About Spiritual Pressure

About Spiritual Pressure

"Spiritual pressure is a rather broad term. If we were to break it down... hmm, it could probably be described as the density of the soul."

"The more powerful an individual is, the denser and more formidable their soul becomes. When it is restrained, it will not show itself, but once it erupts, it creates a presence much like a black hole."

"That's right, a pressure similar to gravity. For two sides with an absurd gap in spiritual pressure, merely standing nearby can make one feel almost suffocated."

"Collapsing straight to the ground and being unable to stand are fairly common. For those with weaker constitutions, shock or dizziness is not impossible either."

"This is actually quite unfair. Fundamentally speaking, it is like an adult disdaining to fight a child and trying to make the other party retreat through intimidation alone."

"Hm? You're asking whether what I did to you yesterday was this?"

"Hehe, Shizuya-kun should already have an answer himself..."

Having changed back into his black uniform, Aizen wore his usual calm expression and a gentle smile.

Faced with Arima Shizuya's suspicious gaze, he pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"As I just said, using spiritual pressure to bully others is an adult picking on a child. But if the other party possesses a physique no weaker than an adult's, then it will naturally produce the opposite effect."

"Yes. Under such circumstances, so-called intimidation becomes provocation."

"Even the most oblivious person will erupt at the most critical moment. After all, this is a choice concerning life and death. There can be no room for retreat."

At this point, Aizen's intentions could not have been clearer.

Leaning against the headboard, Arima Shizuya, looking somewhat rueful, could not help but say, "So Teacher Aizen used your spiritual pressure to forcibly suppress me yesterday, making me unleash my own power through my desire to survive?"

"Mm, you caught on quickly."

Hearing that response, Arima Shizuya hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, no. This method is way too strange..."

Did you really have to push me to the absolute limit? I'm begging you, gradual progress is the proper way! What kind of Spartan education is this...

Arima Shizuya wailed inwardly.

Dora Aizen! Your teaching philosophy seems to have a serious problem! "Ahahaha, though judging from the result, it did differ greatly from what I expected."

Aizen seemed as though he wanted to cross his arms, but his brows could not help tightening.

In the end, he lowered his hands again.

"Blowing up half the Kendo Hall and causing such damage was indeed unexpected. But I have some savings, so Shizuya-kun need not worry about that."

"Teacher, that's not what I meant..."

They were merely material possessions. Even if Arima Shizuya had to work to earn money, he was confident he could make up for it eventually.

The problem lay with Aizen himself.

Arima Shizuya lifted his gaze, his eyes filled with some guilt.

After all, though he was lying in a hospital bed, the one who had truly suffered worse injuries was Aizen Sōsuke.

His slash had held absolutely nothing back, and it had been an explosive attack unleashed in a moment of crisis.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Arima Shizuya's "counterattack" had been intended to kill.

Yet Aizen had not defended himself, allowing the attack to land on his body.

Flesh had split apart, the wound deep enough to expose bone.

Namu Amida Butsu, how cruel—enough to make even the emergency students who arrived on the scene weep.

Aizen seemed to sense Arima Shizuya's gaze. Maintaining his smile, he raised his right hand and pointed to his chest.

"Are you concerned about the wound here?"

Wasn't it obvious...

The first time he had drawn his blade was not to slay some Hollow or an evildoer.

It had been against the teacher who had helped him time and again.

Gah! Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle!

To hide his embarrassment, Arima Shizuya could not help scratching at the corner of his mouth.

"Actually, Shizuya-kun need not blame yourself so much. As I said before... I, Aizen Sōsuke, am also a first-time teacher. Many matters are new to me as well. So although I may seem somewhat mature, fundamentally speaking, I am also a novice."

"How to guide students, help you find your own paths, and draw out your so-called potential—those are the things I need to consider."

"This method... now that I think about it, it was indeed a rather reckless attempt. Fortunately, I am fairly satisfied with the result."

So.

Aizen tilted his head slightly, raised his right hand, and pointed to the small section of bandage visible near his collarbone.

"Take it as a lesson carved into your bones. Hehe, I imagine it will be an unforgettable experience."

It sounded nice, but it did nothing to ease the guilt of the party involved.

Though he still wanted to say something, seeing Aizen's smile that did not reach his eyes, Arima Shizuya ultimately let out a soft sigh.

There was no point in saying more.

He could only say that before this man found his own path, he truly had the potential to become something like a "pleasure-seeker"...

"Um, Teacher..."

Choosing his words carefully, Arima Shizuya lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you for your guidance this time."

Aizen pressed his lips together almost imperceptibly. He did not answer immediately, instead turning to look out the window.

"Let us put the small talk aside for now, Shizuya-kun. Through last night's sparring match, you should understand how spiritual pressure works by now, correct?"

Of course.

There was no more memorable way to learn it than this.

Seeing Arima Shizuya nod, Aizen seemed quite satisfied and nodded as well.

"As expected of my student. This is the level you should be capable of."

"Flexibly controlling one's spiritual pressure is a required course for a Shinigami... it is even the foundation of foundations. If one cannot do even this, then one cannot use Kido flexibly."

"It is like a general on the battlefield being unable to command his own soldiers. Letting them act freely and seek opportunities on their own is a method as well, but it is far too wasteful, isn't it?"

Arima Shizuya understood this theory perfectly.

After all, Kurosaki Ichigo in the original story had been like this—Strawberry Bro's Spiritual Power-formed paths were shattered and uneven, the complete opposite of Retsu Unohana's broad, smooth road.

"Arima-kun, spiritual pressure can be trained, but in truth, everyone is born different."

"Some are tall, some are short. Some are fat, some are thin."

"It is just like a person's physical constitution. The genes one inherits will certainly impose limits on development and growth."

"But acquired training can also make corresponding changes. Up to this point, Shizuya-kun should understand, yes?"

Mm, this is probably something even a sixth grader could understand.

But what does it have to do with what we're discussing?

As though sensing Arima Shizuya's puzzled gaze, Aizen smiled at the boy, an inexplicable glimmer seeming to flicker in his eyes.

"Shizuya-kun may not have noticed it himself, but your spiritual pressure is actually absurdly powerful."

Huh? Is that so? I had absolutely no idea!

Seeing Arima Shizuya's baffled expression, Aizen wore an expression of "just as expected."

"Just as I thought, as one of the Parties, you truly have no sense of it."

"After all, you have not yet had the opportunity to study this systematically."

"By your second year, there will be training specifically for controlling spiritual pressure. By then, Shizuya-kun will notice your own talent as well."

Then we can talk about it when that time comes!

Arima Shizuya wailed endlessly in his heart... Why are you in such a hurry to develop me?! "Though I also believe it would be better to proceed step by step, seeing such abundant potential does make one somewhat tempted."

"I originally thought that, as long as I controlled it properly, I could keep the damage to a minimum. But I did not expect Shizuya-kun's spiritual pressure to far exceed my estimates..."

A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. As though to aid his thinking, Aizen lowered his right hand beside his face.

He lightly tapped his temple with his index finger.

"Right. Power at this level already far surpasses that of an ordinary Squad Member. Shizuya-kun, in terms of spiritual pressure alone, you are enough to rival a Low-Ranking Seat."

Was that good news?

Though he now knew he was "exceptionally gifted," upon thinking it over, it was likely only because he had lived two lives.

Perhaps memories could also be converted into something akin to spiritual pressure. Benefiting from all he had seen and heard in his previous life, Arima Shizuya might indeed possess some talent in this regard.

But he should only be slightly stronger than ordinary people.

It should not be to this extent... no, wait.

A possibility surfaced in Arima Shizuya's mind.

Though his ability could not directly increase the strength of his spiritual pressure, if he continued improving his Four Basic Attributes, could he indirectly strengthen his soul? Would that make his spiritual pressure greater and more exaggerated as well? It really did seem possible!

Though yesterday's battle had resulted in "heavy losses," the outcome had been all good things.

That truly put him in a pleasant mood.

"It seems Shizuya-kun has gained quite a bit as well."

"Uh... hehe, just a little."

Teacher and student exchanged smiles.

Not long afterward, Aizen left first due to his busy affairs.

Arima Shizuya himself had merely been exhausted, so after resting for a while, he planned to handle his discharge procedures.

I slept for an entire day and night...

It seemed that forcing his spiritual pressure to its absolute limit and draining his body dry also caused mental fatigue.

If he had a choice, he should avoid doing anything so dangerous in the future.

He found his sword at the head of the bed and hung the Asauchi at his waist. Arima Shizuya had only just gotten out of bed.

He had not even taken two steps.

When the door before him was pushed open.

It was Tōsen Kaname, carrying a fruit basket. Facing Arima Shizuya, he instinctively turned half his face aside.

After a moment of silence.

He then spoke softly.

"Have I been somewhat self-indulgent?"