Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

"Well then, Seiya-kun, did you learn anything?"

As Arima Seiya snapped out of his deep focus, Aizen's gentle voice cut through his thoughts.

"Apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt your concentration. But unfortunately, there's no helping it—since the senior students' performance has been underwhelming, Lady Yoruichi will likely be leaving soon."

Leaving already?

The very next moment, the pair heard Yoruichi's spirited voice shouting from not too far away.

"You're all just pathetic, aren't you?! You're supposed to be students on the verge of graduating under the Old Man's tutelage, and this is the best you can do? You'd probably collapse from fear at the mere sight of a Hollow!"

Correction.

She definitely looks like someone who could say, 'This is boring, I'm leaving.'

But it wasn't without reason.

None of the students present had managed to pique her interest.

Given her busy schedule, this type of "just for fun" activity was hardly something she could justify investing much time in.

It was clearly just a diversion, and diversions have limits—she had a job to get back to.

Arima observed Yoruichi, who looked visibly uninterested, and thought to himself that today had already been quite rewarding.

That is, until Aizen's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Seiya-kun, aren't you going to give it a try yourself?"

"…"

Shock.

The words left him so stunned that he couldn't respond right away.

Arima slowly turned his head, his expression a mixture of disbelief and surprise, as he raised his hand and pointed at himself.

"Uh… Me?"

Aizen nodded with certainty and repeated, "Yes, you, Seiya-kun."

Folding his hands neatly within his sleeves, Aizen wore an expression that was hard to decipher.

It carried a hint of encouragement, as if cheering Arima on, yet his tone remained measured and polite. This subtle contradiction gave Arima a strange sense of unease.

"If I'm not mistaken, Seiya-kun, you have an extraordinary ability to learn, don't you? While I can't say I fully understand its workings, it's one of the reasons I hold your potential in such high regard."

"So…"

"Don't doubt yourself. Challenging a strong opponent can be an invaluable experience, wouldn't you agree?"

Seeing Arima hesitate and glance at him nervously, Aizen offered a warm smile and extended his hand, gently patting Arima's shoulder.

"Be brave, Seiya-kun. Talent is like a buried treasure—it remains just a potential until it's unearthed."

"Go prove your strength. As your instructor, I'll be watching over you."

With Aizen's final words, any excuse to refuse evaporated.

Aizen was a master of reading people, and Arima knew this. He had expected that Aizen might have noticed his uniqueness, but he hadn't anticipated that the observation would be so precise—almost as if Aizen had peeled back all his defenses.

Feeling slightly exposed, Arima had no choice but to take a deep breath, steady his nerves, and rise to his feet.

If this was how it was going to be, then he would just have to take a beating.

After all, wasn't that the point of enrolling in the academy? While the situation was unexpected, it ultimately boiled down to honing the basics.

Bring it on, Shihōin Yoruichi!

Arima slowly made his way to the edge of the training field.

The instructor overseeing the class, who seemed to be in charge of the session, opened his mouth as if to say something upon spotting Arima.

However, Aizen stepped forward and whispered something in the instructor's ear.

Whatever Aizen said seemed to instantly placate the man, who quickly returned to watching the sparring match.

What a negotiator…

Shaking off the distraction, Arima steadied his breathing.

No need to be anxious or nervous—this was just a sparring session. All he had to do was give it his all.

Arima, still clad in his academy uniform, stepped forward soundlessly.

The moment his footfalls reached her ears, Yoruichi, who had been standing with her back turned, spun around.

The tall, bronze-skinned woman regarded him with an intrigued expression, her sharp golden eyes glinting with curiosity.

Her gaze swept over him, appraisingly.

"Heh…"

Her voice carried a playful edge.

"That posture… that step… Seems like you've got some skills, huh?"

"Why were you pretending to be clueless earlier? Trying to act like a novice so you could secretly pick up a few tricks?"

Arima didn't reply.

Because she's exactly right.

He was stealing techniques—and not just one or two.

Feeling guilty, Arima could only maintain a neutral expression as he assumed a combat stance.

"First-year student, Arima Seiya. Please go easy on me."

Crossing her arms, Yoruichi rested her hands under her chest, slightly lifting it, before raising one hand to her cheek.

Her slim fingers brushed against her face as her golden eyes narrowed slightly, like a predatory cat that had just spotted something intriguing.

"Hah… A mere first-year with this kind of presence? Not bad! Alright, I'll give you a chance."

She raised her right hand, extending two fingers upward like a signal mast, her stance practically radiating challenge.

"Two moves. If you can withstand two of my attacks, I'll give you special permission to join the Onmitsukidō."

"That's unfair—!"

A voice protested from somewhere on the ground, but its owner was quickly silenced by another student clamping their hand over his mouth.

The second student's eyes flashed with warning.

"Idiot! Do you think that's a reward for him? Do you even realize that for Lady Yoruichi, two moves and three moves are practically the same?!"

Indeed, to Yoruichi, it made no difference.

Her intuition told her she only needed two moves to take him down. That was the entire reason for the number.

Arima didn't respond.

Instead, he focused on steadying his breathing.

Relax. Relax.

The floor beneath him was slick with sweat and blood, a testament to the fierce battles that had taken place.

This was a true expert—a pioneer in the field of Hakuda.

Arima had no advantages here, which meant he needed to adjust his strategy.

His meager 12 points in Hakuda started to feel alive, as if the knowledge they represented was seeping into his veins and flowing through his body.

No guidance. No reminders.

Instinctively, Arima raised his hands into a defensive stance, turning his body slightly to the side.

Yoruichi's smile widened, her amusement deepening.

"Oh? This is a pretty novel starting stance. Not bad… Your school doesn't teach this kind of thing, does it?"

She paused, tilting her head slightly.

"I have to admit, kid, you're starting to interest me."

But before her words fully settled, Yoruichi was already in motion.

The space between them evaporated in an instant as her figure shot forward like a blur.

She talks to distract, but when it comes to fighting, she doesn't hold back at all!

Arima couldn't see her.

He couldn't track her movements—only a black blur that seemed to flicker in and out of existence.

But he didn't panic.

Gritting his teeth, Arima crossed his arms tightly in front of his chest, bracing his body.

Like a whip cracking, Yoruichi's leg lashed out at Arima, the air around it rippling audibly.

Here it comes!

Her kick slammed into his forearms with a force that made Arima grimace, his face twisting in pain.

"Guh…"

The impact reverberated through his entire body, threatening to topple him.

But I'm still standing.

Despite the agony coursing through his arms, Arima felt a flash of satisfaction.

Yoruichi's surprised expression told him all he needed to know.

That's right… Observing her earlier paid off!

Yoruichi often favored kicks in combat, and while Arima couldn't follow her movements, he gambled on that tendency—and won.

Stifling the pain, he pushed off the ground and moved closer.

I can't wait for her next move—I need to close the distance and suppress her!

Drawing on his 12 points in Shunpo, Arima's movements became noticeably lighter, his steps carrying him closer to his opponent.

Yoruichi's eyes narrowed, a glimmer of intrigue dancing in her gaze.

"You…"

Before she could finish, Arima seized her collar with his left hand.

Completely disrespectful!

This was the kind of act that could get him reprimanded later, but Arima didn't care.

Taking a deep breath, he pivoted his hips and twisted his body in a seamless motion, aiming to throw Yoruichi off balance.

But in that fleeting moment, the grin on Yoruichi's face widened.

Her golden eyes gleamed, and her lips curled into a faint, feline smirk.

Interesting.

For the first time, Shihōin Yoruichi was genuinely intrigued.