Chapter 42: You Are Quite Impressive

Aizen and Gin Ichimaru witnessed everything that transpired within the training grounds through the surveillance screen, falling into a silence that lasted several seconds.

Finally, it was Gin who broke the silence: "Captain Aizen, has this Shin Tachibana exceeded your expectations?"

He had slain a Gillian with a single, effortless stroke.

Since they were not physically present, they could not truly gauge the spiritual pressure of that strike. From the screen alone, it appeared to be nothing more than an unremarkable swing that released a wave of pressure. Such power was entirely beyond the level of a student at the Shinigami Academy.

Aizen said thoughtfully, "He was struck, wasn't he?"

He was referring to the moment Shin was slammed by the giant Hollow's palm; judging by where Shin had reappeared, it was certain he had not dodged the blow. Yet, when he emerged, there was not a trace of the impact on him—his clothes were not even disheveled. It was unlikely that he had paused to tidy himself up after getting back on his feet.

Gin narrowed his eyes: "Is it the ability of his Zanpakuto? Do you suspect he is intentionally concealing the true power of his blade, Captain?"

Aizen did not commit to an answer.

Gin chuckled: "Captain Aizen, what should we do now?"

According to the original plan, they were to appear at the critical moment, serving the purpose of the test while earning the gratitude of the students. As it stood, it seemed there was no need for them to intervene at all.

Aizen gazed at the figure on the screen, then suddenly smiled faintly: "Gin, aren't unexpected turns like this the true surprises?"

Just then, several figures rushed into the room and were shocked to find the bodies lying scattered across the floor.

"What is going on?"
"Are there any survivors?!"

The arriving Shinigami quickly began to inspect the scene, acting as if Aizen and Gin were not even there, entirely focused on their search.

"Let's go, Gin."

Aizen turned and walked right past the group of Shinigami, bold and unbothered.

***

Inside the barrier.

After the Gillian and the large Hollow were slain, only the smaller, standard training Hollows remained. The students were now gathered together, still shaken, with the upperclassmen standing guard on the perimeter.

Shin was drinking water calmly when his communication device suddenly vibrated.

He answered, and a voice immediately came through: "This is the barrier team. What is the situation on your end? Have there been any unusual occurrences?"

Shin replied steadily: "We are safe for now. We were attacked by a Menos. We are aborting the training; please send someone to retrieve us."

There was a silence on the other end for several seconds before the voice asked, "Please repeat that."

"We are safe for now. We were attacked by a Menos. Please send reinforcements."

"Did you say a Menos?"

"A Gillian."

The line went silent again.

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

"No casualties."

"And the Menos?"

"Dead."

Shin answered the questions with a calm tone. He knew that when the rescue Shinigami arrived, he would likely have to explain the details all over again, so he felt no impatience.

Setting down the device, Shin looked around. Since he could contact the barrier team, it meant the ordeal was likely over. Aizen had not appeared.

Hinamori approached Shin. Like many of the lowerclassmen, she had been terrified, and was only just beginning to regain her composure.

"President..."
"What is it?"
"Are you alright?" Hinamori asked with concern.
"Why wouldn't I be?"

Hinamori hesitated: "I remember you were slammed into the ground by that giant Hollow..."

Shin had failed to dodge because he was saving Kani-sawa; he had definitely taken a direct hit.

Shin just smiled: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Beyond Hinamori, the first-year students were also watching him, their gazes filled with various emotions.

Shin turned to address them, offering reassurance: "Although a few out-of-spec Hollows appeared, fortunately, we came through without incident. The rescue team is on their way, so everyone can rest easy."

A few out-of-spec Hollows...

The statement sounded remarkably casual.

But that was a Gillian!

In the textbooks of the Shinigami Academy, they were marked as "Extremely Dangerous"—high-level Hollows that only seated officers, specifically those of higher rank, could contend with. The terrifying spiritual pressure it emitted when it appeared had shaken everyone to their core.

And such a dangerous creature had been slain by this person in a single stroke!

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

It was fortunate he possessed such power, for that was the only reason they were safe now.

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

Shin replied: "I am the leader of this internship in the human world; protecting you is my duty."

The rescue Shinigami soon arrived, led by none other than Captain of the Fifth Division, Sosuke Aizen.

The Fifth Division was the rescue squad, so it was normal for Captain Aizen to lead the team personally. This gentle and refined captain was always diligent and responsible, often handling matters himself.

"What is the situation? Are we too late?" Aizen asked with a touch of anxiety in his brow, his first words directed at Shin.

As the person in charge, Shin responded: "There were no major issues, and everyone is unharmed."

Aizen let out a breath of relief: "I see, that is good. Can you tell me exactly what happened?"

Shin couldn't help but sneer inwardly at the question—didn't he know exactly what happened?

However, he played along, recounting everything from the appearance of the large Hollow to the events that followed.

Gin Ichimaru followed behind Aizen, his eyes slightly open, watching Shin with a calm expression.

After hearing the account, Aizen looked astonished: "You killed a Gillian?"

"It was a stroke of luck."

"There is no such thing as luck in a matter like this!" Aizen shook his head and laughed softly, looking at Shin: "Student Tachibana, you truly are full of surprises. It is a pity your Zanpakuto is of the Healing Arts type, otherwise, I would certainly find a way to bring you into the Fifth Division."

"You are too kind, Captain Aizen," Shin said with modesty. "Captain Aizen, I would like to ask, did something happen to the barrier team? We lost contact for a period of time."

Aizen pondered: "That requires a thorough investigation. You will be informed once the matter is clarified."

"Yes," Shin replied, bowing his head.

He suspected that the barrier team had likely met a grim fate, and when the investigation was "clarified," it would probably involve a different narrative. But that was something he was powerless to change at the moment.

Aizen patted Shin on the shoulder before leaving: "Student Tachibana, you are quite impressive."

Shin didn't look at Aizen's expression, though even if he had, he wouldn't have seen anything. This Captain Aizen would always wear a gentle, refined mask that no one could see through.

Aizen then offered words of comfort and encouragement to Hisagi, Kani-sawa, Hinamori, Kira, and Renji, praising them for stepping up to protect everyone in a moment of crisis. The students were reserved; they knew well that they had done very little.

The rescue team busied themselves with two main tasks: clearing the remaining Hollows within the barrier and comforting the students.

Kani-sawa felt someone watching her and looked up to find Shin's gaze. Their eyes met, and Shin smiled at her. Kani-sawa remembered the scene where Shin had risked his life to throw her to safety, and a warmth flowed through her heart.

The internship was forced to end on the first day.

The students were taken back to the academy, and those who were injured were sent directly to the Fourth Division.

Once they returned to Soul Society, everyone felt a sense of relief. For many, today was like a dream—what had begun as a thrilling adventure had turned into something no one could have anticipated.

Shin didn't get to rest. After finishing his report with the Fifth Division members, he was urgently called to the Headmaster's office.

It was late into the night, and Headmaster Sasakibe had broken out in a cold sweat upon receiving the news and had rushed to the school. He was not the only one; the entire leadership of the academy was aware of the incident.

"Shin, we truly owe it all to you," he expressed his heartfelt gratitude. Had it not been for Shin, none of the students would have survived the Gillian.

While it was not technically the academy's fault, that was beside the point—it was a matter of dozens of lives! And the students on this internship were all from Class A—the future elites of Soul Society.

"It was my duty," Shin said.

He had said this many times today. He truly did not want anyone to die under his protection. Beyond Kani-sawa and Hinamori, there were many Student Council members among the first-years, and he was close with many in the upper years as well.

Sasakibe, still shaken, looked at Shin with a complex expression. This student was different from anyone he had seen before. The academy had seen genius students and rebellious ones, but rarely did someone possess both traits so prominently.

Fortunately, his character was sound.

He walked over to Shin and patted his shoulder.

"You saved all the students on this internship. In two days, the school will hold a special commendation ceremony for you."

"Forget it," Shin said quickly. "I don't like those kinds of events."

Sasakibe laughed, "Then what reward would you like?"

Shin thought for a moment and said: "I can't think of anything right now. Let's keep it as an I.O.U."

"An I.O.U.?" Sasakibe was stunned. "Are you saying you want the school to owe you a favor?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to give me a reward, Headmaster?"

Sasakibe thought to himself that this kid was certainly not shy. He wasn't actually angry, but he couldn't help but say: "Didn't you say just a moment ago that it was what you were supposed to do?"

Shin grinned: "What I do is my business; what the school does is the school's business."

Sasakibe couldn't help but chuckle.

"Very well, we'll keep it as an I.O.U.!"

After leaving the office, Shin did not rush back to his dormitory. He went to the Student Council office first, leaning back in his chair, completely relaxing his body. He didn't think about anything; his mind was buzzing. Although he had slain the Menos with ease, he had been under intense mental strain all day.

The door was pushed open.

It was Kani-sawa who walked in.

"Why are you here?" Shin asked in surprise. At this hour, Kani-sawa should have been back in her dorm.

Kani-sawa bit her lip: "I was waiting for you on the way back, and when I saw the lights on, I thought you might be here..."

As she spoke, she walked toward him. Shin sat up slightly, resting his forehead on his hand.

"Are you tired?" Kani-sawa asked, seeing his state.

"A little," Shin sighed.

As soon as he finished speaking, Kani-sawa leaned over and planted a light kiss on his forehead.

Then, blushing, she asked: "Does that help?"

Shin was briefly stunned before he laughed, wondering who she had learned that from. It wouldn't have been strange for Hinamori to do such a thing, but Kani-sawa...

Kani-sawa felt immense gratitude toward Shin for saving her and didn't know how to repay him; the kiss had been a sudden impulse.

Shin stood up from his chair and lightly tapped her forehead: "Alright, I know you wanted to thank me, but it wasn't necessary. To me, the fact that you are alive is the best reward."

"..."

"Go get some rest. I'm going to sleep."

"…Okay."

Back at the dorm, Shuhei Hisagi wasn't asleep yet. Seeing Shin return, he sat up on his bed.

"Shin."
"You're still up? I'm exhausted."

Shin stretched and lay down on his bed. Hisagi was silent for a moment before turning off the light and lying back down. Both had much on their minds. Shin was thinking about the final outcome of the incident and how Aizen would operate in the shadows.

"Shin."
"Hmm?"
"I'm curious..."

Shin glanced toward Hisagi's bed.

Hisagi asked slowly: "How did you become so strong?"

"I'm a genius!"

Hisagi let out a soft laugh and then said: "There should be a limit to genius, shouldn't there?"

"A so-called genius is someone who cannot be measured by ordinary logic. If you look at me through the eyes of others, you naturally won't be able to see through me."

"..."

Hisagi sighed: "You're right... But I still can't understand. We entered the academy at the same time and received the same education. Aside from classes, you often went to the library to read; I went too, but no matter what, I can't keep up with your pace. Like your swordsmanship—it has far surpassed Teacher Minamida. Is this really something you realized on your own?"

Shin stared at the dim ceiling, silent for a long moment before saying softly: "Let me tell you a secret."

Hisagi perked up: "What?"

"I once had a dream. In that dream, I became a great swordsman, unrivaled under the heavens."

"..."

Hisagi was speechless. He felt that Shin was just fobbing him off, but he didn't pursue it.

Shin guessed he didn't believe him, so he didn't explain further, whispering to himself in a voice only he could hear: "That dream was so long..."

He thought of his previous life—it also felt like a dream.

He hoped it wasn't a dream, and he hoped the present wasn't one either.

"Shin, will I ever be able to catch up to you?" Hisagi suddenly asked again.

"That's not a question you should ask me; you should ask yourself."

"..."