Chapter 253: The Pressure Shifts to Kisuke
Teaching—a sacred and noble profession, praised by all.
Entering the classroom, stepping onto the podium, with the ring of the bell, one becomes the master of the room, possessing unlimited authority.
But even such an invincible existence has its Achilles' heel.
Once leadership arrives to inspect the lower realm, sitting among the students to observe the class, the invincible teacher instantly loses their divine aura, falling from the realm of celestial immortals to that of mere mortals!
Without a doubt, those conspicuous figures in the room were all his enemies!
How could one show mercy to enemies?
Satoru's eyes snapped open as he looked at Yamamoto Shigekuni—
"Headmaster, may I ask if you're here today in your capacity as leadership, or as a student?"
Yamamoto gave him a strange look.
"Since I am sitting here, naturally I am a student."
"Excellent!"
Satoru clapped his hands.
Yamamoto looked puzzled. "Why ask such a question?"
"No reason, just confirming."
While casually deflecting with a smile, Satoru glanced at the others.
Following Yamamoto's example, the rest also declared they were merely students today.
Satoru nodded with satisfaction.
He pulled out the glasses he'd borrowed from Aizen, elegantly unfolded the temples, and put them on.
"Now then, to assess everyone's learning progress, please take up your brushes and write a few characters for me to examine!"
Hearing this, the students promptly began moving.
Satoru's reputation at Shin'ō Academy hadn't declined in recent years—instead, it grew daily.
Students were intensely curious about this legendary senior.
Many who had zero interest in calligraphy came to attend a class just to see how many heads or hands Satoru possessed.
But upon noticing Captain-Commander Yamamoto's group, most students retreated.
The majority who came for spectacle quickly dispersed.
Those remaining were mostly genuine calligraphy enthusiasts.
After waiting about a minute, Satoru stepped down from the lectern.
"There's an ancient saying in the human world: 'The handwriting reveals the person.'"
"By examining your brushwork, I can not only assess your calligraphy skills but also discern what lies hidden in your hearts."
"To be frank, my ability to read character through handwriting is remarkably accurate!"
As he spoke, Satoru approached one student and studied his writing.
"Hmm... sharp strokes, clean execution—you're a straightforward person."
"However, when writing curved hooks later, you could lift the brush slightly earlier here and press down more gradually for smoother transitions."
"When you become a Shinigami, remember to think thrice before acting—don't charge ahead recklessly."
The student tried the adjustment, eyes lighting up.
"Thank you, Teacher Satoru!"
Oh ho, Teacher Satoru!
Satoru imperceptibly puffed out his chest.
This title felt satisfying.
After reviewing several students' work, Satoru came to Yamamoto's side.
On the paper before Yamamoto were written four characters: "Serenity leads to profundity."
Observing Yamamoto's brushwork, Satoru felt a wave of emotion.
Though the phrase preached calm composure, each character under Yamamoto's hand resembled rising flames.
Despite his advanced age and usual appearance of squinting serenity, the old man's heart clearly still burned fiercely.
Satoru bent down, studied the characters intently, then nodded:
"I can see it now."
"The one who wrote these is undoubtedly a villain."
"Though he usually plays the good man, he never holds back when bullying his disciples."
"Especially his youngest apprentice—that poor soul lives in perpetual torment!"
"Student, you must treat your young disciple better upon returning. Share delicacies with him, bestow treasures upon him—only then can you progress in calligraphy."
"?"
Hearing this, Yamamoto opened his eyes wide, brows furrowing in anger.
But before he could speak, Satoru swiftly retreated several steps.
"Student, what are you intending? This is a sacred learning hall!"
"Assaulting a teacher warrants severe punishment!"
"..."
Yamamoto took a deep breath, fists clenching tightly.
With the two of them causing such a commotion, the students in the classroom all looked over in surprise.
Though Yamamoto wanted nothing more than to punch Satoru to death, he held back considering the potential trauma it might inflict on the students.
Seeing the old man fall silent, Satoru smirked with a twist of his lips.
A mere inspector trying to usurp his authority as the classroom teacher? He was far from qualified!
Leaving Yamamoto behind, he walked over to Jūshirō.
"Ukitake, your calligraphy is quite impressive."
"Bold and powerful, yet gentle and elegant in the details."
"One can tell that someone who writes like this must be a good person in daily life."
"However, there's a lack of rebellious spirit in your strokes. Try challenging your teacher more often—you might gain unexpected insights."
Jūshirō was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head with a smile.
Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rising.
Satoru wandered over to Ginrei and Shota, offering critiques and pointers on their calligraphy—clearly stirring up trouble for no reason.
Finally, he approached Retsu.
Seeing this, Yamamoto sneered inwardly.
Go ahead, you brat! Keep mocking this one!
Let's see if you can walk out of Shin'ō Academy alive after insulting her!
Under his watchful gaze, Satoru narrowed his eyes and studied Retsu's writing for a moment.
Then, he suddenly straightened up, his face filled with astonishment.
"Excellent penmanship!"
"Though just a few lines of haiku, one can see the writer's exceptional literary refinement!"
"Most importantly, these gentle and moving strokes—though written with counter-pressure, they never lose their inclusiveness, fully reflecting the richness of the writer's inner world!"
"Unohana, may I ask where you learned this style?"
"Someone capable of such beautiful writing must be a stunning, elegant older sister. I'd be willing to die for a chance to meet her!"
Listening to Satoru's flattery, Retsu couldn't help but smile.
Though exaggerated, it put her in a good mood.
Jūshirō rolled his eyes.
Yamamoto Shigekuni gritted his teeth fiercely.
This bastard dares to attack me fiercely but grovel before Unohana? Does he think my sword is dull?
Satoru returned to the podium and explained a few common techniques in semi-cursive script.
After finishing, he randomly called on several students to answer key points from the techniques he had just taught.
"Shiba, could you explain the respective effects of center-tip and side-tip brush techniques in writing?"
Shiba Shota stood up and repeated the techniques Satoru had just explained—center-tip for structure, side-tip for expression.
Satoru nodded with satisfaction.
"Shiba answered very well. Ten points for the Tenth Division."
What points?
Shota was puzzled but didn't ask further.
Satoru turned to Yamamoto Shigekuni.
"Yamamoto."
The old man's face darkened, but he still stood up.
As the principal, he had to set a good example for the students.
Even if Satoru asked some tricky questions, with his knowledge of calligraphy, he refused to believe he couldn't answer!
Under Yamamoto's gaze, Satoru slowly said:
"Please name every person in the living world who has ever practiced calligraphy."
"???"
Even though he had mentally prepared himself for his foolish disciple's antics, Yamamoto was still stunned by the question.
Seeing Yamamoto unable to answer, Satoru sighed.
"Yamamoto, for not paying attention in class, the First Division loses five hundred points."
"After class, copy the Seireitei Calligraphy Selections ten times and hand them to me tomorrow!"
Yamamoto's blood pressure spiked.
He couldn't help gritting his teeth:
"Kid... cough... Teacher Satoru, then please enlighten this old man. What are these people's names?"
Satoru raised an eyebrow.
"At your level, it's still too early to know these things. When the time comes for you to know, your teacher will naturally impart it to you."
Yamamoto's hands itched with the urge to cut someone down.
That night, outside Seireitei, terrifying Reiatsu collisions could be heard.
Yamamoto Shigekuni's Reiatsu washed over Seireitei like tidal waves.
It's said that when the Fourth Division arrived at the scene, Satoru only had time to leave one last message—
"The murderer is... is... urgh."
Seinosuke sighed and closed Satoru's eyes for him.
Farewell, my self-destructive brother.
...
...
The next evening, Satoru finally returned to his loyal Eleventh Division, stretching lazily.
He recalled how terrifying it felt the first time he was burned to charcoal by Ryūjin Jakka, that sensation of teetering between life and death.
Now, he was almost getting used to it.
Suddenly, he stopped walking.
The Reiatsu that had been flowing quietly within his body suddenly began boiling violently—
BOOM!!!
The long-accumulated Reiatsu suddenly expanded and erupted inside him!
Having prepared in advance, Satoru suppressed the Reiatsu rampage with all his might, finally managing to conceal any unusual signs.
At the same time, a voice sounded in his ear.
[Detected bound target "Sōsuke Aizen" has increased in strength. Automatically synchronizing cultivation progress... Synchronization complete!]
[Your Reiatsu has increased. Current Reiō Level: 2!]
Feeling the more turbulent and dense Reiatsu within his body, Satoru Mikami felt somewhat emotional.
Previously, when his Reiō level reached the peak of Level 3, he had tried to see if he could break through to Level 2 through his own efforts before Aizen did.
Unexpectedly, he hadn't even touched the threshold, while Aizen had already crossed it.
Truly worthy of being a once-in-a-millennium extreme Shinigami.
Hmm... Now that he had broken through to Level 2, given Aizen's personality, he would probably start something new again.
Sure enough, in less than half an hour, Aizen came to find him with a confident expression.
"Yū, prepare to make our move."
"Make a move? Against my teacher?"
"I don't have skin as thick as yours."
Aizen shook his head: "I just broke through to Second Class Reiō."
"It's time to bring Las Noches under our control!"
Although Satoru had guessed Aizen would say this, when the moment actually arrived, he couldn't help but feel excited.
He nodded: "Perfect timing. I just got beaten up by the old man yesterday, so he probably won't be paying attention to me for a while."
After chatting for a bit, the two hit it off immediately, joining forces in a somewhat... ahem, powerful alliance, and left the Eleventh Division together, heading toward Rukongai.
Shortly after the two departed, a faint light slowly dissipated at the room's entrance.
Kisuke, wearing a black cloak, stood silently with a grave expression.
He had been with Satoru for many years.
Although he often complained about Satoru himself, he didn't actually dislike him.
Being with Satoru made him feel relaxed and comfortable. Even if the work was a bit hard, at least he didn't have to worry about the future.
However, the more he interacted with them, the more he realized that Satoru was plotting something.
If it were just Satoru alone, he wouldn't be too worried.
The problem was Sōsuke Aizen.
This man was extremely dangerous.
Both in terms of ability and the ambitions hidden deep in his heart.
Kisuke didn't know what Aizen wanted to do, but he knew that someone who could conceal themselves to such an extent must be after something extraordinary.
With Satoru spending every day with such a person, trouble was bound to happen.
To confirm his suspicions, he used materials from the Mikami Technical Bureau to develop a Reiatsu-isolating cloak.
Today, when he saw Satoru return alone and wait for someone in the study, he secretly put on the cloak and used all his lifelong skills to hide by the entrance.
He knew that Satoru had a powerful detection skill.
Once activated, he would have nowhere to hide.
Fortunately, he gambled correctly this time - Satoru didn't have the habit of keeping his detection skill constantly active at home.
Thinking back to the conversation between Satoru and Aizen just now, Kisuke frowned deeply.
Sōsuke Aizen... actually had Second Class Reiō.
How was that possible?
He only graduated a few years ago?
If he hadn't graduated early, he would only be at the age of a sixth-year student now?
From Mr. Mikami's reaction, he didn't seem surprised by this.
It appeared he had some understanding of Aizen's strength.
Satoru Mikami should have Third Class Reiō—a proper captain-level.
With these two's abilities, how much could they have accomplished over the years?
Various scenes flashed through Kisuke's mind.
In the past, he had thought that with Satoru's strength alone, he couldn't determine the outcome of many events.
But now, with Aizen added to the equation, the situation suddenly became clear.
Many previously inexplicable points now had reasonable explanations.
These two... had probably already turned Hueco Mundo into their own backyard.
Previously, whenever Mr. Satoru returned battered and bruised through the Senkaimon, he must have been fighting in Hueco Mundo.
Which raised the question.
Why were these two controlling Hueco Mundo?
For research purposes?
If it was just for research, capturing some Hollows would be sufficient—no need to control the entire Hueco Mundo.
If they truly intended to confront Hueco Mundo head-on, there was no need for the two of them to operate so covertly.
Wouldn't bringing in Yamamoto Shigekuni be more effective than anything else?
Kisuke took a deep breath.
Perhaps... he was overthinking this?
Mr. Satoru had no reason to do such things.
He was nobility, he was Yamamoto Shigekuni's disciple...
But... this was Satoru we were talking about.
The moment this name surfaced in his mind, Kisuke couldn't help but rub his eyebrows.
Currently, all signs pointed to one possibility.
Under Sōsuke Aizen's influence, Satoru was accumulating power, preparing for rebellion!
At such a critical moment, what should he do?
Kisuke faced the pivotal choice that would determine his entire life's destiny...