Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

Akira somewhat believed Aizen's words.

Having already applied for graduation, it made sense for them to leave the Academy together — they could watch each other's backs once they joined their respective Divisions.

As it happened, Aizen was the perfect choice for promoting faith in the divine shrine. His eloquence alone — the kind that could convince people the dead were alive — would be enough to sway nearly everyone.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In the days that followed, Akira settled into a fixed routine.

His time was split between the Academy cafeteria and training grounds.

With graduation approaching, the Academy had set aside an empty training ground for him to hone and consolidate his skills.

This peaceful rhythm continued until the day of the Konsō practice.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Shin'ō Academy. Private training grounds.

Dozens of figures stood in straight, orderly lines, their eyes fixed on the lead instructor.

Among these sixth-year students, Akira and Aizen — both first-years — stood out conspicuously. Yet not a single person dared show contempt or even glance at them twice.

Since defeating the elite sixth-year student Takeo Matsushita, Akira had become a prominent figure at the Academy.

Though the academy had produced countless talented individuals during its two-thousand-year history, someone like him remained extraordinary.

He had defeated an elite sixth-year genius barehanded, bested multiple teachers in combat, and perfectly executed missions meant only for official Shinigami.

In just half a year, his achievements had surpassed those of the graduating students.

While everyone remained lost in thought, the lead instructor cleared his throat. After explaining the key points, he moved straight to team assignments.

The two close friends were assigned to separate teams.

Under Uruoi's direction, Akira's teammates would be the top two sixth-year students:

Takeo Matsushita and Saori Takeshita.

"Long time no see, big guy!" Akira greeted casually.

"Y-yes, long time no see, Kisaragi-san." Gone was Takeo's former arrogance — the burly student now appeared remarkably timid.

Saori's demeanor matched Takeo's. Both wore ingratiating smiles as they tried to curry favor.

"How boring..." Akira felt disappointed at missing out on the classic confrontational scene of the chinese bullshit novels.

"Unlock!" The lead instructor drew his Zanpakutō and pressed its hilt against the massive gate, producing a clicking sound.

The ancient gate slowly opened backward in a brilliant white light.

"Take your Jigokuchō (Hell Butterflies) and move out!"

At the command, the students filed in one after another, stepping onto the path to the Human World.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

The moon curved like a hook.

In the darkness beyond the reach of living humans, a group of people guided the souls of the dead to the Soul Society.

When Takeo found a Plus, he immediately deferred to Akira, letting him perform the Konsō first. His fawning expression seemed jarringly out of character.

Akira sighed.

This was the tragic wall between people — only someone like Aizen remained unchanged by differences in status and strength.

"Thank you, Matsushita-kun." He expressed his thanks, drew his Zanpakutō, gripped it in reverse, and pressed the hilt's end against the Soul's forehead.

{T/N: Just for clarification, the MC's Zanpakutō is still an Asauchi, but they all have the same function, except that the former is much more powerful than the latter. Asauchi is just the name given to a generic Zanpakutō until the Shinigami connects with their sword and thus can transform it into something unique.}

When the "Shinigami" mark appeared, the Plus shattered into countless points of light before condensing into a black butterfly — similar to a Jigokuchō — and flying toward the Soul Society in the light.

"Rest in peace, Plus. Wandering in the Living World is not your destiny." Akira pressed his hands together in prayer, "Please go to the Soul Society to begin your new life."

{T/N: And buy some talismans from the Sakahone Shrine, thank you very much!}

The light faded, the Plus buried.

To his disappointment, the Konsō practice proceeded without incident. There was no Hollow invasion, no assassination attempts by nobles.

The entire examination concluded uneventfully, with everyone returning safely to the Soul Society.

The entire process took less than two hours.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

"Normally, it would take at least a whole night."

At the Senkaimon, Aizen analyzed.

"But perhaps due to Kaoru-sensei's arrangements, this Konsō exam was specifically scheduled in an area with a high concentration of Pluses."

"I didn't expect Kaoru-sensei to be so thoughtful." Akira mused.

Aizen glanced at him and replied with a straight face.

"Could it be... he just doesn't want to see you anymore."

"?" Akira fell silent.

After a moment, he spoke again.

"But I'm a handsome, exemplary student and—"

"Don't start."

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

The next morning, beneath the bright sun.

The largest training ground at the Shin'ō Academy teemed with spectators — students and Shinigami alike — until the vast space appeared dark with bodies.

Principal Genshirō Okikiba stood on the platform, watching the rows of students below with solemn pride, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.

At last, he had completed the task assigned by the Captain-Commander.

Once this class graduated, he would relinquish his position as principal and return to the 1st Division for new duties.

As the preparation seats filled, Genshirō stepped forward, channeling his Reiatsu to project his voice across the entire training ground.

The grounds instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on the platform.

"Everyone, the graduation examination officially begins!"

The sixth-year students' eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to begin their new lives in the Gotei 13.

Akira, seated among them, sensed something out of the ordinary.

The platform held more than just Genshirō and the teachers — several other faces, both familiar and strange, stood watching.

Most notable among them was a distinctive gleaming bald head.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.

He sat with perfect posture, hands folded over his cane, his white captain's haori draped regally on either side.

Flanking him were Retsu Unohana and a sickly-looking young man who coughed intermittently.

"Hiss, something's not right!" Akira crossed his arms and furrowed his brow, turning to Aizen beside him, "Sōsuke, old man Yama's lost it too. Making such a spectacle of a simple graduation exam."

Aizen glanced at him but remained silent.

Some people's faces were as thick as city walls; even if they knew whose fault it was, they wouldn't easily admit it.

After the uneventful Konsō examination, he had hoped this priest's tendency to attract trouble had diminished, allowing for a simple, peaceful graduation ceremony.

Reality proved him naive. The real spectacle was still to come.

When was the last time the Captain-Commander had overseen a graduation exam? Aizen narrowed his eyes, recalling Uruoi's lessons.

It must have been during Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake's graduation exam.

⤫⤬⤫

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!

For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing