Aizen Co., Ltd. Employee No. 002

Prisoners?

A term used to refer to living beings under the Soul King's rule.

By now, just from that description alone, Arima Shizuya could more or less understand Aizen's views and thoughts on such matters.

And through the explanation that followed, Arima Shizuya fully understood what the other man was thinking as well.

Aizen laid out everything he knew about the Soul King, along with a series of related opinions.

Just like that man a century later, he had always been on a journey in pursuit of freedom.

He could not tolerate anything tangible standing above him.

He could not accept muddling through life in this world.

Seeking to change his circumstances, striving to break free from his shackles—this seemed to be what Aizen intended to do now. Arima Shizuya was not surprised in the slightest, and his expression did not change much.

After all, the Aizen from the original storyline had been far too vividly defined. Now, the two merely overlapped. There was nothing worth being shocked over.

"Originally, I had intended to observe Shizuya-kun for a while longer."

"After all, I understand the drawbacks of forcing growth. Even ripening someone in a positive sense cannot be done with excessive haste."

Prison Master, so you did understand that after all?

"But unfortunately, I do not have much time left."

Aizen adjusted his glasses and spoke with a smile.

"Now that I have been promoted to Vice-Captain, the time I can spend meeting Shizuya-kun will decrease accordingly."

"Only close interaction allows feelings to be conveyed between people. Distance may create a hazy sort of beauty, but it is ultimately not something solid beneath one's feet."

"Not being able to personally witness your growth is indeed regrettable. Yet at the same time, I have also confirmed something worth celebrating."

So what had he figured out?

Aizen's gaze was rather profound. Looking at Arima Shizuya, he spoke as though in a dream.

"Shizuya-kun, what does learning mean to you?"

"...???"

What a creepy question.

Though it somehow felt absurdly comical, considering the atmosphere, Arima Shizuya still gave it serious thought.

It meant progress?

But before he could say anything, Aizen continued on his own.

"No matter what the answer may be, it likely would not be learning itself. Because that is the most meaningless act of all..."

"Shizuya-kun, you and I are actually the same kind of people. We are monsters who merely wear human appearances."

"Things that others find exquisite, profound, and difficult to comprehend—we need only expend the slightest effort to grasp their essence and master them."

"Right, the world calls people like us geniuses. But if we search our hearts, does that term truly have any meaning?"

After all.

"We did not become this way by our own will, did we?"

The statement was somewhat obscure.

Yet Arima Shizuya quickly understood what the other man meant.

After only a month, classmates who had once been his equals had begun treating him with deference.

And because of Ōmaeda, even the teachers who had once looked down their noses at him had become much more cordial.

If those things were too superficial to serve as examples,

then the sense of unfamiliarity he had felt from Ise Nanao today fully proved that Aizen's words were correct.

He had merely done what he could do, what he should do.

Yet others would keep a respectful distance from him, displaying that faint but unmistakable sense of alienation.

Right.

This had never been Arima Shizuya's wish.

There was no need to treat him so cautiously. They could just interact normally, as they had before...

It was somewhat sorrowful. Somewhat painful.

But more than that, it was a kind of baffled regret.

"Judging from Shizuya-kun's expression, you should more or less understand what I mean by that now."

Geniuses were destined to be lonely.

Because no matter how hard an ant struggled, it could never reach an elephant's height.

So.

"Having an elephant understand an ant's thoughts is indeed a rather sociable approach. But conversely... is that fair to the elephant?"

Thoughts that had once lingered in Arima Shizuya's mind surfaced again, filling him with emotion.

Now that he stood from the same perspective, he could somewhat understand Aizen's way of thinking.

It resonated with him.

Perhaps merely noticing that was enough to make Aizen's tone several degrees lighter.

He looked at Arima Shizuya's profile and revealed a smile of evident satisfaction.

"And there is more than that. Shizuya-kun should know that the nobles hold the right to speak in the Soul Society, and enjoy privileges corresponding to it."

"Though I do not wish to put it too rudely, this parasite-like organization has become bloated to an unbelievable degree. If possible..."

"I hope that Shizuya-kun, those who share our aspirations, and I can establish a completely new order."

To speak of rebellion in such grandiose terms—only this gentle-looking yet secretly scheming fellow could manage that.

Arima Shizuya slowly let out a breath.

To keep himself from simply being led around by the nose, even though he knew his words might sound somewhat "naive,"

he could only attempt a rebuttal.

"But there are kind nobles too, aren't there?"

Aizen smiled without the slightest reaction.

"It is not strange to think so, but Shizuya-kun, let me give you a simple example."

"Just as we all need to eat meat."

"Most people do not need to take part in the slaughtering process. And precisely because of that, in the eyes of certain animals, people like us might seem rather kind as well, wouldn't we?"

The nobles were no different.

Gulp...

What a powerful rebuttal.

Not only was he no match for Aizen in ability and methods, he could not match his tongue either.

"Shizuya-kun, as I said before, we are all prisoners bound by iron chains."

"We think of resisting, struggling, striving to win a sky that belongs to us."

"But some people will not do so... They grow up numb, believing that all those without chains are beasts, and taking pride in wearing their chains."

"Even when facing former companions, these numb people will bite especially fiercely."

"And there are quite a few of them. They take pride in defending the old order, regarding it as the duty and burden of their entire lives."

"What a sorrowful fact... Don't you think so too, Shizuya-kun?"

Aizen slowly rose to his feet, walked around to stand before Arima Shizuya, and said with a light smile,

"That is why we need to unite. Only then can we resist all injustice. Lend me your strength, Shizuya-kun."

With that said,

Aizen fell silent and waited for the boy's response.

So how should he answer?

There was no other choice at all—Aizen had revealed the Hōgyoku and sought recognition. He had already shown enough sincerity.

But before giving his answer, Arima Shizuya raised a hand to scratch at the corner of his mouth, wearing a rather troubled expression.

"Teacher Aizen, were you certain that I would agree?"

Otherwise, why say so much?

Aizen pondered for a moment before revealing a thoughtful expression.

"Who knows? Perhaps I simply... wanted to talk with Shizuya-kun a little more."

All right, there was nothing else he wanted to know.

Arima Shizuya took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

Aizen Co., Ltd. Employee No. 002 was officially starting work today.

So how should he express his loyalty?

Uh...

Or would it look more solemn if he simply knelt down? Just as Arima Shizuya considered bending his knees, Aizen extended his right hand flatly.

"Shizuya-kun, there is no need for such formality between us. A handshake will suffice."

Something so simple was enough? The boy extended his right hand and clasped the other man's tightly.

The smile on Aizen's face spread like ink dropped into clear water, blooming in an instant... He seemed genuinely delighted.

Then.

Light flashed across the transparent lenses. Nameless radiance swirled and lurked within them, carrying an indescribably unique aura.

"Welcome to our ranks, Shizuya-kun."