It wasn't exactly something he could call "anticipation," but time had dragged on until noon.
Arima Shinya followed the teacher in charge of the afternoon practical class and, along with the other students, entered the dojo.
The place resembled a kendo dojo — a space that could be rented or reserved. However, as it was usually frequented by nobles and aristocrats, over time the commoners naturally drifted away from this type of environment.
— Today's monthly exam will serve as your first test. Senior students from the upper years have agreed to take some time to duel with each of you.
— Don't think about winning. Just do your best. After all, the purpose of this exam is only to evaluate your hand-to-hand combat skills. Losing is the expected result.
It sounded like a discouraging statement.
But, in reality, that was exactly the point.
As Aizen had already explained to Arima Shinya beforehand, he fully understood the true purpose behind this.
"Calling it an 'exam' or 'training' is just a way to oppress the newcomers, so they understand hierarchy and respect. That's nothing unusual."
"After all, you've only been here a month. Fighting sixth-year seniors would be uncomfortable for anyone."
"But that's also part of each student's path. Not even you, Shinya-kun, are an exception… So make the most of this hatred that's been passed down for a thousand years."
Aizen's words still echoed clearly in his mind.
It wasn't hard to notice the tone of disdain the teacher had for this kind of tradition — probably recalling his own experiences as a student.
To avoid unnecessary attention, Arima Shinya didn't mind appearing a little mediocre.
His goal was simply to learn — the means didn't matter.
— Next, I will read the order of the matches. Prepare when called.
— Oda Yukyo…
As expected, Arima Shinya's name was left for last — it would be a lie to say there was no manipulation involved.
Outside, several silhouettes began to appear. People he didn't recognize were approaching the dojo.
— Eh? Why are so many people coming to watch?
— Didn't you know? These exams are open to the public. Anyone can come see.
— They say that sometimes someone stands out so much that they're invited early to an official division.
— What?! Why didn't they tell us that before?!
— Because there's no chance of winning… You think the seniors will go easy on us?
Yes.
There was the reason.
It was basically the same as Yoruichi showing up at the academy just to have fun beating up the students.
The purpose was simply to entertain those above. The so-called "exam" was just a disguise.
If you didn't like it… then rise in rank.
Gain experience. Reach a high position.
Become someone respected — and in the end, you would be the one watching others being humiliated…
"Ah?"
Arima Shinya's expression froze.
He had just seen Tousen Kaname entering through the door. Even without looking directly at him, the man raised his hand and made a simple gesture.
Was that a greeting?
"You really have time to come watch my exam, huh…"
It was hard not to complain.
So that was why Tousen had smiled strangely when he mentioned the exam.
He was already planning to watch his misfortune, wasn't he?
That irritated him a little, but there was nothing he could do.
Shinya simply pressed his lips together and pretended not to notice the man's sarcastic smile.
The first pair stepped into the ring.
The result was exactly as expected — the senior was in the sixth year, about to graduate. The level difference was absurd.
Moreover, Shinya was part of the commoner class, where resources were limited.
In fact…
It would even be problematic if someone from here won.
Amid cries of pain and groans, the first student was thrown out of the arena.
His body curled like a shrimp. After a while, he staggered to his feet and approached the person who had defeated him.
He wiped away tears and snot, straightened his back, and made an awkward bow.
— T-thank you very much for your guidance!
— Oh, keep up the effort.
One side full of resentment, the other with pure indifference.
Shinya watched his colleague limp off the ring, and after a moment of silence, helped him to stand.
— Are you okay?
— M-more or less… thank you, Arima-kun.
He clearly wasn't fine.
His muscles were tense, and his face contorted with pain.
The embarrassment must have been even worse.
It looked like a public execution.
"What a pitiful sight…"
Trying to lighten the mood, Shinya gave his colleague a light pat on the back and joked:
— It's nothing. When I'm the next one thrown out, help me up too, okay?
Immediately afterward, the examiner announced:
— Candidate number one, Oda Yukyo… passed!
As they had said before — the important thing was giving your all, not winning.
The judges evaluated effort, not results.
The second duel began shortly after.
This one was even worse… The student took a direct kick to the chin and lay flat for almost a minute.
— …Passed!
The standards were really low.
Thanks to Shinya's attitude, his classmates now showed more solidarity, preventing the defeated from leaving completely humiliated.
And so the fights continued, until the fourth student stepped into the ring.
Despite her delicate appearance, the senior did not hold back.
A single punch made her vomit on the spot.
— …Passed! Clean up the mess and prepare the next pair!
With tears in her eyes, the girl began cleaning the floor while sobbing.
Shinya, in the audience, frowned.
— So this is what they call an exam…
Now he understood why Professor Aizen had warned him not to eat anything heavy.
— If you vomit, you have to clean it yourself…
The crowd of spectators kept growing. Most were there just for entertainment.
It was like watching a monkey show.
The students did meaningless things while the seniors merely vented their frustrations.
— Does this really have any purpose?
Yes, it was the kind of thing that would annoy anyone, Aizen-sensei included.
Shinya felt a hot, suffocating pressure in his chest.
But suddenly, something made him widen his eyes.
He saw two familiar figures entering the door.
Kotetsu Isane and Ise Nanao.
As soon as they entered, they began looking around. Soon, they found him.
Kotetsu waved excitedly, grinning from ear to ear.
Next to her, Nanao simply pushed up her glasses with serenity and gave a slight nod.
— …Huh?!
Tousen was already enough, but why were these two here too?!
Although surprised, he couldn't pretend he hadn't seen them. He forced a tense smile and greeted them from afar.
The two sat on the edge of the audience. Shinya was still trying to understand the reason…
Until another familiar presence appeared.
Aizen Sōsuke.
Seeing that fake smile on the man's face, Shinya immediately understood everything.
— He's the one who invited the two to watch, isn't he?!
Even without him mentioning his friendships, Aizen was the type to discover anything with minimal investigation.
But what really puzzled Shinya was: why?
Did he want to pressure him to do his best, so he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of friends?
Or was there another reason?
Aizen hadn't mentioned anything about this before.
So what the hell was he plotting?
Shinya knew that man always had unexpected ideas — which only made him more apprehensive.
While thinking about this, the exam proceeded.
— Last pair! Arima Shinya!
With no time for further thoughts, he stood up, feeling all eyes turn toward him.
— Present!
He took a deep breath and walked to the center.
The dojo, previously spacious and quiet, was now packed.
— "Where did all these people come from?!"
From what he had heard from Kotetsu Isane, he had gained some fame among freshmen, but… not enough to attract a crowd!
Something was definitely strange.
— Arima Shinya, good luck!
— "…Huh?"
Where did that voice come from?
He turned and saw a classmate beside him, shouting excitedly.
It wasn't someone he usually talked to, but their eyes burned with determination.
— You're strong, Arima! Please, win this!
— Don't let them keep humiliating us!
— Arima-kun, go for it!
All first-year students had lost — which was normal.
But no one liked being treated as a toy.
Faced with so much expectation, Shinya simply smiled awkwardly.
— I… will do my best.
Promising victory? That wasn't something he would do.
Suddenly, he felt warmth from the side.
He turned — and saw Tousen, head down, raising a thumb in his direction.
— "Seriously? You're trying to encourage me too?"
Kotetsu waved vigorously, almost jumping, her face flushed with excitement.
— "Must want to cheer me on too… yeah, still adorable as always."
Nanao had her hands on her knees, posture firm, gaze fixed and serious.
— "Is that her way of cheering? A bit abstract, but I get it."
And Aizen…
The teacher had approached the first row, still wearing that ambiguous smile.
But there was something different — a certain excitement in the way he moved.
— "You're too excited, Aizen-sensei… this is a bit scary."
In the ring, the senior was already waiting for him.
He looked nervous, almost as if facing a dangerous enemy.
Shinya calmly stepped up, bowing according to protocol.
— Arima Shinya, please take care of me.
The senior opened his mouth to respond, but a familiar voice echoed from outside:
— Wait!
Before anyone could react, a figure crossed the arena and stopped in front of Shinya.
Dressed in the standard black uniform — a clear sign she wasn't a student — the woman had long purple hair tied in a high ponytail.
With her hands crossed over her chest and a confident gaze, she lifted her chin.
— Hey, Arima Shinya!
Her voice was loud, direct — as striking as her presence.
— I already gave you special permission to graduate and come work with me, didn't I? Why didn't you accept?
Shihōin Yoruichi.
What was she doing here?!
Before Shinya could process the situation, Yoruichi stepped forward and grabbed the collar of his uniform.
— Going to stay silent now? Isn't it a bit late for that? Or have you already forgotten what happened before?
— Huh… could you remind me…?
What exactly happened?
Yoruichi smiled mischievously, clenching her fist and pulling him closer.
— After groping me like that, you still want to pretend nothing happened? You're bold, freshman.
…Huh?!
That really happened?!
Before he could react, the entire dojo erupted in commotion — after all, from the audience's perspective, that sentence could be interpreted in many ways.
And apparently, that was exactly the chaos Yoruichi wanted to provoke.
With a playful smile, she let go of his uniform and said:
— Hey, this is an exam, right? A combat test for freshmen?
The senior in the ring began sweating, and even the examiner tensed up.
— Y-yes, Lady Yoruichi!
— Then get out of here. From now on, I'll be conducting the test.
The two practically rolled out of the arena.
Only Yoruichi and Arima Shinya remained, face to face.
While she analyzed him from head to toe, Shinya could only manage an awkward smile.
He really didn't remember anything — only that he had fainted after a scream.
— "Did I… really do that?!"
— Lady Yoruichi, I…
— Enough talking. Since this is an exam, there has to be a real challenge, right?
With a snap of her fingers, she shouted:
— Omaeda! Come here!