BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

"This is…!? What an overwhelming spiritual pressure!"

Even Byakuya Kuchiki, known for his composure, could no longer maintain his usual calm.

This Reiatsu was not simply immense in scale, but the golden light converging around that holy sword carried an ominous, inescapable sense of danger!

Yes, it was terrifying!

For a captain like him to feel threatened to this extent…

"No, this battle must be stopped!"

Renji felt it too—deeply. But it was already too late. Akira had reached his peak!

"Excalibur—!"

With a single swing of his blade, Akira unleashed a torrential wave of golden light, engulfing everything in its path.

"BOOM!!!"

The sheer intensity of the radiance made it impossible for anyone to keep their eyes open. Even the residual energy left in its wake sent out shockwaves that reverberated across the battlefield, shaking the entire Seireitei.

The deafening sound of destruction echoed endlessly. Even Shinigami stationed in the far reaches of the Court of Pure Souls looked up, witnessing a massive golden pillar of light tearing through the sky!

As the energy subsided, everyone turned their gaze toward the arena—only to fall into a stunned silence.

The entire training ground had been reduced to a massive crater. As for Kuchiki Takuto, his opponent… not even a shadow of him remained!

"This… Is this truly the power of a mere Shikai!?"

The spectators stared in utter disbelief, their mouths agape.

"It seems that I've won," Akira declared, holding the Sword of Promised Victory aloft. He then pointed it toward the assembled Shinigami.

"Who else dares to challenge me by name?"

A heavy silence fell over the crowd.

What a joke… The sheer force of that Shikai alone—who could possibly stand against it?

Nobody wanted to die.

Byakuya and Renji both left the stage, their expressions dark. They seemed at a loss for words.

After a long moment, Renji finally exploded, his voice filled with anger.

"You! How dare you… kill him!?"

Akira responded coldly, "It's not uncommon for casualties to occur during the seat officer selection exams, is it? Kuchiki Takuto himself once claimed he had 'accidentally' killed multiple lower-ranked Shinigami in the past. And now… he's dead."

Renji was left speechless.

But Akira had not executed him on impulse.

He knew this act would make him a target of the Four Noble Houses. He understood that this decision would increase the difficulty of his survival. But in exchange, the rewards would be far greater.

"Captain, I believe my seat has been decided?"

Akira sheathed his blade, his tone indifferent.

Byakuya furrowed his brows—an uncommon reaction from him—before finally speaking.

"It's clear that your strength far surpasses that of an ordinary officer. Your Zanpakutō is exceptionally powerful… That last technique… I doubt even most Shinigami could achieve such devastation with Shikai alone."

He paused briefly before delivering his verdict.

"You will be assigned the rank of Third Seat of the Sixth Division. Retrieve your official certificate once the examination concludes."

With that, Byakuya cast him a cold glance before turning and leaving without another word.

Akira knew—despite Byakuya's outward adherence to fairness—he had undoubtedly earned the captain's hostility.

And that was exactly what he wanted.

As for the rest of the division, none of them dared to voice their objections.

After all, how many Shinigami—even those capable of Bankai—could obliterate an entire training ground with a single strike?

Perhaps some captains could manage such a feat… but to do so in one blow? That was another matter entirely.

…

After leaving the arena, Akira returned to his quarters and collapsed onto his futon, utterly drained.

"I didn't expect that one attack to completely exhaust my Reiatsu… It seems that spiritual power is still my greatest weakness."

Little did he know, word of the Sixth Division's seating exam had already begun to spread like wildfire throughout the Seireitei!

Under the full force of Excalibur's strike, the entire training ground was obliterated, and the deafening roar echoed across most of the Seireitei.

Not to mention the radiant beam of light that pierced the sky—countless Shinigami must have taken notice.

Fifth Division Barracks

Aizen Sōsuke removed his glasses, his deep gaze fixed on the direction of the Sixth Division's training grounds.

"That attack… Even among the captains, such destructive power is rare. Could it be that someone else has achieved Bankai?"

If so, that individual would be a formidable force to reckon with.

First Division Headquarters

Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni also turned his attention toward the Sixth Division's training ground. His expression remained unreadable, betraying nothing of his thoughts.

"Captain, do you recognize a Zanpakutō capable of such an overwhelming display of power?"

Chōjirō Sasakibe, the First Division's lieutenant, was visibly shaken. In all his years, he could not recall any Shinigami in the Seireitei wielding a Zanpakutō of such terrifying might.

"I do not," Yamamoto answered slowly. "But we shall find out soon enough."

Just as Sasakibe was about to press further, a figure arrived at the First Division barracks with Shunpo—Byakuya Kuchiki.

Sasakibe quickly realized that after such an unprecedented event, it was only natural for the Sixth Division captain to report the matter to the Head Captain without delay.

"Your division is full of talent, Captain Kuchiki," Sasakibe remarked. "Besides yourself, it seems another prodigy has attained Bankai. Who might it be?"

However, both Yamamoto and Sasakibe were stunned by Byakuya's response.

"The Shinigami responsible for that attack is named Akira," Byakuya stated calmly. "And he has not yet achieved Bankai."

"This is impossible!"

Sasakibe was the first to react, his voice filled with disbelief. "Without Bankai, how could anyone unleash such a devastating attack?"

Even Yamamoto, who rarely displayed emotion, furrowed his brow.

"The training grounds are reinforced with Sekkiseki stone. Ordinary attacks would be ineffective against them."

"If what you say is true, and Akira can unleash such power in Shikai, then once he attains Bankai, his strength will be beyond imagination."

Sasakibe silently agreed. As someone who had mastered Bankai, he understood the sheer magnitude of such power. Even among captains, few could obliterate a training ground with a single strike.

"Indeed," Byakuya affirmed. "That is why I suspect his Zanpakutō may be the strongest light-based Zanpakutō ever recorded."