Seireitei, Shin'ō Academy
The autumn wind swept across the broad, level expanse of sand with a soft rustle. Hundreds of students in red-and-white or red-and-blue academy uniforms held their breath, their eyes fixed on the young man in the center.
His short black hair was neatly tied back. His features bore the Shiba Clan's characteristic handsomeness, yet there was none of its wild, unruly air about him. Instead, he radiated a warmth as bright and clear as sunlight.
Kaien Shiba.
As the eldest grandson of the presiding elder of the Shiba Clan's main family, one of the Five Great Noble Houses, he had only just entered his second year at Shin'ō Academy. Most students his age were still sweating over the rhythm of the incantation for [Hadō #4: Byakurai], or could not even resonate properly with their Zanpakutō. Yet he had already surpassed countless upperclassmen and stood calmly on the highest assessment platform, where graduation-level proficiency was tested.
"You may begin, Kaien."
The chief examiner on the raised platform took a deep breath and nodded. Beneath his stern expression, he could hardly conceal his excitement and anticipation.
Kaien looked up and flashed the platform a cheerful smile. Taking a deep breath, he settled his right hand firmly at his waist and slowly drew his Zanpakutō.
Holding the hilt in both hands with the tip lowered, he closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell with long, deep breaths. When he opened his eyes again, his clear gaze had turned piercing:
"Surge, water and sky! Nejibana!"
With that clear, ringing release command, a deafening roar erupted over the dry sand! A fierce surge of azure water appeared from nowhere, spiraling upward like a roaring water dragon and enveloping Kaien.
Within the shimmering water, the once-unremarkable Zanpakutō rapidly lengthened and transformed into