"Too outrageous! "
"So this is the strength of the Five Great Noble Clans' heirs? "
"They're nothing like us. No—even among the current captains of the Gotei, how many could unleash Kidō at this level? "
The students of the Shin'ō Academy stared dumbfounded at the shattered ceiling. The sheer destructive power was unbelievable. Just imagining that kind of Kidō directed at themselves made their scalps tingle and their bodies tense with unease.
"Um… Yūshirō Shihōin-sama—no, Lord Yūshirō Shihōin! I'd like to submit your application for early graduation right away."
The examiner shivered as sunlight and a fresh breeze poured through the gaping hole above, then bowed deeply to Yūshirō. Before, his respect had been for the Shihōin name. Now, it was entirely because of the overwhelming power in front of him. This kid was nothing short of a monster.
"Wh—what kind of monster is this? "
"Does someone at this level really need to study here? "
"Is Captain-Commander Yamamoto overestimating our academy? "
"With Kidō of this caliber, he could serve as Head of the Kidō Corps or take command of any squad in the Gotei! "
As acting headmaster of Shin'ō Academy, Ninomiya Gorō knew better than anyone how terrifying this Kidō was. From what he understood, even the current Head of the Kidō Corps could not execute such a devastating spell as the Thousand-Hand Bright Sky Cannon. This had already surpassed his comprehension of the technique.
"Early graduation? "
"I've thought the same for a long time! "
"Hurry and file my application! "
At the mention of early graduation, Yūshirō instantly perked up, shedding his usual lazy demeanor. If there hadn't been so many people around, he would have sung praises to the examiner for such a wise decision.
"Hah!"
On the other side, the results of Suzushiro Aya's test came out: top marks in all four core subjects—Sword, Fist, Step, and Kidō. A flawless, hexagon-shaped warrior. In particular, her mastery of Shunpo far exceeded the level expected of any student. While not quite on par with the rarest prodigies, her results easily secured her a place in the elite class.
"Whew…"
"As expected of Lady Yoruichi's younger brother. Truly a genius on a level that ordinary people like me can never hope to reach."
Suzushiro Aya's eyes sparkled as she looked at the hole blasted through the ceiling, her gaze full of admiration.
"Little Aya, my neck's a bit sore."
After everything was over, Yūshirō lounged lazily on a bench, one leg crossed over the other.
"At once! "
"I'm here, Lord Yūshirō! "
With a Shunpo, Suzushiro Aya appeared behind him and began massaging his shoulders.
"Ahh… you're really skilled. Aya, from now on you should just stay by my side."
"Stay… by Lord Yūshirō's side? "
"Is… is this a confession? "
Aya's face instantly flushed bright red. She turned her head, too embarrassed to look directly at him.
"What's wrong, Aya? "
Yūshirō hadn't caught her muttering—nor could even he read another's heart—and so he asked curiously.
"It's nothing, Lord Yūshirō. I'll always stay by your side."
Her expression firmed as she answered shyly, then pressed harder into the massage with renewed effort.
"That brat… he's the one who tore the academy roof apart on his first day? How infuriating…"
"And what's with the girl behind him? Who brings a maid to school? "
A tall sixth-year student—blond, with straight-cut bangs—leaned against the doorway of the training hall, scowling at the sight of Yūshirō relaxing like a lord while Aya massaged him. This was Hirako Shinji, a Shinigami-in-training.
"Damn it! Why didn't I get a cute maid to accompany me to class?! Bastard! "
Shinji shouted angrily. To him, a student like Yūshirō who came with a personal attendant was an aberration. He wanted one too.
"Don't say that, Hirako-senpai. With your talent and popularity, finding a cute girlfriend wouldn't be difficult."
A calm, magnetic voice spoke behind him. A bespectacled man with short brown hair stood there, his manner refined and composed.
"Oh? If it isn't Aizen Sōsuke."
"What a coincidence. You came to see the pretty junior girls too? "
Hirako Shinji locked eyes on the man behind him.
"No, I was only passing by. Someone as ordinary as me can't afford such leisure, unlike Hirako-senpai, who still has time to court girlfriends."
The man called Aizen Sōsuke smiled gently, then bowed.
"Please, enjoy the rare scenery before you, senpai. I must return to my studies—only a year left before graduation, and if I don't push harder now, it will be difficult to join a squad and serve as a proper Shinigami."
With that, Aizen turned and walked away at a measured pace.
"This guy… just what is he scheming? "
From the beginning of his time at Shin'ō Academy, Hirako Shinji had kept a close eye on that man—someone with monstrous talent, yet who always concealed it behind a mask of mediocrity: Aizen Sōsuke.
—
Hours later, a document stamped with the seal of Acting Headmaster Ninomiya Gorō was delivered to the hands of 1st Division Captain and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Its contents were simple: a formal application for one student's early graduation. The request was thorough and fully compliant with regulations. By all rights, Yamamoto could have approved it with his seal, granting the young genius his early exit. But instead…
"Denied."
Smiling faintly, Yamamoto spoke to his lieutenant.
"At once, sir."
The lieutenant of the 1st Division—who himself could have been a captain long ago—nodded without hesitation.
And so, Yūshirō Shihōin was not allowed to graduate early.