Chapter 90: Examination
The two continued along the wide wooden corridor, steady echoes coming from beneath their feet.
Arriving at the First Division's core area.
At the courtyard's center lay a clear pond. Fish played in the water, its surface reflecting verdant willow branches and leaves.
The willow was the same weeping variety as in Suoh's courtyard, only older and more massive. The thousands of hanging green silk threads resembled a curtain.
Looking further into the distance lay a spacious, carefully maintained courtyard. Neatly arranged equipment in the corner walls indicated this also served as a daily training ground.
Standing outside the door, Ukitake Jushiro respectfully greeted.
"Genryusai-sensei, we've arrived."
Suoh beside him stood with a calm expression.
Honestly, during this time he'd always anticipated meeting this important original story character. Moreover, if he could pass this trial, he'd gain precious guidance opportunities.
To say he felt excited was indeed true. Nervous, however, wasn't quite right.
This composure stemmed from clear awareness of his own strength, and the confidence matching that strength.
For a young person, without this self-assurance, he wouldn't be standing here right now.
"Come in."
The response from within the door was steady as deep waters, carrying not the slightest ripple.
The wooden door slid open.
The room's interior was simpler than Suoh had imagined. Aside from some ordinary vase decorations, only a few calligraphy paintings hung on the walls.
Following proper etiquette, Suoh's eyes didn't wander about. He followed Ukitake Jushiro before the Captain-Commander and stood with lowered head.
Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni sat upright on a cushion.
On his left side was a cup of clear tea. On his right lay the cane that never left his side.
Even merely sitting quietly, he emanated an awe-inspiring, dignified presence.
Slowly raising his eyelids, those eyes that had witnessed thousands of years looked toward the young Shinigami standing before him, speaking slowly.
"You are Suoh Tsukasa?"
"Yes."
Suoh raised his head in response.
The instant their gazes met, a vigorous, fierce aura crashed down like toppling mountains and overturning seas.
Hair at his forehead stirred slightly. Suoh only felt his heart slightly constrict—even his heartbeat skipped a beat.
Only then did he fully take in the Captain-Commander's complete appearance.
The old man's facial bones protruded prominently, wrinkles numerous. Two crossed scars marked his forehead's right side, revealing a sharp aura.
Yet the waist-length white beard hanging before him, bound with purple cord, considerably softened that sharpness.
"Captain-Commander, good day."
Immediately steadying his spirit, he stood immovable beneath this abyss-like heavy presence.
His gaze steadily met the Captain-Commander's scrutinizing eyes as he bowed in greeting with composed manner.
Though the test came suddenly, it wasn't unexpected.
From the moment he'd opened the letter, he'd envisioned countless meeting and examination scenarios in his mind.
This small pressure test didn't amount to much for him. His greeting posture remained impeccably standard.
Ukitake Jushiro, however, was somewhat surprised by his teacher's sudden attack, speaking with helplessness.
"Sensei—what are you doing!"
"I have no spare time to teach a young junior starting from how to breathe."
The Captain-Commander withdrew the sharp, blade-like aura and pressure bearing down on Suoh, casually replying.
His originally slightly opened eyelids closed slightly. At this moment, he appeared merely an ordinary old man, serene and solemn with traces of benevolence.
His tone paused briefly, shifting slightly, faintly carrying a trace of recognition and satisfaction.
"I reviewed your personnel file. Physically robust, exceptionally talented. During academy days, none among your peers could surpass you."
"You treat subordinates with balanced strictness and kindness, earning deep respect from division squad members. This is quite rare."
"I hope your upcoming performance won't disappoint."
"Let's go."
The Captain-Commander casually picked up his cane beside him, slowly rising from the cushion.
As his words fell, the old man's figure had already vanished from the spot, movements swift beyond measure, carrying not a trace of sound.
This vigorous, decisive conduct style completely contrasted his aged appearance.
Ukitake Jushiro smiled slightly, speaking easily.
Several degrees of relief showed in his eyes. The hardest hurdle had passed—his teacher rarely praised people like this.
"Tsukasa, let's follow."
"Alright."
The earlier pressure test hadn't been much. However, the Captain-Commander's direction of travel somewhat surprised him.
He'd thought the examination location would be in the courtyard just now.
Though Suoh harbored doubts in his heart, his feet moved not a bit slowly. He lifted his foot and followed on cue.
Sōkyoku Hill's other side.
The two figures arriving a step late solidified in the air.
Suoh's feet had already stepped onto solid rocky ground.
The scene before his eyes suddenly opened up.
Completely different from the earlier elegant courtyard—like two separate worlds—beneath his feet lay weathered reddish-brown rock, hard, flat, and expansive, invisibly carrying a natural aura of desolation.
Though the underground training ground's entrance lay on the cliff wall's other side, this open rocky ground located near the other end—he was setting foot here for the first time.
When seeing the Sōkyoku spear earlier, he'd had some guesses. Didn't expect it truly was the location in the original story where the Captain-Commander disciplined two captains.
The Captain-Commander faced them, his cane held straight before him. Passing wind brushed his wide captain's haori but couldn't shake even a corner of his garment, adding several degrees of mountain-like steady weight.
"Come, young one."
The Captain-Commander opened calmly, his voice not loud yet clearly overpowering the wind sounds.
"Let me see your caliber."
Between words, his left hand gripped the cane's tail end. The simple wooden exterior shell shattered on cue, revealing the deep purple hilt and brown scabbard hidden inside.
Watching the Captain-Commander's movements before him, Suoh also understood his meaning.
Taking a deep breath, suppressing the excited trembling in his heart, he turned toward Ukitake Jushiro beside him.
"Captain, I'll trouble you to hold this wooden sword for me."
"Good."
He drew Hazy Night from his waist and handed it toward Ukitake Jushiro beside him.
The entrance examination would certainly test swordsmanship. Only the examination content standards were unknown.
To ensure his best performance, just in case, he'd brought Hazy Night along this morning too.
"Tsukasa, do your best. Don't be nervous. Just give it your all!"
Ukitake Jushiro accepted the wooden sword. His figure moved to retreat atop a nearby rock, waving toward Suoh in encouragement.
'Give it my all?'
"Of course!"
Suoh thought silently, turning back to face the Captain-Commander.
His gaze had already completely calmed. His left hand gripped the scabbard, right hand tightly grasping the hilt.
Shing—A clear, sharp sword cry suddenly rang out. Blade light flashed.
"Illuminate Ten Thousand Blades, Kikou!"
Suoh's right hand gripped the sword naturally hanging before him as he softly intoned.
All he could do was one thing—display his entirety.
With the release command's chant, Suoh's entire being and the Asauchi in his hand instantly radiated gentle, pure brilliance, also revealing the slender sword form after Shikai.
Shikai's radiance wasn't particularly obvious under this moment's sunlight. The light was soft, seemingly connecting as one line with the sun's rays cast from above.
"Kikou? Truly a clear and gentle Zanpakuto!"
Ukitake Jushiro, seated comfortably on the rock to the side, held Hazy Night on his knees, watching Suoh complete Shikai in the field with great interest.
This was his first time seeing Kikou's release. His eyes couldn't help brightening as he praised.
Suoh gripped Kikou, his gaze sternly directed toward Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni before him.
No longer restraining his spiritual pressure, its fluctuations climbed steadily like tides. Released spiritual pressure collided with air, raising a ring of fine dust at his feet.
Facing the coming examination, his entire being was ready and waiting.