"Principal, you asked me to speak, so I'll say it directly. Let's talk about strength, setting aside character.
"Look — the First Generation captains were like you, Principal, and Sister Unohana. The Second Generation captains were like Captain Hikifune and Lieutenant Shutara Senjumaru. The Third Generation captains were like Captain Kyōraku and Captain Ukitake. The Fourth Generation captains were like Captain Isshin and Azashiro Kenpachi.
"The only Fifth Generation captains are like Muguruma Kensei and Hirako Shinji."
Aiyan gestured with his hand as he spoke. Although his evaluation of each generation of captains was phrased simply — 'like this' or 'like that' — everyone understood his meaning immediately. The description was extremely clear and vivid, almost as if they could see it before their eyes.
"Unfortunately, most of the current Gotei 13 captains and officers are from the Fifth Generation."
"If it were you, Principal, what would you choose?"
"Should we recruit people from within the Gotei 13, or from the Shin'ō Academy?"
He gave his own brief opinion, then tossed the question back to Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
"Captains, let's discuss the candidate for the last vacant captain's seat."
"It's absolutely impossible to recruit a captain from Muken."
"I think the Shin'ō Academy is very good — especially the students from Captain Aiyan's generation. They're talented, and they have presence."
After listening, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni sighed deeply.
No wonder the captains had been going to the Academy to recruit their Lieutenants — this year's Gotei 13 really was stretched thin.
The top of the so-called "short stack" was Hirako Shinji and Muguruma Kensei.
"The Captain-Commander is wise."
Everyone voiced their agreement.
After recently visiting the Shin'ō Academy themselves and seeing how outstanding this year's class was, they couldn't disagree.
"Captain, have you forgotten?"
"There isn't just one first-class class."
"In addition to the class with Captain Aiyan and the others, there's another one."
Seeing that Yamamoto had run out of options, Shutara Senjumaru, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
"Another?"
"It's only been half a year since they enrolled."
"Are there really students qualified to serve as a Gotei captain?"
Yamamoto frowned slightly.
Of course, he knew there were two first-class classes at the Shin'ō Academy — they had been created at his own request.
"There's definitely no one like Captain Aiyan — the strongest genius in a thousand years."
"But as far as I know, there are two rare talents, the kind seen once in a century."
"Captain Isshin should know this best."
After Shutara finished speaking, she gave Aiyan a glance, then fell silent again.
Clearly, like Hikifune Kirio, she was repaying Aiyan for twice saving her life — and helping him consolidate influence.
"That's right."
"Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin."
"When I first saw them, I really felt as though I was seeing the Sōsuke brothers for the first time."
Seeing Yamamoto's gaze on him, Shiba Isshin could no longer pretend not to hear:
"Their growth over the past six months has proven my impression correct.
"Although they're not quite at the level of Captain Aiyan and Captain Aizen, they're definitely the second-best pair after the Sōsuke brothers.
"Especially Matsumoto Rangiku. In my opinion, her Reiatsu has already surpassed that of most current Gotei captains — of course, I'm referring to captains of Muguruma Kensei's generation."
Shiba added the last part sincerely.
Indeed.
Hirako Shinji and Muguruma Kensei — the captains of this generation — had now become either a unit of measurement or a point of comparison.
"What?"
Yamamoto raised an eyebrow in surprise at this.
In just half a year, her Reiatsu had already surpassed worth of Kensei?
For a student who had only been training in Shinigami powers for half a year, that was astonishing.
With that thought, he glanced at Jūshirō Ukitake, who understood immediately and left the room.
Before long, the doors of the conference hall opened again, and a man and woman entered behind Ukitake.
"I greet the Captain-Commander and all captains."
Facing the Gotei captains, both Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin remained perfectly calm, as though they had anticipated this moment.
"No need for formality.
"I've called you here just to confirm one thing."
"Now — release all your Reiatsu."
Yamamoto looked directly at the young woman before him, his voice faintly tinged with expectation.
The two did not comply immediately. Instead, they looked toward Aiyan.
The captains who knew the inside story weren't surprised — after all, Matsumoto and Gin had both been brought into the Academy by Aiyan, and both had been saved from a Menos Grande by him.
"Go ahead, release your Reiatsu.
"If anything breaks, it's the Principal's problem."
Aiyan's words made Yamamoto's eyes twitch slightly.
"Understood."
Hearing this, Matsumoto and Gin no longer hesitated.
In an instant, their expressions sharpened. With them as the center, waves of Reiatsu surged like a torrent, flooding the conference hall.
Every gram of air seemed saturated with spiritual pressure, thick and heavy enough to see.
It was as if the atmosphere itself had been compressed from gas to liquid.
"What?"
"Captain Isshin's words weren't an exaggeration — they were an understatement."
"Their Reiatsu really does exceed that of an average Gotei captain."
"If converted using the latest Reiatsu measurement unit set by the Captain-Commander, Matsumoto Rangiku's Reiatsu is at least fifteen Levels and Ichimaru Gin's is twelve."
The captains exchanged shocked looks as the pressure roiled through the room.
Even Shutara Senjumaru, who had personally recommended them, was visibly impressed.
If they possessed such overwhelming Reiatsu before even releasing their Zanpakutō, then what would their Shikai — let alone Bankai — be like?
"That's enough."
"You're making a mess of the chamber."
"Keep this up, and the Principal will start charging damages."
Aiyan stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their heads, and pushed their Reiatsu back.
"I'm asking you now — have you mastered Bankai?"
Yamamoto's face remained composed, but his heart was elated.
He hadn't expected that by changing the Shin'ō Academy's enrollment from once to twice a year, he would actually bring in two century-grade prodigies.
Not at the level of the Sōsuke brothers — but still far beyond the ordinary, and certainly worthy of captaincy if their Zanpakutō abilities were decent.
If Tōsen Kaname was qualified to be a captain, then Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin were qualified to be captains as well.
"I have."
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded.
Not only was her soul intact, she had retained the Soul King's fingertip, and had even been fused with the Hōgyoku by Aiyan, merging with it over time.
Her Reiatsu and Zanpakutō would naturally not be limited to their level in the original timeline.
Ichimaru Gin simply smiled and nodded, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Good. Then I'll ask again — are you willing to serve as captain of the Gotei 13?"
Yamamoto's eyes shone with anticipation.
"I'm sorry, Captain-Commander. Thank you for your kindness, but a captain's duty is heavy, and I may not be able to bear it.
"The moment I entered the Shin'ō Academy, I made a pledge —
"I want to be Captain Aiyan's Lieutenant."
Faced with the high honor and authority of a captain's seat, Matsumoto Rangiku declined without hesitation, placing all her loyalty and trust in Aiyan.
...
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