BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

But this was either a battle conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Central 46 or a duel requested by the other party…

You can't even say it was Captain Akira's fault.

"Apologies. The Sixth Division will cover the costs for repairing your station."

Akira nodded before leaping back to his quarters.

Watching his departing figure, the gathered captains wore complicated expressions.

"I thought Akira was just a Shinigami who rose to the rank of captain due to his Zanpakutō's ability and immense spiritual pressure. But I didn't expect him to possess such well-rounded strength…"

"At this point, no one can doubt that the strength of the Sixth Division's captain is truly comprehensive."

"Still, today marks a historic moment. A Shinigami who became a captain without achieving Bankai has finally decided to fight in earnest."

Daytime.

Akira made his way to the Fourth Division barracks.

His goal was twofold: to request Byakuya Kuchiki to inform the Sixth Division about personnel changes and to check on Zaraki Kenpachi's condition.

"Captain Akira is truly idle… Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused for our Fourth Division?"

The voice belonged to Unohana Retsu, the ever-composed captain of the Fourth Division.

Akira chuckled. "That couldn't be helped. What was I supposed to do, just stand there and not fight back?"

He added, "Besides, it was only two people, right?"

Unohana shot him a sharp look. "Only two? When you fought Byakuya Kuchiki, numerous Shinigami got injured just from clearing the battlefield."

She sighed. "I never thought I'd go from treating two captains of the Sixth Division separately to treating two captains who were injured by the Sixth Division's captain… all within just a few days."

The remark created a slightly awkward pause. Akira coughed lightly to change the subject.

"Alright, here we are. Byakuya Kuchiki is inside."

With that, Unohana left to attend to her other duties.

Akira pushed open the door and stepped inside. The lavish interior of the ward was astonishing—it was hard to believe this was a hospital room. But given that it belonged to one of the Four Noble Houses, it made sense.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Kuchiki."

Byakuya Kuchiki, seated within, looked momentarily surprised. But after only a brief hesitation, he nodded and replied, "No… Captain. What brings you here?"

Byakuya was not one to dwell on defeat. Since Akira had claimed the captaincy according to the proper rules of the Gotei 13, he had accepted the outcome.

"I came mainly to inform you that the decision on the new vice-captain has been made. I've chosen you for the position."

Byakuya showed no surprise at the announcement.

On the surface, it might seem like he had been demoted, but in truth, no one in the Sixth Division possessed the strength and qualifications more fitting for the role than him.

"Then, I appreciate your trust… What about Abarai?"

"He," Akira said, "will take the third seat. That was my old position, so it's not too bad for him."

Even though Abarai Renji was close to mastering Bankai, he still wasn't on Byakuya's level—placing him in the third seat was only natural.

When Akira thought about the future of the Sixth Division, he couldn't help but feel satisfied. With at least three Shinigami possessing captain-level strength, plus himself, the division would be an unparalleled force.

"I understand. I'll return to my duties once I've recovered," Byakuya Kuchiki said with a nod.

The matter was settled. Akira had his own reasoning behind this arrangement. The Sixth Division had always been closely tied to noble families, and throughout history, its captaincy had never been held by a commoner. Placing Byakuya in the vice-captain position would not only stabilize the division but also serve as a symbolic reassurance to the nobility.

After parting ways with Byakuya, Akira was on his way back to the Sixth Division when his Observation Haki suddenly sensed a presence moving at lightning speed.

"Captain Akira."

There was no hostility in the visitor's presence, and Akira quickly recognized him—the First Division's lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe.

"What is it? Did the Captain-Commander send you?" Akira asked.

"Yes," Chōjirō confirmed. "The Captain-Commander requests that both you and Vice-Captain Kuchiki report to him tomorrow. I was asked to deliver the message."

Backed by the immense resources of the Kuchiki Clan, Byakuya's recovery was progressing quickly. Though he wasn't fit for battle just yet, he could move freely without issue.

"Understood," Akira replied.

He didn't press for details, as he already had a vague idea of why Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni wanted to see him. After all… it had been a while since Rukia Kuchiki was dispatched to the Human World on a mission.

That night, Akira sat in his courtyard, waiting for the day to end.

[Congratulations, Host! You have survived another day and earned a lottery reward!]

Without hesitation, Akira tapped the interface to begin the draw. The turntable spun before finally stopping, and a notification appeared:

[Congratulations! You have obtained the elite ability: 'Zanpakutō Talent'!]

Akira was momentarily stunned.

First, he hadn't acquired an elite-level skill in a long time. Though rare, such abilities were undeniably powerful.

"The probability of drawing elite skills still hasn't improved much… But it can't be helped. I've grown too strong—there are fewer and fewer situations that actually put my survival at risk."

He shook his head with a sigh.

The second reason he was surprised was that this ability was something completely new to him. Could this even be classified as a skill?

"Zanpakutō Talent? Does this mean I'll have a stronger connection with my Zanpakutō?"

Curious, Akira closed his eyes and focused. As he expected, the ability greatly enhanced his bond with his Zanpakutō. But it didn't stop there—it also boosted his ability to develop and master its techniques to an extraordinary level.

"If I couldn't even see it in the system panel before, does that mean my natural Zanpakutō talent was below average? No wonder I was never able to achieve Shikai…"

Drawing his still-sealed Zanpakutō, Akira examined it carefully.

"This ability… This is exactly the kind of reward I needed!"

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