Ichimaru, Look Who It Is

Wang Xun stood under a tree next to the teaching building, leaning against the trunk, his gaze fixed on the exit not far away.

After leaving the training ground, he came to this place and stood guard by the only road leading to the student dormitory.

Students emerged from the teaching building in twos and threes. Wang Xun's gaze swept across the crowd, searching for that figure.

As dusk deepened and the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the rooftops of the school buildings, the number of people in the Spiritual Arts Academy dwindled.

A slender, silver figure slowly emerged from the distance.

He was not tall, and wore a uniform from the Spiritual Arts Academy. His short silver hair gleamed with a cool luster under the light, hanging down in front of his forehead and obscuring his eyebrows and eyes.

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes to slits, making it impossible to read his gaze. His demeanor appeared lazy and nonchalant, yet he possessed a vigilance far beyond his years, silently observing his surroundings.

After leaving the teaching building, he paused slightly.

Then he turned his head and looked in the direction where Wang Xun was.

Those squinting eyes opened slightly.

Wang Xun, the Soul Reaper who saved Rangiku in Rukongai and helped Rangiku her soul.

He instinctively wanted to turn away, but the doubts and concerns in his heart prevented him from moving his feet.

I only met him briefly during the day, and I never expected him to stay at the Spiritual Arts Academy until now.

Gin Ichimaru hesitated for a moment, looked around, and then walked over.

"Wang Xun."

Gin Ichimaru's voice was very soft.

I never expected to run into you here.

Wang Xun smiled.

"I came Kaidō teach a lesson today, and I happened to hear that a genius had arrived at the Spiritual Arts Academy, so I thought I'd drop by and see you."

Gin Ichimaru glanced around, as if checking to see if anyone had noticed them.

Then, he lowered his voice.

"I noticed Aizen was there too."

"I know."

Wang Xun nodded.

Gin Ichimaru looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

He then stood there, waiting for Wang Xun to continue.

Wang Xun looked around, then started walking, gesturing for Gin Ichimaru to follow.

Gin Ichimaru hesitated for a moment, then followed behind him.

The two walked one after the other along the path and came to a secluded corner.

At this moment, Gin Ichimaru lowered his voice.

"What exactly are you trying to do? If Aizen is nearby, doing this will expose me to him."

Wang Xun looked at his tense expression and smiled faintly.

"Don't panic, don't be nervous, I know what I'm doing."

Gin Ichimaru stared at him, somewhat confused about what the person in front of him was thinking.

Seeing that Wang Xun was right in front of him, Gin Ichimaru pursed his lips, but ultimately couldn't suppress the thing he cared about most and asked.

"Rangiku... is she alright?"

His voice was calm, but Wang Xun could hear a hint of worry in it.

She's fine.

Wang Xun turned around and looked at him.

"She's currently recuperating in the Fourth Division, and her health has almost fully recovered. Captain Unohana is personally taking care of her, so you don't need to worry."

Gin Ichimaru lowered his head, his silver hair obscuring his eyes.

"That's good."

Wang Xun leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

"There's one more thing I might need to let you know: Rangiku might also be going to study at the Spiritual Arts Academy."

"She has good potential. With proper training, she could become a great Soul Reaper in the future."

Upon hearing this, Gin Ichimaru clenched his fingers slightly, then relaxed them.

Becoming Soul Reaper means that Rangiku will have the ability to protect herself, and that she is no longer a helpless Rukongai girl.

This is actually a good thing.

But becoming Soul Reaper also means she will join the Gotei 13 and come into contact with people he doesn't want her to.

The pros and cons were rapidly weighed in his mind, Gin Ichimaru's heart clenched tightly.

Do you think... she should become the Soul Reaper?

Gin Ichimaru looked at Wang Xun and asked softly.

"I think so," Wang Xun said after thinking for a moment. "She has the qualifications and the willingness."

"Besides, becoming Soul Reaper gives you an extra ability to protect yourself in this world, doesn't it?"

Gin Ichimaru nodded.

"That's true."

Wang Xun looked at him and suddenly said.

"If you wait a year or two, you might be able to go to school with her."

Gin Ichimaru raised his head, a complex emotion flashing in his narrowed eyes.

Gin Ichimaru tried to imagine the scene of studying at the Spiritual Arts Academy with Rangiku.

But then he erased those images from his mind.

Once he made up his mind to go to Aizen's side, he could no longer have any involvement with Rangiku.

He needed to keep his distance from Rangiku, otherwise, his actions would implicate her.

Gin Ichimaru shook his head.

"I can't wait any longer, I don't have that much time."

Gin Ichimaru's voice was calm.

"I've looked at the course schedule and I'm planning to graduate early."

Wang Xun raised an eyebrow.

"How long?"

"I will graduate from the Shin'ō Academy in one year."

Wang Xun looked at him, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"That's really impressive."

What are your plans after you graduate?

Gin Ichimaru remained silent for a moment.

Then, he slowly began to speak.

I will join the Fifth Division.

Wang Xun's brow twitched slightly.

Fifth Division?

"Yes, before joining, I will attract Aizen's attention."

What caused it?

Gin Ichimaru's voice was calm as he looked up at Wang Xun, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"I will kill a Fifth Division Seated Officer in front of Aizen. Then, I will take his Seated Officer."

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

"Have you thought this through? That person is innocent."

Gin Ichimaru's fingers tightened slightly.

"I know, but this is the fastest way."

Only in this way can Aizen see his ruthlessness, his talent, and his usefulness.

A person like Aizen would never take in mediocre people; he would only favor those who dared to fight and were ambitious.

"I know Sōsuke Aizen is the lieutenant of the Fifth Division. I will do everything I can to get his attention, stay by his side, and climb the ranks step by step."

"I need to watch everything he does, figure out all his tricks, until I find that opportunity."

Wang Xun looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he sighed.

"Let me help you."

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Gin Ichimaru's eyes.

"Help me?"

Wang Xun did not answer.

He simply looked at Gin Ichimaru, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

Then Wang Xun turned around, his back to him, and looked past the dense bamboo forest towards the shady path not far away.

Gin Ichimaru followed his gaze.

The next moment, his heart stopped abruptly, and the blood in his body seemed to freeze.

He saw a figure slowly emerge from the bamboo forest in the distance.

The man wore his usual gentle smile, and behind his black-rimmed glasses were unfathomable eyes.

He had been standing there for an unknown amount of time, now quietly watching the two people by the path.

A slight smile appeared on Wang Xun's lips as he greeted him softly.

"What a twisted sense of humor..."

"Lieutenant Aizen."