Chapter 55: Aizen's Admonitions to the World
"What… is this?"
Suì Fēng stared at Takeru, visibly shaken by his little stunt.
"Do you mean the identity of the one speaking?"
"…Of course not. That is obviously Captain Sosuke Aizen of Fifth Division, your teacher." She frowned. "I am asking what this recording is about."
"Oh, that."
Takeru set the Soul Pager down on the table, picked up a piece of tempura, took a small bite, swallowed, and only then began to speak.
"It started back at the Spirit Arts Academy. After word got out that Captain Aizen had taken me on as his disciple, the girls from calligraphy class kept coming to me for advice, asking what exactly my teacher taught me."
He spread his hands.
"I knew perfectly well what they were most interested in, so to get rid of them, I racked my brains, summed up some so called insights, and then begged my teacher to record a few lines to make them sound more convincing. As it happened, he also appreciated my writing and immediately agreed."
"After that, everything went exactly as expected. Those girls treated the recordings like ageless teachings. I hear they even spread into the Gotei Thirteen and are treasured by Captain Aizen's admirers. Someone is planning to compile them into an article and submit it to the Seireitei Bulletin."
"Now, instead of people constantly bothering me, they actively shield me from anyone who does, so I can concentrate on summarizing more insights. Sometimes they even bring me the latest information on their own…"
He sighed, half amused, half troubled.
"It is starting to feel like if I raised my hand at the right moment, a cult might spontaneously form."
"These days I cannot hear a single piece of noble gossip anymore. I am still getting used to the peace and quiet."
"…"
Suì Fēng's expression froze.
"To be honest, I feel like you are doing something outrageous. If this keeps up, I may have to invite you to Onmitsukido for a proper talk one day."
"It would not be the first time."
Takeru looked completely at ease, as if multiple interrogations were already a fond memory.
Seeing him so relaxed gave Suì Fēng a headache.
"Forget it. Back to the main point. Did you take this recording out just to fob me off the same way you did those academy students?"
"Setting aside its origin," Takeru said, "does Captain Suì Fēng not think these words fit your situation very well?"
"Hmph. It sounds convincing, yes. But only sounds convincing."
Her tone sharpened.
"When I interrogate criminals, they are full of this kind of empty rhetoric, insisting they are right just to escape punishment. I am sick of hearing it. And you do not even know the full story, yet you want to persuade me with such frivolous phrases. It is ridiculous."
She sneered, the curve of her lips carrying a clear note of mockery.
It was like watching a child try to lecture an adult.
Pure playacting.
But in the next second, her smile vanished.
Because Takeru, face calm as ever, hit play again.
"Do not carelessly speak arrogant words. That will only expose your weakness."
"…"
Hearing Aizen's voice once more, Suì Fēng's breathing became slightly uneven. She shot Takeru a look that was equal parts annoyed and embarrassed.
"The Central Forty Six should really transfer Captain Aizen to be Headmaster of the Spirit Arts Academy," she muttered. "Even just as a voice actor, he sounds that persuasive. If he ever gave a speech on stage, it would probably move the entire academy to tears."
"I thank Captain Suì Fēng for the praise on my teacher's behalf."
Takeru gave a small, polite bow, which neatly cut off the rest of her sarcasm.
Suì Fēng could only grab her sake cup, drain it in one gulp, and then forcefully change the subject.
"So… did you gain anything?"
"?"
"Do not play dumb. My patience is limited."
"As for gains…"
Takeru tapped the table lightly.
"After hearing your story, especially the way you described the end of the first half of your life, I was… moved."
"Oh?"
"It is only a vague feeling for now. I still have not remembered the details."
He deflected smoothly.
"…I see."
Curiosity turned instantly into frustration, and Suì Fēng's gaze grew decidedly unfriendly.
"Then starting tomorrow, report to Second Division… and keep coming until you remember."
"…"
"Dissatisfied?"
"No. Since the Bankai special training has ended, I no longer need to visit my teacher every day. I am free."
Takeru shook his head. If not for that, he would not have been wandering around aimlessly yesterday.
"Good. Then it is settled. Come to Second Division tomorrow."
Suì Fēng rose to her feet. Her slender figure did not seem imposing at first glance, yet in that moment she radiated an undeniable authority. The cold line of her brows and the faint smile at her lips balanced each other perfectly, making her more dazzling than ever.
She truly was not someone who lived in another's shadow.
In this place, the light she gave off was no less than the woman she had once had to bow to.
"Special training, is it…" Takeru murmured. "Perfect timing. I happen to be working on a new technique, and it is almost complete. A good opportunity to show you a little unimaginable power… Hey, hey, do not glare at me like that."
Under Suì Fēng's sharp rebuke, he reluctantly lowered his hand, withdrawing the Spirit Communicator before he could play the third recording.
"Tomorrow then. I understand."
"That is better."
Suì Fēng nodded, satisfied. She felt as if she had taken one more step toward dragging this talent fully into Second Division's orbit.
Even with Bankai, one only possessed the qualifications to become a captain.
At the moment, there were no open seats.
Ukitake of Thirteenth Division clearly favored that blond brat.
The Kido Corps had been declining for years as well. There was no urgent need to revive its so called former glory just to create a spot for a new Great Kido Chief.
To be frank, there had never been much glory there to begin with.
…
Early the next morning.
The moment Takeru stepped out of the Spirit Arts Academy gates, he ran into a familiar figure.
"Omaeda?"
"Watch it. We may know each other, but I am still a vice captain. When we are on duty, remember to use my title."
Omaeda puffed out his chest in a show of dignity, then jabbed a thumb over his shoulder.
"Anyway, let us go. The captain sent me to get you."
"Then let us go."
"…You are not going to ask why?"
"Even if I know the way, Second Division headquarters is strictly off limits to outsiders, and I do not know the internal layout. It is better to have a guide. And you just happen to be going on patrol, right? You are simply taking me along the way."
Takeru looked at him, puzzled.
"You were not thinking of using this chance to earn a favor from me, were you?"
"You… you really are terrifyingly sharp. No wonder the captain was acting so strange after she came back last night."
Omaeda unconsciously shuffled a step away, as if afraid that standing too close might cause him to be infected and end up as miserable as his captain.
"No, she was very normal when we parted after dinner. Do you not trust my ability to judge people?"
"That is one way to put it… but I was clearly slacking off, and she only glanced at me. She did not scold me at all."
"…That is indeed unusual."
"So I offered to come pick you up. I wanted to ask what happened between you two so I do not blunder into something later. I have never seen the captain like this before. If she really snaps, she might actually cut me down."
"Relax."
Takeru slipped easily into analysis mode.
"If she ignored your mistake, that means her mind is somewhere else. At times like this, as long as you do not hover around in front of her, you will be fine."
"I see… then I am relieved, hehe… Takeru, why do you look so unhappy all of a sudden?"
Omaeda patted his chest in exaggerated relief, then noticed the way Takeru's mouth twitched, his expression turning a little unnatural.
"What do you think I am about to do right now?"
"You are going to see the captain… Ah. Right. Sorry. Let us pretend I never asked."
He should have been laughing, but because the topic involved his own captain, even his gloating felt half hearted.
Instead of schadenfreude, what Omaeda felt most was a strange sense of shared suffering with his former comrade in misfortune.
<><><><><>
[P@treon Discount: 20% OFF]
[Check Out My Patreon For +40 Advance Chapters On All My Fanfics!]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03]
[Join Our Discord Community For Updates & Events]
[https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9]