"If there's anything about us that could attract the attention of the Four Great Noble Houses, aside from our Zanpakutō abilities, it's talent," Aizen said calmly.
"But talent and Zanpakutō cannot be stolen. So if they're interested, it must be in something they think is a byproduct of that talent. Something they believe they can extract or control."
As he spoke, Aizen lifted his right hand and closed his fingers into a subtle grip. It was a small gesture, almost casual, but in Ran En's eyes, it carried the weight of grasping the Four Nobles themselves.
Ran En thought for a moment.
"Fragment of the Spirit King."
The words came naturally. He trusted Aizen's mind more than anyone's. Ran En might surpass him in power due to his system, but no cheat could give him the kind of shrewd insight and layered intelligence that Aizen was born with.
If Aizen said it, then it was likely true.
He was probably referring to the remnants of the Spirit King's essence that had scattered into the three realms after the Spirit King was sealed and fragmented.
"You thought of something?"
Aizen turned, noticing Ran En had gone silent.
"Not really," Ran En replied. "I was just thinking while listening to you. Practiced another Hadō during our walk."
He kept his voice light but honest.
No need to lie about it.
Just as Aizen was flexing his intellect and dissecting the motivations of the nobles, Ran En's support skills had stirred into motion again.
His system's so-called "companions" couldn't help themselves.
Kidō, Reiatsu, and even Kendo all wanted in on the action.
[Your Kidō says this situation is no big deal. Two seconds ago, it mastered Hadō #63: Raikōhō.]
[Your Kendo says anyone daring to test you should be cut down immediately, and has created a new technique: Double Severance.]
[Your Reiatsu was triggered by the analysis and made an impulsive breakthrough. It now reaches the equivalent of 8.5 car Reiatsu.]
Only his Zanpakutō stayed quiet, presumably off somewhere working on Bankai again.
Ran En sighed internally. His powers weren't just hardworking they were competitive. Too competitive.
Meanwhile, Aizen fell quiet.
The spring-like smile had vanished from his face.
He turned and walked ahead without a word.
So they had agreed to show off intelligence, yet Ran En used the moment to flex overwhelming growth again. He had wanted to feel useful, but instead it had turned into another round of Versailles-styled bragging.
Three days. That was all he would allow himself.
Tonight, he would complete Shikai.
He had no intention of being stuck as the tactician beside Ran En, watching from the sidelines while his brother shone.
Elsewhere.
After leaving the Spiritual Arts Academy, Byakuya Kuchiki returned home under the silent escort of several elite guards of the Kuchiki clan.
Awaiting him was his grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei, the current head of the Kuchiki family.
"Grandfather."
"As you instructed, I engaged Ran En Sōsuke in a controlled duel."
"It was my incompetence that brought shame to the Kuchiki name."
Byakuya bowed deeply.
He recounted the encounter with Ran En and Aizen in precise detail.
"A Reiatsu level beyond that of most captains. Complete mastery of all Kidō under number sixty in a single morning."
"This is not ordinary talent."
Ginrei listened without interrupting, his expression remaining still, though a flicker of solemnity occasionally crossed his eyes.
"It is fine, Byakuya."
"If the path of a Shinigami is a long track, then yes, Ran En is sprinting ahead right now."
"But this race is not a hundred meters. It isn't a thousand meters. It spans a thousand years."
"If you continue without rest, without distraction, and keep your heart steady, others may stumble where you endure."
Ginrei smiled gently.
"Our family has never lacked shortcuts. If needed, we could elevate you to captain level swiftly. But that would weaken your foundation."
"There are limits to Reiatsu and Zanjutsu. Natural ceilings that cannot be broken by talent alone."
"Let him lead in the first half. You will win in the second."
Byakuya raised his head.
"I understand. I won't let you down."
"You never have."
Ginrei nodded with approval.
"Now go to the rear training grounds. Begin Bankai practice. That is where you'll close the gap."
For commoners, achieving Bankai was a matter of miracles. But for the Kuchiki family, the leader of the Four Great Houses, they had long since developed their own method and hidden techniques.
Tools and pathways the world did not know.
"Yes."
There was fire in Byakuya's eyes now.
He had never felt such burning determination to surpass someone.
Not even when he was constantly teased by Yoruichi and pushed himself to master Shunpo.
This feeling was something else entirely.
Once Byakuya was gone, Ginrei took a sip of tea and sat in silence.
Then he spoke to the empty air.
"You heard him, didn't you?"
There was a soft movement in the space beside him.
Then a man appeared.
Wearing traditional garb, hair dark green, his expression cold and unreadable.
Tsunayashiro Tokinada.
Patriarch of the Tsunayashiro family. One of the Four Great Houses.
"I heard every word."
"If there was any doubt before, now it's certain."
"These two boys, Ran En and his brother Aizen... they are not normal. Their abilities, their growth rate, their energy. They are likely the ones touched by fate."
"Fragments of the Spirit King. That is the only explanation."
Ginrei said nothing.
But his eyes narrowed slightly.
Tokinada smiled thinly.
"Gotei 13 is already watching them closely. The Captain Commander loves their type. Talented. Civilian background. Clean and easy to guide."
"They are already within his plans."
Ginrei placed the tea cup back on the table.
"And that makes them even more dangerous."