The day of the graduation exam finally arrived.
Early morning, the plaza of Shin'o Academy gathered all sixth-year students, as well as Setsuna, Yoruichi, Aizen, and Omaeda… the four students who had applied for early graduation.
"You're already a fifth-year. Why graduate early?" Yoruichi rolled her eyes at Omaeda.
"Hehe, graduating one year early is still early," Omaeda rubbed his hands together, his face full of smiles.
The graduation exam did carry risks. But if he could take the exam alongside these three powerhouses, his safety coefficient would undoubtedly increase dramatically.
He had previously thought about teaching Aizen a lesson, but after learning Aizen achieved Shikai in three days, he quickly recognized his own position.
"Suit yourself," Yoruichi shrugged.
For the three of them, the graduation exam was just a formality anyway.
After the supervising teacher counted the students, he activated a Garganta using a device.
The group stepped into the dark spatial rift one by one. Passing through a brief void tunnel, they finally arrived in Hueco Mundo.
Before their eyes stretched a desolate white desert. A pale moon hung in the sky. The air was filled with faint spirit particle dust.
"So this is the legendary Hueco Mundo?"
"It's so desolate."
Everyone marveled as they surveyed this strange world.
The supervising teacher said, "This graduation exam will be held in Hueco Mundo. Your task is to individually hunt one Hollow. Successfully doing so qualifies you as a Shinigami."
A student asked nervously, "Teacher, what if we encounter a Menos Grande?"
"Don't worry," The supervising teacher reassured. "We have entered the border regions of Hueco Mundo. Usually, only ordinary Hollows roam here. Menos Grande rarely appear. If you truly encounter a Menos Grande, immediately contact me using the Denreishinki, or..."
He looked at Setsuna. "Contact Setsuna-kun."
Setsuna nodded. "I'll get there as quickly as possible."
In terms of communications, the Soul Society was surprisingly ahead of the Living World, using Reishi instead of radio waves for information transmission.
The students immediately relaxed, discussing among themselves:
"Good thing Setsuna's here. Our exam is much easier now."
"Yeah, Setsuna has Captain-level Shinigami combat power!"
"Not just Gillian-class Menos Grande, even Adjuchas-class, maybe even Vasto Lorde-class… we don't need to fear them now."
Before the words finished, a sand dune in the distance suddenly exploded!
A man in white clothes with pink hair appeared amidst the sand and dust.
"Huh? Besides us, there are people in Hueco Mundo? Could he be a Shinigami accidentally left behind?" A student wondered.
"Hey, are you alright..." A bold student wanted to approach.
"Stop! Don't go over!" The supervising teacher shouted in terror.
"Sensei, what's wrong?" the student asked, confused.
The supervising teacher was sweating profusely. "This Reiatsu Fluctuation is definitely not a Shinigami's. He's a Menos Grande!"
"A Menos Grande? How is that possible? He doesn't even have a mask..." The speaking student suddenly paused, recalling the academy's descriptions of Menos Grande.
The higher the Menos Grande's level, the closer its form is to human.
Legend said the highest-level Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande didn't even have the characteristic mask.
He asked in a trembling voice, "Is he... a Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande?"
"My, my, it seems I've frightened everyone," The Menos Grande performed an elegant bow, his voice carrying a peculiar cadence. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Szayelaporro Granz. Of course, you may simply call me Szayelaporro."
'So it's him,' Setsuna realized inwardly, 'The future Octava Espada, the mad scientist obsessed with research.'
Of course, at that time, in pursuit of 'perfect life', he had split himself in two, causing his strength to regress to Adjuchas-class.
But what stood before them now was a complete Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande.
The supervising teacher's face turned deathly pale. "Why would a Menos Grande of this level be in the border regions of Hueco Mundo?"
The students retreated in terror, despair filling their hearts.
Even Omaeda's spirit broke: 'Why am I so unlucky, choosing to graduate early this year of all times?'
He certainly knew Setsuna had Captain-level Shinigami strength. But Shin'o Academy's textbooks clearly stated: Vasto Lorde-class Menos Grande, the pinnacle of Hollow evolution, possess strength superior to most Captain-level Shinigami.
In his mind, although Setsuna had Captain-level strength, he was too young and likely the weakest among Captain-level Shinigami.
Szayelaporro looked at the fear on their faces with great interest. "You Shinigami are truly fascinating. Your infighting is even more vicious than us Hollows."
He suddenly looked at a particular student. "For example, the little gift this young friend is carrying..."
That student's face changed drastically, instinctively covering his chest.
Szayelaporro lightly raised his hand. A black Hell Butterfly actually flew out from the student's collar, landing on his fingertip.
The supervising teacher looked at the student angrily. "Iwasaki Hideki! Why would you do this?"
The other students also turned furious gazes toward him. "You bastard! Why would you try to harm us?"
"I didn't want to!" Iwasaki Hideki cried out. "The Kasumioji Clan forced me to carry it! They said if I didn't comply, my family would..."
"So this is Sato Taishi's retaliation? Quite creative," Setsuna smiled. He had been worried about not finding a high-level Menos Grande.
Szayelaporro also smiled. "Oh? You don't seem afraid of me. Interesting. Your soul's resonance is quite unique. It reminds me of..."
Before he could finish, Setsuna was already in front of him.
As if space itself folded, Setsuna vanished from his original spot, reappearing right before Szayelaporro.
Szayelaporro hadn't even reacted before being sent flying.
He struggled to get up, a look of shock appearing on his face for the first time. "How is this possible? A mere Shinigami..."
"Is this all you've got?" Setsuna was very calm.
Szayelaporro's primary role was that of an alchemist. Calling him a 'civil service Menos Grande' wasn't an exaggeration. He was typically only skilled at using alchemical devices and powerful Reiatsu to overpower opponents.
Setsuna feared this type of enemy the least. Even if Szayelaporro's Reiatsu was higher than his, it posed almost no threat.
"Hmph, you think I'm like those foolish Menos Grande? I rely on intellect. Let me show you the power of my alchemical science!" Szayelaporro said through gritted teeth.
He waved his hand, and several peculiar alchemical devices materialized from the void.
These devices were composed of Reishi, complex runes flowing across their surfaces.
"Reishi Decomposition Device, activate."
The devices lit up simultaneously, shooting out multicolored beams of light that interwove into a net, enveloping Setsuna.
A slight smile curled Szayelaporro's lips. This was a killing move capable of instantly analyzing a target's Reishi composition, even directly disintegrating their spiritual body. Many Adjuchas-class Menos Grande had been killed by him using this technique.
However, Setsuna merely made a casual chopping motion with his right hand.
"Excalibur - Shura!"
A massive golden slash wave shot forth, instantly obliterating all the light beams and devices.
"This is... a Shinigami's Hakuda?" Szayelaporro's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
'Since when was Shinigami Hakuda this powerful?'