Ask yourself honestly, are you a genius?

"Because you ignored someone."

"A name that was almost completely overshadowed by Aiyan Sōsuke's dazzling brilliance."

Kuchiki Ginrei's gaze sharpened as he stared straight at Kuchiki Kōga.

"Aizen Sōsuke?"

Kuchiki Kōga paused for a moment. A name suddenly flashed through his mind, and he blurted it out instinctively.

"Exactly. Aiyan's radiance is so overwhelming that most forget his younger brother. But Aizen—he's a once-in-a-century genius among Shinigami. Even compared to you, Kōga, you fall short."

"The facts have proven that Aizen is a real genius. In the elite class, even in the entire Shin'ō Academy, his grades are second only to Aiyan, but in terms of popularity and reputation, he's number one. Most importantly, it's his actions."

"Kōga, if you look through Soul Society's entire history, have you ever seen a Shinigami openly reveal the true abilities of their Zanpakutō like him? Just to pave the way for future generations?"

Kuchiki Ginrei's voice carried a trace of regret, flickering faintly in his eyes.

Back then, he should not have listened to Tsunayashiro Tokinada. Asking Byakuya Kuchiki to secretly test Aiyan was a mistake.

Though he had been careful, ensuring the trail would lead back only to Tokinada, he couldn't shake the guilt—especially now, when Aiyan and Aizen's strength, talent, and intellect were unfolding before his eyes.

"Never once."

Kuchiki Kōga gritted his teeth. Being told he was inferior to Aizen stirred bitterness in his chest. But in terms of magnanimity, even he had to admit Aizen was ahead.

"The Zanpakutō is the core of a Shinigami's power. Though the Academy requires a student to unlock their Shikai before graduation, who can truly verify their real abilities or even the Shikai's name?"

"But look at Aizen. He openly shared the name of his Zanpakutō—Kyōka Suigetsu—and explained its Shikai ability. Not only that, he actively helped others achieve Shikai, especially those who entered the Academy without having awakened theirs."

"Which captain in the Gotei 13 wouldn't admire someone like that? What member of Central 46 wouldn't feel reassured by someone so selfless?"

Kuchiki Ginrei slowly placed a white piece down on the Go board before him.

"And what about Hirako Shinji? He was the one who kept targeting Aizen with baseless charges. He even used the full extent of his authority as Captain of the 5th Division just to suppress Aizen."

"What do you think that made the other captains feel? What did the noble houses think? What did it make every Shinigami in Seireitei believe?"

"Now, think carefully—how did Aiyan act through all of this?"

"He was humble but never afraid, assertive yet respectful. When he cut down Hirako Shinji, it was decisive, but he left just enough room for retreat. He showed strength but didn't flaunt it. He acted exactly as needed in every moment."

Ginrei's voice was full of admiration for Aiyan—and buried within it, a deep regret.

He had once believed Kuchiki Kōga could be a great asset to the Kuchiki family. But after seeing the overwhelming brilliance of Aiyan and Aizen, he couldn't help but compare.

And compared to the Sōsuke brothers, Kōga was... painfully ordinary.

His Zanpakutō, Muramasa, was indeed powerful. But without the ambition and clarity to master its illusionary powers fully, it was just a blade with no master.

"Go and walk around the squads in Seireitei. Listen to what people say about Aiyan."

"They say, 'He treats his brother like a piece of his heart. He drew his sword and cut down a captain for him.'"

"I've been Captain of the 6th Division for many years. I've never seen anyone bring down a well-connected squad captain and walk away with not just the position, but the admiration of nearly all the Gotei 13."

"Even lieutenants and seated officers in the 5th Division are proud to serve under him."

Ginrei exhaled deeply.

"Even Byakuya, who received the finest noble education since childhood, doesn't have that kind of presence."

"Hard to believe Aiyan is a Rukongai-born Shinigami."

"Master Ginrei... can't I replicate what he did?"

Kuchiki Kōga still refused to give up. Seeing Aiyan surpass him and become a captain, while he remained stuck as the 3rd seat of the 6th Division, gnawed at his pride.

Using Aiyan as a reference, he was already trying to come up with a plan to follow the same path.

"Replicate what?"

Ginrei's face turned cold.

"Do you have Aiyan's once-in-a-generation talent? Do you have his charisma—the kind that could even move Kenpachi from the First Generation?"

"Do you have his aptitude and Reiatsu, strong enough that even Genryūsai Yamamoto once said he wished to take him as a personal disciple?"

"And do you have a younger brother like Aizen, who willingly sacrificed his own Zanpakutō's potential, making himself a public shield just to clear the way for you?"

Kuchiki Ginrei's tone sharpened as he continued.

"Aizen looked like a victim—persecuted by Hirako Shinji—but it was that drama that tilted the entire situation in Aiyan's favor. Hirako's downfall came from targeting the wrong man at the wrong time."

"Not everyone is Aiyan Sōsuke. And not everyone has a younger brother like Aizen Sōsuke."

"You want to run before you've even learned to walk."

"Ask yourself honestly—are you a genius?"

"If you, Kuchiki Kōga, had even a tenth of the Sōsuke brothers' talent or ability, I would have bet the entire Kuchiki clan on you becoming the next Captain-Commander."

"But do you? Really?"

His voice thundered through the chamber, then fell silent.

Without another word, he turned and walked out, frustration and disappointment trailing behind him.

He had once believed saving Kuchiki Kōga from Tokinada's purge and bringing him into the Kuchiki family was a favor—a gift.

Over the years, he'd invested as much effort in him as in Byakuya. And this was what he got in return: a man with an inflated ego, a sharp sword, but no true direction.

A man whose ambition outpaced his clarity, and whose pride might one day bring disaster to the Kuchiki name.

"Fifty years... and he still hasn't matured," he muttered to himself as he walked away.

"But he's still my son-in-law. With that much strength, he shouldn't rot away in the 6th Division. He won't get the training he needs there."

"Send him to Squad One."

It was a decision made out of duty, not affection.

However—

He never noticed that behind him, Kuchiki Kōga sat cross-legged, fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms, his eyes turning bloodshot with rage.

"Say I'm not as good as Aiyan... say I'm not as good as Aizen... but you won't even let me fight them."

"If you hadn't held me down all these years, I would have already taken the seat of captain."

"Kuchiki Ginrei, one day I'll prove to you—and to the entire Kuchiki clan—that I wasn't unworthy of your name."

"You were unworthy of me."

His hands trembled slightly, but he didn't relax his grip.

His resolve—fueled by humiliation and resentment—only grew stronger.