Onepiece: I Am Aizen, The Strongest Admiral

Zephyr, restraining his strength to the level of a Vice Admiral, was still astounded by how quickly Aizen had grown. However, the events that followed would leave him even more stunned.

With a calm voice, Aizen remarked, "Teacher Zephyr, you've lost."

As Zephyr landed lightly on the ground, he froze. The cool touch of Aizen's Zanpakutō rested against his neck.

Zephyr blinked in disbelief. Lost? Him? Though he was holding back, he hadn't expected to be defeated so decisively. Despite this, Zephyr felt no shame—after all, he hadn't fought at full strength. But what truly surprised him was the ease with which Aizen had achieved victory.

Meanwhile, Aizen's thoughts were elsewhere.

[You have defeated Marine Admiral Zephyr. Template unlocking level increased to 20%. New ability unlocked: Zanpakutō Kyōka Suigetsu (Shikai).]

Aizen's heart skipped a beat. *Kyōka Suigetsu... Complete Hypnosis.* It was the signature ability that had defined the power of his template.

The very thought of wielding this ability in its Shikai state sent a chill of anticipation through him. This was a power capable of dominating the five senses, of manipulating perception itself. It had been the tool of his predecessor's unparalleled cunning, one that even Gotei 13's strongest captains had struggled to counter.

The experience points he gained from defeating Zephyr were also notable—nearly 5%, despite Zephyr holding back. It seemed the system was not intelligent enough to distinguish Zephyr's suppressed state from a full-powered fight. This realization brought a faint smile to Aizen's lips.

"Aizen, what's wrong?" Zephyr's voice snapped Aizen out of his musings.

"It's nothing, Teacher Zephyr," Aizen replied with a calm smile. "I simply didn't expect to win so soon."

Zephyr studied the white-robed young man standing before him, his sharp features and calm demeanor radiating confidence. "You've earned this victory," Zephyr said with sincerity. "Your strength is undeniable."

The spectators were left in stunned silence. Even the usually composed Sakazuki and Kizaru couldn't mask their disbelief.

"You actually defeated Teacher Zephyr..." Sakazuki muttered, his tone a mix of shock and frustration.

"That was your victory alone, Aizen," Kizaru chimed in lazily, though his eyes betrayed an uncharacteristic glint of focus.

Despite their words, Aizen maintained his humility. "Your efforts in restraining Teacher Zephyr helped create this opportunity. I couldn't have done it without you two."

This modesty left both Sakazuki and Kizaru momentarily speechless. They knew Aizen's words weren't entirely true; his strength and strategy had far surpassed their own contributions.

Sakazuki clenched his fists. "I won't let this stand, Aizen," he said firmly. "I'll surpass you one day!"

Zephyr chuckled at the scene. "That's the spirit, Sakazuki," he said. "Keep pushing yourselves. Growth comes from challenges like these."

With the first test concluded, Zephyr ushered the trio off the field. Despite the intense competition, Aizen's victory remained the highlight, leaving an indelible impression on everyone present.

The subsequent groups performed admirably but paled in comparison to Aizen, Sakazuki, and Kizaru's displays. Few could even hold their ground against Zephyr, and none came close to Aizen's decisive victory.

Zephyr, watching the other groups, couldn't help but think back to the boy in white robes. This generation might just produce the strongest Marine I've ever seen... if not something even greater.