The Most Beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society

Aizen kept his gentle smile and replied to Hirako as warmly as a spring breeze.

"Captain Hirako, I'm deeply grateful that you think so highly of me. It's just that Fifth Seat Yan Si and I are friends, and I also admire his saying: 'A Shinigami's battles are a contest of Reiatsu.'"

As he spoke, he naturally turned his head toward Yan Si beside him, his eyes curving into two friendly arcs.

"So, speaking for myself, I'd much rather join the Ninth Division. That would give me more opportunities to exchange ideas with Fifth Seat Yan Si and learn from him, so we could improve together."

He smiled at Yan Si, his tone tinged with just the right amount of inquiry. "Fifth Seat Yan Si, I hope you won't mind having me around?"

Before Yan Si could reply, Hirako Shinji beside him curled his lip and gave Yan Si a sidelong look with dead fish eyes, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

"Oh? So you'd really like Aizen to join the Ninth Division, too, Fifth Seat Yan Si? No wonder you're the one attending the graduation recruitment this time."

Yan Si's expression was as calm as still water, but inside, he was crying out that he'd been wrongly accused.

I'm innocent! I didn't! I had nothing to do with it! I only came here because the captain and lieutenant teamed up to spring this on me!

And what the hell are you up to, Aizen? Wasn't the script supposed to have you decide that the Fifth Division would be easier to operate in because Hirako was wary of you and kept testing you?

Why join the Ninth Division? Captain Kensei is a straightforward, kind-hearted guy. He won't watch you like Hirako does. That's no good for your covert operations, boss!

He forced down the roar inside him and answered as steadily as he could.

"Student Aizen, given your excellent grades in every subject and your well-rounded abilities, I personally think you'd have a broader future in a division like the Fifth."

As he spoke, he hurriedly turned his gaze to Hirako Shinji, his eyelids twitching as he blinked rapidly and frantically tried to signal him.

Captain Hirako! Do you see it? Look at my completely sincere eyes! I really wasn't trying to steal him from you! This has nothing to do with me!

He turned back again, trying to steer Aizen away from his "wrong path."

"With your talent and ambition, Student Aizen, surely you wouldn't want to spend your whole career stuck in the lowly position of a Seat Officer, would you?"

Aizen! What about your grand plan for the next hundred years? Your pride? You still want to stand above the heavens! Get a grip! Go to the Fifth Division, the stage that suits you better!

Aizen maintained his flawless, gentle smile and said, "Whether we're ordinary squad members, Seat Officers, lieutenant, or captain, we're all working toward the stability and prosperity of Seireitei. There's no distinction of rank or status. You're content to serve as a Seat Officer, Fifth Seat Yan Si, and you've done an excellent job, haven't you?"

"That's true," Hirako Shinji chimed in, the corners of his mouth twitching as he spoke in a tone that was half joking and half serious.

"Fifth Seat Yan Si is certainly too talented to be just a Seat Officer. Why not come to the Fifth Division, too? I'll save the lieutenant's position for you. What do you say?"

Though his tone was teasing, there wasn't a trace of amusement in his slightly narrowed dead fish eyes.

"Hiss!" Yan Si drew a sharp breath.

No, seriously! Are you two teaming up to set me up?!

What the hell did I do to deserve both of you taking an interest in me?!

Aizen I could understand. I made drinking money off his life story and even stole his famous line.

But what's your deal, Captain Hirako? Are you trying to bring me over so you can keep a close eye on me? I'm just a lazy fish who wants a quiet life. Do you really have to target me like this?!

Yan Si took a deep breath and reiterated, "My abilities are nowhere near the level required to serve as a lieutenant."

"Whether in the Ninth Division or the Fifth Division, senior positions require more than just combat ability. They also demand management, decision-making, and other skills. I know I still have a long way to go in all those areas."

He tried to turn the focus back to Aizen.

"By comparison, Student Aizen excels in every area and would be a better candidate to groom as a lieutenant. Captain Hirako, you should give him more consideration."

But Aizen seemed set on "going toe-to-toe" with Yan Si. He smiled and picked up the conversation.

"You're far too modest, Fifth Seat Yan Si. Your exquisite control over spiritual power just now, and the way you explained things so clearly and simply, are more than enough to prove your extraordinary abilities."

Then he changed the subject to another topic that gave Yan Si a headache.

"Besides, you also have the 'most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society,' renowned throughout the entire Soul Society."

His gaze was sincere, and his tone carried just the right amount of admiration.

"A Zanpakutō reflects a Shinigami's soul. Surely possessing such a beautiful Zanpakutō means that your heart is pure and noble, Fifth Seat Yan Si?"

"Tch." At that, Hirako Shinji grew interested, eyeing Yan Si suspiciously from head to toe. "Come to think of it, is your Zanpakutō really as beautiful as the rumors say?"

Every Shinigami had a Zanpakutō, which evolved from a standard Asauchi.

An Asauchi was like a blank page. A Shinigami had to use their own soul to draw upon and shape it before it could become a unique Zanpakutō.

In a sense, a Zanpakutō's form and true name directly reflected the essence of its wielder's soul.

Sarugaki Hiyori's wild Kubikiri Orochi from earlier, for example, mirrored her blunt, fiery personality.

And anyone who could transform an Asauchi into a Zanpakutō and master Shikai while still at the Central Spirit Arts Academy was undoubtedly a genius.

Yan Si's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

What was going on? How had the conversation turned into a demonstration of my Shikai?!

Come to think of it, he'd only used his Shikai a handful of times.

The only time he'd been forced to use it in public was when Lieutenant Kyunnan Shiro had pushed him past his breaking point, and he'd used it in desperation.

For some reason, after that, the name "the most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society" had spread like wildfire.

Even though that Shikai had been a disguised form, forced out with the "wrong" release command...

Yan Si looked at the two people before him.

"Pure" curiosity glittered in Aizen's eyes, while Hirako's were openly inquisitive.

Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he understood.

Damn! These two schemers had teamed up to force me to show off my power!

Maybe Aizen was just curious, or maybe he had some other motive.

As for Hirako, he probably wanted to find out just how strong this "potential threat" really was!

When did you two develop this kind of understanding?! No wonder you'd spend decades in the same division, loving and fighting each other!

Don't drag me into this, you bastards!

Yan Si's mouth twitched slightly as he made one last attempt to resist.

"There'll be plenty of chances to show you my Shikai later. For now, we should focus on which division Student Aizen wants to join..."

But Aizen smiled and said gently, "Actually, one of the main reasons I want to join the Ninth Division is that I hope to have a chance to admire the 'most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society' up close. If I could see it right here..."

"Hiss!" Yan Si drew another sharp breath.

Enough, Aizen! You really won't stop until you get what you want!

Hirako Shinji immediately backed him up, crossing his arms.

"Our junior's asking so earnestly. As his senior, wouldn't it be a bit heartless to refuse to show us?"

"That's right, Yan Si," Kyōraku Shunsui said. He'd appeared at some point, wearing a lazy smile that said he was enjoying the show.

"I'm curious, too. What does your Zanpakutō look like? Why not indulge everyone's curiosity a little?"

Only he knew whether he was merely curious or using the opportunity to gather information.

Yan Si looked at the scene before him—a full-on tribunal—and knew there was no getting out of it today.

He took a deep breath and slowly nodded.

"...All right, then. Let's have a look."

With that, he stepped back a few paces to put some distance between himself and the three of them.

His right hand gripped the hilt at his waist, steady and sure, and slowly drew his Zanpakutō, holding it horizontally in front of his chest.

His left hand lifted gently and rested on the cold blade.

At that moment, the entire training ground fell silent.

Every graduate, including Sarugaki Hiyori, who had just been defeated, and Yadomaru Lisa, who remained composed, held their breath and stared wide-eyed, afraid to miss a single detail.

They all wanted to witness for themselves just what the fabled "most beautiful Zanpakutō in Soul Society" looked like!

Siwei Yan slowly ran his left hand along the slender blade. At the same time, cold, pure Reiatsu burst from his body, spreading in ripples.

He chanted softly, his voice cool and clear as jade.

"Fall, O Scroll of Wind and Snow."

In an instant, the Zanpakutō in his hand turned into a glittering cloud of snow and ice, like a river of stars scattered by the wind.

The icy Reishi swiftly gathered and took shape in his hand, transforming into a translucent folding fan made of ice, with snowflakes that never stopped falling.

Countless snowflakes drifted and swirled across the fan, catching and reflecting the light of the sky as they gave off a hazy, sorrowful glow.

The frame of ice crystals traced an elegant curve. The fan was so beautiful it took one's breath away, as if it held all the poetic beauty of winter.

At the same time, the temperature in the training ground quietly dropped. Wisps of cool wind arose from nowhere, carrying tiny, crystalline snowflakes that drifted silently down.

Siwei Yan held the dreamlike fan of ice and snow, standing quietly amid the sudden flurry.

His black Shinigami uniform stood in stark contrast to the pale snow and ice.

Framed by the wind and snow, his refined features seemed even more otherworldly, like those of a noble young man who had stepped out of an ancient painting, bearing endless sorrow and beauty.

In that moment, all things fell silent. Only the wind and snow silently painted a sorrowful scene.