[Hey guys! Here are the 5 extra chapters I promised]
[If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to drop a comment, I read and reply to all of them, And if you have a moment, leaving a review would mean a lot and help the book reach more fans like you.]
"That joke wasn't funny at all."
"Did using your Zanpakutō earlier give you a big head? Do you really think a Gotei 13 Captain is only this strong?"
Hirako Shinji was stunned for a moment, then laughed in disbelief—though there was a trace of irritation behind that laughter.
It had been a long time.
So long, he couldn't even remember the last time someone dared to look down on him .
"I don't know if all Captains are …"
"But I do know one thing—Captain Hirako, you are just so-so."
Aiyan spoke plainly, almost casually, as if stating a fact.
"You may leave now. Treasure the 27 days you have left, because this will be your last time holding the title of 5th Division Captain. After that? It'll just be a nice little memory for you to reflect on during retirement."
"A great experience to tell others, right?"
"Graduate in one month. Master Bankai in one month. Challenge a seated Captain in one month."
"Fine!" Hirako narrowed his eyes. "I'll wait and see if you can show up with a real Bankai by then."
"It's just Bankai—how hard can it be?"
Aiyan's tone didn't waver. His words landed slow, clear, and sharp.
"—I don't even need Bankai to defeat you."
Each word was like a weight crashing down. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a pressure that made people want to believe him.
"…Alright. I'll be waiting for you at the 5th Division barracks."
"I hope you're not all talk."
"Don't make me regret wasting my expectations on you this month."
Hirako's smile faded completely. Without another word, he turned and disappeared into thin air.
"Aiyan… are you really planning to graduate a month early? And actually challenge Captain Hirako?"
"Don't joke like that," said Shiba Isshin seriously. "Forget the challenge—let's talk about early graduation first. You do realize how different the graduation standards are for each class, right?"
Shiba's voice drew everyone's attention as he began to explain with a straight face:
"For third-class students, just mastering the basics of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō is enough—even if they haven't unlocked Shikai."
"Second-class students have to do all that plus reach at least Bakudō level 40 and achieve Shikai."
"But the first-class students—your class—have to meet all that and be able to chant up to Kidō No. 80… and I mean fully chant."
That statement made the crowd quiet. The expectations were steep… but they were meant for elite students—those called the "captain candidates."
Most Shinigami who graduated from first class became seated officers, lieutenants, or even Captains if they didn't die too soon.
"That's not hard for Aiyan at all!"
"Captain Isshin, maybe you missed it, but just now Aiyan used Bakudō No. 81: Dankū to completely block Hirako Shinji's attack on Aizen—and he did it without chanting."
"And he's already awakened his Shikai, so doesn't that mean he could technically graduate right now?"
Everyone looked stunned.
It was true. Aiyan had entered the Academy with them just three days ago. In that short time, he had already fulfilled the most advanced graduation criteria.
"Hold on," Shiba replied. "I said Kidō up to 80. That includes Hadō, not just Bakudō."
"You've all taken Kidō classes. You should know: Hadō spells are far harder to master than Bakudō spells of the same level."
"Just because he can chantlessly cast Bakudō 81 doesn't mean he can chant Hadō 80 perfectly."
Just then, a voice sounded in Aiyan's ear:
[Your Kidō feels insulted by Shiba's words. How dare he look down on you? Doesn't he know you mastered the full chant for Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō just last night?]
Aiyan smiled slightly.
Even before his inner system said anything, he already knew he'd improved his Kidō again. Before, he could only fully chant Hadō under 80 and use those under 70 without chanting. Not bad, considering he'd only attended one Kidō class.
"Aiyan, where are you going?"
Shiba asked when he saw Aiyan silently turn and walk toward the exit of the dojo.
Yoruichi called out too, but Aiyan didn't respond.
"Don't worry," Aizen said calmly, smiling faintly. "We'll know the answer soon."
As if understanding something the others didn't, Aizen walked out after Aiyan. The rest followed, curiosity and confusion building.
They soon arrived at the Kidō training field.
Other students were currently practicing Kidō spells under No. 10, under the guidance of their instructor.
"Captain Isshin? You're supposed to be teaching Zanjutsu today, right?" one of the Kidō teachers greeted politely.
Even though Shiba was a substitute teacher, he was still a Captain of the Gotei 13. That title commanded respect.
"Yes, but this student of mine needs to borrow the training field briefly. Is that alright?"
The teacher turned to his students and barked:
"Everyone, step back. Clear the field!"
"The strongest prodigy at the Spiritual Arts Academy in two thousand years?!"
"What's he doing here? Training?"
"Even Captain Shiba came with him!"
All the students who were training earlier stopped to gawk. Their eyes followed Aiyan as he stepped onto the center of the training ground.
He looked straight ahead.
A wooden training dummy stood about 30 meters away.
"Captain Isshin," Aiyan asked, "if I destroy the Kidō dummy, I don't have to pay for it, right?"
"Destroy it? Just because it looks like wood doesn't mean it is wood."
"That thing was built by Captain Senjumaru Shutara from the 12th Division and the Research and Development Bureau. It absorbs Reiatsu and is laced with Sekkiseki stone."
"Let me put it this way—unless you're a full-fledged Captain casting a fully-channeled Hadō above #80, you won't even leave a scratch."
Like someone who just heard a child ask, "If I beat Yamamoto Genryūsai, will I get detention from Central 46?"