After a long while—
The terrifying cloud of dust and shockwaves—rising over a hundred meters high and sweeping across the entire training ground, even the whole Shinō Academy—finally began to settle.
During that time,
the Hakuda instructor who had been blown away by Bai Chen's punch, left critically injured and unconscious, was rushed to the medical wing for emergency treatment.
Fortunately, he was saved.
His life was no longer in danger.
However, with nearly every bone in his body shattered, he would need at least a year or more of recuperation before fully recovering.
"Bai Chen…"
"This time, you really caused far too much of a disturbance."
"Not only did you cause panic inside the academy, you even alarmed the Gotei Thirteen again."
"But don't worry—after negotiations with the academy leadership, the Soul Reapers sent to investigate have already withdrawn."
"As for whether the Captain-Commander will pursue the matter afterward… that remains uncertain."
At the edge of the devastated training ground—
now reduced to ruins and scars of destruction—
The homeroom instructor looked at Bai Chen, his face full of helplessness.
It was absurd.
This was the very first class of the new term.
The lesson itself hadn't even lasted a full hour.
No matter how he thought about it, the homeroom instructor never could have imagined that the Hakuda teacher—who had been perfectly fine when they handed over the class—
would've nearly been left permanently disabled in the blink of an eye.
Even more outrageous—
Because of that single punch from Bai Chen,
More than half of the training grounds, built and maintained over many years, had been severely damaged.
As for the remaining half—
Although it could still barely be used,
the surface was now riddled with craters and cracks, drastically affecting future lessons.
And as the culprit—
Seeing the homeroom instructor looking utterly exhausted, Bai Chen spread his hands helplessly.
"But…"
"It was the Hakuda instructor himself who asked me to step out and act as his opponent for the demonstration."
"And I already restrained my reiatsu, limiting my power exactly as he requested."
"As for things ending up like this… I'm honestly at a loss too."
Bai Chen shrugged, speaking with genuine helplessness.
He wasn't trying to shirk responsibility.
He truly felt that way.
To outsiders,
That punch had been earth-shattering.
But Bai Chen knew very clearly—
He hadn't even used one-tenth of his true strength.
Which meant—
If he fought without restraint, releasing all suppressions,
The real power of his Hakuda would be at least ten times more terrifying than what they had just witnessed.
So…
He was wronged!
It wasn't that Bai Chen was too violent—
It was simply that his opponent couldn't take a hit!
The homeroom instructor: "..."
Hearing this explanation, he was left completely speechless.
He wanted to refute it—
yet found nothing he could say.
After holding it in for a long time,
He finally sighed deeply, his gaze distant.
"Enough. I understand…"
"But since the instructor was nearly beaten to death by a single punch…"
"For the next half month, Hakuda classes will be suspended."
After repeatedly reminding Bai Chen to strictly control his strength at all times,
the homeroom instructor finally left, somewhat reassured.
"Huh…"
"Did I just hear that even the Captain-Commander was alarmed?"
"I wonder how the old man will react once he hears about this…"
Thinking of what the homeroom instructor had mentioned earlier,
A new thought surfaced in Bai Chen's mind.
Ever since mastering the Shinigami Four Techniques—
He no longer felt that attending regular classes was necessary at all.
So…
If the Captain-Commander received the report,
And after discussion decided to allow him to graduate early under special exemption—
That would be perfect.
However…
Given the Captain-Commander's stubborn and conservative nature,
Even if he took notice of Bai Chen,
He would likely impose special evaluations before approving early graduation.
Meanwhile—
Just as the homeroom instructor had said—
Because the disturbance was far too great, Bai Chen's actions had not only shaken the Gotei Thirteen…
They had also caught the Captain-Commander's attention.
First Division Headquarters
"Captain-Commander…"
"What is your view on Bai Chen… this newly enrolled prodigy?"
Inside the austere, traditional office decorated in plain wood—
An elderly man with white hair, wearing a black shihakushō beneath a white sleeveless haori—
Chōjirō Sasakibe—
Asked respectfully as he stood before the desk.
"Hmm…"
"In just a few short days, he's shaken Seireitei again and again."
"This Bai Chen… has even more drive than I initially expected."
Seated on a cushion, his aged and stooped figure unmoving,
The Captain-Commander lowered his gaze and spoke in a heavy, measured voice.
"Oh?"
Sasakibe raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Captain-Commander… you don't seem inclined to reprimand him?"
"I have already reviewed the entire incident."
"In truth, Bai Chen committed no violation."
"The destruction occurred simply because his reiatsu is too vast."
The Captain-Commander replied calmly.
Indeed—
As an ancient figure, he was stubborn in many matters.
But when it came to talent—
As long as no serious wrongdoing was involved,
He was generally willing to show leniency.
What's more—
Bai Chen was still only an academy student.
He hadn't even joined the Gotei Thirteen yet.
Although Shinō Academy had been founded by the Captain-Commander a thousand years ago—
His title as headmaster had long since become honorary.
He no longer interfered directly in academy affairs.
"Captain-Commander…"
"I've also heard that Bai Chen's mastery of Hakuda surpasses that of the academy instructors."
"His other three arts are likely similar as well."
Sasakibe ventured.
"Mm…"
"I believe the same."
The Captain-Commander nodded.
"With his talent, he will soon exhaust all basic instruction."
"At that point, the academy teachers will have nothing left to teach him."
"In that case—"
"Dispatch a Shinigami Captain to Shinō Academy."
"Within a limited period, have them personally guide Bai Chen."
"So he may continue to grow."
Sasakibe froze.
"A… Shinigami Captain?"
"To personally mentor Bai Chen?"
He hadn't expected such a decisive order.
Yet upon reflection—
Considering Bai Chen's strength and potential—
Sasakibe quickly understood.
The Captain-Commander was right.
Only a Captain was qualified to serve as Bai Chen's instructor.
So then—
Which Captain would be the most suitable choice?
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