Oda Yū, ignoring the uproar in the examination hall, immediately used Shunpo and appeared directly in front of Raizen Kō.
He wanted to see for himself what kind of individual possessed Level Five Reiatsu, a level that could rival Vice-Captains.
"You're Raizen Kō?"
Oda Yū glanced over the thin file in his hands, then patted Raizen on the shoulder with a broad, friendly grin.
"Truly, the younger generation is formidable! The future of Soul Society rests on people like you!"
After showering him with praise, his tone shifted slightly.
"Tell me, Raizen after you graduate, would you be interested in joining the Sixth Division? As you know, the Sixth Division is responsible for protecting the noble families. Nearly half of its members are nobles themselves."
He leaned closer.
"If you agree to join, I would personally recommend you for marriage into a minor noble house within my clan. For a commoner from Rukongai, this is the greatest opportunity to change your status."
Raizen immediately understood the intent behind these words.
This man wanted to secure him in advance.
The Sixth Division was deeply connected to aristocratic circles and, by extension, to Central 46. To someone born in Rukongai, such an offer would be nothing short of a golden staircase to the upper echelons of Soul Society.
But Raizen Kō was not an ordinary soul.
He possessed knowledge of the future.
He knew that before long, the current Central 46 and many tied to them would be annihilated by Aizen Sōsuke. Joining their faction now would be equivalent to placing a target on his own back.
Running headfirst into Kyōka Suigetsu's domain was the last thing he intended to do.
"Lord Oda," Raizen replied with a respectful bow, "I appreciate your kindness. However, I have only passed the Reiatsu assessment. The remaining examinations have yet to be completed. I fear it would be premature to consider such matters."
He deliberately kept his tone humble and evasive.
Oda Yū laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Don't worry about that. With Level Five Reiatsu, even if you scored zero in every remaining test, the academy would still accept you."
He waved his hand.
"Think it over at your leisure. If you change your mind, come to the Sixth Division barracks and find me. Now go on finish your examinations."
"Thank you, Lord Oda."
Raizen bowed once more and proceeded toward the next assessment area.
Behind him, Oda Yū watched his retreating figure with narrowed eyes.
"Prideful… but that's to be expected of a genius," he murmured. "Sooner or later, reality will teach him where true power lies."
Unfortunately for Oda Yū, Raizen Kō had no intention of walking the path he envisioned.
Raizen passed through a heavy red wooden door and entered a long corridor.
At the end were four separate rooms each designated for one of the core Shinigami disciplines.
Hakuda. Zanjutsu. Kidō. Shunpo.
He entered the first room.
It was wide and empty, lined with protective gear. In the corner sat a young man on a stool, yawning lazily.
Seeing Raizen, the man finally stirred.
"Name's Tōgō Kei," he said, stretching. "I'm the examiner for the Hakuda round. Your task is simple knock me down."
He didn't even bother standing up.
"What are you waiting for? Come at me."
Raizen hesitated for a moment.
"…Understood."
Since the examiner clearly had no intention of taking him seriously, Raizen dashed forward and threw a straightforward punch.
He didn't use Shunpo.
Even so, enhanced by Level Five Reiatsu, his speed was far beyond that of an ordinary examinee.
Tōgō Kei's bored expression changed instantly.
"This isn't right!"
Bang!
The punch landed squarely on his face.
The unfortunate Hakuda examiner was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall behind him. Blood trickled from his nose, and a massive bruise bloomed across his cheek.
Raizen had already pulled back most of his strength at the last instant. If he hadn't, the result would have been far worse.
"…This is the examiner?" Raizen thought, slightly disappointed.
Compared to the Giant Hollow he had killed in Rukongai, this man felt almost fragile.
A minute later, Tōgō Kei shakily filled out the form while holding his swollen face.
"Raizen Kō Hakuda: 100 points."
Raizen moved on to the second room.
This area was far livelier. Many examinees who had passed the first stage were already gathered here.
Wooden racks lined the walls, each holding several bokutō wooden practice swords used for Zanjutsu training.
This was the Zanjutsu assessment.
At the center of the room, a familiar golden-haired girl was currently being tested.
Matsumoto Rangiku.
Despite her talent, she was still inexperienced. After only a few exchanges, the bokutō was knocked from her hands.
The examiner nodded and recorded the score.
"Matsumoto Rangiku Zanjutsu: 70 points."
Raizen observed the examiner carefully.
A bald man with sharp eyes and an intimidating presence.
Madarame Ikkaku.
There was no mistaking him the future Third Seat of the Eleventh Division.
Four more examinees followed. Most were defeated in a single exchange, yet Ikkaku still awarded each of them sixty points.
Finally
"Next: Hisagi Shūhei."
The young boy stepped forward respectfully.
"Examiner, please be careful."
Ikkaku smirked.
"Less talking, more swinging."
Hisagi attacked earnestly, but the gap in experience was obvious. Still, he managed to endure several exchanges before his bokutō was finally knocked aside.
"Hisagi Shūhei Zanjutsu: 80 points."
Ikkaku gave him an approving look.
"Hey, kid. You've got guts. Join the Eleventh Division after you graduate."
Hisagi hesitated, then bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Examiner but I have already decided to join the Ninth Division."
"Tch. Your loss."
Ikkaku waved him off and called the next name.
Raizen had noticed something.
Despite the harsh demeanor, Ikkaku seemed to ensure that no one failed outright in this stage. The assessment was meant to gauge potential rather than crush morale.
At last
"Next examinee: Raizen Kō."
Raizen stepped forward calmly, taking a bokutō from the rack.
Across from him, Madarame Ikkaku grinned.
"Alright, genius. Let's see what that Level Five Reiatsu can really do."
Raizen tightened his grip on the wooden sword.
"Then I'll do my best."
The second stage of the examinationwas about to begin.