"What?"
Gin looked up in surprise at Kyoya.
He hadn't expected that after defeating the former Lieutenant of the 11th Division, Kyoya would invite him to become the new Lieutenant of the 11th Division.
"Ichimaru Gin, become my Lieutenant!"
Kyoya repeated his invitation: "Your current Captain, Captain Hirako, has already said that as long as you agree, your division registration can be transferred to the 11th Division at any time."
"I can promise you this… if you join the 11th Division and become its Lieutenant, I'll personally guide you in Zanjutsu whenever you need it."
Pausing for a moment, Kyoya continued, "You've fought me before, so you know my level of skill in Zanjutsu."
"After our battle, I made another breakthrough in Zanjutsu, which allowed me to defeat the former Captain of the 11th Division, Kiganjo."
"With your talent, reaching my current level won't be a problem."
"So, what do you say?"
Gin remained silent.
There was no denying that Kyoya's offer was incredibly tempting.
Over the past year or so since he had been following Aizen, Gin had become increasingly aware of the vast gap between himself and Aizen.
Under Aizen's guidance, everything Gin learned and used fell within Aizen's domain. The only thing Gin could truly rely on was his Zanpakutō's ability.
But Kyoya's Zanjutsu… Gin had seen it firsthand.
It was a completely different combat skill from the Zanjutsu he had learned from Aizen.
If he could master such a Zanjutsu style, it would undoubtedly become a crucial asset in increasing his chances of success.
'Should I accept?'
'But if I left Aizen's side, would I still have the opportunity to uncover his weaknesses?'
Seeing that Gin didn't immediately refuse, Kyoya felt a surge of excitement.
"Gin, you don't mind me calling you that, right?"
"No."
Gin shook his head.
While he was technically older, in the Soul Society, strength determined seniority.
Even if Kyoya called him by a derogatory nickname, he wouldn't be able to refuse… unless his strength surpassed Kyoya's. Only then could he dictate how others addressed him, whether with respect or disdain.
"Gin, I know that Lieutenant Aizen was like a mentor to you, so you're grateful to him and want to repay him."
"But that doesn't mean you have to remain under Lieutenant Aizen forever."
"In fact, the stronger you become, the more you can repay Lieutenant Aizen."
"Think about it—if one day your strength completely surpasses Lieutenant Aizen's, wouldn't your ability to repay him be even greater?"
"I believe that if Lieutenant Aizen knew of your intentions, he would wholeheartedly support your decision to leave the 5th Division and join the 11th Division as its Lieutenant."
"After all, in the 5th Division, you'll be just a third seat at best."
"But in the 11th Division, you'd be the Lieutenant… second only to me, commanding hundreds of warriors!"
"And in the future, once your strength grows further, you can even challenge me directly. If you win, you could become the new Captain of the 11th Division!"
"What do you think, Lieutenant Aizen?"
Kyoya's final question was directed at Aizen.
At some point, Aizen had arrived at the foot of the training ground.
"He's right, Gin."
Aizen smiled faintly as he spoke to Gin: "I've already taught you everything I can."
"Coincidentally, Captain Kyoya's mastery of Zanjutsu is something even I can't match."
"By following Captain Kyoya, you'll be able to grow even further."
"Moreover, I'm also quite interested in Captain Kyoya's Zanjutsu. Once you've learned enough, I might even be able to glimpse the secrets of his techniques through you."
"So, how about it…?"
Gin gave Aizen a deep look.
'It seemed that Aizen was also quite interested in Kyoya's Zanjutsu.'
"I understand."
"Then, Captain Kyoya, I'll be in your care from now on."
"Hahaha, the honor is mine."
With Gin's agreement secured, Kyoya laughed heartily and pulled out the Lieutenant's armband of the 11th Division, tossing it to Gin.
"Third seat Ichinose, take Lieutenant Ichimaru to the 11th Division and introduce him to everyone."
"Yes, Captain Kyoya!"
As for not being appointed Lieutenant himself, Ichinose had no complaints.
Ultimately, the 11th Division was all about the strong, and since Gin had defeated him in the ring, it proved that he was superior to him.
Additionally, the age difference between them made it clear to Ichinose that even if he remained Lieutenant, he likely wouldn't be able to hold onto the position once Kyoya invited Gin to join.
Gin was the most famous prodigy before Kyoya's rise… completing his studies at the Shin'o Academy in just one year, graduating, and joining the 5th Division.
And just one year later, Gin had already risen to the position of fifth seat in the 5th Division. Today, he had even become the Lieutenant of the 11th Division.
Given another ten years, there was no doubt that Gin could reach the level of a Captain.
As for himself…
Ichinose knew his own limits.
Being the Lieutenant is already his limit.
In the future, he might be able to progress a fair distance as a Lieutenant, but becoming a Captain was a distant dream.
"Congratulations, congratulations…"
Shunsui was the first to offer his praise, "Gin's talent far surpasses even mine. Given some time, the 11th Division might soon have another Captain-level powerhouse."
The strongest members of the Gotei 13 were the Captains of each division.
Generally, those who possessed 3rd-class Reiryoku and had achieved Bankai were qualified to become Captains.
However, there were times when the Gotei 13 had no vacant Captain's positions, and those who weren't Captains but still possessed 3rd-class Reiryoku and had mastered Bankai were referred to as 'Captain-level' Shinigami.
Currently, the most widely recognized non-Captain with Captain-level strength was Sasakibe, who is the Lieutenant of the 1st Division.
At such a young age, Gin already had 5th-class Reiryoku. Within the next ten to twenty years, he would undoubtedly reach Captain-level strength.
For Shinigami, whose lifespans could exceed a thousand years, ten or twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.
By then, the 11th Division would become one of only two divisions in the Gotei 13 with two Captain-level fighters.
"Haha, it's only because everyone was kind enough to let me have him."
Kyoya laughed.
Indeed, Shinigami with Captain-level potential were highly sought after in every division.
For the Captains, their positions came with supreme authority… but also heavy responsibilities.
No one enjoyed being bound by duty.
If they had a Captain-level subordinate who could handle the division's affairs, they could free themselves from their duties and live leisurely.
Gin being appointed vice-captain of the 11th Division by Captain Kyoya marked the peak of the exchange event.
There were no official rewards for the winners of the sparring matches.
But catching the eye of a Captain, like Gin, who had earned Kyoya's favor and directly become a Lieutenant, wasn't that the greatest reward of all?
Soon, Lieutenants from various divisions began stepping onto the stage.
Omaeda Marenoshin of the 2nd Division defeated Shirogane Ginjiro, the third seat of the 6th Division, only to be defeated later by Chikane Iba of the 3rd Division.
After Chikane Iba was eliminated, the 12th Division's Lieutenant, Sarugaki Hiyori was defeated by the 7th Division's Lieutenant Kotsubaki Jinemon.
Then, Lieutenant of the 9th Division, Kuna Mashiro took the stage, only to also lose to Kotsubaki Jinemon.
However, after defeating two vice-captains in a row, Kotsubaki Jinemon knew he couldn't achieve a third victory and voluntarily stepped down.
The next person to take the stage was Yadomaru Lisa, the Lieutenant of 8th Division, but she was defeated by a brown-skinned young man wearing a blue blindfold, who emerged from the ranks of the 9th Division.
"Oh? I didn't expect there would be someone like this in my division."
This time, even the Captain of the 9th Division, Kensei, was surprised.
With this young man's strength, if he had revealed it earlier, Kensei would have undoubtedly valued him highly.
Even if personal reasons prevented him from competing with Kuna for the Lieutenant's position, he could have at least secured the third seat.
Kyoya chuckled to himself.
'As if someone of Kensei's level could make Tosen serve him.'
'Dream on.'
At this point, Tosen had likely already mastered Bankai.
If Kyoya wasn't mistaken, the eyepatch Tisen was wearing now must have been crafted by Aizen himself… it suppressed Tosen's spiritual pressure to 4th-class level.
If he removed that blindfold, Tosen's strength would surpass Kensei's by a wide margin!
By now, among the divisions participating in the exchange, only Lieutenant of the 5th Division, Aizen, and Lieutenant of the 6th Division, Kuchiki Sojun, had yet to take the stage.
Everyone knew that Sojun's health was poor, so it was unlikely he would participate in this sparring event.
Thus, all eyes turned to Aizen, who stood at the edge of the ring.
Throughout the exchange, Aizen had been quietly assisting, using [Floating Spirit Stretcher] to transport injured Shinigami to the 4th Division's medical area for treatment, earning himself a wave of admiration.
Seeing everyone's gazes on him, Aizen adjusted his glasses, his faint smile charming many of the female Shinigami present.
'That Aizen guy…'
From the captains' seating area, Kyoya watched as Aizen finally took the stage.
He was now certain that the reason this exchange between the 5th and 11th Divisions had turned into a Gotei 13-wide event was due to Aizen's behind-the-scenes manipulations.
Only this way could Aizen ensure that most of the Shinigami in Seireitei would fall under the influence of his Kyoka Suigetsu.