Staring at the cracks forming on the barrier, Ginrei Kuchiki felt a wave of frustration and a throbbing headache from deep within his mind.
As a man who had lived for over a thousand years, he had to admit that his grandson, Byakuya, was undoubtedly one of the most talented geniuses among the Kuchiki family's direct heirs. In just one year, Byakuya mastered all the courses at the Shin'ō Academy, learned the name of his Zanpakutō, and achieved Shikai. Even the ultimate technique of the Shinigami, Bankai, was mastered in less than ten years.
This was a rare feat for the Kuchiki family and the entire history of Soul Society. Byakuya's current strength was more than sufficient to serve as the captain of the Sixth Division.
But fate had him face a monster of a Shinigami. It was bad enough that Tokikaze had traumatised him as a child. Now, when Byakuya had finally grown more muscular, his rival didn't even bother to use his Zanpakutō. One punch and Byakuya was down. There was nothing more to say.
Ginrei regretted choosing Tokikaze as the examiner for Byakuya's captaincy test. This might leave a lasting scar on the boy's mind.
"There's no need to worry too much," Yamamoto Genryūsai said, attempting to reassure him. "Tokikaze is still holding back."
Ginrei twitched at this. "Commander-General, you call that holding back?"
"At least he didn't use my Kotsuryū technique while in Shunkō," Yamamoto responded bluntly.
Ginrei was at a loss for words. As one of the few who had seen Yamamoto's Kotsuryū in action, he knew its terrifying power. As the most muscular hand-to-hand combat style, Kotsuryū unleashed at full force could quickly annihilate lesser Hollow, and few captains in the Gotei 13 could withstand it.
"In that case," Ginrei finally said after a pause, "I suppose Tokikaze does have some sense of mercy."
Yamamoto nodded slightly in agreement.
Inside the barrier, Byakuya slid down from the wall, feeling as if every bone in his body had been shattered, as though a hundred Gillians had trampled him. Struggling to stand, he glared at Tokikaze, who was calmly walking toward him, white energy swirling around his body.
"Come on, Byakuya," Tokikaze smiled. "Don't look so bitter. It's just a captaincy exam. Winning or losing doesn't matter."
"All you need to do is show enough strength to qualify as a captain."
"Here, try this."
Raising his hand, Tokikaze unleashed a burst of spiritual pressure that transformed into green vines, instantly binding Byakuya before he could react.
"Kaidō: First Path — Healing Birth!"
As the technique took effect, Byakuya's body glowed green from head to toe. Though he wanted to protest, the powerful healing energy silenced him, rapidly mending his broken bones.
"Your performance earlier wasn't quite enough to make you a captain," Tokikaze said with a devilish grin, making Byakuya feel like he was staring at a demon. "Come on, let's continue the exam!"
Byakuya, refusing to accept defeat, gathered his remaining strength, but his spiritual pressure flared again. The countless blades in the sky began to glow once more.
"Kōkage: Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
As the blades shattered, billions of tiny blades rained down, engulfing Tokikaze from all sides.
In an instant, the entire barrier was filled with pink as the countless tiny blades collided, producing a high-pitched screeching sound.
"This is a new Bankai technique I developed," Byakuya said, though his injuries hadn't fully healed. Tokikaze's healing abilities were far from perfect, still lagging behind experts like Unohana Retsu.
"In the realm of Kōkage, Shunpo alone won't be enough to evade."
"You'll pay a heavy price for your arrogance…"
A flicker of blue light flashed in Byakuya's eyes as the billions of blades converged on Tokikaze, ready to tear him apart.
Ferocious winds howled as the immense pressure caused the barrier to groan.
"Captain Unohana, I'm going to need you to increase your spiritual pressure," Kyōraku Shunsui said, bitterly spitting out the grass he had been chewing. "This kind of omnidirectional attack is putting a lot of stress on the barrier."
"These kids have no consideration for their elders."
Unohana remained calm, her white hands glowing with spiritual pressure as she reinforced the barrier, strengthening the light.
As the blades closed in, Tokikaze remained unmoved, his expression calm. It might have been a threat if Byakuya had used the Hakuteiken technique. But this? It was underestimating him.
Splitting an already weak attack into billions of parts wouldn't be enough to break through his defences.
With a surge of white energy, Tokikaze unleashed his full Shunkō, the force of his spiritual pressure instantly shattering the incoming blades.
Taking a step forward, Tokikaze's smile widened, exuding a dangerous aura.
With a flick of his arm, the white energy gathered around his fist, crackling like steam.
"Watch closely, Byakuya. This punch…"
"…will be strong!"
With those words, he threw his fist forward, the immense power exploding!
Byakuya, sensing the danger, immediately activated his Hakuteiken technique, spreading his wings of light.
The radiant circle formed behind him, emitting a dazzling white light.
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi: Final Scene — Hakuteiken!"
"One strike!"
The Hakuteiken descended, and its power multiplied several times, causing the ground to crack and split as debris flew into the air.
But compared to Byakuya's overwhelming display, Tokikaze calmly unleashed a single punch. The white energy from his Shunkō tore through everything in its path, obliterating the incoming attack.
BOOM!
The explosive impact shattered the barrier instantly, the residual force continuing to ripple outwards.
Kyōraku's face paled, and he opened his mouth to warn the others, but Unohana had already reacted, leaping away to where Yamamoto and Ginrei stood.
"Am I the only one left behind?!"
The shockwave swept through the forest and the mountains beyond, shattering rocks and tearing apart clouds.
The dust settled, revealing two figures amidst the devastation. Tokikaze stood unscathed, the white energy swirling around him, forcing the remaining petals to scatter.
"Well done, Byakuya," Tokikaze praised. "Your Hakuteiken managed to wound me."
On his bare chest, a deep cut oozed blood, though it quickly healed as a green glow from his healing. Kido restored the wound.
"I hereby declare you've passed your captain's exam."
Byakuya, who had been standing, collapsed to the ground.
"Hey, Ginrei!" Tokikaze called out. "You saw it—Byakuya was still standing just now. Don't think I'm paying for his medical bills."
Ginrei remained silent, watching closely. He had seen everything.
Just before the dust settled, Tokikaze deliberately scratched his chest, tearing it open with his fingernails.
In other words, even without using his Zanpakutō, Tokikaze had utterly dominated Byakuya, who had used his Bankai.
The difference between them was as vast as night and day.
Even Kyōraku couldn't help but shake his head. "Old man Yama, it seems you've trained a monster."
"Shunkō combined with Kotsuryū... It's terrifying just to imagine."
Yamamoto leaned on his cane, his eyes lowered as though nothing could disturb his calm.
"It's not the techniques that are strong, but the person."
The captain's exam officially ended. The examiner was practically unscathed, while the examinee was severely injured once again.
But Byakuya didn't remain unconscious for long. Before Unohana could even begin healing him, he woke up alone.
Having fainted so many times, he had developed a resistance.
Lying flat on the ground, Byakuya stared up at the sky, replaying the battle in his mind—until Tokikaze's smug face appeared.
Byakuya instinctively closed his eyes. "Next time, I will defeat you."
Tokikaze smiled warmly. "I look forward to it…"
Three months later, the captain's inauguration ceremony was held.
Byakuya Kuchiki, the 28th head of the Kuchiki family, officially became the captain of the Sixth Division. Former captain Ginrei Kuchiki retired to the background and became a regular squad member.
Although no official "retirement" existed in the Gotei 13, captains and vice-captains of noble status could choose their future.
None of the other captains were surprised by this outcome.
It was well-known that the Sixth Division captaincy was inherited within the Kuchiki family.
The only mystery was why the new captain, Byakuya, seemed so cold and distant, as if someone owed him a large sum of money...