"Okay, Captain Isshin."
"I won't target him anymore. Happy?"
Hirako Shinji glanced at Shiba Isshin, his tone casual but edged with resignation. Seeing the unwavering determination in Isshin's eyes—and his Zanpakutō already drawn a few inches—Shinji sighed inwardly.
He knew better than to provoke Shiba Isshin further.
If he kept pressing, the man would draw his blade without hesitation—and regardless of the outcome, the real winner of that clash... would be Aizen.
"You sure?" Isshin asked suspiciously, not convinced in the slightest.
"Sure," Shinji replied. "In fact, I won't just stop targeting Aizen. I'll do the opposite. I'll train him."
He raised his eyebrows and smirked.
"After he graduates, I'll transfer him to the Fifth Division as my vice-captain."
"Think about it—straight from student to seated officer. Isn't that generous? Surely Captain Isshin would agree that I'm setting him up for success."
Isshin's expression darkened.
Hirako Shinji had twisted the situation cleverly.
It was no longer about suspicion or rivalry—now he was talking about mentorship.
And as the Captain of the Fifth Division, Shinji had every right to choose his own vice-captain.
Even if Isshin knew his intentions were twisted, there was little he could do about it without causing an incident.
Clack.
Just then, a hand reached out calmly and pressed Isshin's Zanpakutō back into its sheath.
Ran Yan.
He stood beside Isshin, expression calm—yet somehow colder than steel.
"This is the second time, Hirako Shinji."
"You're too much."
His smile was soft, but chilling—as if a blade had been placed gently against everyone's throat.
"I'm not sure I follow," Shinji said, feigning confusion. "What's wrong with recognizing Aizen's potential? He's strong, capable, admired... Shouldn't I entrust someone like that with real responsibility?"
"Or... would you rather I kept targeting him?"
He shrugged, his tone light. But his gaze was sharp.
Shinji had made up his mind.
Whether Ran Yan was just a good brother or a manipulative schemer, one thing was certain: he wasn't letting go of Aizen.
So Shinji would do the only thing he could—separate them.
Send one to the Fifth Division.
Send the other to the Expedition Unit stationed in Hueco Mundo.
Aizen in Seireitei. Ran Yan in the wilderness.
Divide and conquer.
"I'll give you one chance," Ran Yan said, voice low.
"Rephrase that."
Shinji chuckled.
"Are you afraid your brother might outshine you?"
"No worries. I can cultivate you too."
"How about the Expeditionary Unit? After you graduate, I'll personally recommend you. With your talent, you'll be captain in less than a hundred years."
Isshin's eyes narrowed, recognizing the move.
He might be joking—but it was the most effective way to separate the two.
"Captain?"
"Alright. I get it."
Ran Yan turned to Isshin.
"Sensei... I have a question."
"What must I do to become captain of the Thirteenth Division?"
The silence was deafening.
Shinji's pupils narrowed slightly. Isshin's eyes widened.
Everyone else—Urahara, Yoruichi, Byakuya—stared in stunned silence.
Ran Yan continued, voice calm:
"You said it yourself. You want to separate me and my brother."
"You intend to use your authority to divide us."
"Fine. I'll use my strength... to end the conversation."
"You want to be a captain?" Isshin repeated.
"There are three ways," he said, tone heavy.
"First, pass the Captain's Proficiency Test under the witness of the Head Captain and two other captains."
"Second, be recommended by at least six captains, with approval from three others."
"Third... challenge and defeat the current captain in front of at least 200 squad members."
Isshin fell silent.
He already knew what Ran Yan was about to say.
"I see."
Ran Yan looked up, eyes gleaming.
"In 27 days, I'll apply for early graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy."
"And after that—"
"I'll challenge the Captain of the Fifth Division—you, Hirako Shinji."
The room erupted into chaos.
Yoruichi's eyes widened. Urahara stared in disbelief. Even Byakuya's expression faltered.
Graduate in under a month?
Challenge a captain immediately after?
That had never happened in the history of Seireitei.
Most Shinigami needed years—decades—to reach captaincy.
Even prodigies like Hitsugaya Tōshirō or Ichimaru Gin had taken time.
You needed to master Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Shunpo.
You needed Bankai.
You needed time, training, and battle experience.
"You want to challenge me?" Shinji asked, stunned.
"Why not?" Ran Yan replied, voice still casual.
"I gave you three chances to stop."
"You didn't take them."
"Now, I'll step in myself."
"And show you—"
"You're not nearly as important as you think you are... Captain Hirako."
Ran Yan spoke as if it were nothing.
As if challenging a captain was no different from brushing lint off his sleeve.
The ease in his tone was what made everyone's blood run cold.
Like stepping on a stone.
Or squashing an insect.