Three days later, the Captain proficiency test began as scheduled.
Yamamoto was busy with administrative duties, so he entrusted the task of proctoring the test to his most valued disciple.
On the training grounds.
Muguruma Kensei looked across the field with a solemn expression.
A black-haired young man stood there. He looked quite energetic, but his actual strength remained to be seen.
Truth be told, after suffering several severe defeats, he had started to develop a tendency toward self-doubt.
Although the outcome of a battle was influenced by multiple factors, a loss was a loss.
In the face of absolute results, any excuse was nothing more than a pale and feeble rebuttal.
He could only hope to regain a bit of confidence from this unknown young man today.
As everyone knew.
The upper echelons of the new Gotei 13 all possessed the prowess of a Captain.
The problem was that Shiba Isshin was not a member of the new Gotei 13. He was originally from Squad 10 and had always been under the care of his elder, Shiba Mokua.
This guy had no notable battle records, so he probably wasn't too strong.
It was time to clear his own name.
*Believe in yourself!*
After a round of self-hypnosis, Kensei's eyes once again burned with raging fighting spirit, and his mind grew exhilarated.
"Shiba Isshin, right? I won't show you any mercy just because you're from one of the Five Great Noble Houses."
"If you're afraid of getting hurt, it would be best to request an end to the test right now."
Before the test officially began, Kensei habitually threw out a wave of trash talk, trying to mess with his opponent's mindset.
The key to deciding victory or defeat wasn't just raw strength.
Sometimes, mentality was just as important.
According to his observations, this newcomer from the Shiba clan didn't seem to have experienced many battles.
If his mindset could be affected so easily, then the position of Captain really wouldn't suit him.
Shiba Isshin scratched his head, revealing an honest and simple smile.
"Captain Muguruma, you don't need to persuade me. I've already made up my mind."
"Uncle Mokua has exhausted himself for the Shiba clan, always rushing to the front lines. I once saw him fall asleep on the doorstep from sheer exhaustion. I will never forget that sight for as long as I live."
"At that moment, I thought to myself: if I can become a Captain, I must shoulder that responsibility."
"Now that hope is right in front of me, I have to consider that this might be the only opportunity I get in this lifetime."
"Reviving the glory of the Shiba clan is my inescapable duty!"
Standing off to the side, Naraku Sora grinned, a thoroughly pleased expression on his face.
*That's the spirit.*
It wasn't a waste for him to have given Shiba Isshin a special pre-match training session.
"I'll add one last thing: the test comes first, friendship comes second."
"You may begin."
Just as Kensei was still pondering whether Sora's words sounded a bit backward, Isshin had already erupted with a powerful Reiatsu. The materialized pressure expanded outward, surging wildly.
The other Soul Reapers watching the battle had complicated expressions upon seeing this.
It was a genuine Captain-class Reiatsu.
They originally thought Sora was just messing around, but they never expected that someone he casually recommended would turn out to be such a powerful figure capable of holding his own.
For the Seireitei to have such a pillar of strength, they had truly struck gold.
"Burn, Engetsu!"
"Blow it away, Tachikaze!"
The moment the two gathered their Reiatsu, they both released their Shikai.
Isshin struck first. Engetsu burned with raging flames, instantly causing the temperature of the surrounding environment to skyrocket.
The air popped and crackled as a powerful gale suddenly whipped up.
Kensei's gaze sharpened. He backhanded a swing with Tachikaze, which had transformed into a combat knife. Cyan wind currents filled the training grounds, plowing deep trenches into the solid earth.
Although people were always belittling Kensei, his actual strength was quite formidable.
Anyone weaker than him wouldn't be qualified to serve as a Soul Reaper Captain anyway.
The two clashed head-on. The fierce winds wrapped around the flames, forming a terrifying tornado of fire that wreaked havoc across the battlefield.
Sora's expression became somewhat subtle.
These two men's techniques were inexplicably compatible. Even though they were enemies, their combined release created a massive spectacle.
It was just that the scene before him looked a bit familiar.
After thinking for a few seconds, it suddenly dawned on Sora.
*Isn't this Old Man Yama's technique, 'Taimatsu'?*
Calling it a technique was a stretch; in reality, it was at most a basic attack with some special effects added.
His true technique was actually Ennetsu Jigoku, which was capable of destroying an entire city.
As someone who had experienced it firsthand, Sora had every right to speak on the matter.
While he was reminiscing, the two combatants had already clashed an unknown number of times.
Firelight and wind currents intertwined, sending shockwaves rippling outward that crashed against the Kidō barrier at the edge of the grounds, stirring up ring after ring of ripples.
After another collision, the aftermath spread, and both men took a step back simultaneously. They were evenly matched.
A flash of surprise crossed Kensei's eyes.
He had thought this was just a young man being forcefully promoted, but he didn't expect him to actually possess the strength to compete for a Captain's seat.
Now, all that was left was to witness Isshin's Bankai, and this Captain proficiency test could be concluded.
In that case, they would decide the victor with a single strike.
"Bankai!"
"Tekken Tachikaze!"
A visible gale erupted, and a pillar of Reiatsu shot into the sky. Kensei stood within it, his aura skyrocketing.
He gave off the impression of being incredibly strong and someone who wouldn't waste any time.
Seeing this, Isshin's gaze sharpened. He immediately gripped his hilt with both hands and raised it high, the flames blazing fiercely.
"Bankai!"
"Zanyō Engetsu!"
Unlike the astonishingly imposing Kensei, Isshin's posture didn't change much after his Bankai. The only difference was that the Zanpakutō in his hand had turned crimson, its blade slightly curved.
"Does something that small even count as a Bankai?"
Kensei frowned, subconsciously commenting.
In his understanding, a Soul Reaper's Bankai was usually something with massive scale and momentum. This was the first time he had seen a model like Isshin's.
During the previous Hell rebellion, he had missed Yamamoto's Bankai because he hadn't wasted any time.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a remark.
"Don't be careless, Captain Muguruma. My Bankai is incredibly strong!"
As he spoke, a setting sun rose behind Isshin. A terrifyingly high temperature suddenly spread outward, causing his figure to blur in the heat waves.
Kensei's gaze sharpened, instantly discarding any thoughts of underestimating his opponent. The moment he clenched his knuckle blades, he poured all his Reiatsu into them and stomped down hard with Flash Step.
A fierce gale swept across the training grounds, lashing out like a long whip and plowing yet another deep trench into the already battered earth.
He thrust his knuckle blades forward without holding anything back.
Facing the aggressively charging Kensei, Isshin flashed a fierce grin and let out an astonishing roar:
"Getsuga—Tenshō!"
The blazing sun merged into the crimson blade. While placing a massive burden on his body, it also erupted with unprecedented power.
The moment the two collided, a deafening roar suddenly erupted. Blazing light shot straight into the clouds, completely swallowing both of their figures.
The next second.
Two figures flew backward almost simultaneously, slamming heavily into the Kidō barrier and sending out visible ripples.
Kensei was covered in charred burn marks, and a hideous gash spanned halfway across his torso, nearly cleaving him in two.
Isshin wasn't faring much better. His face was deathly pale, and the moment he opened his mouth, he coughed up blood mixed with fragments of his internal organs.
It was only because the Soul Society's medical standards had caught up that they wouldn't die; otherwise, with injuries like these, they would be bedridden for at least half a year.
Sora used Flash Step to approach them. After a brief check of their conditions to ensure neither was in mortal danger, he immediately announced:
"Both sides have simultaneously lost the ability to fight. This match is a draw."
"Shiba Isshin has passed the proficiency test and shall assume the position of Squad 10 Captain."
The spectators outside the arena wore somewhat dazed expressions.
While the battle between powerful Soul Reapers was certainly spectacular, the filling of the vacant Captain's seat made people realize that the Seireitei's power dynamic had shifted once again.
Speaking of which, this new Captain Shiba Isshin also seemed to bear the "Naraku" label.
Thinking of this, some of the nobles who had specifically come to watch the ceremony revealed pessimistic expressions.
First it was Squad 2, then Squad 6. On top of that, there was Squad 4, Squad 8, and Squad 13. Now, Squad 10 had fallen as well.
The Gotei 13 was gradually falling into his hands.
At this rate, the Soul Society was doomed sooner or later!
The Shihōin Manor.
Sora had been invited over. Yoruichi claimed she had encountered some insurmountable difficulties in the subsequent development of Shunkō and needed a master's guidance.
He had gladly agreed, and now it was time for their appointment.
Inside the spacious and secluded training ground, Yoruichi was alone, sweating profusely as she struck a target. With every punch and kick, golden arcs of electricity flashed by.
The sturdy, specially-made target was instantly blasted into a pile of dust on the ground.
"Yoruichi, I'm here."
Sora used Flash Step to arrive by Yoruichi's side, observing her current condition.
Although she hadn't fully activated Shunkō, her Kidō Reiatsu covered almost her entire body. It looked remarkably similar to his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, just slightly weaker in terms of sheer power.
"Not bad. To think you've developed it to this extent."
"Tell me, where are you running into problems?"
Yoruichi shook her head. "It's hard to describe in detail. How about you try it out yourself?"
"Sure."
Sora gladly agreed.
As soon as he spoke, Yoruichi stripped off the weights strapped to her body, revealing a modified, sleeveless, backless Shihakushō.
A fine layer of sweat clung to her smooth back, giving off a peculiar luster.
Seeing this, Sora stroked his chin, a thoughtful look flashing through his eyes.
Why did he get the feeling that Yoruichi's motives for inviting him today weren't entirely pure?
*Is she really just asking for training advice?*
Just as he was pondering this, tyrannical lightning descended from the sky, completely swallowing her agile figure amidst a deafening roar.
The restless, shifting Reiatsu blanketed the training ground, lashing against the earth.
Golden arcs of electricity seemed to come alive, wrapping around her beautiful curves.
Shunkō: Raijū Senkei: Shunryū Kokubyō Senki!
With no wind-up or preparation, Yoruichi completed the release of her advanced form in just a single second. Most importantly, her eyes were clear; she hadn't lost her reason like she did before.
A dangerous glint flashed through her golden pupils as the corners of Yoruichi's mouth curled up slightly.
"Sora, here I come!"
The moment her words fell, a dazzling flash of lightning swept across the training ground, heading straight for Sora.