[send some power stones please]
Time flew.
In the blink of an eye, a week passed.
During that time, Bai Chen went nowhere—he stayed in the Second Division, quietly cultivating and deepening his understanding.
And over that week of constant contact,
Bai Chen and Soi Fon's relationship also took a step further. It wasn't just familiarity anymore—it had developed into true companionship.
More accurately,
It was mutual appreciation and recognition.
Though it still had nothing to do with romance for now… it did seem to be gradually "straightening" Soi Fon out.
Returning to the Shin'ō Academy,
Bai Chen walked alone along the corridor, heading toward the agreed location for today's clash.
"Huh… that's Bai Chen!!"
"He's the representative of us First Years—the most outstanding student in the entire Shin'ō Academy!"
"I heard that today he's going to challenge all the Sixth Years by himself, in the dueling arena on the academy's west side!"
"By himself? That's normal—he's Bai Chen!"
"I'm more worried about whether the Sixth Years can even take a beating! At least when they get crushed, I hope their injuries won't be too bad!"
After a full month,
Now that Bai Chen had appeared again in the academy,
He was immediately recognized the moment he passed through the First Year area. Worship and awe followed him everywhere.
As for the place everyone mentioned—
The dueling arena on the academy's west side—
That was Bai Chen's destination.
It was also where he would meet Aizen for the first time.
———
Not long after,
Following the winding corridors and passing through multiple sections,
Bai Chen finally arrived at the academy's dueling arena.
"Bai Chen, please go in."
"The captains, the academy leadership, and all the Sixth Years are already inside, waiting."
The one receiving him
Was his former Class One homeroom teacher.
He smiled and nodded, then walked ahead, leading Bai Chen through the arena entrance.
At that moment,
Inside the dueling arena—
On the highest instructor platform—
Four figures sat in a row.
The white haori draped over each of them
Marked a single identity:
Captains.
"Yare yare…"
"Everyone—do you feel it? There's a powerful presence about to enter from the arena gate."
Under short, pale-purple hair,
Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes, looking toward the entrance with his signature foxlike smile.
As captain of the Third Division,
Before Bai Chen's sudden rise,
This snake-like man had long been acknowledged as Soul Society's greatest genius.
So,
When word spread that Ichimaru Gin would be present,
It caused a huge stir throughout the academy.
Even though the main focus of today's match
Was Bai Chen versus the Sixth Years—
The meeting of two "strongest geniuses"
Undoubtedly made the event even more enticing.
"Heh…"
"It's Bai Chen, isn't it?"
"As a First Year—less than a month since enrollment—yet carrying such presence and pressure…"
"Just as the rumors say… Bai Chen is truly a once-in-a-century talent."
Beside Gin,
A gentle, spring-breeze-like voice sounded.
Beneath his fringe,
Aizen's scholarly face wore a warm smile.
He looked like a kindly senior,
And every word he spoke about the younger generation was full of appreciation and approval.
His "good guy" image was on full display.
"Aizen-taichō…"
"You're not already itching to recruit Bai Chen early, are you?"
"That's against the rules, you know. I'll be the first to stand up and oppose it."
With a kasa hat on his head,
And a pink floral outer robe draped over his captain's haori,
Kyōraku Shunsui teased with a lazy grin.
As captain of the Eighth Division—
And one of the Head Captain's most trusted disciples—
Kyōraku's presence wasn't surprising.
He was practically there as the Head Captain's representative,
To evaluate Bai Chen's progress over this past month.
However…
On the far right of the instructor platform,
Unohana Retsu—composed, elegant, serene—
Didn't join the conversation.
She lowered her eyes,
Her gaze fixed straight on the arena entrance.
And soon,
Bai Chen's arrival reflected clearly in her calm pupils.
"Hm…"
"Am I imagining things?"
"Why do I feel… a sharp sword intent hidden within Bai Chen?"
After only a moment of observation,
A hint of surprise appeared on Unohana's face—so much so that she briefly wondered if she'd sensed wrong.
As the first Kenpachi,
The only true grandmaster of swordsmanship in the entire history of the Gotei Thirteen—
Unohana had, a thousand years ago,
Gathered countless schools and forged them into the blood-soaked Yachiru-style sword art.
In terms of "the sword,"
She was unquestionably number one in the Gotei Thirteen.
Even the Head Captain was slightly behind.
And just now,
When Unohana reached out with her perception across the distance,
She had sensed something extremely rare—
A distinct sword intent radiating from Bai Chen.
For a swordsman,
Sword technique could be learned through effort—
Through training and comprehension—
Even through sudden breakthroughs.
But sword intent wasn't something you gained overnight.
It required years of accumulation—
Countless swings—
Endless real combat—
Living alongside steel and blood—
Only then would that kind of aura slowly condense.
Yet—
Unohana remembered clearly:
Bai Chen had only passed the autumn entrance exam a month ago,
And his "Third-Class Spiritual Pressure" had stirred Soul Society into uproar.
On top of that, he still looked so young.
No matter how she measured it,
Unohana couldn't believe that Bai Chen was secretly a seasoned sword expert at his age.
It didn't add up.
"Kyōraku-taichō…"
"In the challenge rules later—does it include a sword exchange?"
The previously silent Unohana finally spoke, unable to suppress her curiosity.
"Of course."
Kyōraku answered with a light laugh. "But to avoid bloodshed, everyone will use specially made wooden swords."
Then,
Noticing the flicker in Unohana's eyes,
As one of the few who truly knew her past identity,
Kyōraku lowered the brim of his hat and asked in a quieter, probing tone:
"Unohana Retsu-taichō…"
"Don't tell me you're like Aizen-taichō…"
"Have you also started thinking about recruiting Bai Chen early?"
"So…"
"If he can even earn your interest…"
"Then Bai Chen's strength must be deeper than I imagined."
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