Chapitre 149: Soi Fon's Request
"Captain-Commander, I choose to demonstrate my Bankai," Gin Ichimaru declared with a sly smile.
He had been pondering how to reveal his Bankai's ability to Aizen and gain his trust. Announcing it here, during his captaincy test, would surely reach Aizen's ears, wouldn't it?
"Very well. Demonstrating your Bankai is indeed the quickest way to pass the captain's proficiency test," Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto responded, his eyes opening slightly.
However, before you do, you must describe your Bankai's ability. If your Bankai's power is deemed too potent, the test will have to be conducted in the Dangai. Now, Vice-Captain Ichimaru, please describe your ability and whether you need to apply for a Bankai release test in the Dangai."
"Oh no, Captain-Commander, my Bankai's power isn't quite at the level of needing a Dangai test," Gin chuckled, slowly drawing his Zanpakutō. "Captain-Commander, esteemed captains, my Zanpakutō is called 'Shinso.' (God Spear)"
"Its Shikai ability allows me to rapidly and freely control its length. Like this..."
Gin stepped back with his right leg, assuming a lunge position, his upper body leaning forward. He pointed the tip of his Zanpakutō towards an empty area in the training field.
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
Boom!
In an instant, Gin's reiatsu surged fivefold. His Zanpakutō extended at an incredible speed, piercing through the training field's wall before the astonished captains' eyes.
Gin then retracted Shinsō, leaving a ten-centimeter gap in the wall. A ray of sunlight streamed through the opening, illuminating the floor and wall.
"So fast!" exclaimed 10th Division Captain Isshin Shiba. "What a remarkable ability. Anyone with slower reflexes wouldn't stand a chance against such a blade."
"Indeed, an excellent Shikai. I wonder what his Bankai is like," thought Shunsui. "Captain Ailin, I recall Vice-Captain Ichimaru being your disciple. Do you know his Bankai's ability?" Shunsui Kyōraku tilted his straw hat, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Captain Kyōraku, have you been so busy that your mind has become muddled?" Ailin retorted with an eye roll. "This is a captaincy test, and Gin just said he'd demonstrate his Bankai. We'll all see it soon enough.
Besides, Gin left my 11th Division over fifty years ago. He hadn't even mastered Bankai back then. How could I possibly know?"
Ailin wasn't bothered by Shunsui's teasing. Knowing Gin's personality, he was sure Gin had held back on Shinsō's extension speed.
Even so, the Zanpakutō's thrust was beyond the reaction time of many Shinigami. However, against captain-level opponents, it was still somewhat lacking.
Isshin's praise was understandable, but Shunsui's? Was he simply amused by watching a child perform tricks?
"My Bankai is called 'Kamishini no Yari,' (God Killing Spear)" Gin announced, his Shinsō now shrunk to the size of a dagger in his hand. "It enhances my Shikai ability."
"With Bankai, my Zanpakutō, Kamishini no Yari, can extend up to thirteen kilometers."
"Thirteen kilometers?!"
The captains present, including Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, were stunned. That attack range was simply outrageous! It was practically the Zanpakutō with the longest reach.
"And the blade's extension and retraction speed is five hundred times the speed of sound."
"..."
Before the captains could react, Gin narrowed his eyes.
"Bankai - Kamishini no Yari!"
Boom!
Gin's Bankai lasted only an instant. The surge of reiatsu informed the captains that Gin had indeed mastered Bankai.
However, it differed significantly from other Bankai releases. Gin's Bankai concentrated all his heightened reiatsu within the blade, allowing it to extend thirteen kilometers at five hundred times the speed of sound in a split second.
"Captain-Commander, esteemed captains, I have finished demonstrating my Bankai," Gin declared. "May I inquire if I have passed the captaincy test?"
The captains' gazes towards Gin had shifted. If they had held any contempt for him before, it had vanished after witnessing his Bankai.
In the 1st Division training field, besides the ray of light from Gin's Shikai piercing the wall, another beam had appeared. This one resulted from Gin's Bankai momentarily penetrating the wall.
If the captains hadn't grasped the concept of Gin's Bankai before, they understood now - Gin's power was terrifying!
They had only seen a flash of white light before Gin completed his attack. If they had been standing where the wall was, could they have dodged it?
With the horrifying speed of Kamishini no Yari, they would likely have been injured the instant Gin activated his Bankai.
"My, my, Captain Ailin. First, Captain Kuchiki, and now you've trained Captain Ichimaru. In terms of student quality, you're already on par with old man Yamamoto after a hundred years," Shunsui Kyōraku remarked.
The other captains understood the implication behind his words. Was he suggesting that in a hundred years, Byakuya Kuchiki and Gin Ichimaru would be comparable to him and Jūshirō Ukitake?
However, looking at Byakuya and Gin, they couldn't help but agree. With their talent, it wasn't impossible for them to reach the level of "hundred-year captains" within a century.
"Captain Kyōraku, let's wait until they actually reach that level before you say such things," Ailin chuckled.
Naturally, he felt proud of his disciples' outstanding performance. Of course, what others didn't know was that Ailin secretly hoped they would surpass their counterparts in his memory, bringing him even greater satisfaction.
"Captain-Commander, regarding Ichimaru's captaincy test, I acknowledge his strength as worthy of the 3rd Division captaincy," Ailin declared. "What about the other captains?"
Although Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto recognized Gin's capabilities, he wouldn't make a decision based solely on his own judgment since rules were in place.
"If even he can't pass the captaincy test, then I don't think I'm very qualified as the 10th Division captain, hahaha..." Isshin Shiba scratched his head and chuckled wryly. "These youngsters nowadays are getting more and more frightening..."
"Indeed, I also acknowledge Ichimaru's strength," Retsu Unohana added.
After Isshin and Unohana expressed their opinions, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded.
"Very well, Vice-Captain Ichimaru. The captains of the 4th, 8th, 10th, and 11th Divisions have unanimously agreed that you have passed the captaincy test. From this moment forward, you shall assume the position of 3rd Division Captain."
"Yes, Captain-Commander," Gin replied, sheathing his Zanpakutō and stepping aside to stand alongside the other captains.
"Next, regarding Captain Kyōraku's proposal to nominate 5th Division Vice-Captain Sōsuke Aizen as the next 5th Division Captain candidate..."
***
"Ah, I'm exhausted," Ailin yawned and stretched as he exited the 1st Division headquarters.
For him, attending these tedious captain meetings was more tiring than spending days drawing cards. At least when appraising weapons in Unlimited Blade Works, he might get lucky and identify a few Zanpakutō of lieutenant level or higher, increasing his reiatsu and slightly enhancing the Gate of Babylon/King's Treasury.
Captain meetings, on the other hand, were nothing but dull. But Ailin had no choice. Aizen's actions had indeed dealt a severe blow to the Gotei 13. Six captains, four vice-captains, the Grand Kidō Chief, and the Vice Kidō Chief were gone in an instant...
It could be said that half of the Gotei 13's high-ranking combat force had vanished. Only Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's immense prestige managed to quell the panic among the Shinigami of the six affected divisions, preventing widespread chaos.
However, with the new captains taking office, the Seireitei gradually regained its usual tranquility.
Currently, Soi Fon served as the acting captain of the 2nd Division. Gin Ichimaru was the captain of the 3rd Division. Sōsuke Aizen was the captain of the 5th Division.
For the 9th Division, Aizen had proposed Vice-Captain Kaname Tōsen as the captain candidate. Once he passed the captaincy test, he would become the 9th Division captain.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi, having demonstrated his Bankai during his fight with Ailin, was directly appointed as the 12th Division captain.
Only the 7th Division remained vacant, as both Zaraki and Kiganjō refused to leave the 11th Division.
However, today, Ailin had noticed a burly figure, nearly four meters tall and wearing a white cloak, standing behind Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. It seemed the 7th Division captaincy wouldn't remain empty for long.
With that, it appeared he could relax for a while.
"Captain Ailin."
Just as this thought crossed Ailin's mind, a cold voice called out to him.
Turning around, Ailin saw the person who had addressed him. Neat short hair, sleeveless shihakushō, a white ribbon replacing the former vice-captain insignia on her right arm.
Soi Fon, the acting captain of the 2nd Division. Since she hadn't mastered Bankai, Soi Fon didn't have a captain's haori. Instead, she used a piece of haori ribbon to signify her "acting captain" status.
"Captain Soi Fon," Ailin greeted, momentarily lost in thought.
The Soi Fon before him now resembled the 2nd Division captain in his memory even more. Her once smiling eyes had become icy cold. Her face, which used to show jealousy and competitiveness as she vied with Kisuke Urahara for Yoruichi's attention, was now expressionless, like Byakuya's.
"Please, call me Vice-Captain. After all, I'm only the acting captain," Soi Fon declined Ailin's title.
"Soi Fon, don't underestimate the term 'acting,'" Ailin countered. "An acting Shinigami is still a Shinigami, and an acting captain is still a captain. However, I'm curious. You actually have time to come see me at this hour? Is there something you need my help with?"
Ailin found it strange that Soi Fon would seek him out. As the only "acting captain" in the Gotei 13 who hadn't mastered Bankai, her pride wouldn't allow her to accept such a disparity in strength.
Of course, what Soi Fon couldn't accept even more was the possibility of Yoruichi's 2nd Division becoming the laughingstock of the Gotei 13.
Although she resented Yoruichi Shihōin, it wasn't for her defection, but for not taking her along!
From snippets of conversations among other Shinigami, Ailin knew that Soi Fon had been training relentlessly to achieve Bankai, barely resting for nearly half a month.
Observing her closely, Ailin could see the deep fatigue etched on her face and the dark circles forming under her eyes. He had a pretty good guess why Soi Fon had come to him.
As expected, Soi Fon stepped closer and bowed before Ailin. "Captain Ailin, please train me for a while. I want to master Bankai as soon as possible. I beg of you."
"Sigh..."
Seeing Soi Fon like this, Ailin felt a pang of sympathy. A perfectly good girl had been turned into this brooding, vengeful figure by Yoruichi Shihōin.
Damn you, Kisuke Urahara!
After a long silence, Soi Fon's face paled. Did Ailin's silence signify his refusal?
But...
Soi Fon gritted her teeth. After half a month of training, she realized that at her current rate, mastering Bankai would take at least five to ten years.
If Yoruichi were still around, Soi Fon would consider five to ten years acceptable. While not a prodigy who could achieve Bankai within a decade or two, mastering it within a century wasn't considered bad in Soul Society. But now, even five or ten days felt too long, let alone five or ten years.
Seeking Ailin's help was her last resort. If Ailin rejected her...
"Alright, I accept your request," Ailin finally spoke, his words filling Soi Fon with elation.
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