Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, three days were gone.
Early that morning, after finishing his preparations, Bai Chen set out for the First Division barracks.
Yes—
because of the high value placed on him, the Captain-Commander himself had personally decided that Bai Chen's induction ceremony would be held at the First Division headquarters.
This was an honor granted to him alone.
Ordinarily, new graduates—unless they were exceptional prodigies—would never receive a personal summons, let alone an induction overseen by the Captain-Commander and all division captains.
Once Bai Chen arrived, there would be only one task before him:
To release his Zanpakutō before the assembled captains
and prove his strength with his own hands.
Only then would the mutual selection begin.
The captains could extend recruitment offers.
And Bai Chen, in turn, had the right to refuse—and choose the division he wished to join.
Before long, he arrived at his destination—
The gates of the First Division barracks.
What surprised him was that the First Division members seemed to have been waiting for some time already, having prepared an unmistakably grand reception.
"…Interesting."
"So the battle in Karakura Town really did deepen the Captain-Commander's regard for me."
"This kind of welcome… probably hasn't happened in decades."
Bai Chen glanced around.
A red carpet stretched down the central path.
Fresh flowers were arranged neatly along both sides.
The First Division members stood in formation, smiles bright with genuine enthusiasm.
For a brief moment, it felt less like entering a military compound—
And more like walking the red carpet at a film festival.
"Bai Chen…"
"The Captain-Commander and all division captains are already assembled."
"Please follow me."
The speaker was the current Third Seat of the First Division,
Chōjirō Genzō—an elderly man with snow-white hair.
Bai Chen naturally recognized him.
In the original history, when the Wandenreich first invaded Soul Society, it was this very man who, under the Captain-Commander's orders, defended the First Division headquarters and temporarily assumed full command.
That alone spoke volumes about his standing.
The fact that Chōjirō personally came to escort him further confirmed just how seriously the Captain-Commander regarded Bai Chen.
Following him, Bai Chen entered the central courtyard.
The instant he stepped inside—
He felt it.
More than twenty gazes converged on him at once.
The thirteen captains, along with their respective vice-captains, were all present.
They had clearly been waiting.
Bai Chen's arrival immediately became the focus of the entire courtyard.
"…So many familiar faces."
Standing at the entrance, Bai Chen calmly returned the looks directed at him, offering a faint smile.
Among them, he spotted more than a few people he already knew.
The spacious courtyard was arranged in strict order.
The captains stood at the front, divided by division number.
Vice-captains remained a step behind them.
At the very center—
Leaning lightly on his wooden staff—
Sat the Captain-Commander, with Sasakibe Chōjirō standing silently at his side.
"Bai Chen… you've arrived."
The Captain-Commander raised his gaze.
His eyes were aged, yet sharp—
direct, but without oppressive pressure.
He had no intention of overwhelming a promising talent on their first meeting.
"Captain-Commander."
"Captains."
Bai Chen inclined his head slightly.
No exaggerated bow.
No stiffness.
He stood straight, composed, his expression calm.
Despite standing before the highest authorities of Soul Society, his heart remained steady.
He did not see the captains as beings above him—
only as peers who happened to walk further along the same path.
"Good, very good."
A relaxed, familiar laugh came from beneath a straw hat.
"You look stronger than the last time we met."
"No wonder you were able to turn the tide in Karakura Town."
"Stopping the Hollow invasion all by yourself—that's no small feat."
Kyōraku Shunsui, broad-shouldered and carefree as ever, was the first to speak.
Before Bai Chen could reply—
From the left side came another voice, lazy and taunting.
"Well now~ we meet again, Bai Chen."
"I've heard all about your exploits in Karakura Town."
"Shame I wasn't there to see it with my own eyes."
Ichimaru Gin spoke with his usual foxlike grin.
Bai Chen's expression didn't change.
"That is a pity."
"If Captain Ichimaru had been present, I wouldn't have needed to step in."
"As a captain, I'm sure you would have eliminated every Hollow without hesitation."
His response was calm—almost polite.
But the undertone didn't go unnoticed.
"…Huh?"
From nearby, Shiba Isshin frowned slightly.
"…Was that a jab just now?"
Before the thought could fully form—
Tap.
The Captain-Commander struck the ground lightly with his staff.
"That's enough."
"Unnecessary chatter ends here."
His voice carried no anger—
yet the courtyard fell silent instantly.
"Let us proceed."
"The matter of Bai Chen's division assignment."
He looked directly at Bai Chen.
"Bai Chen."
"What you must do now…"
"Is release your Zanpakutō before us."
"So that all may witness your strength with their own eyes."
This was not doubt.
It was certainty.
More than half of those present had only heard rumors and secondhand accounts.
The simplest way to silence all questions—
Was undeniable proof.
And just as everyone prepared—
Bai Chen spoke again.
"Captain-Commander. Captains."
"To avoid unnecessary damage—"
"I recommend that you release your reiatsu in advance."
"With multiple captains suppressing the pressure together, the impact of Wooden Dragon's Shikai will be properly contained."
Silence.
Then—
"What?"
"Did he just say that?"
"He wants all of us to release reiatsu together?"
"It's just a Shikai—what kind of arrogance is this?!"
Eleventh Division Captain, Kiganjō Kenpachi, scowled fiercely.
"This is nonsense!"
Not far away, Mayuri Kurotsuchi let out a cold laugh.
"How amusing…"
"A boy who isn't even a full Shinigami yet…"
"To think his Shikai could overpower captains?"
"Bai Chen—this kind of theatrics won't earn you points."
"Withdraw that statement while you still can."
He turned away dismissively.
Others remained indifferent.
Only a few—Soi Fon, Isshin, Rangiku—showed restraint.
Bai Chen merely sighed.
"I've already warned you."
"If you're injured later, don't blame me."
He drew his blade.
The Zanpakutō Wooden Dragon gleamed—
Green light blooming along its surface.
Without hesitation—
Bai Chen poured his reiatsu into it.
BOOM—!
The courtyard shook.
"Towering wood!
Shaking earth!
Raging winds of nature!
Forests that move the clouds!"
"Release the power of nature—
Wooden Dragon!"
His presence exploded outward.
In the next instant—
A terrifying wave of reiatsu detonated.
Air ruptured.
Sound shattered.
The clouds above were torn apart as if ripped by brute force.
Green reiatsu surged outward like a tsunami—
Pulverizing stone, lifting debris, flooding the courtyard in pressure.
For a moment—
The First Division barracks felt as though it had been dragged into a natural disaster.
Captains' expressions changed—instantly.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Awe.
"This is… just Shikai?"
"Pressure comparable to a Bankai?!"
When the dust settled—
All eyes fixed on Wooden Dragon once more.
This time—
Not one gaze held indifference.
Only caution.
Only reverence.
Only awe.
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