"Hey, did you hear the news?"
"What news? Come on, just tell me already!"
"It's about that first-year prodigy, Shigure Segawa."
"Yeah, I've heard of him. What about it?"
"I heard from someone in the administration that after completing his soul burial internship today, he went straight to the Central Pavilion to apply for graduation!"
"What?! Are you serious?"
"It's true!"
"But... first-years just got their Asauchi two weeks ago, right? And he's already unlocked his Zanpakuto? Meanwhile, you've been here for three years and still haven't awakened yours!"
"Ugh... I find it hard to believe too! But why are you dragging me into this?!"
...
Before anyone realized it, this topic had become the hottest gossip throughout the entire Shinō Academy.
The buzz even overshadowed the previous discussions about Kaien Shiba and Gin Ichimaru.
Graduating after just two weeks of enrollment—what kind of monster could accomplish such a feat?
At the same time, the news began to spread within the various divisions of the Gotei 13.
Even Shunsui Kyōraku personally heading to the academy to oversee the matter caused quite a stir.
Meanwhile, in the 5th Division's barracks, two figures sat across from each other at a tea table.
To the left sat a man wearing a white captain's haori, his soft brown curls framing his face. He wore black-rimmed glasses, and his brown eyes were focused intently on the teacup in his hands. His expression carried a gentle and refined smile.
Across from him sat a petite girl with her black hair tied up in a bun atop her head. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she stared down at her lap.
The man was none other than Sōsuke Aizen, Captain of the 5th Division.
And the girl was Momo Hinamori, his lieutenant.
At this moment, Aizen was meticulously preparing tea.
Hinamori lowered her head and spoke softly, "Captain Aizen... is there something important you wanted to discuss, calling me here at this hour?"
Aizen didn't immediately respond. Instead, he calmly continued arranging the tea set on the table. Only after everything was in order did he look up with a smile and say, "Hinamori, there has been quite a bit of news coming out of the Shinō Academy lately, hasn't there?"
"Eh?" Hinamori blinked, clearly caught off guard by the change in topic.
"You've heard of Shigure Segawa, haven't you?" Aizen asked, his smile unwavering.
Seeing his expression, Hinamori's face turned an even deeper shade of red. She nodded shyly, murmuring a soft "yes" before adding, "Everyone's been saying... that during the entrance exam, his spiritual pressure reached captain-level, and in terms of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō... he's not inferior to the instructors..."
"Indeed," Aizen replied with a smile. "A truly enviable genius, wouldn't you agree?"
"Y-Yes, you're right," Hinamori said earnestly, nodding.
"Such an extraordinary talent... I wonder which division he'll choose to serve in after graduation," Aizen mused, his glasses glinting ominously in the light.
At that moment, within the Central Pavilion of the Shinō Academy, the usually tranquil atmosphere had been disrupted.
Because of Shigure Segawa's arrival, the long-unused examination hall had been hastily cleaned and prepared.
"Segawa-kun, you may enter now!" a Soul Reaper standing at the door called out.
Shigure rose to his feet and walked forward at an unhurried pace.
The examination hall resembled the dojo used for swordsmanship classes, with one notable difference: a raised platform at the front with five seats.
Four of these seats were occupied by elderly individuals, many of whom had graying or completely white hair.
The central seat, however, remained vacant.
As Shigure stepped into the hall, the elder seated furthest to the left spoke up. Despite his frail appearance, his voice was exceptionally strong.
"Shigure Segawa, please await the arrival of the Gotei Overseer."
Hearing this, Shigure inclined his head slightly. "Understood."
The term "Gotei Overseer" referred to the captain from the Gotei 13 who would oversee his evaluation.
Graduating early from the Shinō Academy meant being assigned to one of the thirteen divisions ahead of schedule, typically in a high-ranking seat. Such a matter was not taken lightly by the Gotei 13.
Standing in the center of the hall, Shigure waited quietly, all the while sensing the spiritual particles in the surrounding space.
Although he wasn't entirely sure about the specifics of the evaluation, Captain Shunsui Kyōraku had mentioned earlier that it would primarily focus on Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō.
And, of course, he would need to demonstrate the release of his Zanpakuto.
It didn't seem too challenging—Shigure felt confident and relaxed.
Just then, a familiar spiritual pressure entered the room, and a figure materialized in the central seat.
"Ah, sorry about that. I'm a bit late," came the voice of an easygoing man.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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