Eleventh Division Barracks.
Under the watchful gaze of the Eleventh Division Captain, Vice-Captain, and all the seated officers gathered in Seireitei, Raizen Kō completed his formal oath of enlistment, received his squad badge, and officially became a member of the Eleventh Division.
Raizen Kō was somewhat surprised to realize that, out of the thirty-three new graduates from the Spiritual Arts Academy this year, he appeared to be the only one who had chosen to join the Eleventh Division.
However, after thinking about it for a moment, he understood that this was only natural.
For long-lived beings such as Shinigami, even if only a single person joined each year, over the span of a thousand years that would still amount to nearly a thousand squad members.
Yet, at present, the Eleventh Division had fewer than five hundred active members. Considering how frequently the Eleventh Division engaged in dangerous combat missions, their casualty rate was undoubtedly far higher than that of the other twelve divisions. With such risks involved, it was hardly surprising that most recruits preferred safer assignments elsewhere.
Just as the enlistment ceremony came to an end, and Zaraki Kenpachi was already growing visibly impatient with the tedious formalities, Raizen Kō suddenly stepped forward and spoke in a calm, steady voice.
"Captain Kenpachi, I formally request permission to challenge the current Fourth Seat, Ohno Tatsuru!"
The moment these words left his mouth, Zaraki Kenpachi who had been looking utterly bored immediately broke into a wide, savage grin.
"Good! Then go settle it in the Training Grounds!"
Standing beside them, a burly, thick-limbed man with a heavy beard, dressed in a standard Shinigami uniform, froze for a moment when he heard Raizen Kō's declaration. Then, as though he had just heard the most amusing joke in the world, he burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"So this is the arrogance of a so-called genius, huh? My favorite thing in the world is crushing the meaningless pride of brats like you. Kid, you're going to regret this decision!"
This man was none other than Ohno Tatsuru, the current Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division. From his perspective, Raizen Kō's challenge was nothing more than reckless overconfidence from an inexperienced newcomer.
Aside from Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, nearly all the seated officers present joined in the laughter, their voices filled with mockery and disdain.
Although Raizen Kō had earned fame for defeating a Menos Grande during the academy assessment, none of them had witnessed that battle personally, and most assumed the rumors had been exaggerated.
Raizen Kō, however, showed no trace of anger at their ridicule.
He understood well that emotional control was one of the fundamental requirements for becoming truly strong. Being provoked by mere words was something only the weak would allow.
...
Training Grounds.
Raizen Kō and Ohno Tatsuru stood facing one another in the center of the field.
By now, the area surrounding the Eleventh Division Training Grounds was packed with spectators. In addition to the seated officers who had attended the enlistment ceremony, numerous ordinary squad members had gathered as well.
After all, the news that a freshly recruited Shinigami had immediately challenged the Fourth Seat had spread like wildfire.
Everyone wanted to witness whether this bold newcomer would succeed or be humiliated.
At that moment, Kusajishi Yachiru jumped down from Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder and, in her usual cheerful tone, announced the start of the match.
"Little Raizen and Big Boar Ohno, you can begin fighting now!"
Hearing the ridiculous nickname once again, Ohno Tatsuru's forehead bulged with veins.
"Vice-Captain, how many times do I have to tell you? My name is Ohno Tatsuru, not Big Boar Ohno!"
Yachiru merely stuck out her tongue playfully in response, leaving Ohno Tatsuru to sigh helplessly.
He then turned his full attention toward Raizen Kō.
"Senior Ohno, please guide me," Raizen Kō said politely, giving a respectful bow.
However, the very instant Raizen Kō lowered his head, Ohno Tatsuru made his move.
With a swift step, he activated Shunpo, drew the Asauchi at his waist, and slashed horizontally toward Raizen Kō without hesitation.
"Kid, I'll teach you today what it means to strike without mercy!"
Despite the sudden attack, Raizen Kō remained completely calm. He slowly drew his own Zanpakutō, and just as the blade was about to reach his shoulder, he deflected it with perfect timing.
"Not bad, kid. You've got some skill."
Ohno Tatsuru was genuinely surprised that his surprise strike had been blocked so easily, and he did not hesitate to acknowledge it.
Immediately afterward, he launched into a fierce flurry of attacks. Although his large frame made him appear slow and clumsy, his swordsmanship was anything but. His blade moved with remarkable speed and precision.
He truly lived up to his position as Fourth Seat.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Dozens of rapid slashes rained down upon Raizen Kō, yet every single one was calmly and effortlessly parried.
"Kid, why are you only defending? Are you looking down on me?"
After exchanging blows for some time, Ohno Tatsuru realized that Raizen Kō had yet to launch a single counterattack.
Yet the ease with which he handled every strike made it clear that his strength was in no way inferior.
"In that case, Senior Ohno… excuse me."
Raizen Kō suddenly shifted his stance and began to attack.
With a single hand gripping his Zanpakutō, he unleashed several swift thrusts. Though Ohno Tatsuru managed to block them, the force behind each strike left his arms numb and aching.
"This brat… he's strong!"
Ohno Tatsuru was secretly shocked. He had not expected the newcomer's power to be so formidable. Refusing to become a stepping stone for a young genius, he immediately used Shunpo to retreat.
Then, without hesitation, he tossed his Asauchi into the air.
"Chop him to pieces Saizanmaru!"
With the release command, the blade transformed instantly into a massive long-handled battle-axe. Its edge was lined with dense, rotating serrations that gleamed menacingly.
Grasping his newly released Zanpakutō, Ohno Tatsuru charged forward and brought the axe crashing down toward Raizen Kō.
"Clang!"
Raizen Kō caught the blow with both hands on his blade. To his surprise, the serrated teeth along the axe head began to spin rapidly, sparks flying as friction generated intense heat.
He could clearly feel that Ohno Tatsuru's strength had more than doubled after releasing Shikai.
"Bang!"
Each collision between sword and axe sent showers of sparks into the air.
"Kid, this is my Zanpakutō Saizanmaru! Every swing hits like an explosion, and the longer those gears spin, the stronger I become. What do you think?"
Ohno Tatsuru boasted proudly before raising the axe high and slamming it down again.
Raizen Kō used Shunpo to evade the heavy strike.
"Boom!"
The blow shattered the stone floor of the Training Grounds, leaving behind a scorched crater.
"Kid, do you only know how to run? I heard you awakened Shikai at the academy. If you've got it, show me!"
"Very well. Since you insist, Senior Ohno."
Although Raizen Kō was confident he could defeat Ohno Tatsuru without releasing his Zanpakutō, he decided to respect the request.
He held his blade horizontally and spoke the release incantation.
"Demons and monsters, all things, gods and saints turn to dust… Annihilation God!"
Dark-golden light flashed, and his Asauchi transformed into a long, slender bone-white blade of chilling beauty.
"So this is your Shikai? Looks a bit fragile, doesn't it?"
Unimpressed, Ohno Tatsuru swung his axe once more.
"Annihilation God First Form: Tremor!"
The moment their weapons collided, Ohno Tatsuru felt a terrifying vibration surge through his body. It was as if an invisible hand had seized his internal organs and begun to twist them violently.
His breathing stopped. His heart pounded painfully.
At the same time, an overwhelming vibrational force traveled through the axe handle, shaking Saizanmaru clean out of his grasp.
Ohno Tatsuru collapsed to the ground, gasping in agony.
Raizen Kō calmly stepped forward and pressed the tip of his blade lightly against Ohno Tatsuru's neck.
"Thank you for the match, Senior Ohno."