Chapter 153 – News of Kugo Ginjo
Unbeknownst to Ailin, as he sparred with Soi Fon, Sōsuke Aizen dealt him a subtle blow.
Only when he sensed that Soi Fon's reiatsu was nearly depleted and she could barely maintain Mugen Shunko did Ailin finally tear through the tornadoes surrounding her, pointing his right index finger at her waist.
"Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō!"
Golden light shot from Ailin's fingertip, splitting into six beams that instantly flew towards Soi Fon. The beams transformed into six luminous panels, sealing her within a cage of light.
With her remaining reiatsu, Soi Fon couldn't break free from Ailin's Rikujōkōrō and remained suspended in the air.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
Boom!
Another bolt of lightning erupted from Ailin's finger, passing by Soi Fon's ear, singeing a few strands of hair.
"You lose, Captain Soi Fon."Vissit novelbin(.)c.om for updates
"Yes, I concede."
Upon hearing Soi Fon's admission of defeat, Ailin dispelled the Rikujōkōrō, and they both approached Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Captain-Commander, regarding Acting Captain Soi Fon's Captain Proficiency Test, I believe she possesses the strength to serve as the Captain of the 2nd Division."
"Indeed."
Following Ailin's acknowledgment of Soi Fon, Shunsui Kyōraku immediately spoke up, "Although Captain Soi Fon hasn't displayed her Bankai, the state she just demonstrated is in no way inferior to Bankai..."
"Yes, that's true." Aizen smiled and said, "In just half a year, Captain Soi Fon has improved so much under Captain Ailin's guidance. I wonder if I would have the honor of becoming the next person to be educated by Captain Ailin?"
"Hahaha, Captain Aizen, Captain Soi Fon's current strength is primarily due to her own efforts. I merely offered some guidance. Please don't overestimate me and overlook Captain Soi Fon's own talent and hard work over the past six months." Ailin shook his head, not accepting Aizen's praise.
Indeed, Soi Fon's talent was undeniable, considering she managed to develop Shunko on her own based on the fragmented notes left by Yoruichi.
"As for Captain Aizen, if you have the time, I wouldn't mind exchanging cultivation insights with you so we can all improve together. It just so happens that sometimes I find Captain Aizen's presence quite peculiar. If I could interact with you for an extended period, I would be most grateful."
"Oh? Captain Ailin finds me peculiar?" Aizen asked curiously, "May I ask what you find strange about me?"
"No, it's just that sometimes when I encounter Captain Aizen, you feel like two different people. I suppose it might be because we're not very familiar, and I'm misinterpreting things."
"Hahaha, Captain Ailin's perception is truly sharp..." Aizen smiled and said, "However, I can't recall encountering Captain Ailin at any such time."
"Perhaps you didn't see me then."
In the end, Aizen and Ailin didn't continue the topic of Aizen wanting to learn from Ailin for a while.
Aizen, who had a vague understanding of some of Ailin's strength, genuinely wanted to seek his guidance.
However, he was unwilling to expose any weaknesses before Ailin due to his inquiries. He wasn't ready to completely break away from the Soul Society just yet.
With Ailin, Shunsui Kyōraku, and Aizen's endorsements, the other captains didn't say anything further, simply nodding slightly.
After witnessing the battle, they all agreed that Soi Fon possessed captain-level strength.
"Very well, with the unanimous approval of Captain Ailin, Captain Kyōraku, and Captain Aizen, Acting Captain Soi Fon is deemed qualified to serve as a captain. From this moment forward, Soi Fon will assume the position of Captain of the 2nd Division."
"Yes, Captain-Commander.” Soi Fon bowed respectfully to Yamamoto. At this moment, her heart finally found peace.
Lady Yoruichi, did you see that? I've kept the 2nd Division safe for you...
***
The 13th Division was the purification force. Most of its Shinigami were stationed in various corners of the World of the Living to guide the souls of the deceased and purify Hollows that crossed over from Hueco Mundo to prey on humans.
But Ailin couldn't recall anything in the World of the Living that concerned him.
Could it be that Kisuke Urahara and his group had contacted Ukitake and wanted to discuss something with him?
Although Urahara, Yoruichi Shihōin, and the others had defected from Soul Society, Ailin knew they still maintained contact with the Seireitei.
Ailin was ninety percent certain that the person they were in contact with was 13th Division Captain Jūshirō Ukitake. This could be inferred from Rukia Kuchiki's situation decades later.
As a seated officer of the 13th Division, Rukia knew of Kisuke Urahara's existence and that he could be used to contact the Soul Society and purchase items from there...
Perhaps all 13th Division members stationed in the World of the Living knew about the existence of the "Urahara Shop."
Ailin was fast, and before he could fully sort out his thoughts, he had already arrived before Jūshirō Ukitake.
Swoosh!
The sound of wind breaking reached Ukitake's ears as Ailin appeared beside him.
"Captain Ailin."
Upon seeing Ailin, a short-haired girl and a middle-aged man with a beard standing beside Ukitake immediately bowed respectfully.
As the Captain of the 11th Division, although Ailin rarely appeared in public, legends about him still circulated throughout the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
It was said that Captain Ailin excelled at guiding others in their cultivation. If one were fortunate enough to be noticed by him and receive his guidance, their strength would undoubtedly experience a significant boost.
2nd Division Captain Soi Fon received half a year of guidance from Captain Ailin and successfully passed the Captain Proficiency Test.
6th Division Captain Byakuya Kuchiki received three months of instruction from Captain Ailin in his youth, transforming from an elite Shinigami into a vice-captain level powerhouse.
Five years later, after receiving three days of guidance from Captain Ailin, he successfully mastered Bankai and became the Captain of the 6th Division.
3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru was taken in as a disciple by Captain Ailin after graduating from the Shin'ō Academy and passed the Captain Proficiency Test after the previous 3rd Division Captain met with misfortune.
"Hello." Ailin smiled and nodded to the two individuals. He was also very familiar with them.
The two "treasures" of the 13th Division: Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki.
Kiyone was the younger sister of 4th Division Vice-Captain Isane Kotetsu, while Sentaro became Rukia Kuchiki's vice-captain after the Thousand-Year Blood War.
Ailin then turned to Ukitake and asked, "Captain Ukitake, did you call me here for something?"
"Well, Captain Ailin, do you remember Kugo Ginjo?"
"Kugo Ginjo?" Hearing Ukitake's mention of this name, Ailin’s memory was jogged. "Yes, of course I remember. I recall you once asked me to go to the living world to teach him for a while. Why, did something happen with him?"
"Yes." Ukitake nodded gravely and said to Ailin, "Captain Ailin, as you know, the Substitute Shinigami Badge I gave to Kugo Ginjo was meant to monitor him."
"Yes, I remember.” AIlin nodded.
Back then, when the Soul Society discovered that Kugo Ginjo possessed Shinigami powers, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had proposed executing him for "stealing Shinigami powers."
However, the proposal was ultimately rejected due to Ailin's opposition.
After discussions among the captains, they unanimously agreed to absorb Kugo Ginjo as a non-staff Shinigami and issue him a Substitute Shinigami Badge, acknowledging his rights and responsibilities as equivalent to those of a Shinigami.
To demonstrate the Soul Society's sincerity, Ailin was sent to the World of the Living to instruct Kugo Ginjo.
Of course, with Yamamoto's reminder, Ailin focused on teaching Kugo how to use his Zanpakutō abilities, imparting the cultivation methods for both Shikai and Bankai. As for the other four Shinigami arts, he only briefly touched upon them.
Thank you for the Ratings/Likes.
If you like the story, please support. Thank you.