"Yeah, well, maybe captains really do have it easy," Kensei muttered helplessly.
There was no use trying to reason with Shinji Hirako, especially when he was comparing himself to someone like Kyōraku Shunsui. Just look at Hitsugaya Tōshirō in the future, juggling endless piles of paperwork every single day.
"Let's move. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can go home."
Shinji twisted his shoulders dramatically, opened the Dangai portal, and strode in without another word.
"Tch. What's with that guy acting all high and mighty? He's just some bald freak!"
Hiyori grumbled behind them. Honestly, she really didn't like anyone.
How the hell did Kirio Hikifune, the future captain of Squad 12, ever manage to tame this wild beast?
Shirō Emiya followed closely behind, leading his "Team 44" into the portal along with the others.
…Though frankly, it looked more like Hiyori was leading the team.
Anyone watching from the outside would probably assume the tiny, smug girl at the front was the sixth-year team leader, while Shirō, with his curious glances, the wide-eyed Mashiro Kuna, and the timid, stammering Isane Kotetsu, looked more like first-years.
Regardless, this chaotic group stepped foot into the Human World for the very first time.
At this point in history, the human world still resembled feudal-era Japan. Shirō wasn't exactly sure of the specific time period, but it was clearly before Rukia's era, probably the Edo Period.
Not that Shirō had much knowledge of Japanese history to begin with… and this was the Bleach world, after all. Things rarely matched up exactly with real-world timelines.
This "real world assessment" was held in a rural, completely uninhabited area.
Which made sense.
After all, what if a Hollow hurt someone? Even a practice exercise could lead to casualties if it went wrong.
Even later, when the Technology Development Bureau was established, they never allowed civilians near testing zones.
If Shirō really wanted to get a glimpse of how the human world looked in this time period, he'd have to sneak off on his own.
But that wasn't his style.
Sure, he was curious, but he also understood the importance of safety. If he got himself killed wandering off, it'd be the saddest transmigration story ever written.
Besides, Shirō was supposed to join the Gotei 13 after graduation, he was on track for a public service job. If he got a disciplinary mark for sneaking away during an official exam, his future would definitely take a hit.
Now, if he could Bankai, that would be another story.
Bankai-wielders were considered rare talents. They got more leeway.
But even geniuses had to respect the rules.
Just think of what happened to Kuchiki Rukia in the future.
Sure, a lot of that was Aizen's fault, but the moment she lost contact, the Punishment Force came looking.
If Shirō disappeared now, his record would definitely be tarnished. People up top would label him "reckless" and "unreliable", not the type to count on during a crisis.
Not that it really mattered.
At this point, Shirō's record was already drenched in ink. Of all thirteen captains, how many actually had a good impression of him?
Back at the test site, Shirō noticed that Shinji Hirako had used some kind of spiritual tool to lure Hollows into the area.
Even though the Technology Development Bureau hadn't been founded yet, it was clear that R&D had already begun within individual divisions. The knowledge and tools were scattered across the Gotei 13, just not yet centralized.
So it wasn't surprising that Shinji had something like this. Maybe they even "borrowed" a few techniques from the Quincy…
[OG Author note](According to canon, the extermination of the Quincy began 200 years ago, which means this story happens right at that turning point.)
Anyway, the bait was laid.
Low-level Hollows would be drawn to it, serving as live targets for the graduating students' exam.
Shinji and the others scattered around the perimeter. If anything too strong showed up, they'd take it out immediately. But the weaker Hollows, they would be deliberately allowed to reach the students.
Meanwhile, Squad 13 patrols circled the inner zones, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.
Squad 4 medics were also on standby.
This wasn't just a drill, it was live combat. Wounds were expected.
And with that, the real-world assessment officially began.
No rules.
Use whatever means necessary.
Target: Hollows.
Let the hunt begin.
"Hey! Why do you keep following me?!"
Soi Fon finally snapped, glaring back at Shirō.
"Come on, what's the harm in teaming up?"
Shirō grinned.
"I don't need to be dragged down by you! If you want help, go find someone else!"
She coldly rejected him on the spot.
Shirō sighed. The only reason he'd followed her was because he was worried.
To be blunt, Shirō had serious doubts about Soi Fon's current combat ability.
Sure, she was technically top of the class, but that didn't mean much. From a meta perspective, she was still a glorified side character.
Even after graduating, she only survived because of Yoruichi's protection. Only much later did she become a true powerhouse.
But Shirō?
He'd actually fought Hollows before.
He knew how Bleach's power scaling worked.
And he was very aware that if Soi Fon ran into two Hollows at once, she'd probably die, never mind trying to protect her three first-year juniors on top of that.
To make it worse, Soi Fon was naturally proud and stubborn. That "top of the class" title had clearly gone to her head.
Instead of staying cautious, she strutted off alone, dragging her juniors behind her.
How could Shirō not follow?
He could ignore other people, but not her. After all, she was his fiance.
Not that he could say that, of course.
If he ever blurted something like that out loud, the tsundere bee would definitely explode.
Especially not in front of six other students.
If he embarrassed her like that in public, she'd never forgive him.
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150 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter