BLEACH: DRINKING MAKES ME STRONGER

"Would you like to see my Zanpakutō?" Ukitake Jūshirō asked with a gentle smile, offering his sword without hesitation.

Kuroba blinked, momentarily stunned.

In Soul Society, a Shinigami's Zanpakutō was considered an extension of their soul—both weapon and partner. Handing it over so casually was almost unthinkable. Especially for someone like Captain Ukitake, whose sickly constitution meant he had to remain more cautious than others.

Most Shinigami, particularly captains, would never part with their Zanpakutō unless absolutely necessary. Yet here Ukitake was, extending it like a gift.

During the past three days, Kuroba had sparred with several seated officers under the guise of training. He'd even touched a few of their Zanpakutō—though never more than once, due to the strange limitations of his brewing ability. He had toyed with the idea of challenging Captain Ukitake as well, but the man's chronic illness made Kuroba hesitate. The captain's frail body always seemed to teeter on the edge, no matter his strength or reputation.

Still, defeating acting lieutenants Sentarō Kotsubaki and Kiyone Kotetsu had earned him considerable attention within the 13th Division. Challenging a captain seemed a distant goal—three days simply wasn't enough time to grow strong enough to match someone of Ukitake's caliber.

Today, of all days, was the entrance ceremony for the Shin'ō Academy. Kuroba had assumed his chance to interact with Captain Ukitake was over.

And yet, here it was.

A quiet reward, delivered to his doorstep.

"You're hesitating," Ukitake observed with his usual serene tone. "Are you looking down on a sick man's Zanpakutō?"

"No, not at all," Kuroba said quickly, regaining his composure. "I'm just honored, Captain. It's not every day someone like me gets to hold a captain's blade. I hope I make a strong impression in the Zanpakutō attunement test later. Who knows? Maybe I'll land a powerful blade on my first try."

With a grin, Kuroba reached out and accepted Ukitake's Zanpakutō.

Immediately, his system interface shimmered to life in his mind.

[System Update: Hand of the God of Wine]

Zanpakutō Interaction Detected

Brewing Progress: +3%

"Hmph! Arrogant much?" Rukia huffed nearby, crossing her arms. "Don't get ahead of yourself. You might not even earn Asauchi's acknowledgment!"

Kuroba rolled his eyes. "Relax, Sister Rukia. Once I graduate, I'll go through proper channels to arrange a marriage proposal to the Kuchiki Clan. You'll be calling me brother-in-law soon enough."

"Brother-in-law?!" Rukia froze, her face turning red.

Next to her, Ukitake chuckled lightly, then added, "Ah, I think Kuroba means Captain Kuchiki—Byakuya. He must mean that if Captain Kuchiki is his brother-in-law, then you two... are—"

"Kuroba, I'm going to kill you!!"

Before Rukia could react, Kuroba swiftly handed the Zanpakutō back to Ukitake and slipped away in the chaos.

Despite his joking, Kuroba's expression turned more serious once he was alone. He opened his system screen again, scrutinizing the latest data.

Before touching Ukitake's blade, his Zanpakutō Wine Brewing progress had stood at 20%. The addition of only 3% from Ukitake's sword surprised him.

"Why did Mayuri's Zanpakutō give me nearly three times that amount?" Kuroba muttered, furrowing his brows. "It can't be that Ukitake's blade is weaker. They're both captains."

He filtered through possibilities in his mind.

"Could it be… I absorb more brewing progress when I'm drunk?"

It was the only conclusion that fit the pattern. The test with Mayuri's Zanpakutō had occurred while he was completely plastered. In contrast, he was sober now. Unfortunately, since arriving at the 13th Division, the squad had removed all traces of alcohol from their barracks to prevent any 'incidents.'

Also, the Hand of the God of Wine system had its own rules—it only absorbed a Zanpakutō's properties the first time it was touched.

Subsequent contacts yielded no progress.

With these facts, a plan began to form.

Three Days Later – Shin'ō Academy Outer Courtyard

After a short break, the day of the entrance ceremony had arrived. The courtyard buzzed with new students, their nervous energy clashing with excitement.

A ceremonial bell rang in the distance, signaling the official start of the selection process.

Among the gathered crowd, Kuroba appeared slightly late, eyes calm, mind already calculating his next move.

He hadn't forgotten what he'd learned.

Today's objective was clear: Find the strongest Zanpakutō possible—while drunk.

  "Shiba Kuroba-sama, I am Boa Akagao. My clan once served under the Shiba family generations ago. I didn't expect to meet a direct descendant of the main family after all these years."

  The speaker was a young woman with waist-length crimson hair, eyes gleaming like polished garnets, and a slender figure clad in the standard Shino Academy uniform. She stepped forward with measured grace, her tone courteous yet lightly flirtatious.

  Kuroba gave her a faint glance, his brows twitching slightly. A noble greeting? After all this time?

  He didn't need anyone to remind him how quickly allegiances disappeared when the Shiba clan lost their seat among the Four Great Noble Houses. Even those who once benefited from their status had vanished like smoke.

  He muttered to himself, "When you're poor in Seireitei, even the air ignores you. But once they hear the Shiba name again…"

  Boa noticed his expression and chuckled lightly, sticking out her tongue with a feigned playfulness. "You're surprisingly serious, Kuroba-sama. I truly don't mean any offense—I just thought it proper to greet someone of your standing."

  Several other students nearby were already whispering.

  "That's him, right? Shiba Kuroba—the one who registered ten full bamboos on the spiritual pressure scale?"

  "I heard he challenged several seated officers in a drunken state and wasn't defeated outright."

  "People say he's a walking disaster—but maybe a genius too."

  Kuroba inwardly sighed. He had hoped to keep a low profile, but Boa's conspicuous introduction had already drawn attention from half the training ground.

  He eyed her warily, then gave a lopsided grin. "You've got presence, I'll give you that. Let me guess—trying to get close now, before I become someone important again?"

  Boa blinked, taken aback, but recovered quickly. "It's only natural to befriend potential allies, is it not?"

  Kuroba's smile turned sharp. "I don't need fair-weather nobles. If you're here for clout, go home. If you're serious—draw your sword. I'm short one blade-wielding maid."

  The courtyard fell silent.

  Whispers died instantly. Even Boa's bright expression froze like cracked porcelain.

  He had said it without any hesitation—like a declaration, not a joke.

  A few candidates exchanged glances, stunned at his bluntness. Others were barely suppressing laughter or awe.

  Boa's voice lowered, her earlier charm gone. "You… truly are a Shiba."

  And not the kind that plays politics.

  Even though her clan had once served the Shiba house as a minor noble branch, she hadn't expected to be dismissed so coldly. She'd thought her charm and lineage would be enough. But this man didn't operate by those rules.

  Not anymore.

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