Teacher, are you testing me?

The moon hid behind thick clouds, making the night exceptionally dark. The rhythmic sounds of monks in the courtyard did not bring a sense of peace; instead, they felt strangely oppressive.

In the quarters of the Captain-Commander of the First Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni set down his book and looked toward the door, as if waiting for someone. Under his gaze, the paper door slid open to reveal Diezuka Hiroe.

The two had not seen each other for a week; their last meeting was at the Shino Academy entrance ceremony for new students.

"I thought you would have come to find me sooner," Yamamoto said, gesturing to the seat opposite him with a calm voice. "You have become much more patient."

"At first, I couldn't figure it out, and I thought Teacher would summon me back immediately," Diezuka Hiroe said, sitting cross-legged across from Yamamoto with his head bowed. "But after spending so long in the sword room, I realized things, and my heart settled."

Yamamoto nodded with satisfaction upon hearing this; he had long known that Diezuka Hiroe had achieved Shikai in the sword room a week ago.

Usually, after new students selected an Asauchi, they were allowed to stay in the sword room to communicate with it for three days—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This time, because of Diezuka Hiroe, the instructor in charge had extended the time to a week on his own authority. Yamamoto had known and tacitly approved of this, and it seemed it had been a good decision.

The incident had caused quite a stir, but if Diezuka Hiroe had returned immediately, it would have invited suspicion, potentially exposing another matter. Compared to that, achieving Shikai was nothing.

"Diezuka Hiroe, do not bow your head. You have done nothing wrong!"

"But..." Diezuka Hiroe looked troubled, slowly lifting his head. "I caused a mess, after all—a massive one."

"Haha, I am happy to see such a mess! The more, the better!"

"But if I had been more restrained at the time, the situation would be much better, and it wouldn't be causing such an uproar now."

"Good... very good!" Yamamoto stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly in great satisfaction. "But I do not blame you. Opportunities are fleeting; regardless of the circumstances, anyone who abandons such an opportunity is not fit to be a powerhouse."

Yamamoto stared into Diezuka Hiroe's eyes and said earnestly, "If you were given another chance, I believe you would make the same choice, would you not, Diezuka Hiroe?"

The room fell into a brief silence. Diezuka Hiroe thought it over; although he had been obsessed at the time, he could have forced himself to stop if he had really wanted to.

The matter at hand is the most important; I can deal with the trouble later. That had been his thought process. If he had to choose again, he would likely do the same. Yamamoto was not wrong.

"Teacher is right; that sort of thing is truly hard to restrain." Diezuka Hiroe nodded firmly, though his face fell a moment later. "But what are we to do now?!"

"It seems I am the one with more patience after all, haha!"

Watching Yamamoto laugh heartily, Diezuka Hiroe felt as if ten thousand crows were cawing as they flew over his head. Are you still the same stern, rigid Captain-Commander I know? Besides, is who has more patience really something to be proud of?!

"Ahem!" Diezuka Hiroe coughed twice and tapped the low table in front of him. "Let's focus on the real business. Be serious, Teacher!"

"Very well, let us discuss the real business." Yamamoto stopped laughing and continued, "Two Zanpakuto are truly too shocking. If the Central 46 were to find out, they would likely lock you away for study."

Indeed, Diezuka Hiroe had possessed an Asauchi since childhood. He had completed his first Shikai a year ago, and with the one he achieved a week ago, he already possessed two Zanpakuto—two different Zanpakuto.

This was his greatest fear. Everyone knew that above a genius was a monster, but what they didn't know was that there was a level above a monster: a test subject.

A vision flashed through his mind: a room with white walls on all sides, a person with limbs bound and eyes covered—it was Diezuka Hiroe himself.

Having a hair plucked today, being drained of blood tomorrow, day after day, year after year. He might even be sliced up for research one day, and it felt as if such a life was already beckoning to him.

At the thought, Diezuka Hiroe's face turned pale. Yamamoto watched his ghastly expression and asked with a smile, "What, are you afraid?"

Diezuka Hiroe nodded. It was unlikely anyone could accept such a fate calmly. Then, as if realizing something, his eyes widened, and he stared at Yamamoto in horror.

The Central 46 represented the Seireitei, and the old man before him also represented the Seireitei. Have I already been sold out by him? Is this me walking straight into a trap?

Seeing Diezuka Hiroe's reaction, Yamamoto guessed his thoughts after a moment of reflection.

"What do you take your teacher for!" Yamamoto said with a huff, tapping Diezuka Hiroe's forehead with his finger. "Rest assured, I do not intend to tell anyone else."

"At least, not until your wings have fully grown."

"Teacher is wise!" Diezuka Hiroe gave a thumbs-up, flattering Yamamoto.

"But will the Central 46 investigate on their own? And I'm afraid..." Diezuka Hiroe stopped himself, pointing his index finger upward before cutting himself off.

"If the Central 46 intended to investigate, would you have been able to stay in the sword room for a week in peace?"

"Does Teacher mean? They don't believe in the existence of two Zanpakuto either?"

Yamamoto nodded and continued, "After I brushed them off with a few words, they left. When something exceeds understanding, even the truth is dismissed as a lie or a myth."

"As for the higher existence..." Yamamoto also pointed upward. "He knows, but he does not interfere. That counts as tacit approval. Set your heart at ease."

Only then did Diezuka Hiroe truly feel relieved, letting out a long sigh. A moment ago, he had genuinely feared that Yamamoto would bind him and send him straight to the Central 46. Do not doubt it—Yamamoto was capable of sacrificing his own kin for the sake of justice.

However, the pity was that Yamamoto's intention was merely to help him hide the fact that he had two Zanpakuto, not to fully support and protect him.

This meant that in the future, he could only use one Zanpakuto in public. Since Jiagui had already been exposed, he would have to use that one. In truth, Diezuka Hiroe felt his other Zanpakuto was stronger, which was a real shame.

But this was the best possible outcome for now. Diezuka Hiroe was a person easily satisfied; avoiding a catastrophe was enough to make him grin from ear to ear.

"Do you have nothing else to say to me, Diezuka Hiroe?"

"Oh, thank you for your protection, Teacher! Teacher is mighty!"

Yamamoto looked at Diezuka Hiroe, not knowing what to say. His young disciple was like a hedgehog toward the outside world—whoever provoked him would be paid back twofold, and he would never suffer the slightest grievance.

Yet, when it came to him, he was indifferent and uncompetitive. They say the crying child gets the milk, but Diezuka Hiroe neither liked to cry nor liked to drink milk; sometimes, it truly left him unable to laugh or cry.

Yamamoto knew about Diezuka Hiroe's other Zanpakuto. Like his own, Diezuka Hiroe's blade was worthy of the title "the strongest." He even felt that Diezuka Hiroe's Zanpakuto was stronger than his own, with even greater potential!

But looking at the situation now, Diezuka Hiroe intended to seal his own blade away. To put it nicely, he was easily satisfied; to put it bluntly, he was content with mediocrity and self-debasement! He was filial, certainly, but Yamamoto did not like him being filial in this regard.

"What, do you not like that blade anymore? Are you giving it up?"

"How could that be!" Diezuka Hiroe scratched his head. "But this blade has already been seen by others. There's no help for it; I have no choice but to give that one up..."

"Listening to you, it sounds like you harbor some dissatisfaction toward me, your teacher?" Yamamoto probed.

"No dissatisfaction at all!" Kojo straightened his back abruptly and waved his hands hurriedly, saying, "Everything you do is for my own good, Teacher. I understand your decision from the bottom of my heart!"

Kojo's words brought a sense of gratification to Yamamoto; this disciple had not been raised in vain! Yet, it also left him unsatisfied, so he decided to push a little harder to provoke Kojo.

"You may be dissatisfied, and you may feel aggrieved!" Yamamoto raised his voice and continued, "You should be fighting me for it! After all, this belongs to you!"

Kojo's brows furrowed as he sank into deep thought. Seeing this, Yamamoto felt a surge of joy—he had finally managed to draw out the resentment in this kid!

"Teacher..."

"Yes!"

"Are you testing me?"

"Yes! Wait, what?"

Yamamoto's tone shifted abruptly, as if something were not quite right.

"Actually, there's no need for this. I really have no dissatisfaction." Kojo patted his chest heavily and declared with absolute certainty, "I respect your decision one hundred percent, Teacher. Please rest assured!"

Time seemed to have come to a standstill.

"Thump... thump... thump..." The monk in the courtyard continued to make rhythmic sounds.

It was proof that only Yamamoto and Kojo had been paused.