The Hōgyoku Is placed Within Me

"Next."

"Kuchiki Shinji."

At the Zanjutsu Training Grounds of the Shin'ō Academy, the instructor called out the name while holding the roster.

A handsome young man, around sixteen years old, stepped out from the line of students and stood at the front.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai (White Lightning)."

A flash of white lightning sparked at his fingertips.

In the next second, it shot out like a streak of light, grazing the target before hitting the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The instructor shook his head slightly at the sight.

"Your proficiency is decent, but your accuracy still needs work."

"Sixty points. It's a passing score."

As soon as the instructor finished speaking, a wave of laughter broke out among the surrounding students.

"So this is the young master of the Kuchiki clan? I thought he'd be stronger, but it seems he's nothing special."

"Did you really expect him to be as strong as Captain Kuchiki? He's an embarrassment to noble families."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

"Next, Rukia Kuchiki."

The instructor called out again, this time with a faint smile. Unlike Shinji, who was only a half-baked Shinigami candidate, Rukia Kuchiki possessed exceptional spiritual talent.

"Here."

A crisp, youthful voice responded.

A petite girl stepped forward. Pointing her fingertip at the target, she chanted confidently:

"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"

BOOM!

The target exploded in a burst of blinding white lightning.

"Excellent. 100 points."

The instructor nodded in satisfaction, signaling Rukia to return to her spot.

With this level of skill, it was clear that Rukia Kuchiki's future as a Shinigami was all but guaranteed. She might even secure a seated officer position someday.

"Tch. She's just an adopted stray the Kuchiki family picked up. What's she so proud of?"

"Yeah, she probably thinks she's really a Kuchiki now. What a joke."

Rukia ignored the cruel remarks as she calmly walked back to stand beside Shinji. She had long grown used to such cutting words.

"Hey, you could've done better. Why'd you intentionally miss like that?"

Rukia whispered, glancing up at him.

While most students only saw Shinji as someone trying to show off, Rukia—his so-called sister—knew the truth. After living under the same roof for so long, no matter how much Shinji tried to hide it, Rukia had picked up on the signs.

This guy…

He doesn't even need to be at Shin'ō Academy anymore.

"I've told you before, I'm only staying here because it's the safest place in the Academy."

Shinji smiled, ruffling her hair.

The dumb girl was still pretty cute.

Rukia puffed out her cheeks in annoyance and kicked him lightly. "Don't mess with my hair!"

As she huffed, she noticed Shinji suddenly step out of line and head toward another group of students.

"Apologize."

Shinji's voice was cold as he stared down a boy in front of him.

"Oi, Kuchiki Shinji, what's your problem?"

Tsunayashiro Aomine frowned.

"You know exactly what I mean. I don't care how you feel about me, but Rukia is my sister. If you insult her in front of me, I won't just stand by."

Shinji's eyes sharpened. "Let's settle this with a duel. Put your life on the line."

"A duel? For her?"

Aomine scoffed. "She's just some filthy stray who was lucky enough to be adopted by the Kuchiki family. Am I wrong?"

His words hit Rukia like a slap. She clenched her fists, her expression falling.

"Tsunayashiro Akamine..." Shinji's voice was ice-cold.

"My name is Aomine!" The boy's face turned red with rage. "Are you messing with me, you bastard?!"

For as long as they'd known each other, Shinji had never bothered to remember his name correctly.

"Ah, does it matter?"

"OF COURSE IT DOES!"

Shinji blinked, unfazed. "Then yeah, I'm insulting you."

"YOU—!"

Veins bulged on Aomine's forehead. Furious, he turned to the instructor. "Sensei, I formally request a duel with Kuchiki Shinji!"

"Uh… well…"

The instructor hesitated. Both were nobles from prestigious families. This was a situation he didn't want to get involved in.

But before the teacher could respond, Aomine charged forward, swinging his wooden sword with impressive speed.

"As expected of the Tsunayashiro family! Look at that technique!"

"He's definitely getting recruited into the Gotei 13 after graduation!"

The students' eyes sparkled, anticipating Shinji getting knocked flat.

But—

Shinji didn't even flinch.

Calmly, he raised a single finger, pointing it straight at Aomine.

His voice was soft but carried through the air clearly:

"Hadō #4: Byakurai."

BOOM!

A massive crater appeared on the ground ten meters away.

Aomine froze mid-swing, stunned. Slowly, he turned to look at the charred ground—mere inches from where his face had been.

"I… I lost…"

He hung his head, fists trembling.

Shinji had shown mercy. Aomine knew that.

If Shinji had aimed even slightly differently, he'd be dead.

"Is this a joke? That Byakurai was way stronger than what even top-ranked students can manage!"

"How did Aomine lose?!"

"When did Byakurai become that powerful?"

The crowd buzzed with disbelief.

Oops… did I overdo it?

But I held back as much as I could…

Shinji's face remained neutral, though he was sweating inside. As he scrambled to think of an excuse—

"HEY! Captain Aizen is here to demonstrate Shikai!"

"Captain Aizen's the best! So cool and approachable!"

"I'm definitely joining Squad 5 after graduation!"

Hearing this, Shinji's eyes lit up. He suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Sensei, my brother fainted!"

The instructor rushed over. "Ah, I see. He must've exhausted all his Reiatsu during that last attack. Take him to rest."

The students nodded, convinced.

"See? Just a fluke."

"Knew it. No way he's that strong."

---

In the Academy's Lounge

"Your acting sucks."

Rukia threw Shinji onto a bed with an annoyed look.

"Was it really that bad?"

Shinji, perfectly fine, sat up immediately.

"Even Renji's acting is better than yours."

Rukia rolled her eyes, her small tuft of hair bobbing with the motion.

Shinji stared at it, tempted to flick it.

"What are you looking at?"

Blushing, Rukia covered her head. "Don't get any weird ideas!"

Shinji: "…"

Are you trying to tempt me on purpose, you dumb girl?

"By the way… Captain Aizen's so nice. He's here again, showing off his Zanpakutō. Maybe we should join Squad 5 after graduation? He seems like a great captain."

Rukia tilted her head thoughtfully.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT."

Shinji's rejection was immediate.

Join Aizen's squad? Are you out of your mind?!

KNOCK KNOCK.

A gentle knock at the door.

Standing there was a man with glasses, wearing the haori of a captain. His soft smile masked the sharp intellect beneath.

"Ah, I hope I'm not interrupting."

Shinji's face stiffened.

"C-Captain Aizen?!"

Rukia's eyes widened as she shot to her feet.

Wasn't Captain Aizen supposed to be outside with the students?

"Rukia Kuchiki, may I speak to your brother in private?"

"U-Um, sure!"

Flustered, Rukia darted out of the room, face bright red.

She's adorable, Aizen thought, smiling warmly before turning to Shinji.

"Shinji-kun… how about joining Squad 5 to assist me?"