Time Begins to Accelerate

I.

I should have been a snake.

No one had ever described me that way, but after countless times of self-reflection, I—Ichimaru Gin—had reached that conclusion.

Cold. Detached.

My blood flows, yet it has no warmth.

My heart beats, yet it carries no life.

I have no interest in being a so-called Shinigami.

Protection, duty, honor—none of it matters.

I understood that a long time ago, back when I was starving to death, on the brink of losing my life—emotions are useless, and the strong prey upon the weak.

So.

All that's left to do is devour.

Killing is nothing to me.

I came here for one reason—to take back what was stolen from Rangiku.

Absorb knowledge. Consume strength.

Grow endlessly, until I'm strong enough to stand on my own.

Until I can reach my goal, no matter how distant it seems.

…That's all.

No need for emotions. No room for pity.

If I must pretend, I will.

Just like I am now.

As per my agreement with Seiya, I made sure to clean up and look somewhat presentable before leaving the dormitory.

Then.

I left.

There's a curfew in Seireitei, but it doesn't seem like he cares.

Eventually, we arrived at the 5th Division barracks.

And there, I saw him—the man I had waited so long to meet.

Exactly as he appeared in my memories.

Brown hair. Thick-rimmed glasses.

A perpetual, unreadable smile—one that carried an effortless sense of control, as if everything in the world was moving according to his design.

Aizen Sōsuke.

My true target.

Where have you hidden the stolen pieces of Rangiku's soul?

I could feel my heartbeat quicken—

But.

I am a snake without feelings.

This was just another step forward.

If I wanted his trust, I had to earn it.

So.

This was only the beginning.

Maybe because I was new, or maybe for some other reason—

That blind man didn't like me much.

Troublesome.

Would be easier if he just died.

I've worn this fake smile for so long my face might freeze this way…

But it was clear—Aizen didn't trust me yet.

Halfway through our meeting, I was told to leave the room.

There were things I wasn't allowed to hear.

Of course there were.

But it didn't matter.

I knew this would take time.

I would endure.

Step by step, I was getting closer.

The meeting ended soon after.

With a polite farewell to Aizen and that other one, today's business was done.

Now, I just needed to—

Ah.

Right.

Speaking of Seiya…

There was something else I needed to say.

That man.

His secrets are even deeper than Aizen's.

Why did he let me join his little circle, even knowing my intentions?

Why does he continue to teach me, again and again, despite my warnings?

What is he? Some kind of Buddha?

No.

That's not it.

I've seen the way he fights.

That level of ruthlessness isn't something you can fake.

No.

Seiya Arima—

He is far more troublesome than I expected.

This isn't just an observation.

It's the truth.

As an instructor, I have no complaints.

Not once has he held back.

In just six months, I've absorbed an absurd amount of knowledge.

Every sparring session leaves me with countless lessons, countless new heights to reach.

His fundamentals are absurdly solid.

Even when I use my Zanpakutō, I can't win.

The gap between us is a canyon.

But not one I can't cross.

Eventually, I will.

And when that time comes—

Even if I have to devour my own teacher—

That's just the price of raising a snake.

But more than anything—

The real problem is his unnecessary kindness.

The meaningless concern.

The fact that he keeps giving me persimmons.

For what? To bribe me?

What's the point?

He should know where we stand.

Don't waste emotions on me.

It's disgusting.

Sickening.

Have you ever heard of a snake whose blood warms?

—

"Hey, Gin!"

The call snapped me from my thoughts.

I looked up to see Seiya's usual, carefree grin.

"How were the persimmons? Took me some effort to sugar-cure them, you know."

…Is that so?

"Pff. Too sweet."

"Yeah? Guess I'll use less sugar next time."

"Don't waste your time on meaningless things."

"But you ate them, didn't you?"

That's only because—

"You, of all people, should understand what it's like to grow up starving."

Wasting food is shameful. Always has been, in both Soul Society and the living world.

Seiya nodded easily.

"Yeah, I get it. That's why I made another batch. Want me to bring some over later?"

"...What exactly is your deal?"

"Why do we always end up having this conversation?"

"Because you never give me a proper answer."

Seiya scratched the back of his head, then gave a vague hum.

"I just wanted to teach you what I could. You're… a rare case, after all. As for what comes next?"

He smirked.

"We'll see."

I scowled.

For some reason, it was especially hard to keep my usual mask on around this guy.

"Can you speak in a way that actually makes sense?"

"Haha, maybe next time."

We reached the academy dorms.

Usually, this was where we split up.

But since tonight's meeting had been important, Seiya insisted on reviewing things one more time—because of course he did.

Leaning casually against a wall, arms crossed, he gazed up at the sliver of moonlight.

"So. I know it's short notice, but do you remember our goal from tonight's meeting?"

I nodded.

"At the end of this academic year, we both apply for early graduation and join the Gotei 13."

"That's right."

Both of us.

Not just me.

Seiya, too.

He was finally leaving the academy.

And yet—

"You seem uneasy."

Seiya blinked.

"Huh? That obvious?"

"Somewhat."

He sighed, rubbing his face.

"Well… yeah. I am a little worried."

"Why?"

He hesitated.

"You already have captain-level strength. You've just been waiting for Aizen's orders. This should be simple for you."

"…Uh. Yeah, mostly."

That was only part of it.

Yes, he'd been waiting for Aizen's signal.

But he was also trying to predict the major events to come.

This early graduation?

It meant Aizen was setting his plan into motion.

Soon, the true betrayals would begin.

The real war would take shape.

But all of that was secondary to Seiya's main concern.

The real problem was—

After graduation, which squad would he even join?

More importantly—

Would he even get a choice?

Some captains wouldn't just let him go wherever he wanted.

This was going to be a mess.

And beyond that—

Time itself was beginning to accelerate.

The peaceful days of the academy were coming to an end.

"Well, whatever. You wouldn't get it anyway. Just go rest."

I wasn't about to argue.

As I turned to leave, he called out again.

"Oh, one more thing, Gin!"

"What?"

"I hid two disguised yams in your persimmons. Enjoy!"

The silence was deafening.

…Right.

Any guilt I felt toward this idiot was clearly misplaced.

"You really are annoying."

Seiya just laughed.

"See you in three days!"

—

A new season.

A new year.

A new chapter of history.

And with it—

The Gotei 13's captains gathered for their annual meeting.

But this time—

One voice broke the routine silence.

"Alright! If no one else is gonna speak up, then I will."

2nd Division Captain, Shihōin Yoruichi.

"Everyone's heard, right? This year's top 4th-year, Arima Seiya, is applying for early graduation."

She grinned.

"So, I'm claiming him. He'll train under me to be the next 2nd Division Captain—and he'll be working with the Onmitsukidō."

"That's all."

A bold declaration.

One that left no room for argument.

But then—

"I find that… unacceptable."

A deep, steady voice.

6th Division Captain.

Kuchiki Ginrei.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates