Chapter 15: Blue Dye

Sosuke Aizen.

When he heard that name, Shin’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily.

"I see, I understand. And the timing?"

"The day after tomorrow, in the morning, before the students begin their classes. The Captain of the Fifth Division will arrive at the Shin’o Academy. President Tachikawa, just be prepared by then."

"..."

After the teacher who came to deliver the notice left, Shin’s brows furrowed tightly.

Aizen...

Shin had imagined what a meeting with him would be like more than once, and how he should behave to appear appropriate. He just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

"Shin?"

While Shin was deep in thought, he hadn't even noticed Shuhei Hisagi’s arrival.

"Shuhei?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"...It's nothing. We just received notice that a Captain will be coming to the Academy for an inspection in two days, and the school wants the Student Council to be responsible for receiving and guiding them."

"Oh." Shuhei didn't seem surprised; it was a long-standing tradition. "Has it been that long already?" he mused.

This was their fifth year at the Shin’o Academy. Setting aside the Captains who came to substitute for lectures, there was an inspection every year. It served an additional purpose: to promote their respective divisions to the students.

Since their first year, they had seen Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division, Captain Shunsui Kyoraku of the Eighth Division, Captain Retsu Unohana of the Fourth Division, and Captain Isshin Shiba of the Tenth Division.

"Who is it this year?" Shuhei asked.

"Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division."

"How are we supposed to host them?"

Shin pondered. Such matters usually involved posting a notice in advance, putting up banners, and having someone act as a guide for the Captain. But his mind was elsewhere. He said, "We’ll hold a meeting this afternoon."

That afternoon, under Rukia’s notification, the student council officers learned about the inspection. Shin briefly delegated the tasks.

The day of the inspection arrived quickly.

With the advance promotion by the Student Council, the entire Academy was aware of the visit. Many, mostly first-years, gathered on both sides of the main path leading from the gate, all eager to catch a glimpse of a Captain’s heroic stature.

Looking at the welcome banners the student council members had hung, Shin couldn't help but feel that such things were rather embarrassing.

Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. Two figures approached from outside the gate. The person in the lead wore a striking white haori; everyone knew what that signified.

"They're here!"

Exclamations erupted from the crowd, only to quiet down quickly as the figures drew near.

Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division was a refined, handsome young man with short brown hair and black-rimmed glasses. He wore a gentle smile, making him seem very approachable.

At first glance, the students lining the path couldn't help but feel a sense of affinity.

This goodwill didn't just come from his demeanor, but also his spiritual pressure. Everyone could sense the vast, unfathomable waves of powerful spiritual pressure emanating from him. It was different from any teacher they had ever met—stronger, yet devoid of any sense of oppression, feeling only steady and profound.

So this is what a Captain is!

Although it wasn't their first time seeing a Captain, Shuhei and the others couldn't help but sigh inwardly; this was a level of power they feared they might never reach in their entire lives.

Following behind Captain Aizen was a silver-haired man in a Shinigami uniform, wearing the lieutenant’s armband. This was also a well-known figure: Gin Ichimaru, who had graduated from the Academy in just one year.

Shin was accompanied by Rukia and a few other student council officers.

"Captain Aizen, Lieutenant Ichimaru, welcome to the Shin’o Academy for your inspection."

Aizen stopped, his gaze resting on Shin, a warm smile instantly spreading across his face.

"You must be the Student Council President, Tachikawa Shin. I have heard of you."

Shin bowed his head slightly, smiling back. "It is my honor that you know of me. Please allow me to guide you, Captain Aizen and Lieutenant Ichimaru."

"Very well, sorry to trouble you. As it happens, I am quite interested in this student council of yours. Could you tell me more about it?"

Aizen looked at the boy before him, smiling. Whether he had noticed something or not, his smile seemed somewhat meaningful.

Shin led Aizen and Gin Ichimaru directly to the Student Council headquarters, where some materials had been prepared. Along the way, Shin explained the information and specific functions of the student council.

"To establish and operate such an organization so quickly is no easy feat. Student Tachikawa, it is clear that you are very capable," Aizen praised.

Shin responded modestly, "You are too kind. I merely proposed a concept; it was the teachers at the Academy who truly perfected it. They entrusted me with the burden of the presidency, and I am not even sure if I can do it well."

"I think you are being too humble. Having such a vision is already quite remarkable. Since the founding of the Academy, no one has ever proposed a student council. Furthermore, I know your academic performance is also excellent among your peers. A few months ago, I even specifically consulted your homeroom teacher to ask about your preferred division after graduation. I didn't expect you to choose not to graduate early, though looking at it now, that was the right choice," Aizen said with a chuckle.

Shin’s brow twitched. There was a lot of subtext in Aizen’s words.

"I simply felt that my abilities were not yet solid enough and wanted to study for another year. Otherwise, even if I were lucky enough to graduate, I fear I would be eliminated during the Thirteenth Division’s entrance exam."

"Who says?" Aizen laughed. "If Student Tachikawa were willing to join my Fifth Division, you would certainly pass."

Shin sighed and shook his head gently. "I appreciate your kindness, Captain Aizen, but even if I wanted to, I could no longer join the Fifth Division."

"Oh?"

"A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to awaken my Zanpakuto. Its ability is a healing type related to Kaido. My homeroom teacher told me that the Fourth Division would be more suitable for me in the future."

"Healing type..."

Aizen appeared thoughtful. "That is a very rare ability indeed. With such a Zanpakuto, Student Tachikawa, you will surely shine in the Fourth Division in the future."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Shin took out the stack of documents for Aizen to review. They contained detailed profiles of students from every first-year class. If Aizen was interested in any of them, he could visit those classrooms.

Aizen flipped through a few pages and suddenly said, "President Tachikawa, if you don't mind, could you ask the other students to return? We don't need so many people following us; everyone must have their own tasks to attend to."

He was referring to the other student council members in the office.

Usually, everyone would have been happy to stay near a Captain, but after Aizen spoke, Shin signaled for them to leave. Only Rukia remained, standing nervously by Shin’s side.

As Aizen flipped through the documents, he asked, "President Tachikawa, allow me to ask a presumptuous question."

"The spiritual pressure fluctuation that always surrounds you, like a barrier—is that also the ability of your Zanpakuto?"

Shin’s gaze flickered.

To hide his true spiritual pressure, he had kept his internal reishi in a state of constant leakage. However, after awakening his Zanpakuto, he had gained a more convenient method.

He was constantly surrounded by a layer of reishi, so thin and sparse that it was extremely difficult for ordinary people to perceive—at least, Hidezawa Minami had never noticed it.

Besides masking his true spiritual pressure, this reishi had other abilities.

Aizen looked up at him with a smile and gently adjusted his glasses.

"Perhaps I am just too curious. Would Student Tachikawa enlighten me?"