In the name of teaching swordsmanship, he launches a real attack.
As a captain of the Gotei 13, it's a blatant abuse of authority.
With his rank, reputation, and a legitimate excuse to cover it all—no matter the consequences, he can recover from it.
Aiyan instantly understood the moment Hirako Shinji drew his Zanpakutō and stabbed forward.
This wasn't a practice match. It was an execution disguised as a lesson.
At this moment, Aizen was just a new student, only three days into his time at the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy. He wasn't yet the manipulative genius who would one day betray the Soul Society and clash with the heavens.
He wasn't the future traitor of the Fifth Division, the wielder of Kyōka Suigetsu with unmatched illusions. Even when he would graduate and become a vice-captain, Aizen wouldn't be feared unless his powers had already neared the top of Shinigami society.
And now? He hadn't even attended proper classes on all four Shinigami disciplines. He'd just begun to explore Kidō.
He hadn't even touched Kendo.
No Shunpo training.
No Hakuda experience.
He was a blank slate with a powerful Zanpakutō—still hidden.
Facing Hirako Shinji in this state, Aizen could survive. He might even win, and decisively at that—but only if he fully exposed the secrets of Kyōka Suigetsu.
'Is he testing Aizen himself, or is he suspicious of the Zanpakutō?'
'Or...both?'
'Between life and death, the one who truly sees a Shinigami clearly... is their Zanpakutō.'
Thought after thought surged through Aiyan's mind like a storm.
And sure enough...
Under the pressure of Hirako Shinji's ruthless swordplay, Aizen, who had never taken a single Kendo lesson, was clearly overwhelmed.
He was forced to retreat step by step.
If not for the fact that their Reiatsu levels were evenly matched, any other first-year student would've been gravely injured within seconds.
Aiyan watched it all, silently reaching toward the Zanpakutō at his waist—then stopped.
Because Aizen, amid the fierce exchange of blows, glanced at him.
A brief moment, a silent message: Don't intervene. I can handle this. I won't use Kyōka Suigetsu.
Still hiding his cards?
Still refusing to activate Kyōka Suigetsu?
This guy... is he really so talented that he thinks Shinji isn't here to kill him?
Hirako Shinji stared at Aizen, a hint of amazement hidden deep in his eyes.
This kid was absorbing his sword technique like a sponge, learning and adapting in real time. With each swing, he was closing the skill gap.
It was terrifying.
If Aiyan also continued to grow like this, it would soon become impossible to defeat Aizen through Kendo alone.
After all, Aizen's Reiatsu was already captain-class.
Clack.
With that thought, Shinji changed grips—switching from a one-handed to a two-handed hold on his Zanpakutō. Golden-yellow Reiatsu flared from his body, visible and oppressive, flooding the entire Kendo Hall.
Clang!
Blades clashed violently, and Aizen staggered back again under the crushing weight of the impact.
And then—
With a shout, Shinji raised his sword overhead.
Boom!
Reiatsu surged forward like a tidal wave. His next swing sent a concentrated slash of spiritual pressure screaming through the air toward Aizen—massive, fast, and unstoppable.
A death blow.
"AIZEN!"
Many students stood up, eyes wide.
It was obvious now—this wasn't a class. It was an execution.
And no one, not Tōsen, not Komamura, not even nobles like Shihouin Yoruichi or Shiba Kaien, had the ability to block an attack like that.
Not at this stage.
It was a captain-level slash, combining both Reiatsu and expert Kendo.
"Bakudō #81: Dankū (Splitting Void)."
Just as the slash was about to crush Aizen, a calm voice rang out.
Not loud—but crisp, cutting through the chaotic Kendo Hall like a sword through fog. Everyone heard it.
Even Hirako Shinji.
Boom!
A translucent barrier rose in front of Aizen like a towering fortress—clear, smooth, and shining with spiritual light. The incoming Reiatsu slash smashed into it...
And shattered.
The air trembled from the collision, but the Dankū wall remained, perfectly intact.
Not a crack.
Silence fell over the hall.
"…What?!"
"Bakudō #81?!"
"He cast it without an incantation?!"
"And the defense is strong enough to completely block a captain's full-power strike?!"
"…But he's only been learning Kidō for three days!"
All heads turned sharply toward Aiyan, who was still sitting cross-legged at the side, calm as ever.
Yoruichi, Kaien, Byakuya—none could hide their shock.
Hirako Shinji stared at Aiyan, wide-eyed.
'To pull off Dankū without an incantation… in three days of training…'
'That's not genius. That's something else entirely.'
He had lived for hundreds of years.
And never, not once, had he seen someone master a top-tier Kidō spell like that in such a short time.
"You've gone too far, Hirako Shinji."
Aiyan's gaze met Shinji's.
"Eh?" Shinji tilted his head with a smirk. "What're you saying, student? I don't get it."
"Weren't you the one who disrupted the class, acting without permission?"
"This is really difficult for me to explain to the teachers later."
Shinji chuckled innocently, looking every bit the carefree captain—but everyone could feel it: the tension had shifted.
"Is that so?" Aiyan stood up slowly.
"Then I apologize."
"My younger brother isn't skilled enough. Making him your helper only humiliates him—and damages the quality of your class."
"So how about this—" he smiled, stepping forward, "—why don't I be your assistant instead, Captain Hirako?"
Though phrased as a suggestion, his tone and actions left no room for refusal.
"...Fine by me."
Shinji's grin widened.
After witnessing that no-incantation Bakudō #81, he was more than curious.
Was Aiyan just an unbelievably gifted Shinigami?
Or was he like Aizen—hiding something deeper?
If it was the former, he could admire it.
If it was the latter... Now was the best time to uncover the truth.
Before it was too late.
[Small Challenge for you guys, If we hit 10 new comments on today's chapters, I'll drop 5 extra chapters later today]
[Let's aim for it before 7 PM UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) ]