You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

In fact, the outside world was unaware of Iori's existence. The publisher obtained the manuscript directly from Kyoraku, so Iori's pen name "Miyamoto Kitahara" was always considered to be Kyoraku Shunsui's pseudonym... Thanks to this, Iori was able to receive the highest share of the royalties.

The two had a pretty good relationship, but Iori also knew that Kyoraku Shunsui seemed unreliable, but in reality, he was a playboy who was lustful but not lewd, and had a moral bottom line and firm beliefs.

A teenage version of Master Roshi.jpg

Such a person might be someone you can build a relationship with by sharing common interests, and you might even get them to help you or do you a favor. If they see something they can't stand, they'll intervene even if it offends the old man, displaying a traditional chivalrous spirit.

However, if it comes to fundamental principles, he will never be swayed or swayed, much less be corrupted or threatened.

In short, don't assume he's easy to deal with just because he's always doing nothing right!

In this Seireitei, Iori's highest opinion of Kyoraku Shunsui is far above that of the other captains.

Of course, Iori doesn't need to fear anyone now. As a candidate Shinigami with excellent character and academic performance, he has always treated Shunsui with sincerity. Their friendship is genuine and does not involve any exchange of benefits; they truly appreciate each other.

In addition, he would always bring some unique pastries whenever he met Chunshui, not to curry favor, but because Chunshui had a difficult little girl by her side, and he needed sweets to silence that sharp-tongued fellow.

The sweets were quickly bought, but Iori could not return immediately because the four gates of Seireitei were not always open. To prevent outsiders from Rukongai from entering, the gates were extremely heavy and kept closed.

Those who wish to enter or exit must wait here for the gatekeeper to forcefully raise the gate, approximately once every hour, and must verify their identity in advance.

Iori had timed it perfectly; aside from shopping, she strolled around a bit and arrived at the gate about ten minutes early.

However, something was strange today. The gatekeeper's expression was not very natural. He was fine when some people passed by, but when he saw Iori in her school uniform, he seemed to hesitate and stop talking.

Iori's heart skipped a beat. She pretended to look for something on the ground and lagged behind. Only after everyone had left did she get up and move forward. As she passed the gatekeeper, she asked softly, "Did anything happen today?"

"you……"

The gatekeeper remembered Iori, not because Iori was famous now, but because Iori had once walked through the White Gate with the Eighth Division Captain Kyoraku Shunsui. So, in the gatekeeper's opinion, Iori should have a certain status and position.

So, this matter shouldn't affect him, right?

"Earlier today, another student passed the test, but he encountered some people here, got into a conflict... and was arrested."

The gatekeeper was unwilling to explain too much. He was a samurai from Rukongai, responsible for guarding the gates of Seireitei, but he was not actually a Shinigami and did not have his own Zanpakuto. He was called a "hero" but was just a gatekeeper, and there were some things that were not his business to interfere in.

Therefore, even though he believed that the student had been framed, he could not offer any help.

...To be honest, he felt uneasy, which was perhaps why he brought it up with Iori.

"A trainee has been arrested?" Iori frowned. "That's quite rare... What are the characteristics of that trainee?"

"He's quite dark-skinned."

The security guard didn't hesitate, because the other person's features were indeed very obvious.

"He is blind."

"Oh, that must be my friend. Thanks."

This characteristic is so unique that it's impossible to find anyone else in the entire Seireitei; there's no need to put in any effort to lock onto the target.

"By the way, what exactly caused the conflict?"

"Well, I'm not really sure either, but I heard them talking about graves and such...it might be related to the inheritance dispute?"

"...I see. I think I can guess what it is."

After sorting things out, Iori looked up at the gatekeeper, as if she could read his mind, and said in a reassuring tone, "Don't worry, it's nothing, there won't be any problems."

"A small matter?" The gatekeeper breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."

"Well, it's just that we offended the five noble families."

"what?!"

The security guard almost dropped the gate and smashed it to the ground!

Chapter 25: Aspiration is a form of understanding distance—

In a prison within the Seireitei, Tosen Kaname is imprisoned with his eyes closed. Because the case involves nobles, he is kept in solitary confinement. The walls and cell doors are even forged with killing intent stones, so a mere candidate Grim Reaper has no chance of escaping.

Kaname Tosen, dressed in white, is imprisoned. His hands are bound by a cursed rope, sealing his ability to use Kido. His Zanpakuto, which is always by his side, is also missing.

He remained calm... or rather, he forced himself to calm down.

For this man living in darkness, ordinary suffering was nothing to worry about. Even being retaliated against, tortured, and interrogated was just a normal occurrence. He endured all the physical pain like an ascetic.

However, there was one thing that made him very uneasy:

My Zanpakuto has been taken!

As a prisoner, it was only natural for his Zanpakuto to be taken away. But for Kaname Tosen, that sword was more than just a weapon; it was a symbol of his beliefs and his most cherished "relic"!

...But what's the point of saying all this now?

He was imprisoned as a "thug who attacked the nobles," and he would probably be questioned in a few days. In the worst case, he might even be executed. He couldn't even protect his own life, so how could he protect that relic?

Now that things have come to this, his fate is no longer in his own hands; all a prisoner can do is wait quietly in his dark cell.

Fortunately, he had long since grown accustomed to the darkness... Come to think of it, he never imagined he would be grateful for his blindness, because only in this way could he avoid seeing how ugly it was!

"In the end... is it that nothing can be accomplished? Heh..."

Just as Tosen was giving a self-deprecating laugh, a calm footstep came from outside. He immediately shut his mouth, unwilling to reveal his true emotions in front of others.

He initially thought the approaching person would be a jailer or a nobleman's henchman, but as the footsteps drew closer, a familiar yet unexpected voice rang out:

"You look like you've suffered a lot, Tosen-senpai."

"...Iori? Aizen Iori?" Tosen Kaname turned his head, pointing his ear outwards, his face full of astonishment. "How is it you!"

"Why can't it be me?"

Iori smiled and casually sat down in front of the iron fence: "Don't sit so far back, come a little closer and let's talk."

Dongxian suppressed his doubts for the time being, stood up and moved to the fence. He sat down as instructed, and then felt something soft and warm in his hand. An enticing aroma filled the air, causing his stomach to rumble instinctively.

"This is?"

"I thought the food in prison probably wouldn't be very good, so I brought you some red bean buns. Don't be too happy, they're just from the canteen."

"……Thanks."

Tosen pursed his lips, expressing his gratitude in a restrained manner, but did not start eating immediately. Instead, he continued to ask Iori questions.

"Why are you in jail too? And all alone..."

"Don't worry, I'm not like someone who was arrested." Iori even had the mood to tease Tosen in this kind of place.

He then became slightly serious: "Because I heard that you got into trouble and were locked up, I made inquiries from various sources before finding this place and using my connections to come in and see you."

Don't worry, it's not a big deal. I've already asked someone I know to keep an eye on it, and we should have a result soon.

Iori spoke lightly, but Tosen knew how much effort it would take to achieve this; it wasn't just about having a wide network of connections.

"...Why did you go to such lengths?"

Tosen considers himself and Aizen and his sister to be merely "friends," not to the point where he would risk offending the nobles to generously help them.

Having witnessed the coldness and warmth of the world, he adhered to his inner "justice" but did not trust so-called human nature.

However, if we're talking about Iori having ulterior motives... he doesn't seem to have anything worth worrying about.

This is really baffling!

"Because you're a good person."

Iori thought for a moment, then added with a smile, "Someone who's easy to take advantage of."

"..." Tosen was stunned for a moment. Although he had considered many possibilities, Iori's answer was still beyond his expectations.

"Simply put, I believe you will achieve great things in the future, and you are very loyal, making you a good investment to bring in as a subordinate—is this reason sufficient?"

Iori spoke very seriously, not at all like she was joking. Tosen, with his eyes closed, looked up blankly, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

“Iori, you…”

"Or should we use a more heartwarming and touching way of saying it?"

For example, I can't stand the arrogance and bullying of the innocent by nobles, so I speak out for justice and lend a helping hand?

Iori stroked her chin: "Which one do you like?"

"..."

After a long silence, Tosen suddenly asked, "Why me of all people? There are many people with better talent than me, and besides, I am blind. There has never been a blind person who became a vice-captain or captain in the Gotei 13."

I'm not even sure if I'll be able to join Team Thirteen as a regular member by the time I graduate.

Even if it's about finding someone to exploit, why me?

“If we use ‘future prospects’ in the conventional sense as the evaluation standard, then I should try to win over those aristocratic sons instead of offending them.”

Iori sneered: "Do you think I'm some kind of garbage collector who accepts anyone? To catch my eye, it's not enough to just have a glamorous resume and a good family background."

Why you? Because I admire you, and I believe you are someone who shares my beliefs and will steadfastly see things through to the end.

"...Ideology?" Tosen became cautious. "What do you mean?"

"It's just a very simple idea."

Iori paused, then asked slowly, "Tosen, don't you think this world is too unfair?"

"—!" Tosen's body trembled slightly.

"This society does not determine status based on a person's character and talent. Nobles have lived in the prosperous Seireitei for generations, and even those without any talent are above commoners."

Seireitei is ultimately ruled by the 46 Chambers and nobles. Although there are powerful individuals among the common people who can cultivate Bankai, they can only transcend themselves but cannot change the overall order.

Therefore, the nobles, who were high and mighty, could bully the common people at will, and even if they committed crimes, they could be pardoned, while the ordinary people who were harmed had nowhere to appeal and no one could uphold justice for them!

Even if there are one or two instances of fair handling, it's usually because a powerful figure intervenes; essentially, it's a case of power overwhelming power, rather than following proper procedures.

"...Is breaking this injustice your ideal?"

Tosen Kaname's voice trembled slightly. Every word Iori said resonated with him, and it was exactly what he had been unable to let go of... Of course, he had one more reason than Iori, which was to avenge his best friend!

"No, mere confrontation and destruction will only bring chaos. What I seek is to possess power that transcends everything, and then establish a new order from the top down!"

Iori spoke earnestly, spouting nonsense she didn't believe at all: "Then, what happened to you and your best friend will never happen again."

"...So you did find out." Upon hearing the word "close friend," Tosen's expression darkened. "Her matter..."

“I made some inquiries, and although it’s only the nobleman’s side of the story, I can imagine what exactly happened… You must be very resentful, right?”

"If that's what you think, then even if I'm being used, I'm willing!"

After finishing speaking, Tosen couldn't help but laugh: "However, it was clearly you who unilaterally helped me, giving me the opportunity to achieve my revenge, so how can you say that I was used?"

Aizen Iori, you really aren't good at lying...

Are you worried that I'll feel too grateful and guilty for accepting your help for nothing, but you don't want me to have any psychological burden, so you're comforting me with these words?

But if that's the case, you're underestimating me.

Loyalty and friendship have never been a burden, but rather the driving force that propels me forward in this dark world!

"...I'm sorry, it seems I was overthinking it."

Iori smiled slightly: "After all, what I need are like-minded companions, not subordinates who are like puppets and blindly obey orders."

"On this path of justice, I will never betray you!"

Tosen wanted to feel the warmth of the red bean bun in his hand. Although Iori said he got it from the cafeteria, he knew that the distance from the Spirit Arts Academy to here was not short, and he would probably have to use Shunpo all the way to keep it warm.

He had never felt such warmth since the passing of his dearest friend, and his long-parched eyes seemed to be welling up with tears.

If it's this person... perhaps he'd be worth following for life!

Ding!

—Upon hearing the notification tone, Iori squinted her eyes.

Watching Dongxian Yao devour his steamed buns, he shook his head almost imperceptibly.

'I won't be as ruthless as Aizen in the original work, and what I'm telling you isn't all lies. As long as you follow me to the top, revenge will be a piece of cake, and you can pursue the justice you want.'

However, I have never been a seeker of truth who would dedicate himself to an ideal; I only judge gains and losses from my own perspective.

Therefore, please don't have excessive expectations of me, otherwise you'll only be disappointed, after all—

[CG included]

Longing is the emotion furthest from understanding.

Chapter 26: Fragments of the Spirit King