"However, my swordsmanship style doesn't suit you, which is why I didn't take you on as a disciple as well," Ailin explained to Renji.

"But there's someone in the Eleventh Division whose fighting style is similar to yours. If you choose the Eleventh Division after graduation, I can introduce you to him. Besides, you wouldn't want to be left behind by Rukia, would you? Have some confidence. Perhaps with his training, you might even achieve Bankai before Rukia."

"What? Bankai?"

Although disappointed at not being chosen as Ailin's disciple, Renji's spirits lifted at her final words. He looked up hopefully.

Bankai, the legendary power only captains were said to possess.

Did Captain Ailin truly believe he could achieve it?

"Captain Ailin, can I... can I really achieve Bankai?"

"Renji Abarai, whether you can achieve Bankai or not depends on your own resolve," Ailin said, removing his hand from Rukia's head and patting Renji's shoulder. "You must have absolute confidence in yourself and believe that you will achieve it.

If you lack faith in yourself, how can your Zanpakutō, born from your soul, reach the level of Bankai?"

"Yes, Captain Ailin, I will have absolute confidence in myself!" Renji declared, his blood pumping with newfound determination.

He turned to Rukia with a grin. "Hey, Rukia, don't slack off during your training with Captain Ailin. Otherwise, if I surpass you, you'll not only lose face but also bring shame to Captain Ailin."

"Hmph, as if! You'd better dream on if you want to surpass me. That's the only way you'll have a chance," Rukia retorted with a playful glare.

Shunsui Kyoraku observed their banter, a nostalgic smile gracing his lips.

"Ah, to be young again."

At the same time, he couldn't help but mentally comment on Ailin's words.

"Some expertise in Kidō"?

Was that all it was?

Although Captain Ailin rarely used Kidō, whenever he did, it was always high-level Kidō, often cast without incantations and with power comparable to fully chanted spells.

If such mastery was considered merely "some expertise," then no one in the Gotei 13 would dare claim to be proficient in Kidō.

"By the way, Rukia, since you're now my disciple, it's best for you to withdraw from the Shin'ō Academy so I can provide you with personalized training," Ailin said.

"Once your strength reaches my expectations, I will arrange for you to join the Gotei 13 for practical experience."

"This..."

Rukia glanced at Ailin, then at Renji.

"Haha, go ahead, Rukia," Renji encouraged her. "Don't worry, Captain Ailin believes I'm a genius capable of achieving Bankai. You don't think I'll be left behind, do you? Besides, you just lost to me."

Rukia rolled her eyes at Renji but felt a sense of reassurance. It seemed Renji wouldn't distance himself from her just because she had become Ailin's disciple.

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"Teacher, I'm willing to withdraw from the Shin'ō Academy and train under your guidance," Rukia said.

"Excellent. Let's go then," Ailin said. "Captain Kyoraku, would you like to join us?"

"No, it's getting late. If I return any later, Nanao-chan will be upset," Kyoraku declined.

He had accompanied Ailin to the Shin'ō Academy, hoping to gain insight into his motives through his disciple selection.

Now that he understood the reason behind choosing Rukia, there was no need to return with Ailin.

Besides, he wasn't lying.

Lately, perhaps due to his excessive slacking, Nanao Ise had started to seek balance in their lives.

If she noticed any irregularities in Kyoraku's routine, she would nag him relentlessly.

After a few such instances, Kyoraku no longer dared to ignore Nanao's requests.

Drinking with Rangiku and the others had already made him late, and the trip to the Shin'ō Academy with Ailin required a valid explanation. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

"Alright then. Rukia, let's go."

"Yes, Teacher."

Rukia waved goodbye to Renji and hurried after Ailin.

Renji watched Rukia leave, his grip tightening on his wooden sword.

Rukia, now Captain Ailin's disciple, had surpassed him in both status and position.

However...

This wasn't a reason to give up.

To stand by Rukia's side as a friend, he needed to possess sufficient strength and status.

The Eleventh Division, Bankai.

Nothing would stop him.

...

"We're here."

"Rukia, from now on, this is your home as well," Ailin said, leading Rukia into the Kuchiki Manor.

She noticed Rukia's apprehension as she took in her surroundings.

"By the way, Rukia, although I've accepted you as my disciple, I haven't properly introduced myself," Ailin said. "Tell me, what kind of person do you think I am?"

"Ah?"

Rukia was caught off guard. "I apologize, Teacher Ailin, my knowledge of you is limited to what I've heard from my classmates at the academy."

"That's alright. Just tell me what you know. As your teacher, I want you to have a clear understanding of who I am. Underestimating or overestimating your teacher could lead to poor choices and actions in the future.

Therefore, before I begin your training, I believe it's important for you to have a better understanding of me."

"Yes, Teacher."

Rukia nodded, trying to grasp the meaning behind Ailin's words. "Before meeting you, I thought you were just like what everyone said – someone who only accepts geniuses as disciples.

As for your renowned teaching abilities, even though it was only for a brief half hour, both Renji and I felt a significant improvement... But today's interaction with you has shown me that everyone's perception of you is quite shallow.

The fact that you chose someone like me as your disciple shows that you value more than just talent. It's because you see potential in us that we become 'geniuses' in the eyes of others."

"Hahaha, I didn't realize that's how you youngsters view me," Ailin chuckled, feeling a sense of pride at the admiration of her students.

This feeling wasn't bad at all.

"However, Rukia, you're mistaken about one thing."

Ailin turned to Rukia. "Although I did visit the Shin'ō Academy specifically to see you, I wouldn't have accepted you as my disciple if you weren't a 'genius'. In my eyes, you possess talent that rivals even Byakuya Kuchiki, the captain of the Sixth Division."

"Ah?"

Rukia looked up, meeting Ailin's encouraging smile. A wave of emotion surged through her, bringing tears to her eyes.

As an orphan in the Rukongai, especially in the harsh environment of the Inuzuri district, survival had been a constant struggle.

She and Renji Abarai, along with other orphaned children, had formed a small family, supporting each other as they grew up. They were called "stray dogs" by others. But even then, Rukia never gave up hope for a better life.

Possessing spiritual power, she and Renji became the leaders of their group of "stray dogs."

Rukia's importance even surpassed Renji's. She was the "star" that Renji always looked up to and chased after. Unfortunately, despite their spiritual abilities, they were still too young.

One misstep after another led to their notoriety within the Inuzuri district.

Their lives became even more difficult as they became known for their petty thefts.

The vendors who once showed them sympathy grew harsh, punishing them severely whenever they were caught stealing.

One by one, their friends perished, leaving only Rukia and Renji.

It was Rukia who led Renji to the Seireitei, seeking a better life as Shinigami.

Rukia had initially believed that with her superior reiatsu, she could continue to protect Renji at the Shin'ō Academy.

But to her dismay, their roles seemed to have reversed upon entering the Seireitei.

While her initial reiatsu assessment had indeed surpassed Renji's, it wasn't high enough to be considered exceptional by the academy's standards.

Renji, on the other hand, with his natural talent for combat, was placed in Class A.

After a period of training, despite Rukia's higher reiatsu, Renji had surpassed her in skill.

Now, hearing the words of the most renowned teacher in Soul Society acknowledging her as a "genius," even surpassing the talent of Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, filled Rukia with a sense of validation and acceptance.