Chapter 868: Chapter 869: Captain, Don’t Shoot!

Although he mostly stayed at the Fourth Division barracks and spent his free time with Yoruichi and Kisuke, that did not mean Ethan was unpopular.

As a key figure in the Fourth Division, even those who disliked him would not dare offend him, except for certain madmen from a certain division. Moreover, some people often needed his help.

For example, Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division.

Because of his special condition, Ukitake’s health was poor, and he frequently required rest and treatment. As one of the top medical experts in the Fourth Division, Ethan often met with him, and their relationship was quite good.

Ukitake had even invited Ethan to become the lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division, but Ethan declined.

This time, when Ethan was promoted to lieutenant, Ukitake also came and expressed his regret with a smile.

"This means Ethan won’t be able to come to the Thirteenth Division!"

"I heard that, Captain Ukitake."

"Haha, Captain Unohana should not blame a junior, right? After all, I truly need someone to share my workload."

"Even so, you shouldn’t come to my Fourth Division to poach people."

"I won’t, I won’t!"

Ethan was already a lieutenant, and there had never been a case of a lieutenant transferring to another division at the same rank. In fact, aside from death in battle or promotion, a lieutenant could practically hold the position for life.

However, Ethan did not plan to remain a lieutenant forever. Since he had already climbed this high, becoming a captain would grant him even more freedom.

After making his rounds and socializing, even though each exchange was brief and lasted only a few minutes, half a day had passed by the time he finished.

Everyone he had greeted had left, including Yoruichi. She had returned to the Second Division. They saw each other often, so there was no need to choose this occasion specifically to talk.

However, Aizen Sosuke, the most popular major villain in the Bleach world, who was "not very familiar" to him, was still here.

"Lieutenant Aizen is truly enthusiastic."

When Ethan saw Aizen, he was not standing aside posing. Instead, he was casually chatting with those around him and even lending a hand. The friendly and enthusiastic Aizen was extremely popular. Even those who were not members of the Fifth Division had a very good impression of him. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He was truly worthy of the title of the number one actor in the Bleach world.

"No, there’s nothing to do over there anyway, and it’s livelier here." Aizen smiled and apologized to the ordinary member he had been speaking with before replying to Ethan.

From that member’s reaction, one could see how effective such a seemingly insignificant gesture was. The short-haired young man looked somewhat familiar.

"This is..."

"Hello, Lieutenant Ethan. I am Isane Kotetsu, a new member of the Fourth Division."

Ethan suddenly realized. This was the future lieutenant of the Fourth Division, the tallest female character in the entire Bleach series, the fully grown Isane from the main storyline, standing at one meter eighty-seven.

The current Isane was not that tall yet, but she was already close to one meter eighty by estimation. She still looked very young, far less beautiful and heroic than the Isane in his memory. That was why Ethan had not recognized her immediately.

However, had she joined the Fourth Division this early?

Thinking about it carefully, aside from a very small number of geniuses, most Shinigami did not grow stronger very quickly. In the future, Isane had not shown any astonishing talent either. She was only slightly stronger than ordinary Shinigami. Her promotion to lieutenant must have taken a long period of accumulation, so it was not surprising that she had joined the Gotei 13 so early.

Looking at the somewhat reserved Isane before him, Ethan smiled and greeted her, telling her not to be so nervous and to relax.

He sighed inwardly. Familiar faces were gradually increasing. Then he began chatting with Aizen.

Talking with Aizen was very comfortable. He could naturally switch between the roles of listener and speaker, while skillfully avoiding topics Ethan found uninteresting or unpleasant. The transitions between subjects were so smooth that ordinary people would hardly notice.

Even Isane, who stood somewhat awkwardly nearby, was not ignored. Aizen occasionally drew her into the conversation. From the outside, it looked like three people chatting together, rather than two people talking at length while the third stood there like an ornament.

If Ethan had not been paying close attention, he might not have noticed that Aizen seemed to be subtly steering the topic toward Zanpakuto.

Ethan immediately guessed what Aizen intended. He wanted to use Kyoka Suigetsu on him.

Without much thought, Ethan decided to go along with it and continue the conversation.

Since Aizen wanted to use Kyoka Suigetsu to hypnotize him, then let him. Ethan was not afraid of being hypnotized. It would also allow Aizen to lower his guard.

When Ethan had first confirmed the era he had arrived in and that he would definitely become a Shinigami, he had already considered the issue of Aizen.

There was no avoiding him at this time.

With his current insufficient strength, the most reliable option was to follow Aizen’s expectations and let him believe that everything was under control.

If he tried to act special, given Aizen’s personality, he would simply view him as a hidden danger and decisively eliminate him.

Ethan, who was accustomed to keeping his trump cards hidden, did not mind being cautious in this situation. After all, being bold is only admirable when one has the strength. Acting recklessly without strength is simply seeking death.

After making his decision, Ethan began discussing Zanpakuto, following Aizen’s lead. In fact, Shinigami rarely discussed their Zanpakuto abilities with one another unless they were very close.

Many Shinigami who had known each other for years still did not know each other’s Zanpakuto abilities because they had never fought together.

However, Aizen seemed to have no problem revealing his ability.

"My Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu, is a water-type Zanpakuto. It can use water currents and mist to reflect and distort the enemy’s vision, causing them to kill one another."

Ethan and Isane both expressed surprise.

"It’s a Zanpakuto very suitable for melees and group battles."

"It is."

Aizen wore a smile as if pleased by the praise. Then, instead of immediately asking Ethan, he turned to Isane.

"Isane, have you learned the name of your Zanpakuto?"

Knowing the true name of one’s Zanpakuto meant that a Shinigami had mastered Shikai. In fact, many Shinigami in the Seireitei never learned the name of their Zanpakuto until the day they died, including some Seated Officers who were considered the backbone of the Gotei 13.

Ethan also knew that in the future, someone would even become a captain without knowing the true name of their Zanpakuto. Judging by the timeline, that person would not join the Gotei 13 much later.

"I still don’t know the name of my Zanpakuto, Lieutenant Aizen."

"Don’t worry. You’ve just joined the Gotei 13. Many Shinigami succeed only after years of hard training."

"Okay."

Isane nodded obediently, clearly encouraged. Despite being the tallest girl in Soul Society with short hair, her personality contrasted strongly with her appearance.

"I’m sure Lieutenant Ethan would also be happy to share his experience."

"Yes, if you have any questions, you can come directly to me."

Ethan was usually quite free, and teaching subordinates how to master their Zanpakuto would not take much time. Guiding team members in their growth was also part of his duties.

"Speaking of which, Ethan’s Zanpakuto is a healing type, right, the most powerful healing-type Zanpakuto in the Seireitei."

"The strongest healing-type Zanpakuto?"

When had that title appeared? How did he not know?

"That title is currently circulating among a few combat divisions, but I believe it won’t be long before the entire Seireitei recognizes it."

Ultimately, it was because healing-type Zanpakuto were too rare. The only truly famous one known among Shinigami was Unohana’s Minazuki.

"It is precisely because of your existence, Ethan, that many Shinigami fight Hollows so bravely and fearlessly."

So they were being reckless because they had healing support. There was no need to guess. The ones who would do that were definitely from the Eleventh Division.

Ethan did not know that the Tenth Division had begun to show similar tendencies, especially since the first time he revealed his Zanpakuto’s healing ability, he had saved a member of the Tenth Division.

After discussing Zanpakuto for a while, Aizen released his Zanpakuto under the pretense of letting Isane experience Shikai.

Ethan did not avert his gaze. Instead, he openly watched Aizen release it, as if unaware of anything unusual. After briefly demonstrating its ability, Aizen sheathed his sword again.

He did not leave immediately, but stayed to continue chatting with Ethan. By then, Isane had gone to attend to other matters.

Ethan brewed hot tea and prepared some snacks, hosting the deeply hidden villain of Soul Society on the open-air corridor outside his newly assigned lieutenant’s quarters. They sat there holding warm tea, discussing various topics.

The conversation became more scattered, occasionally touching upon certain secrets of Soul Society. Ethan noticed that after several seemingly casual remarks about hidden matters, Aizen’s attitude toward him seemed to shift subtly.

"It’s getting late. You must be tired after a full day and want to rest early. I should take my leave as well."

Aizen stood up and gently placed his teacup where he had been sitting.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I had a very enjoyable time today."

Just when Ethan thought Aizen would leave directly, the supervillain suddenly offered a kind reminder.

"Lieutenant Ethan, when chatting with other Shinigami, it’s better to show some respect to the Soul King."

(To be continued.)