Shino Prison barracks.
At someone's invitation, Aizen temporarily set aside his half-finished experiment to survey the terrain and resolve a few issues along the way.
"This is my brother-in-law, Kuchiki Sōjun."
Beside Kuchiki Kōga stood a gentle young man.
He was handsome, with smooth, medium-length black hair, and wore a Kenseikan.
Unlike Kōga, the Windflower Veil around his neck was white, symbolizing his status as the family heir.
Despite his noble status, there was not a hint of arrogance about him. Instead, his smile was gentle and humble, making him look exactly like a good-natured neighbor.
Seeing this attitude, Naraku Sora couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, somewhat doubting Kuchiki Ginrei's genetics.
Although the two shared a certain degree of physical resemblance.
How on earth was such a drastically different personality cultivated?
Kuchiki Ginrei was aloof and indifferent, possessing the Kuchiki family's usual terrible habit of refusing to speak plainly, which had nearly ruined Kuchiki Kōga's upbringing.
In contrast, Kuchiki Sōjun, despite being his biological son, had a gentle expression and a kind smile, acting almost as if he were the elder.
It formed a stark contrast.
Sora was completely baffled by this.
While he was sizing up the other party, Kuchiki Sōjun was also curiously observing Sora.
The genius of the Seireitei, the Head Captain's final disciple, the examiner for the Captain proficiency test, the man who annihilated the Tsunayashiro family...
Various rumors had long filled him with curiosity about Naraku Sora.
Previously, as a rising star in the Soul Society, almost everyone knew Kuchiki Kōga's name. Yet, in such a short time, Naraku Sora had completely eclipsed him.
Even while living deep within the manor, he could still hear the servants discussing topics related to him.
Even Kuchiki Kōga himself, upon his occasional visits home, would excitedly recount Naraku Sora's deeds to him, holding the boy in extremely high regard.
It seemed that in Kōga's heart, Naraku Sora had already surpassed the status of his father-in-law.
For a moment, Kuchiki Sōjun couldn't help but feel an immense curiosity toward him.
*Did this guy possess some kind of magic that could actually make his stubborn brother-in-law change his old ways of thinking?*
Seeing the other party sizing him up without any hesitation, Naraku Sora was inevitably a little surprised.
Kuchiki Sōjun's behavior seemed to deviate somewhat from Kōga's description. Where was the supposed cowardice in this demeanor?
Looking at those passionate eyes, it seemed he even wanted to cross swords with him.
Sora leaned close to Aizen and asked, "Can you see anything?"
Aizen frowned, quietly pulling away a little to avoid being infected by a certain someone's straightforward mindset.
"I am not a professional medical practitioner. How could I possibly diagnose the problem just by looking at him?"
"However, if we could get Kuchiki Sōjun to lie down on an operating table..."
Before he could finish speaking, Sora raised a hand to stop him, warily distancing himself from Aizen to prevent any blood from splattering onto him.
*He was the heir to the Kuchiki family, after all. If he were actually dissected, that old man Kuchiki Ginrei would probably fight them to the death.*
"Let's use a milder method."
Sora approached the Kuchiki duo and briefly explained the situation.
Kuchiki Sōjun nodded, revealing an understanding, gentle smile.
"I understand. The root of the problem can only be discovered in combat."
"I'll have to trouble you to spar with me, brother-in-law..."
Sora raised a hand in refusal.
"No, Kōga's cultivation isn't quite there yet, and he can't hold back properly. You should fight me instead."
Saying so, he led everyone into the dojo.
The mottled walls were filled with the scouring marks of Kidō, and the sturdy floor was covered in crisscrossing sword gashes. Dotted with old bloodstains, it looked exactly like a battlefield.
Kuchiki Sōjun was intimidated by the sight before him, unable to recover his wits for a moment.
He had seen many squad dojos, but this was his first time seeing one as brutal as the Shino Prison's.
Soon, both sides stood in the center of the dojo. The news that Naraku Sora was about to beat up the eldest young master of the Five Great Noble Families quickly spread throughout the barracks, and bloodthirsty spectators rapidly arrived at the scene to watch.
Feeling the eager gazes cast his way, a bitter smile couldn't help but surface on Kuchiki Sōjun's face. This was his first time fighting someone in front of such a large crowd.
And the purpose of the duel was actually for medical treatment.
He had to admit, his brother-in-law's friend was truly an eccentric person.
At the same time, Ōmaeda Marechinmoshin also appeared in the dojo, leading a very round-looking young man who exuded a glittering, nouveau-riche aura.
Marechinmoshin pointed to the center of the arena and explained:
"Marechiyo, watch closely and learn well. That is the most talented Soul Reaper in the current Soul Society, Lord Naraku Sora."
"For the foreseeable future, you will be training and studying under him. Do not bring those bad habits from home into the Shino Prison, or else even I, your father, won't be able to protect you."
The young man curled his lips and said impatiently, "I know, Father."
Although he said so verbally, only Ōmaeda Marechiyo himself knew what he was truly thinking inside.
However, judging from the trace of disdain flashing through his eyes, he didn't believe the youth in the center of the dojo could help him with anything.
Based on appearances, the two seemed to be about the same age; he might even be a bit older.
Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Naraku Sora removed the scabbard from his waist. Just when everyone thought he was about to draw his blade, he casually tossed it aside—
The scabbard stabbed straight into the wall, sending crushed stone splattering.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo: "?"
Watching this exaggerated scene, Kuchiki Sōjun couldn't help but twitch his eye, the ominous premonition in his heart seemingly growing stronger.
"Give it your all, Lord Sōjun."
Sora stood in place, seemingly full of openings, and barely any Reiatsu could be felt from him.
Kuchiki Sōjun's expression grew a bit more solemn. He took a deep breath and raised his right hand without the slightest hesitation.
"Hadō #31・Shakkahō!"
A massive amount of Reishi gathered, forming a red orb of light. Blazing flames erupted in his palm and shot out in an instant.
The sound of tearing air echoed through the dojo, and the smell of scorching filled the air.
Seeing this scene, Ōmaeda Marechinmoshin nodded.
This heir of the Kuchiki family was clearly far superior to the one from his Ōmaeda family; a casually fired Hadō possessed such might.
However, in the next second, his eyes widened, and a look of disbelief appeared on his face.
He saw Naraku Sora spread his five fingers, meeting the searingly hot Shakkahō head-on. The explosive flames instantly burst between his fingers, scattering countless sparks.
Then, as his five fingers clenched together, the blood-red fireball was instantly extinguished.
Sora raised his head, looked at the dumbfounded Kuchiki Sōjun opposite him, and frowned.
"Bring out your full strength, Lord Sōjun."
Kuchiki Sōjun subconsciously swallowed, his eyes filled with shock.
Although Kuchiki Ginrei strictly forbade him from participating in battles without permission due to his physical condition, as a member of the Gotei 13, he had still fought against quite a few rogue Soul Reapers.
However, this was his first time seeing such an exaggerated scene.
But soon, Kuchiki Sōjun regained his composure, a trace of burning fighting spirit rising in his eyes.
Even though he knew perfectly well that he was no match for Naraku Sora, under the watchful eyes of so many people, he absolutely could not lose face.
He still carried the reputation of the Kuchiki family on his shoulders!
A formidable Reiatsu suddenly erupted, the atmosphere abruptly growing heavy as a dazzling radiance burst from Kuchiki Sōjun's body.
"Hadō #32・Ōkansen!"
"Hadō #33・Sōkatsui!"
Two consecutive Hadō spells were released without incantations. The cherry blossom-colored shockwave, wrapped in azure explosive flames, swiftly swept through the air, leaving behind a scorching scent.
Kuchiki Sōjun's gaze instantly became highly aggressive. Stepping forward, he took advantage of the opening created by the Hadō attacks to charge at Naraku Sora.
Flash Step!
Almost at the exact same time, the silver blade and the blazing Hadō descended instantly, completely enveloping the figure ahead and sealing off all evasion routes.
Yet, even with Kuchiki Sōjun's attack close at hand, Naraku Sora remained steadily in place, not making the slightest movement.
Just as everyone's hearts leaped into their throats for him, crackling electrical arcs danced on his fingertips. In a flash, they covered his entire body, and an endless radiance shot straight into the sky.
In a mere instant, the Hadō that landed on the surface of the lightning was annihilated.
Immediately after, Sora raised a single index finger, blocking the path of the blade.
Under the stunned gazes of countless onlookers, the sound of clashing metal suddenly rang out, and brilliant sparks flew.
A heavy, powerful slash was actually unable to break through the opponent's single-finger block. Kuchiki Sōjun's expression became somewhat dazed for a moment.
*Was this guy really a Soul Reaper?*
Watching that exaggerated scene, the massive dojo instantly fell into a dead silence. The spectators could hardly believe their eyes.
Right at that moment, Aizen's voice reached Sora's ears.
"The situation is clear now. I'll explain the details to you later."
Hearing this, Sora released the blade with a smiling face.
"Lord Sōjun, I have a general understanding of your symptoms now. I will give you a specific treatment plan shortly."
"By the way, your method of releasing Sōkatsui is slightly off. If you choose to channel your spiritual power through your right pinky finger, the power will increase by ten percent."
Watching his back as he dismissed the crowd, Kuchiki Sōjun looked down at the Zanpakutō in his hand, staring blankly in a daze.
"This is your son?"
After dealing with Kuchiki Sōjun, Sora turned and approached Ōmaeda Marechinmoshin.
He had noticed them as early as when the battle began.
It was precisely because of this that he had displayed such overwhelming combat power just now.
This way, the kid would be much easier to discipline.
Marechinmoshin grinned and patted Marechiyo heavily on the shoulder, gesturing:
"His name is Ōmaeda Marechiyo. I'll leave him in your care from now on, Lord Naraku."
Sora looked him up and down.
He had a burly and robust build, excessively fat while also glittering with gold, and his eyes carried a trace of fear.
Although he was still very young, he already possessed a bit of the demeanor of the future Great God Ōmaeda.
And so, under Marechiyo's trembling gaze, Sora revealed a chilling smile that made one's scalp tingle:
"I guarantee I won't let you down."
"A congenital Reishi weakness. It's not hard to solve."
Wearing a pair of specially made glasses, Aizen focused on operating the equipment in front of him while sparing a bit of mental energy to humor Sora.
Inside the pillar-like instrument, several clusters of souls continuously shuttled back and forth, colliding and scattering Reishi fragments so fine they were almost imperceptible.
Brilliant flashes of light erupted from within it from time to time.
These souls had been specially delivered by Naraku Sora when his research hit a bottleneck.
In a certain someone's words: these bastards committed all kinds of evil and remained unrepentant until death. Keeping them in this world was just a waste of rice, so it was better to squeeze out their last ounce of value and let them contribute to the greatness of science.
Aizen was very pleased with this.
Compared to Kakyo's overly good-natured personality, he much preferred that this guy, Naraku Sora, wasn't bound by the Soul Society's rotten rules.
It was best if he could be a little more selfish in this regard.
Only then would he avoid being deceived and taken advantage of.
"Once the experiment is over, I will set up a new related project. It won't take long to get results."
As if suddenly thinking of something, Aizen frowned.
Sitting on the sofa nearby, Sora noticed this and asked curiously:
"Is there a problem?"
Aizen's expression stiffened, and he said in a deep voice:
"We don't have enough materials."
Hearing this, Sora's eyes lit up.