Bleach: The Template System Chose Me, The Forgotten Kuchiki

Within the Fifth Division barracks, Ichimaru Gin stood before Aizen, reporting the events of the recent battle with Shiraha. His fox-like smile never faded as he spoke. "Captain Aizen, the younger generation these days is truly formidable. To manifest captain-level Reiatsu the first time one uses their Zanpakutō's ability... I was defeated by Shiraha-kun without him even needing Bankai. As expected from the Kuchiki family."

Then, with that same smile hiding an edge, he added, "That boy and Captain Tōsen are both blind. Should we eliminate him early, before he threatens our plans?"

Having served under Aizen for years, Ichimaru Gin knew better than most the true nature of Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai. Complete Hypnosis—unmatched in its deception. And in all of Seireitei, only one captain, Kaname Tōsen, was naturally immune. Now, another anomaly had appeared—Kuchiki Shiraha. A second blind soul, unaffected by illusions. Aizen's delicate web of control suddenly had a loose thread.

"Silver," Aizen said softly, setting down the brush he'd been holding, "not everything we can't control must be destroyed. What matters first is whether the person holds value—usefulness. If they do, their defiance is tolerable. I don't reject killing... but I only kill when nothing more elegant will suffice."

He adjusted his glasses, a calm smile curving his lips. "It's a crude solution. Last resort."

Ichimaru's heart tensed, but his face remained placid. "As expected of Captain Aizen."

Still smiling, Aizen continued, "But that Zanpakutō ability of his... it's curious. To subdue you, even without unlocking its true potential. Now that—" his eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses "—is interesting."

---

In the southern first district of Rukongai, within the walled estate of the Kuchiki family, Shiraha trained alone in a quiet courtyard, his grip steady around the hilt of his stick-blade Zanpakutō. It had been three days since his battle with Ichimaru Gin, and Shiraha had spent each moment refining his control over the gravity-manipulating ability the blade granted him.

He concentrated his Reiatsu, layered gravity into the blade, and pressed it down on the stone tiles beneath his feet. A deep, clean hole fractured open with a crunch. He observed the results calmly.

"Adding gravity to the weapon... It's somewhat similar to Kira Izuru's Zanpakutō ability," he muttered thoughtfully.

Kira's Zanpakutō, Wabisuke, doubled the weight of anything it struck with each blow, eventually rendering enemies too heavy to stand. Shiraha's gravity was different—applied in bursts, up to fifteen times Earth's pull, focused through weapon or field. His power was capped for now, not as infinite as Wabisuke's, but flexible. And growing.

Just then, a small, black-haired girl with deep violet eyes darted into the courtyard. Her bobbed hair bounced with each step, and a single bang hung over her forehead. As she approached, her eyes lit up.

"Big Brother Shiraha! Is it true you're joining the Spiritual Arts Academy too?"

The girl was Rukia Kuchiki.

She'd heard from Byakuya that Shiraha had awakened his Zanpakutō. The moment she'd gotten word, she'd run from the Academy all the way home.

"That's right," Shiraha replied with a grin, eyes gleaming. "And Rukia, you've been away at the Academy so long—didn't think to visit me even once? That's not very sisterly."

He stepped forward and reached out with mock menace, grabbing her cheeks and squishing them together before ruffling her hair with both hands until it looked like a bird's nest.

"Waaah! Brother, I couldn't help it!" Rukia flailed as she fixed her hair. "The Academy schedule's way too tight. I wasn't trying to ignore you!"

Shiraha let out a chuckle, stepping back. "I'm just teasing. I know you're working hard."

Rukia pouted, then her eyes drifted to the gravity blade still buried in the ground. "So that's it? Your Zanpakutō? It's amazing."

She glanced at the sealed Asauchi at her waist, still unchanged. She'd been in the Academy for over two years and hadn't yet drawn out her Zanpakutō's true form.

Shiraha followed her gaze, frowning slightly. "You haven't awakened yours yet?"

Rukia hesitated before nodding, voice small. "No... not yet. I guess I'm just not that talented."

"Nonsense," Shiraha replied firmly. "You'll get there. You're a Kuchiki."

Just as Rukia nodded, trying to summon back her confidence, she suddenly clapped her hands. "Ah! Brother! I almost forgot—today's the Spiritual Arts Academy entrance ceremony. You're going to be late!"

Before he could protest, she grabbed his arm, dragging him toward the gates. Shiraha sighed, sheathing his blade with a simple flick of the wrist. The sealed gravity radiance shimmered faintly as it rejoined its scabbard.

---

Spiritual Arts Academy—formally known as the Shinigami Academy—was the cornerstone of Soul Society's future. Founded nearly 2,000 years ago by Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, the institution trained those with spiritual talent for the Gotei 13, the Kido Corps, and Covert Ops.

Located in West Rukongai, not far from the Kuchiki estate, the Academy stood as a fortress of knowledge and spiritual discipline. Its curriculum covered everything from Zanjutsu and Hakuda to Kidō and soul burial rites in the Human World. Most teachers were veterans of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

Unlike the exclusive nobility of Seireitei, the Academy was open to all souls with potential—commoners and nobles alike. The majority of Shinigami from Rukongai were Academy graduates.

On this particular day, hundreds had gathered at the entrance for entrance exams and spiritual power testing. Dust swirled, voices rose in anticipation, and young hopefuls waited, clutching forms, sealed Asauchi, and nervous ambition.

Suddenly, a luxurious carriage approached, emblazoned with the sigil of the Kuchiki clan. Its lacquered wood and silver inlays gleamed in the sunlight.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"That's... that's the Kuchiki crest!"

"Make way! Someone from the head of the Four Noble Houses is arriving!"

The crowd instinctively parted, clearing the path with swift obedience. No one from the lower Rukongai districts dared block a noble's way—especially not the ruling family of the Sixth Division's captain.

Two guards at the Academy gates bowed instantly as the carriage came to a halt.

From within, two figures emerged.

One was tall and calm, clad in elegant robes embroidered with the subtle swirl of gravity. His blade rested at his side, his expression composed.

The other was smaller, bright-eyed, her uniform slightly askew from the rushed trip.

Kuchiki Shiraha and Rukia Kuchiki had arrived at the Academy gates—one as a mystery, the other as a returning student.

And together, they stepped forward toward the future Seireitei had long forgotten—and would soon never ignore again.