"What qualities does a competent leader need?"
Aizen Sōsuke set down his pen, raising his head slightly with an expression of mild surprise.
Inside the Third Division barracks, within the captain's office—
Standing before him, Izuru Kira looked uneasy, his gaze lowered, lips barely moving as if even he regretted bringing up this topic.
But there was no choice.
In moments like this, one had to stand firm.
"Um… I wanted to hear Captain Aizen's thoughts on this."
A rather sudden request.
"Izuru-kun, have you run into a problem recently?"
Aizen's voice was gentle, his entire demeanor calm as he set aside his work.
Even when someone didn't fully devote themselves to a conversation, simply putting down one's tasks could convey a sense of serious engagement.
Izuru hesitated for a while, shifting his weight.
Eventually, he mumbled an explanation.
"I see… so during a recent vice-captain meeting, a discussion was brought up about this topic, and you were asked to reflect and draw your own conclusions."
An interesting discussion.
Though, on second thought, since they were already serving as vice-captains, it wasn't unexpected for them to consider such things.
Aizen pondered for a moment before asking,
"Who is currently presiding over the Vice-Captain Committee?"
"This spring, the position was passed to Sasakibe-senpai…"
"Haha, if it's him, it makes sense that such a profound question would come up."
After all, Chōjirō Sasakibe was a key figure, always at Captain-Commander Yamamoto's side.
His sense of duty and capabilities were leagues apart from the average vice-captain.
It was only natural that someone like him wouldn't pose questions like, 'Which shop in Seireitei sells the best dango?'—a stark contrast to someone like Yachiru Kusajishi.
Izuru clasped his hands tightly at his sides, lips pressed together as if still debating whether he had made the right choice in seeking advice.
"My apologies, Captain Aizen… but I truly have no one else I can ask about this…"
His reserved nature meant he had few close friends.
Of the ones he could turn to—
Renji Abarai wasn't great with deep thinking.
Momo Hinamori was just as lost as he was.
Matsumoto Rangiku might have some insight, but she had skipped today's meeting.
"You don't need to be so formal, Izuru-kun."
"As your captain, I should be the one guiding you in moments like this."
Aizen smiled.
"That you came to me for this matter actually makes me quite happy, Izuru-kun."
He adjusted his posture slightly, as if about to speak further.
But then, he stood up, walking behind his desk.
He poured a warm cup of tea for Izuru.
"Ah! Please, you don't have to trouble yourself…"
"Sit down, Izuru-kun."
Aizen gently patted his shoulder, his expression calm and reassuring.
"I'm sure your daily duties keep you busy. Why not take a moment to rest and chat with your good-for-nothing captain?"
Izuru, weak to persuasion, couldn't refuse.
Awkwardly, he replied,
"I—I understand…"
"Have some tea. If it cools down, it'll turn bitter."
"O—Okay…"
"How does it taste?"
"I… don't really know how to judge it."
Swallowing the tea stiffly, Izuru forced a sheepish smile.
"Apologies, Captain Aizen. I probably wasted your effort…"
"Not at all, Izuru-kun."
Aizen's smile remained warm and understanding.
"Tea appreciation requires patience and practice. It's normal for a beginner not to grasp its depth."
"But that doesn't mean your effort is meaningless."
"After all, humans naturally tend to stay within their comfort zones, don't they?"
We move within familiar territories, never straying beyond what we know.
There's no fear—no uncertainty—because everything is known.
"But the unknown breeds fear. The unseen and the untouchable create invisible pressure."
"A path shrouded in darkness, where one cannot grasp solid ground, can quickly devour one's rationality."
"However…" Aizen's voice softened.
"I don't think that's a bad thing."
Mediocrity was the norm.
Aizen never expected pawns to rise beyond their station.
So he treated them with patience, just as one might a colony of ants.
To live and die within the confines of one's prison—
Was that truly a tragedy?
"But," Aizen continued, "I hope that those who truly possess talent… won't let their instinctive fears limit their potential."
To venture into the unknown takes courage.
And curiosity.
That—
Was his answer.
"Just like what you're doing right now, Izuru-kun."
Izuru blinked in confusion.
It took him a few moments to register the meaning behind Aizen's words.
So…
Even this small effort—a mere act of seeking guidance—
Was worth something?
"You think… something this small even matters?"
His question was uncertain, voice almost timid.
But Aizen smiled knowingly.
"You don't need to doubt yourself, Izuru-kun."
"Even the smallest steps carry meaning."
"Change—even if gradual or seemingly insignificant—is still change."
"A single spark may be small, but it is still fire."
"And fire…"
"Can grow into an inferno."
—
Meanwhile, at the Fifth Division Barracks…
"So you want to know what qualities make a good leader?"
"Yes!"
Looking at the determined Momo Hinamori, Seiya Arima scratched his cheek, looking troubled.
"Uh… are you sure you want to ask me?"
Honestly, if anyone in Seireitei could compete with Shunsui Kyōraku in laziness, it was him.
"I mean, I've been dumping paperwork on you for ages now. How can I be a good leader?"
Shouldn't you be asking someone more responsible?
But Momo—
Didn't waver.
She simply shook her head firmly.
"That's not true, Captain Seiya."
"I know you aren't as carefree as you seem."
"You're patient with the squad, and you treat everyone equally."
"You don't discriminate based on strength or status. You care about us, and you teach us valuable lessons."
"If I tried to list all the ways you've helped, I'd be here all day."
Her words—
Left Seiya stunned.
For a moment, his throat felt dry.
He coughed into his fist.
"…Is that so?"
Pulling his blanket tighter, he poked at his sunken cheeks, eyes contemplative.
"Momo… are you sure that's the real me?"
What if—
"I've just been fooling you all this whole time?"
"What if I'm actually a cold, calculating bastard? What if I don't care at all—?"
Before he could finish—
Pfft.
Momo… laughed.
A quiet, small giggle.
She immediately clamped her hands over her mouth.
"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to—!"
"…No, no, you totally did."
Looking at her shoulders shaking from trying to hold it in, Seiya sighed.
"Momo?"
She took a deep breath before sitting up straight, eyes bright with resolve.
"Captain Seiya."
"I want to become—"
"Someone you can trust, too!"
For a moment—
Seiya didn't know where to look.
"…Is that so?"
Resting his chin in his palm, he sighed dramatically.
"Well, good luck with that."
Momo beamed.
A good leader?
For Momo Hinamori—
It was simply being someone others could trust.
Yes.
That alone was enough.
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Powerstones?
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