Togo Ki ignored the shock in the hall and instantly used Shunpo to appear before Ito Makoto. He wanted to see for himself what kind of genius this Fifth Grade Spirit Power really was.
"You are Ito Makoto?"
Togo Ki glanced at Ito Makoto's thin as paper file, then amiably patted his shoulder.
"Truly, the younger generation is formidable. The future of Soul Society rests on you young people."
After praising him, Togo Ki changed the topic.
"Ito my boy, after graduation, are you interested in joining the Sixth Division. The Sixth Division is the Gotei Thirteen's unit for guarding nobles, with nearly half of its members being nobles. As long as you are willing to join, I can arrange for you to marry a junior from my clan. This is your best chance to change your status."
Ito Makoto understood immediately. This old man wanted to recruit him into the Sixth Division. That was normal. The Sixth Division was also known as the Noble Division and was closely tied to Central 46.
Togo Ki represented the interests of Central 46. If Ito Makoto were truly an outstanding commoner from Rukongai, then joining the Sixth Division and marrying into a noble family would indeed be the fastest shortcut to change his fate.
But Ito Makoto had a God's eye view. He clearly remembered that this current batch of Central 46 and their close associates would all be wiped out by Aizen before the main story even began.
Running over to join them now would be like sticking his neck out for Kyoka Suigetsu.
"Lord Yano, thank you for your kindness, but I have only passed the Spirit Pressure test and have not yet taken the later exams. I do not know my final results, so I may disappoint your expectations."
Ito Makoto spoke humbly, politely declining.
"Hahaha, it does not matter. With your Spirit Pressure, even if you score zero in all later tests, you will still enter the academy. How about this, whenever you decide, come to the Sixth Division barracks to find me. I will always be there. Now go take your next test."
"Lord Yano, I will proceed to the next assessment."
Ito Makoto bowed and walked toward the second stage examination hall.
Togo Ki watched his back with a faint smile, a glint flashing in his eyes. As an old fox, he naturally sensed the rejection hidden in Ito Makoto's words.
But he treated it as the pride of a genius with Captain level potential. It did not matter. Time would teach this young man how to choose.
He believed that Ito Makoto would eventually walk the path he had prepared. For a Rukongai commoner, this was the fastest road to rise in status.
Unfortunately, Ito Makoto could not read minds and did not know that the old man had already written such a grand drama in his head.
He pushed open a thick, ancient red painted wooden door and walked down a long corridor.
At the end of the corridor were four rooms.
Ito Makoto entered the first room. It was wide and filled with protective gear. In one corner sat a young man yawning, covering his mouth in boredom. When he saw Ito Makoto, he finally perked up.
"My name is Togo Ki. I am the examiner for this Hakuda round. All you need to do is knock me down."
While speaking, he remained seated on the stool and did not stand up.
"What are you waiting for. Come on, attack."
Seeing Ito Makoto not move, Togo Ki hooked his finger at him, clearly bored.
"Then… alright."
Ito Makoto had no choice but to rush forward and throw a direct punch at Togo Ki's face.
Even without Shunpo, with his Fifth Grade Spirit Power, his speed was already extreme.
By the time Togo Ki realized this examinee was different, it was already too late.
"This is not right."
Bang
The punch landed squarely on Togo Ki's face. He was sent flying with blood from his nose, his face bruised, and his backside smashed into the wooden wall.
Ito Makoto was actually holding back. He thought this man was strong since he acted so confident. But he took a punch without defense. If Ito Makoto had not withdrawn his strength at the last second, it would not have ended with just a bloody nose.
This man felt even weaker than the Giant Hollow he killed in the residential area.
"If you are weak, why act so arrogant."
A moment later, Togo Ki, clutching his nose, shakily signed the form.
"Ito Makoto, Hakuda one hundred points."
Ito Makoto then entered the second room. It was lively, with many examinees waiting. This room was like a dojo. On wooden racks lay practice swords.
This was the Zanjutsu test, one of the four Shinigami arts.
In the center was Matsumoto Rangiku, still small and young.
Thump thump thump
Her sword was knocked away in a few moves. The examiner wrote quickly.
"Matsumoto Rangiku, Zanjutsu seventy points."
Ito Makoto then noticed the examiner had sharp eyes and a shining bald head.
"Madarame Ikkaku."
It was the Third Seat of the Eleventh Division.
Four more took the test. Three were defeated in one strike, one blocked a single blow.
Yet all were given sixty points.
Then it was Hisagi Shuuhei.
"Examinee Hisagi Shuuhei reporting. Teacher, please be careful."
He bowed politely.
"Heh, kid, less talk."
Madarame beckoned him.
Hisagi swung down. Madarame casually pushed him back. His arms went numb.
"Hm, interesting."
After several exchanges, Hisagi blocked four strikes before losing his sword.
"Hisagi Shuuhei, Zanjutsu eighty points."
Madarame nodded.
"Kid, join the Eleventh Division."
Hisagi struggled, then spoke firmly.
"Thank you, but I have decided to join the Ninth Division."
"Tch, suit yourself."
Soon, it was Ito Makoto's turn.