Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

Blood had been spilled.

Though it wasn't uncommon in the dojo, the situation here was different—there was a palpable tension in the air.

It was as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over the crowd's heads. What had been a raucous, lively atmosphere just moments ago now fell into an eerie silence.

Tōsen Kaname clenched his fists.

Nanao Ise cupped her mouth, her wide-eyed expression betraying her disbelief.

Yoruichi's grin stretched wider, as if delighted by the unfolding drama.

Aizen, however, maintained a rare, emotionless facade, watching Seiya with quiet intensity.

Everyone reacted differently, but amidst it all, one voice cut through the heavy silence.

"Wait a moment, Lady Yoruichi! Isn't this far too unfair?"

The tone was urgent and determined, yet carried an undertone of unease.

Who would dare question the will of a noble?

The crowd turned to see a slender figure in an academy uniform stepping forward hesitantly.

The silver-haired student's posture betrayed his nerves—his shoulders were tense, his lips tightly pursed, and his brows knotted together. His trembling frame suggested he was acting against his better judgment, yet he mustered the courage to continue.

"Lady Yoruichi, p-please put an end to this match!"

The tanned woman tilted her head, her expression blank as she replied coldly:

"And who are you?"

"Third-year, Class 6, Kotetsu Isane!"

A timid hedgehog trying to puff itself up, Isane stood as tall as her anxiety allowed, attempting to appear more intimidating than she felt.

The sight was both earnest and slightly ridiculous.

Though her voice wavered, her bravery was undeniable.

Yoruichi arched a brow, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

"Never heard of you. Not a noble, are you?"

"No, Lady Yoruichi…"

"Then on what grounds do you dare speak to me so disrespectfully?"

Isane hesitated, her words faltering as she looked toward the battered Seiya for support.

"Vice-Captain Ōmaeda's spiritual pressure alone is enough to suffocate a normal person! To pit someone like him against Seiya Arima… it's blatantly unfair!"

Everyone knew it to be true.

But Yoruichi's expression didn't change. Instead, she smirked wider, as though entertained by the accusation.

"Unfair, you say?"

"...???"

Isane blinked in confusion.

Wasn't "unfair" reason enough?

As if responding to the unspoken question, Yoruichi raised her right hand and gestured dismissively, her tone brimming with disdain.

"That's such a naive argument. Little girl, once you graduate, you'll be assigned to the Gotei 13. Now tell me…"

She leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Isane.

"When you're on a mission and confronted by a Hollow or an enemy, will they hold back because of your limited strength?"

The answer was obvious.

"Of course not! This situation happens all the time—and it's something every graduate must face and understand."

Yoruichi's voice grew firmer with each word, filling the hall with an unshakable authority.

"You must always be prepared to face powerful enemies head-on. Even if you fall, even if you die, your duty is to inflict as much damage as possible—to stall their evil until it can be stopped!"

"The Gotei 13 isn't some cushy organization. Protection isn't achieved through soft words but by hard sacrifices."

Yoruichi's golden eyes narrowed as her words reached their peak.

"So, enough with the naive remarks. Your sword isn't just for show. Save that childish innocence for another time, academy student!"

Her declaration silenced the crowd.

Isane's face drained of color. She opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.

Strength, wit, and authority—she couldn't match Yoruichi in any of these aspects.

She was trapped, her earlier courage crumbling under the pressure.

In this suffocating moment, a gentle hand rested on her shoulder.

"Forgive her," Aizen said with a serene smile as he appeared behind her.

His calm, soothing voice was a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

"This student was merely concerned for Seiya's well-being, which led her to speak out of turn."

He bowed slightly, his demeanor impeccably polite.

"It was, without question, disrespectful. She will, of course, accept any punishment deemed appropriate. However…"

Aizen's gaze softened as he looked toward Yoruichi.

"Could you find it in your heart to forgive her, Lady Yoruichi? Her actions stemmed from a genuine and admirable concern."

Yoruichi's stern expression softened into a casual smile, her sharp edges disappearing.

"Fine, fine. If there's a good reason, I suppose I can let it slide."

She waved dismissively before turning her attention back to Isane, her smirk growing mischievous.

"But I'm curious… What's your relationship with him, huh? Are you two… lovers?"

"...!!!"

Why would she say something like that now?!

Isane's face instantly turned crimson, the blood rushing to her cheeks. She let out a small, panicked squeak, lowering her head to hide her embarrassment.

"N-no, absolutely not!"

Her denial came far too quickly, far too defensively.

Even Aizen, standing beside her, couldn't help but sigh in exasperation.

Everyone had their own reactions.

And on the platform…

Seiya, battered but standing, wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand.

The blow had been heavy—undeniably so.

"I almost died there, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda."

He wasn't joking. The overwhelming spiritual pressure had crushed him like a bug. The difference in strength was as vast as that between an adult and a child.

As Isane had said, the sheer force of Ōmaeda's spiritual pressure was enough to overwhelm an ordinary person. For Seiya, it was nearly fatal.

But Ōmaeda's expression remained unreadable. He raised his fists, assuming his stance once more.

"Apologies, young one," he said flatly.

"This is at Lady Yoruichi's command. If her honor is on the line, I must fight with everything I have."

A reasonable answer—but one Seiya couldn't help but find distasteful.

"Oh? So attacking without warning falls under the duties of a noble?"

Ōmaeda didn't reply.

Seiya smiled faintly, his tone growing colder.

"Well, from where I stand, I suppose there's not much else to say."

The Gotei 13 wasn't a bastion of justice. It was a centuries-old institution of warriors, known for its bloody history and ruthless tactics.

They achieved their goals by any means necessary. Deception, schemes, and dishonorable acts—these weren't exceptions but rather standard tools of their trade.

Seiya understood this well.

"Holding back at a time like this would be disrespectful… Vice-Captain Ōmaeda."

Seiya steadied himself, exhaling the taste of blood from his lungs.

"Let's begin the second round. Pleased to meet you."