You are very strong, but my painting style is better than yours!

With a huge weight lifted from his heart, Hibiki showed a relieved expression. Even Yamamoto, who was usually stoic, rarely showed a satisfied smile, and his gaze towards Iori and Hibiki was full of relief.

Speaking of which, his True Spiritual Arts Academy has really produced quite a few excellent students!

Everyone was thrilled by the new discovery, and even when Iori poured cold water on it, saying that "only those who have reached the threshold of Jin's Bankai can maximize their benefits," it did not dampen their joy.

After all, there is a huge gap between Shikai and Bankai. Many vice-captains who are "on the verge of success" need decades or even hundreds of years to break through, or even stop there altogether... Being able to reduce the difficulty of this barrier, and even have a chance to subdue the Zanpakuto directly, is already an incredibly generous help!

Not to mention Hibiki, Mayuri Kurotsuchi's reputation with Yamamoto has also improved considerably. Although he is a perverted scumbag, at least he is a useful perverted scumbag.

Moreover... the Captain-Commander believes that Iori is capable of controlling Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

……

"Let's not spread this around for now. Let's wait until we get back from Hueco Mundo to talk about it, so as not to cause any trouble."

"Trouble?"

In the Third Division, Iori was working in his study while Hibiki was helping him organize the personnel list. The two naturally started chatting.

"Such a convenient thing will definitely attract a lot of enthusiastic fans, and you will also find it very useful."

"Forehead……"

Xianghe briefly imagined the scene at that time, and it was indeed irritating... but he also felt a little smug.

"I don't care about these things, I'll follow the captain's instructions."

Iori quickly glanced at the documents and casually said, "You can't ignore it completely. You're going to marry into the Kuchiki family in the future. If you don't have the corresponding status and assets, even if you're outstanding, you'll still attract gossip. You should know that there's never a shortage of scheming and despicable people in this world."

Xianghe nodded. He naturally understood this principle. As a death god of commoner origin, he had no bloodline or background to support him, yet he was able to unite with Kuchiki, the head of the five noble families. In many people's eyes, this was definitely a meteoric rise to the top.

It's normal to be envied; Xianghe was already aware of that.

Judging from Iori's words, there seems to be more to this than meets the eye?

"What, are you so kind as to offer to help people for free?"

Iori looked up from the document and glanced at him in surprise: "Let's make this clear first, even if you volunteer for free, Mayuri and I will still take a cut—this is a big business."

Business?

A spark flashed through Xianghe's mind, and he suddenly realized: "Indeed, those nobles would definitely be willing to spend a lot of money to order a 'knot' for their outstanding members to use!"

And I…

He suddenly realized that he had actually monopolized an emerging industry!

"Money is not a concern for me; you don't seem like a materialistic person. However, this way you can take the opportunity to build a lot of connections, and no noble will dare to gossip about you, right?"

of course!

If you offend Hibiki, and he has even the slightest bit of bad intentions, it would be very easy for him to sabotage the Zanpakuto trial!

"Captain...you've considered things so thoroughly and for the long term for me?"

Xianghe was at a loss for words, his voice choked with emotion.

Iori, however, was busy processing the documents without a care in the world: "Soujun and I are also good friends. The friendship with the Kuchiki family is very important to me, so naturally I have to win you over as my future son-in-law."

Don't waste your feelings on me. I'm not giving you special treatment. I would help other team members with their problems as long as I can.

—Because on the battlefield, your lives are in my hands!

Hibiki gazed quietly at Iori's composed profile, a strange feeling stirring within him.

Young... much younger than him, but the naivety and innocence between his brows had disappeared, replaced by a faint air of authority that made people dare not underestimate him.

But why do I always feel that something is hidden behind that majesty?

Xianghe was puzzled, but his gratitude towards Yizhi was beyond words. At this point, there was no need for any verbal promises. After finishing his official duties, he bowed and took his leave of the room.

Back at the barracks, they ran into Rojuro Hōhashi in the corridor, who was holding a box of flowers. Hyouga greeted him respectfully before asking curiously, "What are you doing?"

“Our Third Division’s original flower was the marigold, but the captain said it had a bad connotation (despair) and we had to change it to something else.”

Fengqiao showed Xianghe the delicate, velvety red flowers and said with a smile, "These are a variant of the red poppy, I think it's called the corn poppy."

"It's beautiful. I didn't expect the captain to care about this... Where are you going?"

"Send it to the captain; he's going to the memorial this afternoon."

Fengqiao said naturally, "Every week, the captain will put a new bouquet of flowers on the memorial stone... Oh, I'll go first."

"A memorial tablet?"

Xianghe suddenly turned around and asked Fengqiao, who was leaving, "What is the meaning of the poppy flower?"

"Um... hope, forgetting, sleep... and remembrance."

Fengqiao asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, thank you for your help."

Xianghe bowed slightly as he saw the deputy captain off, a realization dawning on him, followed by a faint sadness.

He finally understood what was hidden beneath Iori's dignified young face!

Many people, including Xianghe, only see the glorious side of Iori as a Bankai-level powerhouse and the Captain-Commander's disciple, but often overlook the fact that Iori is just a "boy" in Bleach.

That boy carried an immense responsibility, yet many things were beyond his ability to resolve. So he stepped forward for the Soul Society without ever complaining...

But he is an extremely gentle person at heart!

Battle inevitably involves sacrifice. He cherished every soldier, but as captain, he had to send them to the battlefield without a moment's weakness. All he could do was mourn in private.

...Perhaps that's why he takes such good care of his subordinates in daily life, not just Xianghe. But at the same time, he deliberately keeps his distance, reminding the soldiers not to idolize him too much—that would only make him more sad.

"Captain Aizen..."

Xianghe covered his eyes. He thought his will was firm enough, but at this moment he couldn't help himself.

Only then did he realize why he always felt a "distance" between himself and Iori, which he had previously attributed to Muramasa. Now it seemed that Iori was simply avoiding getting too close to his subordinates.

A man so gentle he's almost cruel...

"Muramasa."

"Ok?"

A strangely dressed man appeared beside Xianghe: "What's wrong?"

"I will strive to improve myself and become a Grim Reaper who can completely control you!"

Then one day, I will possess a powerful strength that I will not need to worry about anyone!

Only in that way can this barrier between our hearts be removed, and Iori Aizen become a true friend!

"Xianghe?"

"I... the last time was when I first met Miss, I vowed to be worthy of her."

Xianghe smiled freely, revealing a relaxed demeanor he had never shown before in front of the village.

"I never thought I'd have these kinds of thoughts about men!"

"..."

Muramasa silently watched Hibiki. As a Zanpakuto, he should have been his master's closest companion, but Hibiki had never felt so relaxed because of him.

Therefore, he developed a deep-seated aversion to the man named Aizen Iori.

He knew that everything Iori did was beneficial to Hibiki, but he still...

Ultimately, Muramasa hopes that Hibiki will only trust himself!

……

The moon was high in the sky, and there was still a faint light in Iori's room. He was not asleep yet, and he was holding a "knot" in his hand, examining it closely with a playful smile on his lips.

Suddenly, the moonlight outside the door cast a human-shaped silhouette, long and strange, like a ghost.

Iori was not surprised and said, "Please come in."

Then the door was flung open with a 'whoosh,' and the person who walked in was none other than Muramasa!

This highly independent sword spirit came alone, without Xianghe by his side. After entering, he disregarded etiquette and looked at Yizhi with an expression of shock and anger.

"You...you were the one calling me! But how did you do that?"

It turns out that Muramasa, as a Zanpakuto that can act independently, can fight enemies separately from its master. When Hibiki needs him, Muramasa will immediately appear by his side as long as he calls out in his heart.

This also proves that there is a spiritual connection between Muramasa and Hibiki, and that their relationship is inseparable.

But just now, while Xianghe was fast asleep, Muramasa heard someone calling him!

This call did not have the same force as the Hibiki River, but it was enough to clearly convey a year to Muramasa, which meant that someone could connect with his heart!

Muramasa was furious!

It's like a faithful wife suddenly discovering that a blond guy has her contact number!

This was something that couldn't be told to Hibiki—Muramasa didn't want to be suspected in his master's eyes.

So he quietly closed himself off and left Xianghe to meet the madman who had called him. His original plan was to find out what was going on and then kill him to prevent future trouble.

But now that he sees it's Iori, no matter how arrogant he is, he understands that it's impossible to kill her to silence her.

"Don't just stand at the door, come in."

Iori was quite casual: "Don't worry, I have no ulterior motives towards you. That call just now was just using Hibiki's 'Knot'."

Upon hearing this, Muramasa's eyes flashed, and he immediately understood the cause and effect.

It was incredibly easy for Iori to obtain Hibiki's spiritual information, and since he was the one who developed the Kido of this thing, connecting with Muramasa's mind through it was not difficult.

This puzzled Muramasa: "Why are you doing this? If there's anything wrong, wouldn't it be better to just notify Hibiki?"

"I don't want him to know about this, because it can only remain a secret between the two of us."

Iori smiled and said to the wary Muramasa, "You don't need to worry, this won't harm Hibiki in any way. I just want to ask you for a favor... Just consider it repaying a favor on Hibiki's behalf."

"You're the captain of the Third Division, the future Captain-Commander. What could be making you do so secretly...? Could it be that you want me to seduce Ryujin-kasa—"

"You think too much."

Iori shook her head, both amused and exasperated: "I have no reason to start a war with Team Thirteen, do I?"

"……really."

Muramasa's gaze darkened. "Then what do you want me to do?"

"Actually, I'm similar to a regular Grim Reaper. I just want to borrow your abilities, but I don't need you to materialize [Mirror of Still Water]."

All I need is…

Suddenly, Iori snapped his fingers, causing a ripple in the void. Before Muramasa could react, the surrounding environment shifted dramatically, and he instantly found himself in a forest.

Gazing at the bright sky, even Muramasa, with his gloomy mind, couldn't help but be startled and bewildered: "Time-space transfer? What kind of demonic path is this?"

"A trivial trick, just an extra layer of insurance."

A golden ripple spread across the ground beneath Iori's feet, transforming the entire small world into his domain.

At this moment, he is the "God King" of this world!

"I want you to see my knife... You only need to answer one question."

"—Can I see the name of the Bankai?"

"……able."

Muramasa's pupils contracted slightly, and his expression became strange, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

"But... how come I only noticed it now... I never noticed something so unusual before... Damn it!"

Seeing his reaction, Iori frowned: "What's wrong?"

"Your Zanpakuto... I can see its Bankai, but I can't say it out loud."

Muramasa was silent for a moment, then said slowly and deliberately, "We can only confirm its existence, but all we see is 'pitch black'."

"..."

"Well!"

Muramasa was instantly terrified and instinctively took a half step back. A fear that came from the depths of his soul made him stare intently at Iori.

For some reason... the atmosphere is different than before!