Seeds

"So... so strong!" Renji's mouth dropped open, and he couldn't even speak properly. Not only Renji, but the other three people also stared at Ye Yang in disbelief. He was too strong! He regarded the giant Hollow as an ant and could destroy it with the flick of his hand!

Ye Yang's image was deeply imprinted in Renji's mind. He would probably never forget such immense power. He wondered when he himself would be able to possess such strength.

"Gin, let's make our move." Aizen saw that Ye Yang had already come out, so he had no choice but to take action. Although he had expected Ye Yang to come, he hadn't expected him to come so quickly. He must have come out without notifying the Captain-Commander.

Yin nodded and said, "Okay, Captain Aizen. I didn't expect Teacher Ye Yang to arrive so early. That really suits his personality." Without hesitation, he stepped out of the darkness and chanted, "Shoot him— Shinsō!"

A silver streak appeared in the gray sky, tearing through the air like lightning and instantly killing several giant Hollows. Then, with a flick of his Shinsō, he killed more than a dozen more. Aizen and Gin walked towards the four exhausted people.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, we've come to your rescue," Aizen said in a calm tone.

Shūhei was shocked. "Your Excellency is... Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division, and Captain Ichimaru of the Third Division!"

Aizen forward and stroked Hinamori's head, saying, "You did a great job. We were late and must have startled you. But it's all right now. Leave the rest to us. You two get some rest."

Hinamori stared blankly at Aizen, her eyes filled with longing. Aizen smiled and walked towards the group of Menos Grande with Gin. Gin complained, "Wow, that's a huge number, Teacher Ye Yang. I didn't expect you to arrive before me and Captain Aizen, who are part of the rescue team. Actually, you could have easily handled it even if we hadn't come."

Ye Yang merely glanced at them coldly; this matter was definitely related to them. However, even knowing this, there wasn't enough evidence; Aizen, with his methods, would never leave any evidence behind.

"Yay! I think I'd better deal with these guys in front of me. Shoot them down— Shinsō!" Silver, wielding the Shinsō, began to slay the giant Hollow.

Aizen smiled at Ye Yang, casually Hollowfication attacking him into ashes. Hinamori stared blankly at Aizen's retreating figure, muttering, "So strong, Captain Aizen."

Renji, standing to the side, retorted, "No way! Teacher Ye Yang is the strongest, and it was Teacher Ye Yang who saved us! I'm going to become as strong as Teacher Ye Yang!"

Hinamori didn't refute it. In her heart Ye Yang was just as strong. After all, she had taught them for so long, Ye Yang's strength had long been deeply ingrained in their minds. Just now, Ye Yang had killed the giant Hollow as if it were nothing, but Aizen's image was already deeply imprinted in her heart.

People are like this: they don't feel anything for those who are right in front of them because they take it for granted. But if a stranger saves you, you can't help but feel goodwill towards them, and if that person is perfect, then that feeling will evolve into longing. Hinamori was like that.

Renji is different; Ye Yang has been guiding him for three years. Without Ye Yang's guidance, she could not have reached where she is today. In Renji's heart, she has long regarded Ye Yang as her master, someone that no lazy person can replace.

Moreover, it was Ye Yang who first appeared to save them, so their preconceived notions meant that Kira and Shūhei would admire Ye Yang instead of Aizen. As a result, Aizen only achieved half of his goal this time.

Ye Yang knew that Hinamori would admire Aizen later, but he didn't know it would be because of today. A seed had been planted in Hinamori's heart today, and no matter how hard Ye Yang tried in the future, it would be futile. However, at least it ruined Renji, Kira Shūhei's impression of Aizen, which could be considered an unexpected gain.

Soon, the giant Hollows in the sky were all slaughtered, and the air was filled with the stench of carnage. Gin, standing beside Aizen, said, "Teacher Ye Yang, it's been so many years, your methods are still as swift as ever."

Ye Yang glanced at him. "Captain Ichimaru's methods are not bad either. By the way, you and Captain Aizen seem to have arrived a bit late. As a rescue team, you should have arrived as quickly as possible."

"I'm sorry, Captain Ichimaru and I rushed here as soon as we received the order, but we were unable to rescue more students. I feel deeply guilty about that." Aizen was not offended by Ye Yang's words, but instead showed a guilty expression. He handled every detail perfectly.

If Ye Yang continued to target them, it would make him seem petty. "Captain Aizen, you're too kind. I'm glad you care about the students. After all, it took quite a bit of time to get here from Soul Society, and no one could have predicted this danger. So, please, both captains, go and find the surviving students. I'll take them Soul Society first, as their injuries cannot be delayed."

Aizen nodded. "Alright, let's go, Captain Ichimaru."

"Yes, Captain Aizen." Silver disappeared with Aizen. All the students in Class 1 were here. Although their injuries were quite serious, none of them were in mortal danger. However, it was hard to say about those students who had fled at the beginning. With so many giant Hollows appearing, it was impossible to avoid casualties, but there should be quite a few survivors.

Ye Yang walked up to them and said, "I'm late, otherwise..."

"Teacher Ye Yang, you don't need to blame yourself. No one could have predicted this. If you hadn't arrived in time, we would have been wiped out. But we didn't let you down. With all our strength, plus Shūhei Hisagi- senpai, we successfully killed more than a dozen Hollows!" Renji smiled and patted his chest.

"Yes, I'm very happy that you've all done this much. These are the students I've taught." A hint of relief flashed in Ye Yang's eyes. Fortunately, the students in his class were unharmed, and they had grown a lot through this experience.

Ye Yang turned to look at the wounded Shūhei and said, "This must be Shūhei Hisagi, the top student of the sixth cohort. Thank you for saving these students. You have impressive strength." Ye Yang didn't hold back his praise. This young man was superior to Renji and the others in both aura and strength. Without him, they would have suffered heavy losses this time.

Shūhei quickly replied, "Teacher Ye Yang, you flatter us. It's thanks to these students that we've been able to persevere until now. You could say they saved me, not the other way around."

Ye Yang nodded noncommittally without answering, then took out his Zanpakuto and thrust it into the air, chanting, "Kaijō!" Instantly, a door appeared from the tip of the blade. "We'd better not talk about this anymore. The students are seriously injured. Let's go back and take them to the Fourth Division first. Are you still able to move?"

"It's okay, Teacher Ye Yang, we can still manage!" Renji forced a smile, but he sat down weakly as soon as he stood up, feeling completely drained.

Just then, another Senkaimon appeared beside them, and some Shinigami members walked out. The armbands on their shoulders were all engraved with the number "four," indicating that the medical personnel of the Fourth Division had arrived.

Finally, the Fourth Division's vice-captain Isane Kotetsu, stepped forward. She approached Ye Yang and said, "Lieutenant Ye Yang, I've brought dozens of medical personnel. Let these students receive emergency treatment first."

Ye Yang nodded. "Alright."

The members of the Fourth Division then began to treat the students. Fortunately, their injuries were not serious. The reason they were unable to fight was mainly due to exhaustion. They had used up all their Spiritual Power, so even a small injury was enough to prevent them from fighting.

A short while later, Aizen and Gin brought back several survivors, about ten people in total. They all had some injuries, some serious and some even unconscious. The members of the Fourth Division quickly gave them emergency treatment.

Only after the students' injuries had been temporarily stabilized did they open the Senkaimon. The members of the Fourth Division and some students with minor injuries were responsible for transporting them back to Soul Society.

All the injured students were transported to the Fourth Division, and Ye Yang went with them, while Aizen and Gin went to the First Division to report the incident to the Captain-Commander.

Today is destined to be a busy day for the Fourth Division. Nearly forty wounded soldiers have arrived at once, all of whom are students of the Shin'ō. Even the Fourth Division's captain Retsu Unohana, personally went to treat them. These are all future talents of Soul Society, and their deaths are absolutely unacceptable. The students who survived this incident are undoubtedly elites.

Ye Yang waited outside until all the students had settled down. When Unohana came out, she had a bead of sweat on her forehead, indicating that she had put a lot of effort into this.

"Captain Unohana, how are the students doing?" Ye Yang asked.

Unohana smiled gently, "It's alright. Most of their injuries aren't very serious. After treatment, none of the students are in life-threatening danger, especially those in your class. Most of them collapsed due to exhaustion. They'll be fine after a few days of rest. Especially those few kids, they can go home to recuperate now."

Ye Yang knew she was referring to Renji and the other two, while Shūhei, who had to take on the main offensive role, suffered more injuries and was more seriously wounded.

"Really? Then I'll trouble Captain Unohana. May I go in and check on them?"

"Sure."

Ye Yang then entered the ward. Looking at the students lying in bed, he felt a pang of guilt. If he had arrived earlier, things might have turned out differently.

Ye Yang walked over to where Renji were and asked, "Are you alright?"

Renji chuckled and said, "Of course I'm fine, don't you know who I am?" Kira and Hinamori also assured him they were alright, and Ye Yang finally relaxed and left.