BLEACH: DRINKING MAKES ME STRONGER

"It's Shiba Kuroba. Surprising he's not drunk for once."

Aizen Sōsuke smiled gently, his expression calm as he reached out to pat Hinamori Momo's head.

Hinamori, vice-captain of the 5th Division, known for her unwavering admiration—some would say blind devotion—towards her captain, looked up with concern.

"Is that person… often drunk?" she asked, frowning slightly.

"Should someone like that even be allowed to take the entrance exam? It sounds reckless."

Aizen maintained his soft smile.

"There's no need to jump to conclusions, Hinamori. He is a student—just like all the others. As senior Shinigami, it would be inappropriate to deny him the opportunity arbitrarily."

Three days earlier, during the Shinō Academy entrance exam, a freshman had shattered all expectations by achieving a perfect ten-bamboo reiatsu score—an unprecedented feat since the academy's founding.

However, that same freshman had also caused an uproar by publicly challenging a group of captains during the final phase of the exam and boldly declaring he would graduate within six months, mastering Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō to perfection.

Such arrogance did not sit well with many seated officers—particularly those who had worked their way up through years of rigorous study.

"The Hazama test today is crucial," Aizen continued. "It's not about raw power but the ability to communicate with Asauchi—to form the foundation of a Zanpakutō. If he fails to bond with a sword, all his bravado means nothing."

His gaze shifted subtly toward Kuroba, standing near the edge of the courtyard. A faint glimmer crossed Aizen's eyes. He had noticed the earlier exchange between Kuroba and Boa Akagao, particularly how Kuroba had tucked away a flask with sleight-of-hand.

Interesting, Aizen thought. A brash one… but not careless. Not entirely.

"Blue-boss, are we starting already?"

Kuroba raised his hand nonchalantly, cutting through the quiet tension and drawing every eye in the square.

Aizen's smile paused for just a heartbeat.

"Captain Aizen," Hinamori said coldly, her brow twitching. "Did he just… call you blue boss?"

She had just been debating whether to suggest disqualifying Kuroba. Now, her mind reeled with disbelief at his audacity.

"You must be Vice-Captain Hinamori Momo," Kuroba said cheerfully, ignoring her rising irritation. "The loyal little fan of Aizen-taichō… and childhood friend of Captain Hitsugaya Tōshirō, right?"

That made Hinamori's face flush with embarrassment.

"I'm not… Tōshirō's childhood friend!" she snapped, quickly stealing a glance at Aizen.

"Oh? Good." Kuroba smirked. "Then I've still got a shot."

The square fell into stunned silence.

Even Aizen's usually impeccable composure wavered for a moment, a barely noticeable twitch of his cheek. Hinamori looked like she might explode.

"Who is this guy?" someone whispered from the crowd.

"You—!" Hinamori growled, reaching for her Zanpakutō.

But Aizen raised his hand gently, stopping her.

"No need, Hinamori."

Then he addressed Kuroba directly:

"You're quite the character. But you do realize—chasing a woman takes more than confidence. It takes strength. Especially if her brother-in-law disapproves."

Whispers broke out. Everyone knew who Aizen meant—Kuchiki Byakuya, Rukia's adoptive brother and head of the Kuchiki Clan.

If word got back to Byakuya, this would be more than just gossip.

Kuroba, however, didn't blink.

"Everyone deserves a fair chance," he said with a casual shrug. "And someone as excellent as me shouldn't focus on just one tree when there's a whole forest."

Aizen fell silent, his smile frozen.

Was Kuroba… implying he was giving him a chance too?

Before Hinamori could draw her blade again, a cheerful voice cut through the tension.

"Haha! Kuroba-kun, you always know how to stir things up."

Kyōraku Shunsui, now arriving from the academy building, lifted his bamboo hat and offered a lazy wave.

"But let's save the jokes for after the exam, shall we? It's about to begin."

He looked toward Aizen with a grin.

"You don't mind if I watch, do you? I'm curious how this loudmouth fares in the Hazama test."

This time, Kyoraku Shunsui personally came to oversee the proceedings—an unusual move, signaling that Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni had serious suspicions that needed confirmation.

"Captain Kyoraku, you honor us," said Aizen Sōsuke with a warm smile, adjusting his glasses. "With your presence, I'm sure the students will be even more motivated."

Kyoraku tilted his straw hat lazily. "Motivation's good... as long as they don't burn out before the real tests begin."

Aizen turned toward the assembled students. "Kuroba-kun," he added, glancing briefly at the boy, "I hope you'll show even better results soon."

He then pivoted smoothly. "There's not much time left. Let's proceed to the Narrow Space."

At his command, the students began following. Hinamori Momo, clearly anxious, turned to glare briefly at Shiba Kuroba before hurrying after her beloved Captain Aizen. Most of the other freshmen quickly followed, murmuring with anticipation and curiosity.

But thanks to the commotion earlier during the spiritual pressure assessment, Kuroba was now the center of unwanted attention. Whispers and side glances followed him as he walked.

Soon, the group arrived at a large black stone gate unlike any standard architecture within the Shin'ō Academy. Dark energy radiated from its surface, pulsing faintly. Some students instinctively stepped back.

Aizen stood calmly in front of the ominous structure and raised his voice.

"Welcome, everyone, to the formal entrance ceremony of the Shin'ō Academy. First of all, congratulations. Surviving the entrance evaluation three days ago was no small feat."

"As many of you know, to truly become a Shinigami, one must awaken a Zanpakutō—not just wield a blade, but form a bond with it. That process begins inside the Narrow Space, where you will be tested to see whether you can resonate with an Asauchi."

The speech continued—well-crafted and delivered with Aizen's usual unshakable calm, his voice rich and almost hypnotic. Though the content was standard, his tone had the effect of rousing even the most indifferent of students.

By the time Aizen was done, the crowd was energized, even excited. Shouts of encouragement, vows to excel, and fiery motivation filled the plaza.

To any outsider, it looked like a perfect ceremony.

But Kuroba, who knew what Aizen truly was—or would become—felt only unease. He remained silent, observing the crowd. His gaze swept the area, catching the subtle glances from several instructors and upperclassmen. Some were cold. Others, calculating.

"So... whether I'm loud or quiet, I'm still a target," he muttered under his breath.

In this world ruled by power and hierarchy, laying low didn't guarantee safety—especially not when someone like Aizen was watching.

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