Expectations  

Shunsui Kyōraku was right. The 2nd Division's Execution Force specialized in gathering intelligence within the Seireitei. While they did have some external sources, their capabilities paled in comparison to the 8th Division, whose expertise lay in gathering information from beyond the Seireitei's walls.

After all, Kyōraku and Ukitake were close friends. Their subordinates also knew each other well. Many of the Shinigami stationed in the World of the Living were members of the 13th Division, but they also served as informants for the 8th, providing valuable intel about the human world.

Soi Fon, unaware of Kyōraku's subtle machinations, readily agreed to his proposal, believing it would streamline their investigation.

She then turned to Ailin.

"Captain Ailin, Head-Captain Yamamoto has requested your assistance in this investigation. Now that the 2nd and 8th Divisions have divided the workload, would you prefer to investigate within the Seireitei with me, or in Rukongai with Captain Kyōraku?"

"Since the Hollow was discovered within the Seireitei, I believe it would be more efficient to investigate here. I'll accompany you, Captain Soi Fon."

"Very well." Soi Fon nodded. Ailin's choice aligned with her own.

"Then, Captain Kyōraku, we'll get started," she said, turning to address Shunsui.

"I wish you all the best in your endeavors, Captain Soi Fon." With a wave of his hand, Shunsui departed, eager to lead his subordinates into the sprawling districts of Rukongai.

Swoosh!

Soi Fon, known for her impatience, vanished in a flash of Shunpo, heading towards the scene of the incident. Ailin, with a single thought, followed close behind.

Soi Fon glanced at Ailin, not slowing her pace. While she didn't know the true extent of his power, having trained under him, she understood that his strength far exceeded her expectations.

Perhaps even Yoruichi wasn't his match.

As they traveled, Soi Fon used her Hell Butterfly to contact the 2nd Division, dispatching members of her intelligence unit and the Execution Force to the location where the Hollow had been slain.

Within ten minutes, Ailin and Soi Fon arrived at the site in the forested area behind the 13th Division barracks.

"Teacher."

"Captain Soi Fon."

A young woman with a distinctive bob haircut stepped forward, greeting Ailin with a respectful bow before addressing Soi Fon.

"Captain Soi Fon, Captain Ailin."

The 13th Division Shinigami guarding the area also bowed their heads in greeting. However, their minds were racing. They were the ones who had accompanied Miyako Shiba during the previous night's encounter. They had witnessed Rukia Kuchiki's display of power for the first time.

They never imagined that she was the disciple of the legendary Captain Ailin.

While all the Gotei 13 captains were extraordinary individuals, their stories inspiring to ordinary Shinigami, Ailin was a legend among legends. He had single-handedly trained three captains: Byakuya Kuchiki of the 6th Division, Gin Ichimaru of the 3rd Division, and Soi Fon of the 2nd Division.

The first two had been his disciples.

According to rumors circulating within the Seireitei, after Yoruichi Shihōin had left the Soul Society, Soi Fon had attempted the captain's exam, but had failed. She then sought Ailin's guidance, training under him for six months before successfully passing the exam and becoming the captain of the 2nd Division.

It was impossible for Soi Fon, who controlled the Seireitei's internal intelligence network, to be unaware of these rumors. Yet, in all those years, she had never denied them. Even when some jokingly referred to her as Ailin's third disciple, she hadn't reacted.

It was clear that Soi Fon had indeed trained under Ailin. Those rumors were true.

A few years ago, whispers had spread that Ailin had taken in a new disciple. Everyone had been curious about the lucky soul who had earned his favor.

Indeed, to be chosen by Ailin was considered a stroke of immense fortune. After all, he had earned the title of "Captain Trainer."

Every one of his disciples had gone on to become a captain. The recipient of his latest guidance must possess similar potential.

And now, to their astonishment, they discovered that this individual was Rukia Kuchiki, the girl they had dismissed as a "privileged noble," relying on connections to secure her position.

Their gazes shifted to Rukia, a mix of envy and expectation swirling within their hearts. They envied her status as Ailin's disciple, her practically guaranteed path to captaincy. They also held expectations. Now that she was their comrade, with this connection, perhaps when she ascended to a higher position, maybe even became a captain, they could boast about having fought alongside her.

"You all know Captain Rukia, right? Hehe, back when she was my colleague, we even fought together."

Such a statement would surely elicit envious sighs from their fellow Shinigami. For lower-ranking Shinigami and even elite Shinigami, having fought alongside a powerful individual was a badge of honor, a testament to their strength and experience.

"Rukia, the moment I heard Captain Ukitake's description of how that Hollow was slain, I knew it was you," Ailin chuckled, ruffling Rukia's hair.

"However, Rukia, you haven't even begun to unlock the true potential of your Zanpakutō. It is, after all, known as the 'Most Beautiful Zanpakutō in the Soul Society.' Its potential is no less than Head-Captain Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka. Once your 'Data Kendo' reaches a certain level, you'll be able to fully utilize Sode no Shirayuki's power. Work hard, Rukia. I look forward to the day when your strength rivals the Head-Captain's."

Ailin patted Rukia's shoulder, offering words of encouragement. While he was disappointed that she hadn't joined the 11th Division, he didn't want to see her wasting her potential within the 13th.

"I will, Teacher Ailin."

Rukia straightened her posture, her expression serious as she made her vow.

Soi Fon, watching from the side, couldn't help but be surprised. She knew that while Ailin often joked around, his serious pronouncements were rarely wrong. If he claimed that this girl had the potential to rival the Head-Captain, it meant that with his guidance, she could achieve it.

Head-Captain Yamamoto! The strongest Shinigami in a millennium!

The other 13th Division Shinigami also heard Ailin's words, but they dismissed it as a teacher's hopeful encouragement. They couldn't fathom Rukia possessing such monstrous potential.

"Captain Ailin, will you handle this, or should I?"

After catching up with Rukia, Soi Fon and Ailin approached the spot where the Hollow had been slain. It had been a day, and Mayuri Kurotsuchi had already taken samples. The ice encasing the Hollow had shattered, leaving only a trail of ice shards and a scattering of broken crystals.

Soi Fon looked at Ailin. While he was the captain of the 11th Division, he had also served as the lieutenant of the 2nd Division. When it came to tracking spiritual traces, Soi Fon didn't believe he was any less skilled than her.

Ailin shrugged. "Captain Soi Fon, this is your area of expertise. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to overstep my bounds. Besides, it's been decades since I've used Kidō to track spiritual particles. Compared to you, I'm practically an amateur."

"Very well."

Since Ailin declined, Soi Fon didn't force the issue. She crouched down, her hand glowing with blue reiatsu as she scanned the area, searching for traces of the Hollow's reishi.

As Soi Fon began her investigation, Ailin surveyed the surroundings. The moment he had heard Ukitake and Kurotsuchi's reports during the captains' meeting, he had known which Hollow Rukia had slain.

It was Aaroniero Arruruerie, the future 9th Espada.

He was the only Gillian-class Espada among the ten.

Aizen had chosen to grant Aaroniero a place among the Espada because, even before his transformation into an Arrancar, he had exhibited two extraordinary abilities.

The first was absorption. Aaroniero could devour other Hollows and even Shinigami, assimilating their spiritual pressure, memories, and abilities. He could perfectly replicate the powers of those he had consumed.

Ailin remembered how, in the original storyline, Aaroniero had devoured Kaien Shiba, inheriting his Zanpakutō and wielding his power with chilling accuracy.

His second ability allowed him to dissolve any Zanpakutō that touched his body.

It was this ability that had intrigued Aizen. While he had already reached the limits of a Shinigami's power, standing on par with Head-Captain Yamamoto, his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, didn't enhance his combat strength.

If he were to face Yamamoto in a direct confrontation, Aizen would be crushed by the sheer power of Ryūjin Jakka. He had no chance of victory.

Therefore, Aizen had extracted Aaroniero's reishi, hoping to cultivate a Hollow that could devour all Zanpakutō.