Chapter 82
Facing the initial release of Kinshara from Kenseikan Rōjūrō's Zanpakutō, Hirako Shinji's demeanor shifted to one of seriousness.
Clad in his white haori, Hirako utilized Shunpo, darting across the arena to reposition himself rapidly.
Each time he moved, the location he vacated was attacked by the golden whip-like form of Kinshara, leaving behind destruction in its wake.
Within moments, the arena was engulfed in rolling clouds of dust.
The thick spiritual pressure saturated the training ground's air, making it feel heavy and viscous.
On the raised platform, Sasakibe Chōjirō nodded slightly.
As expected of Kenseikan Maihime's descendant.
To possess such strength at his age was truly remarkable.
After exchanging blows over a dozen times, Hirako suddenly swung his blade forcefully, deflecting the golden whip encircling him.
Using the momentum, he leaped backward, creating some distance between himself and Rōjūrō.
Once separated, Hirako flashed a toothy grin.
"Rōjūrō, I've got a good sense of your abilities now."
"Next, let's see *that*."
"After all, you can't call yourself a captain without it."
Hearing this, Rōjūrō nodded resolutely.
"Very well. Please prepare yourself, Captain Hirako."
He took a deep breath and brought his Zanpakutō before him.
"Bankai—"
"Kinshara Butōdan!"
**BOOM!**
As his words rang out, a towering column of spiritual pressure shot into the sky!
Waves of energy rippled outward, centered on Rōjūrō, spreading across the arena.
Golden humanoid figures woven from threads of light emerged around him.
As they appeared, a strange melody began to echo in the ears of those present.
However, only Hirako Shinji could hear the music clearly.
To everyone else, it was a faint, distant sound, as if playing from far away and impossible to discern.
Hirako stood in place, his expression guarded.
Engaging an opponent without understanding their Bankai's abilities was often a recipe for disaster.
Suddenly, his expression shifted.
Before the audience's eyes, Hirako staggered, as though yanked violently by an unseen force, nearly losing his balance.
He slashed his blade, as if trying to sever something invisible.
Moments later, he staggered again, this time in another direction.
Within seconds, his face grew pale, as if he were enduring excruciating pain.
From his place in the audience, Aizen narrowed his eyes.
It seemed Kenseikan Rōjūrō's Bankai ability was linked to illusions.
If that were the case, Aizen found himself intrigued.
How would Rōjūrō's Kinshara measure against his own Kyōka Suigetsu in the realm of illusions?
In the arena, Hirako raised his hand abruptly.
"Ah, no, no, that's enough! Stop it here!"
"You pass—Captain-Commander, I approve this guy!"
Hearing Hirako's declaration, Yamamoto nodded.
Sasakibe Chōjirō announced loudly that Kenseikan Rōjūrō had passed the test.
Rōjūrō let out a sigh of relief and promptly deactivated his Bankai.
As the illusion dissipated, Hirako glanced around the arena.
Sure enough, the massive waves and flames he had perceived earlier were all false.
Others might not have noticed, but as the victim of the illusions, Hirako had been utterly tormented by Rōjūrō's Bankai.
The ability appeared to use music, or perhaps the movements of those golden constructs, to induce bizarre hallucinations.
Just moments ago, Hirako had been enveloped by illusory flames, burning as if he were truly on fire.
In a life-or-death battle, he would have had plenty of ways to counteract it.
But as an assessment? He had no choice but to endure.
However, for something like a promotion examination, going all-out line in a life-or-death battle seemed unnecessary. Once Kenseikan Rōjūrō's ability to use Bankai was confirmed, the rest became a mere formality.
When the announcement was made that Rōjūrō had passed, the gathered Shinigami bowed their heads in respect.
Although most of them had no idea what had transpired during the battle, the overwhelming spiritual pressure released during his Bankai was undeniably authentic.
With his mastery of Bankai and Captain Hirako's acknowledgment, there was no question that Rōjūrō deserved to become a captain.
After Rōjūrō and Hirako stepped off the stage, several Shinigami rushed to clean the arena for the next round.
Once the area was reset, the second test began.
"Next, the second Captain Proficiency Examination!"
"Vice-Captain of the Tenth Division, Shiba Shōta! Step forward!"
A black-haired man stood up and made his way to the stage, his arm adorned with a wooden badge marked with the kanji for "Ten" (十).
Hearing the name "Shiba," the crowd's reactions varied.
Kaelith Yurei found himself intrigued.
A member of the Shiba family? Could this man be an ancestor of Ichigo Kurosaki?
He wondered just how many generations separated them.
Wait, that wasn't the real question. Was this man even from the main branch of the family?
Despite their fall from grace, the Shiba family had once been quite populous.
On the platform, Yamamoto glanced at the captains beside him.
"Shunsui, you will oversee this test."
Kyōraku Shunsui adjusted his straw hat and used Shunpo to appear in the arena.
This battle turned out to be even more intense than the first.
Shiba Shōta's Bankai was a direct-offense type, and Kyōraku, out of curiosity, sparred with him for a while.
Eventually, after confirming that Shiba's strength met the requirements, Kyōraku raised his hand to signal his approval.
With the second captain-level test concluded successfully, the Shinigami spectators grew visibly excited.
Losing three captains in such a short period had dealt a significant blow to the morale of the Gotei 13.
Many Shinigami had been performing their duties with a heavy gloom hanging over them.
Now, however, things were finally looking up!
---
Among the crowd, a young man with short white hair took a deep breath.
His sharp eyes, tall and athletic build, and strikingly handsome features made him stand out.
The sleeves of his Shihakushō were completely torn off, exposing his muscular arms.
The badge symbolizing his rank as Vice-Captain was tied directly onto his bicep.
This was Muguruma Kensei, the final candidate for the captain-level examinations that day.
As he waited with anticipation, Sasakibe Chōjirō's voice rang out:
"Next, the third Captain Proficiency Examination!"
"Ninth Division Vice-Captain, Muguruma Kensei! Step forward!"
Kensei stood up without hesitation, striding confidently into the arena.
As he entered, his gaze instinctively shifted toward the captains standing behind Yamamoto.
Hirako Shinji and Kyōraku Shunsui had already served as examiners.
That meant his examiner would likely be either Kuchiki or Nagaki, the Captain of the Tenth Division.
While Kensei was still considering his possible opponent, Sasakibe turned to Yamamoto for confirmation.
Yamamoto stood on the platform, his gaze fixed on Kensei.
Then, in a voice loud enough for everyone present to hear, he announced slowly:
"For the third examination, the examiner will be Kaelith Yurei."
The entire arena fell silent.
---
t/n Suprise Bic..!