Eleventh Division Barracks.
Under the gaze of the Eleventh Division Captain, Vice-Captain, and all the Seat Officers in Seireitei, Ito Makoto completed his oath of enlistment and donned his squad badge, officially joining the division.
Ito Makoto was surprised to discover that among the thirty-three new recruits this year, he seemed to be the only one who had chosen the Eleventh Division.
After thinking it over, however, this was only natural.
For long-lived beings like Shinigami, even if only one person joined each year, over a thousand years there would be nearly a thousand members.
Yet the Eleventh Division currently had fewer than five hundred active Squad Members.
Its casualty rate was far higher than that of the other twelve divisions, so it was only natural that few people were willing to join.
Just as the enlistment ceremony concluded and Zaraki Kenpachi was growing impatient with the dull ritual, Ito Makoto stepped forward and spoke calmly.
"Captain Kenpachi, I request permission to challenge the Fourth Seat, Ohno Tatsuru."
Hearing this, Zaraki Kenpachi's eyes immediately lit up.
"Good. Go settle it at the Training Grounds."
Beside him, a burly, thick-limbed, bearded man in a soul reaper uniform froze for a moment, then burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
"So this is the arrogance of a so-called genius? My favorite thing is crushing the meaningless pride of geniuses. Kid, you will regret this decision!"
This man was the current Fourth Seat of the Eleventh Division, Ohno Tatsuru.
He clearly believed that Ito Makoto was far too arrogant for challenging him immediately after joining.
Aside from Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, most of the other Seat Officers also burst into laughter, their voices filled with ridicule.
They had not witnessed Ito Makoto's battle in the Human World, so they did not truly believe in his strength.
Ito Makoto showed no sign of anger.
Controlling one's emotions was a basic requirement for becoming strong, and he would not be provoked by shallow mockery.
...
Training Grounds.
Ito Makoto and Ohno Tatsuru stood facing each other.
The area around the Eleventh Division Training Grounds quickly filled with people.
Besides the Seat Officers who had attended the ceremony, many ordinary Squad Members also gathered.
When they heard that a newcomer was challenging the Fourth Seat, everyone rushed over to watch.
At this moment, Kusajishi Yachiru jumped down from Zaraki Kenpachi's shoulder and announced cheerfully.
"Little Ito and Big Boar Ohno, you can start fighting now!"
Hearing this nickname, veins bulged on Ohno Tatsuru's forehead.
"Vice-Captain, how many times do I have to tell you? My name is Ohno Tatsuru, not Big Boar Ohno!"
Yachiru only stuck out her tongue.
Ohno could only sigh helplessly.
He turned to Ito Makoto.
"Senior Ohno, please guide me."
Ito Makoto bowed respectfully.
However, in the instant he lowered his head, Ohno Tatsuru moved.
With a step, he activated Shunpo, drew his Asauchi, and slashed horizontally.
"Kid, I'll teach you what a real ambush looks like!"
Ito Makoto remained calm.
He drew his Zanpakuto smoothly.
Just as the blade was about to strike his shoulder, he blocked it at the last moment.
"Not bad. You've got some skill."
Ohno Tatsuru laughed and immediately launched another attack.
Despite his bulky appearance, his sword speed was extremely fast.
He truly lived up to his rank.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
Dozens of slashes followed in rapid succession.
All of them were cleanly deflected by Ito Makoto.
"Kid, why are you only defending? Are you looking down on me?"
After fighting for some time, Ohno realized that Ito Makoto had not launched a single serious counterattack.
Yet every one of his strikes had been neutralized.
His contempt completely vanished.
"In that case, Senior Ohno, excuse me."
Ito Makoto shifted his grip and thrust forward repeatedly.
Although Ohno blocked them, his hands grew numb from the impact.
"What incredible strength!"
Ohno was shocked.
Unwilling to become a stepping stone, he leapt back with Shunpo.
He threw his Asauchi into the air.
"Chop them apart, Saizanmaru!"
The sword transformed instantly into a massive long-handled battle axe covered in rotating serrations.
Catching it, Ohno charged forward and swung with full force.
"Clang!"
Ito Makoto blocked with both hands.
Suddenly, the serrations began spinning faster and faster, sparks and flames erupting from the edges.
He could clearly feel Ohno's power doubling.
"Bang!"
Each collision sent showers of sparks flying.
"This is my Zanpakuto, Saizanmaru! Every strike is like an explosion. The longer it spins, the stronger I become!"
Ohno raised the axe high and smashed it down.
Ito Makoto dodged with Shunpo.
"Bang!"
The bluestone floor cracked open, leaving a scorched crater.
"Kid, are you only good at dodging? I heard you mastered Shikai at the Academy. Show me!"
"Very well. Please evaluate it, Senior Ohno."
Although Ito Makoto could win without Shikai, he decided to comply.
He held the blade horizontally and recited calmly.
"Demons and monsters, all things, gods and saints, all turn to dust. Annihilation God!"
Dark golden light flashed.
The Asauchi transformed into a long, slender, snow-white bone blade.
"This is your Shikai? Looks pretty delicate."
Ohno scoffed and attacked again.
"Annihilation God, First Form: Tremor!"
The moment their weapons collided, Ohno felt his organs being dragged by an invisible force.
His heart felt as if it were being crushed.
His breathing stalled.
The vibration surged through the axe handle, ripping it from his grasp.
Ohno collapsed to the ground, gasping in agony.
Ito Makoto placed his blade lightly against his neck.
"Thank you for the match, Senior Ohno."
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