Rukongai – North 80th District
"Brother, we should go too."
"If you don't leave now, you'll miss the enrollment time for the Shin'ō Academy."
"In that case, you'll have to wait another year."
Inside a modest home, Aizen lightly pushed his brown-rimmed glasses up the bridge of his nose and turned to speak to a black-haired youth who shared a resemblance to him—not far away.
[Because you applied to the Shin'ō Academy, Reiatsu was worried you'd fail the entrance assessment. So he trained hard and finally broke past the Level 6 bottleneck, reaching Level 7.]
A smile flickered in Aiyan's eyes when he heard the system's reminder.
Level 6 Reiatsu?
That's already more than enough for someone applying as a new student.
After all, Level 6 corresponds to an ordinary captain-level Reiatsu. Just like that guy standing next to him.
Yes.
Aiyan wasn't born in the world of the Shinigami.
He was a transmigrator.
And as a transmigrator, he naturally had his own advantage.
The Shinigami System.
That was Aiyan's cheat.
Once he gained an ability, it would automatically grow stronger—like it was running on autopilot—without needing any deliberate effort from him. In fact, the system wouldn't even allow him to stagnate.
The first ability he obtained after crossing over… was Reiatsu.
Once the Shinigami System awakened, his spiritual pressure acted like a sage in meditation—intensely active and extremely competitive.
In less than half a month, his Reiatsu had caught up to Aizen—who already had one of the highest spiritual pressures in all of Soul Society.
And now, he has even surpassed Aizen.
It was worth mentioning that this so-called "overachiever" was actually Aiyan's younger brother.
They arrived in Soul Society together two months ago.
Neither had enrolled in the Shin'ō Academy yet, nor learned any official Shinigami techniques.
But simply by relying on their naturally growing Reiatsu, they had already reached captain-level strength.
Aiyan's Reiatsu measured exactly Level 6.
However…
Since his Reiatsu refused to fall behind Aizen's, it had pushed itself even further—surging ahead to Level 7.
"Let's go."
Responding to Aizen's reminder, Aiyan grabbed the black-rimmed glasses on the table, stood up, and headed out the door alongside his brother.
"Lord Aiyan!"
"Lord Aizen!"
The moment the two stepped outside, hundreds of men and women waiting outside instantly dropped to their knees.
This was North Rukongai, District 80—
One of the most lawless and violent areas in all the outer districts, rivaling even Zaraki in chaos.
Yet all the spirit bodies kneeling here were among the strongest in this district—each one a local powerhouse.
Some even had Reiatsu at Level 3 or 4.
If they had graduated from the Shin'ō Academy and learned Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō, they'd easily be Shinigami squad members—or even lieutenants.
They only remained in District 80 to avoid the rules of Seireitei.
But now, they all served under Aiyan and Aizen.
"Let's go." Aiyan said coolly.
"Yes!"
Everyone immediately dispersed upon hearing his words.
"Brother, why bother with ants like them?"
"Other than wasting atmospheric spirit particles, I can't think of a single use they have."
Aizen smiled softly, but his words carried a frosty undertone.
Aiyan replied as he walked,
"Aizen, even toilet paper or underwear has its purpose."
"Let alone a spirit body."
"Don't discard them so lightly."
He paused, then added,
"You've noticed too, haven't you?"
"After our Reiatsu passed a certain threshold, although we're still growing, the rate has slowed."
"It's like a species reaching the end of its evolution—every bit of growth comes harder than before."
He turned to Aizen and said meaningfully,
"That's because even Shinigami have limits."
"When an individual hits that ceiling, they'll need the power of a group to break through."
Aizen's eyes flashed beneath his glasses, and his fingers—just resting on his Zanpakutō—relaxed.
Sharp as ever, he understood exactly what Aiyan meant.
Those hundreds of spiritually powerful souls who just left…
Would make ideal experimental materials when the time came.
"Good. As long as you understand," Aiyan said calmly, noting Aizen's reaction.
He didn't resist this line of thinking.
It had been two months since he'd arrived in District 80.
He was already used to this world's brutal rules—and had adapted well.
As the younger brother and also a natural king, Aizen would never tolerate being beneath anyone.
And as a transmigrator with a cheat, Aiyan would never allow himself to be below others either.
Whether enrolling at the Shin'ō Academy or gathering powerful souls from District 80 as his subordinates—this was all part of his long-term plan.
District 80 was far from Seireitei.
Along the way, many tried to rob them of water or food.
But they collapsed before they could even approach—crushed by the Reiatsu Aizen casually released.
Shin'ō Academy – Enrollment Grounds
It was the academy's annual admissions day.
The examination plaza was vast, able to hold thousands.
But it was still crowded with new applicants.
"Shihōin Yoruichi."
"Reiatsu: Lieutenant-class."
"Rating: S-grade."
As the examiner announced Yoruichi's results, murmurs spread across the crowd.
"Yoruichi, what are you doing here?"
"Is the noble head of the Shihōin Clan really joining the Shin'ō Academy?"
With a playful smile, Urahara Kisuke approached the tan-skinned girl.
"Doing it as a favor to Old Man Yamamoto!"
"Didn't you see? Even little Byakuya is here."
Yoruichi shrugged casually.
"Learning something new," she added.
Kisuke followed her gaze—sure enough, a proud young noble stepped into view.
It was Byakuya Kuchiki.
Seeing him, Kisuke understood.
The four great noble clans were clearly extending goodwill to Genryūsai Yamamoto.
Having their young heirs enroll would only boost the academy's image, even if it didn't need it.
Still, Yamamoto would be wise to accept the gesture.
At the very least, when these nobles eventually took up captain-level roles, their path would be smooth—so long as they avoided major missteps.
"Lord Byakuya, please place your hand on the Reiatsu orb and inject your Reiatsu."
Byakuya ignored Kisuke and Yoruichi's glances.
At the examiner's respectful instruction, he placed his hand on the orb.
As he slowly poured in spiritual pressure, the crystal ball began to shine.
Purple, blue, green, yellow…
Finally—orange.
"Byakuya Kuchiki."
"Reiatsu: Lieutenant-class."
"Rating: SS-grade."
The surrounding candidates looked at him with envy, though none dared show jealousy.
All they offered was endless praise.
"Another lieutenant-class Reiatsu?"
"First Shihōin, now Kuchiki…"
"The nobles are filled with geniuses this generation!"
Byakuya remained emotionless in the face of the admiration.
He simply cast a proud glance at Yoruichi—clearly trying to show off.
But in the very next moment—
A stunned voice rang out from another examiner:
"Aizen Sōsuke."
"Reiatsu: Captain-class."
"Rating: SSS-grade."
The entire plaza went silent.