Aizen Teaches

Chapter 16: Aizen's Lecture

"I didn't expect Captain Aizen to notice," Xin said in surprise.

Aizen smiled. "Oh? Could it be that President Tachikawa was deliberately hiding it?"

Xin shook his head. "It's not really hiding. This is indeed my Zanpakutō's ability. Since I only obtained it recently, I've been practicing how to use it. Also, I train frequently, and these spirit particles help me avoid injury during practice."

"I see." Aizen nodded. "President Tachikawa is so diligent—no wonder you're so outstanding."

"Many people around me are like this, so I can hardly call myself diligent," Xin replied modestly.

"President Tachikawa is too humble. I've heard your Swordsmanship Class scores far exceed those of your peers. Achieving that level with talent alone is impossible. Yet with such swordsmanship, your Zanpakutō is a healing type—truly surprising." Aizen spoke with a smile, his tone like casual conversation. As a captain, he carried no airs at all, making it easy for others to let down their guard.

Xin sighed. "Actually, I was surprised too. I also wish my Zanpakutō were one with immense power."

"President Tachikawa isn't being honest."

Aizen suddenly shook his head, his smile taking on a meaningful edge that made Xin pause.

"A Zanpakutō's existence is part of a person's soul, and its ability reflects their inner self. Since President Tachikawa has a healing-type Zanpakutō that can use healing arts, it shows you truly desire such power. I can see you're someone who cares for others."

"..."

Xin didn't know how to respond to that, standing there with a thoughtful expression.

Aizen set down the documents in his hand. "Let's go check on Class A first. Isn't their class about to start?"

Xin glanced at the class schedule. "They have Kido Class today, so they should be doing Hakudō practice. We can observe, and if Captain Aizen is willing, you could offer some guidance."

Xin led Rukia as they guided Aizen and Ichimaru Gin to the outdoor Kido classroom where the first-year Class A students were.

The arrival of the Fifth Division Captain and Lieutenant Captain stirred up quite a commotion among the students.

The instructor hurried over to Aizen.

"Hello, Captain Aizen. May I ask what brings you...?"

"Nothing much. I'm just here to look around. Please continue your class as usual," Aizen said warmly.

The instructor asked, "Would Captain Aizen be willing to give the students some guidance?"

"If you don't mind."

"Of course not."

Aizen walked to the front of the students and greeted them casually and amiably.

Xin stood quietly with Rukia at the classroom door. Rukia seemed to be subtly greeting a student. Xin followed her gaze and saw a red-haired boy with an unusual hairstyle.

Aizen took over from the instructor, explaining some theoretical knowledge about Kido. The students listened intently—opportunities to have a Gotei 13 captain personally teach them were rare.

Afterward, Aizen thoughtfully called each student up to try casting Kido, pointing out their flaws and areas for improvement.

Standing to the side, Xin couldn't help but marvel at how devoted Aizen seemed—truly "admirable." Even Shiba Kaien, who could also easily connect with students, fell slightly short in comparison.

However, a small incident occurred during the lecture. When it was Renji's turn to demonstrate Bakudō #31: Crimson Cannon, he made a mistake and nearly injured himself. Aizen used his own spiritual pressure to cancel out the explosion's aftermath, then carefully explained the principles of Crimson Cannon and what to watch out for when releasing it, encouraging Renji to try again.

Renji stood in the center, feeling the weight of every student's gaze on him, especially with Rukia watching from the side. The pressure mounted.

He took a deep breath, raised his arm forward, and chanted: "Ye who rule! Mask of flesh and blood, all creation, flutter your wings, bear the name of Man! Heat and chaos, surging south across the sea, step forth..."

The chant was flawless, but Xin sensed that the spiritual pressure fluctuation inside Renji was completely off. He took an almost imperceptible half-step back.

"Bakudō #31: Crimson Cannon!"

Aizen clearly noticed it too. The moment Renji's spiritual pressure burst forth, he swiftly reached out and pressed down on Renji's arm. The spirit particles that should have turned into flames instantly fizzled out, emitting only a puff of black smoke from his palm.

Renji: "..."

Aizen: "..."

Aizen stared straight at Renji, then let out a sudden sigh. "Classmate, go back and study the theoretical knowledge of Kido more carefully."

The student crowd burst into laughter. Renji's face flushed bright red. He didn't even dare look at Rukia by the classroom door, merely muttering a quiet "Yes" before turning back to his seat.

Xin had been watching Aizen's reaction the whole time and let out a soft chuckle. Despite the glasses, he caught a fleeting glint in Aizen's eyes from the side.

It was like the calm that came after realizing someone had no talent.

"Renji works very hard!"

Rukia suddenly spoke up from beside him.

Xin glanced sideways, realizing Rukia thought he had been laughing at Renji too. "I wasn't laughing at that classmate."

"Then who was President Tachikawa laughing at?"

Another voice sounded beside him—Ichimaru Gin, his eyes narrowed in a half-smile as he looked over.

"Nothing. I was just remembering how I was when I first learned Kido. I wasn't much better than that classmate."

"Is that so?" Ichimaru Gin seemed slightly surprised. "I find that a little hard to believe."

In his view, this Spirit Training Academy Student Council President was at least no mediocrity in terms of talent. And Ichimaru Gin knew well what talent felt like—that effortless grasp of anything learned.

"It's true."

Xin's expression remained calm as he changed the subject. "But that classmate, though his Kido performance was lacking, I can tell from his bone structure that he might have talent in other areas."

Rukia

Affection: 31

Ichimaru Gin no longer responded.

But the smile on Xin's face only grew brighter.

Aizen taught the entire lesson with great dedication, successfully winning the favor of every student. Everyone liked this approachable captain; at first, many had imagined the captain of the Thirteenth Division to be an imposing, unapproachable figure.

After class, amid the students' reluctant gazes, Aizen, Xin, and the others left the classroom.

"These students really make class interesting—it reminds me of my own days at the Spirit Training Academy."

Aizen seemed still lost in the memory, speaking almost involuntarily.

He then turned to Xin with a cheerful smile. "It's been a long time since I last visited the Spirit Training Academy. I suddenly feel like I could come here more often. If the teachers and students here don't mind, it wouldn't be bad to fill in for a class now and then."