บท 8: 008 – Shihōin Yoruichi
The figure stood with her back to Arima Seiya, yet her commanding presence was palpable.
Her short purple hair exuded a sharp, clean-cut energy, and her attire—a snug short-sleeved top and knee-length shorts—was far from the academy's standard uniform.
At a glance, Arima realized one thing:
She isn't a student of the Shin'ō Academy.
Recalling Aizen's earlier remarks, Arima pieced it together.
She's the outside expert brought in for training?
But… wasn't this a little extreme?
The ground was littered with bodies—no fewer than seventy or eighty students, maybe even a hundred—and yet the woman stood there, exuding an air of effortless confidence.
Her posture conveyed that she hadn't even used much strength.
Sensei, Arima thought, casting a sideways glance at Aizen, are you really planning to let me spar with her? Are you trying to get me killed?
Aizen caught Arima's wary look and responded with a calm smile before stepping forward.
"Lady Yoruichi, it has been quite some time. I trust you have been well?"
The woman, hands on her hips, partially turned to face them.
Shihōin Yoruichi.
Golden eyes gleamed beneath her sharp brows, her dusky bronze skin catching the light.
Her lean and athletic frame radiated a wild, untamed allure, though her expression suggested mild irritation.
When her gaze met Aizen's, she seemed momentarily puzzled. Turning fully to face them, she raised her right hand slightly, hovering it mid-air.
An expression of surprise spread across her face.
"Oh? You… You're…"
"If my memory serves," Aizen said, his tone measured, "our last meeting was nineteen years ago at the 12th Division barracks, where I had the honor of…"
"Ah!"
Yoruichi's hands clapped together, her face breaking into a radiant grin.
"I remember now—you're that glasses guy who used to hang around Kisuke!"
Arima barely held back a snort.
The legendary manipulator, Aizen Sōsuke, reduced to "that glasses guy"? This has to be a first.
Even more amusing, Arima swore he saw Aizen's shoulders stiffen slightly at the remark.
Incredible… Yoruichi, you truly are unbeatable.
Though the situation was full of comedic potential, Arima managed to maintain a neutral expression.
After all, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
In the original timeline, the relationship between Aizen and Yoruichi was barely explored. Given their respective roles, they were unlikely to be close acquaintances.
Their only likely connection was through a mutual contact: Kisuke Urahara, the former Captain of the 12th Division and the founder of the Research and Development Institute.
Yoruichi, Urahara's childhood friend and confidante, would have naturally encountered Aizen during his research collaborations with Urahara.
And judging by Yoruichi's beaming expression, her fondness for Urahara was evident.
Stepping gracefully over the scattered students, Yoruichi approached the pair, her smile growing wider.
"It really has been ages since I've seen you! My bad, Aizen."
The fact that she even remembered his name suggested they weren't complete strangers.
Aizen gave a polite nod, his voice calm and deferential.
"People of your stature can hardly be expected to remember the names of mere nobodies. Your courtesy is more than I deserve."
Yoruichi waved off his formalities with a laugh.
"You're still as stuffy as ever! So, what brings you here? Something important?"
Aizen nodded slightly, then placed a hand on Arima's shoulder.
Arima's expression immediately froze.
Wait, hold on, Sensei!
Are you seriously planning to make me spar with Yoruichi? You can't be serious, right?
Aizen, as composed as ever, seemed oblivious to Arima's silent pleas.
Meanwhile, Yoruichi's sharp gaze shifted downward, locking onto the boy in front of her.
"What's this? You brought me a rookie for some special training? Just so we're clear—I'm not interested in weaklings."
Aizen chuckled softly, patting Arima's shoulder with a deliberate air.
"I understand your preferences, Lady Yoruichi. Today's visit isn't to trouble you with training but merely to observe a sparring demonstration."
Hearing this, Yoruichi visibly lost interest. Clicking her tongue, she turned away with a dismissive shrug.
"That's all? You're so formal… Fine, I guess. The higher-ups seem to like folks like you, anyway."
Shaking off her earlier disinterest, Yoruichi strode forward, clapping her hands loudly to rouse the students sprawled on the ground.
"Get up! All of you! You're fifth-years, aren't you? You can't let injuries like this take you down—it's embarrassing!"
"What's that? You can't stand? Don't give me that! Even with broken bones, as long as your core is intact, you can keep fighting!"
"In times like these, all you need is grit! Come on, focus! Get ready for the next round of sparring!"
"Now that's the kind of determination I want to see. Tighten your muscles, take a deep breath… That's it!"
"Let me warn you, though: if you can't last through three rounds of sparring, I'm not recognizing your strength!"
Yoruichi's fiery speech filled the room, her energy infecting even the exhausted students.
Compared to the cool and composed Yoruichi from the original storyline, this version seemed far more spirited and lively.
Aizen led Arima to a seat near the edge of the hall.
The crowd of spectators was sizeable, with many faculty members among them.
Aizen garnered plenty of respect, as evidenced by the reverent nods and hushed whispers directed his way.
Arima even noticed a few female students casting jealous glances in his direction.
Come on, do you have to be this popular, Sensei?
"Arima-kun."
Aizen's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Yes, Sensei?"
"Pay close attention to Shihōin Yoruichi's movements. She is not only the head of the Shihōin Clan but also the leader of the Onmitsukidō."
As he adjusted the folds of his uniform, smoothing them meticulously, Aizen continued.
"Her mastery of Hakuda and Shunpo is unparalleled. She has risen above her clan's legacy and established her own reputation through sheer ability."
"She is known far and wide as… Shunshin Yoruichi."
Arima nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"I see."
Even a century ago, Yoruichi had already made a name for herself—a truly remarkable individual.
"But what brings her here, Sensei?"
Aizen paused, then leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Simply put, it's her… unique sense of humor."
"…Huh?"
"Lady Yoruichi often visits the academy under the guise of assisting with education. In reality, she uses this as an excuse to conduct class-wide sparring sessions with senior students."
No way.
That's just straight-up bullying.
"You're not wrong," Aizen said, as if reading Arima's mind. "It is indeed one-sided violence. But at the same time, it's also a rare opportunity."
A faint smile played at the edges of Aizen's lips.
"For those who prove themselves, Lady Yoruichi may take notice and offer them a place in her division."
With that, Arima finally pieced together the purpose of this session.
So that's why all these upperclassmen are lining up to get beaten down…
Glancing at the students who were writhing, vomiting, or simply lying incapacitated on the ground, Arima couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
Yoruichi wasn't holding back at all.
Her movements were so swift and precise that Arima could barely follow them. One by one, the students who tried to stand were swiftly sent flying, leaving no chance for retaliation—or even a graceful collapse.
She's brutal…
The thought of enduring such a trial made Arima shudder.
As Yoruichi darted around, the students barely managed to survive even the second round of sparring.
Suddenly, a familiar notification appeared before Arima's eyes:
[You observed the Hakuda techniques of Shunshin Yoruichi. Hakuda +10.]
[You observed the Shunpo techniques of Shunshin Yoruichi. Shunpo +10.]
Whoa…
Ten points at once?!
Based on past experience, Arima quickly understood the implications.
Yoruichi's proficiency in Hakuda and Shunpo was leagues ahead of his own.
Only in situations where the gap was this vast could merely watching result in attribute gains.
A double champion—she's on another level.
As his stats increased, Yoruichi's previously incomprehensible movements began to make sense.
Actions that had seemed cryptic now carried clear purpose and intent.
While Arima was engrossed in observation, he failed to notice Aizen watching him from the side.
The slight smile on Aizen's face grew, tinged with intrigue and amusement.
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