บท 213: Heroes
In Ailin's memory, the Kudo siblings, Fujimaru and Matsuri, were characters from a game. Their Zanpakutō, both in name and ability, were strikingly similar. Fujimaru's Zanpakutō was called Ryūjōmaru, while Matsuri's was named Kotomaru. Though currently occupying the fifth and sixth seats of the 5th Division, in the game's lore, they were considered prodigies, having achieved Bankai under the tutelage of Yoruichi Shihōin. Thanks to their contributions, two more captain-level Zanpakutō had been analyzed within Ailin's Unlimited Blade Works.
After depositing their charges, the remaining Shinigami vanished in flashes of Shunpo, retrieving the remaining disqualified students and bringing them to the designated gathering point.
"Sob… sob…"
Under the cloak of night, the harsh reality of their situation crashed down on the young men and women. They had journeyed from the impoverished districts of Rukongai, enduring hardship and strenuous training at the Shin'ō Academy, their hearts brimming with hope for a brighter future. They yearned to become Shinigami, to wield power that could alter their destinies.
But their six years of dedication had crumbled into dust. Their dreams lay shattered before them.
From this moment forward, their lives were destined to be spent in Hueco Mundo, a world far more unforgiving than even the slums of Rukongai.
If fortune smiled upon them, they might survive countless battles against Hollows, their strength growing with each victory until they reached the pinnacle of power within the Hollow extermination forces, becoming a Legion Commander.
A Legion Commander of the Hollow extermination forces held a position comparable in both status and power to a captain of the Gotei 13.
If a captaincy within the Gotei 13 became vacant, and the delicate balance between Hueco Mundo and Soul Society remained intact, a Legion Commander might even be summoned back to the Seireitei to assume the mantle of captain.
However, if luck deserted them, they might meet the same fate as those who had perished earlier, slain and devoured by Hollows in their first encounter.
The only solace they found was that this had been a graduation exam, with Shinigami present to rescue them from danger.
Once they joined the Hollow extermination forces, even if they died in battle, no one would bat an eyelid.
The weight of their future, a life steeped in despair, proved too much for some to bear. Tears streamed down their faces as sobs wracked their bodies.
Under normal circumstances, such displays of weakness would have elicited scorn and mockery.
But here, surrounded by fellow failures, what purpose would ridicule serve? They were all in the same boat, their dreams sinking beneath the waves.
Even the most stoic among them found their eyes welling up, their hearts heavy with empathy.
"Sigh…"
Ailin, observing the students' despair, let out a quiet sigh.
Perhaps allowing Sōsuke Aizen to succeed, to overthrow the Seireitei, ascend to the Soul King Palace, and claim the mantle of Soul King… Perhaps that would usher in a new era for Soul Society?
Otherwise, the Soul Society would remain stagnant, a pool of stagnant water, unchanged for a million years, and destined to remain so for another million.
As long as the nobles held the power to subjugate the commoners of Rukongai, as long as the Shinigami of the Gotei 13 shared governance of the Seireitei with the nobles, true change was but a distant dream.
Perhaps this was one of the reasons the Soul King sought oblivion.
The future he saw, stretching endlessly before him, was indistinguishable from the present.
That was why, at this crucial juncture, when the "future" held the greatest potential for change, he had chosen to seek release, to open the door to new possibilities.
Ailin believed that if not for the Soul King's presence in the Seireitei, the actions of those nobles would have long since summoned the gates of Hell, dragging a portion of the Seireitei's aristocracy down to its depths.
…
As dawn broke, the students, having spent the night in despair, looked haggard and defeated.
Inside the Tozanshō barrier, Matsuri Kudo had completed her initial treatment of the wounded. Fortunately, none had succumbed to their injuries. They had regained consciousness and, supported by their comrades, stumbled out of the barrier.
With a thought, Ailin dispelled the ten-meter-tall Tozanshō into reishi.
He approached the students and addressed them, "I regret that circumstances have brought you to this point. However, there is no need for despair."
"Captain Aizen, we've failed. How can we not be disheartened?" One student cried out, unable to contain his emotions. "We're being sent to Hueco Mundo! To fight Hollows! It's a never-ending battle… We're destined to die there!"
His words plunged the students deeper into despair.
"Indeed, that student's description of the Hollow extermination forces is accurate. Their lives are consumed by an endless cycle of combat against Hollows," Ailin acknowledged, surprising everyone.
He then continued, captivating the students' attention, "However, have you ever considered why the Seireitei sends you to Hueco Mundo every year?"
Observing their dejected state, Ailin knew that if they went to Hueco Mundo in their current condition, at least ninety percent of them would perish in their first battle against Hollows.
To give them a fighting chance, Ailin decided to weave a monumental lie.
These students needed a glimmer of "hope."
"As you all know, Hueco Mundo teems with countless Hollows who evolve by devouring human souls. The Shinigami of the Gotei 13 are tasked with protecting both the World of the Living and the Soul Society, safeguarding the souls of the living from those ravenous creatures.
However, the World of the Living and the Soul Society are vast, encompassing a staggering number of souls. If a large number of Hollows were to invade simultaneously, even the combined might of the Gotei 13 would be insufficient to protect everyone.
That's why, to prevent a massive influx of Hollows from Hueco Mundo, the Seireitei decided to establish the Hollow extermination forces. And as you've witnessed, the impact of the Hollow extermination forces is undeniable."
Amidst the students' bewildered expressions, Ailin bowed before them.
"Because of the Hollow extermination forces' relentless efforts, engaging the majority of Hollows in Hueco Mundo, the number of Hollows infiltrating the World of the Living and the Soul Society has drastically decreased, perhaps even by a factor of ten. This has greatly enhanced the Gotei 13's ability to protect the souls of the living.
While being sent to Hueco Mundo might feel like a punishment to you, for the humans of the World of the Living and the residents of Rukongai, your presence there, battling those Hollows, has saved countless lives.
Here, on behalf of the people of the World of the Living and all those who call Rukongai home, I extend our heartfelt gratitude. You are the unsung heroes who protect this world from the shadows."
"We… are heroes?"
"Yes, you are all heroes!"
Meeting their hopeful gazes, Ailin affirmed their newfound status.
"Moreover, there is no need for despair. Your lives in the Hollow extermination forces will not be an endless cycle of combat against Hollows. I urge you to continue your training. Regardless of where you are, strength is the greatest and most effective safeguard of your survival.
Furthermore, the Hollow extermination forces are structured similarly to the Gotei 13. If one day you become a Legion Commander of one of the three extermination force legions, your status and power will be no less than that of a Gotei 13 captain.
And if a captaincy within the Gotei 13 becomes vacant, you might even be recalled to the Seireitei to assume that mantle…"
"Wow, Captain Aizen, is that really true?"
The prospect of returning to the Seireitei, despite joining the Hollow extermination forces, rekindled a spark of hope in their eyes.
While becoming a Legion Commander was no less challenging than becoming a Gotei 13 captain, it was still a beacon of hope, a distant dream worth striving for.
"It's true," Ailin nodded, addressing the student who had asked the question. "When that day comes, you will return to the Seireitei as heroes, hailed and admired by all…
After all, every Shinigami in the Seireitei knows that the peace we enjoy is due to your tireless efforts in Hueco Mundo, battling those Hollows."
Being a hero was appealing, but returning to the Seireitei was even more enticing!
"My greatest hope is that one day I will stand in the Seireitei, among those welcoming you back as heroes. So, strive for greatness! Never give up!"
Inspired by Ailin's motivational speech, a semblance of fighting spirit returned to the forty-odd students.
As Ailin opened a Senkaimon, each student, before stepping through the portal, bowed deeply to him, expressing their gratitude and respect.
No one was foolish.
They all knew that joining the Hollow extermination forces was akin to a death sentence, a life with a bleak future.
Yet, Captain Aizen of the 5th Division had addressed them with such kindness and respect, encouraging them to train diligently and strive to become Legion Commanders.
He had given them hope, a dream of returning to the Seireitei as heroes.
Even the members of the 5th Division were astounded as they watched the students bow to Ailin.
When had disqualified students ever shown such deference to their examiners?
Only Captain Aizen could achieve such a feat.
It filled them with pride.
This was their Captain Aizen, a man with an undeniable charisma!
After the last of the disqualified students had stepped through the Senkaimon, Ailin closed the portal and turned to one of the Shinigami beside him. "Fujimaru, how many students remain?"
The young man Ailin addressed as "Fujimaru" was Matsuri Kudo's twin brother, currently occupying the fifth seat of the 5th Division.
Upon hearing Ailin's question, Fujimaru Kudo promptly replied, "Captain Aizen, after today's elimination round, sixty-eight students remain."
"Sixty-eight…"
"Fifty-three students were just eliminated."
"With a total of one hundred and thirty-four students participating in this year's exam, excluding those remaining and those eliminated…"
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