The Hōgyoku Is placed Within Me

"Yeah, what a scary brat. He's mastered Shikai's power even before officially becoming a Shinigami, and easily killed two experimental subjects. No wonder Captain Aizen values him so much."

After Shinji and the others left through the boundary gate, Ichimaru Gin stood there with his signature sly smile, arms crossed.

They had all witnessed Shinji's Shikai and how he killed the Adjuchas with ease.

"Gin, it's not just Shikai."

Aizen adjusted his glasses with a gentle smile, causing Ichimaru Gin's eyes to narrow in surprise.

"…Bankai?"

Gin's pupils shrank, a flash of shock crossing his face. He was considered a rare genius in the Soul Society, even among the elite.

But now, it seemed the young master of the Kuchiki family was an even greater monster.

At just a sixth-year student, had he already started learning—or even mastered—Bankai?

No wonder Aizen had been watching him closely.

---

At Dusk

Hisagi Shūhei and Matsumoto Rangiku, both vice-captains, reported directly to their captains after returning to Seireitei.

The attack on the Soul Burial Practice by Adjuchas-level Menos Grande had caught the attention of all captains.

Shinji, Rukia, Abarai Renji, and the others were told to wait outside the Captain's Meeting Room.

Leaning against the railing, Shinji casually brushed his fingers over his chest.

"As I expected… Aizen didn't notice the Hōgyoku."

Being familiar with the true events behind the scenes, Shinji knew all too well—Aizen had orchestrated the attack, observing everything from the shadows.

So, Shinji hadn't bothered hiding his Shikai. In fact, he'd used it intentionally to mask something far more significant: the first fusion state between himself and the Hōgyoku.

"The first fusion state… this feeling…"

His body felt fundamentally different now.

With his current level of defense, even taking a Cero head-on would likely only leave minor damage.

This was the power granted by merging with the Hōgyoku.

And the best part?

There was no limit to this evolution.

---

Meanwhile, Inside the Captain's Chamber

"Captain Aizen, are you here?"

Eleven figures, each clad in white haori, turned toward the door simultaneously.

These were the eleven captains of the Gotei 13.

At the center stood an old man with a cross-shaped scar on the right side of his forehead, a long silver-white beard tied with a purple sash, and piercing, half-lidded eyes exuding an overwhelming, oppressive aura.

Despite his modest height of less than 1.7 meters, his presence was suffocating.

This was Yamamoto Genryūsai, Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13—recognized as the strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society.

The absolute authority.

His mastery over the four fundamental Shinigami arts—Zanjutsu, Shunpo, Hakuda, and Kidō—was unparalleled. His Reiatsu had reached levels considered the pinnacle of Shinigami potential.

His Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, boasted the most destructive power among all Zanpakutō. Its Shikai alone burned hotter than the surface of the sun; its Bankai's temperature rivaled that of the sun's core.

A blade capable of reducing the world to ashes.

"Captain," Aizen said softly, stepping forward and adjusting his glasses.

"Then, this Captain's Meeting will now begin."

Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor. The heavy thud reverberated through the room, sinking into everyone's hearts.

"The Captain of the 13th Division isn't here again?" sneered Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the eccentric Captain of the 12th Division, his face twisted with condescension.

"Jūshirō Ukitake has called in sick," Yamamoto replied flatly, betraying no emotion.

"Tch. He's always sick," Mayuri scoffed with a wicked grin. "Maybe I'll turn him into one of my experiments someday."

Captain Kyōraku Shunsui, frowning slightly beneath his straw hat, lazily scratched his beard.

"You know Jūshirō's health has never been good," Shunsui said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. "Lately, he's been coughing up blood and getting weaker. He needs rest."

He wasn't lying. Ukitake's condition had been deteriorating for years, forcing him to rely more on his lieutenant, Shiba Kaien, to manage the 13th Division.

"Then he should retire," Mayuri snapped. "Give the seat to someone more capable instead of clinging to life like that."

Shunsui's eyes darkened. "Captain Kurotsuchi, that's enough."

"Silence!"

Yamamoto's voice boomed like thunder, cutting through the tension. He slammed his cane onto the floor again, the echo silencing everyone.

"Captain Mayuri, are you questioning my judgment?" Yamamoto's gaze was sharp as a blade.

Mayuri clicked his tongue but said no more.

"Now, as you may have already guessed, today's meeting concerns the recent incident."

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed slightly.

"During a Soul Burial Practice involving sixth-year students from the Shinō Academy, several Menos Grande—some of them Adjuchas-class—attacked, causing significant casualties."

"The critical issue is determining how these Menos managed to appear in an area that had been thoroughly 'cleared' and under constant surveillance."

The captains exchanged glances. The implications were unsettling.

"Strange, isn't it?" Ichimaru Gin said with his trademark grin, leaning casually against a pillar. "For Menos Grande to suddenly pop up like that in such a secure area? Seems a bit… deliberate, doesn't it?"

"Captain Ichimaru," Shiba Isshin interjected, his brow furrowed. "Are you suggesting someone planted the Menos there?"

"Ah, I never said that," Gin replied, waving his hand dismissively. "You're the one jumping to conclusions, Captain Shiba."

But then, as if remembering something, he added with a sly grin:

"Speaking of that training exercise… wasn't the young master of the Kuchiki family present as well?"

"You mean… Kuchiki Shinji?"

Isshin's eyes flicked toward another figure who had been silent the entire time—Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the 6th Division and Shinji's older brother.

Ichimaru Gin's grin grew wider.

"Yes, that's the one. Captain Shiba, you've heard of him too?"

He deliberately dragged out his words, his tone dripping with false innocence.

Then, leaning forward ever so slightly, Gin added with a glint in his eye:

"Our young master of the Kuchiki family… he's not as simple as he seems, you know?"

---

"You mean, Kuchiki Shinji has mastered Shikai?"

Shiba Isshin asked in shock.

If he remembered correctly, that kid was just a sixth-generation student of the Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts, right?

Generally speaking, the Shin'ō Academy is only meant to provide Shinigami candidates with the basics. By the time of graduation, being proficient in the fundamentals of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō is considered excellent, allowing one to join the Gotei 13 for further training.

Mastering Shikai as a student? Aside from Ichimaru Gin, no one had done that in the past hundred years, right?

"It's not just Shikai," Ichimaru Gin grinned, his sly smile never fading.

"Nani?"

"Could it be… Bankai?"

Now, even the other captains couldn't sit still.

Kyōraku Shunsui nearly toppled over, adjusting his straw hat and glancing at the silent Byakuya Kuchiki.

"You're saying that kid has already mastered Bankai? Do you have any proof?"

Are you kidding me? That Kuchiki kid has already mastered Bankai?

After all, even for captains, it took decades or even hundreds of years to gradually achieve Bankai after mastering Shikai. But Kuchiki Shinji? He was just a student—not even an official Shinigami yet.

"Well, there's no hard evidence. This is all just my speculation," Ichimaru Gin replied nonchalantly, spreading his hands as if it wasn't a big deal.

"Is that so..."

Kyōraku Shunsui let out a sigh of relief. Without proof, it was hard to believe. The idea of a student achieving Bankai seemed far-fetched.

If it were just Shikai, Shunsui might have believed it.

"But why would Kuchiki Shinji hide his strength? If he's already mastered Shikai and is even touching upon Bankai, his achievements should have been obvious to us, right?"

Shiba Isshin stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Most new Shinigami fresh out of the academy are basically cannon fodder—filling the ranks of the Gotei 13. Their casualty rate is high, and their tasks are usually mundane.

It sounds harsh, but it's the truth.

Those with excellent grades are destined to become exceptional Shinigami. Their names are placed in front of the captains, given opportunities to grow in protected environments.

Names like Rukia Kuchiki, Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, Hinamori Momo—all of them fit this description.

But Kuchiki Shinji's name was nowhere to be found.

Clearly, Kuchiki Shinji was hiding his strength.

But why?

There was something intriguing about this.

"Perhaps… it has to do with the incident where Kuchiki Shinji was attacked and nearly killed three years ago?"

From the corner, Unohana Retsu smiled gently as she offered her insight.

"The Menos Grande attack three years ago? It seems their target was still Kuchiki Shinji this time,"

Komamura Sajin, the towering captain of the 7th Division, crossed his arms thoughtfully.

"Maybe there really is something suspicious going on within our own ranks," Shiba Isshin said seriously, then chuckled and scratched his head.

"Why not send him to the Human World? It might be a form of protection for him."

---

Outside the Captain's Meeting Room:

"How long are we going to wait?"

Abarai Renji crouched in the corner, visibly exhausted.

He was dead tired from fighting those monsters, but why was that damn Shinji still so full of energy?

Leaning lazily against the wall with his eyes closed, Shinji seemed completely relaxed.

Renji's gaze practically burned with jealousy.

"What are you thinking about?"

A faint lavender scent drifted by as Shinji lazily opened his eyes. It was Rukia.

Ruffling her hair playfully, Shinji replied, "I'm thinking about something. Since the Department of Research and Development can monitor the spiritual pressure of Hollows and Shinigami, why not create a device that can detect Reiatsu?"

"Like… glasses or something."

"That way, Shinigami could gauge an enemy's strength during battles. Although it wouldn't be completely accurate—since some Hollows can suppress their Reiatsu—it could still reduce unnecessary Shinigami casualties, right?"

At that moment, a sickly voice tinged with excitement chimed in from the doorway.

"That's an interesting idea—creating a device to detect Reiatsu levels, allowing Shinigami to assess whether they can handle an opponent or if retreat is wiser."

"If we modify the current spiritual detection devices, we might be able to implement this feature."

It was Kurotsuchi Mayuri, muttering to himself before suddenly turning to Shinji.

"Little Kuchiki, are you interested in joining the 12th Division to assist me?"

"N-Nani?! He's being personally recruited by the captain of the 12th Division?!"

"Damn it, that bastard Shinji… Why is he always treated like some genius…?"

"As expected of Shinji,"

Rukia beamed with pride, Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo smiled warmly, but Abarai Renji's face twisted with envy.

"12th Division, huh? That sounds… like a good option."

Shinji's expression shifted slightly.

The 12th Division was appealing.

As the hub of technological development, its members were mostly researchers and tech nerds. They rarely fought on the front lines. Even during the decisive battle with Aizen, the 12th Division mostly provided logistical and technical support—only Kurotsuchi Mayuri and his lieutenant, Nemu, went into battle.

For someone like Shinji, who dreamed of an easy, low-stress life, the 12th Division was paradise.

"I—"

"Rejected."

Two voices spoke simultaneously.

Shinji turned to see Byakuya Kuchiki standing beside him, his presence commanding as always.

"Brother," Shinji greeted with a nod, as did Rukia.

"You did well recently. The pride of the Kuchiki clan must never be undermined."

Byakuya's words were vague but filled with meaning. Then he continued, standing firmly in front of Shinji:

"I know what you're thinking, but I will not allow you to join the 12th Division."

"Furthermore, regarding Shinji's next assignment, the Head Captain has already given personal orders. Captain Kurotsuchi, are you questioning the Captain-Commander's judgment?"

An assignment from the Head Captain himself?

Abarai Renji's jaw nearly dropped.

"Oi, what's so great about joining the 12th Division anyway? If you're looking to join a squad, Shinji should come to my 11th Division!"

A gruff, menacing voice boomed as a towering figure approached, exuding a dark, oppressive aura.

Zaraki Kenpachi.

The pressure of his spiritual energy alone made Abarai Renji break into a cold sweat.

Why?

How did this damn Shinji manage to get the attention of so many captains?

It was like they were all fighting over him.

Is he really that in demand?!

Renji's face contorted further with jealousy.

Shinji wasn't just strong and handsome—he also kept a low profile.

But damn it, I'm not bad either!

Renji's frustration nearly pushed him to reveal his own Bankai on the spot.

But then, to his absolute horror, Zaraki Kenpachi grinned wickedly as he approached Shinji.

"Oi, Shinji. How about we have a good ol' fight to our heart's content?"

Renji felt like his entire world had crumbled.

Was Shinji finally about to show his true strength?