Kapitel 3: Graduation
"Hado 33: Sokatsu"
As soon as Byakuya spoke the Kido spell name and number, blue flames started discharged from his palm and converted into a torrent of blue energy and moved like a large wave of energy towards the targets before destroyed them one by one quickly.
Looking at the destroyed targets, all participants were awed at Byakuya's skill and began to murmur, "wow, Kuchiki-sama didn't even need to spell the incantation." "And just look at the power behind it. An average Shinigami can only fire a simple blue energy sphere" "As expected of Kuchiki-sama." "we commoners can never catch up to Nobles, indeed."
While everyone who belongs to Class 1 taking the general practical test in Kido one after another, Gengoro Onabara, the Chief instructor along with other instructors, who are representatives of each division of Gotei 13, Kido Corps and Onmitsukido (mostly 3rd seats and a few lieutenants who are free) was recording their results to give a recommendation into their squad or organization.
"Araya Shohei"
As soon as he said the name, all of them stopped their chit chat and stared at him in silence as he stepped forward. Looking at him, Onabara commented, "your name has been recommended by the higher-ups for the past four years. In the end, you finally decide to apply for the graduation exam, Shohei."
Shohei shrugged, "I don't know why people are in a hurry to get graduate and become a Shinigami though. In my opinion, they are nothing but fools."
While his comment garnered hate from several people, Byakuya's loyal supporter and friend, Hoitsu lost his cool and stepped up, "you... how dare you to try to insult..."
Before he even voiced out his opinion, Shohei raised his hand towards the targets, and more than 25 grey energy spears of light formed around him and shot towards all of them at the same time as he motioned his hand down, shocking everyone else including Byakuya, who thought, "fine. You win in the Kido department. But, I care less about it. For me, the most important for me is the duel."
Hoitsu's words stuck in his mouth as his legs started shaking, "tha... that's..."
Onabara thought with a surprised expression on his face, "Hado 91. Senju Kōten Taiho (Thousand-Hand Bright Heaven Cannon). Only a highly skilled Kido practitioner or a Captain level Shinigami can fire it instantly without the need of incantation. And this kid even fired it even without speaking out the name."
After the Kido test is over, Komamura and Shohei stayed in their spots as the Hoho test began. Hoho is a defensive style of fighting which relates to footwork and tests one's agility.
After that, there is Hakuda, close-combat style, where one duel without the usage of Asauchi or Kido spell and finally Zanjutsu, sword fighting with their Asauchi that were given when they joined the academy.
"Kuchiki Byakuya."
He stepped forward confidently. Onabara asked, "name the student who you wish to challenge."
Byakuya spoke, "Araya Shohei."
The rest of the students and the instructors shook their heads with a sigh as Byakuya had done just like they expected. Because of his stupid stubbornness of being an heir of the Kuchiki family, he challenged Shohei even after seeing how strong was Shohei was.
Not only he is the best in Kido, but Shohei also proved that he is the fastest. Not to mention, his tremendous raw leg strength which blasted his opponent and finishing the fight in one move earlier in the Hakuda.
On the other hand, the 6th division's 3rd seat, Oyakawa Junji smirked while thinking "Kuchiki-san will win this round easily. in a moment, everyone will see how foolish they are..."
Meanwhile, as Shohei accepted the challenge of Zanjutsu where the techniques matter in the score rather than winning, both of them stood before each other with Asauchi in their hands.
Looking at him, Byakuya said, "I waited for this day for a whole year, Araya Shohei. You will pay for your arrogance you displayed on that day."
As he raised the katana, which looks like a regular Asauchi, Byakuya spoke, "Scatter... Senbonzakura."
Suddenly, the katana changed its shape into it's Shikai form. The blade separated into a thousand tiny, slender blade fragments, leaving only the sword's handle in Byakuya's hand.
"Wow, he formed a Zampaktou already?" "Are those Flower petals?" "You fool, those are blade fragments. If he can control all of them, it will be very fearsome." "I wonder how will Araya-san responds with." "If Kuchiki-san formed a Zampaktou, Araya-san must have also formed one by now, right?" "I'm curious what his Zampaktou is..."
While the students and the instructors were busy discussing, Byakuya once again spoke, "what are you waiting for? Araya Shohei, bring out your Zampaktou and fight me. I know you have one."
Shohei replied without any expression, "my Zampaktou isn't something that can be used in a trivial duel like this."
Hearing it made Byakuya further angry and attacked him but by the time those petal looking blade fragments reached Shohei, he already disappeared and appeared before Byakuya and slashed towards his shoulder, which Byakuya tried to dodge by jumping backward and got injured in the right shoulder.
Shohei then stood before him and commented without any expression, "awakening Zampaktou doesn't give you victory. And Pride will only hurt you further of you aren't strong enough."
Byakuya completely lost his cool and growled, "shut up..." As he put more reiatsu to increase their speed and power and controlled the 1000 blade fragments before attacking Shohei, the latter stomped the ground with his left leg and once again dashed towards Byakuya at a breakneck speed that only a couple of lieutenants spectating the match were able to follow it.
Senbozakura disappeared as Byakuya fell unconscious as he was injured at both of shoulders, knees, and stomach. The staff hurried and carried him to the side where the 4th Division's Shinigami started to heal him.
The students, as well as some of the instructors, looked at the scene in a surprise as everything happened within a couple of seconds as they were distracted by the presence of flower petal blades.
Looking at him, Onabara thought, "this Araya Shohei isn't a genius. He is a monster. No wonder almost all the Captains of Gotei 13 and Kido Corps want him in their division."
A week later, at a chamber, Shohei was standing before Head Instructor Onabara and Shinigami Academy and the Gotei 13 founder as well as the Captain of the 1st division, Genryusai Shikeguni Yamamoto.
Yamamoto asked, "you have recommendations from 10 divisions, and 5th Division Captain even willing to promote you as his Vice-captain. Why do you wish to apply for the first division, instead?"
Shohei replied, "honestly, it's because 1st division can meddle into other divisions affairs. The members have the right to say that it's wrong when it is even if the other party belongs to the other division and right to defend the person who is innocent. Of course, my primary reason is that the first division quickly deals with emergencies."
Yamamoto at first frowned at his response when Shohei said they can meddle in others affairs but after listening to the explanation, he continued to ask, "despite finishing the curriculum in your second year. Why didn't you graduate and join the ranks?"
Shohei replied, "I don't understand why people want to graduate early. We live for around 1500-2000 years on an average. It's not like spending 3-4 years in an academy makes any difference.
In my opinion, early graduation should be banned. If not, at least, we should limit to a minimum of 3 years of study.
The ones who were ready to graduate can guide other students during the trials when we fight against Hollows. Not only it will be helpful to others, but it will be also helpful to themselves when they lead or follow the team in the future."
Yamamoto nodded with satisfaction, "I see. I understand your thinking, now. Report to 1st division Barracks starting next week. And this is yours..."
As he handed out the 1st division's insignia which has Chrysanthemum drawing on the badge along with a number 8 to his surprise.
Looking at it, Shohei had a shocked expression on his face as he asked, "Captain-Commander, this..."
Yamamoto nodded while maintaining his stoic expression, "with the results you displayed, you should be placed higher but there's only one seated position available. The 8th seat is yours. I expect more things from you in the future."
Unknown to himself, a small smile appeared on Shohei's face as he bowed.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein