The Headmaster of Shin’ō Academy stepped forward and looked across the graduating class.
“Students, after years of study and training, you have finally learned what it means to become qualified Shinigami.
Soon, each of you will enter your respective divisions of the Gotei Thirteen and begin your true journey.
May fortune smile upon every one of you.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“Now, those willing to demonstrate your abilities and accept challenges may come onto the stage.
This is your opportunity to display the results of your training before the underclassmen.
At the same time, you may also showcase your talents to the representatives of the Gotei Thirteen.
An outstanding performance may even earn you an invitation from a division.”
This portion of the graduation ceremony was not held every year.
Generally, it was only added whenever an exceptionally talented graduating class appeared.
Clearly…
This year’s graduates possessed several remarkable talents.
Almost immediately, numerous confident students used Hohō to flash onto the stage one after another, even taking the time to straighten their Shihakushō before assuming ready stances.
However, the representatives seated on the viewing platform showed little interest in the majority of them.
There were simply too many participants.
Seeing this, the Headmaster quickly divided the arena into three separate battlefields, allowing three free-for-all battles to take place simultaneously.
Coincidentally…
Chigusa Rin, Ise Nanao, and Shiba Kaien were each assigned to different arenas.
Seeing everyone prepared, the Headmaster raised his hand.
“Begin!”
The most excited spectators were naturally the lower-year students.
“So enviable!”
“If I could perform in front of all those captains and officers, maybe I’d receive an invitation from the division I want to join!”
“Exactly!”
“And defeating an opponent while everyone watches…”
“That would be incredible!”
Unlike the noisy excitement below…
Those standing upon the battlefield were all remarkably calm.
Because this was a free-for-all…
Many students instinctively formed temporary alliances.
Unfortunately…
That decision immediately placed them at a disadvantage.
Only one person could ultimately remain standing in each arena.
Team victories were hardly enough to impress seasoned Shinigami who had survived countless battles.
Fortunately…
There were still several performances worthy of everyone’s attention.
The instant the signal was given…
Shiba Kaien erupted into action.
Using the seamless coordination between his Hohō and swordsmanship, he instantly closed the distance with multiple opponents before knocking them from the arena one after another.
Many students were eliminated before they even understood what had happened.
Unbeknownst to them…
Their reactions only caused the observing representatives to silently conclude that they greatly overestimated their own abilities.
Even if such students entered the Gotei Thirteen…
Without sufficient experience…
Becoming a seated officer would remain nothing more than a dream.
Yet…
The most overwhelming display wasn’t Kaien’s.
His victories came one opponent at a time.
Ise Nanao’s approach…
Was complete bombardment.
Shakkahō after Shakkahō exploded across the battlefield, accompanied by precisely timed Bakudō such as Sai and Hainawa, along with accurate Byakurai strikes that relentlessly drove her opponents backward.
Every spell landed exactly where she intended.
Not a single attack missed.
Several students attempted to release their Zanpakutō.
Before they could even complete their release commands…
Bakudō restrained them immediately before they were blasted cleanly from the arena.
The entire battle could be summarized in only four words.
Clean.
Precise.
Efficient.
If anyone appeared sluggish by comparison…
It was Chigusa Rin.
From beginning to end…
Naturally…
Very few people targeted him.
Only after nearly everyone else had been eliminated did the remaining students suddenly realize…
Their previous attacks had somehow failed to force Rin out of the arena.
“Chigusa Rin!”
“You should surrender.”
“We don’t really want to bully someone from the Fourth Division.”
Rin smiled awkwardly.
“Thanks…”
“But unfortunately…”
“Someone specifically told me to take today’s demonstration seriously.”
“So…”
“Sorry.”
“I’m going to get serious now.”
The instant everyone became alert…
Several Bakudō erupted almost simultaneously.
“Bakudō Number Sixty-One, Rikujōkōrō.”
“Bakudō Number Sixty-Two, Hyapporankan.”
“Bakudō Number Sixty-Three, Sajō Sabaku.”
Without chanting a single incantation…
Three high-level Bakudō appeared almost instantly.
The remaining opponents were immediately restrained before they even had time to react.
Only then did Rin calmly walk toward them.
At close range…
He thrust out his palm.
“Hadō Number One…”
“Shō.”
A reinforced blast erupted point-blank, sending every restrained opponent flying directly out of the arena.
Just as he approached the final remaining student…
The opponent finally completed his release.
“Crush them…”
“Kontetsubō!”
A surge of Spiritual Pressure exploded outward.
Using the increase in Spiritual Power brought by Shikai, the student barely shattered the restraints binding him.
His Zanpakutō instantly transformed into an enormous iron club before crashing downward toward Rin.
Fortunately…
Rin had already disappeared using Hohō.
Appearing several meters away, he sighed with relief.
“That was close.”
“Good thing I prepared for that.”
The student laughed triumphantly.
“Thanks for eliminating everyone else.”
“Now…”
“I only have to defeat you.”
Rin sighed helplessly.
“Forget it.”
“Hadō Number Fifty-Eight…”
“Tenran.”
“Modified Version.”
A gigantic whirlwind instantly roared across the battlefield.
Before the student could react…
He was swept completely off his feet.
Even after driving Kontetsubō into the ground in an attempt to anchor himself…
It proved completely useless.
Moments later…
He too was blown entirely out of the arena.
As expected…
The final victors of the three battlefields were exactly those everyone anticipated.
Shiba Kaien.
Ise Nanao.
And…
Their performances naturally attracted the attention of several representatives seated above.
A strange light flashed across Aizen Sōsuke’s glasses.
“Excellent combat instincts.”
“Outstanding swordsmanship.”
“Solid Hohō.”
“Shiba Kaien truly possesses the foundation expected of the Shiba Clan.”
He shifted his gaze toward Nanao.
“Ise Nanao is equally interesting.”
“Her Kido usage is remarkably ingenious.”
“Her precision and control are exceptional.”
“Talent like hers possesses far greater tactical value than those who rely solely upon brute force.”
Finally…
His eyes rested upon Rin.
“As for Chigusa Rin…”
“He remained composed from beginning to end.”
“His Kido…”
“Feels somewhat unusual.”
“I wonder…”
“What else is he hiding?”
The brief demonstrations only deepened everyone’s curiosity regarding the three outstanding graduates.
Just then…
Someone among the spectators below called out.
“So what happens next?”
“Is it already over?”
The Headmaster stepped forward once more.
“Now that three outstanding students remain…”
“Shall we draw lots and allow one lucky person to advance automatically?”
Before anyone could respond…
Captain Unohana calmly spoke.
“I have a better suggestion.”
“I believe Chigusa Rin should face Ise Nanao first.”
“Afterward…”
“He should challenge Shiba Kaien.”
“Since he intends to join the Fourth Division and specializes in Kaidō, regardless of victory or defeat, he will still be capable of treating the injuries afterward.”
The proposal immediately caused Nanao to open her mouth.
Before she could object…
Captain Kyōraku quietly stopped her with a single glance.
“I think that’s an excellent idea.”
He smiled lazily.
“It’ll also give these inexperienced youngsters an opportunity to witness how valuable truly exceptional Kaidō can be.”
Beside him…
Captain Ukitake nodded in agreement.
“I also agree.”
With all three captains approving the proposal…
The matter was immediately settled.
No one bothered asking Rin, Nanao, or Kaien for their opinions.
Although Kaien appeared somewhat dissatisfied…
Seeing his future captain present…
He ultimately swallowed his objections and merely looked apologetically toward Rin.
Fortunately…
Rin only smiled helplessly before nodding.
His first opponent…
Would be Ise Nanao.
Although the two had sparred together countless times in private…
They had never truly crossed blades in a serious match.
Nanao slowly drew her Zanpakutō.
This was merely an Asauchi, but she still assumed a proper stance.
Looking directly into Rin’s eyes, she spoke with complete seriousness.
“Don’t hold back.”
“I want to see exactly how wide the gap between us really is.”
Rin slowly drew his own Zanpakutō before taking a deep breath.
“I understand.”
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
A fierce battle was ready to begin at any moment.