Gin Ichimaru

"Arima-senpai? Arima-senpai?"

A voice from nearby pulled Seiya out of his thoughts.

"Did you just fall asleep?"

"Ah… sorry, no, no. I was just distracted for a moment."

The student council member standing beside Seiya seemed relieved but hesitated for a moment before leaning in and whispering,

'It's fine now, but please don't space out once the meeting starts…'

After all, this was the annual welcome ceremony for the new students of Shin'ō Academy.

As the top-ranking student, Seiya had already attended this event the previous year.

So, this wasn't unfamiliar to him.

Not a big deal. Just a routine speech.

Seiya stepped onto the stage, said a few words of encouragement, and returned to his seat, once again sinking into deep thought.

It was Aizen's recent letter that was bothering him.

Find promising recruits and bring them into our fold?

Since when did I become a talent scout?

Ugh. Where was he even supposed to find these so-called 'promising individuals'?

If it was someone Aizen deemed worthy, they had to at least be on the level of Hinamori Momo—Shin'ō Academy's top graduate, handpicked by Aizen himself.

Sure, in the grand scheme, she didn't seem that impressive.

But considering her reputation and abilities, it was clear she wasn't just some weakling.

She was just… a bit emotionally unstable.

She literally tried to attack a Captain after Aizen faked his death.

Talk about a passionate personality.

'People just assume she's gentle because of her demeanor…'

But with a Zanpakutō like Tobiume?

No way.

Lost in his thoughts, Seiya furrowed his brow.

And the real problem was—

Abarai Renji's generation wouldn't enter the academy for another few decades.

If Aizen really had his eye on someone in this batch of students, Seiya would have remembered.

But he didn't.

Which meant—there was probably no one worth scouting this year.

So what was he supposed to do?

Just go back and tell Aizen, 'No one special this time'?

Just imagining Aizen's disappointed expression made Seiya's stomach ache.

Wait—

Was Aizen deliberately using his thin skin against him?

Damn it. That manipulative bastard…

While Seiya was mentally cursing his predicament, the ceremony was wrapping up.

He stood up, ready to leave.

But then—

"U-Um! Please, wait!"

It took him a moment to realize someone was calling him.

Two female students, dressed in standard academy uniforms, stood anxiously in front of him.

The moment they met his gaze, they bowed their heads in embarrassment.

The one on the left nudged her friend forward.

The other girl hesitated, then, stiffly, extended her hands.

"T-This is for you, Senpai!"

Seiya instinctively took the item.

A pink envelope.

Thin.

Clearly just a letter.

But even before opening it, Seiya sighed.

Ah.

This again.

It wasn't the first time.

He had received so many of these letters that he had lost count.

The contents were always the same—self-introductions, confessions of admiration, and requests to "please go out with me."

He had read too many.

At this point, it was almost nauseating.

And honestly—

I'm not even that good-looking, right?

Seiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Before he could dwell on it, a familiar voice cut in.

"Ahhh, so youthful~"

The moment he heard that tone, he knew exactly who it was.

Without even turning around, he sighed.

"You're awfully free today, Kiyone."

Kiyone Kotetsu, now a second-year student, grinned proudly.

"Hmph! I am one of the top ten first-years! You should be proud of me!"

"Yeah, yeah, good job. Keep it up."

Seiya patted her head absentmindedly.

At first, she looked pleased, but then—

"Ack! Don't try to change the subject, Seiya! I saw that letter!"

Seiya clicked his tongue.

"Tch. Thought I could sneak past you…"

"What?! Are you treating me like a child?!"

Ignoring the minor distraction, the two walked side by side toward the dorms.

Kiyone's expression turned sly.

"That was your second letter since New Year, right?"

Seiya sighed.

"No. Fourth."

At some point, this had become a thing.

He just kept receiving them.

And he didn't understand why.

Was he really that popular?

Seiya frowned.

Seeing his reaction, Kiyone smirked.

"Senpai, you still don't get it, huh? You're basically a celebrity here!"

"…I am?"

"Of course!"

Kiyone raised a finger, listing off reasons.

"First place every year—leaving the second-place student in the dust!"

That's because I'm literally at a Captain's level already…

"You get to wear a Shihakushō instead of the academy uniform!"

That's just for convenience since I keep getting dragged into official events…

"And your incense charm and gloves? Obvious gifts from the Kuchiki family!"

Okay, the first part was true.

But the second part—

Seiya glanced down at his right hand.

A half-fingered white glove, neatly wrapping his palm and the back of his hand.

After he declined Kuchiki Ginrei's offer to join the clan, the old man hadn't seemed particularly upset.

Instead, as a farewell gift, he had given Seiya this glove.

Back then, Seiya hadn't thought much of it.

He had accepted it out of politeness.

It was only after returning to school that he realized—

This thing was worth twenty luxury houses in Seireitei.

He had nearly passed out when he found out.

Seireitei's noble spending habits were insane.

At first, he had wanted to return it.

But every time he tried, the Kuchiki estate turned him away.

In the end, he had no choice but to keep it.

And admittedly, it was useful.

The fabric absorbed sweat and provided extra grip, reducing the risk of dropping his sword.

Even if it felt excessive, he had to admit—the Kuchiki family had good taste.

Still, Kiyone's conclusion made him pause.

"So… that's why people like me?"

"Obviously!"

"Feels a bit… shallow."

"Haha! That's why you're my brother-in-law—you always say the coolest things!"

This girl really knew how to flatter him.

Seiya shook his head, then changed the topic.

"Anyway, how's the list I asked for?"

"Of course, I finished it!"

Kiyone handed him a scroll.

"This has the names of all the new students from Branch One, Two, and Four—excluding your own Branch Three."

"Thanks."

Kiyone puffed out her chest proudly.

"Heh, working in the student council makes this kind of thing easy!"

Seiya unrolled the scroll, scanning the names.

Because of recent expansions, the academy had opened two new branches.

More students.

More talent.

This was good news.

More trained Shinigami meant fewer untrained souls left wandering in Rukongai.

Seiya had no memory of this happening in the original timeline.

So it was a surprise.

But when he exchanged letters with Yamamoto, the old man had explained:

"Talents like you emerged from the lower districts."

"I see now that our current system is flawed."

"Thus, I have invested in Shin'ō Academy's expansion—so that more promising souls may be discovered."

Seiya had to admit…

That was impressive.

Had his presence alone caused this reform?

Would this change affect who enrolled in the future?

There was no way to know.

But the thought was intriguing.

For now—he focused on the list.

Beside him, Kiyone peeked over his shoulder.

"So, what are you looking for?"

"Potential. Talent."

"Can you really tell just from names?"

"Of course. I have psychic powers."

"…Huh?"

Kiyone nearly punched him.

But then—

Seiya stopped walking.

His eyes locked onto a single name.

His breath hitched slightly.

"…Oh?"

Kiyone noticed the shift in his expression.

"Senpai? What's wrong?"

Seiya blinked.

Then—he smiled.

"Nothing."

"Then… did you see something?"

"Yeah."

He exhaled.

"A familiar name."

Branch Four.

Shin'ō Academy. First-year student.

Gin Ichimaru.

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Powerstones?

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