Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

"Looks like the Hōgyoku has finally reached its limit."

Standing before a wall of neatly arranged shelves in his office, Aizen calmly delivered the statement as if it were a mere observation. His hands moved methodically, organizing books and manuals while speaking in an almost casual tone.

"I've tried various methods, hoping for a breakthrough. But no matter how many adjustments I make, the Hōgyoku refuses to evolve further."

"It seems that it has absorbed all the souls it needs. I can sense its emotions—it feels satisfied."

"Which means… to push it further, we'll need something different."

Seiya Arima sat across from him, drenched in sweat and shifting uncomfortably in his seat. His expression was tense as he glanced around the room.

"…Can we really talk about this so openly?"

After all, they weren't exactly in a discreet location.

They were sitting inside the Fifth Division headquarters, in Aizen's office no less!

Seiya had taken advantage of a brief training assignment outside the academy to drop by and greet his mentor.

He'd only intended to exchange pleasantries.

But, true to form, Aizen opened the conversation with a bombshell.

"Uh, Aizen-sensei…"

Aizen glanced up from his books, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips.

"Don't worry. My office is right next to Captain Hirako's. The other squad members rarely come here, so it's usually very quiet."

Right next to the captain's office?!

Seiya's thoughts spiraled. Discussing secret experiments and forbidden research in the captain's proximity felt absurdly reckless.

Still, Aizen seemed completely unbothered by the implications.

With a casual stride, he returned to the desk with two thick tomes in hand, gently placing them in front of Seiya.

Seiya instinctively stood up and offered a polite bow of gratitude.

"I've decided to shift my research focus. These books might give you some useful insights."

Seiya picked up one of the volumes and read the title aloud.

"Does Time Really Change Everything?"

Then the second:

"Success Through Attention to Small Details"

"…Uh, thank you?"

Seiya blinked, feeling more than a little perplexed.

What's with the self-help books?

They're giving off serious "motivational speaker" vibes.

Still, he accepted the gesture, carefully placing the books into his bag while forcing a polite smile.

"Well, considering how fragmented time is in the Soul Society, I guess even self-help books from different eras have their place…"

Unlike the modern world, Soul Society hadn't yet adopted widespread use of electronic devices. Books remained a valuable source of information.

Aizen seemed pleased by Seiya's reaction.

"Your abilities are remarkable, Seiya. However, to master them, you'll need to refine your attention to detail."

Seiya nodded in acknowledgment, though inwardly he couldn't help but think:

"I appreciate the thought, but Aizen's taste in books could use some work."

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.

Aizen opened his mouth to speak again.

"Seiya, regarding future plans—there's something important I want to discuss with you…"

But before he could finish, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Moments later—

Bang!

The door burst open without warning.

"Oi, oi, oi! Seiya Arima, aren't you supposed to be here on an internship?"

A familiar voice rang out, loud and mischievous.

Shinji Hirako, the Fifth Division's captain, stood in the doorway with his usual toothy grin.

"I get that you're on good terms with Aizen, but hanging around our vice-captain all day is pushing it, don't ya think?"

Seiya and Aizen both rose from their seats to greet him.

"Captain."

"Captain Hirako!"

Shinji waved dismissively, his laid-back demeanor on full display.

"Relax, relax. It's not like this is some formal meeting. Just take it easy."

Typical Hirako.

He strolled into the room and plopped down on the couch beside Aizen, casually slinging an arm around his vice-captain's shoulders.

"So, Seiya," Shinji began, fixing his sharp gaze on the young man.

"You've been with the Fifth Division for a few hours now. What's your impression of our squad?"

Seiya scratched the back of his head, collecting his thoughts before responding.

"Well… the Fifth Division's duties seem more diverse than I expected. Although it's classified as a rescue unit, it feels very different from the Fourth Division's medical work."

"Unlike the Fourth, the Fifth Division's rescue operations require combat readiness. You need to be able to handle yourself in battle and possess leadership skills to manage chaotic situations efficiently."

"In other words, the Fifth Division is far busier and more versatile than I initially thought."

Shinji's grin widened.

"Hah! You've got a good head on your shoulders, kid. I knew you were sharp from the moment I laid eyes on you."

He shot a sidelong glance at Aizen.

"Hey, Aizen—you've trained him well. This one's got real potential."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, his expression calm as always.

"Captain, I appreciate the compliment, but your casual demeanor may undermine your authority."

"Pfft. Loosen up, man! You're too stiff."

Laughing, Shinji turned back to Seiya, his tone growing more serious.

"By the way, Seiya… you've been acing all the mock drills today, haven't you?"

Seiya nodded awkwardly.

"Uh… yeah, I guess I did alright."

Shinji leaned back, crossing his arms with a thoughtful look.

"I heard you passed all the rescue simulations with perfect scores."

"That's no small feat. Most squad members struggle with those tests, you know."

"The truth is, understanding rescue work requires more than just skill—it takes a certain mindset. And from what I've seen today, you've got it."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Shinji leaned forward.

"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while…"

"Seiya Arima—how'd you feel about joining the Fifth Division early?"

Seiya blinked, surprised by the sudden offer.

"Captain Hirako, you mean—"

"Yep. I'm saying skip the rest of your academy term and come work with us full-time."

Shinji grinned.

"I'll handle all the paperwork. It's just a formality at this point."

"Frankly, a guy like you shouldn't be wasting your time stuck in school."

He chuckled, nudging Aizen playfully.

"And who knows? With your skills, you might even take over Aizen's spot as vice-captain one day."