In the next moment, the endless space compressed and folded before Yuta's eyes. Distances collapsed inward, and the world ahead warped like scenes projected on film-layers of folded space and twisted landscapes converged into impossible forms.
Yuta placed his hand firmly on Aizen Sousuke's shoulder and stepped forward.
With that single step, they traversed what should have been countless kilometers in the span of seconds. The world around them blurred as if time had accelerated unnaturally.
They arrived at the Kido Corps' designated training grounds-a flat clearing beside the river, far from populated areas to contain the risk associated with practicing dangerous Kidō techniques.
Taking in Yuta's use of the new technique, "Blue," Aizen spoke with mild curiosity. "I didn't expect this ability to include spatial transfer."
Tessai, the former Kido Corps Captain, had once developed similar methods, though those techniques were deemed forbidden by Central 46 and forbidden from standard use.
As their presence became known, members of the Kido Corps emerged. One of them stepped forward and addressed them cautiously. "Who are you? What are you doing on Kido Corps grounds?"
With Kyōka Suigetsu active, none of them recognized Aizen's true identity. They saw only an ordinary Shinigami-bland appearance, glasses, and the look of someone who wouldn't last half an arc in any conflict-driven storyline.
Yuta stepped forward, showing the Captain's seal in his hand. "I'm the new Kido Corps Captain," he said directly. "From today forward, you're under my command."
There was confusion among the members at his words. The Kido Corps had been without leadership since the Hollowfication incident years ago. Captain and vice-captain positions had remained vacant since then.
Many in the Corps lacked Zanpakutō altogether. Ise Nanao, for example, had once applied to join due to her lack of aptitude in close combat-but Kyoraku had intervened behind the scenes and redirected her to the Eighth Division, leaving her Kidō talents underutilized in another post.
Among the Gotei 13, the Kido Corps were often viewed as little better than logistical support-useful only until true combat started.
Murmurs broke out quickly among the gathered members:
"What's happening? Why do we suddenly have a Captain again?"
"Is that plain-looking guy the new Vice-Captain?"
"They don't seem qualified..."
"Is this our future now?"
Yuta regarded them with calm amusement. "Are you dissatisfied?"
From the crowd, one man with flaming red afro hair stepped forward confidently-Yoshida Toshiaki. He jabbed his thumb at himself and grinned. "I don't accept this! Let's settle it one-on-one!"
His elder brother-tall, with smooth dark hair and reserved features-approached calmly. Holding his weapon, Aoki Toshiaki knocked it lightly against Yoshida's head and sighed. "Foolish brother. The man holds the Captain's badge. What good is your disapproval? You'd rather disobey Central 46? Think before you act."
Yoshida grumbled but held back from direct rebuttal under his brother's gaze. He crossed his arms but said nothing further.
"I'm Aoki Toshiaki," the older brother stated with formal tone. "And this is my brother, Yoshida Toshiaki. We greet the new Captain."
He took five respectful steps forward and offered a bow. Yoshida followed, albeit with clear reluctance written on his face.
Yuta smiled faintly. "I don't mind the doubt," he said. "It's natural. If you want to challenge me, fine-but defeat my Vice-Captain first."
Without waiting for confirmation, Yuta placed a hand on Aizen's shoulder again. "Sousuke here will represent me."
At his name's distortion, Aizen raised his brow slightly. "Why exactly am I your Vice-Captain?"
Yuta looked surprised. "Didn't you say you wanted to join the Kido Corps? I promised to make you my Vice-Captain. Did you forget already? …Soyosuke."
He gave Aizen another friendly pat on the shoulder, mispronouncing his name again without remorse.
With no visible frustration, Aizen sighed inwardly. It had been said as a joke-but since it was Yuta, he'd allow it. After being given the Hōgyoku, indulging this request was hardly any trouble.
Turning to the crowd, Aizen stepped forward. "All of you," he said plainly. "Come at me together."
There was stunned silence.
"Vice-Captain… what did you just say?" someone asked, thinking they had misheard.
They hadn't. Aizen had clearly asked for them to attack at once-all of them.
Even with the mere idea of concentrated firepower from dozens of trained Kidō users, the notion felt suicidal. In united force, they could unleash overwhelming destruction.
Yoshida grinned. "Now that's my kind of fight!"
As he started forward, his brother raised two fingers and whispered: "Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi."
Dark energy erupted in silence. A great black coffin emerged-swallowing ghost forces by the dozens, sealing them in death and silence. By the time it dissipated, most had fallen unconscious, bleeding heavily onto the ground.
When the black energy crumbled behind him, Aizen stood calmly-unmoved by their defeat.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
With one incantationless spell, he had sealed away nearly the entire Kido Corps in seconds. The scale was impossible-the technique precise and lethal. This man, who looked so unremarkable, had revealed near-insurmountable power.
And if this was the Vice-Captain… what did that make the Captain?
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