"Ryū-kun, good news! The Captain Commander has accepted Shōken's proposal for you to join the Eleventh Division."
"Tomorrow, we'll take you to meet the Captain Commander. If the other captains don't object, you'll officially become a member of the Eleventh Division!"
Inside the temporary residence, Yachiru Kusajishi spoke excitedly to Ryūjin Uchiha.
"If any of those captains have objections, I'll have a nice little chat with them," Ryūjin said with a cold, arrogant smirk.
Even though he didn't explain it directly, Yachiru Kusajishi immediately understood what he meant by "chat."
It definitely wouldn't involve words.
"You and Shōken are exactly alike. The squad's going to become even livelier from now on," Yachiru Kusajishi said eagerly.
She looked genuinely excited at the thought of Ryūjin causing chaos after joining the Eleventh Division, leaving Ryūjin speechless.
"Alright, get yourself cleaned up. Take a proper bath and change your clothes. I'll come pick you up tomorrow."
After saying goodbye, Yachiru Kusajishi quickly left.
Following her instructions, Ryūjin stayed in his room the entire day without going outside.
Early the next morning.
"System, sign in at the Eleventh Division Barracks..."
The moment Ryūjin woke up, he habitually entered the Sign in System to check in.
But at the last second, he stopped himself.
Today, he was going to the Captain Commander's headquarters.
An opportunity like this couldn't be wasted.
With Ryūjin's current strength, he already stood at the peak of the Bleach world. Even so, there were still two individuals he treated with caution.
The first was naturally Yhwach.
Not only was his innate power absurdly overwhelming, but he also possessed the nearly broken ability known as The Almighty.
The second was the Captain Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Old Man Yamamoto's strength spoke for itself. He was the undisputed strongest Shinigami.
Just releasing his spiritual pressure was enough to make lieutenant level Shinigami collapse from fear.
It was completely monstrous.
Other than his miserable ending, there was practically no flaw to be found in him.
Even with Ryūjin's arrogance, he had no intention of sneaking into the First Division Barracks through unconventional means just to sign in.
He wasn't confident he could avoid detection from Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
That old monster had lived for thousands of years, and his spiritual pressure was terrifying beyond reason. Ryūjin had no doubt that even the slightest trace of his aura would immediately be noticed.
He wasn't willing to take that risk.
So if he wanted to sign in at the First Division, entering legally was the only option.
And this was a once in a lifetime chance.
Just thinking about it made Ryūjin somewhat excited.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Soft footsteps approached from outside the room. Ryūjin steadied himself and sat cross legged on the floor as he waited.
Clang!
The door slid open, revealing Yachiru Kusajishi exactly as expected.
"Ryū-kun, you look pretty good!" Yachiru's eyes brightened as she looked at him.
The refreshed and neatly dressed Ryūjin Uchiha looked more like a clean, handsome young man than someone from the Eleventh Division. Compared to Kenpachi Zaraki, the difference was ridiculous.
"Lieutenant Kusajishi, are we leaving now?" Ryūjin asked.
"Yep. Come on, Ryū-kun."
Yachiru Kusajishi waved at him and started leading the way.
After weaving through the streets of the Seireitei for quite some time, Yachiru finally brought Ryūjin to a grand courtyard that clearly stood apart from the other division barracks.
The First Division was one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but it also carried the responsibility of overseeing all thirteen divisions.
It handled orders from Central 46, organized regular meetings, and managed various internal affairs. The Captain of the First Division was also the Captain Commander of the entire Thirteen Court Guard Squads.
Because of this, the First Division Barracks felt less like a normal squad headquarters and more like the central administrative headquarters of Soul Society.
By tradition, every new member joining the Thirteen Court Guard Squads had to come here for an "interview" before all captains and lieutenants prior to official admission.
"Lieutenant Kusajishi, the captains have all arrived. Please follow me."
As soon as they entered the gates, a Shinigami stepped forward respectfully and guided Yachiru Kusajishi and Ryūjin into a massive hall.
The room was already packed with people.
Ryūjin casually glanced around and immediately recognized every face present.
The captains and lieutenants of all thirteen divisions had gathered here.
Even the constantly ill Ukitake Jūshirō had shown up.
The captains and lieutenants stood in orderly rows. At the very front sat a bald old man with a long beard, his mere presence radiating overwhelming authority and pressure.
There was no doubt.
This was Captain Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
Standing beside him like a spear planted into the ground was the First Division lieutenant, Chōjirō Sasakibe.
"Ryū-kun, don't just stand there. Greet the Captain Commander and the others!"
Yachiru Kusajishi quietly reminded him before walking over to stand beside Kenpachi Zaraki.
"Uchiha Ryūjin greets the Captain Commander. Greetings to all captains and lieutenants."
As Ryūjin greeted everyone, he immediately activated the Sign in System internally.
"System, sign in at the First Division Barracks."
"Ding! Sign in successful. Reward obtained: Zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka. Note: This Zanpakutō only includes Shikai, Bankai not included."
The instant the notification sounded in his mind, Ryūjin's eyes nearly lit up.
Ryūjin Jakka!
He truly hadn't expected the system to reward him with it.
Without question, Ryūjin Jakka possessed the most destructive offensive power and largest attack range among all Zanpakutō.
Its Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, could unleash heat comparable to the sun's core itself.
Completely insane.
Used carelessly, it could evaporate all of Soul Society.
Although he only possessed the Shikai for now, that alone was already terrifying enough.
Ryūjin was more than satisfied.
One step at a time.
If he didn't obtain the Bankai now, he'd just get another opportunity later.
Meanwhile, after Ryūjin finished greeting everyone, the assembled captains and lieutenants were carefully observing him as well.
None of them could possibly imagine that the Captain Commander's own Shikai had just been quietly stolen right under their noses.
"So this is the King of Rukongai, Uchiha Ryūjin? He's different from what I imagined."
Kyōraku Shunsui adjusted his straw hat with visible surprise.
The person who defeated Kenpachi Zaraki after removing his eyepatch was actually this young?
"Defeating Captain Zaraki with an ordinary sword alone is honestly impressive," Ichimaru Gin said with narrowed eyes and his usual sinister smile. "Wouldn't you agree, Captain Zaraki?"
"You bastard, just because I lost to Uchiha Ryūjin, you think you can provoke me now?" Kenpachi Zaraki snorted coldly, his gaze sharp enough to cut flesh as it landed on Ichimaru Gin.
His hand even rose slightly toward his Zanpakutō, looking ready to split Gin in half at any moment.
Ichimaru Gin remained completely unfazed, still smiling with narrowed eyes.
"Shōken, don't start anything. We're inside the Captain Commander's headquarters," Yachiru said as she tugged at Kenpachi's sleeve.
"For the old man's sake, I'll let it go this time," Kenpachi Zaraki snorted before lowering his hand.
"Anyone who earns such praise from Captain Zaraki must possess extraordinary talent."
When Aizen spoke, his gentle and refined tone made him seem warm and approachable, like a pleasant spring breeze.
Ryūjin glanced toward him.
Even knowing Aizen's true nature, it was still difficult to associate this elegant man with the ruthless monster who could massacre an entire city without hesitation.
His disguise was simply flawless.
Thump!
At that moment, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto lightly tapped his staff against the floor.
The room instantly fell silent.
"Captains and lieutenants, this Uchiha Ryūjin fought Captain Zaraki in Rukongai and earned his recognition."
"Because of this, Captain Zaraki personally recommended that this old man allow Uchiha Ryūjin to join the Eleventh Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."
"Next, Uchiha Ryūjin will display his abilities. Any captain with questions may ask them."
"Whether Uchiha Ryūjin is qualified to join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads shall be decided by all of you."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto slowly spoke while surveying the room.
Finally, his gaze settled on Ryūjin.
"If you have no objections, we shall begin."
"Captain Commander, I'm ready whenever you are," Ryūjin replied.
Yamamoto gave a small nod, and everyone headed toward the training grounds in the inner courtyard.
Under countless gazes, Ryūjin stepped into the center of the field.
With a single thought, he released his immense Chakra.
After Kisuke Urahara's modifications, the outward manifestation of that Chakra had become indistinguishable from a Shinigami's spiritual pressure.
The instant it erupted, an overwhelming pressure crashed across the area.
Several lieutenants immediately found it difficult to breathe.
"What terrifying spiritual pressure!"
"This level of spiritual pressure is absurd!"
"There can't be many people in Soul Society with this much power, right?"
Shock spread across the faces of the captains and lieutenants alike.
Although many had sensed Ryūjin's spiritual pressure from a distance during his battle with Kenpachi Zaraki in Rukongai, experiencing it directly was entirely different.
"After Captain Zaraki, another monster has emerged from Rukongai," Soi Fon muttered quietly.
"Heh, you're right. This guy's definitely a monster too."
Even Kenpachi Zaraki, who normally looked down on everyone, rarely praised others this openly.
"It seems the Thirteen Court Guard Squads are about to gain another genius," Ichimaru Gin remarked with that same eerie smile.
"Captain, this spiritual pressure is terrifying!" Renji Abarai exclaimed in shock to Kuchiki Byakuya beside him.
Byakuya remained silent as always, as if he hadn't heard him at all.
But Renji noticed his captain's gaze remained firmly locked onto Ryūjin.
Clearly, even Byakuya wasn't calm internally.
That spiritual pressure was simply too overwhelming.
Even Captain Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, who had remained largely indifferent until now, showed a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Old man, how about I fight Uchiha Ryūjin myself? It'll be the perfect demonstration," Kenpachi Zaraki said as he stepped forward with his Zanpakutō resting over his shoulder.
Normally, Ryūjin should have demonstrated his Zanpakutō's Shikai before the captains and lieutenants.
As for Hakuda, Shunpo, Zanjutsu, and Kidō, those were secondary.
As long as he met the standard, that was enough.
For members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, the true core of their power was always the Zanpakutō.
But Ryūjin didn't even possess a Zanpakutō publicly yet, so naturally he couldn't demonstrate Shikai.
That was why Kenpachi Zaraki proposed sparring instead.
Of course, Ryūjin strongly suspected the man was simply addicted to fighting and wanted another round.
Whoosh!
Without waiting for Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto to respond, Kenpachi Zaraki swung his blade directly at Ryūjin.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Right before the eyes of the captains and the Captain Commander, the two immediately began exchanging blows fiercely.
"To reach this level with pure Hakuda alone?"
"This level of Hakuda is unbelievable."
"He really isn't inferior to Captain Zaraki at all!"
The surrounding captains and lieutenants whispered among themselves in astonishment.
Previously, many doubted the rumors claiming Uchiha Ryūjin had defeated Kenpachi Zaraki in Rukongai.
Now, after witnessing the clash personally, those doubts completely disappeared.
"Enough. That's enough."
Just as Kenpachi Zaraki was becoming increasingly excited and beginning to lose control, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto finally spoke.
Only then did Kenpachi reluctantly stop, clearly unsatisfied.
===
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