BLEACH: DRINKING MAKES ME STRONGER

Half a day later, in the First Division Barracks,

Kyoraku Shunsui reluctantly removed his straw hat as he stepped into the formal meeting hall.

The entrance examination for the Shinō Academy had concluded earlier than planned.

This abrupt end was due to the overwhelming clash of spiritual pressure between Shiba Kuroha and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.

The collision had created a shockwave so potent that dozens of spiritually underdeveloped candidates—those with spiritual pressure below fourth grade—collapsed immediately.

True to his laid-back nature, Kyoraku had taken this as justification to end the proceedings early.

"Frankly, I didn't expect you to show up," Yamamoto muttered from his seat at the far end of the chamber. For once, his normally squinted eyes were open—sharp and watchful.

"Heh, honestly, I didn't want to either," Kyoraku replied with a rueful smile, plopping onto the floor in his usual lazy manner.

"But I didn't expect that kid to have spiritual pressure on the level of Jūzō-tier—and he's never even trained at the Academy. That's insane."

"Do you think," he added with a sideways glance, "with training… he could achieve materialized Reiatsu?"

Yamamoto's brow twitched.

"That boy?" the old commander scoffed. "He's a drunkard. Until he drops that ridiculous reliance on alcohol to stabilize his pressure, he'll go nowhere. That nonsense about only performing well while drunk—tch."

(Materialized Reiatsu, or Kōkai no Reiatsu, is an advanced form of spiritual pressure. Only a select few—like Yamamoto himself, Zaraki Kenpachi, and Unohana—are known to possess it. At this level, spiritual pressure manifests physically, forming a defensive aura that can damage nearby terrain or shield the user instinctively.)

Kyoraku chuckled, clearly entertained by the irritation in Yamamoto's voice.

"You really hate him, huh? That's rare. Not many people get under your skin like that."

"Enough. Have you completed the investigation I assigned?"

Kyoraku's demeanor immediately shifted. The teasing tone vanished.

"Yeah. I spoke with Abarai Renji. He confirmed that Kuroha's spiritual pressure during the preliminary scan registered only Sanbō—a mid-level classification. No evidence of tampering, and Renji's not the type to falsify reports. He came up through the Rukongai. He understands how sacred the system is for commoners."

At this, Sasakibe Chōjirō—standing to Yamamoto's right—spoke up.

"I agree. Renji is careful with his assessments. However…" He hesitated. "There might be another explanation. Something less conventional."

"You're thinking… a dual soul body?" Yamamoto asked, eyes narrowing.

Kyoraku blinked.

"A what-now?"

"You should remember," Yamamoto said sternly. "Rare, but not unheard of. Two souls inhabiting one body. In most cases, it causes instability or eventual soul fracture, but in some… the secondary soul enhances combat performance under specific conditions."

"Like… alcohol?" Kyoraku guessed.

Chōjirō nodded. "Exactly. It's possible that sobriety suppresses the dominant combat soul, while intoxication allows it to surface. That would explain the sudden spike in Reiatsu and the instinctive grasp of Hakuda."

Kyoraku scratched his stubbled chin. "Makes sense. I saw how naturally he moved—even when stumbling."

"But," Chōjirō added, "it's still speculation. We'll need more time and data. Perhaps observe his conduct over the next few weeks—preferably under controlled scenarios."

Yamamoto fell into thought. He had lived long enough to witness every kind of anomaly in Soul Society. This would not be the first time a gifted misfit upset the system.

"Keep a close eye on him," he finally said. "And investigate whether he has any ties to external manipulators. This level of potential rarely emerges without someone pulling strings."

"Even we were caught off guard by his emergence," Kyoraku Shunsui said, adjusting the brim of his bamboo hat. "Which means the real mastermind likely didn't expect this variable either."

"If that kid can be guided to our side, then let him stay," Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni replied, voice low but commanding. "But if he cannot be used... then we must consider other measures."

"You've already established contact with him. It's up to you now to discern his true nature. That is, if he manages to pass the Narrow Path assessment and gains recognition from an Asauchi."

Yamamoto's gaze sharpened. "History has seen prodigies with immense spiritual pressure fail to harmonize with an Asauchi. Without that bond, they could never become a true Shinigami."

Since the founding of the Shin'ō Academy, Yamamoto had seen countless talents rise and fall. Some, despite monstrous reiatsu, were rejected by the Asauchi, unable to manifest a Zanpakutō.

These individuals were often redirected—some to the Kidō Corps, where mastery of spells was paramount, others to the Onmitsukidō, relying on stealth and mobility rather than swordplay.

The Kidō Corps had produced figures like the Grand Kidō Chief and Vice Chief, legends in their own right—but none of them bore the title of Shinigami in the strict sense.

"Tch, can't you let Ukitake handle this one?" Shunsui complained with a bitter smile. "I've got enough on my plate already, old man."

Yamamoto said nothing—eyes narrowed, arms folded. His silence was as unrelenting as his presence.

With a resigned sigh, Shunsui stood. "Alright then. But you owe me for this—three bottles of the sake from Seireitei's inner district. I'll meet the kid. Hopefully, he doesn't disappoint."

"Get out," Yamamoto barked gruffly, though a faint flicker of amusement passed through his expression.

The wine was precious—centuries-old—and even Yamamoto knew it was a rare indulgence.

As Shunsui exited, Lieutenant Sasakibe Chōjirō remained behind, understanding precisely why Yamamoto had entrusted him with this task.

Within the Gotei 13, Hitsugaya Tōshirō was still too green despite his genius. Kuchiki Byakuya's enmity with Shiba Kuroba made him a poor choice for delicate negotiations.

Ichimaru Gin, with his ever-smiling facade and foxlike aura, was far too suspicious to serve as a liaison.

And Aizen Sōsuke—while outwardly ideal—gave off an air of perfection that rendered him incapable of gaining true trust from someone like Kuroba.

Ukitake Jūshirō, despite his wisdom and warmth, was perpetually weakened by illness.

Kyoraku Shunsui, on the other hand, masked his sharp intellect beneath a lazy demeanor. Despite his protests, he wouldn't let his old friend Ukitake overexert himself—and he was the most capable of handling wild cards like Shiba Kuroba.

His reluctance, as always, was just for show.