"It was such a powerful move... Damn it! How could Sōsuke Aizen dodge a move like that!"
Jirō Obana couldn't believe he had lost another bet.
This time, he gambled away his salary for the next few years.
"There's still the challenge match... one more chance to turn things around!"
Jirō Obana's eyes were red from his losses.
"Just let it go... if you keep losing, you'll be ruined!"
Marenoshin Ōmaeda advised him.
He had also placed a small bet, but the Ōmaeda family was wealthy and didn't care about such small wins or losses.
But Jirō Obana was different. The Obana clan had flourished for a time several hundred years ago, with the first captain of the 5th Division being Danjirō Obana.
However, after Danjirō Obana died in the Quincy war, the Obana clan quickly declined.
Jirō Obana had no family support and relied entirely on his own salary.
"No! I have to win it back, or the next few years will be for nothing!"
Jirō Obana pushed Marenoshin Ōmaeda aside and looked at the odds.
Surprisingly, the odds were higher for the 11th Division's Lieutenant, Gosuke.
The 'Kurohitsugi' just now had been too shocking, greatly affecting the odds for the championship challenge match.
However, Jirō Obana didn't hesitate, directly placing the chips he had borrowed on Lieutenant Gosuke of the 11th Division.
"Fortune favors the bold... only by betting on Gosuke can I win back everything I lost!"
Jirō Obana had great faith in Gosuke's strength.
As the lieutenant of a combat-focused division, Gosuke's strength was immense, even stronger than many other lieutenants.
And no matter how strong Sōsuke Aizen was, he was still just a rookie.
Jirō Obana found it hard to believe that a powerful lieutenant would be defeated by a rookie.
"I'll definitely win this time!"
However, Gosuke himself did not think so.
Gosuke was even thinking of backing out of this match.
He really didn't want to take this risk.
As the lieutenant of a combat division, losing to a rookie would be too humiliating!
"Sōsuke Aizen has won the championship. Gosuke, you go have a go with him," Kenpachi Kuruyashiki said to his lieutenant.
"I have to fight Sōsuke Aizen?" Lieutenant Gosuke's heart sank, and he quickly tried to refuse, "Let's not! He clearly already has lieutenant-level strength!"
Sōsuke Aizen had even mastered the chantless technique for 'Kurohitsugi'!
That was one of the strongest Hadō spells!
If he went up there, he feared he wouldn't escape the fate of being instantly defeated!
Lieutenant Gosuke's Zanpakutō ability was somewhat similar to Jūshirō Ukitake's 'Sōgyo no Kotowari'.
Ukitake's 'Sōgyo no Kotowari' was a pair of dual blades. One sword could absorb attacks like Kidō and Reiatsu beams, and the other could release the absorbed energy, turning the opponent's strength against them.
Gosuke's Zanpakutō, on the other hand, could absorb Kidō to strengthen his own slashes, making it a good counter to Kidō.
But with his current ability, he had no confidence in absorbing high-level Kidō.
In the face of Sōsuke Aizen's 'Kurohitsugi', his Zanpakutō would likely be useless.
"Sōsuke Aizen's strength has already exceeded our expectations. He doesn't need to prove himself anymore. I think we should just call off the championship challenge match."
The kind-hearted Jūshirō Ukitake considerately gave Lieutenant Gosuke a way out.
"With Sōsuke Aizen's strength, he is more than qualified to be the 3rd seat of the 5th Division," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto said. "But the challenge match was decided beforehand. Lieutenant Gosuke, you should not refuse."
He had already stated previously that if Sōsuke Aizen could defeat Lieutenant Gosuke, he could serve as the 3rd seat of the 5th Division.
This 3rd seat position was practically equivalent to a lieutenant.
The 5th Division's Lieutenant Genbara would be retiring this year. Sōsuke Aizen could familiarize himself with the squad's affairs in these few months and then take over Lieutenant Genbara's position.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had spoken. Lieutenant Gosuke could no longer refuse and could only brace himself and walk onto the stage.
"Next up is another main event!"
Muneyoshi Kinomoto announced. "I'm sure the audience already knows that the upcoming championship challenge match will affect the personnel changes in the 5th Division!"
"Due to the unprecedented intensity of this year's 'Academy Shinken Taiketsu', with special permission from Captain-Commander Yamamoto, this year's champion will get the chance to challenge Lieutenant Gosuke of the 11th Division!"
"As long as Sōsuke Aizen is victorious in the challenge match, he will be able to go to the 5th Division and serve as the 3rd Seat Officer!"
Although the Shinigami and students had already heard this news, they couldn't help but gasp in amazement at this moment.
Going straight from a student to a high-ranking seated officer was something without a second example in the history of the Academy.
"Damn it... Sōsuke stole all the limelight!"
Isshin Shiba looked indignant.
According to his script, he should have been the one to cut through all obstacles with his Kidō-fused Getsuga Tenshō and win the championship.
On the stage, Gosuke and Sōsuke Aizen were both ready.
"Senior Gosuke, please go easy on me."
Sōsuke Aizen was very polite.
"Your strength is more than enough to be the 3rd seat of the 5th Division, or even the lieutenant. I'm in no position to teach you anything!" Gosuke drew his Zanpakutō. "Suck them dry, Onihiru!"
Gosuke didn't dare to be arrogant. He was afraid of being instantly defeated by Sōsuke Aizen's 'Kurohitsugi' with a single mistake, so he released his Zanpakutō immediately.
A suction cup-like mouth appeared on the blade of the Zanpakutō. The suction cup had several circles of dense, sharp teeth, looking somewhat ferocious.
"Hadō #63. Raikōhō."
Just as Gosuke finished releasing his Zanpakutō, he saw Sōsuke Aizen cast a Kidō and was instantly overjoyed.
"Good!" Gosuke laughed out loud.
If Sōsuke Aizen cast a few more Kidō for him to absorb, maybe 'Onihiru' could be strengthened enough to shatter Black Coffin!
Gosuke swung his sword quickly, the suction cup on the blade biting towards the 'Raikōhō'.
However, 'Onihiru' bit on empty air, with no feeling of having absorbed Reiatsu.
"A fake?"
Gosuke reacted immediately and rolled on the ground at an extremely fast speed.
A flash of lightning grazed the top of his head, scaring him into a cold sweat.
"Sorry, I already learned about Senior Gosuke's Zanpakutō ability beforehand. I can't let 'Onihiru' have a chance to absorb Kidō!"
Several Sōsuke Aizens appeared in all directions around Gosuke, making it impossible for him to distinguish which was real and which were mirror images for a moment.
"Professor Katori is too unkind! How could he let you know my ability in advance!"
Gosuke said through gritted teeth.
"Senior Gosuke already knows my ability, so it's only fair for me to ask the professor for some information about you."
Several Sōsuke Aizens said with a smile.
Gosuke was not distracted by Sōsuke Aizen, but was concentrating on observing his movements. The moment there was any sign of him casting 'Kurohitsugi', he had to dodge immediately.
Several Sōsuke Aizens raised their hands at the same time: "Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi."
"Here it comes!"
Gosuke thought to himself and immediately used Shunpo to leave his spot.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Gosuke was changing his position at an extremely fast speed, not allowing Sōsuke Aizen to lock onto him.
However, he soon discovered that no Black Coffin appeared.
"I was tricked!"
Gosuke realized that Sōsuke Aizen hadn't cast 'Kurohitsugi' at all.
Just then, he felt a surge of Reiatsu from behind.
Turning his head, he saw Sōsuke Aizen's blade had turned into a raging wave, crashing towards him.
Katori Style: Haran!
"Can 'Onihiru' absorb Katori Style's Kidō sword techniques?"
Gosuke had never tried it, nor was he sure if 'Onihiru' could do it.
But Sōsuke Aizen's attack was already upon him, and he had no choice but to block with 'Onihiru'.
"It's working!"
'Onihiru' absorbed a part of the wave, but the wave was too dispersed for 'Onihiru' to absorb the entire attack.
Squish—
Several bloody holes appeared on Gosuke's body.
"A terrifying sword technique... even 'Onihiru' can't absorb it all..."
Gosuke sucked in a cold breath.
However, his 'Onihiru' had absorbed Kidō Reiatsu and was now amplified, glowing red.
After his 'Onihiru' absorbed Kidō, it could also produce slashes similar to Kidō sword techniques.
"Take this!"
Gosuke quickly slashed at Sōsuke Aizen, but hit empty air.
"Senior Gosuke's 'Onihiru' can indeed absorb Kidō sword techniques..."
Sōsuke Aizen's voice came from behind.
"His Shunpo is so fast..."
Gosuke's eyes narrowed. Sōsuke Aizen's Shunpo was faster than his slash. How could he fight this!
"I can report back to the professor now..."
Sōsuke Aizen had deliberately used a Kidō sword technique just now to test if 'Onihiru' could absorb it.
The next moment, four Sōsuke Aizens appeared around Gosuke.
Clang clang!
After blocking two slashes, Gosuke felt a pain in his side and was kicked away.
"Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi."
A black coffin rose from the spot where Gosuke was falling.
The audience was silent, falling into a hush for a moment.
"Is it over just like that?!"
Jirō Obana couldn't believe it. "Get up, Lord Gosuke!"
But no matter how he shouted, Gosuke on the stage could not get up.
The powerful Lieutenant Gosuke had lost, just like that!
"Hahaha, finally won one!"
Their joys and sorrows were not the same. Marenoshin Ōmaeda decided not to follow the bad luck of Jirō Obana this time and bet a little on Sōsuke Aizen to win.
He turned his head and saw that Jirō Obana had gone limp in his seat.
"Hey, hey—pull yourself together!" Marenoshin Ōmaeda shook Jirō Obana. "It's just a little money you lost!"
"Sōsuke Aizen is the winner!" Muneyoshi Kinomoto finally reacted after a long pause.
"By the Soul King!"
"Does Sōsuke Aizen's strength increase with the strength of his opponent?"
"Even the powerful Lieutenant Gosuke was defeated by him!"
Sōsuke Aizen's victory was so clean and swift that it felt unreal to the audience.
Previously, watching Sōsuke Aizen's fights, it always felt like his strength was on par with his opponents.
This time, he won too quickly.
The fight was over before Gosuke could even show much of his strength.
"That mirror image ability combined with his extremely fast Shunpo... just thinking about it is troublesome..."
Kyōraku Shunsui also felt it would be tricky. If their Reiatsu were both at the captain level, he felt he would also have a hard time taking down Sōsuke Aizen.
"The water mist mirror images he leaves also have Reiatsu fluctuations. Most Shinigami can't distinguish the real one by spiritual sense..." Jūshirō Ukitake lamented. "If you can't see through his mirror image ability, he's practically invincible!"
"There are still some flaws..." Retsu Unohana saw the difference in the water mist mirror images. "The Reiatsu fluctuations of the water mist mirror images are all identical, and also different from the main body's. It's just that most Shinigami's spiritual sense can't detect these subtle changes."
"Unfortunately... those flaws were deliberately left by Sōsuke."
Sora thought to himself.
The Reiatsu fluctuations of the water mist mirror images were a flaw that Sōsuke Aizen had intentionally created.
With these obvious flaws, the captains would not suspect or delve too deeply into Sōsuke Aizen's ability.
However, the obviousness of the flaws was only for captain-level powerhouses and some Shinigami with keen spiritual sense.
Gosuke was unable to see through the flaws of the water mist mirror images.
...
After the match ended, Sora also received a series of reward settlement notifications:
[Shinken Taiketsu has ended. Disciple Isane Kotetsu's result is Top 4. Rewards settled.]
Received 5000 general experience points.
Random skill proficiency level +1.
[Shinken Taiketsu has ended. Disciple Lisa Yadōmaru's result is Top 4. Rewards settled.]
Received 5000 general experience points.
Random skill proficiency level +1.
[Shinken Taiketsu has ended. Disciple Sajin Komamura's result is Runner-up. Rewards settled.]
Received 10000 general experience points.
Random skill proficiency level +1.
[Shinken Taiketsu has ended. Disciple Sōsuke Aizen's result is Champion. Rewards settled.]
Received 20000 general experience points.
Random skill proficiency level +1 (x3).
Received 1 disciple binding slot (This reward can only be obtained once per student batch).
[Captain development mission initiated. Receive additional rewards when a disciple becomes a captain.]
This Shinken Taiketsu had earned Sora a total of 40,000 general experience points.
And there were also 6 rewards for increasing skill proficiency levels.
Sora looked at his skill panel.
The three proficiency level increases from the champion's reward were all for high-level Kidō: 'Kurohitsugi', 'Dankū', and 'Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō'.
The proficiency level of these three Kidō was upgraded from Mastered level to Grandmaster level.
After a high-level Kidō reaches the Grandmaster level, it can be cast with a 'post-incantation'.
Sōsuke Aizen's talent for Kidō was terrifying. His ability to cast 'Kurohitsugi' without an incantation meant his proficiency with it had already reached the Mastered level.
He had also mastered the 'post-incantation' technique for 'Dankū', meaning his proficiency with it had reached the Grandmaster level.
The other three proficiency level increases were for mid-to-low-level Kidō: 'Kyokkō', 'Sekienton', and 'Rikujōkōrō'.
Their proficiency level was also upgraded to Grandmaster level.
In these years, besides his daily swordsmanship training, Sora had also practiced Kidō.
He had basically reached at least the Mastered level for all low-level Kidō.
For mid-level Kidō, he had focused on some commonly used ones, which had reached above the Mastered level.
Sora looked at his basic panel. The experience he gained this time was enough to raise his Spiritual Pressure by one level.
Spiritual Pressure Lv93 (60100/100000)
With a thought, all 40,000 experience points were invested into Spiritual Pressure.
His Spiritual Pressure level increased from 93 to 94.
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