"Miyako-san! Captain Ukitake is looking for you," Kotsubaki Sentarō called out as he jogged over.
"Eh? Captain Ukitake?" Miyako tilted his head. "Could it be about the Human World assignment? I saw some of the senior squads returning earlier."
Sentarō scratched his head. "Probably? I dunno the details, but I figured I should let you know."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Sentarō-senpai. I'll go right away."
Without wasting time, Amamiya Miyako headed toward the Captain's office. Recently, a number of seated officers had returned from duty in the Human World, so it wouldn't be strange if he was next. After all, he'd been pestering both Ukitake-taichō and the senior officers about it for weeks now.
Reaching the door, Miyako knocked respectfully. "Captain, it's Amamiya. I heard you wanted to see me?"
"Ah, Miyako-san? Come in," Ukitake Jūshirō's warm voice called from inside.
....
When Miyako stepped in, he saw Ukitake seated behind his desk with Kotetsu Kiyone nearby, struggling to manage a mountain of paperwork.
"Captain, is this about the Human World deployment?" Miyako asked, standing at attention.
"Well, yes and no." Ukitake gave a gentle chuckle. "It's related, but not exactly about the mission itself."
"Huh...?" Miyako blinked. "Not directly?"
"You see, the Headmaster of the True Spiritual Arts Academy dropped by recently," Ukitake explained. "He specifically requested your attendance at the graduation ceremony for this year's sixth-year class."
"The Academy?" Miyako frowned slightly. "Why me?"
"Well, during a recent visit to the First Division's barracks, I ran into Aizen Sōsuke—Captain of the Fifth Division." Ukitake smiled. "He asked about promising new talent, and naturally, your name came up. A genius who graduated early and already holds a seated position? Of course I'd be proud."
"Yare yare…" Miyako rubbed the back of his neck with a forced smile. Internally, alarm bells were already ringing.
"Captain Aizen also serves as a guest lecturer at the Academy and is quite close with the Headmaster. Apparently, they were discussing standout alumni to invite this year. When your name was mentioned, Aizen seemed... quite interested."
Of course he is, Miyako thought bitterly. That man never lets talent slip past unnoticed.
"Aizen-taichō even went so far as to recommend you himself," Ukitake added. "So the Headmaster contacted me directly."
"I see," Miyako replied calmly, keeping his expression neutral. "It would be an honor to attend as a graduate of the Academy."
Inside, though, he was groaning.
Just when Amamiya Miyako thought he'd managed to stay out of the spotlight, fate had other plans.
Despite trying to keep a low profile after joining the Thirteenth Division, he hadn't escaped the eyes of that man—Aizen Sōsuke.
"Yare yare… even this place isn't safe from his gaze."
Miyako narrowed his eyes, arms folded as he leaned against a shaded pillar in the training courtyard.
"Looks like Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis is already in effect… Not going isn't an option. Refusing now would only make Aizen more suspicious—and I'm about to be deployed to the Human World. If he turns his focus on me there, no one would even notice if I disappeared."
At that moment, Captain Ukitake approached him with his usual gentle smile.
"Miyako-san, once you return, you'll officially begin taking on missions for the Thirteenth Division," Ukitake said, his voice light despite the faint rasp of his illness.
"Hai, taichō," Miyako replied, bowing respectfully.
He let out a slow breath. Step one of the plan… complete.
.....
Later that day, the graduation ceremony for the new Shinigami was held. Despite already being a seated officer, Miyako had been invited back as a special guest—likely at Aizen's recommendation. He stood beside the stage as the headmaster gave the opening speech.
"Congratulations, everyone! You have officially become members of the Gotei 13. From this day forward—"
But Miyako wasn't paying much attention to the old man's words. His focus was on the person beside him—Aizen Sōsuke.
"Miyako-san is quite remarkable," Aizen said, smiling gently behind his glasses. "To graduate early and attain a seated officer rank in just one year… very impressive."
"You flatter me, Aizen-taichō," Miyako replied evenly. His face remained composed, but internally he was cautious.
"This man… his presence feels like a soft breeze, but it's all a mask. A dangerous, suffocating mask."
"Truly, there are very few who have risen through the ranks like you. There's no need to be so modest," Aizen continued, his voice like silk. "Surely, you can afford to be a bit proud."
"No, I still have a long way to go," Miyako replied, keeping his tone humble. "I aim to be like Shiba Kaien-fukutaichō… so there's no room for arrogance."
At the mention of Kaien's name, Aizen's smile twitched—just slightly.
"Ah… Kaien-san. A fine Shinigami. Such a loss," Aizen said with feigned regret.
Miyako resisted the urge to glare. "Loss? Please. You're the one who arranged it all… It's honestly impressive how easily he lies through his teeth."
"Now, please welcome the current Captain of the Fifth Division—Aizen Sōsuke-taichō!"
Polite applause echoed through the crowd as Aizen stepped onto the stage. Several graduates perked up—many had taken his classes at the Academy, and some were clearly infatuated.
With only a wave of his hand, the buzzing hall fell into silence.
"Tch… typical Aizen." Miyako observed quietly.
"As Shinigami, we are guardians of balance," Aizen began smoothly. "Graduation is merely the start. From this point on, you must hone your four core skills: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. Neglect none."
Then he paused, glancing at the audience.
"Our Zanpakutō are extensions of our souls. The Asauchi you've carried until now is a blank slate. Once you learn its true name, it will evolve into your personal Zanpakutō."
He continued with a faint smile. "To aid your understanding, I will now demonstrate the release of a Shikai."
Miyako's brows furrowed slightly. "Here it comes…"
Sure enough, Aizen drew his Zanpakutō with practiced grace.
"Kudakero, Kyōka Suigetsu." (Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu.)
A soft cracking sound rang out as a mist rolled in around the audience. Everything—light, space, sound—blurred for a moment. And just like that… they were caught in complete hypnosis.
"My Zanpakutō appears to manipulate mist and water," Aizen said. "Using chaotic reflections to confuse the enemy."
He gave no indication that he had just hypnotized the entire crowd.
Miyako stood frozen, just like everyone else. He didn't blink. He didn't move. But his mind raced.
"It's done. I've been caught. From this moment on, I won't be able to fully trust my own senses when he's around. I knew it would happen… but still—damn."
Aizen stepped back down and approached Miyako again.
"Your turn, Miyako-san," he said with a smile.
"Hai. Thank you, Aizen-taichō," Miyako replied. "That Shikai demonstration was… enlightening. It's my first time seeing one up close."
"You'll reach that level soon enough," Aizen replied, as pleasant as ever.
Miyako gave a small nod, then walked up, offered a brief speech to the new graduates, and made his exit. Every step away from that stage felt heavier than the last.
"That's the kind of power I'm up against. Kyōka Suigetsu… absolute hypnosis. I won't survive this world if I don't get stronger. Much stronger."
Back at his division quarters, he clenched his fists tightly.
"No one's going to stop me. I will gain the strength to surpass even him. I have to… or I'll die."
His expression hardened.
His path forward was clear.
And there was no turning back