Help! I am bound to Aizen!

"What?!" 

Ginrei Kuchiki gasped in disbelief. 

"Wait, wait, wait… is this for real?!" 

Shinji Hirako muttered to himself, then quickly rushed to the edge of the platform. 

Shunsui Kyoraku paused for a moment before pinching his own arm. 

It hurt—this wasn't a dream… 

Jōmoku Sora opened his mouth in shock. 

The Shinigami who had been retreating instinctively halted, staring in disbelief at the battlefield. 

Seinosuke Yamada's jaw almost hit the floor. 

Yamamoto stood still, his expression as calm as an ancient well. 

Yet, his slightly open, narrowed eyes betrayed the turmoil within. 

From all corners of Seireitei, those with keen spiritual perception turned toward the arena, drawn by the surge of Spirit Pressure. 

"Is this… Yurei's Spirit Pressure?" 

Kirio Hikifune removed her goggles and set aside the research she'd been working on. 

Yoruichi and Soi Fon, both dressed in black, hid in the shadows, quietly watching the gate of a compound. 

It was a location recently identified as a potential gathering point for the rebels. 

To avoid alarming the enemy, Yoruichi had decided to handle the surveillance personally, bringing Soi Fon along. 

Only by participating in such dangerous tasks could Soi Fon grow quickly. 

As the two observed, the Spirit Pressure in the air caught their attention, and both were visibly surprised. 

Soi Fon looked up at Yoruichi, who gave her a proud smile in return. 

Seeing that smile, Soi Fon's cheeks flushed slightly. 

In the Thirteenth Division's medical ward, Shizune was grinning with delight. 

In a grand mansion on the noble streets, an elderly man dressed in noble haori sat quietly in his room, meditating. 

Suddenly, he opened his eyes wide. 

This Spirit Pressure… 

It's that kid who fought with Captain Tai on that night? 

He actually broke through to third-class Spirit Pressure? 

Realizing the connection between Kaelith and Yamamoto, the old man narrowed his eyes slightly. 

"Yamamoto… you can't sit still anymore, huh?" 

After a long silence, he spoke slowly: 

"Someone, come." 

Whoosh! 

A figure instantly appeared by his side, kneeling on one knee. 

"Go find that guy, Kamikawa. Tell him to prepare." 

The masked figure bowed and disappeared from the room. 

The old man slowly rose, looking out the window. 

"The show is about to begin." 

--- 

In the arena, Muguruma Kensei stood frozen, wide-eyed, as if he had seen a ghost. 

Kaelith Yurei's body erupted with an overwhelming Spirit Pressure. 

Without a doubt—this was captain-level! 

Third-class Spirit Pressure! 

Though it wasn't fully refined, and it seemed as though he had just broken through, it was unquestionably true captain-level Spirit Pressure! 

For a moment, Kensei's mindset faltered. 

He had spent over ten years after graduating from the academy just to become a seated officer. 

It then took him over fifty more years to become a vice-captain. 

He had spent nearly a century struggling in that position, and now he was finally eligible for promotion. 

But Kaelith Yurei? 

This kid had barely graduated from the academy and had yet to spend two hours employed—two hours! 

The vast disparity between them overwhelmed him with a sense of hopelessness. 

Inside the beam of Spirit Pressure, Kaelith Yurei stared at Muguruma Kensei. 

"The exam isn't over yet. Don't lose focus." 

Hearing Kaelith's words, Muguruma Kensei suddenly stiffened. 

It took him a moment to realize that he was the one being tested as the examiner. 

After snapping back to reality, a hint of fear crept into him. 

Had he allowed himself to lose focus, and let Kaelith get the better of him, he would've likely lost any desire to improve for a long time. 

Taking a deep breath, he nodded gratefully. 

"Thank you, Kaelith." 

Kaelith shrugged nonchalantly. 

"If I could, I'd love to keep my strength hidden like Aizen, only revealing it when there's something to gain. But, without realizing it, I've ended up surrounded by too many people already." 

Yamamoto, Yoruichi, the two senior brothers… and so many others who've helped him along the way. 

Perhaps initially, Yamamoto took him in as a disciple for political reasons or other circumstances. 

But over time, Kaelith could feel that Yamamoto truly treated him as his disciple. 

No matter the initial reason, he was now willing to repay the effort Yamamoto had put into him. 

Even if that meant exposing his power and becoming a target for some. 

Even if it meant having to work even harder in the future. 

What was that little cost compared to what he had gained? 

Most importantly, with Aizen, the ultimate boss, backing him up, his power would not stagnate. 

Anyone who thought this was his final form was gravely mistaken. 

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kaelith raised his sword, pointing it at Kensei. 

"Let's go, Muguruma Kensei!" 

"Oh!" 

The burly white-haired man responded with a powerful shout. 

His eyes wide, he gripped his fist blades tightly and stomped on the ground, sending cracks through the floor as he shot toward Kaelith like a cannonball. 

The ferocious wind he created shattered the ground beneath him, leaving deep gouges in the earth. 

Kaelith, gripping his sword with both hands, met him head-on. 

Without even realizing it, under the cover of his Spirit Pressure, Kaelith's shadow had already disappeared from beneath his feet, merging with his body. 

The combined power of his fully unleashed Spirit Pressure and his shadow now fused into one, as he swung his blade at Kensei! 

Though this strike lacked the finesse of his Double Bones technique, it carried a terrifying power capable of crushing all before it! 

Boom! 

In front of all eyes, the two attacks collided. 

The shining Spirit Pressure illuminated the sky in a golden hue.

The surrounding defensive barriers shattered instantly! 

Chojiro Sasakibe's expression changed. He moved to intervene, but just as he was about to act, he heard the sound of a cane striking the ground. 

A new barrier suddenly appeared, materializing from nothing, completely blocking the wild surge of Spirit Pressure, redirecting it toward the sky. 

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the dazzling glow of Spirit Pressure. 

Even though they couldn't clearly see what was happening inside, they couldn't suppress their excitement! 

A few seconds later, the glowing Spirit Pressure began to fade. 

Yamada Seinosuke half-rose, already ready to jump in and rescue Kaelith if needed. 

Then, he saw the figure standing in the middle of the arena. 

The blue-and-white Shino Academy uniform. 

Kaelith Yurei! 

Not far behind him, Muguruma Kensei staggered a few steps. 

Then, with a sudden plop, his entire chest—from shoulder to abdomen—exploded in a spray of blood. 

He collapsed to the ground with a thud. 

Yamada couldn't help but grin. 

Aizen raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smile. 

On the platform, Shunsui Kyoraku sighed in relief. 

He raised his hand to fan himself, then glanced at Yamamoto, grinning. 

"Old man Yamamoto, you can laugh if you want, I won't tell anyone… pfft!" 

Suddenly, Shunsui pitched forward, nearly falling off the platform. 

No one could have seen what had just happened. 

Only someone of Ginrei Kuchiki's caliber could have noticed that Yamamoto had swiftly raised his hand and delivered a swift slap to the back of Shunsui's head... 

Under everyone's watch, Kaelith slowly raised his blade and sheathed it. 

Then he spoke: 

"Muguruma Kensei, Captain qualification test…" 

"Passed!" 

----------------

t/n would you be willing to be sliced for a promotion?