Bleach: I Have No Talent

The sun was setting over the academy grounds as Shiro walked toward the final stage of his entrance trials. Today was a pivotal day—the last part of the exam, a history test about the Soul Society. Though Shiro had no problem with combat and physical challenges, this exam was different. History wasn't his strongest suit. But that didn't mean he was going to back down.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself before entering the classroom. His Sharingan was still activated as he scanned the room, looking for his seat. The walls of the classroom were lined with intricate carvings that depicted important moments in Soul Society history—wars, ceremonies, and powerful figures who had shaped the spiritual world. Shiro could tell that this wasn't going to be your typical exam.

"Shiro, right?" A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

Turning around, Shiro was greeted by a boy who looked about his age, wearing the standard academy uniform but with a big grin on his face. His brown hair was tousled, and his glasses glinted in the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Yeah," Shiro replied curtly, raising an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

"I'm Haruto!" the boy said, extending a hand enthusiastically. "I noticed you looked like you were about to get lost in there. Don't worry, this exam's a piece of cake. You just have to know your Soul Society history... or just hope you're lucky enough to guess the right answers!" He winked, a playful glint in his eyes.

Shiro stared at him for a moment, unsure of how to respond. The boy seemed genuinely friendly, his easy-going nature a stark contrast to Shiro's more serious demeanor.

"Um... thanks," Shiro muttered, shaking Haruto's hand briefly. He wasn't used to people being so forward with him, especially in such a high-pressure situation. "Do you think this is going to be hard?"

Haruto laughed, the sound echoing through the classroom. "It's not so bad. The examiners will ask about the Soul King, the Great War, the Shinigami's history, and the Gotei 13. The tricky part is the questions they throw at you about the founding of Soul Society. That's where people get lost. It's all about memorization. Some of these names are a nightmare!" He chuckled to himself. "I swear, there's a family tree in there that looks like it came from a manga plotline, with all the twists and turns!"

Shiro frowned, but couldn't help but smile slightly at the boy's sense of humor. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

"Well, I'm not exactly a historian," Shiro muttered, his gaze drifting to the chalkboard. "But I'll give it my best shot."

The examiners called for silence, and the students were instructed to sit down at their desks. Shiro settled into his seat, and Haruto plopped down beside him. The test papers were handed out, and as the first question appeared on the board, Shiro was hit with a sense of dread. It was a name he barely recognized—one of the ancient leaders of Soul Society.

The first few questions were manageable, and Shiro used his Sharingan to catch quick glimpses of his neighbor's paper. But as the test went on, the questions became more obscure. Shiro felt his forehead bead with sweat as he struggled to recall specific historical events.

Haruto, however, was breezing through the test, whistling as he wrote his answers with ease. Every so often, he would look over at Shiro with a knowing grin, as if sensing Shiro's growing discomfort.

"Relax, man," Haruto whispered, leaning over slightly. "If you don't know an answer, just take a wild guess. If you get it wrong, at least you can say you gave it your all!"

Shiro couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's carefree attitude. "Easy for you to say. You seem to know all the answers."

Haruto shrugged nonchalantly. "Nah, I just have a good memory for names and dates. Besides, this test is about as serious as a Shinigami captain with a coffee addiction—mostly just fluff and occasional chaos. We'll survive."

Shiro wasn't sure whether to be comforted or more anxious by that statement. But somehow, Haruto's laid-back attitude was starting to rub off on him.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, Shiro leaned back in his chair, exhausted. He had done his best, but the questions had been brutal. Still, there was no use worrying about it now.

A few days later, the results of the entrance trials were posted on the academy bulletin board. Shiro wasn't sure what to expect, but as he approached the list, his heart raced in his chest. His name was near the top of the list for the exam, and he had passed with a respectable rank. Haruto, of course, had gotten an even higher rank—no surprise there.

When Shiro reached the part of the list showing his overall rank, he saw:

Shiro – Rank: 6th Best in First Year

System Notification said:

Mission: Become the Best Student of First Year

Reward: +2% Progress

Penalty: -1% Progress for failure

Status: Mission Failed

Shiro stared at his name on the list, his eyes lingering on the details. Rank: 6th Best in First Year. His stomach dropped. He had worked tirelessly, every day pushing himself to his limits—physically and mentally. The nights spent memorizing history, the hours of sparring, the training with Katsu. All of it had led to this moment.

But despite everything, despite all the effort and sacrifice, he was only 6th. And now, he had lost 1% of his progress. Mission: Become the Best Student of First Year—he had failed it.

He balled his fists at his sides, feeling the sting of the penalty deep within. His heart pounded as frustration and disappointment surged through him. He had known about the quest the entire time—had seen it flash on his System screen, constantly reminding him that he had to be the best, that only then would he truly progress. Every single day, every single choice, was supposed to count towards that goal. He'd worked for this, relentlessly. And yet, it still hadn't been enough.

The penalty felt heavier than any physical injury he had ever endured. It wasn't just a loss of points; it was a loss of pride. A loss of everything he had been striving for. Shiro looked at his reflection in the glass of the bulletin board. His eyes—those cursed eyes that had helped him so much—felt like a burden now. The Sharingan that had given him an edge in battle, now unable to save him from this loss. He couldn't shake the bitter taste in his mouth.

Haruto's cheerful voice broke through his thoughts as he clapped him on the back. "Hey, it's not the end of the world, Shiro! You still did great!"

Shiro looked at his friend, forcing a weak smile, but his eyes betrayed the weight he was carrying. "Yeah... great," he muttered.

But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed. He hadn't just lost 1% progress. He had lost something far more important to him—his sense of accomplishment.

End of Chapter Stats

[System Status]

Template: Madara Uchiha (5.45% - 1% = 4.45% progress)

[Attributes]

Strength: 26 (+2)

Endurance: 25 (+2)

Speed: 27 (+2)

Reiatsu Control: 23 (+2)

Intelligence: 20 (+3)

Battle Instinct: 22 (+2)

[Abilities]

Sharingan (1st Tomoe): Improved tracking of fast movements, slight slowing effect on opponent's attacks.

Hollow Detection - Ability to sense the presence of Hollows in the area.

[Techniques Unlocked]

Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu

C-rank Ninjutsu

A technique that traps the target inside a sphere of water, restricting their movements and preventing escape. The water pressure inside the prison increases with the user's chakra, suffocating the trapped target if the technique is held long enough. This jutsu can be used both for containment and as a method of interrogation or incapacitation.