"Winner! Aizen Sosuke!"
At Marine Headquarters, on the training grounds behind Marineford, Vice Admiral Mouse announced the victor.
On the grandstands above, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Chief of Staff Tsuru, and Admirals Akainu and Kizaru were all in attendance. They watched the elegant figure at the center of the arena, nodding slightly to themselves. After defeating his opponent fairly, he still helped the man up with a gentle smile and offered comfort.
Not only had he shown overwhelming strength, he also won the admiration of his fellow comrade-in-arms. Such composure, such grace. Truly, this was the prized pupil of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
"Sengoku, your student is quite something," Tsuru remarked, her gaze filled with appreciation.
Ordinary marines might not have understood what they had just witnessed, but the high-ranking officers could see it clearly. For Aizen, this fight had posed no challenge at all. After the entire bout, not only were his clothes immaculate, his breathing had not faltered in the slightest. His strength had already surpassed the rank of Rear Admiral, and even compared to the Vice Admirals present, he was no less capable.
"Kowai ne! Young people these days are so strong. Looks like I'll be retiring soon," Kizaru said lazily, stroking his chin.
Beside him, Akainu shot him a glance, drew deeply on his cigar, and exhaled with a cold snort.
"To serve as Vice Admiral of Headquarters, what he's shown so far is not enough. Begin the final trial. Let him reveal more of his power, and prove he's truly qualified."
Mouse looked toward Sengoku upon hearing Sakazuki's words. Receiving a nod, he then turned back to Aizen.
"No problem, right?"
Aizen tilted his head slightly, pushing up his glasses with a gentle smile.
"Of course. Please continue."
With his answer clear, Mouse placed a hand on his sword hilt and called out loudly:
"For the final stage of the Vice Admiral promotion test, Rear Admiral Aizen Sosuke will face Vice Admiral--"
Just as he was about to say his own name, a tall figure stood up from the grandstands and cut him off.
"Wait!"
The man had a cigarette in his mouth, a helmet adorned with the emblem of a two-headed dragon, and a face twisted into a fierce scowl.
"Onigumo?"
Both Sengoku and the admirals above, as well as Mouse on the arena floor, stopped and turned toward him.
Meeting Sengoku's gaze, Onigumo took a drag from his cigarette before speaking slowly.
"Fleet Admiral, I'm very interested in Rear Admiral Aizen's abilities. Allow me to conduct this test instead."
Sengoku did not answer immediately. He gave Onigumo a deep look, his eyes flicking toward Akainu at his side. After a brief pause, he turned to the arena.
"In that case, the final examiner will be you."
With Sengoku's approval, a cruel smile spread across Onigumo's harsh face as his aura flared.
His long hair lifted as though alive, each strand twisting together into six thick braids that writhed like arms. The eight swords at his side slid free of their scabbards.
He gripped two with his hands, while his hair controlled the remaining six. From a distance, it looked as though he had sprouted eight arms, each wielding a blade.
"It's begun--Vice Admiral Onigumo's Life Return!" a Marine captain exclaimed from the stands.
Life Return--a secret technique that allowed total control over one's body, hair, even internal organs. A skill far beyond the Rokushiki, so difficult that most officers never managed to master it. But for Vice Admiral Onigumo, it was his signature art.
He used his hair as though they were limbs, forging a rare Eight-Sword Style.
BOOM!
Onigumo leapt down from the stands, a cloud of dust billowing up as he landed. His body radiated endless fighting spirit as he strode toward Aizen step by step.
Passing Mouse, he called out, "Sorry about this. I'll buy you a drink later."
Having his role stolen, Mouse didn't take offense. He let go of his sword hilt and waved dismissively.
"We'll talk about drinks later. Just mind your limits."
The two senior Vice Admirals shared some camaraderie, and Mouse's words carried a subtle warning not to let things spiral out of control.
Onigumo understood. He exhaled a thick puff of smoke. "Thanks."
Then he stepped forward to stand before Aizen.
Looking at the fierce-faced man drawing near, Aizen only smiled warmly and greeted him.
"Long time no see, Vice Admiral Onigumo."
As Mouse withdrew, Onigumo loomed over Aizen with his imposing frame, his expression arrogant.
"Sorry, Rear Admiral, but your opponent is me now."
"I won't be holding back."
"Neither will I."
Aizen's smile deepened, his gentleness forming a sharp contrast to Onigumo's cruelty.