Chapter 138: The Test

The meeting room in the 1st Division barracks...

As the designated venue for the Captain's Meeting, the room was already filled with Lieutenants. However, there weren’t actually that many of them.

Among the Lieutenants present, one was acting as a Captain's Substitute—ranked half a step higher than the rest—so they didn’t have to wait outside with the others.

The Shinigami who had just arrived outside the office walls were visibly excited.

Serving in the 1st Division, they had encountered many powerful figures, with their own Captain being the strongest of them all. Yet, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

This was the Captain’s seat—one of the highest positions among professional Shinigami—and today, the last remaining vacancy would finally be filled.

Perhaps it was simply human nature to always yearn for something greater.

Even though these elite Shinigami knew that mastering Bankai gave them a 99% chance of becoming a Captain, they still wanted to witness the appointment of a new Captain firsthand. After all, Captain exams were a rare occurrence.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

At the sound of approaching footsteps, silence fell over the room.

Three men, clad in white haori, walked directly into the meeting chamber, drawing admiring gazes from the gathered Shinigami.

Leading the way was Kensei Muguruma, Captain of the 9th Division, looking visibly irritated.

Behind him was the newly appointed Captain, Masatsuki Aozaki—widely regarded as the greatest prodigy in Soul Society’s history—wearing a broad, unmistakably cheerful smile.

Following at the rear was Shinji Hirako, Captain of the 5th Division, his half-lidded eyes filled with exasperation as he watched the two ahead of him.

Trailing behind them were three Lieutenants.

Aizen’s gaze occasionally flickered toward Masatsuki Aozaki, but to any outside observer, the two appeared to be only distantly acquainted.

"When does the Captain’s exam start?"

A voice suddenly rang out from behind them, prompting Masatsuki Aozaki to instinctively turn toward the familiar sound.

Standing at the doorway, arms crossed, was Yoruichi Shihōin. Dressed in a combat-style Shihakushō with a white haori draped over her shoulders, she gazed at the massive doors before her with a nostalgic expression.

"Masatsuki, good morning! Look at you—so lazy. I knew leaving the 2nd Division wouldn't suit you."

Yoruichi turned back and waved casually at him.

As someone closely connected to Masatsuki Aozaki, just the sight of the two standing together immediately drew the attention of onlookers. Everyone knew their relationship was far more than just friendship.

Gossip was one of humanity’s greatest instincts, and a rumored affair between two Captains was always a hot topic.

But when discussing the peculiar dynamic between them, one couldn’t ignore the presence of several other notable women in the room.

Under the silent yet unmistakably menacing gaze of Retsu Unohana, Kensei Muguruma willingly vacated his spot beside Masatsuki Aozaki, allowing the two to stand side by side.

Lisa Yadōmaru, rumored to have spent nights in the 11th Kenpachi’s dormitory, kept her head buried in a peculiar-looking book, pretending not to notice anything.

Kirio Hikifune, Captain of the 12th Division, stood off to the side, munching on a melon, her expression making it clear she had no interest in getting involved.

Meanwhile, Rangiku Matsumoto—neither a Captain nor a Lieutenant—could only watch from outside the doorway.

Though she wore a bright, amused smile, even she could sense the pressure weighing on Masatsuki Aozaki at that moment.

"Actually, I was just as lazy when I was in the 2nd Division. But when it’s time to be serious, I can’t slack off."

With a nonchalant wave of his hand, Masatsuki Aozaki casually took Yoruichi’s hand in his own.

As for Unohana, he knew better than to try anything.

Yoruichi nodded in satisfaction.

"You two seem to be having a great time chatting. This meeting is about the operation to eliminate the rebels, isn't it? Looks like Masatsuki is already prepared."

Still wearing her gentle smile, Unohana folded her hands elegantly in front of her, embodying the grace of a true Yamato Nadeshiko.

"I’m not exactly suited for this kind of thing," Masatsuki admitted, studying the composed woman before him. "But fortunately, I have some help."

When she wasn’t in one of her "moods," Unohana was truly captivating—so much so that Masatsuki often found himself thinking she would make the perfect wife.

The problem was that when she did go off the rails, the only thing left in her was an overwhelming thirst for blood.

Just standing near her in those moments was terrifying.

Ever since he had defeated Kenpachi Kiganjō, her bloodlust had only grown harder to control. There were even times when, while he was helping her arrange flowers, an inexplicable chill would creep down his spine.

That constant sense of looming danger had significantly reduced his attendance at flower arrangement lessons.

Unless one possessed the absolute strength to suppress this woman entirely, it was best not to provoke her carelessly.

“In my experience, after the Captain’s meeting, the Captain’s exam will begin. At that time, one Captain will be selected to test the strength of the candidate.”

Sensing Masatsuki Aozaki’s longing yet hesitant gaze, Unohana was momentarily surprised.

This kid keeps getting more interesting… Have I been too overbearing?

Still, she quickly changed the subject, maintaining her gentle smile as she continued explaining the Captain’s exam.

“But calling it an exam is a bit misleading—it’s really just a demonstration of strength.”

“Mastering Bankai is the true threshold of power, marking a clear distinction from ordinary Shinigami.”

“After all, not everyone is like you, possessing such a unique Zanpakutō.”

“A Bankai can amplify Reiatsu five to ten times beyond Shikai—that’s not a gap that can simply be bridged.”

“Learning Bankai is essentially a ticket to becoming a Captain. As long as the candidate isn’t some dangerous criminal, the Captains will typically approve their appointment.”

Masatsuki Aozaki nodded, indicating he understood.

He could more or less see the reasoning behind the Captains’ decisions.

At the end of the day, Captains were the highest-ranking members of the Gotei 13, with only the Captain-Commander above them—a seat that, for now, no one but Yamamoto could occupy.

The leadership of other Divisions was none of his concern. With no personal grudges involved, there was little reason to offend a Shinigami who had achieved Bankai over a position that had nothing to do with him.

“So, how exactly does the Captain’s exam work?” Yoruichi Shihōin asked, intrigued by Unohana’s explanation.

She had bypassed the usual process, directly applying through her family to replace the previous Corps Commander, smoothly taking over as the Captain of the 2nd Division.

Because of that, she wasn’t particularly familiar with the standard Captain examination procedure.

“It’s actually quite simple,” Unohana explained with a pleasant smile. “The Captain-Commander must be present, and at least three Captains—including the Captain-Commander—must bear witness to the exam.”

“As for the exam itself, it’s straightforward. One Captain is chosen as the examiner, and they battle the candidate to determine whether they possess the strength to be a Captain.”

“One Captain as the examiner…” Masatsuki Aozaki rubbed his chin. “I wonder who the lucky one will be.”

“Alright, that’s enough talk. The Captain’s meeting is about to begin. Let’s head inside.”

Glancing at the Captains gathered in the meeting room, Unohana subtly tilted her head, her chin pointing toward Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who sat with his eyes narrowed.

He didn’t even need Ryūjin Jakka—there were already sparks in his gaze.

Masatsuki Aozaki stepped into the meeting room. At Yamamoto’s signal, he unfolded the manuscript Gin Ichimaru had prepared and began reporting on the battle against the rebels.