You're Quite Impressive

Aizen and Ichimaru Gin witnessed everything that happened at the training site through the surveillance screens and fell silent for several seconds.

Ichimaru Gin was the first to speak. "Captain Aizen, hasn't this Tachikawa Shin already exceeded your expectations?"

He had killed a Gillian with a single effortless strike.

After all, they had not been present, so they could not truly sense the spiritual pressure behind that sword strike. From the screen, it had appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary slash that released Sword Pressure.

That level of strength was far beyond what a Spirit Training Academy student should possess!

Aizen spoke thoughtfully. "He was hit just now, wasn't he?"

He meant when Xin had been struck by that Menos Grande's palm. Judging from where Xin had appeared afterward, it was clear that he had not dodged.

Yet when he reappeared, there was not the slightest trace of having been hit. Even his clothes were undisturbed. It could not be that he had deliberately straightened his clothes after getting up, could it?

Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes. "Was that his Zanpakutō's ability? Captain Aizen, do you think he deliberately concealed his Zanpakutō's true power?"

Aizen neither confirmed nor denied it.

Ichimaru Gin chuckled. "Captain Aizen, what should we do next?"

According to the original plan, they would have appeared at a critical moment. Not only would they achieve the purpose of the test, but they would also earn the students' gratitude.

But now, it seemed there was no need for them to mount a rescue at all.

Aizen fixed his gaze on the figure on the screen, then suddenly smiled faintly. "Gin, isn't an unexpected development like this the true surprise?"

Just then, several figures suddenly rushed in. The sight of bodies scattered across the room startled them.

"What happened?"

"Is anyone still alive?!"

The Soul Reapers who had arrived quickly began inspecting the scene, yet it was as though they could not see Aizen and Ichimaru Gin at all. They merely busied themselves checking the situation everywhere.

"Let's go, Gin."

Aizen turned around and openly walked straight out through the crowd of Soul Reapers.

Inside the Kekai.

After the Gillian and that large Hollow had been killed, all that remained were the smaller Hollows normally used for training.

All the students had gathered together now, each of them still shaken. The upperclassmen stood guard around the perimeter.

Xin calmly drank some water when the Communication Device he carried suddenly began to vibrate.

After he answered it, a voice immediately came through. "This is the Kekai unit. How are things on your end? Has anything unusual happened?"

Xin replied calmly, "We're safe for the time being. We encountered an attack by Menos Grande. Training must be suspended now. Please send someone to escort us out."

The other side fell silent for a few seconds before asking again, "Please repeat that."

"We're safe for the time being. We were attacked by Menos Grande. Please send someone to escort us."

"You said Menos Grande?"

"One Gillian."

The other side went silent again.

"The rescue team is already on its way. What are your casualties?"

"No casualties."

"And the Menos Grande?"

"Dead."

Xin answered their questions in an even tone. He knew that once the Soul Reapers sent to meet them arrived, he would probably have to explain everything in detail again, so he did not grow impatient.

After putting down the Communication Device, Xin looked around.

The Kekai unit could be contacted again, which meant this should be coming to an end. Aizen had not appeared.

Hinamori came up to Xin then. Like many of the younger students, she had been badly frightened earlier and had probably only just recovered her senses.

"President..."

"What is it?"

"Are you all right?" Hinamori asked, concern clear on her face.

"What could be wrong with me?"

Hinamori hesitated. "I remember that Menos Grande slapped you into the ground earlier..."

Xin had been unable to dodge because he was saving Kanazawa. He should have been struck head-on.

Xin merely smiled. "Don't worry. I'm fine."

Besides Hinamori, the first-year students were all watching him as well, their gazes varying.

Facing everyone, Xin reassured them, "Although several Hollows beyond the normal specifications appeared this time, it was a close call without any real danger. The rescue team is already here, so everyone can relax."

Several Hollows beyond the normal specifications...

He made it sound rather trivial.

But that had been a Gillian!

The records in the Spirit Training Academy textbooks had specifically marked it as "extremely dangerous." It was a high-level Hollow that only Seated Officers—and Upper Seat Officers at that—could fight. The terrifying spiritual pressure it had released upon appearing had filled everyone with fear.

And that extremely dangerous thing had been killed by this person in a single strike!

They all knew the Student Council President was strong, but they had never imagined he could be this strong!

Fortunately, he was strong enough. Otherwise, they would not all be safe now.

"President, you saved all of us," Kira said then.

Xin replied, "I was the leader of this Human World training exercise. Protecting you was what I was supposed to do."

The Soul Reapers who had come to rescue and escort them arrived soon afterward, led by none other than Sosuke Aizen, captain of the Fifth Division.

The Fifth Division was a rescue unit, so it was only natural for Captain Aizen to lead the team himself. This refined and easygoing captain had always been conscientious and responsible, often handling matters personally.

"How is the situation? Were we too late?" Aizen asked Xin the moment he saw him, anxiety visible between his brows.

As the main person in charge of this mission, Xin answered, "Nothing major happened. Everyone is unharmed."

Aizen let out a breath of relief. "I see. That's good, then. Could you tell me in detail what happened?"

Xin could not help sneering inwardly. Don't you already know exactly what happened?

But outwardly, he played along and recounted everything, from the first appearance of the large Hollow to all that followed.

Ichimaru Gin stood behind Aizen, his eyes slightly open as he watched Xin with a calm expression.

After hearing Xin's account, Aizen looked astonished. "You killed a Gillian?"

"I was lucky."

"How could luck possibly be involved in something like that?" Aizen shook his head, then laughed as he looked at Xin. "Tachikawa, you really do keep giving people surprises. It's a pity your Zanpakutō is a Kidō type. Otherwise, I would certainly find a way to bring you into the Fifth Division."

"You flatter me, Captain Aizen," Xin said modestly. "Captain Aizen, may I ask whether something happened to the Kekai unit? We suddenly lost contact with them for a time."

Aizen pondered this. "This matter requires a thorough investigation. Once we have clarified what happened, I'll let you know."

"Yes." Xin lowered his head in acknowledgment.

He guessed that the entire Kekai unit was likely doomed. By the time the truth was truly investigated, they would probably have another explanation ready.

But that was something he had no power to change right now.

Finally, Aizen patted Xin on the shoulder. "Tachikawa, you're quite impressive."

"..."

Xin did not look at Aizen's expression. Even if he had, he would not have seen anything.

Captain Aizen was surely wearing that refined, easygoing expression of his. No one could see through him.

Aizen also comforted and encouraged Shūbīng, Kanazawa, Hinamori, Kira, Renji, and the others, praising them for still stepping forward to protect everyone in a moment of crisis.

Shūbīng and the others seemed rather restrained. They all knew they had not really done anything.

The rescue team's Soul Reapers were busy. Their work mainly consisted of two things: clearing out the remaining Hollows inside the Kekai and comforting the students.

Kanazawa kept feeling that someone was watching her. When she looked up, she found Xin's gaze on her.

Their eyes met, and Xin smiled at her.

Kanazawa recalled how Xin had risked everything to throw her aside earlier, and warmth flowed through her heart.

The training exercise was forced to end on its first day.

The students were brought back to the Spirit Training Academy, while some of the injured were sent directly to the Fourth Division.

Only after returning to Soul Society did everyone finally let down their guard.

What had happened today felt like a dream to many of them. It had begun as a thrilling and dangerous adventure, but no one had expected something like this to happen.

Xin did not get a chance to rest. After completing his statement with the Fifth Division members, he was urgently summoned to the Principal's Office.

It was still late at night. Principal Suzumebachi had broken out in a cold sweat upon receiving the news and hurried back to the academy.

Not only him—the entire leadership of the Spirit Training Academy knew about this incident.

"Xin, we truly have you to thank this time." He expressed his heartfelt gratitude. If not for Xin, those students likely would not have survived Menos Grande's attack.

Although it was not the Spirit Training Academy's responsibility, this was not a matter of whose responsibility it was. Dozens of lives were at stake!

And the students sent to the Human World for training had all been Class A students, the future elite of Soul Society.

"It was what I was supposed to do."

Xin had said that many times today. He truly did not want anyone to die under his protection.

Besides Kanazawa and Hinamori, quite a few of the first-years were Student Council members, while he was also acquainted with many of the upperclassmen.

As Suzumebachi Gyosho recovered from his lingering fear, his expression became somewhat complicated.

This student was truly unlike many people he had seen before. The Spirit Training Academy had produced genius students, as well as unruly and eccentric ones, but few possessed both traits at once—and both traits were exceptionally pronounced in him.

Fortunately, his character was good.

He walked over to Xin and patted him on the shoulder.

"You saved every student in this training exercise. In a couple of days, the academy will hold a Commendation Ceremony specifically for you."

"Forget it." Xin hurriedly said, "I don't like those kinds of occasions."

Suzumebachi Gyosho laughed. "Then what reward do you want?"

Xin thought carefully before saying, "I can't think of anything for now. Let's put it on credit."

"Put it on credit?" Suzumebachi Gyosho paused. "You mean you want the academy to owe you a favor?"

"Didn't you say you were giving me a reward, Principal?"

"..."

Suzzumebachi Gyosho thought this brat really was not polite at all. He was not angry, but he could not help saying, "Didn't you just say it was what you were supposed to do?"

Xin grinned. "What I do is my business. What the academy does is the academy's business."

Suzzumebachi Gyosho could hardly suppress his amusement and burst into laughter.

"Fine, then. We'll put it on credit for now!"

After leaving the Principal's Office, Xin did not hurry back to the dormitory.

Instead, he went to the Student Council office first, leaned back in a chair, and completely relaxed.

He was not thinking about anything at that moment. His head was buzzing.

Though killing the Menos Grande had been easy, he had actually remained tense all day.

The door suddenly opened.

Kanazawa walked in.

"Why are you here?" Xin asked in surprise.

At this hour, Kanazawa should have returned to her dormitory.

Kanazawa pursed her lips. "I was waiting for you on the way back to the dormitory. Then I saw the light here suddenly turn on and thought you might have come here..."

As she spoke, she walked toward Xin.

Xin straightened up slightly, resting an arm against the desk and lightly supporting his forehead with his hand.

"Are you tired?" Kanazawa asked when she saw how he looked.

"A little." Xin let out a long breath.

The moment he finished speaking, Kanazawa suddenly bent down and lightly pressed her lips to his forehead.

Then, with flushed cheeks, she asked, "Does that make you feel better?"

Xin froze briefly, then laughed. Who did she learn that from?

It would not have been strange if Hinamori had done something like that, but Kanazawa...

Kanazawa was still immensely grateful to Xin for saving her. She did not know what she could do or offer to repay him, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she had suddenly kissed him.

Xin rose from the chair and gently tapped her forehead. "All right, I know you came to thank me, but there's no need. To me, the best thing is that you're alive right now."

"..."

"Go back and rest. I need to sleep too."

"...All right."

When Xin returned to the dormitory, Hisagi Shūhei was still awake. Seeing Xin return, he immediately sat up in bed.

"Xin."

"You're still awake? I'm exhausted today."

Xin stretched and lay directly down on his bed.

Hisagi Shūhei fell silent for a moment, then got up to turn off the light before lying back down.

Both had their own thoughts. Xin was wondering what kind of outcome this incident would ultimately have and how Aizen would manipulate things behind the scenes.

"Xin."

"Yeah?"

"I'm really curious..."

Xin glanced toward Shūbīng's bed.

Shūbīng slowly asked, "How did you become so strong?"

"I'm a genius!"

Shūbīng let out a quiet laugh, then said, "But even geniuses should have limits, shouldn't they?"

"A genius is someone who cannot be judged by common sense. If you look at me the way you look at everyone else, of course you won't be able to understand me."

"..."

Shūbīng sighed softly. "You're right... But I've never been able to understand it. We enrolled at the same time and received the same education. Aside from our regular classes, you often went to the library to read all sorts of books. I went too. Yet no matter what I did, I could never catch up to you. Your swordsmanship alone has already far surpassed Teacher Nanda's. Did you truly comprehend all of this on your own?"

Xin stared at the dim ceiling. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Then let me tell you a secret."

Shūbīng instantly perked up. "What?"

"I had a dream. In it, I became a great swordsman, unbeatable across the world."

"..."

Shūbīng was speechless. He felt Xin was just brushing him off, but he did not press further.

Xin guessed that Shūbīng probably did not believe him, so he offered no further explanation. He merely murmured softly enough for himself to hear, "That dream was so long..."

He thought of his past life, which had also been like a dream.

Hopefully that had not been a dream. Hopefully this was not a dream either.

"Xin, can I still catch up to you?" Shūbīng suddenly asked again.

"You shouldn't ask me that question. You should ask yourself."

"..."