CHAPTER 11

"If there's one thing that can draw the attention of the Four Great Noble Houses, aside from our Zanpakutō's potential, it's talent."

"But unlike Zanpakutō abilities or innate talent, which are bound to the soul and cannot be extracted… the result of our talent—the effects we manifest in this world—can be taken."

As Aizen spoke, he raised his right hand, fingers gently curling inward in a motion so subtle it could be mistaken for nothing. But in Akira's eyes, the gesture looked like he was gripping something invisible—like he was holding the Four Noble Houses themselves in his palm.

"Shard of the Spirit King."

Akira's eyes narrowed slightly. The moment he heard Aizen's theory, that thought surfaced like a whisper in the depths of his mind.

He had never once doubted Aizen's intelligence.

After all, even if his "cheat" gave him overwhelming strength—enough to suppress Aizen—it couldn't give him the cunning to outmaneuver someone like him.

And now, hearing Aizen's deductions… he was confident they were circling the truth.

When the Spirit King was dismembered, fragments of his body were scattered across the realms: Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, and the Human World. The Noble Houses, especially the Shihōin and Kuchiki clans, had been entrusted with pieces—or had claimed them in secret. That was the missing link in Aizen's reasoning.

"Brother, did something come to mind?"

Aizen asked calmly, intrigued by Akira's brief silence and thoughtful look.

"Nothing important."

Akira met Aizen's gaze, his expression calm.

"I just happened to practice a new Hadō technique while walking and listening to you."

Truth, not deception.

Because the whole time Aizen was speaking—breaking down conspiracy after conspiracy with the brilliance of a future traitor-general—the systems within Akira were moving of their own accord.

[Your Kidō says: Relax. While listening to this late-night TED talk, I mastered Hadō #63: Raikōhō (Fiery Lightning Howl). No big deal.]

[Your Zanjutsu says: If anyone dares to disrespect you, just slice them. I've just grasped a new concept: "Dual Breach." It's a sword path that shatters all obstacles.]

[Your Reiatsu says: Screw peace. Who needs conversation? Reiatsu has surged dramatically. Current level: 8.5 'cars'—surpassing seated officers.]

Only his Zanpakutō remained still, quietly preparing something else in a corner of his soul—Bankai, probably. Even the stealthy cat who practiced in silence (obviously referring to Yoruichi) would've been surprised by how fast everything was progressing.

The rest of his systems had gone into full "flex" mode after hearing Aizen's monologue.

"…"

Aizen's confident smile slowly faded as he turned away and continued walking, silent.

They had agreed to show off their brains.

Why was Akira's body flexing instead?

He'd meant to show off his intellect.

Instead, Akira had pulled a full Versailles move in return, without even trying.

Three days?

Forget it.

He clenched his fist slightly.

Tonight, he would fully unlock his Shikai, no matter the cost.

Wisdom and insight were indeed a form of strength—but if he kept falling behind in raw power, he'd one day become nothing more than Akira's strategist. And Aizen Sōsuke… refused to be anyone's shadow.

Elsewhere.

After leaving the gates of the Spiritual Arts Academy, Byakuya Kuchiki returned directly to the Kuchiki estate under silent escort—four of the clan's elite shadow guards, who had been stationed nearby without ever revealing themselves.

"Grandfather."

As soon as he entered the estate's central courtyard, he bowed deeply before Kuchiki Ginrei, the current head of the Kuchiki family and his maternal grandfather.

"As per your orders, I provoked and engaged in a duel with Akira Sōsuke."

"It was Byakuya's failure. I was defeated—completely. I have brought shame upon the Kuchiki name."

Ginrei Kuchiki stood beneath the moonlit veranda, his hands folded inside the sleeves of his noble robes, eyes unreadable. He had clearly been waiting.

Byakuya recounted everything: the duel, the suffocating pressure, the Kidō that seemed to strike like divine judgment, and the defeat that came before he could even release his blade.

"Reiatsu surpassing the standard level of a seated officer… almost touching that of a captain," Ginrei finally murmured.

His voice was low, contemplative—not angry.

He had felt it too, even from afar.

And what disturbed him was not just that Akira had overwhelmed Byakuya…

…but that he did so without even drawing his Zanpakutō.

Thus, the ripples spread.

The Four Great Noble Houses began watching.

The game pieces were moving.

In a very short period of time, he had mastered all Kidō under number 60.

"This isn't something even a prodigy could easily accomplish."

Kuchiki Ginrei listened silently. The flickering solemnity in his eyes made it clear—the Kuchiki Clan's patriarch was not at ease. Though his expression remained composed, a storm brewed beneath the surface.

"It's all right, Byakuya."

"If Shinigami training is a long track, then yes—Akira is sprinting, and he has already overtaken you. But this track isn't 100 meters, or even 1,000. It stretches across centuries. A thousand-year race."

"You must run without pause. No shortcuts, no breaks, no arrogance, no bitterness. Only then will you reach the end. Others may collapse along the way."

After a moment's thought, Ginrei's gaze softened as he noticed the way Byakuya's tightly clenched fists betrayed his turmoil. He offered quiet encouragement.

What is the Kuchiki Clan?

Even if the leader of the Four Great Noble Houses has faded in political clout, their heritage is still vast and inscrutable.

If necessary, Ginrei could elevate Byakuya to the strength of a Gotei 13 captain in mere months. But doing so would compromise the foundation for future growth.

"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—they all have thresholds."

"These are walls. Even the most gifted must confront them."

"Let Akira dominate the first half. In the second half, you'll have endurance, experience, and stability on your side."

Ginrei's voice remained calm, yet resolute.

"I won't disappoint your expectations, Grandfather."

Byakuya replied, his tone more centered now, his pride tempered by newfound clarity.

"You never have."

"Go now—cultivate Bankai. Reiatsu gaps can be closed, even overtaken, once you master it."

"When the time comes, you will use Senbonzakura to wash away the disgrace of today's loss."

Ginrei nodded with satisfaction and gestured for Byakuya to head toward the rear compound—the Kuchiki Clan's private training grounds.

Indeed.

For ordinary Shinigami—especially those from Rukongai—awakening Bankai is a feat requiring decades, even centuries, and often a spark of fate. But for the Kuchiki family, the foremost of the Four Noble Houses, there were ancient rituals, hidden scrolls, and spiritual treasures to assist in forcing Shikai into evolution.

While they did not yet possess Kisuke Urahara's future Shinten Hōhō (the "god-turning body" technique for unlocking Bankai in days), they had their own ways—older, more esoteric.

"Yes!"

A flicker of battle-hardened resolve surged in Byakuya's eyes.

He had never wanted to surpass someone so badly.

Not even when Yoruichi Shihōin used to tease and provoke him did he burn with such fire. Back then, he practiced Shunpo obsessively, dreaming of overtaking the Flash Goddess. But it wasn't like this.

This was different.

"Did you hear what Byakuya just said?"

After watching his grandson's silhouette vanish into the moonlit corridor, Ginrei gently lifted a teacup, sipped, and exhaled softly.

Moments passed in silence.

Then he spoke—not to himself, but to the space beside him.

"Of course. I heard every word."

"If it was mere speculation before, now it's confirmed."

"This kind of talent… it's beyond even genius. Akira, and his younger brother Aizen—both of them are likely in possession of a fragment of the Spirit King. They are using its power."

The air stirred faintly.

A ripple of spiritual pressure swept through the room.

Emerging from the shadows was a man clad in noble garb with ghostly white sashes, dark green hair cascading over one shoulder, and cold, slanted eyes that gleamed with cruelty.

It was none other than Tsunayashiro Tokinada—the current head of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Houses, infamous for his cruelty, manipulation, and hidden power.

"The Gotei 13 is already watching them."

"Civilian background. No political affiliations. No clan obligations."

"They're precisely the type of talents the Captain-Commander favors most—clean slates with limitless growth."

"In other words," Tokinada said with a chilling smile, "these brothers have already entered Yamamoto Genryūsai's field of vision."

Ginrei's expression remained still, yet internally, he took note of the veiled hostility in Tokinada's tone.

The storm was coming.

And Akira was now at the center of it.