Chapter 15: The Hero on the Stretcher
The vast examination grounds fell into an eerie, inexplicable silence.
At least in the eyes of Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai, the world seemed to freeze in an instant.
Especially under the weight of all those staring eyes, an absurd thought flashed through their minds. They shook their heads desperately, trying to escape this doomed fate.
Unfortunately, fate loves to toy with people. The very thing you dread most is exactly what ends up happening.
"Esteemed Shinigami seniors, I'm an examinee from the Higashi-U family. Last time I tested, my reiatsu was only four bamboo—not enough to meet the Shin'ō Academy entrance standard. After a year of hard work, I came today still feeling nervous, barely mustering the courage to even show up.
But after seeing this wounded-but-unyielding examinee, everyone here has been deeply inspired.
Look—he's got bandages wrapped around his mouth, both hands, both legs. Despite such severe injuries, he refuses to give up his chance at the exam. That furrowed brow, that pained expression… it's clear how much agony he's enduring right now.
To let this wounded-but-unyielding examinee complete his assessment as quickly as possible and return to rest, I've privately discussed it with the other candidates. We're giving up our hard-earned queue spots so you can go first."
A chubby boy in lower-noble attire grabbed Kuroha's bandaged hand and spoke with passionate, nonstop fervor.
At the end, he stepped aside, opening a path and making an inviting gesture toward Rukia and Renji.
Following everyone's gaze, the long queue had already parted—forming a clear green corridor straight to the assessment platform.
Under the scrutiny of thousands of eyes, Rukia and Renji genuinely wanted to die.
They had only wanted to hide in a corner and wait quietly for Kuroha to sober up. They never imagined that one turn would land them center stage.
As for the so-called "injury bandages"… they had only wrapped him up to stop the drunk Kuroha from slurring "wife" at every woman in sight and restrict his wild movements.
They never dreamed their desperate measure would become the ultimate symbol of "wounded but unyielding."
And now it had ignited the entire exam grounds.
"Esteemed Shinigami seniors, please don't be shy. We've already spoken with the chief examiner. Once the next ten candidates finish, it'll be this wounded hero's turn. The assessment is short—you won't have to worry about delaying his treatment."
The chubby Higashi-U boy kept rallying the crowd.
Rukia and Renji wanted nothing more than to kick him flying.
Especially now that the commotion had drawn the attention of the observing captains—leaving them completely trapped.
"Look—the Shiba Clan crest! No wonder this brother came despite his injuries. He's carrying the heavy burden of restoring the fallen Shiba family. As a lower noble myself, I'm deeply moved. If even we fellow examinees still have fears about the freshman exam, what excuse do we have?"
The moment the "fallen noble" identity was revealed, the "wounded but unyielding" title gained an extra halo.
At least in the eyes of many commoners and mid-to-lower nobles, it was pure bloodline resonance—mission and destiny incarnate.
Faced with the surging, impassioned invitation from the crowd, Rukia and Renji were well and truly cornered.
They desperately wished they could turn back time and sprout wings to flee this place.
"A member of the Shiba family? I heard he was attacked by mutated oni on the way here. I thought he'd miss the freshman exam. Looks like I was wrong."
A gentle, refined voice suddenly came from the entrance.
"It's Captain Aizen of the Fifth Division—and Lieutenant Hinamori Momo! I didn't expect a captain to come observe!"
"No—did you miss the point? This Shiba brother truly is wounded but unyielding. Surviving an oni attack and still showing up for the exam… he deserves our respect as peers."
"Right! Even a captain knows about the attack—that means those oni were dangerous. Just surviving earns him our admiration, injuries or not."
"Let's make way!"
Aizen's mild affirmation reignited the already heated atmosphere.
Rukia and Renji's faces were filled with bitter despair. They exchanged one glance.
This wasn't just riding a tiger anymore—it was riding a dragon.
The moment Kuroha's drunken state was exposed during the exam… And his three-bamboo reiatsu results became public… The two of them would probably become the Seireitei's laughingstock for the next few centuries.
People would see bandages and immediately think of them—the ultimate "wounded but unyielding" meme.
"You must be Kuchiki Rukia from the Kuchiki family. What's wrong? Everyone here is showing such sincere enthusiasm. Are you worried other captains or the chief examiner might object?" Aizen smiled warmly.
"Don't worry. To allow this examinee to complete his assessment quickly, I'll use a little personal influence and ask them to make an exception for him—let him go first. Besides, with everyone here in agreement, I believe the other captains and examiners won't mind either."
His words immediately drew another wave of agreement from the crowd.
Especially Aizen's gentle, refined demeanor—it earned him another round of admiration.
Thanks to Aizen's speech, the "wounded but unyielding" halo around Kuroha exploded across the entire grounds.
The still-snoring, blackout-drunk Shiba Kuroha had become the undisputed center of attention.
Feeling the thousands of gazes locked on them, Rukia and Renji could only march forward with faces full of bitter resignation—straight toward their execution.
No—toward the examination platform.
If every examinee lining the path had held a white rose, it would genuinely look like the funeral procession of a fallen martyr.
"Captain Aizen, as gentle and considerate as ever. No wonder your squad members adore you," a soft, feminine voice suddenly spoke.
Gin Ichimaru appeared—silver hair, perpetually narrowed eyes—causing the surrounding examinees to instinctively step back.
Compared to Aizen's warm elegance, Gin's slit-eyed smile gave the instant impression of a venomous snake—suffocating and dangerous.
"Captain Ichimaru, you flatter me. If you'd arrived a little earlier, perhaps you'd feel the same sympathy for this wounded-but-unyielding examinee," Aizen replied with his usual gentle smile.
"I think—not just me, but the other captains and examinees here all want to know: Can this student—who survived an oni attack and came wounded but unyielding—pass the freshman exam and change the fate he carries?"
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