"Interesting. So something like this exists in the world."
Aizen, flipping through the pages of the book in his hand, couldn't conceal the excited smile on his face. No wonder the Central 46 is instigating unrest in the Rukongai. It seems they're using it to collect souls to create this miraculous object called the 'Hōgyoku.' Pity the book didn't record how the Hōgyoku was made; otherwise, he could have saved himself a lot of trouble. But since the Central 46 is making such a big move, they must have found some leads.
The Hōgyoku, capable of breaking the limits of a Shinigami... I wonder if Kensei would be interested. Aizen immediately dismissed the thought of telling Kensei. Though Kensei's brain was problematic, Aizen knew Kensei was different from himself—a person with a sense of morality.
I'll tell him after I've completed it.
Placing the book back in its original position and calculating the time, Aizen walked out of the secret chamber.
"And I have to avoid being discovered by Kensei. What a hassle."
"Haha, Sōsuke! Standing before you now is—the personal disciple of the Captain-Commander, the Crown Prince of the Soul Society, the future pillar of the Soul Society, Lord Kensei Kenzuru! Aizen Sōsuke, if you acknowledge me as your godfather now, I can guarantee you a life of peace and security once I rise to glory!"
Kensei had rushed back to the dormitory precisely to pull off a grand show-off in front of Aizen. Unfortunately, Aizen didn't give him face, merely patting his shoulder without a word.
"At least give some reaction. What's with this attitude?"
Kensei sat on Aizen's bed, habitually throwing an arm around his shoulders. He pulled out the Kidō experience handbook Jūshirō Ukitake had given him from his robes and waved it triumphantly in front of Aizen.
"This is the handbook Captain Ukitake of the 13th Division gave me. It's filled with notes on many Kidō he's familiar with."
Aizen felt a flicker of interest. While a Shinigami's battle was indeed a battle of spiritual pressure, Shinigami of the same level still competed in offensive methods. His Zanpakutō didn't possess an attack-type ability, so he could only compensate for offensive power through Kidō.
"State your conditions."
Aizen knew there was no such thing as a free lunch, especially not from Kensei. If Kensei dared show it to him, it meant he had already thought of a condition.
"Let me state in advance, if the condition is making me call you 'Daddy' or something like that, forget it."
After saying this, Aizen watched Kensei's expression shift from eager enthusiasm to profound disappointment.
"Sōsuke, what do you mean by that? Am I that kind of person? This is slander, you know!"
"Heh heh."
Aizen looked disdainfully at Kensei, who was clutching his chest and vehemently denying the accusation. Don't you know your own character? How dare you accuse others of slandering you.
"Lately, I've been researching something new. I can tell you about it once I have results."
Estimating that Kensei couldn't propose any serious conditions, Aizen had to offer one himself. In any case, he wouldn't let Kensei lose out.
"Alright. But you'll have to wait until I've finished learning this first."
Kensei stroked his chin in thought. Aizen was somewhat of a research talent himself. Though he couldn't compare to Urahara Kisuke or Mayuri Kurotsuchi, he still had quite a few good things up his sleeve.
"Why did the Captain-Commander suddenly decide to formally take you as a disciple? Explain in detail."
Kensei recounted everything that happened after going to the 1st Division today, omitting nothing. Aizen listened while analyzing in his mind. By the time Kensei finished speaking, his mouth dry, Aizen slowly laid out his thoughts.
"It seems the Captain-Commander truly intends to invest his efforts in you. But how do you feel about it?"
"Old Man Yamamoto treats me well. Supporting the old man is better than supporting someone else. Besides, it's not like the old man is serious. If he were, who in the Soul Society could stop him?"
Though noble families like the Kuchiki and Shihōin were fine too, nobles had too many rules. The old man was different. Look at Kyōraku Shunsui—the old man hasn't 'cleaned house' despite his behavior, just gives him a beating at most.
"Kensei, don't you have anything you want to do?"
Aizen always sensed a certain hollowness in Kensei. It was as if Kensei were a small boat drifting aimlessly on the sea—possessing extraordinary talent yet not actively pursuing power, not even showing much joy at gaining the favor of Yamamoto Genryūsai, the strongest Shinigami.
Moreover, Aizen felt Kensei knew quite a lot. Normally, faced with such political struggles among the Soul Society's upper echelons, an ordinary person would be cautious. Even if supporting Yamamoto, they wouldn't trust him after just two meetings. Add to that Kensei's reaction the first time he saw him...
Aizen, frowning in contemplation, hadn't yet pieced together an answer when his train of thought was interrupted by Kensei's strange exclamation.
"If I have to say, there is something. Look, a handsome guy like me should at least marry three or four wives and live a life of debauchery, right?"
What kind of uncivilized monkey is this?
Aizen's face darkened. He inwardly cursed Kensei for being vulgar. With such talent, to only think of such things was a complete waste. Pushing Kensei, who was sprawled on his bed, away, Aizen lay down in annoyance, preparing to rest.
Kensei found it strange that Aizen was resting so early today. He could only go to the side and start flipping through the handbook Ukitake had given him, hoping to learn it quickly to get back at Old Man Yamamoto. What kind of teacher throws his own disciple around like that? Utterly disrespectful in his old age.
Kidō... a lot of it wasn't particularly useful, serving more as an auxiliary—things like disguise, healing, and so on. But knowing it was better than not knowing. One never knew when it might come in handy. Of course, the main reason was Kensei thought chanting the incantations would look really cool. After all, Bleach battles were all about who had more style.
I wonder if Sōsuke will still just rely on 'Kurohitsugi' (Black Coffin) for everything in the future.
Kensei shot a sympathetic look at Aizen. From how things seemed now, Aizen was still a decent person, at least capable of considering him a friend.
As long as I'm careful from now on, he probably won't become a traitor, right? Originally, Aizen's mindset warped because his power increased too quickly. Isolated, he couldn't find anyone comparable to himself, leading him to believe he and Shinigami weren't the same species. Put nicely, it's arrogance; put bluntly, it's chuunibyou.
But Kensei could understand that mindset. A kid's chuunibyou that doesn't improve with age is mostly because they haven't been beaten enough. Otherwise, why would I bother being friends with Aizen? It's all for a stable life in the future. If Aizen doesn't become a traitor, there won't be so much trouble. Only Yhwach is a bit tricky. As long as Old Man Yamamoto doesn't die, I can pretty much do whatever I want.
Putting the handbook away beside him, Kensei fell asleep, one moment thinking about making Aizen repay him properly in the future, the next chuckling foolishly in his dreams. On the other side, hearing the steady breathing from the adjacent bed, Aizen got up and looked with a complex expression at the sleeping, still-grinning Kensei. He shook his head and slowly left the room.
He mustn't find out about this plan of mine. It might cause trouble for him. He is destined to be the Soul Society's shining new star. How could I let someone with a dark heart like me drag him into trouble?
Heh... In the end, I am alone...
Looking up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky, Aizen smiled self-deprecatingly.
But... before the plan is exposed, let me enjoy this game of friendship with Kensei a little while longer.