7 End of the Academy

Year: 22

The final year of the Academy has passed and I am about to take the test which Head Captain Yamamoto has prepared for me. We made this deal three years ago and it was this deal, that allowed me to continue my training in the Academy. Although I could have stopped going to the Academy after my three-year training programme was over or even before I entered the Academy, I still continued to become a well-rounded Shinigami. 

I didn't want to become someone like Kenpachi Zaraki, who was a physical and Reiatsu beast, but otherwise completely useless. All he knew was how to cut things apart and I didn't want that for myself. So I spent time understanding my Zanpakuto and getting close to it. I wanted my Zanpakuto to become one with me truly. I aimed to achieve something akin to a Logia fruit from One Piece.

I theorised that if I could fuse with my Zanpakuto fully, I would be able to transform my body into blades that look like cherry blossoms and achieve a Logia-like effect. That would also remove the weakness of getting hurt by my Zanpakuto. My entire body would become a deadly weapon and give me a lot of ideas on new moves. 

Now that the deadline is over, I was called by the Head Captain Yamamoto to take the test we agreed on. It is funny that I probably could have become a Lieutenant years ago and am now as strong if not much stronger than a Captain class Shinigami. I am aware that doing good will get me a lot of attention, especially the Aizen Sosuke kind of attention. But I don't really care. I will not fall for his schemes like everyone did in the story. I have the cheat of Kenbunshoku Haki and I will use that if everything else fails. 

But other than that, I will continue to grow stronger and defeat him when the time comes. 

.

I walk to the designated area I was told about by my grandfather. He is also watching, as is my father. My father's health hasn't been well in the last couple of years and I fear for his safety. As I walk through the streets of the Seireitei, I think about my future. OG Byakuya married Hisana Kuchiki, a commoner from Rukongai, breaking the rules by accepting her into the noble Kuchiki Clan. Five years after the marriage, she became sick and was near death. I have no interest in repeating that in my life. 

If I marry I will marry who I wish, just like the original. But my desire for such a bond is nonexistent at the moment. I will see what happens. I met a young Rangiku Matsumoto in the Academy. She and Gin Ichimaru entered the Shin'o Academy this year. We talk from time to time, but not that much. I also know some other Shinigami, but none of the younger cast. I hear that Gin Ichimaru is quite the genius and it is rumoured that he will probably leave the Academy after the first year. Good for him.

.

I reach the place and see some people waiting for me. The Head Captain Yamamoto is standing there with his Lieutenant Sasakibe. My Grandfather is there as well and my father. Other than them there is the 4th Division Captain, Retsu Unohana as well as the 11th Division Captain Kenpachi Kiganjō, who is the 10th Kenpachi. The latter surprises me because I heard that the current Kenpachi is a lazy piece of shit. But his maniacal grin tells me that there might be something going on that I don't know about.

"You have come Kuchiki Byakuya.", the Headcaptain says as I arrive in front of him and the other Captains. 

"I have Head Captain."

"Are you prepared for the test that we agreed on?", he asked me.

"I am."

"Very well. Today you are going to have to fight against seated officers of the 13 Court Guard Squads. If you manage to win against two, you pass this exam. If you manage to fight against a Lieutenant and not lose you also pass the exam. Is there something that isn't clear?"

"No, everything is clear Head Captain. Who will I be fighting first?", I ask him.

"You will be fighting anyone who wishes to fight against you. Is there anyone?"

"One of mine wants to have a go at the boy.", Kenpachi Kiganjō says with a grin.

"Hm? Captain Kiganjō who is the person that is interested in fighting Kuchiki Byakuya?", Yamamoto asks.

"This one right here. Maki Ichinose is one of my seated officers. I think that should be interesting don't you think?", the man says with a grin.

"Very well. Do you accept the challenge Kuchiki Byakuya?"

"I do."

"Good. Both fighters prepare on the field. Ready ... Begin!", Yamamoto starts the duel. Although it is called a duel, I can feel the killing intent coming from Ichinose. I guess that is Kiganjō's order to test me. I wonder what made him so interested in me. 

Ichinose attacks me with his Zanpakuto. I dodge his strike with minimal movement. He seems surprised at this. I can tell what he will do next thanks to my advanced Kenbunshoku Haki. But I don't have it activated right now. I am interested in winning such an easy fight without it. I would be embarrassed if I couldn't even manage that. 

Ichinose attacks again and again. He desperately tries to cut me or at least make me block. But he's nowhere near strong enough for me to do that. I can win this fight without even trying, but that would appear like I used a surprise attack. I see Ichinose getting angry and his movements are getting sloppier. Anger is only useful if you know how to use it in a fight, otherwise it will drop your performance dramatically. 

"Stand still! Fight back you coward!", he screams. 

I don't answer him. No matter what I say, it would be pointless and uninteresting. This fight's outcome is clear as day but he tries to get some reaction out of me. My character would not make me stoop to that level. The serenity I carry myself with is not an act. I am truly better than most and that is visible in the way I act. 

I use a very big opening. He swings his Zanpakuto in a wide arc, that leaves his midsection wide open. I use that chance and flash towards him. I grab my Zanpakuto handle and use it to strike his stomach with it. His eyes widen because of that and he drops to the ground. I see this fight as over and look at Yamamoto. 

He also agrees with my assessment but Ichinose seems to have other ideas. He manages to stand back up with pure anger. 

"Enough! This fight has concluded. Kuchiki Byakuya is the winner.", Yamamoto says. 

"NO! I am not finished. Is that all you can do, you noble brat? Dance and use fancy moves? That wasn't a real fight. I want to continue what do you say?"

"You are correct. This wasn't a real fight. If it was, you would be dead now."

"What?! How dar-"

"Ichinose! The Head Captain said it is over.", Kiganjō says. 

"B-But Captain. I'm sure that I can continue. If I was allowed to use my Zanpakuto things would be different. Please allow me to continue.", Ichinose says to his Captain. 

"This is not my decision to make. What do you say Head Captain? If he truly is as talented as the Kuchiki clan claims, I'm sure he has achieved Shikai by now."

"I have no patience for brats that believe themselves more than they are. I said this fight is over and that's what it is. You stand no chance against Kuchiki Byakuya. Now step down before you make more of a fool of yourself.", Yamamoto tells Ichinose.

.

Ichinose clentches his fist. He is beyond angry to have lost against an Academy graduate. No matter how talented he is, he believes he should have won against me. Well, he is an idiot. But I guess I could indulge in his pathetic illusions. No, I am not interested in pointless fights. This wouldn't help me in any way. 

"Now, who is the next person who would like to challenge Kuchiki Byakuya?", Yamamoto asks.

"I am very interested.", Kenpachi Kiganjō says. I am surprised for a moment but don't let it show on my face. I finally understand what he is doing here. This must have been his plan from the beginning, depending on how I performed. But he will be surprised if he thinks he can bully me. 

"Captain Kiganjō, don't test my patience.", Yamamoto says understanding the fat man's intentions. 

"I'm not trying to do that. I am merely following what you said. He can be tested and that is what I intend to do. Or are you going back on your word?", he asked the Head Captain. This doesn't sit well with Yamamoto, I can see that. He even opens one of his eyes. Pressure seems to build up but I stop them from fighting. 

"I accept the challenge.", I say. 

"What?!" "No!", I hear Grandfather and Father exclaim. But they aren't the only ones who are surprised. Everyone is and most believe me to be arrogant. The only two who are intrigued are Unohana and Yamamoto. 

"Kuchiki Byakuya are you prepared for what you agree here? There will be no interruptions once this takes place.", Yamamoto says but I am not scared of this man. 

"I am fully prepared. This is my choice."

"Very well then. You may begin."

. 

Kiganjō stands in front of me and has a big disgusting smile on his face. He believes this to be an easy fight. Well, he is in for a surprise. 

"Hehehe, come boy. Show me what you can do."

"As you wish.", I say and unsheath my Zanpakuto. I could win this fight without it, but this will be the fastest way. As I unsheath my Zanpakuto, the air around me changes. My Zanpakuto's blade is black because I have been imbuing it with my Haki now. I raise the blade over my head and get in position. I stomp my left leg on the ground and swing my sword down with both hands. 

'Kokuto Kogetsu'

[Picture]

Black Blade Arc Moon is a move I learned from Dracule Mihawk. My swing generates a compressed air blade that slices apart the ground. I held myself back because otherwise the area would be destroyed and I didn't want to hit anyone else. 

"ARGH!!", a scream is heard from Kiganjō. Looking at him I can see that there is a giant slash on his body that reaches from his shoulder all the way down his waist. It seems that he managed to harden his body with his Reiatsu when he felt the attack hit him. That saved his life right there. But the fight is nowhere done. I won't wait for him to gather his bearings. 

Kiganjō is surprised but besides the pain he is feeling his pride probably hurts more. He went from making fun of me and taunting me, to bleeding all over the floor. I flash towards him and slash at his right side. The big man however manages to unsheath his Zanpakuto and blocks my strike. He is not a Kenpachi for nothing. But that doesn't matter to me. I am here to fight him, nothing more, nothing less. 

The strength of the current Kenpachi is impressive but I believe that it is nowhere near something that would warrant him being a Kenpachi. I remember that he was killed by Kenpachi Zaraki in one swing. And if I wanted to, that could have happened here as well. But he wasn't taking me seriously, so killing him would have looked like a fluke. 

I slash in quick succession and put a lot of pressure on him. He has an angry expression on his face as he isn't even able to counterattack. He uses his strength to push me away and then has a focused gaze. He narrows his eyes and then speaks. 

"Break ... Kotsuryū" (Bone Dragon)