A week later....
On this particular day, the streets of the Rukongai were the liveliest they'd ever be throughout the entire year. Thousands upon thousands of well abled citizens - men and women, moved out of their homes for a chance at a better life.
On this particular day, the examinations for the Shin`o Academy of the Shinigami was held. Most of the folk traveled with one purpose in mind, to obtain a shot to become a shinigami.
Most of these people didn't even wish to become a seated officer, or even high ranking Shinigami, they just wished to become ordinary Shinigami, the cannon fodders of the Seireitei, after all even cannon fodders lived in far better conditions in the Seireitei compared to them.
Travelling towards the outskirts of 1st District of the West Rukongai, they waited patiently, waiting for the examiners to arrive. Even at such a distance, most of them could see the massive West Gate of the Seireitei and the humongous beast of a man who stood there like a pillar, guarding the gate.
It wasn't until later in the afternoon, did a man dressed in the normal Shinigami shikahusho and a pair of glasses appear before them.
"I welcome you all to this event. It must've been quite the hurdle traveling from your respective homes to this place, hence, I will not waste your time any further...
The first test is for you to cross that massive gate to a specified location in the Seireitei, underneath the crushing weight of Jidanbo's reiatsu.
This test is designed to sift the chaff from amongst you. To remove those who do not possess the bare minimum to become Shinigami, so let the test begin!!"
The moment he finished his words, the citizens glared towards the massive man guarding the gates, Jidanbo Ikkanzaka, a friendly man, and rushed towards him with all of their strength.
*BANG!*
Looking towards his own people in guilt, the buff man released his reiatsu, and in that moment, under the crushing weight, about 60 percent of the population dropped to the ground and fainted.
The rest tried their best to resist the crushing weight, some even crawling on the ground, for the one in a million chance to escape poverty and worthlessness. The chance at a better life.
Shaking his head, the instructor looked towards the struggles of the citizens, as he shook his head and sighed in pity, before he turned towards two figures cloaked in black standing under a huge tree.
Recognising one of the figures, he hurriedly bowed.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Vice Captain Matsumoto.."
He spoke sincerely, even though the people of the Rukongai seemed to acknowledge him as Superior, in the Seireitei, he was just like any ordinary Shinigami, and he had to bow in the presence of a high ranking official such as Rangiku.
"It's nothing personal. Just came to escort one annoying brat to go through the examination...why does he even want to do this stupid examination? He fits all the requirements?!"
She spoke calmly for a moment, until her anger suddenly flared and she raised her voice.
"Anyway, you may carry on with your duties.."
She waved her hand in dismissal, as the man nodded and left.
After the man swiftly disappeared, Rangiku turned towards Momo only to see looking into the distance with a hint of longing on her face.
"Oh? And why are so distracted Momo? Could you perhaps be waiting for someone?.."
The moment she spoke, the young girl snapped out of her reverie and blushed before lowering her head.
"Could it possibly be our handsome rogue swordsman? Could you have fallen for him?"
Rangiku asked in exaggeratingly, placing her hand over her mouth as if completely shocked.
"What? No...."
The young girl argued, but the flustered expression on her face only widened Rangiku's smile.
"I-I-I I think he's a good person. He deserves a shot at a better life.."
She stammered and spoke while blushing as the Vice Captain laughed.
"You're right, Momo. He does seem like a great guy. The Gotei 13 sure could use someone like him.."
"However overly good and seemingly helpless people are the ones who hide the deepest secrets. He'll hurt you before you can even realize it.."
Rangiku was smiling a lot as she spoke, until she paused and sighed, remembering a distant memory.
"Anyway, let's leave, the fun part of the assessment will now begin."
She spoke, the both of them began walking towards the massive man, Jidanbo, however before they entered the gates, Rangiku whispered something into his ears and winked, before they entered the Seireitei.
"For those of you who have managed to reach here, I'll say well done, however there is a final hurdle you must cross in order achieve the life that you seek.."
He spoke and picked a small round orb, raising it up for everyone to see.
"These are reiryoku measuring devices. Your amount of reiryoku is one way or the other, a measure of your talent. It signifies how much you can advance in your path as a Shinigami. If your reiryoku meets the acceptable limit, your stone will turn yellow, if not, it will not turn on at all.
If your reiryoku nears Vice Captain level, the stone will shine with a blue colour. Above that is a green colour and that is what I call, Supreme Potential, and only those above with blue and green colors have the honor to admitted to the Shun'o Academy's class 1."
The man spoke, as multiple gasps rang out. Class 1 was only reserved for the Noble and Aristocratic families, only allowing commoners with supreme potential to join. To people like them, it was like a dream come true, like a carp leaping out of the dragon's gate.
Multiple shinigami appeared like shadows and began distributing the stones to the commoners.
*DING!*
As the first man placed his hand onto the stone, it turned a sparkling golden colour, and in that moment tears run down his cheeks.
"Congratulations on joining Shun'o Academy.."
The Shinigami in charge smiled, and gestured beside him, as the man walked towards him, sakuted and stood beside him.
As the people began to check their reiryoku level, nearly almost everyone got a red colour, with only a few getting the blue touch.
"A supreme Potential?.."
The Shinigami incharge watched a young silver haired boy place his hands onto the stone a d saw it turn to a bright green colour.
And instantly, everyone's head turned towards the boy.
"A Supreme Grade talent? I thought we'd never see one of those again?"
One Shinigami facepalmed as his colleagues laughed it out.
********
Meanwhile, standing before the massive gate, Jidanbo suddenly squinted his eyes, feeling a foreign reiatsu rushing towars him like the wind.
He suddenly reached out a massive boulder and hurled it towards the incoming intruder.
*BANG!*
As the stone blasted over with immense forcex the intruder hurled himself into the air with a flip, dodged it and landed on the ground.
He was dressed in a red kimono with white pants, with his sheathed blade strapped to his waist.
"Intruder late. Jidanbo not allow pass through gate..".
Speaking in a slightly barbaric manner, the massive man grabbed onto two huge pairs of axes from his back.
Kenshin took a deep breath and turned towards the massive man, looking towards him in surprise.
"But, Jidanbo follow Captain orders. Intruder go to assesment if survive one attack from Jidanbo.."
The man's words caused Kenshin to frown for a moment, however his face turned serious as he gripped his sword. The big man had given him a way out. To survive one attack from him.
Although Kenshin wasn't sure if Jidanbo could even survive an attack from him. He didn't want to accidentally harm an innocent person, however he closed his eyes and relaxed. Since Jidanbo had dared to challenge him, he wouldn't be so weak right?
Meanwhile, a several figures appeared on top of the gate, watching the battle about to take place.
"Hiryusen...."
Placing one hand on the sheath of his blade, he crouched low, his muscles tightening like bowstring.
*BOOM*
The moment he took a step forward, he disappeared, as a sonic boom reverberated, sending a massive shockwave into the distance.
"Such speed.."
Watching from the top, Toshiro smacked his lips, watching Kenshin's show of speed.
Readying himself Jidanbo raised both axes and slashed out, wanting to cleave through Kenshin who had appeared before him in the blink of an eye.
However the red haired youth flipped, hurling himself into the sky and dodging the attack. While still in the air, with his hand still on the sheath of his blade, he suddenly aimed it towards the head of the massive man.
*BANG!*
The sword instantly shot out like a bullet, butt first, accompanied by the massive momentum he gathered from his explosion in speed. Without much time to defend, the butt of the sword smashed right into Jidanbo's forehead, causing the humongous man to take a step back, as a shockwave erupted from the collision.
Stretching out the sheath of the blade, Kenshin caught his sword right into it, before he leaned in while still in midair, with one hand on the sheath, and the other on the handle, and exploded forth with a backhand slash, right into the chest of the massive man.
*BANG!!!*
***
Nearly every participant had finished checking out his reiryoku level. Those with talent had been selected and the others were being went home.
However right then and there, a massive boom resounded, as a humongous figure came crashing into the grounds, destroying the very gates he was assigned to protect with his own body.
And behind him, a figure slowly walked with his head lowered, gently sheathing his blade emotionlessly.
In that moment, everyone, including all the Shinigami present, were utterly shocked at the display of strength.
Sending Jidanbo who was arguably a very powerful Shinigami. A person who had protected the Western Gate for 300 years crashing through the very gates he swore to protect wasnt something and ordinary Shinigami could even dream of.
However if they found out that he had done it in only one strike, most of them wouldve collapsed right then and there.
Even Toshiro, Momo and especially Rangiku were the most shocked amongst everyone, because they had witnessed the whole thing.
"Sorry for the disturbance, everyone. I hope I'm not too late to participate in the selection.."
Kenshin looked towards the stunned faces of everyone present and respectfully bowed and smiled.
A/N: Sorry for the late update..