Shatter, Illusion!

Feeling Yoruichi Shihouin bristle in his arms, Gilgamesh reached out and gently stroked her head, calming her little by little.

Gilgamesh naturally knew Sosuke Aizen.

He wasn't the only one. Aside from the students from Rukongai, nearly everyone else in the classroom knew Sosuke Aizen.

So the moment they saw him, the students erupted with excitement.

"Am I dreaming?"

"It's Captain Aizen of Squad 5!"

"Captain Aizen is a specially appointed instructor at Shin'o Academy. He comes here to teach from time to time. I can't believe I ran into him!"

"How lucky! We got Captain Aizen for our very first Asauchi class."

"I heard Captain Aizen always demonstrates his Zanpakuto's Shikai in his Asauchi classes, so students can better understand Asauchi and Zanpakuto. I wonder if it's true."

"I hope it is. I've wanted to see Captain Aizen's Zanpakuto Shikai with my own eyes for ages."

Renji Abarai and Rukia hadn't known Sosuke Aizen before. At first, they'd thought he was just an ordinary teacher.

But after hearing the noble-born students around them talking excitedly, they finally realized that this gentle, refined-looking man was none other than the captain of Squad 5 of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Especially after hearing about Sosuke Aizen's many accomplishments, they grew excited too, eagerly anticipating the lesson ahead.

Sosuke Aizen wasn't surprised by the students' reactions. He'd seen scenes like this many times before.

His eyes, hidden behind black-rimmed glasses, swept calmly across the room before settling on Gilgamesh.

Aizen couldn't help but pause for a moment.

It wasn't because Gilgamesh's Charisma of the Beautiful Boy had taken effect.

On the contrary, that ability had absolutely no effect on Sosuke Aizen.

Aizen's brief surprise came from Gilgamesh's unexpected reaction.

At that moment, Gilgamesh wore an intrigued smile as he simply looked at Aizen.

In Aizen's eyes, Gilgamesh made no effort to hide his ambition. His beautiful, gemlike wine-red eyes revealed a desire to conquer.

Does he want to conquer me?

That absurd thought had surfaced involuntarily in Aizen's mind, and it was what had made him pause.

But Aizen had formidable self-control. In an instant, he composed himself.

Interesting. Very interesting. Let's see how you plan to conquer me, Gilgamesh...

With that thought, Aizen looked at the students and said warmly, "Though many of you already know me, allow me to introduce myself."

"My name is Sosuke Aizen, and I'm the current captain of Squad 5 of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

"I'll be teaching today's Asauchi class."

He paused, then continued, "If you want to turn an Asauchi into your own Zanpakuto, you must live alongside it day and night."

"Through constant practice and refinement, you imprint the essence of your soul upon the Asauchi, awakening your Zanpakuto..."

Aizen taught with great care, explaining complex ideas in simple terms that were easy for his students to understand.

There was no denying it: Aizen was an excellent teacher.

At least, every student in the classroom except Gilgamesh had already been won over by him. Some even admired him.

Renji Abarai and Rukia were impressed by Aizen's knowledge too, listening intently to his lesson.

The only one there who couldn't focus at all was Yoruichi Shihouin in her black-cat form.

She didn't know why Aizen had come here.

But her instincts told her that his visit had something to do with Gilgamesh.

The thought of Aizen reaching his black hand toward Gilgamesh filled Yoruichi with dread and alarm.

Aizen was far too good at hiding his true nature.

Even though Yoruichi trusted Gilgamesh, she still felt uneasy.

Whenever Aizen's gaze seemed to drift her way, a chill ran through her. She feared he might discover her.

As a result, Yoruichi couldn't sit still in Gilgamesh's arms. Again and again, she looked up at him.

As it happened, just the night before, Yoruichi had told Kaien Shiba and Isshin Shiba about Aizen.

Gilgamesh had been there too.

That meant Gilgamesh knew about Aizen as well.

So Yoruichi wanted to see how he would react.

But Gilgamesh remained calm and unruffled, impossible for her to read.

She wanted to talk to him, but was afraid Aizen would notice.

The situation was driving her crazy.

At the lectern, Aizen continued teaching as he unfastened the Zanpakuto at his waist.

The students seemed to realize what was coming. Their excitement, which had just begun to settle, surged once more.

As the students watched in anticipation, Aizen raised his Zanpakuto in his right hand and said, "Now, let me demonstrate Shikai."

"My Zanpakuto is called Illusion. It's a water-type Zanpakuto that uses the irregular refraction of mist and water to confuse enemies and make them turn on one another."

Without waiting for the students to react, Aizen softly chanted, "Shatter, Illusion!"

The next moment, Aizen sheathed his Zanpakuto and ignored the students as he walked step by step toward Gilgamesh.

Strangely, nobody noticed anything amiss. The students kept staring at the lectern, occasionally gasping in amazement, as if Aizen were still standing there, demonstrating his Shikai.

Gilgamesh was no different. His eyes remained on the lectern, and he ignored Aizen as he approached.

Soon, Aizen stood right in front of Gilgamesh.

He reached out and lightly tapped the empty space before him. A Garganta abruptly opened.

Then Aizen set about taking Gilgamesh into the Hueco Mundo connected to the Garganta.

He was too constrained in Soul Society to fight freely, but Hueco Mundo was another matter.

Although he hadn't taken control of Hueco Mundo yet, he could let loose there.

Then, whether or not Gilgamesh had hidden strength, Aizen was confident he could subdue him.

Besides, he wouldn't be alone.

Looking at the open Garganta, Aizen didn't hesitate. He reached out to grab Gilgamesh.

Just then, Gilgamesh suddenly turned to look at Aizen, a playful smile on his face.

The instant their gazes met, Aizen's calm expression, so certain that everything was under his control, changed dramatically!