An overwhelming surge of Reiatsu rolled through the training grounds as Zaraki Kenpachi and Kusajishi Yachiru entered, their presence cutting through the atmosphere like a jagged blade. Everyone in the practice field—from the examiners seated above to the guards stationed nearby—felt the crushing pressure of Kenpachi's spiritual aura, heavy as a warhammer and just as merciless.

Chōjirō Sasakibe and the four elders seated on the high platform instinctively stiffened. Even among the captains, Kenpachi's raw spiritual force was anomalous, almost feral in its density and intent.

"Yo, Captain Zaraki," Ichimaru Gin greeted casually from the observation deck, his ever-lazy smile fixed in place, though his eyes flickered with curiosity.

Kenpachi, however, didn't even spare him a glance. His one visible eye locked on only one figure—Kuchiki Shiraha. Among all those present in the arena, Shiraha alone had captured his attention, a target, a challenge, a spark worth chasing.

"Captain Zaraki," Sasakibe said, stepping forward with a composed but clearly concerned expression. "What's the meaning of this interruption?"

No one had expected Zaraki—captain of the Eleventh Division—to barge into a formal graduation assessment. The man was chaos incarnate, but this was bold even for him.

"I came to find a fight," Kenpachi declared, grin widening across his scarred face, voice rough and unapologetic.

After learning that Shiraha had defeated a mid-tier Menos Grande—an Adjuchas-class Hollow—Kenpachi had left the Eleventh Division grounds without delay. The moment he heard of the kill, something deep within him stirred. A single, irresistible question had clawed its way to the front of his thoughts: Is this kid strong enough to entertain me?

A squad of panting Onmitsukidō operatives in black burst into the field behind him.

"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, our deepest apologies… we tried to stop Captain Zaraki, but—"

"It's fine. Leave us," Sasakibe interrupted with a wave of his hand, exhaling tightly.

He knew perfectly well—there wasn't a single stealth force operative who could stop Kenpachi if he wanted in. At best, they'd serve as speed bumps.

"Yes, sir!" the squad responded quickly, retreating without hesitation.

Zaraki's gaze stayed locked on Shiraha. "So, you're Kuchiki Shiraha, huh? Took down an Adjuchas alone? Doesn't look like much. Where's all that big, scary Reiatsu supposed to be?"

He squinted suspiciously. What little pressure he sensed from Shiraha felt faint, subdued—barely above a seated officer, let alone someone who'd killed an Adjuchas.

Shiraha stepped forward, calm and composed. "Yes, I'm Shiraha. I did kill the Adjuchas," he replied evenly, then, with a faint smirk, added, "As for my Reiatsu… I don't enjoy leaking it all over the place."

Then, without warning, his spiritual aura exploded outward.

A torrent of violet-hued Reiatsu surged from Shiraha's body in a violent wave, cascading across the practice field like a tsunami. The very earth groaned under its weight—timber cracked, dust lifted in spirals, and stone fixtures trembled in place. The force warped the air, the energy thick and undeniable.

The examiners on the platform, including Sasakibe, rose to their feet in shock.

"This Reiatsu… it's even stronger than before," Ichimaru Gin murmured, his smile sharpening ever so slightly.

He remembered their earlier encounter—at the time, Shiraha's Reiatsu had barely touched the threshold of a captain's level. But after their clash, it grew. And now… now it felt far beyond what he'd expected.

Kenpachi's eye widened, alight with wild anticipation.

"Yes! That's more like it!" he roared, eyes flashing with battlelust. "Kuchiki Shiraha, you're the one I've been looking for! Come on—fight me!"

He unsheathed his Zanpakutō in one brutal motion. The weapon, chipped and uneven, radiated raw killing intent. His spiritual pressure flared to meet Shiraha's, and his twisted grin widened with bloodthirsty joy.

On his shoulder, Yachiru clapped cheerfully. "Looks like Ken-chan's found someone fun to play with!"

Then, inside Shiraha's mind, a cold mechanical chime echoed.

System Notification: Check-in Task Triggered—Accept Zaraki Kenpachi's Challenge and Remain Undefeated for Thirty Minutes.

Reward: Template Progress +10%

Shiraha's eyes narrowed slightly. Half an hour against Zaraki Kenpachi? No easy task. Zaraki wasn't simply another captain—he was one of the strongest combatants in the entire Gotei 13. Only Yamamoto Genryūsai, Unohana Retsu—the First Kenpachi—and perhaps Aizen Sosuke stood above him in pure battle potential.

Even when Zaraki fought seriously, he rarely unleashed his full power. He enjoyed fighting far too much to end things quickly. He wanted pain, pressure, and a worthy enemy.

In the original timeline, Ichigo Kurosaki had managed to defeat him without Bankai. But only because Zaraki had suppressed his own Reiatsu to match Ichigo's and sought a fair brawl. Had he truly gone all out, Ichigo wouldn't have lasted three minutes.

Shiraha knew he couldn't let this chance slip away. If he completed the check-in task, his template progress would rise to 80%—a monumental boost.

"Captain Zaraki, this is a graduation exam," Sasakibe said firmly, flashing forward with a Shunpo and grabbing Kenpachi's wrist. "Please restrain yourself."

As both Shiraha's examiner and First Division's vice-captain, Sasakibe could not let chaos reign unchecked.

"Sasakibe, you and I both know you can't stop me," Zaraki growled, spiritual pressure erupting again as he yanked his arm free, sending a concussive burst through the platform.

"Captain Zaraki, mind your rank and conduct! This is the Spiritual Arts Academy—not your 11th Division's playground!" Sasakibe declared, drawing his Zanpakutō and leveling it at Kenpachi.

The tension crackled in the air.

Before steel could clash, Ichimaru Gin raised a hand, chuckling softly. "Now, now. No need to escalate things. I have a proposal."

He turned to Sasakibe with a sly grin. "Why not let Captain Zaraki act as Shiraha-kun's examiner? If he earns the captain's recognition, he passes. Clean and simple, don't you think?"

He looked at Shiraha next. "Well? What do you say?"

"I'm fine with that," Shiraha answered calmly, offering a nod.

He had every intention of accepting the challenge anyway—and with the system reward dangling in reach, there was no reason not to.

Kenpachi burst into a deep laugh. "I'm starting to like you, Ichimaru Gin!"

Gin turned back to Sasakibe. "Vice-Captain, your opinion?"

Technically, Gin outranked Sasakibe. But in this setting, Sasakibe was the lead examiner. Without his approval, Gin's suggestion meant nothing.

Gin wasn't being diplomatic. He understood protocol well. If Sasakibe declined, there would be no duel. But if he agreed, the audience was about to witness a clash that would echo through the Academy for years to come.

All eyes turned toward Chōjirō Sasakibe as silence fell. His answer would decide everything.