Chapter 128 – 128 ⥤ Cheer Up, Rōjūrō!

When Genryūsai finished speaking, all eyes turned to Akira and Rōjūrō, their expressions a stark contrast.

Rōjūrō stood dumbfounded, his face drooping and small eyes filled with terror. Akira, meanwhile, cracked his knuckles with a fierce expression, his fighting spirit radiating off him in waves.

No one questioned his qualifications as Captain Examination Officer — his strength had already proven that.

He had brutally slain an Adjuchas-class Hollow at the Shin’ō Academy, crushed Ansai Tsunayashiro without leaving remains, and even defeated the veteran Captain Takeda Chishi.

His battle achievements alone surpassed those of some Captains.

If Genryūsai were to name Akira as Captain of the 11th Division right now, not a soul would question it.

There was just one concerning detail — his opponents typically ended up as corpses. If he got carried away during the Captain Examination, Rōjūrō’s life might be in danger.

The onlookers cast pitying glances at the Euroboy.

Rōjūrō’s expression twisted as he suddenly reconsidered whether becoming a Captain was such a good idea after all.

The meeting then shifted to minor matters like division wages and mission compensation.

Akira dozed off during these tedious discussions until Yoruichi nudged him awake at the meeting’s end.

“How dull. Next time I’ll send Gosuke instead.” He grimaced, finding standing sleep rather uncomfortable.

“Let’s go, let’s go. I’ve developed some new Hakuda techniques — you can help me refine them.” Before he could bid farewell to the old man, Yoruichi grabbed his hand and eagerly pulled him from the room.

The remaining Captains watched their retreating figures with knowing smiles.

Shunsui approached the Vice-Captains, hands tucked in his sleeves, and teased.

“Marenoshin, watch out — someone might steal your Captain away.”

Before Marenoshin could respond, Gosuke widened his eyes in protest.

“Captain Kyōraku, you have it backward — clearly it’s Captain Shihōin who’s stealing our Lord Magistrate!”

Shunsui nodded, “It’s all the same.”

The two exchanged glances and laughed.

Only Marenoshin remained silent, his face twitching as if at a funeral, watching their departure with grief and indignation.

This Soul Society had become unbearable!

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On the other side of the corridor, Rōjūrō hung his head, his demeanor listless and devoid of fighting spirit.

Though he hadn’t witnessed the battle between Akira and Takeda, he knew well that his current strength couldn’t match his ex-Captain’s — let alone this new unstoppable force.

The memory of the young man standing before him holding a severed thigh still haunted his thoughts.

With the Captain Examination looming, Rōjūrō’s spirit had crumbled, fearing it might be his final battle.

Bang!

A sharp chop struck the back of his head, making him stagger forward nearly face-first into the floor.

“Rōjūrō, you’re being far too cowardly!”

Clutching his head, Rōjūrō looked bewildered, though clearly accustomed to Vice-Captain Chikane Iba’s ways.

He took a deep breath, “Vice-Captain Iba, I—”

Chikane cut him off, her face filled with disappointment, “Are you afraid of death or pain?! When did I ever teach you such things? If you’re too scared to face this, say so — I’ll personally ask Captain-Commander Yamamoto to reject your Captain Examination. The Third Division has others who can shoulder this responsibility!”

Rōjūrō fell silent.

“Buck up, Rōjūrō!” She encouraged, “You don’t need to defeat the examiner — you just need to prove yourself!”

At these words, his spirits lifted.

Of course — passing the Captain Examination didn’t require defeating the examiner. He only needed to prove his capability as a Captain.

As expected of Chikane, hitting the key point with just one sentence.

“Thank you for your guidance! I’ll go prepare right away!” Rōjūrō bowed deeply before vanishing with Shunpo.

He needed to return and commune with Kinshara to develop stronger abilities.

Even if he couldn’t defeat Akira, he would demonstrate his worth and responsibility as a Captain!

Watching him leave, Chikane’s eyes narrowed slightly before turning to Shunsui, who stood with his hands in his sleeves and a blade of grass between his teeth.

“Captain Kyōraku, I bet on Third Seat Kisaragi’s victory — it’ll be a complete domination.”

Shunsui scratched his head, “Vice-Captain Iba, you have too little faith in Rōjūrō, and besides, my little apprentice isn’t as strong as the rumors say. His Reiatsu is barely at Vice-Captain level…”

Chikane said nothing, merely fixing him with an intimidating stare.

Shunsui gave an awkward laugh, “Alright, alright, I get it.”

After all, she was his elder, and showing deference to one’s seniors was only proper.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Three days passed quickly, and the Captain Examination officially began.

Since they were selecting the 3rd Division’s Captain, Genryūsai set the examination location at the 3rd Division’s Training Grounds.

When Akira arrived, he found Kidō Corps members constructing Bakudō barriers outside.

Given the destruction caused by a certain someone during the last graduation exam, Hachigen Ushōda (pink-haired guy) had decided to increase the barrier strength tenfold!

Not even Akira — or Hachigen himself — could break through these multiple-layer Bakudō barriers.

With his backing, this examination would surely proceed perfectly!

{T/N: 🚩!!}

A large contingent of Kidō Corps members gathered there, working on the barrier construction.

Circles of spectating Shinigami surrounded the barrier, their eyes fixed on the grounds’ entrance.

Though they knew the day’s agenda, one question burned in their minds:

How could a mere 3rd Seat qualify as an Examiner for a Captain Examination?

Most Shinigami knew Akira only as a genius who had graduated early from the Academy.

Though he had defeated Ansai Tsunayashiro face-to-face in the 1st Division, Genryūsai had issued a gag order due to the Five Great Noble Houses’ reputation, keeping the matter quiet.

Akira’s meteoric rise meant many of his achievements remained unknown to most. Only the Gotei 13’s higher-ups truly knew his capabilities.

On the platform above the training grounds, Genryūsai stood quietly with both hands on his cane, Chōjirō Sasakibe at his side. He watched the clamoring Shinigami below with an unchanging expression.

Until he heard a familiar buzzing near his ear.

“This scene is much grander than my graduation exam.”

“A Captain Examination is a major event for the Gotei 13 — this level of formality is expected.”

Akira and Yoruichi huddled together, speaking in low voices.

“Akira, take this seriously.” Yoruichi cautioned, “I heard Rōjūrō has spent these three days in secluded training — be careful, he might have developed some trump cards.”

Akira was surprised, not expecting the guy to have overcome his shadow so quickly.

He looked toward the crowd and spotted Rōjūrō with his golden wavy hair, who flashed a confident grin.

Seeing this, Akira’s interest piqued.

Genryūsai glanced at the two whispering companions, then at Rōjūrō in the crowd, his eyes filled with pity.

Though uncertain of Rōjūrō’s exact strength, no one knew Akira better than him. Despite having just mastered Bankai, Rōjūrō would struggle against his opponent, who had only recently obtained Shikai.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t be beaten too badly…

“Everyone.”

Chōjirō stepped forward, his deep, authoritative voice resonating across the training grounds.

“Due to special circumstances, Captain Chishi is temporarily on leave, and the new Captain candidate is Third Division’s Third Seat Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi. The Captain Examination will now commence, please bear witness.”

“Third Division Third Seat, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, please enter!”

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Rōjūrō stepped out from the crowd, passed through the barrier, and entered the training grounds.

Chōjirō’s voice rang out again.

“The Examiner will be Eleventh Division Third Seat, Akira Kisaragi, please enter!”

As the young man approached step by step, doubt crept back into Rōjūrō’s heart.

Despite three days of thorough preparation and achieving his best mindset, facing this monster again still made him nervous.

“Third Seat Kisaragi, please guide me.” He said earnestly, taking a deep breath.

Akira merely nodded, knowing that friendliness now would only make it harder to strike later.

“Hajime (Start)!”

As Chōjirō announced the examination’s beginning, Rōjūrō drew his sword in one fluid motion.

“Play…”

⤫ Shikai: Kinshara ⥤ Initial Release: Golden Shala! ⤬

The dancing golden whip filled the arena, slicing through the air with sharp whistles. The ground split open with fierce fissures, like a monster’s gaping maw swallowing the swirling dust.

Taking no chances, Rōjūrō resolved to give it his all.

Yet Akira didn’t go for an immediate finish.

Instead, he used Shunpo to dodge, flickering and weaving around the training grounds.

His Zanpakutō, he noted, shared some similarities with Kinshara in how it could be wielded.

Rather than end the Captain Examination swiftly, he decided to study his opponent’s techniques — knowledge that might prove useful later.

⤫ Kinshara Sōkyoku Dai Jūichiban – Izayoi Bara ⥤ Golden Shala Sonata No. 11 – Sixteenth Night Rose! ⤬

Moving like an elegant dancer, Rōjūrō swung the blooming Kinshara in a spiraling arc, weaving countless ripples before him.

Gold and metal clashed in brilliant colors as dazzling Reiatsu burst forth, magical clouds rippling outward to seal off Akira’s escape routes.

During his three days of preparation, Rōjūrō had carefully analyzed his opponent’s fighting style and crafted a specific counter-strategy.

Since Akira excelled at close combat, the plan was simple: maintain distance while using Kinshara’s superior range to gradually wear down his defenses.

Determination blazed in Rōjūrō’s eyes as he focused on his target.

He wanted more than just victory in this Captain Examination — he wanted to win with such grace that the spectators would erupt in cheers!

Reiatsu surged through the golden whip in violent bursts. To onlookers, Akira appeared like a small boat in a tempest, tossed by waves of thunder and lightning, seemingly moments from being crushed.

Or so it seemed to most observers.

On the platform, Genryūsai’s brows furrowed slightly. As a teacher, he knew his disciple’s true capabilities.

Though Rōjūrō’s strategy was sound, this level of attack wouldn’t be enough to corner Akira.

What was his student planning?

Meanwhile.

In Akira’s perception, every aspect of Rōjūrō’s assault — from his movements to Kinshara’s transformations — broke down into dozens of distinct components.

Every detail — from limbs and torso to the golden whip’s precise curves — was captured and catalogued in his mind. He studied Rōjūrō’s control techniques for Kinshara intently, instantly grasping the advantages and disadvantages of each variation and adapting them for his own use.

Meanwhile, Rōjūrō watched Akira’s every movement with intense focus. His cautious nature had him constantly anticipating that his opponent might break through Kinshara’s defensive line for close combat.

So he prepared a contingency.

⤫ Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden ⥤ Bound Lightning! ⤬

Rōjūrō pressed his left hand against the trembling golden whip, sending crackling arcs of electricity coursing along its length.

The arena blazed with brilliant electric light.

Seeing this, Akira’s eyes lit up with understanding.

So it could be used this way!

Rōjūrō’s technique had opened his eyes to entirely new possibilities.

Unlike ordinary Shinigami, Akira’s inscribed Kidō patterns allowed him to instinctively use four types of Kidō, including Byakurai, and even alter their forms.

He had employed similar techniques before mastering Shikai, but after growing accustomed to brute force fighting, his thinking had become somewhat rigid.

A quick learner, Akira instantly grasped countless applications from Rōjūrō’s demonstration.

As he dodged Kinshara’s attack, his foot struck the ground with devastating force, shattering the floor beneath — an exaggerated display that made Rōjūrō’s eye twitch.

In that moment, Reiatsu surged forth in waves as blinding light erupted.

“Fill the Void…”

⤫ Shikai: Kūkan Mukai ⥤ Initial Release: Unbounded Emptiness! ⤬

At Akira’s words, Rōjūrō’s pupils contracted at the incredible sight before him.

Chains wreathed in black light transformed into a mighty torrent, crashing against Kinshara. Where they met, scorching sparks erupted with sharp, explosive cracks.

It was like watching thousands of troops charge into battle!

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep