The golden pillar of Reiatsu soared into the sky, instantly tearing open the Dojo ceiling and piercing the clouds.
Many students in the Dojo were caught off guard and were blown away by the aftershock of the Reiatsu, like a pile of overturned dumplings, crashing against the walls and rolling on the ground.
Kinoshita, who was facing the direct impact at point-blank range, smashed through the wall behind him and fell outside the Dojo.
Kuchiki Sōjun reached out: "Bakudō #39... Enkōsen!"
The circular Reiatsu wall instantly condensed into shape. Although it didn't have the comprehensive defense of Bakudō #81: Dankū, it blocked most of the impact and protected Yamada Seinosuke and Aizen behind it.
Looking at Mikami Yu at the center of the pillar of light, Kuchiki Sōjun's eyes were filled with surprise.
As the legitimate son of a noble family, he had been exposed to various powerful Shinigami since he was a child and had received elite education in his family before attending school.
Therefore, he could say with 100% certainty that the Reiatsu emanating from Mikami Yu had reached the level of a Vice-Captain of the Gotei 13!
His first thought was to be happy for his friend.
But then, Kuchiki Sōjun became confused.
Mikami Yu enrolled as a commoner and was an ordinary soul six months ago.
Usually, the strength he showed was probably at the level of a Shinigami trainee. To be fair, this speed was already amazing.
Even among the noble children with bloodline advantages, only a small number could do it.
But now, Mikami Yu suddenly proved with his actions that his usual strength was all a disguise, and his true strength had reached the Vice-Captain level?
Kuchiki Sōjun couldn't help but wonder if he was dreaming.
All the students who hadn't been blown away were now dumbfounded, as if they couldn't believe reality.
Behind Kuchiki Sōjun, Yamada Seinosuke subconsciously pinched his arm, wincing in pain.
Aizen knelt in place, with his hands on his knees, his whole body as if he had been given a petrifying spell, staring at Mikami Yu with wide eyes.
As a Shinigami from a commoner background, he didn't know how to cultivate Reiatsu before attending school.
Although he had an extraordinary talent, his Reiatsu was only at the level of an ordinary Seated Officer when he first enrolled.
In just half a year, he had learned how to cultivate Reiatsu from scratch and eventually became a powerhouse at the Vice-Captain level.
Although no one knew, he was actually very proud of this.
In the Shino Academy's library, he had read the information of outstanding students of previous generations and could confirm that no one had ever achieved his cultivation speed before.
Sometimes, Aizen even felt that he might be a life form of a different level than Shinigami, but for some reason, he appeared as a Shinigami.
As a result, just as he was so proud, a certain "unremarkable" friend gave him a big "surprise."
At this moment, right before his eyes, the Reiatsu displayed on Mikami Yu's body was absolutely no less than his!
For a time, Aizen's mood was extremely complicated.
He himself couldn't be sure what he was thinking now.
Was he ashamed of his long-standing complacency?
Was he happy that his friend possessed such a powerful force?
Was he surprised that Mikami Yu could hide so well, having such strength but never showing it?
After a few seconds of thought, Aizen took a deep breath.
The above thoughts did exist in his mind.
But... more than that, it was a sense of security.
So that's how it is, he wasn't a strange existence.
Besides himself, there were others in the world who could grow at this incredible speed.
Aizen took a deep breath, calming the rising joy in his heart.
In his heart, a feeling called anticipation arose after a long absence.
Anticipation for how he would grow, anticipation for how Mikami Yu would grow.
Anticipation for who was the more special one between the two of them.
Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind.
In the morning, outside the school, Mikami Yu looked at him very seriously.
"Sosuke, you must work hard to become a man who stands above everyone else, invincible in the world!"
At that time, he thought Mikami Yu was acting crazy, inexplicably.
Now, he suddenly understood.
So that's how it is...
Mikami, that guy, probably vaguely realized that he was hiding his strength.
Just like he was anticipating him, this guy was also anticipating him.
If nothing unexpected happened, Mikami Yu was probably as confused about this power as he was, not knowing what kind of existence he was.
Thinking of this, Aizen couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.
In that case, he had to hide his strength even better.
In the words of that guy Mikami Yu—isn't it a different kind of pleasure to see others anxious and uncomfortable?
Compared to Aizen, Kinoshita's mood wasn't so good.
Outside the Dojo, he was covered in dirt, lying on the ground like a big turtle.
Who am I? Where is this? What am I doing?
The bamboo sword in his hand had broken into two pieces at some point.
The clothes on his body were also torn into strips by the Reiatsu impact, as if he was wearing a broken rag.
His whole body was in pain.
He probably broke a few bones in that last attack.
Looking at the golden Reiatsu pillar that went straight into the sky, Kinoshita couldn't help but feel like he had been screwed over.
That Mikami Yu was hiding such a terrifying trump card.
This guy's Reiatsu... was at the Vice-Captain level!
How the hell did he cultivate it?
Even Kuchiki Kōga, who was known as a genius who was rare in the Soul Society for hundreds of years and was a commoner from Rukongai who married into the Kuchiki family, wasn't so exaggerated back then.
He supported himself on the ground and barely stood up, looking inside the Dojo through the big hole he had crashed out of.
Looking at Mikami Yu standing in the pillar of Reiatsu, his eyes gradually shone with excitement.
A genius... this was a real genius!
Although he didn't know why this kid had been hiding his strength all this time, it didn't matter.
He had been a teacher at the Shino Academy for so many years, and he had finally met a genius!
One day in the future, when this kid became a pillar of the Soul Society, the world would know that he was this kid's teacher!
Thinking of this, Kinoshita couldn't help but grin, revealing a silly smile.
Under everyone's gaze, Mikami Yu desperately suppressed his Reiatsu and finally managed to take it all back.
After taking a few deep breaths, he turned to look at Aizen Sosuke.
This guy could hide it so well.
Although the strength he usually showed was at the level of a Shinigami trainee, his real strength was already at the Vice-Captain level!
If the system hadn't synchronized his strength, he probably wouldn't have found out until graduation.
So this was Aizen Sosuke... terrifying.
Thinking that he had dared to underestimate the legendary Aizen before, Mikami Yu couldn't help but blush.
Seeing Mikami Yu looking at him, Aizen raised the corners of his mouth.
This guy must be silently asking himself if his strength could compare to him.
He just wouldn't respond, to see if he would get anxious.
Seeing Aizen smile at him, Mikami Yu couldn't help but feel touched.
Fortunately, Aizen in his youth wasn't so scheming yet and didn't laugh at him for only realizing his strength now.
What a kind guy!