The smile on Gin's face faded slightly. "Though I hate to admit it, Kyoya-kun is a greater genius than I am-"
Gin's mind flashed back to the battle he had with Kyoya two months prior.
By all accounts, Gin was superior in every way.
Reiatsu, physical ability, speed, strength, skill...
A complete overwhelming advantage!
Logically speaking, with such a gap, he should have been able to defeat Kyoya instantly.
It wasn't just that Kyoya was weaker than him… even those with greater Reiatsu than his had ultimately fallen to his blade.
However, in his fight against Kyoya, Gin felt as though every move he made had been seen through.
What kind of combat talent was that?
Even after he released his Zanpakuto, Kyoya had managed to block it.
And more than that...
Gin hadn't forgotten… at the end of their battle, Kyoya had also released his Zanpakuto!
But at that time, Kyoya's Reiryoku was only 8th-class!
Ignoring everything else, just that last fact alone proved that Kyoya was no ordinary Shinigami.
"More of a genius than you?"
Aizen paused for a moment before smiling, "It seems I've been too arrogant before."
Without a doubt, Aizen was a genius among geniuses.
In less than a hundred years, he had already reached the limits of what a Shinigami could achieve.
It's precisely because the gap between him and other Shinigami was so vast that Aizen found it impossible to relate to them.
Even someone like Gin, whom others considered a 'monster', was merely passable in Aizen's eyes.
He had taken Gin under his wing simply to see what surprises the boy might bring.
As for Kyoya-
Well, though rumors circulated that Kyoya was a 'monster' comparable to Gin, to Aizen, Kyoya's low Reiatsu was a fatal flaw. Even if Kyoya had remarkable talent in Zanjutsu, his ceiling was already determined by his Reiatsu.
But now, hearing Gin speak like this, Aizen found himself genuinely intrigued by Kyoya.
At the same time, Kyoya's growth also gave Aizen some new thoughts about the students of the Shin'o Academy.
"It seems I'll need to spare some time to visit the Shin'o Academy in the future-"
Though Aizen had already reached the limits of a Shinigami's power, if he wanted to act within the Seireitei, he couldn't afford to make too much noise.
After all, Yamamoto's strength was not something the current Aizen could challenge.
Yamamoto is the strongest Shinigami in the Seireitei in a thousand years, and it was no mere boast. That title had been carved out with the edge of his sword.
Perhaps in the four Shinigami fundamental combat arts: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido, the gap between Aizen and Yamamoto wasn't insurmountable.
However, the difference in their Zanpakuto's abilities made it nearly impossible for Aizen to defeat Yamamoto.
True, with the power of [Kyoka Suigetsu], Aizen could escape from Yamamoto's presence.
But if Yamamoto disregarded the safety of the Soul Society and unleashed his full power, Aizen might be severely wounded in an instant.
This was the difference between the strongest illusion-type Zanpakuto and the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto.
Though, a thousand years later, the likelihood of Yamamoto fully releasing his power was slim, Aizen wasn't willing to take even the slightest risk.
At the very least, until he achieved his goals, he wouldn't allow himself to be exposed before Yamamoto.
Therefore, to minimize the risk of exposure, he decided that from now on, he would make time every year to visit the Shin'o Academy… to broaden the students' horizons, let them witness the power of Shikai early, and ignite their desire to grow stronger.
"As for Kyoya..."
Aizen's index finger tapped lightly on the desk.
"I'll wait until he stands before me, and then find an opportunity to fight him once!"
"Otherwise, overlooking such a 'genius' might create unforeseen flaws in my plans."
Aizen's Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, had the ability to completely control an opponent's five senses.
This power was what Aizen called [Complete Hypnosis].
For example, right now, Aizen and Gin were openly conversing in the Captain's office of the 5th Division, yet the actual Captain, Shinji, showed no reaction.
To Hirako, today might just feel like an unusually noisy day with too many mosquitoes buzzing around the office.
…
"Kyoya-kun, this is the 11th Division."
The Shinigami who had escorted Kyoya to report for duty stopped at the entrance of the 11th Division's barracks.
"Yes, thanks."
After nodding and thanking the Shinigami who had brought him here, Kyoya stepped through the gates.
Contrary to his expectations, Kyoya wasn't greeted by any welcoming division's members.
In fact, there wasn't even a guard stationed at the entrance.
Releasing his Observation Haki, Kyoya quickly sensed the largest concentration of Reiatsu and headed in that direction.
At the training grounds, a crowd of Shinigami had gathered, and one of them finally noticed Kyoya.
"Oi? Whose kid is this?"
"This isn't a playground. Scram."
The first 11th Division member to spot Kyoya casually waved him off, expecting him to leave on his own.
Then, he turned back to watch the fight between two Shinigami at the center of the crowd.
The 11th Division is the combat division.
Therefore, even if its members weren't all battle maniacs, the division's atmosphere ensured that every Shinigami here had an intense passion for fighting.
Today, there was a seated officer challenge, which had drawn a large audience.
Normally, few outsiders visited the 11th Division, so even the gatekeepers had come to the training grounds, which was why Kyoya had been able to walk in unhindered.
"I'm Kyoya, a newly graduated student from the Shin'o Academy, here to join the 11th Division."
"Excuse me, where should I go to register now?"
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the surrounding Shinigami seemed to remember: "Ah, right. Last month was the academy's exam period, so new recruits should be arriving around now."
"But… kid, shouldn't you be heading to the 4th Division instead?"
After hearing Kyoya's words, these Shinigami couldn't help but look at Kyoya with suspicion.
It couldn't be helped… Kyoya, who is still in his white academy uniform, stood at less than 140 cm tall, looking small and entirely non-threatening.
Someone like him, even if he was a 'genius', belonged in one of the less combat-oriented divisions.