Hearing the word "Breathing," Hinaki and Nichika's expressions paused slightly.
This naturally did not escape Aizen's notice.
"Teacher Aizen," Hinaki looked up curiously. "Why is what you teach us completely different from the 'Breathing' Sister Shinobu teaches us?"
"Sister Shinobu said we have to draw air into every corner of our lungs to make our blood boil," Nichika added. "I remember the samurai lords in our past lives fought exactly like that."
Aizen smiled faintly. "I suppose the 'Breathing' that Sixth Seat Kocho excels at is meant to push the physical body to its absolute limits, whereas the 'Spiritual Pressure' taught at the Shin'o Academy is meant to connect with the depths of the soul."
"However, I am quite curious... What kind of place is this world you speak of, where Breathing is used?"
"I once heard Sixth Seat Kocho mention that you all seemed to have endured a long and arduous journey to arrive here."
Aizen's questions were asked with extreme naturalness, as if it were merely ordinary small talk between a teacher and his students.
He was using his nearly flawless affability to slowly pry open the doors to these two children's memories.
In truth, ever since he retrieved that fragmented piece of Spiritual Pressure from Asuka, the desire to learn about another world had spread through his heart like poison.
It was a world entirely detached from the Soul Society's cycle of Reishi, possessing its own independent rules.
How could anyone not be intrigued? How exactly could one travel there?
And the two little girls before him, along with that Shinobu Kocho... they had all actually come from that world... This made it increasingly difficult for Aizen to restrain himself, to the point where he frequently and somewhat uncharacteristically appeared at events related to these individuals.
He knew this deliberate approach might be perceived as unusual, but he truly could not help himself.
So much so that he hadn't checked on Kaname Tosen's progress with the Hollowfication experiments for many days.
"A journey... I don't really remember much about that. I only remember that day..." Nichika's complexion paled slightly, catching Aizen's attention.
"What happened that day?" He tapped his finger lightly against the desk, the rhythmic sound seemingly guiding a certain frequency.
Hinaki held Nichika's shoulder, frowning as she forced a smile. "Teacher Aizen, let me speak for Nichika."
"That day, a massive fire broke out in our home and swallowed us whole... After a period of extreme agony, we woke up here..."
"A fire? I am truly sorry for bringing up such unpleasant memories." Aizen quickly patted Nichika's head with an apologetic look. "But I still want to ask, what exactly happened? Did you not encounter a Soul Reaper to guide your souls? Did you not undergo a Soul Burial?"
His questions had clearly exceeded the scope of academic tutoring.
The two children fell silent, their Spiritual Pressure fluctuations becoming unstable.
This indicated they were touching upon certain taboos deep within their souls.
Just then, light footsteps echoed from the corridor.
"Captain Aizen, I am truly sorry for taking up so much of your time with their tutoring today. I am here to take them back."
Accompanied by a gentle yet slightly aloof voice, a woman wearing a Shihakusho with a Zanpakuto at her waist walked in.
The Sixth Seat of the Fourth Division, Shinobu Kocho.
Aizen did not show any displeasure at being interrupted. He stood up and gave Shinobu a slight nod.
"Sixth Seat Kocho, you have arrived at the perfect time."
"Hinaki and Nichika's progress is astonishing. Even among the honors students at the Shin'o Academy, it is hard to find such fine talents. I imagine this is inseparable from your family's teachings, so we ended up chatting a bit more."
Shinobu walked over to the two children and reached out to pat their heads. "It is all thanks to Captain Aizen's excellent guidance. In the Seireitei, who doesn't know that Captain Aizen is the most popular instructor among the students?"
"However, they are still young. Prolonged exposure to such intense theoretical lessons will take a toll on their bodies."
"You are right, that was an oversight on my part." Aizen smiled faintly, his harmless demeanor making it impossible for anyone to harbor suspicions.
Hinaki tugged at Shinobu's sleeve and turned to look at Aizen.
"Teacher Aizen, you asked so many questions about our family just now... If you don't mind, would you like to come to our house for dinner? I can have our father answer them for you."
Nichika nodded in agreement. "Mhm! Father and Mother would be very happy, and Brother Gyomei is there too. Although he doesn't talk much, the vegetarian meals he cooks are delicious."
Shinobu furrowed her beautiful brows, looking at the two children with slight reproach. "You two! Captain Aizen is a very busy man."
"Captain Aizen, I am truly sorry. The children are being a bit impolite."
She had already troubled Captain Aizen enough regarding Asuka's matters, and seeing him give the children private lessons these past few days made Shinobu wonder how she could ever repay his kindness.
Aizen chuckled. "It is no trouble at all. If Sixth Seat Kocho finds it inconvenient, I can always pay a visit another day to pay my respects."
"How could it be inconvenient?" Shinobu bowed repeatedly. "It would be our honor to have Captain Aizen grace our humble home. If Master knew such a distinguished guest was visiting, he would be absolutely delighted."
Master... Aizen's eyes narrowed imperceptibly.
"In that case, I shall respectfully accept your invitation."
At dusk, the sunset dyed the dirt roads of the Rukongai in a shade of vibrant orange.
Aizen had taken off his Shihakusho and changed into a simple, elegant casual outfit, looking more like a refined scholar visiting the countryside.
He walked beside Shinobu, strolling unhurriedly through the bustling streets of the Rukongai.
"Life here must be quite different compared to the world of your past lives, isn't it?" Aizen asked casually while observing their surroundings.
Wandering souls did not all come from the same era; some souls here were from modern times, while others could be traced back a thousand years.
Therefore, topics regarding past lives were often common icebreakers among wandering souls.
"Yes, compared to the Ubuyashiki Estate and the Butterfly Mansion, there is a broader sense of desolation here," Shinobu replied softly.
She maintained a polite distance from Aizen, always using honorifics.
"However, as long as I can be with my family, anywhere is the same."
"Family... that is indeed a very warm word," Aizen sighed.
Unfortunately, powerful Soul Reapers were always destined to be alone.
Soon, the group arrived at a small courtyard located in a corner of the South Rukongai.
At the back of the courtyard, a tall figure was sweeping fallen leaves.
"Brother Gyomei, we brought a guest back!" Nichika called out loudly.
Hearing the child's call, Gyomei Himejima slowly turned around, leaned the broom against the wall, and pressed his hands together.
"Namu..." Gyomei chanted softly, his tone peaceful. "Distinguished guest from the Seireitei, welcome to our humble abode."
They had already learned of Captain Aizen's impending arrival through Hinaki, who had returned ahead of time.
At his first glance at Gyomei, Aizen's heart trembled slightly.
He had never seen this man on the Shin'o Academy's student roster, yet the man seemed to naturally possess an extraordinary Spiritual Power.
Was this also an effect of crossing the boundary?
"Mr. Himejima, pardon the intrusion." Aizen returned the greeting politely. "Miss Kocho mentioned that you maintain your devout training every day even in the Rukongai. Seeing you today, you truly possess an extraordinary presence."
Gyomei's bright eyes carried a hint of a smile as he replied calmly, "You flatter me. Please, come inside."
Stepping into the house, a faint scent of medicinal herbs intertwined with the aroma of tea filled the air.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat in the seat of honor.
He wore a deep purple kimono, exuding an ethereal aura. Even while simply sitting there, he possessed an undeniable charisma of a leader.
"Lord Aizen." Kagaya and his wife, Amane, stood up and bowed slightly. His voice was like a gentle spring breeze, instantly closing the distance between them. "It is truly an honor for the Ubuyashiki family to meet you here."
"These two children have improved so much under your tutelage recently. As their father, I am endlessly grateful."
"Mr. Ubuyashiki, you are too polite. In a world filled with chaos and conflict, meeting pure souls like yours is a cleansing experience for my own heart."
Aizen accepted the tea handed to him by Lady Amane, his tone so sincere that it left no room for doubt.
He sat in the guest seat, his gaze lingering on Kagaya's face for a moment.
'Is this the man who can make countless strong individuals willingly die for him?'
'Could he possess fragments of the Soul King?'
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