My name is Kuchiki Shinji, and my dream is to Live A peaceful who can clock in and leave work on time.
However, I really don't want to be a captain.
"No, how did I become a captain?"
Shinji had a face full of confusion.
In the captain's meeting room, he had already taken as much of the blame on himself as possible.
Even if Shiba Isshin was injured or even "disappeared," Shinji had taken responsibility for it.
And yet, he got promoted?
Are these people out of their minds?
Even being sent to Hueco Mundo as an expeditionary force would be better than becoming a captain in Soul Society.
"Can we discuss this?" Shinji clutched his head in frustration and pulled Kyoraku Shunsui aside. "Can you revoke this appointment? I'm just trash; I don't deserve to be a captain."
"Don't say that. I also think I'm trash and don't deserve to be a captain."
Kyoraku Shunsui played along and pointed at himself as well.
Who doesn't like slacking off?
He had dreams too, right?
"A fellow slacker."
The two of them exchanged looks and sighed.
Kindred spirits!
"My dream is to Live a Peaceful Life who can clock in and leave work on time. Being a captain doesn't suit me at all," Shinji lamented.
"My dream is to slack off every day, drink some sake, get a little drunk, and have a few ladies to chat with. That's enough for me."
"Being a captain doesn't suit me either."
Kyoraku Shunsui sat down in the setting sun, looking depressed as he sighed.
"Is there still a way out?" Shinji tilted his head.
"If there's a way out... there is actually another option," Kyoraku Shunsui rubbed his chin.
Hearing that, Shinji's eyes lit up. "What option?"
Thank goodness, there was still a chance to fix this.
Whoever wants to be captain can take My Position.
No matter what, I, Kuchiki Shinji, would rather starve to death, die outside, or jump off a building than become a captain!
"If you want to become a captain, generally speaking, you need a captain to recommend you. Then, with the approval of at least three captains, you can officially take the position."
Kyoraku Shunsui spoke slowly.
The implication was obvious.
"You mean… I should deliberately fail the assessment by the three captains?"
"Exactly."
Shinji's eyes sparkled, his dead expression vanishing as he suddenly felt alive again.
Finally, the heavens still showed him mercy!
There's always a way out!
"I didn't say that," Kyoraku Shunsui waved his hand, pretending to be an aloof master hiding his talents and achievements.
"Words are not enough to express my gratitude."
Shinji immediately understood.
Good, I will never betray you. Don't worry!
Slacking off in an assessment? That's my specialty!
---
Afternoon.
Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts.
"Have you heard? Apparently, someone is coming here soon to take an assessment in front of three captains. If they pass, they'll become the new captain."
"I heard about it too. It's a great noble from the Kuchiki family, Kuchiki Shinji."
"Did you know that just over a month ago, Kuchiki Shinji was only a sixth-year student at Shin'ō Academy?"
"Really? A month ago, he was just a student, and now he's going to be a captain?"
The academy students were buzzing with discussion.
Far away, several figures responsible for maintaining order had complicated expressions.
"Kuchiki Shinji... has he really grown this much?"
Tsunayashiro Aomine had mixed emotions.
Losing to Kuchiki Shinji had once been the biggest disgrace of his life.
But now, to others, it had become a badge of honor.
"Look, that's Tsunayashiro Aomine, the one who lost to Kuchiki Shinji."
"Losing to Kuchiki Shinji is understandable, he's about to become a captain, after all."
"It's amazing to have even fought against Kuchiki Shinji."
There were countless remarks like that.
At that moment, a frustrated voice broke Aomine's thoughts.
"Damn it, that guy Shinji caused such a stir the moment he came back. I, Abarai Renji, refuse to accept this!"
Abarai Renji looked annoyed as he stood among those keeping order.
Over the past month, after joining the 11th Division, his strength and Reiatsu had skyrocketed.
Not only that.
During this period, Abarai Renji had also learned his Zanpakutō's name and achieved Shikai.
His power had increased dramatically.
Compared to his old self from the sixth year, Abarai Renji felt that his Reiatsu was at least ten times stronger now!
He had been waiting for a chance to go to the human world and show off his Shikai in front of Kuchiki Shinji.
If he could defeat Shinji, that would be even better.
But before he could do so, news of Kuchiki Shinji's return to Soul Society had already reached him.
And with it, the announcement that Kuchiki Shinji would become the new captain of the 10th Division.
As long as he passed the assessment that afternoon.
From then on, Kuchiki Shinji would officially be a captain.
Just imagining himself having to bow his head and call Shinji "Captain Shinji" made Abarai Renji feel like his head was going to explode.
"Damn it! We were both the bottom of the class in the same year! No way am I calling him 'Captain Shinji'!"
"As expected of Shinji, he's unbelievably amazing."
Unlike Renji, Rukia's eyes were practically sparkling. She clasped her hands to her chest, looking no different from the other fangirls.
Seeing this, Abarai Renji felt even more irritated.
"You bastard! I challenge you, Kuchiki Shinji!!!"
His eyes turned red, steam seemed to rise from his head, and his fighting spirit soared.
But immediately, a mocking voice reached his ears.
"Give it a rest. You think you can challenge Kuchiki Shinji now?"
Tsunayashiro Aomine stared at him with a blank expression, full of sarcasm.
"You looking for a fight, Aomine?"
Abarai Renji squinted his eyes.
"Bring it on! I just mastered Shikai recently. Let's see who's stronger!"
Tsunayashiro Aomine was not backing down.
"You two need to stop," Rukia rolled her eyes, exasperated.
Just then, she pointed forward.
"He's here!"
"The captain's assessment is starting!"
---
"Who will be the one to test me?"
Shinji stood in the training ground of the Spiritual Arts Academy, which had long since been cleared out. Dressed in a commanding black outfit, his Zanpakutō, Raikō, rested casually at his waist.
Surrounding the area were numerous Shinigami from various divisions, along with students from the academy.
To protect the onlookers, the Kido Corps had erected multiple barriers to prevent the oppressive force of captain-level Reiatsu from overwhelming them.
"Now, now, Shinji, don't be too nervous. Just do your best."
At some point, Kyoraku Shunsui had appeared beside Shinji, patting him on the shoulder in a reassuring manner.
"Don't worry, I won't disappoint you," Shinji responded seriously.
"Huh? What do you mean by that? I don't understand what you're talking about."
Kyoraku Shunsui scratched his head with a smile. "Your assessment will be overseen by me, the 9th Division Captain, Tōsen Kaname, and the 12th Division Captain, Kurotsuchi Mayuri. You'll be facing Captain Tōsen in battle."
Shinji's expression turned strange.
Tōsen Kaname? A loyal subordinate of Aizen.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri? A mad scientist who already had a grudge against him in the Human World.
Would they just let him become a captain so easily?
Of course not.
Perfect.
Shinji felt overjoyed.
This was exactly what he wanted.
If he messed up this assessment thoroughly enough, maybe he could even take the blame for Shiba's disappearance and get himself punished again.
Then he wouldn't have to be captain anymore!
Inside the training ground, Shinji stepped past the barriers.
Standing opposite him was a man with dark brown skin, wearing goggles, with purple hair tied into braids.
The 9th Division Captain, Tōsen Kaname!
The contrast between them was stark, Shinji clad in a black Shiba uniform, and Tōsen in the pristine white captain's haori.
"I've been keeping an eye on you for a while, Kuchiki Shinji," Tōsen said slowly, "gazing" at him.
If Shinji didn't know Tōsen was blind, he would have mistaken that look for an actual stare.
"A small figure like me isn't worth your attention," Shinji replied with a smirk.
"You are not a small figure."
Tōsen's voice fell, and in the next instant, he vanished.
The assessment had begun.
"So fast!"
"Is this the speed of a captain?"
"It's like teleportation!"
Gasps of amazement erupted from the crowd.
Abarai Renji's eyes widened.
Even though he had trained in the 11th Division and unlocked his Shikai, he could barely see a shadow flash by.
Was this the level Kuchiki Shinji was up against?
Renji was shaken.
Boom!
Zanpakutō clashed against Zanpakutō!
But contrary to everyone's expectations, Shinji was sent flying from the impact.
"Nani?"
"That's it?"
"No way! He couldn't even withstand one strike from Captain Tōsen? And this guy is supposed to be a captain?"
"If that's all it takes, I could do it myself!"
The students of the academy sneered, looking down on Shinji, who was struggling to get up.
"You trash, shut up!"
Veins bulged on Abarai Renji's forehead.
Furious, he roared at the students. Though they didn't dare to talk back, their expressions remained disdainful.
Renji clenched his fists tightly.
"Kuchiki Shinji... what the hell are you thinking?"
Shinji wasn't even trying to fight back. He was getting pushed around like a rag doll.
"Too slow."
"Too slow."
"Still too slow."
Tōsen Kaname slashed at Shinji again and again, forcing him back repeatedly.
Less than a minute into the fight, Shinji was drenched in sweat, panting heavily as if he was about to collapse.
"Why do you keep retreating?"
Tōsen paused, pointing his Zanpakutō at Shinji. "Shouldn't you be facing my attacks head-on? Otherwise, how will you pass this assessment?"
"Are you worried that I'll disappear from your sight in an instant and strike from behind?"
"Or are you afraid your eyes can't keep up with my speed at all, and no matter how you struggle, you won't even graze my robes?"
"If that's the case, you don't need to worry at all."
"Because as long as I swing my sword, you'll understand the difference between us, a gap as vast as the heavens."
Swish!
Tōsen vanished and slashed at Shinji's back.
A wet slicing sound filled the air.
Then, like a train crashing into him, Shinji was hurled into the barrier.
Boom!
Dust flew everywhere.
"Oh ho, is he really this weak?"
Kurotsuchi Mayuri narrowed his eyes, doubt creeping into his expression.
So, the Kuchiki family's so-called genius was nothing but a fraud?
What about that powerful Reiatsu he had displayed in the Human World?
Could it have been fake?
Had he been deceived?
A vein twitched on Kurotsuchi Mayuri's forehead, his expression turning cold.
If that was the case, this brat had really managed to make him angry.
"You're acting way too fake..."
Kyoraku Shunsui covered his face with his hands.
He had told Shinji to hold back, but this was ridiculous.
Not even blocking a single strike? Was he serious?
But...
Kyoraku Shunsui's sharp eyes glanced toward the edge of the training ground, where a tall figure with a cold expression stood in the shadows.
"Kuchiki Byakuya... You may not say anything, but you still care about your little brother."
Kyoraku Shunsui smirked and returned his attention to the battle.
In the short time he had been distracted, Shinji's situation had worsened even further.
"It seems... the conclusion is near."