Chapter 139

In the First Division captain's room.

'Hello, Captain Araki, I am Aizen Sosuke.'

After Aizen respectfully greeted Araki and introduced himself.

Araki and Aizen stood there silently, sharing a rare unspoken understanding, neither speaking further but smiling as they continually sized each other up.

'My name is Aizen Sosuke, and I am someone dedicated to changing the current state of Soul Society.'

'I hope that in this world, all the incompetents occupying high positions and resources will relinquish their positions and resources, and I also hope the world will give every ambitious person a chance to display their talents!'

'Originally in my plan, I would spend hundreds of years honing all my skills to the peak of a Shinigami, and only after securing victory would I bring like-minded comrades to appear before this man.'

'However, unfortunately, man proposes, heaven disposes! My plan seems to have some loopholes, perhaps because when I first entered the True Central Spiritual Arts Institute a few years ago, I was still too immature.'

'Thus, when this man inspected the institute, I carelessly exposed my potential and abilities before him, resulting in me falling into a passive state of being targeted by the biggest boss of the Seireitei, the so-called strongest Shinigami of Soul Society, Captain Araki.'

While Aizen looked at Araki, he kept muttering to himself internally.

'However, in my view, this is also an opportunity! Although the First Division is far less comfortable than the Fifth Division, my distance from Captain Araki has thus been narrowed.'

'Perhaps I can closely observe Captain Araki in the First Division and seize the chance to find his weakness! I believe there is no truly invincible person in this world; so-called invincibility is merely temporary, simply because no one has found their weakness yet.'

Although Araki's move indeed disrupted Aizen's plan, it wouldn't stump Aizen...

Even in Aizen's heart, there was instead a joy of turning misfortune into blessing!

In Aizen's view, perhaps this time, because his potential was discovered by Araki, and Araki used his authority to transfer him directly from the Spiritual Arts Institute to the First Division, this could become his opportunity to defeat Araki.

'So this brat Aizen wants to use this opportunity of joining the First Division to observe my weakness?! Interesting…'

However, what Aizen didn't know was that all his inner mutterings were clearly heard by Araki.

This is a divine ability Araki recently developed; its principle is not the same as the fake monk's 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Reaching Palm'! Both are divine abilities that transcend the scope of Shinigami powers…

However, this time Araki's ability is not, like his 'Medicine Buddha Tathagata Palm', derived by imitating the fake monk's ability…

This time, Araki's ability is derived by deeply remodeling the 'top-tier observation and hearing color' ability absorbed by his Zanpakuto, and its name is: 'Other-Mind Penetration'!

That is, eavesdropping on hearts!

As long as one's spiritual pressure is lower than Araki's, if he wants, he can perceive the other's thoughts.

In fact, for ordinary people or those around him, Araki basically can't be bothered to use this ability…

But Aizen is different; for someone like Aizen, whose bones are ninety-nine percent rebellious, not guarding against him in advance is completely unacceptable…

'Third-Class Spiritual Pressure or higher?!'

After merely sizing up Aizen up and down, Araki accurately judged his spiritual pressure level.

Without a doubt, this person before them studied for a full six years at the True Central Spiritual Arts Institute.

During his studies, he never skipped a grade or missed a lesson…

And after six years, at the institute's graduation exam, he presented himself as having painstakingly trained for six years, barely reaching the standard to graduate from the Spiritual Arts Institute, and graduated with passing grades…

And always presenting himself as a man of gentle and slightly mediocre talent, his true spiritual pressure now has reached the standard of a captain-level Shinigami, namely Third-Class Spiritual Pressure! Moreover, his spiritual pressure, even among other Third-Class Spiritual Pressure Shinigami, is considered not weak.

At least in Araki's view, Aizen's current spiritual pressure should be considerably stronger than that of the Ninth Division captain who is said to have delayed joining the Yhwach's Sternritter-affiliated 'Star Cross Knights' for however long…

'Hehe, compared to Aizen, who just graduated and already possesses captain-level strength…'

'Whether it's Zhibo Haiyan, whose spiritual power reached the sixth level upon enrollment, or Zhibo Haiyan again, who completed the six-year curriculum of the Spiritual Arts Institute in just one year and, as a commoner, successfully entered the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, earning the title of genius Ichimaru Gin, they are not considered true geniuses…'

'No, it's not that these people lack talent! It's that this bastard Aizen is too much of a freak…'

Araki looked at Aizen's immature cheeks and suddenly recalled his days before crossing over, when he was following the Bleach manga; that time, Bleach was also one of the hottest anime, with extremely high discussion.

Araki also vaguely recalled that at that time, countless people argued over who was the number one genius of the Seireitei, to the point of being unable to stop, some saying Shirayuki, some saying Ichimaru Gin, and some saying Zhibo Haiyan, who was on par with Ichimaru Gin…

However, in Araki's view, the Seireitei certainly does not lack geniuses! Shirayuki, Ichimaru Gin, Haiyan, including Byakuya Kuchiki, their talent is not weak, but they still don't deserve the title of 'strongest'! After all, above these so-called geniuses, there is still the monster Aizen, who is troubled by his excessive talent, pressing down on them…

Even without counting that monster Aizen, among the veteran captains of the Seireitei—Urahara, Nemuri, Kyoraku, Ukitake— which one isn't a stunningly talented individual?!

Moreover, if we go into detail, Yamamoto Genryusai, Unohana Retsu, Sarugaki, and furthermore, in the official novels, the sword eights whose strength is nearly invincible among their peers, powerful enough to be called 'monsters', their talent is absolutely top-notch…

Furthermore, the members of the Zero Division who guard the Soul King Palace are also top-notch of their era! These royal attendants have been recognized by the Soul King as beings worthy of becoming part of Soul Society's history…

However, excluding the revivable Zero Division, among those so-called geniuses, only a few manage to survive in the end!

Therefore, in Araki's view, the Seireitei does not lack geniuses; what it lacks are those who can nonchalantly make it to the end, suppress an era, and continue to live on! Geniuses who never grow up amount to nothing…

And those who have talent, can grow, and have brains are even rarer in the Seireitei! Among those who can meet all of Araki's demands, only the person before him, Aizen Sosuke, exists!

Thinking this, Araki suddenly broke into a smile.

'Sosuke! Become my disciple!'

Araki looked at Aizen and extended an olive branch.

'What?!'

As Araki's words fell, Aizen stood there dumbstruck. During the silence, Aizen repeatedly simulated in his mind what Araki might possibly say to him…

At the same time, Aizen also, based on what Araki was about to say and his understanding of Araki, devised several standard responses to deal with Araki! However, what Aizen never expected was that Araki would actually take a liking to him as a disciple.

Aizen usually anticipates the worst in others to leave no stone unturned, but this time he clearly miscalculated.

'I'm still too young…'

Aizen thought this, and slightly furrowed his brows.

'How come? Aizen, are you unwilling to become my disciple?'

Araki looked at the silent Aizen and still asked with a smile.

'Of course not! I just fear that my mediocre talent would disgrace Captain Araki's name!'

'Moreover, Captain Araki still needs to manage the entire Thirteen Court Guard Squads, which must be exceedingly taxing and involve countless affairs; if, because you took me as your disciple, you had to set aside time each day to teach me, it would seriously affect your rest, Captain Araki! This makes me feel uneasy.'

After hearing Araki's words, Aizen politely refused.

Although Aizen wanted to get closer to Araki, he didn't want to be too close, because he believed he still had many secrets, and being too close to Araki risked exposure.

Aizen has always been cautious and careful; he never does anything unprepared…

'Haha! No problem, I usually don't have countless affairs either, nor am I particularly hardworking…'

Huangmu heard the words, merely gave a light smile. He had no need to emphasize again; he never dealt with myriad affairs in his daily life—what virtue or ability does handling myriad affairs have, to be mentioned alongside Maozhuhua Lie?!

As for work, he isn't overly hardworking either; after all, he always has Zhaiteng do the work when there is something to do, and does nothing when there isn't…

Cough cough…

Immediately, without waiting for Lanran to speak further, Huangmu continued: 'Moreover, Lanran, you need not belittle yourself here! If even someone like you, for the whole Soul Society, can be called a person rare in ten thousand years, then only such a person could be considered mediocre in talent—then I think in this world, no one deserves the title of genius!'

This…

Lanran fell silent immediately after hearing Huangmu's words.

Indeed, my talent has been exposed!

At this moment, Lanran was certain that his talent had surely been completely noticed by Huangmu.

It wasn't just a slight noticing; it was completely noticed by Huangmu…

At this moment, Lanran also understood that even if he continued to pretend, it would be meaningless!

At the same time, Lanran actually knew in his heart that since Huangmu had already spoken to this extent, if he refused Huangmu's words again, it would seem somewhat impolite…

Sigh…

Thinking this, Lanran let out a long sigh in his heart; it seemed that this master Huangmu, he must definitely become his disciple today!

After a while…

Without waiting for Huangmu to speak again…

The clever Lanran then directly, in front of Huangmu, knelt on both knees and shouted: 'Master above, please accept my bow as your disciple!'

Hehe…

Huangmu looked at Lanran, who finally bowed to him as a master, and this time revealed a faint smile.

Indeed, communicating with smart people is simple.

Because smart people can use their clever minds to grasp the meaning of Huangmu's words and all the implications behind them!

Good disciple, hurry up and get up!

Huangmu said, casually waving his hand lightly at Lanran…

Lanran instantly felt an invisible force lift him from the ground.

Good, good, such strong spiritual pressure.

From Huangmu's casual motion, Lanran deeply felt the greatness of his strength.

Since childhood, Lanran had already grasped the source of a Soul Reaper's power—that is spiritual pressure.

The so-called battle of Soul Reapers is a battle of spiritual pressure; this is by no means empty talk!

Sosuke, from tomorrow onward, at one o'clock each afternoon, be punctual and come to the captain's room to find me!

After using his own spiritual power to help Lanran up from the ground, Huangmu chuckled and said to him.

Okay, Teacher Huangmu.

Hearing that, Lanran immediately nodded respectfully toward Huangmu,

Alright, for today we'll stop here; you may go now!

I'll give you a day of free time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the First Division's barracks.

Then go to the division members' dormitory and receive a dormitory…

Huangmu looked at Lanran and spoke with a pleasant expression.

I understand.

Then, Teacher Huangmu! I, the disciple, will take my leave for now…

Lanran looked at Huangmu and inquired.

I know, you may go now!

Huangmu heard this and lightly nodded.

Teacher Huangmu, Vice Captain Zhaiteng, and Captain Maozhuhua Lie, I bid my farewell.

Lanran said, first bowing respectfully to Huangmu, then turning and leaving.

Even after turning around, Lanran's face still bore a faint smile, as if this gentle, spring‑breeze‑like smile had already become part of his instinct…

Only after Lanran pushed open the gate of the First Division's barracks and walked out did the smile on his face freeze.

An unexpected event has occurred again!

It seems General Captain Huangmu is even harder to deal with than I imagined.

Then what I must do next is to spare no effort in gaining Huangmu's trust and learn all of General Captain Huangmu's abilities! Constantly arm myself until there is no opponent for me in the Soul Society…

Lanran said, striding straight toward the First Division's dormitory; he must thereafter disguise himself as an exceptionally obedient good disciple of Teacher Huangmu.

For Lanran, pretending to be an obedient good child is absolutely effortless!

General Captain Huangmu, just for the sake of your obedient disciple's future, feel free to be used by me~

Lanran said, revealing a faint smile.

Good disciple, you must strive to become stronger~

Your strength is tied to my master's grand retirement plan!

Master, can I fly together with my master's consorts? It depends on how much you can learn from me~

Just as Lanran muttered to himself, Huangmu, who was separated by a door from Lanran, also revealed a faint smile.

At this moment, both Huangmu and Lanran, as master and disciple, each harbored their own thoughts!

All that can be said is that this master‑disciple pair of Huangmu and Lanran makes a fine picture of a kind master and filial disciple!

Kind, too kind! Filial, too filial!

After Lanran left…

Huangmu, Maozhuhua Lie, and the immortal Zhaiteng duo continued the battle that had not been finished before!

Hmm, even with Huang Mu's strength, simultaneously dealing with Zhaiteng and Mao Zhihualie is also exhausting…

If that's the case, what Lanran said earlier is also correct; his days as Huang Mu are indeed very hard.

"Huang Mu, that little brat called Lanran, his gaze at you is off…"

Just after Huang Mu and Mao Zhihualie explained their battle, Mao Zhihualie first lightly wiped the sweat from her forehead, then with a flushed face, spoke to Huang Mu.

"No problem! Once he thoroughly follows my training, he will regard me as a god."

Huang Mu merely gave a faint smile after hearing Mao Zhihualie's words.

Huang Mu naturally knew that Lanran's gaze at him was off…

Although the young Lanran had already tried hard to conceal it, after all he was still too young…

For the thousand-year-old Huang Mu, the under-100-year-old Lanran is too immature; that deep vigilance in his eyes has not yet faded.

"Hmm…"

Mao Zhihualie neither affirmed nor denied Huang Mu's words.

With Huang Mu's ability, training Lanran to be obedient should not be difficult…

Mao Zhihualie trusts Huang Mu's ability.

"Moreover, that kid really lacks perception! Even a kid who hasn't seen the shore can speak."

Immediately afterward, Mao Zhihualie seemed to recall something and added a sentence.

Yes, Mao Zhihualie had indeed heard it clearly just now…

When Lanran left the captain's office, he not only first greeted that idiot Saito, but when addressing her, he called her 'Captain Ukitake'; if Lanran were an ordinary member of the First Division, it would be fine, but he is not—he is Huang Mu's disciple, so he should have addressed her as 'master's wife'.

"So that's why you…"

After hearing Mao Zhihualie's words, Huang Mu's expression finally showed a hint of realization.

He also said why Ukitake doesn't like Lanran: it turns out Lanran didn't address her as master's wife.

"Don't worry, that kid is sharp; he'll figure it out later."

Upon hearing that, Huang Mu gently stroked Mao Zhihualie's lovely hair.

"You think highly of that kid?"

Upon hearing Huang Mu's words, Mao Zhihualie's expression showed a hint of surprise…

To be honest, this was the first time she had heard Huang Mu speak so favorably about someone.

"That brat Lanran could become my 'son'…"

After hearing Mao Zhihualie's words, Huang Mu spoke with deep meaning.

"Son? Do you intend to make Lanran your successor?"

Mao Zhihualie immediately understood Huang Mu's meaning, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.

To be honest, although Mao Zhihualie could faintly sense Lanran's extraordinariness, she did not think he was worthy of becoming Huang Mu's successor, the next commander-in-chief of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Compared to Lanran, Mao Zhihualie actually prefers someone like Gengmu with a straightforward nature, to become Huang Mu's successor…

Of course, Mao Zhihualie rationally knows this is impossible; if Gengmu were to become commander-in-chief, the next day he would likely clash with the nobles of Soul Society and the sages and judges of the Central Forty-Six Chambers…

Given Gengmu's personality, it would definitely be 'Kill! Kill! Kill!'…

After Gengmu slaughters all those trash, the Seireitei would probably truly become an empty city.

"Yes, I believe that kid can handle all of this."

As Huang Mu spoke, his gaze grew deep; he had absolute confidence that Lanran could fulfill the role of the third-generation commander-in-chief of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Furthermore, in Huang Mu's view, the one who could usher in the great trend of 'Everyone Like a Dragon' anticipated by Yamamoto Genryusai is not him, Huang Mu, but Lanran Sosuke.

"Really?!"

After hearing Huang Mu's words, Mao Zhihualie lightly stroked her own lower abdomen.

At this moment, Mao Zhihualie began to ponder whether she should first bear a child for Huang Mu…

After all, no matter how talented that brat Lanran is, he absolutely cannot surpass Huang Mu's own child.

"Looks like we need to start preparing to have a child."

Mao Zhihualie narrowed her eyes slightly, silently formulating her plan in her heart.

As for Saito's immortality…

Because Saito lacks both the tremendous regenerative power of Mao Zhihualie's Complete Release and the enduring strength of Huang Mu's Soul-Cutting Sword, Medicinal Lapis Light!

So, shortly after Saito joined the battle between Huang Mu and Mao Zhihualie, he stuck out his tongue, eyes rolled back, collapsed on the ground, and fainted outright…

As for Saito's act of sticking out his tongue, although somewhat unsightly, Huang Mu took no measures regarding it…

After all, an unconscious person can easily choke on their tongue, ultimately leading to death from inability to breathe properly! Therefore, after losing consciousness, sticking out the tongue is the correct action…

Time flew by…

Soon it was 1:00 p. m. the next afternoon.

"Teacher Huang Mu, I'm here!"

Lanran Sosuke arrived at Huang Mu's captain's office on time, as agreed.

"Sosuke, you've come…"

Upon seeing Lanran walk into the captain's office, Huang Mu immediately smiled.

"Sosuke, what do you think determines the victory or defeat of us Shinigami in this world?"

Huang Mu asked with a smile, looking at Lanran Sosuke.

"Experience? Skill? Resolve? Or the power of the Soul-Cutting Sword?"

Upon hearing that, Lanran pondered a moment, then immediately asked Huang Mu.

"Not bad! Sosuke, you said that well…"

"But the most important one, you haven't mentioned! Do you know what it is?"

Upon hearing the words, Huangmu first nodded, then continued to ask.

Hmm...

Lanran heard the words, his expression hesitated.

Although Lanran really wanted to say the two words 'spiritual pressure,' he didn't know if that was the answer Huangmu wanted to hear...

"Could it be...?" Upon this, after thinking for a long time, Lanran somewhat uncertainly said the two words, "Mind-spirit!!"

"What's the use of just having mind-spirit!!"

"Can this mind-spirit thing turn into a power that lets you snatch victory from defeat at a critical moment?"

Huangmu's brows furrowed slightly after hearing Lanran's words.

This place isn't next door's Fairy Tail, nor is it that when the BGM plays, one shouts 'We are mages of the Fairy Tail guild!' and then starts idealism; in the Soul Society you can't play that idealism stuff.

"That is..."

At this moment Lanran already had the answer in his heart, but he still pretended not to know, seemingly intending to give Huangmu a chance to show off! Needless to say, Lanran truly is a disciple who thinks for his teacher, utterly qualified.

"The answer is spiritual pressure!"

"The battle of Death Gods is the battle of spiritual pressure..."

"As long as your spiritual pressure is strong enough, there will be no opponent ahead of you!"

Huangmu no longer beat around the bush at this point, speaking frankly to Lanran.

"This..."

After hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran instead furrowed his brows.

He understood the reasoning, and indeed it was exactly that, but why did these few sentences somehow feel familiar to him?!

At the same time, Lanran felt an indescribable awkwardness in his heart...

It was as if, in the dark, something that originally belonged to him suddenly disappeared!

"Zongyoujie, if I say this, can you understand?"

Just as Lanran fell into contemplation, Huangmu continued speaking.

"Disciple, understood!"

Only after Lanran heard Huangmu speak did he slightly nod, temporarily setting aside the random thoughts in his mind.

"So then..."

"Zongyoujie, just feel it well—what is the power of spiritual pressure!"

After hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu's mouth corners slightly rose.

Immediately, Huangmu just like that, in front of Lanran, released boundless spiritual pressure……