Clearing Up Suspicions  

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who slaughtered countless lives, could tell at a glance from Kōga's injuries that he had suffered heavy injuries and died from the tremendous mental impact of this vast disparity. Of course, if Ailin's final strike had been just a bit lower, blowing a hole through Kōga's head instead, how Yamamoto would have felt would be another matter altogether.

"Vice Captain Ailin, you performed outstandingly in this subjugation mission. If you have any requests, feel free to ask this old man, and I will consider fulfilling them for you."

In the captain's office, the other captains showed no reaction to the Captain Commander's words.

All along, Captain Commander Yamamoto felt that maintaining the stability of Soul Society was the responsibility of all Shinigamis in the 13 Court Guard Squads.

Since they enjoyed the privileges of Shinigamis' superiority, naturally they also bore the responsibilities and obligations to give everything for Soul Society.

Among them, the captains of the 13 Court Guard Squads stood at the pinnacle of all Shinigamis. So completing any mission was their proper duty.

Ailin was currently only a Vice Captain, yet he had accomplished a subjugation mission that even the Captains mobilizing might not necessarily complete. The captains had no issues with rewarding him.

Such a good thing?

Regarding the Captain Commander's promised reward, Ailin directly made his request.

"Captain Commander, through this battle, I feel my mastery of Demon Arts still needs improvement. So I wish to enter the archives of the Demon Arts Institute to study more advanced Demon Arts. I hope Captain Commander can permit this."

In fact, for Ailin who had already copied all the captains' Zanpakutos, as long as he was given time to produce all these Zanpakutos and completely absorb their masters' experiences to integrate into himself, his limits would rise without bound.

However, swordsmanship, Shunpo, and Hakuda could still be said to depend on innate talent.

Without higher-tier incantations for Demon Arts, the advanced Demon Arts Ailin knew would become "contraband" he couldn't actually cast. By making this request now, Ailin hoped to legitimize his later advanced Demon Arts.

If he entered the archives of the Demon Arts Institute, who could know how many Demon Arts incantations he jotted down?

"Very well. Ailin Vice Captain, I will directly explain to the Grand Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi to allow you to enter the Demon Arts Institute and study Demon Arts for three months. During this time, aside from forbidden arts, the archives of the Demon Arts Institute will be completely open to you."

"Also, if you have any questions, you can consult with either the Grand Kidō Chief Tessai Tsukabishi or the Vice Kidō Chief Hachigen Ushōda."

"Yes."

***

The next three months were the most comfortable months Ailin had felt since becoming a Shinigami. With the Captain Commander's special permission, Ailin didn't even need to take on any missions. Every night, he produced some copies of those Zanpakutos he replicated, then absorbed those Zanpakutos masters' experiences.

During the day, he would report to the Demon Arts Institute and flip through Demon Arts incantations and casting techniques.

Ailin's Reiatsu grew every day. But his control over Reiatsu was also improving, so he kept maintaining his Reiatsu at the same level. Thus, no one noticed any changes with Ailin.

One day, when Ailin left the Demon Arts Institute, he saw Ginrei Kuchiki standing outside the doors of the Demon Arts Institute.

"Captain Kuchiki?"

***

Night in Soul Society, the round moon hanging in the sky.

Ailin crossed his hands behind the back of his head, a toothpick dangling from his mouth as he slowly strolled towards 2nd Division.

The reason Ailin was out so late today was because on his way back, he chatted with Ginrei Kuchiki for a very long time.

The contents were nothing unexpected for Ailin, revolving around the Kuchiki clan and 6th Division.

Currently, Ginrei Kuchiki was already advanced in years. His son Sōjun Kuchiki had met misfortune, while his eldest grandson Byakuya Kuchiki was still young...

The only way for the Kuchikis to continue holding power and avoid becoming targeted by the nobles coveting them in the shadows was to bring in a powerful son-in-law through Ginrei's daughter, Haruko Kuchiki.

The previously promising Kōga eyed by Ginrei had become a traitor and was slain by Ailin.

Fortunately, Haruko Kuchiki was somewhat close with Ailin. In fact, the previous time Ginrei held a regimental funeral for his son Sōjun Kuchiki, Ailin kept Haruko company in receiving guests. Ginrei even thought Ailin had already agreed to marry into the Kuchiki clan.

But unexpectedly, Ailin didn't come to visit his "father-in-law" at all for three whole months. Perplexed, Ginrei asked his daughter Haruko, only to find out that the last time Haruko invited Ailin, it was only as a friend rather than a Kuchiki son-in-law.

Therefore, when Ginrei found out Ailin was at the Demon Arts Institute, he went directly there to wait at the entrance.

"Marrying into the Kuchiki clan huh..."

Upon returning to his quarters, Ailin skipped his usual Zanpakutō meditation training for once, a rare occurrence.

Five years ago before Ailin successfully conceived his own Zanpakutō, his greatest wish was just to live safely till old age. The stronger one's Reiatsu, the longer their lifespan. With Ailin's Reiatsu back then, his lifespan was around two hundred years.

But upon awakening to his true abilities, with Ailin's current Captain-class Reiatsu, his lifespan was around five hundred years. Moreover, as Ailin's strength rose, his lifespan would only grow longer. So what were Ailin's dreams now?

Tilting his head, Ailin gazed out his window at the full moon in the night sky. The various figures among the Shinigamis surfaced in Ailin's mind one by one.

Sōsuke Aizen, Gin Ichimaru, Tōsen Kaname... 

The Espada of Hueco Mundo, the Arrancars, Ichigo Kurosaki, Barragan, the Quincy Emperor and his Sternritters...

The Royal Guard...

The Soul King...

And—Ichibē Hyōsube...

With an EX-ranked ability like Unlimited Blade Works now, if Ailin didn't get to interact with these impressive individuals who left deep impressions on him, he would feel his transmigration had been wasted.

In fact, Ailin was thinking even more. The limit of this world was the Soul King. So could he break through that limit?

Slowly, Ailin stretched out a hand. Beneath the disparity in sight, the round moon in the sky was grasped in Ailin's palm.

***

"Captain Shihōin, sorry to find you this late."

The next day, Ailin went to Yoruichi. The two sat opposite each other in 2nd Division's captain's office.

"Oh? What's wrong, Ailin Vice Captain? Have you made up your mind?"

"Mm. Although I've been in 2nd Division for a while, Lady Yoruichi, I still want to take another step closer after all."

Ailin didn't conceal anything from Yoruichi at all, simply mentioning how Ginrei Kuchiki came to find him.

At most, Ailin was only the Vice Captain of 2nd Division. By clearly stating his desire to take another step forward now, it meant he had ambitions on the captain's seat.