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Shin'o Academy, Kido Training Ground.
The students slowly walked into the dojo.
The gate opened, and the "Aozaki Trio," led by Reiji, slowly entered the open training ground.
As soon as he entered the training ground, Aozaki Reiji's face showed surprise.
"It seems a bit different from the exam I remember..."
The Shin'o Academy is the only Shinigami training school in the Soul Society, but in fact, the academy does not enroll many students each year, usually not more than two hundred.
Among these two hundred, it would be considered good if one-fifth of them successfully graduated.
Geniuses are not everywhere; only Shinigami of noble birth can naturally possess high-intensity Spiritual Pressure—this is common sense in the Soul Society.
It was precisely because he was from Rukongai that Reiji was called a genius upon admission, thanks to his Sixteen Level Spiritual Pressure.
In the Shin'o Academy, neither geniuses nor noble scions are numerous.
Most students are children of ordinary Shinigami, so graduates of the Shin'o Academy usually have Level Twenty Spiritual Pressure.
Those who exceed this limit are either rare geniuses, seen only once in several years, or noble scions.
However, the scene before his eyes was somewhat beyond his expectations.
Not only were there more people taking the graduation exam than usual, with over twenty individuals whose Spiritual Pressure reached the level of professional Shinigami, but several also had Spiritual Pressure exceeding Level Twelve Spiritual Pressure.
"This year, many students applied for early graduation. Some of them are nobles, and the rest are talented students from Rukongai and commoner backgrounds."
Aizen had just finished demonstrating his Shikai to the students. He now walked beside Aozaki Reiji and explained in a low voice:
"As for their purpose in applying for early graduation... it is said to be for a certain person, but who could that person be? To make them so dedicated."
Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin, who were nearby, listened in astonishment.
Aozaki Reiji couldn't help but smile, not at all surprised by Aizen's appearance.
He had specifically come to warn him, so who else could that person be but himself?
However, this was normal.
The Tsunayashiro Family is the most powerful noble family in the Seireitei, and with the support of their adherents, they hold the most seats in Central 46.
For a "lowly commoner" from Rukongai like Aozaki Reiji to dare oppose them, they would naturally kill him to make an example, otherwise, no one would fear them in the future.
Now that there was coincidentally an opportunity for a commoner to encounter an "accident," these minor nobles and commoners, as "subordinates," naturally had to perform well.
Even if they only gained a good impression, perhaps if those above were pleased, a casual word could elevate him or their families to the peak.
"Thank you for the reminder, Aizen-sensei!" Aozaki Reiji said.
"I just said it casually; I didn't remind you of anything," Aizen chuckled softly, adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, and turned to walk away.
Watching Aizen's departing back, Aozaki Reiji smiled and nodded: "A bit interesting."
"So those people are all enemies?" Matsumoto Rangiku looked into the distance.
Those people had been staring at the three of them, and they didn't look friendly.
"They're all classmates; what enemies are there?"
Reiji chuckled, then turned to Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin, and whispered:
"Be extra careful during the Soul Burial Internship. Once you find they are hostile towards us... don't hold back."
"Of course, if you're going to do it, do it cleanly. Your own life is the most important!"
He wasn't interested in noble disputes, but if the other party insisted on seeking death, then they could die.
As long as this killing wasn't out in the open, old man Yamamoto wouldn't blame him if he found out.
If it were exposed, it might be a bit troublesome.
With the Shihōin Family and old man Yamamoto protecting him, and the Kucihki Family owing him a favor, they would most likely help him.
He probably wouldn't die, but he'd likely be imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest.
Aozaki Reiji certainly didn't want to be locked in there.
The Maggot's Nest is the Shihōin Family's territory. It's not that being imprisoned there is bad, but joining the Gotei 13 clearly offers a brighter future.
"What about you?"
Matsumoto Rangiku frowned, looking at Aozaki Reiji.
She had naturally heard about the actions of the Tsunayashiro Family, and since they were enemies, she had no psychological burden in killing them.
She was worried about Aozaki Reiji's future.
"The Shin'o Academy isn't run by the Tsunayashiro Family. The teachers protecting the students during this internship were carefully selected by Teacher Yamamoto and Dean Sato."
Aozaki Reiji smiled at Matsumoto Rangiku and the thoughtful Ichimaru Gin:
"The Soul Burial Internship is in the Human World, which isn't the Seireitei's territory. It's perfectly normal to encounter all sorts of dangers and accidents there, isn't it?"
He lowered his voice and continued: "If they really make a move, it's best to eliminate all of them, leaving no one. The most crucial thing is not to leave any evidence."
Both of them nodded silently.
Since Aozaki Reiji had said so, they decided to go all out.
Having followed Aozaki Reiji for so many years and having spent so long in Rukongai, they knew that hesitation was a big taboo in life-or-death struggles.
No matter what the outcome, they would just bear it together.
"Next, Aozaki Reiji."
In the training ground, the teacher called out from his roll call.
A slight smile appeared on his face; unlike the other students, this one was a true genius.
Aozaki Reiji stepped out of the crowd, stood beside the teacher, and bowed to him.
"Hado Number Four: Byakurai!"
He pointed a finger at the target, and white electric light pulsed at his fingertip.
The next second, it transformed into a pillar of lightning and flew out.
With a bang!
The target exploded directly in the electric light, leaving a deep crater in the ground a dozen meters away.
The students participating in the exam stood frozen, staring blankly at the shattered ground as if stunned.
"That's Byakurai? Are you kidding? Can Byakurai have that kind of power?"
"Am I learning a fake Byakurai or something?"
"Idiot, this is a difference in Spiritual Pressure. The same Kido, but different Spiritual Pressure naturally means different power!"
The students began to whisper among themselves, secretly alarmed.
They had heard how powerful this genius from the first-year students was before, and today they finally witnessed it. No wonder he could become the Captain-Commander's disciple.
Aozaki Reiji had a faint smile on his lips, nodding with satisfaction as he saw many people showing shocked expressions.
This was the effect he wanted.
This Byakurai was more like a warning, telling those who didn't have a clear understanding of his strength to retreat.
After all, killing too many would be hard to explain to the teachers, and he would inevitably get scolded again.
"Your performance is excellent. Both the destructive power and accuracy are perfect."
"Full marks, one hundred points."
The teacher nodded with satisfaction at the sight, signaling Aozaki Reiji that he could return.
This was one of their Shin'o Academy students, who would surely stir up a storm in the Gotei 13 in the future.
—The teacher thought to himself with pride.
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