Bleach: My Zanpakutō Is the Entire Underworld

On the vast plaza, the half-white hair of Tsunayashiro Kojirō stood out strikingly.

Though he still had the face of a youth, he exuded an air of decay and weariness. Fine wrinkles had crept into the corners of his eyes, and his once-straight posture now appeared slightly stooped.

Among the captains present, each wore a different expression as they looked at the boy.

Ukitake's face showed a hint of helplessness. Shunsui narrowed his eyes slightly. Kuchiki Byakuya furrowed his brows and instinctively glanced toward the two Tsunayashiro family heads seated on the platform, a flicker of barely perceptible disgust flashing in his eyes.

As for Yamamoto, the old man's face remained completely expressionless as he looked at the white-haired Kojirō and asked:

"Tsunayashiro Kojirō, are you certain you wish to graduate early?"

Kojirō's expression remained calm as he listened to the Head-Captain. He nodded gently, repeating:

"I choose to graduate early and challenge the Fifteenth Seat of Squad Four."

A stir of murmurs rippled through the crowd at his words. After all, challenging an officer from Squad Four—which was primarily responsible for healing—seemed less than honorable.

There had been early graduates before, but they were always high-spirited prodigies who chose to challenge officers from combat-oriented squads like Squad Eleven or Squad Thirteen. This was likely the first time someone had challenged Squad Four for early graduation.

Yet the crowd's murmurs did not elicit any reaction from Kojirō. For him now, things like dignity no longer mattered.

He knew what his goal was. He knew that only after defeating a seated officer would he face his true enemies. He wouldn't waste a single drop of spiritual pressure on something so trivial. His mother's illness was a mountain crushing his shoulders, leaving him gasping for air. He had no choice but to succeed.

By any means necessary. At any cost.

He would succeed.

Let history revile him, or celebrate him—he did not care.

He only needed to be worthy of his mother. He only needed her to live. After I die, let the flood come for all I care.

Hearing Kojirō's response, Yamamoto gave a slight nod, then said to Vice-Captain Shunsō:

"Go notify the Fifteenth Seat of Squad Four. Ask him to come as soon as possible."

The vice-captain acknowledged the order and vanished in a flash step.

Soon after, a middle-aged man with a black shoulder bag arrived at the plaza. His cuffs and chest were still stained with fresh blood, and his face looked haggard—clearly he had just come from treating the wounded.

The sight drew further scorn from the crowd.

Kojirō, sensing the crowd's gaze, trembled slightly under his sleeves. Once, he had regarded his noble pride as sacred—but now it had been trampled into the dirt and ground to dust.

Still trembling, he stared directly at the Squad Four officer, his face showing both sincerity and apology as he spoke:

"Tsunayashiro Kojirō, from Shinō Academy! I humbly challenge you!"

He bowed deeply.

The middle-aged man responded with a return bow, then smiled and said:

"It's alright. Even though I'm in Squad Four, my strength is decent. Being challenged by a genius like you—win or lose—it's nothing to be ashamed of."

Kojirō didn't reply. He only gave a faint, apologetic smile.

Yamamoto looked at Kojirō, though his expression remained unreadable. He simply announced:

"Early graduation challenge for Class of 2050 student Tsunayashiro Kojirō, officially begins!"

The two bowed briefly, exchanged no words, and began the duel.

The Squad Four officer's name was Mizuo Tomoya. His Zanpakutō had healing-oriented abilities, so he didn't release it—he simply charged at Kojirō with a basic blade.

Their duel was straightforward, even predictable.

As Mizuo lunged forward, Kojirō turned and nimbly dodged the powerful thrust. Twisting his foot slightly, he ghosted behind Mizuo like a phantom. Under Kojirō's relentless strikes, Mizuo was forced into a purely defensive position.

Kojirō's storm of attacks left Mizuo breathless. After more than twenty exchanges, Kojirō's blade rested at Mizuo's neck.

Mizuo hadn't even managed to release his Zanpakutō before being defeated—but he took it well. He scratched his head and chuckled:

"What a terrifying junior!"

Then he cheerfully left the field.

Yamamoto didn't comment on the outcome. He simply nodded and continued:

"Vice officer challenge succeeded. If there are no other contenders, then the top graduate of this year will be—"

Before he could finish, a clear voice rang out:

"Please wait, Head-Captain. Asano Kiyoshi, student of the Shinō Academy Class of 2050, applies for early graduation!"

The plaza instantly erupted with excitement.

The chatter of the crowd nearly shattered the air. But it wasn't just them—up on the platform, the captains were also watching with great interest.

Aizen wore a smile. His light brown eyes reflected Kiyoshi's figure, the curve of his lips both dangerous and alluring.

Beside him, Tōsen Kan's body trembled slightly. Hearing that familiar name brought back memories of a gentle voice… of a cold, rainy night.

Gin only squinted with his usual foxlike grin—carefree and enigmatic.

Byakuya looked at Kiyoshi, then at Kojirō.

This was a battle between commoner and noble.

A showdown between Squad Thirteen and the nobility.

A pivotal contest that could shape the future of their clans—and he would make sure to stand with the Kuchiki family.

Shunsui lowered the brim of his hat, his expression hidden in shadow.

Ukitake looked conflicted, then turned his gaze toward Kiyoshi. He was a kind man, but also one who stood firmly by his beliefs.

Yamamoto heard Kiyoshi's voice and called out:

"Application accepted! Due to Asano Kiyoshi's prior solo defeat of the former Thirteenth Seat of Squad Eleven—Yingkou Teru—he may skip the seated officer challenge and proceed directly to a duel! Tsunayashiro Kojirō, do you object?"

Kojirō looked at Kiyoshi in his black hanfu, exhaled deeply, and replied:

"Reporting, Head-Captain. No objections!"

As soon as Kojirō finished speaking, the two locked eyes like blades clashing in the air.

T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead on all my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle

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