Kyoya's words weren't entirely a lie to Gin.
When Kyoya began displaying his Zanjutsu talent and rapidly advanced through the academy grades, people started comparing him to Gin.
The more this was mentioned, even if Kyoya had initially known nothing about Gin, he would have inevitably learned some details about him through these discussions.
"But, Senpai, didn't you already join the 5th Division?"
"Why are you back at the academy again?"
"Ara ara, it's not like I wanted to come back-"
Gin scratched his head with an almost embarrassed expression, "But how could I ignore the rumors of my genius junior that have even reached the divisions?"
"So, Lieutenant Aizen asked me to conduct a test on you, junior."
"If you pass, he'll extend an invitation for you to join the 5th Division."
"Aizen?"
Kyoya frowned.
It was common for prodigies in the Shin'o Academy to draw the attention of the Gotei 13. If a division took interest, those with recruitment authority would extend invitations to bolster their ranks. Kyoya knew this.
Kyoya knew this.
But what Kyoya hadn't expected was that the first to approach him would be Aizen.
Originally, Kyoya had assumed that with the Zanjutsu talent he'd displayed, even if Yamamoto himself didn't take notice, at least his two disciples, Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro, might show some interest.
Even Unohana Retsu from the 4th Division might have taken an interest in his Zanjutsu potential.
After all, as far as Kyoya knew, the reason Unohana had stepped down as captain of the 11th Division to lead the 4th was her defeat against Zaraki Kenpachi in the Rukongai.
The title 'Kenpachi' was one Unohana had claimed for herself during her days as 'Yachiru', proclaiming herself the 'strongest Shinigami'.
This alone spoke volumes about how fiercely proud she had been. Even after losing to Yamamoto, she hadn't considered herself defeated in Zanjutsu… only by his Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka.
But in that battle in the Rukongai, Unohana had suffered a crushing defeat.
To match her, Zaraki had unconsciously suppressed his Reiatsu during their duel.
That fight left both Unohana and Zaraki believing they had lost.
Unohana felt she had failed to push her opponent to his limits, making her unworthy of the title Kenpachi.
To prepare for their next battle, she turned to mastering Kaido to sustain longer combat endurance.
Zaraki, unaware that he had unconsciously restrained his Reiatsu, simply remembered an exhilarating fight where he was ultimately defeated by Unohana.
If Unohana believed Kyoya had the potential to become a future Kenpachi, she might have extended an olive branch.
But as things stood, the one who showed the most interest in him was Aizen.
...Or perhaps it was Gin?
Kyoya didn't believe for a second that the current Gin wouldn't have investigated his connection to Rangiku.
And Rangiku was Gin's weakness.
Given that Kyoya had once been associated with Rangiku, it was only natural for Gin to personally assess him… to judge his character and whether he posed any threat to Rangiku.
If Kyoya proved harmless, or even beneficial, to Rangiku, Gin might leave him be.
But if Kyoya was deemed a potential threat, Gin would undoubtedly eliminate him before he could grow stronger!
"So, how will this test work?"
"Well, since we're Shinigami..."
"It's only natural that we-"
"-fight!"
The last word seemed to whisper directly into Kyoya's ear.
No, it wasn't just a sensation… it was in his ear!
Gin's previous figure dissolved into an afterimage.
'Such incredible Shunpo!' Kyoya's heart raced.
It must be known that, because of him, Gin had only entered the Shin'o Academy one year earlier than him and Rangiku.
But with the level of Shunpo currently demonstrated by Gin, even some instructors at the Shin'o Academy cannot compare to him!
Fortunately, Kyoya's wariness toward Gin, or rather, toward Aizen, was at its peak. The moment he sensed Gin's presence, he had already activated his Observation Haki. Thus, Gin's sudden attack didn't catch him entirely off guard.
Clang!
The sound of clashing blades rang out, sparks erupting between Kyoya and Gin.
"Not bad." Gin remarked, his perpetually narrowed eyes cracking open just a sliver.
Kyoya's reaction was as if he had seen through Gin's movements in advance, drawing his sword to block before Gin's Zanpakuto could strike.
"Then… how about this?"
With that, Gin's Zanpakuto thrust forward in a rapid flurry, transforming into dozens of afterimages that enveloped Kyoya.
Swish, swish, swish-!
Clang, clang, clang-!
Kyoya gripped his sword with both hands, desperately parrying Gin's attacks.
However, even with Kenbunshoku Haki allowing him to perceive Gin's movements and react in advance, Kyoya was still forced to retreat under the relentless assault.
The difference in their attack speed was simply too vast.
Gin's Zanpakuto, [Shinso], can be said to be the Zanpakuto with the 'fastest attack speed' in Soul Society.
Even though he has not released his Zanpakuto, Gin, who was able to wield Shinso, has the characteristic of 'extreme speed' in himself.
Out of every ten strikes Gin unleashed, Kyoya could block at most six or seven… the rest forced him to dodge or retreat.
'He's too strong!'
Kyoya gritted his teeth as he stepped back, his mind racing.
While Gin had indeed entered the Shin'o Academy a year earlier than himself, and joined the 5th Division more than half a year earlier.
However, the achievements completed by Kyoya also given him the results of one year and one month of training.
By that calculation, Kyoya had actually trained longer than Gin by a month.
And yet, in a pure Zanjutsu duel, he was still at a disadvantage.
No… this wasn't just a disadvantage!
Kyoya was currently using Observation Haki, and even then, he was barely managing to defend against Gin's attacks.
If Kyoya hadn't been using his Observation Haki, he doubted he could survive more than a few slashes.
Frustration.
That was the first emotion Kyoya felt.
As a swordsman who had comprehended [Breath of All Things], his strikes carried not only the sharpness to cut steel but also the ability to send flying slashes by riding the 'breath' of the world.
However, in this battle against Gin, neither of these advantages could be utilized.