Chapter 78

As Kaelith Yurei stepped into the training grounds, he couldn't help but be taken aback.

The space wasn't just crowded—it was filled to the brim with Shinigami.

To be precise, they weren't sitting but kneeling.

Every Shinigami knelt on both knees, hands clenched into fists and placed on their thighs, resembling some kind of ancient assembly from the Spring and Autumn Period. (t/n Basically it is a reference to a historical era in Chinese history)

On the high platform, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni stood silently. Behind him stood Sasakibe Chōjirō, ramrod straight.

Further back were several captains.

Kyōraku Shunsui, Hirako Shinji, Kuchiki Ginrei, and Nagamitsu Sora!

Kaelith disappeared in a flash, reappearing at Yamamoto's side.

Upon seeing him, Kyōraku raised a hand and greeted him cheerfully. 

Hirako stared at Kaelith silently, as though pondering something.

Kuchiki Ginrei didn't even glance his way, maintaining an indifferent composure.

Nagamitsu nodded at him slightly, offering a kind smile.

Kaelith bowed his head in return before looking at Yamamoto.

"Old man, what's going on here? Why the grand setup?"

As he asked, Kaelith braced himself for Yamamoto to scold him first and then answer.

To his surprise, Yamamoto barely reacted. 

The old man rested both hands on his staff and said calmly, "You'll find out soon enough."

Kaelith blinked, then turned to look at Kyōraku with a startled expression.

Was the old man sick or something?

He shot Kyōraku a questioning look.

Kyōraku responded with an awkward smile and a silent warning in his gaze: *Tread carefully.*

This only made Kaelith more suspicious.

Returning to the waiting area, Kaelith found Aizen.

"Sōsuke, something feels off about today."

Aizen gave him a sidelong glance. 

Anyone with even the slightest wrinkle in their cerebral cortex could tell that much.

His sharp eyes scanned the crowd.

Before long, he spotted the people he was looking for.

Upon seeing them, a flash of resignation crossed Aizen's face.

He had a rough idea of what Yamamoto was planning with this grand setup.

"Kaelith, you idiot… If I'd known this was coming, I wouldn't have agreed to graduate with you."

"Sōsuke, remember this lesson. Next time Kaelith drags you into something, don't follow along. Even if it means delaying your graduation by a month—or even just a few days—don't follow him!"

Aizen turned his head, intending to warn Kaelith, only to find that he had already wandered off to bother Yamada Seinosuke.

Seinosuke was seated cross-legged on the ground, holding a thick medical tome as he reviewed key concepts with a frown. 

Kaelith's interruption made him wish he could kick him out of the room.

At that moment, Sasakibe Chōjirō stepped forward on the high platform and spoke loudly:

"Everyone!"

"The graduation exams for three outstanding students from the Shin'ō Academy…"

"And the captaincy examinations for three newly appointed captains… will now officially begin!"

"All of you present, as witnesses, are asked to observe today's ceremony with care!"

Upon hearing this, the gathered Shinigami displayed varying degrees of surprise.

Before arriving, many had wondered why they had been suddenly summoned.

After all, the group consisted of elite Shinigami from various divisions, rarely called together like this.

But if this was for a captain promotion ceremony—especially one involving three new captains—it all made sense.

Kaelith, however, stood frozen in place upon hearing the announcement.

"What the...?" Kaelith Yurei muttered under his breath. 

A promotion ceremony for three captains being held together with the graduation exam for a handful of first-year students? 

What kind of bizarre scheduling was this? 

Had Yamamoto grown senile to the point where he couldn't differentiate the importance of events anymore? 

On the raised platform, Sasakibe Chōjirō paused for a moment before announcing loudly: 

"Shin'ō Academy, first-year student, Aizen Sōsuke. Enter the arena for your evaluation!" 

Aizen sighed inwardly, stood up, and walked to the center of the grounds.

Under the curious gazes of the crowd, he adopted a slightly nervous expression, swallowed audibly, and bowed several times to those around him. (t/n a master of acting) 

Seeing Aizen's actions, many squad members showed approving smiles. 

Young, yet so polite. 

After all, most students applying for early graduation often had eccentric personalities, with arrogance and overconfidence being the mildest traits among them. 

For someone like Aizen, who was both capable and respectful, he was practically a rare gem. 

On the platform, Hirako Shinji frowned slightly. 

What an act. 

The kid's eyes betrayed his true disdain for everyone around him, yet he managed to maintain an image of perfect decorum. 

A brat so young already playing mind games like this—it was honestly revolting. 

(t/n Damn so he caught on that early? No wonder he was so suspicious of him in the anime) 

---

The exam for Aizen consisted of two parts. 

The first was a test of his proficiency with Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kido. 

Aizen completed the tasks effortlessly, achieving perfect scores across the board. 

Next came the combat proficiency test. 

Due to his flawless performance in the fundamentals, his opponent was a seated officer who had already mastered their Shikai. 

According to the rules, Aizen only needed to survive for fifteen minutes without losing. 

From across the arena, a tall Shinigami stepped onto the stage. 

At Sasakibe's command, the Shinigami drew his Zanpakutō and launched an attack. 

Aizen drew his blade in turn. 

He didn't use the techniques he had honed through sparring with Kaelith Yurei. Instead, he strictly adhered to the forms and movements taught in the academy's manuals. 

Even his minor movements were textbook-perfect, a testament to his incredible control over his body. 

In the audience, Kinoshita Hinno watched the fight and couldn't help but feel a strange illusion. 

The student on the stage didn't seem like a person but rather the instructional figure drawn in academy manuals demonstrating various combat stances. 

Despite the tall Shinigami's relentless attacks, he failed to find a single opening in Aizen's defense. 

Frustrated, he released his Shikai, transforming his Zanpakutō into a massive iron hammer, completely changing his approach. 

Yet, Aizen continued to fight in the same flawless, textbook fashion, as though unaffected by the change in tactics. 

When the fifteen-minute timer rang, the tall Shinigami stepped down in defeat, his face pale and defeated. 

The gathered squad members now looked at Aizen with a mixture of surprise and solemnity, their earlier nonchalance replaced by newfound respect. 

"No wonder he dared to apply for graduation in his first year… his strength is already at the level of a senior seated officer, isn't it?" 

"Maybe not quite, but he's definitely at least a mid-level seated officer." 

"Phew, is the Seireitei about to produce another monster?" 

As Sasakibe announced Aizen's successful completion of the exam, Aizen bowed respectfully toward the platform before slowly leaving the stage. 

As he passed Kaelith Yurei, he cast a glance of subtle pity at his friend. 

He was certain Kaelith wouldn't be facing the same straightforward test he had. 

Kaelith, however, was oblivious to Aizen's expression. 

With a grin, he said, "Sōsuke, that performance was weak. Watch me pull off something that'll leave everyone speechless." 

With that, he swaggered confidently toward the center of the grounds. 

The first task was the basic skills test—nothing to worry about. 

As he reached for his blade, he suddenly noticed Sasakibe's expression turn strangely delicate on the platform.

"Shin'ō Academy, first-year student, Kaelith Yurei," Sasakibe announced. 

"The graduation exam will consist of…" 

"…a live combat scenario. To pass, you must defeat the Vice-Captain of the Eighth Division, Yadōmaru Lisa!" 

Kaelith: "...What?" 

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T/n tough luck mate, who told you to show off so much? 

You can also check out here for 65 advanced chapters!

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Also looks like we will finish off the week in top 5. So everyone will get 8 extra chapters tomorrow!!

We are in fact top 1! XD thank you all for your support!