"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"

A fierce current of lightning roared and twisted at Shimo's fingertips.

With a single thrust, the bolt surged forth like a dragon of thunder, suddenly illuminating the entire night sky above the city.

The explosive beam expanded, engulfing the massive Hollow completely.

The crackling of scorched flesh echoed.

In barely a breath, the enormous Hollow dissolved into spirit particles and scattered across the heavens.

"That… that was Hadō #4: Byakurai?!"

Rukia could hardly believe her eyes.

She had just been struggling beneath the Hollow's claws, clinging to life.

But Shimo—her fellow graduate—had reduced the beast to spirit particles with nothing more than a single low-level Hadō spell.

The difference in power was beyond words.

Her face turned pale, at a loss for how to respond.

Sensing her unease, Shimo said gently:

"It's alright, Rukia. From now on, I'll protect you."

His soft reassurance flowed into her heart like fresh mountain spring water.

"W-Who asked you to protect me!"

Rukia's cheeks flushed as she snapped back.

"I can handle myself!"

Her proud nature always forced her to act stubborn in front of him.

Shimo chuckled, then his expression hardened.

"There's more than one Gillian…"

His eyes turned toward the distant sky. What he saw didn't match his memory.

This time, Aizen had released not one, but more than ten Gillians into the World of the Living.

"What's his goal? Does he intend to slaughter every trainee here?"

For Shimo, these Hollows were no threat. But to the students… even one Gillian, given time, could kill them all. With so many at once, their deaths would only be hastened.

Rukia too stiffened, staring anxiously upward.

"Why are so many Gillians appearing here? How could the Academy's survey have missed this?"

Shimo rested a hand atop her head and said:

"I'll help the others. I can't just save you alone."

He was about to use shunpo when suddenly, a simple Senkaimon opened in the sky above.

As the doors parted, a blinding white beam shot out at a speed beyond sight.

ROAR!

A crab-like Gillian raised its claw to crush a Shinigami—

Shhhk!

The white beam pierced straight through its mask without resistance.

Crack… crack…

Its body froze, mask splitting down the center before shattering into particles.

"Well now, quite a number of Hollows, aren't there?"

Two figures stepped from the Senkaimon.

One wore a black shihakushō, Zanpakutō in hand, his grin broad and his eyes narrowed to slits—Gin Ichimaru.

The other wore a white captain's haori. His gentle smile, brown hair, and black-framed glasses revealed his identity instantly—Aizen Sosuke.

"Forgive us for the wait," Aizen said warmly, his voice like spring sunlight that calmed the hearts of the terrified trainees.

The two descended.

"Oh, Shimo-kun." Gin's grin widened. "Didn't expect to see you here. What a coincidence!"

Shimo answered with a polite smile.

"Yes, a coincidence indeed. I only just arrived."

Gin's smile sharpened dangerously.

"Then fate must've brought us together."

Shimo sighed, apparently missing the hostility.

"If not for Rukia's safety, I wouldn't have used my family's Senkaimon."

Gin's words faltered. He had hoped to attack Shimo with Seireitei's laws, but was forced to swallow it.

"Enough," Aizen interrupted smoothly. "There are still many Gillians before us."

To the Shinigami, he appeared every bit the heroic Captain, stepping forward to protect them.

"Allow me to finish this quickly," he said. "My Zanpakutō induces conflict. With it, I'll end this battle."

The instant he spoke, Shimo understood.

This was Aizen's true aim: the field exercise was never about the students. It was about forcing him—Kyōraku Shimo—to witness Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai.

Aizen reversed his blade, pointing it downward with serene composure.

"Shatter… Kyōka Suigetsu."

The blade sang softly as rippling blue light spread like water across its steel.

Aizen's spiritual pressure blanketed the city. Everyone who saw the light fell under his control—Shimo included.

The Gillians, trapped in illusion, turned on each other in a frenzy.

"They are already caught," Aizen said calmly.

Shimo drew his own Zanpakutō and smiled.

"Then let's end this quickly. Delay invites danger. Suspend the space—Akatsuki!"

A blood-red blade extended long in his hand. The space around him froze, motion suspended.

Aizen regarded him with mild surprise.

"An impressive Shikai."

"Secret Sword: Fine Snow!"

Shimo swung, unleashing endless arcs of sword-light that fell like snow. They rained upon the slowed Gillians.

In an instant, their bodies erupted with countless wounds, blood spraying like fountains, the scene grotesque and crimson.

The Shinigami, entranced by the sight, didn't notice the faint red glow cloaking Shimo's blade.

Flip the Hourglass—Akatsuki.

He had long prepared countermeasures against Kyōka Suigetsu. Through experimentation, he'd discovered that by invoking different release phrases, his Shikai could wield multiple powers.

By rewinding his own state to one minute earlier, the hypnosis was erased.

Against Kyōka Suigetsu, it was the perfect counter.

Aizen, however, didn't care. His purpose was already fulfilled.

"Such mastery of the sword," Aizen praised sincerely, only more pleased with his choice.

"Now that you've stepped back onto the board, Shimo… what moves will you make?"

His glasses glinted, concealing schemes beyond comprehension.

Meanwhile, the trainees could only gape. Their jealousy dissolved into awe.

When gaps are small, envy grows. But when the gulf is immeasurable… only reverence remains.

"That's Lieutenant Shimo's strength? To cut down Gillians in a single stroke… terrifying!"

"With power like that, he's on par with a Captain!"

---

Seireitei

In the Central Court, someone had to take the blame.

With so many trainees dead, the Academy's surveyors were imprisoned in the underground cells—few ever returned from there.

As for Shimo's unauthorized use of a Senkaimon, the matter fell to the head of the Kuchiki clan—Byakuya Kuchiki.

He gave only a verbal warning, and the matter ended.

---

Kuchiki Estate

"Byakuya, are you sure that's wise?"

Shimo savored an exquisite sake reserved for the Four Great Noble Houses, a satisfied look on his face.

"Tch. Now this is real sake."

Byakuya remained cold, though his voice carried a trace of resignation.

"Then tell me—how should I sentence you? Repentance Cell for double execution? Or cast into Muken for millennia?"

In truth, Byakuya could not bring himself to interfere.

First, Shimo was one of the few who could speak to him as an equal.

Second, he owed Shimo debts yet unpaid—debts that only grew with time. At this rate, he might spend his life repaying them.

"What of Rukia joining the Thirteenth after graduation?" Byakuya asked suddenly.

"What else is there to say?" Shimo replied. "It was your decision. The Thirteenth is safer than most divisions and gives her room to grow.

"But after this field exercise, can you say the World of the Living is safe?"

Byakuya fell silent.

"Leave the choice to Rukia," Shimo said dismissively.

Until Hollowfication research reached completion, her safety was not in jeopardy.

And besides—now that he was on Aizen's board, why should he move according to Aizen's plan?

He intended to change the flow of the game itself.

---

Though the Academy tried to suppress news of the disaster, it spread quickly.

The reports centered on three points:

1. The casualties among trainees were the worst in a century.

2. Aizen, Gin, and Shimo had arrived in time to reduce the losses.

3. Shimo himself—

Power on par with Captains.

A rare space-type Zanpakutō.

Swordsmanship praised even by Captain Aizen.

Once again, the name Kyōraku Shimo was on everyone's lips.

From promising graduate to pillar of the Seireitei in just a few years.

---

Second Division

In her quarters, Captain Soi Fon frowned as she read the reports.

"Kyōraku Shimo?"

Her brows tightened.

"That scoundrel again. Isn't there far too much about him lately?"

---

Fourth Division

After completing his day's training—thrashing the Sixth Unit thoroughly in sparring—Shimo was in good spirits.

Just then, a messenger arrived.

"Lieutenant, Nemu Kurotsuchi of the Twelfth Division has come to see you."

----------------------///

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