Chapter 3: A New Path, A New Rival

Asta followed Kaien through the streets of Rukongai, practically bouncing with excitement. Becoming a Soul Reaper sounded like the perfect goal—strong warriors protecting the innocent. That was right up his alley!

"So, how do we get in?" Asta asked, grinning ear to ear.

Kaien smirked. "You don't just walk in, you gotta qualify. Only people with strong spiritual pressure can become Soul Reapers. The academy tests for it."

Asta tilted his head. "Spiritual pressure?"

Kaien sighed. "Yeah, like—" He suddenly stopped, eyes widening. "…Wait. If you don't even know what that is, then how do you expect to—?"

Asta waved a hand. "Eh, details! I'll figure it out when I get there!"

Kaien shook his head with a chuckle. "You're something else, man."

After walking for a while, they reached a massive set of gates leading into Seireitei, the walled city where the Soul Reapers resided. A pair of guards stood in front of the entrance, eyeing the newcomers carefully.

Kaien stepped forward. "We're here to apply for Shin'ō Academy."

One of the guards, a tall man with a gruff expression, looked them over. "Names?"

"Kaien Hisato."

"Asta!"

The guards exchanged a look before one of them grabbed a small wooden talisman. "Hold this. It'll measure your spiritual pressure."

Kaien took the talisman first. After a few moments, it pulsed with a soft blue light. The guards nodded approvingly. "Pass."

Then they handed it to Asta.

Asta grabbed the talisman with a huge grin, but… nothing happened.

Kaien's face fell. "Uh, Asta?"

Asta frowned. "Hey, is this thing broken?" He shook it a little, still grinning.

The guards crossed their arms. "No reaction. That means no spiritual pressure."

Asta blinked. "Huh?"

Kaien's expression turned grim. "You need spiritual pressure to be a Soul Reaper, Asta. Without it, they won't let you in…"

Asta's grin faded for only a moment before he clenched his fists. "Oh yeah? Well, rules or not, I'm gonna prove I belong here!"

The guards looked unimpressed. "Kid, if you have no spirit energy, you can't even see a Zanpakutō, let alone wield one."

Asta huffed, then smirked. "Guess I'll just have to punch my way in, huh?"

Kaien facepalmed. "Please don't…"

Before the guards could shoo him away, another voice cut through the conversation.

"That's enough."

A young man in a black Soul Reaper uniform stepped forward, his arms folded. He had sharp features, dark hair pulled back, and a cold stare that sent shivers down Kaien's spine.

"Renji Abarai…?" Kaien whispered.

Renji looked Asta up and down. "You got guts, but guts alone won't make you a Soul Reaper. You say you belong here?"

Asta grinned. "You bet I do!"

Renji smirked. "Fine. Then prove it. If you can land a hit on me, I'll personally vouch for you."

Asta's grin widened. "Now that's more like it!"

Kaien paled. "Wait, Asta—"

Too late. Asta charged forward, fist pulled back. Renji barely shifted, dodging at the last second.

Asta didn't let up. He threw punch after punch, his movements sharp and explosive. Renji sidestepped, dodging with ease. "Not bad for a guy with no spiritual pressure," he admitted.

But Asta wasn't just fast—he was relentless. Without warning, he ducked low and spun, aiming a sweeping kick at Renji's legs.

Renji's eyes widened as Asta's foot connected, making him stumble slightly. The guards and Kaien watched in stunned silence.

Asta grinned. "Ha! Gotcha!"

Renji regained his footing and studied Asta with a smirk. "You're weird. No spirit energy, yet you're fast enough to make me move." He turned to the guards. "Let him in."

The guards hesitated. "But sir, he—"

"You heard me," Renji said. "This guy might not have spiritual pressure, but he's got something. I wanna see how far he can go."

Asta punched the air excitedly. "Yes! Told ya I'd get in!"

Kaien exhaled in relief. "Unbelievable…"

Renji gave Asta a smirk. "You better not make me look bad for vouching for you, shorty."

Asta's grin widened. "Heh! Just you watch—I'm gonna be the strongest Soul Reaper ever!"

Kaien sighed. "I have a feeling things just got a lot more interesting…"