To defeat a Shinigami bearing the name "Kenpachi," and to defeat the First Generation Kenpachi at that—
According to the laws of Seireitei, the victor should inherit everything from the defeated.
However—
At this moment, Unohana Yachiru holds neither the title of Kenpachi nor the position of the Eleventh Division Captain.
And so, Aiyan—the winner of tonight's battle—ends up with nothing.
"It's fine. Maybe to you, the title of Kenpachi or being captain of Squad Eleven is something noble and meaningful."
"But to me, it's nothing special. It's not even icing on the cake. So don't worry about it."
"If I really wanted it, I'd just take it."
Aiyan chuckled lightly, his voice calm, yet filled with confidence that made one's heart tremble.
Clearly, in his eyes, whether it was the name Kenpachi or the Eleventh Division itself—it was all just casual.
Not taking it didn't mean he couldn't take it.
It only meant he didn't want it.
"If it's you saying that… I suppose it makes sense."
Unohana Yachiru didn't think Aiyan was being arrogant. In fact, it felt completely natural to her.
"I'll be there the day you graduate early and go challenge Hirako Shinji of the Fifth Division."
She glanced at him, then paused, her voice calm as ever.
"Should I take that as a reward for defeating the First Generation Kenpachi in combat?"
Aiyan's interest was piqued. He raised an eyebrow slightly.
According to what Shiba Isshin had told him, there were three ways to join the Gotei 13. The third—challenging and replacing a captain—was especially rare.
First, it required at least two hundred witnesses from among the Shinigami students. That alone disqualified most people.
Second, a captain wasn't just strong—they also held great power and political weight.
And with Hirako Shinji's personality—clever, slippery, and always watching for angles—if Aiyan walked into the Fifth Division alone, whether he won or lost, he might still be charged with something and labeled a criminal. There would be no way out except defection.
"Sure," Unohana nodded.
"Then I'll see you," she said softly.
"The only man in Soul Society who could ever truly satisfy me—Aiyan Sōsuke."
As the first light of dawn began to break, Unohana Yachiru turned to leave.
She didn't care that she looked like a mess in front of Aiyan. But she had no intention of letting others see her like this.
After all, even if she was no longer the Eleventh Division's captain, she still held the Fourth Division's title.
Some things still required dignity.
She looked deeply at Aiyan one last time, as if she wanted to imprint his face—the only man in all of Soul Society who could excite her—into the depths of her soul.
Then she turned, and disappeared into the early morning fog.
"…Aizen, what do you think?"
After watching Unohana leave, Aiyan withdrew his gaze and turned toward the man behind him.
"The water in Seireitei… runs deeper than I thought."
Aizen didn't hide his surprise. He admitted it openly.
He wasn't ashamed that he'd misjudged the strength of Soul Society.
After all, he was still just a student of the Shinō Academy. He wasn't of noble birth, and he wasn't omniscient like Yhwach.
So naturally, his evaluation of Seireitei's strength had to evolve in real-time.
Like tonight.
After witnessing Unohana Yachiru's terrifying past and hidden power, his view had changed.
"Of course, there are powerful people within the Gotei 13," Aizen said.
"But Seireitei is still what you described—corrupt, arrogant, stubborn, and outdated."
"They can't tolerate her. The Gotei 13 can't. Seireitei can't. Unless Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni still lives, no one will dare allow the First Kenpachi to continue existing."
Aiyan wasn't worried about Unohana becoming a problem.
As long as Yamamoto Genryusai was killed, the entire structure of the Gotei 13—held together by his force and prestige—would fall apart.
At that point, Unohana might not even stand against him.
After all, Aiyan was still a Shinigami—not a Quincy.
If Yamamoto could control her, then so could he.
He could dominate this battle-hungry and blood-soaked First Generation Kenpachi.
"…."
Aizen didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed in the direction Unohana had gone.
"You're thinking about killing her."
Aiyan stared at Aizen with a faint smile.
He could read the thoughts behind Aizen's quiet stare.
"No," Aizen said, shaking his head slightly. "I was just wondering if there's a better method than killing Captain Unohana."
"Because when we reach the highest point of this world, there must be someone standing beneath the throne."
"You're right, brother."
Aizen chuckled softly.
To kill the First Generation Kenpachi…
In the eyes of Soul Society, such a thing would shake the heavens.
But in Aizen's mouth, it sounded ordinary, as if the one he spoke of killing was just a random low-ranked Shinigami.
"Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni."
Aiyan calmly spoke the name.
Aizen's eyes lit up.
"I see."
"That's a good plan."
He nodded slightly, fully understanding.
…
Behind the mountains of the Shinō Academy—
Shihōin Yoruichi moved silently through the forest, leaping from tree to tree.
It looked relaxed, like a stroll through the garden, but each step made her vanish and reappear ten meters away.
Even now, there was already a glimpse of her future as the Goddess of Flash.
Shup—Shup—Shup—
Dozens of quick movements across the treetops. With every flash step, the dense foliage overhead slowly began to clear, until her vision opened to a cliff.
And at the edge sat a young man, cross-legged, Zanpakutō resting across his lap, clearly meditating—communing with his sword.
"Found you."
Yoruichi's eyes lit up. A playful glint appeared in her golden eyes as she crept closer on silent feet.
Meanwhile—
Aiyan sat on the cliff's edge, soaking in the golden sunrise as it bathed Seireitei in soft light.
But his attention was half-turned inward.
He was observing the results of his recent training in Hakuda.
Sweat poured off his body, his chest rising and falling.
[Through focused effort and careful integration of textbook physical theory, your Hakuda has birthed a new set of martial arts that combines attack, defense, evasion, and footwork. You have named it: "Shinigami Rokushiki" (Six Styles).]
Seeing the result of his progress, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Then, without turning, he sensed a Reiatsu approaching from behind.
The corner of his mouth twitched up.
"Bakudō #4: Hainawa."
Just as Yoruichi got within five meters of him, a voice suddenly whispered beside her ear.
A golden rope of spiritual energy shot forward like a serpent, coiling around her limbs.
But—
Before the binding could tighten, Yoruichi's body shimmered—her form fading, leaving behind only her outer robe, which was promptly caught by the Kidō.
Bound and hanging there—empty.
Aiyan raised an eyebrow but didn't turn around.
"…Flash Goddess indeed."
...
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