Sitting at home, Aoto performed his final session of Sword Zen, sharing a heartfelt conversation with his Zanpakuto.
Before long, Toshiro opened the door. "Master, it's time!"
Aoto opened his eyes. All his power was gathered within him, giving him a sense of returning to the natural state.
"Understood!"
He rose and slid his Zanpakuto back into its scabbard at his waist.
At that moment, though, Aoto had three swords at his waist.
One was his own Zanpakuto, one was a steel blade he had forged himself, and the last was a wooden sword.
There was no need to explain the Zanpakuto.
The wooden sword was for training and sparring when he was giving instruction.
As for the steel blade, Toshiro knew his master had started carrying it only after Vice-Captain Shiba's accident.
A Hollow that could make Zanpakuto disappear—Toshiro had been surprised when he first heard about it, too.
Vice-Captain Shiba had just been unlucky enough to run into one, but nobody knew whether they might encounter another Hollow with the same ability in the future.
If Vice-Captain Shiba had still had a steel blade at the time, he could have quickly slain the Hollow instead of giving it an opening.
That was why Toshiro now carried an ordinary steel blade of his own, one that could still cut Hollows.
Aoto had always believed in preparing for the worst.
Under his guidance, Toshiro had developed much the same habit.
"Let's go!"
Aoto left the room, and Toshiro followed.
Toshiro would also be there to watch Aoto's captain examination. He was absolutely certain that one day, he would become a captain himself.
Outside Aoto's home, many Soul Reapers had gathered early to cheer him on.
Most of them were seated officers from the 11th Division.
They hated to see 4th Seat Hyakume go, but he was going to become a captain. That was surely a good thing!
Aoto was deeply grateful for their support. He kept it all in his heart, then set off for the First Division headquarters with Toshiro.
Aoto's captain examination would take place under the watchful eyes of three captains, including the Captain-Commander, so naturally, it would be held at the First Division headquarters!
When they reached the First Division headquarters, Vice-Captain Chojiro Sasakibe was already waiting outside.
Aoto had informed him in advance that he would be bringing his disciple, so Vice-Captain Sasakibe didn't stop Toshiro from coming along. He led them both inside.
Beneath the First Division headquarters lay the Seireitei's prison. It held criminals who posed a genuine threat to the Seireitei, and the more serious their crimes, the deeper the prison level to which they were sent.
The deepest level, the Eighth Prison, was Muken Hell.
That was why people were generally forbidden from entering the First Division headquarters without permission.
When Aoto entered the large room where the Captain-Commander was, he saw several captains gathered there.
Captain Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division, Captain Kyoraku Shunsui of the 8th Division, Captain Ukitake Jushiro of the 13th Division, Captain Tosen Kaname of the Ninth Division, and...
Captain Aizen Sōsuke of the Fifth Division.
What was he doing here?
Aoto's eye twitched slightly, but he calmly continued inside.
"Captain-Commander Genryusai, 4th Seat Hyakume Aoto has arrived."
Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai nodded to Vice-Captain Sasakibe, then turned his attention to Aoto.
At just a glance, Aoto felt a powerful Reiatsu settle over him.
Good grief, the Reiatsu from a mere look had to be at least second-class! The Captain-Commander really was terrifying!
Still, Aoto was fine, and his composure didn't waver... If he couldn't withstand so much as a look from the Captain-Commander, there was no point in taking the captain examination!
However, Toshiro, standing beside Aoto, was caught in the pressure as well.
But when Aoto turned to look at him, he saw that aside from furrowing his brow and gathering a layer of frost over his body, Toshiro was holding up just fine.
A promising talent!
The other captains trusted that Captain-Commander Yamamoto wouldn't have affected anyone else without a reason.
It seemed he had noticed Toshiro's potential the moment the boy entered.
A genius who had received a good education—though Soul Society was full of prodigies, Toshiro was unquestionably among the very best.
Excellent. The Captain-Commander had taken notice of him! Aoto's first reason for bringing Toshiro along had been fulfilled.
Aoto patted Toshiro's shoulder, dispelling the Reiatsu pressing down on him and shattering the ice that had spread from him. "Go over to Captain Ukitake."
Toshiro took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, Master!"
He slowly walked over to Captain Ukitake, who had greeted him, and stood beside him.
Turning back, Aoto addressed Captain-Commander Yamamoto. "I am Aoto Hyakume, a graduate of Shino Academy and 4th Seat of the 11th Division. I have come to take the 13th Division captain examination, and I respectfully ask Captain-Commander Yamamoto to witness it."
There was no guarantee that he would pass the captain examination. For now, Aoto was still 4th Seat of the 11th Division.
If he failed, he would remain 4th Seat of the 11th Division, but Captain Ukitake, who had already decided to retire, wouldn't be coming back.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto looked at Aoto Hyakume, recalling the records he had seen about him.
Aside from his Zanpakuto, Garaku Kairo, which had been kept confidential, Aoto had been an exemplary Soul Reaper throughout his career.
And the only reason he had revealed his Bankai was to save his fellow Soul Reapers, who had fallen into a Quincy trap...
Captain-Commander Yamamoto's assessment of Aoto Hyakume was excellent!
He was an outstanding graduate of Shino Academy.
Given Aoto's fighting style, Captain-Commander Yamamoto had chosen Captain Tosen Kaname of the Ninth Division as his opponent for the examination.
Aoto didn't necessarily have to defeat a captain to pass, but he did need to prove he possessed Captain-level combat strength.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto also wanted to see whether Aoto had any other abilities he was keeping hidden.
If Ukitake had gotten his way and Kyoraku Shunsui had been chosen to oversee the examination, he would certainly have gone far too easy on Aoto.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto knew the temperaments of his two disciples very well.
"Understood. Begin!"
Without further comment, Captain-Commander Yamamoto sent Tosen Kaname onto the field.
That made Aoto secretly breathe a sigh of relief... As long as Aizen wasn't the one facing him!
No, Aizen was right there. If he was feeling bold and switched places with Tosen Kaname, things could get ugly!
So... Aoto was starting to feel like giving up.
"Captain Tosen, please go easy on me!" Aoto flashed a dazzling smile.
Unfortunately, he was smiling for a blind man.
"If I hold back, you might not pass the examination," Tosen Kaname replied, clearly with no intention of going easy on him. "Come at me! Or I'll strike first!"
"Fine." Aoto sighed. "But, Captain Tosen, I've already made my move. You just haven't seen it!"
In that instant, a sword emerged from the shadow beneath Tosen Kaname's feet, thrusting straight for a vital point!