Kensei Kenzuru opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling for a moment, then suddenly sat up.
"Huh?"
Kensei was surprised to find he wasn't sore all over like last time. Instead, he felt an indescribable refreshing, as if he'd gotten an extended session at a foot spa. His mind was clear like it had gained new intelligence.
Getting out of bed, Kensei stretched, feeling his body was in an unprecedented state of good condition. He hadn't done anything last night except get that sedative from Sōsuke. Presumably, that was the source of this effect.
Sōsuke's a real stand-up guy!
"Awake?"
Before Kensei could investigate further, a gentle male voice came from outside the room.
Kensei turned to look. Aizen sat in a chair, one hand propping up his chin, the other casually flipping through documents on the table. The usually meticulous Aizen today had his collar uncharacteristically undone, revealing a glimpse of skin in the gap.
Aizen's face seemed to shine under the light. Unlike the usual, somewhat falsely excessive and gentle, he now carried a more natural languidness. His posture was more casual than usual, and the fingers propping his chin tapped rhythmically against his cheek.
Though he knew he shouldn't, Kensei felt his heart skip a beat.
First, a serious statement: Kensei Kenzuru's sexual orientation was absolutely normal.
But how to put it... Today's Aizen gave him a feeling... well, a very sisterly vibe.
Could it be that I, Kensei Kenzuru, like Yujiro Hanma, have such high testosterone that I start seeing everyone as female?
"What's wrong?" Aizen looked up, pushed his glasses, and the temperament around him returned to normal. "Is your brain malfunctioning first thing in the morning?"
"Nothing."
Kensei quickly shook his head. Looking at the now-normal Aizen, he figured his brain probably just hadn't booted up yet after waking.
"Come, sit. There's some news I should inform you about."
Aizen pointed to the chair opposite him, his voice growing more serious.
Seeing Aizen's demeanor, Kensei's heart beat a little faster. This scene felt strangely reminiscent of a doctor in a hospital saying, "Go home and eat whatever you want."
"What I'm going to tell you today... might be somewhat impactful."
"I'm a professional Shinigami. I won't be afraid. You can say it with confidence."
Kensei straightened his back. What in this world was worth fearing? Did they not understand the value of being the Special Emissary of the Soul King? Unless Aizen wanted to eat his hotdog...
"Is that so?" Aizen raised an eyebrow. Though he knew this news likely wouldn't affect Kensei much, he still wanted to see his reaction. "Then I'll tell you directly."
Aizen leaned forward slightly, interlacing his fingers before his mouth. The light reflecting off his glasses obscured his eyes as he slowly spoke: "Kensei, your body is different from a normal Shinigami's."
Kensei froze.
"Earlier, by analyzing your blood composition, I detected at least two completely different sources of power within you."
"The first is undoubtedly Shinigami power. As for the second..."
Kensei felt a surge of excitement. Seeing Aizen stare at him without continuing, he hurriedly urged, "Keep going!"
Watching the excitement and excitement on Kensei's face with no other reaction, Aizen thought, just as expected, and continued, "The second is the power of a Hollow."
"Woo-hoo! Lift-off!"
Kensei howled like a monkey that had snatched a banana from a tourist, springing up from his chair with both hands raised high, as if trying to punch through the ceiling.
"Watch closely, Sōsuke! My transformation!"
Finally calming down, Kensei struck what he thought was a cool pose. His right hand formed a claw in front of his face, then he slashed it downward—
And nothing happened. There was no surge of spiritual pressure, no mask appearing on his face.
The laboratory was left with only the beeping of running instruments and Aizen's calm,戏谑 gaze from behind his glasses.
"Uh..."
Kensei's hand hung stiff in the air. Disbelieving, he touched his own face, searching for a bone mask. Unfortunately, fate was not on his side; all he felt was a handsome face and nothing else.
"You dog, Sōsuke! Are you just toying with me?!"
With that, Kensei raised a fist and aimed it at Aizen, determined to make red and white things splatter everywhere.
"I only said you have Hollow power within you. I never said you could use it right now."
Aizen explained unhurriedly to Kensei, not even bothering to dodge. He knew Kensei was just trying to save face.
Sure enough, Kensei's fist stopped before reaching Aizen. He withdrew his strength and sat back down, looking utterly exhausted and disappointed.
"Ah, forget it. The fate just isn't here yet. Forcing it would spoil the beauty."
He had wanted to make Aizen jealous, but instead, he'd become the clown.
Watching Kensei listlessly on the table, Aizen pushed his glasses up. "Don't worry. Since this other power exists within you, there must be a way to stimulate it."
Hearing Aizen's words, Kensei stroked his chin, recalling that Ichigo's first Hollowfication happened after he was severely injured, right? Did he need that method to activate it?
"Come on, Sōsuke! Hit me right in the chest!"
Thinking led to action. Kensei was never one to delay. He grabbed Aizen's hand and placed it on his own chest, urging her to unleash her full Kidō, preferably blasting a hole right through the middle of his chest.
Feeling the familiar touch, a flicker of discomfort passed over Aizen's face, and he gently pushed Kensei away.
"Just don't try anything reckless on your own. If it causes any disturbance, you're finished." To prevent Kensei from causing trouble by experimenting in private, Aizen felt it necessary to warn him properly. "You don't want to make things difficult for the Captain-Commander, do you?"
Looking for someone in Makassar today
Willing to lie about how we met
Hearing "Old Man Yama," the excitement in Kensei's eyes subsided somewhat. Old Man Yama had been good to him. No need to cause him trouble.
Ah, if Old Man Yama knew I was being this filial, he could probably get split into 2.5 by Yhwach and still rest in peace with a smile.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you should head back."
Seeing Kensei calm down, Aizen waved a hand, ready to drive him away. Keeping him here any longer would only add to the noise.
"Oh, right, Sōsuke, if you're planning any Hollowfication experiments, remember to tell me." Kensei remembered just as he reached the door. "So you don't accidentally create some uncontrollable creatures and expose your location."
Aizen's hands, which were tidying documents, paused imperceptibly. He couldn't help but lift the corner of his mouth.
"Understood."
Only after Kensei had left did Aizen retrieve a heavily encrypted file from a hidden secret compartment.
Looking at the recorded experimental procedures and data from last night on the papers in his hand, Aizen's smile deepened a few more degrees.
"What reason should I use next time..."
Aizen's murmur lingered briefly in the empty laboratory before slowly fading away.
In a secret annex of the Shihōin Clan, Yoruichi sneezed.
"Too much training lately?" She rubbed her nose, scratching her purple hair. "My head feels a bit heavy recently. Could I be getting sick?"
Looking down to inspect her body, Yoruichi nodded with satisfaction.
"It's ready. My little Kensei better be prepared for my surprise."
Her hearty laugh echoed in the empty space. No one knew what exactly the "surprise" Yoruichi spoke of was.
***
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