"Those are kind words, Captain Aizen."
"Compared to you, Captain..."
"My so-called talent is nothing."
Gin Ichimaru spoke flattering words, glossing over the subject of his promotion and turning instead to praise Aizen's natural gifts.
And perhaps to match his astonishment, his usually narrowed eyes opened slightly, revealing a glimpse of pale blue.
Aizen smiled faintly and said nothing more, paying Gin's words no mind.
Or rather, it wasn't that he didn't care about Gin's flattery. It was that...
Everything Gin said was true.
Gin stood silently behind Aizen as well, but his heart was shrouded in gloom.
Just as he'd said, even his own peerless talent was nothing compared to Aizen's.
Aizen was someone who could overwhelm even Captain-level opponents with Spiritual Pressure alone.
Ordinary Captain-level Soul Reapers had only two possible outcomes when facing Aizen:
They were killed instantly, or they managed to exchange a couple of blows after releasing Bankai before being killed instantly.
Even though I've never seen Aizen fight in earnest...
That unfathomable Spiritual Pressure and oppressive presence...
No matter how strong I become, they'll still be there...
Gin remained silent.
Though he was only a Third Seat, he had already mastered Bankai thanks to his exceptional talent, and was confident that he'd entered the Captain-level.
Even so, whenever he considered ambushing Aizen, some inexplicable premonition told him there was only one possible outcome.
Instant death.
If I'm a genius...
Then this seemingly gentle, refined man before me...
Gin looked at Aizen's back and saw only a profound darkness that filled him with fear.
...is the real monster.
Gin's gaze shifted slightly to Illusion, which Aizen had placed on the table.
And that Zanpakutō ability is practically unbeatable.
Though he was undercover at Aizen's side, watching him day and night, Gin still wasn't sure he