Blood was spilled.
Although this wasn't uncommon inside a dōjō, this time the situation was completely different.
As if an entire bucket of cold water had been dumped over their heads, the audience, which had been buzzing with excitement, fell into a deathly silence.
Tōsen Kaname clenched his fists tightly, while Ise Nanao brought her hands to her mouth, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Yoruichi, on the other hand, smiled — she seemed satisfied, even excited by what was happening.
Aizen, rarely seen without expression, calmly observed Arima Shinya.
Each person there reacted differently, but a voice cut through the silence, firm and urgent:
— Wait, Lady Yoruichi! Isn't this way too unfair?!
The voice was anxious, urgent, yet carried an unwavering courage.
Wow… daring to oppose a noble's will? Who could have such audacity?
Everyone turned to see the source of the voice — a tall, slender young man in the Academy uniform, looking nervously in their direction.
His short silver hair had a slight wave; thick, furrowed eyebrows showed tension.
His lips, pressed tight with nervousness, trembled, and his gaze revealed more fear than courage.
It seemed the words had escaped his mouth impulsively. Trembling, the boy composed himself and continued:
— Lady Yoruichi, please… stop this fight!
The young woman with dark skin simply tilted her head, expressionless, and asked coldly:
— Who are you?
— Class 3-6, Kotetsu Isane!
The girl, who looked more like a frightened little porcupine, tried her best to appear imposing — which only made her stance more awkward and hesitant.
Even so, the mere act of introducing herself in front of everyone was enough to draw attention.
Her courage was, at the very least, admirable.
— Never heard of you… You're not a noble, right? — Yoruichi said with a smirk, dripping with sarcasm.
— Then from what position exactly do you speak to address me with such boldness?
— Lord Ōmaeda is a vice-captain! His level five spiritual pressure is enough to suffocate an ordinary person. Putting Arima Shinya against him is… —
Kotetsu hesitated, but the meaning was obvious.
It was pure and simple cowardice.
Everyone present knew it.
But Yoruichi, upon hearing those words, showed no reaction — she only raised the corner of her lips in an enigmatic smile.
— That's all you complain about? The unfairness?
— …Huh?
Kotetsu Isane blinked, confused.
What did she mean, "just the unfairness"?
But Yoruichi, with a disdainful expression, raised her right hand and made a casual gesture.
— Saying that only shows how immature you still are. — Her voice echoed coldly. — When you graduate, you will be assigned to a post, right?
And tell me: if during a mission, you encounter a Hollow, or a powerful enemy… will they stop attacking just because you are weak?
The answer was obvious.
— Of course not! Situations like that happen all the time. They are something every graduate must face — and understand!
You must always be ready to confront stronger enemies, even if it costs your life.
Even if you lose, even if you die, you must still fight — cause damage, prevent evil from continuing!
— The Thirteen Divisions are not a gentle place.
And protecting someone… is never something mere beautiful words can accomplish.
— The swords in your hands are not ornaments. So, stop being naive, students.
Yoruichi Shihōin's voice rang firmly, resonating across the entire arena. The environment fell completely silent.
Kotetsu Isane paled.
She opened her mouth, trying to respond, but no words came out.
Not only her strength, but even her rhetoric could not measure up to her opponent.
Trapped between fear and embarrassment, the little courage she had gathered began to crumble.
Then, suddenly, a hand gently rested on her shoulder.
Without noticing when, Aizen had approached from behind her.
Smiling, he spoke calmly:
— My apologies. This colleague was simply overly concerned for Arima-kun, and went too far.
— Disrespect is a fact, and naturally, she will be punished for it later.
— But… in consideration of the sincerity of her heart, could you, Lady Yoruichi, forgive this lapse?
Yoruichi's stern expression immediately softened.
It was as if the person who had spoken moments ago was completely different.
This sudden change… yes, this was the true Yoruichi Shihōin — unpredictable and terrifying.
She let out a small, light laugh and replied with indifference:
— Very well. If there is a reason, I can understand. But now I'm curious… exactly who did you stand up for, Kotetsu Isane?
— What is your relationship with him?
Her eyes narrowed in a teasing smile.
— Are you… dating, by any chance?
— …!!!
S-she just said that?!
Isane's face immediately turned red, boiling with embarrassment. She lowered her head, letting out a small muffled sound:
— N-n-no! It's nothing like that!
But denying it like that only made everything seem more suspicious…
Kotetsu Isane, you are impressive.
Even Aizen, beside her, let out a resigned sigh.
Meanwhile, in the center of the arena—
The young man, still trembling, struggled to stand.
He wiped the blood running from the corner of his mouth with his right hand, his gaze cold and firm.
Blood…
That blow had been truly heavy.
— I almost died just now, Ōmaeda-senpai. — said Arima Shinya, with a weary smile.
And he wasn't exaggerating.
The difference in spiritual power between them was colossal — Ōmaeda's reiatsu explosion had crushed him like an adult crushing a child.
Kotetsu Isane had been right: the power of a vice-captain was something an ordinary student could never face.
But, hearing Arima's words, Ōmaeda kept an impassive expression, returning to his attack stance.
— I cannot avoid it; I hope you don't take it personally, young one.
— After all, these are Lady Yoruichi's orders.
— Bearing the name of the Shihōin Clan, I must fight with all that I have.
There was nothing wrong with what he said…
But even so, it was something that could not be ignored.
— So that's it? A noble's pride is reduced to attacking by surprise?
Ōmaeda remained silent.
Arima Shinya only smiled lightly.
— Well… from my point of view, I probably shouldn't even be saying this, haha.
Shinigami were never heroes.
And the Thirteen Divisions were never a group of "defenders of justice."
For a thousand years, they had been known as a feared organization of assassins.
Nothing had changed.
They did whatever was necessary to achieve their goals — even if it meant resorting to tricks, lies, or despicable actions.
This was how the Commander-in-Chief himself, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, taught it.
Manipulate, deceive, attack from the shadows — all of this was also a form of willpower.
And for that reason…
— Hiding my abilities now would be disrespectful, Ōmaeda-senpai. — said Arima, adjusting his stance.
He took a deep breath — the metallic taste of blood still in his mouth — and faced his opponent with a determined gaze.
— The second fight today… I count on your guidance.