Whether it was the Reiatsu test yesterday or the Zanpakutō awakening not long ago, he knew it deep down—he was far behind Aiyan. In both Reiatsu and Zanpakutō potential, the difference was overwhelming.
"What's going on?"
"Why are little Byakuya and Aiyan arguing?"
"That guy's ego is way too fragile."
"But this is kind of crazy."
"What do you think will happen?"
Around them, Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, and the other students didn't try to stop the confrontation—they simply enjoyed the drama like a group of curious onlookers.
"Talent?"
"Well then, I'd really like to see what kind of talent gives you the confidence to talk so arrogantly—even about the Kuchiki clan."
Byakuya took a deep breath, his tone turning cold.
[Your Kidō says that the guy named Sōsuke must learn how to show off properly, or he'll get embarrassed. To help, it practiced all Hadō and Bakudō from numbers 1 to 60, chantless.]
Seeing how defensive and proactive his Kidō had become, Aiyan couldn't help but feel pleased.
Strong and thoughtful—what a good Kidō!
After all, if you're going to put on a show, doing it with chantless Kidō is the only way.
"How do you want to compare?"
Aiyan looked at Byakuya but didn't move from his spot. He simply raised his hand, palm aimed at the clear sky above the Spiritual Arts Academy.
The students watching couldn't help but widen their eyes, curious about what would happen next.
"Settle it like Shinigami."
"If you want to defend the Kuchiki name, then let's compete with Kidō."
Byakuya declared, one word at a time.
"As you wish."
A subtle smile flickered across Aiyan's lips.
"Senior Jushiro, please act as referee."
"Unless, of course," he glanced at Jūshirō Ukitake with a half-smile, "you don't mind losing a student today. In that case, feel free to sit this one out."
Byakuya was clearly pushing forward with no hesitation, fully confident in his abilities.
"What a headstrong child," Ukitake sighed. "All right!"
"I'll stop the match the moment I believe the outcome is clear."
Even he couldn't hide his curiosity now—was Aiyan just showing off, as Byakuya claimed, or was he truly so strong that even his training was off-limits?
"Whatever."
Byakuya said flatly, then turned to face Aiyan directly.
"You're still sitting?"
"You're not even going to stand up?"
"We're talking about Kidō, not swordsmanship," Aiyan replied calmly. "Why should I move?"
"If your goal was to make me angry," Byakuya narrowed his eyes, "congratulations. You've done it."
He raised his hand, pointing at Aiyan, and began chanting rapidly:
"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!"
It was Hadō #33—Sōkatsui.
The faces of students from Rukongai—Tousen Kaname, Komamura Sajin and others—suddenly changed.
Hadō #33, even with full chanting, was far beyond their current ability.
"This is the might of the noble houses…"
"Is this what it means to be a Kuchiki?"
"For him, this level is just a starting point."
Tousen Kaname clenched his fists.
Byakuya's power made him understand just how deep the gap was between nobility and those born in the outer districts.
Even someone so young already had such strength.
"Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!"
Blue explosive fire shot from Byakuya's palm, splitting into countless tendrils like lightning, crashing through the air straight toward Aiyan.
"Surprised?"
"Even this level of Hadō is like second nature to me now."
"Don't worry, I've held back—it'll only hurt, not kill. Because I want you to kneel, writhing in pain, humiliated by defeat."
"That's how you'll learn to respect the Kuchiki family."
Byakuya retracted his hand and stood proudly, every movement radiating confidence—as if the match were already over.
After all, no matter how strong Aiyan's Reiatsu was, if he couldn't wield it properly, it meant nothing.
BOOM!!
Blue flames burst forth in a roaring explosion, instantly engulfing Aiyan where he sat.
"Senior Jushiro, better prepare Kaidō."
"If you can't handle it, call Squad Four."
"With his level of Reiatsu, he might survive."
Byakuya turned away, not bothering to look at the blast, assuming the fight was over.
"Sōkatsui?"
"Go light birthday candles with that, Kuchiki... classmate."
Before Jūshirō Ukitake could respond, a lazy, mocking voice rang out from within the smoke.
"You... you were hit by my Sōkatsui… how are you unharmed?"
Byakuya spun around.
The smoke had cleared—and Aiyan was still sitting there beneath the tree, completely untouched, a teasing smile on his lips.
"A Shinigami battle is about Reiatsu."
"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō exist to maximize that Reiatsu."
"With your level of spiritual pressure, your Hadō might as well be child's play to me."
Aiyan watched Byakuya's face pale slightly and then raised his hand.
Golden light surged from his body.
BOOM!!
A vast surge of Reiatsu exploded outward like a tidal wave, instantly overwhelming everyone present—including Byakuya.
"Is this really Reiatsu?"
"It's stronger than during the entrance exam!"
"My bones are shaking from the pressure!"
"Was he hiding his strength before?"
Only Aizen stood unaffected beneath the torrent of golden Reiatsu.
Even Urahara Kisuke, usually unreadable, couldn't keep his calm.
Noble students trembled, barely keeping their posture.
The ones from Rukongai buckled at the knees.
Byakuya Kuchiki, once so proud, now stood pale-faced and tense. His breath came in short, ragged gasps as he fought with all his strength just to stay upright under the crushing pressure.