The Serpent and the Dragon

Gin Ichimaru.

First-year student.

Physical characteristics: Short stature, extremely thin.

Unkempt hair, eyes always squinting, paired with an unsettling and insincere smile.

A rather unapproachable image...

The entrance exam instructor frowned, speaking hesitantly.

"Why was he accepted? Well, because he's undeniably talented... You know, the whole 'don't judge a book by its cover' thing."

The academic supervisor scratched his head.

"Uh, since he just enrolled, nobody has a strong impression of him yet."

A student council member who had met him once blinked.

"If we spend more time together, we might learn more about him."

A top-ranked first-year student crossed his arms and nodded.

"Given time, people's perceptions of him will probably change."

A cheerful female classmate hesitated before speaking.

"Well, we have to spend six years together, so we'll just take our time getting to know him."

A bespectacled, intellectual-looking male classmate smiled.

"We'll get familiar eventually. No need to rush."

I see.

So that's how everyone sees him.

Seiya sorted through the reports in front of him, murmuring,

"Born in an unnamed Rukongai district, at the very bottom of the rankings… Surviving there must've been no small feat."

He lifted his gaze, smiling at the boy across from him.

"What do you think, Ichimaru?"

"As long as you're careful, even a snail can survive in a beast's den."

Oh?

That was an interesting response.

Seiya raised an eyebrow, carefully observing the boy before him.

A strange-looking... child?

Calling a Shin'ō Academy student a child felt odd, almost disrespectful.

But there was no better word for it.

Gin's appearance was youthful to an unnatural degree.

Short, wispy lilac-colored hair.

Narrow, slit-like eyes.

Barely over 160 cm tall, and even the smallest academy uniform looked loose on him.

Seriously? Was he really this small?

Isane was already slim, but Gin was practically a stick figure.

Was he just severely malnourished? Or had he simply not hit his growth spurt yet?

Sensing Seiya's prolonged stare, Gin's lips curled into a smile as he asked,

"So, what business does senpai have with me?"

Seiya snapped out of his thoughts, coughing lightly before putting on a thoughtful expression.

Normally, it would be smarter to approach things slowly—test the waters, probe for reactions.

But this was no ordinary student.

Gin Ichimaru, in the original timeline, graduated in a single year, swiftly rising to prominence, cutting down high-ranking officers, and ultimately becoming one of Aizen's closest subordinates.

With his cunning, his intellect, his raw talent—

Trying to play mind games with him?

Yeah, that was a losing battle.

Might as well be direct.

Seiya smiled brightly.

"Ichimaru, do you remember my face?"

"..."

For the first time, Gin's fake smile wavered.

His expression stiffened ever so slightly.

It was subtle—but Seiya caught it.

After a moment of silence, Gin let out a forced chuckle.

"Senpai, you must be joking. How could I possibly rememb—"

"A few years ago, in Rukongai. Me, a bespectacled man, and a dark-skinned blind man."

Can't remember?

That's fine.

I'll remind you.

"A friend of yours lost something. You were powerless to help. But then—someone left behind half a bag of kan."

Seiya pointed at himself, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"That someone—was me."

BANG!

In an instant, Gin flipped the chair in front of him, sending it crashing toward Seiya.

Despite his size, he had surprising strength.

Using the momentum, he spun around and bolted toward the door.

I can't die here.

I can't let him take control.

How does he even remember me so clearly?!

I was careless. I should've been more cautious.

Regret and frustration churned in Gin's mind as he made his desperate escape.

But then—

"You move well. Small frame, but impressive strength."

"Most people would underestimate you based on appearance alone."

"Ahh, I see. That's how you survived back then—by blending in, hiding your fangs."

Admiration.

A genuine compliment.

But it didn't matter.

"Let me give you a choice."

Seiya's voice was calm, almost gentle.

But something in its tone made Gin's steps falter.

A whisper, soft but suffocating—like thick mud pulling him down.

Seiya raised his hand, gathering reiryoku at his fingertips.

"Self-destruction."

"Oh black dog of Rondanini, look upon yourself and burn…"

"Sever your own throat—Bakudō #9: Geki."

A crimson aura erupted, wrapping around Gin's body.

No time to react.

He was bound, and before he could process it, he was slammed onto the floor.

His head struck the ground with a dull thud.

Pain. Dizziness.

And the creeping realization—

I can't escape.

"Gh…!"

Gin gritted his teeth, twisting his body in vain.

"Give up. With your current strength, breaking free is impossible."

Seiya stood, walking toward him at a leisurely pace.

His expression was unreadable.

"You'll need to think of a better plan."

"What the hell do you want?!"

His voice was raw, desperate.

This wasn't some schoolyard scuffle.

This was a death sentence.

His captor was a renowned prodigy of the Gotei 13.

Gin?

A mere first-year student.

He was trapped.

And he knew it.

"You're not going to scream for help, are you?"

Seiya smiled, crouching beside him.

"Even if you did, it'd be pointless."

"Classes are in session. There's no one around."

The realization sank in.

Gin fell silent, his lips pressing into a thin line.

"...Just kill me."

He gave up.

Seiya chuckled.

"Not yet."

He tilted his head, amused.

"I told you. I'm giving you a choice."

"...What choice?"

Seiya held up two fingers.

"Option one—you resist, and I kill you. I have enough connections to erase you from the records."

Not a bluff.

Seiya knew people—high-ranking Captains.

If needed, he could make Gin disappear with just a few words.

Gin understood this.

His eyes narrowed.

"So… what's option two?"

Seiya grinned.

"Simple."

He lowered his fingers, leaving only one raised.

"I'll bind your throat again."

"This time, I'll tighten it… slowly."

"Your job?"

"Break free before it crushes your windpipe."

Silence.

"Prove you can use Bakudō."

"Or die trying."

Light gathered at Seiya's fingertip.

A red ring formed around Gin's neck.

Just like Aizen had once done to Seiya.

This wasn't a test.

This was a trial by fire.

Seiya's voice was almost a whisper.

"If you want to take back what was stolen from Rangiku, then fight for it."

Gin trembled.

Not from fear.

From rage.

From sheer, burning desperation.

Air—

He needed air.

Think.

Think!

How did he do it?

How do I break the spell?

His vision blurred.

His head pounded.

Then—instinct took over.

A faint glow formed at his fingertips.

He gritted his teeth—

And crushed the binding spell.

CRACK!

The restraints shattered.

Gin collapsed, coughing violently.

His body trembled, barely supporting itself.

Yet, even through the pain—

He smirked.

"Ha… did it… huh?"

Seiya chuckled.

"Not bad."

Not bad at all.

"Now."

Seiya returned to his chair, relaxed.

"You have another choice."

Gin wiped his mouth, forcing himself upright.

"Option one—go back to school. Learn at a normal pace. Become a top student."

"But."

"Even then, you'll never reclaim what you lost."

Gin's gaze sharpened.

"And option two?"

"Follow me."

"I'll teach you everything."

Zanjutsu. Hakuda. Hohō. Kidō.

"Every technique. Every strategy."

"But in return…"

Seiya leaned forward, smiling.

"You will obey me."

Gin exhaled.

A snake—

Face to face with a dragon.

"Well?"

"Want to see if you can devour me?"

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Powerstones?

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