Start × Retreat

Three days later, the largest training ground in Soul Society.

At this moment, all the captains of the Thirteen Divisions had gathered together, approaching this Captain Battle with considerable curiosity and interest.

Normally, captain positions were either recommended or directly appointed upon recognition by Head Captain Yamamoto.

A battle to contend for a captain seat like this was something rarely seen even once in centuries.

Of course, except for the Eleventh Division—its captain was always decided entirely through combat.

"Gin,"

Aizen asked Gin Ichimaru beside him, "Do you have confidence?"

"Facing Nara-kun?"

Gin Ichimaru wore an enigmatic smile.

"If it were an ordinary captain... it wouldn't be much of a problem."

"But facing Nara Dan,"

Gin's tone carried a hint of complexity, "we've all seen how strong he is..."

"Captain Aizen..."

Gin's meaning was clear—he was confident he was no weaker than, or even stronger than, most sitting captains, but he had no confidence against the freshly graduated Nara Dan.

Aizen, however, showed no sign of concern and calmly reassured him, "I think if it's you, Gin, you're not without a chance."

"After all, you're quite a talented Shinigami yourself..."

Gin remained unmoved by Aizen's flattery.

"That's one way to put it."

"But I imagine Captain Aizen wouldn't want to watch me lose disastrously either..."

"Otherwise, losing to your own Vice-Captain would be quite embarrassing for you, Captain Aizen..."

Gin was probing Aizen, hinting at whether he would intervene in the battle between him and Nara Dan.

After all, if Aizen activated Kyōka Suigetsu, making him win this fight would be relatively easy.

"The captain seat isn't really a necessity for us,"

Aizen didn't answer directly, instead sidestepping the topic.

"Is it?"

"In comparison,"

"I'd much rather have you, Gin, force Nara Dan to reveal more of his trump cards."