"What?"
"Aizen?"
"You're going to show us your Zanpakutō's Shikai?"
...
As soon as everyone heard that Aizen Sōsuke intended to demonstrate his Shikai, the entire department was stirred into a wave of excitement.
Especially Komamura Sajin and Amagai Shusuke—their eyes lit up like children in front of candy.
Even those from Rukongai, who were less familiar with noble protocols, understood one thing very clearly: a Shinigami's Zanpakutō ability was the most guarded secret they possessed.
If someone knew your ability, it became easy to counter or neutralize it. That's why most Shinigami avoided showing their releases publicly, even among comrades.
But now Aizen—someone they had known for less than a day—was willing to openly demonstrate his Shikai for the sake of others, risking exposure without hesitation. No benefit. No conditions. Not for glory or favor.
Simply so others could learn.
"Yes."
Aizen smiled slightly, his voice as composed as ever.
"My Zanpakutō belongs to the water-type. It uses mist and reflections to distort the senses, confuse the enemy, and make them turn on each other."
"Would you like to see my Shikai?"
There was no arrogance in his voice. He spoke gently, with poise.
It was the calm, composed tone of a true gentleman.
Shihōin Yoruichi: "How honest… what a refined, humble gentleman."
Urahara Kisuke: "A perfect balance of power and character. I can't compare to him."
Byakuya Kuchiki: "It's unfortunate such a man isn't of noble blood… honest, generous, and upright."
Shiba Isshin: "Out of all the people I've met, none are as magnanimous as Aizen."
Aiyan: "..."
Aiyan silently lowered his head and propped it with one hand, fingers covering his eyes.
He didn't speak.
He was afraid that if he didn't hide his face, people like Urahara Kisuke or Shiba Isshin—who acted carefree but were actually extremely sharp—might notice the look in his eyes.
The look of someone trying not to laugh.
Because, seriously—
Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai, on full display, and these people were falling over themselves to see it?
Are they brain-dead?
His dear little brother had just stepped onto the stage to perform, and as his proud elder sibling, Aiyan chose not to interrupt the show.
Let the fool dance.
"We would like that very much!"
"Aizen, thank you for your generosity. If you ever need help, just ask—Komamura Sajin will be there."
"Same for me!" added Amagai Shusuke.
Others nodded in agreement, touched by Aizen's sincerity.
Even Tōsen Kaname, though blind, joined the group. He couldn't see the Shikai visually, but with Reiatsu perception, he could still sense and interpret its release.
And it wasn't just them.
Even seasoned Shinigami like Byakuya, Yoruichi, and Urahara, who had long achieved their own Shikai, were paying close attention.
After all, a glimpse of the Shikai of a rare genius who only appeared once in a century?
Who could resist?
Even if Aizen had already explained its ability—and even if what he said probably wasn't the complete truth—they were still curious.
It wasn't about logic anymore.
Everyone just wanted to watch the show.
"Just one look at Kyōka Suigetsu, and you'll be a puppet for life..."
Aiyan shook his head silently.
"Ahem. Listen up, all of you."
Shiba Isshin cleared his throat, then suddenly became stern.
"You are all here today by Aizen's grace. So you must treat this moment seriously. After seeing this, don't just feel grateful—seal your lips. Don't breathe a word about Aizen's Zanpakutō Shikai to anyone outside this room."
"Yes, Instructor Isshin!"
Everyone straightened up immediately, their tones and postures serious.
"Don't be so formal," Aizen said with a light smile. "We're classmates now—soon, we'll be colleagues. Maybe even comrades on the battlefield."
"So what if my Shikai is seen? Don't worry about it."
"In fact, I'm planning to show it to the other classes at the Shin'ō Academy as well."
"...Huh?"
Everyone froze.
He wanted everyone at the academy to see his Shikai?
Most Shinigami would rather die than let others see their release. Some would even kill witnesses just to protect their secret.
But Aizen?
He was actively going around displaying his Zanpakutō like a public demonstration.
"Why?" someone asked.
Aizen adjusted his glasses slightly, then said in a quiet voice:
"In the other classes… Most students are average in talent. Compared to all of you, it's like comparing starlight to the full moon."
"It's different if you're born noble. But most of them come from Rukongai, like me. I know how hard it is for someone without a background to walk this path."
"Every step forward is a hundred times harder for them than it is for the noble-born."
"That's why I want to do what I can. If watching my Shikai even helps one of them understand Zanpakutō better… it's worth it."
He looked up again, voice calm but passionate.
"After I graduate, if I manage to rise within the Gotei 13, I'll work toward becoming a lecturer at the academy."
"So that every student—no matter where they come from—can see my Shikai and believe they can succeed."
"If by doing that, I can help Seireitei gain more Shinigami… then what is there to fear in others knowing my Shikai's power?"
"Compared to that goal, a mere Shikai is nothing worth hiding."
For a moment, even the talkative Urahara was silent.
Shiba Isshin looked at Aizen with deep respect.
"..."
Aiyan remained quiet.
Watching his little brother playing the part of the 'Saint of Soul Society', he could already imagine the expressions of those who saw Kyōka Suigetsu's true ability in the future.
Shock. Horror. Betrayal.
So that's why the Visored captains hated Aizen so deeply later on.
That's why Urahara—who had once respected Aizen—went so far as to build countless Kidō traps and conspiracy layers just to kill him.
Turns out…
Aizen's biggest crime wasn't stabbing them in the back.
It was acting too perfect from the very beginning.
So perfect it was criminal.
"Aiyan, you're not going to watch?" Yoruichi asked curiously, noticing he still had his head down, hand over his eyes.
"Shikai isn't something you can just watch once and gain something from," he replied without lifting his head. "Let's leave it to the people who need it."
"Besides, Aizen has another goal—he wants to surpass me."
"I won't take advantage of him. A man doesn't have to be great, but he must not be petty."
Aiyan waved dismissively, still shielding his eyes.
Yoruichi looked at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly.
"You and Aizen… you really are brothers."
"Compared to the nobles in Seireitei, the two of you are far more noble in spirit."
"If there were more Shinigami like you in the noble families, maybe Soul Society wouldn't be the way it is now."
Even Byakuya Kuchiki, who had once been humiliated by Aiyan in public and viewed him as a disgrace to noble bloodlines, glanced over with new respect in his eyes.