Shin'ō Academy.
Three months had passed since the start of classes.
And today, Kaito was once again crossing the gates of the Academy — only for the second time.
It was a special day: the first practical exams and the ceremony for the distribution of the Asauchi — the embryonic swords that would serve as the foundation for future Zanpakutō.
Taking a deep breath, he mentally opened his status panel:
> [Current Status]
Name: Kaito
Titles: Heir of the Kasumiōji Clan, 1st-Year Student of Shin'ō Academy
Reiatsu:12 nivel
Zanjutsu: Basic
Hakuda: Basic
Shunpō: Basic
Hadō: Intermediate
Items: Tessaiga (Complete Version)
Kaito frowned slightly.
At first glance, his attributes seemed modest.
But according to the System, "Basic" and "Intermediate" levels were already equivalent to the standard level of a regular Gotei 13 Shinigami.
The System explained the power hierarchy as follows:
Common and Intermediate Levels → Regular Shinigami of the Gotei 13.
Elite Level → Seated Officers (third seats, fifth seats, etc.).
Master Level → Lieutenants and Captains.
Extreme Level → Legendary Captains (such as Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake, Yoruichi Shihōin, and Kisuke Urahara in specific fields).
Complete Level → The absolute pinnacle of a Shinigami's skill (exemplified by Unohana Retsu's mastery of Zanjutsu).
With that in mind, Kaito reassured himself.
It was still early... and his progress was solid.
---
The training courtyard buzzed with the energy of eager young souls.
Uniformed students lined up under the sharp gaze of the day's instructor:
Instructor Hoshigawa Ren — a tall man with short black hair and piercing eyes.
A veteran of the Gotei 13, he was known for his uncompromising philosophy:
> "Talent without discipline is wasted."
With his arms crossed, he seemed to weigh each student's soul with a single glance.
"Listen well, rookies!" he shouted, his voice firm.
"Today you will be evaluated in four categories: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpō, and Hadō.
After that, you will receive your Asauchi!"
The murmuring in the courtyard died instantly.
Ren distributed evaluation sheets to his assistants and began the tests.
---
Hours later...
Kaito had completed all evaluations with excellent marks — exactly as he had expected.
What truly caught his attention, however, was another name listed in the reports:
Sōsuke Aizen had also achieved perfect results.
Kaito, who had expected Aizen to hold back more during the exams, quickly understood:
"Of course... these perfect scores are probably what he considers 'holding back'."
"After all, becoming a Captain requires recognition, and every Captain — without exception — was once considered a genius during their Academy days."
Make no mistake:
Even though, in the future, many Captains might seem like mere "cannon fodder," each one had been a prodigy of their generation.
That was the reality of the Soul Society.
---
After the exams ended, Kaito received his reward: an Asauchi.
Holding the embryonic blade in his hands, he reflected:
"If I had wanted to, I could have requested an Asauchi directly, using my father's influence..."
"But I spent so much time training with Tessaiga lately that I simply forgot."
Kaito smiled faintly at the thought.
---
Returning to the Kasumiōji Mansion, Kaito went straight to the clan's private training grounds.
There, he began his practice of Zen — the refined process of connecting with the Asauchi.
Unlike the standard method taught at the Academy, the Kasumiōji Zen was far deeper and more effective.
According to secret traditions, this practice had been refined by none other than Yamamoto Genryūsai himself, at the request of Central 46 during the early days of the Gotei 13.
And only the Five Great Noble Clans and Yamamoto's direct disciples had access to it.
Sitting formally on the tatami mat, Kaito closed his eyes.
His reiatsu flowed in a controlled stream, enveloping the blade... and descending into his core.