Bleach: The Fifth Division Captain

Without much anticipation, time crawled until noon.

Seiya Arima followed the instructor of the afternoon Hakuda class as he and the others moved to the dojo.

The dojo, similar to the kendo arena, was a place that could be rented and utilized for training. However, it was typically frequented by the noble class, so commoners rarely had the chance to use it.

"Today's monthly exam will serve as your first formal assessment. Senior students have kindly volunteered their time to spar with you."

"Don't worry about winning. Simply give it your all. The exam is merely to assess your Hakuda skill level. Losing is perfectly normal."

While it sounded disheartening, it was indeed the truth.

Thanks to the explanation from Aizen earlier, Seiya was fully aware of the rationale behind this.

"Using exams as a way to intimidate and suppress freshmen, to instill hierarchy and respect… This isn't exactly rare, is it?"

"You're all just a month into your enrollment. Facing senior students will naturally be a daunting task."

"But it's a rite of passage for every student, Seiya. Embrace this malice that has endured for over a thousand years."

Aizen's words were still fresh in his memory, and they clearly revealed his own disdain for such practices.

It seemed Aizen's student days must have left quite an impression.

To avoid drawing attention to himself, Seiya had no issue appearing mediocre.

After all, his primary goal was to learn—everything else was secondary.

"Next, I will announce the order of participants for the exam. Please be ready when called."

"Kyō Odamata…"

Unsurprisingly, Seiya's name was called last. It was hard to imagine there wasn't some behind-the-scenes maneuvering at play.

The dojo entrance was now filled with silhouettes, and several unfamiliar faces streamed in.

"Whoa, why are there so many people here?"

"You didn't know? These exams are open for observation. Anyone interested can drop by to watch."

"I heard that sometimes exceptional performances can lead to students being directly recruited into the squads!"

"WHAT?!! Why didn't anyone tell me this earlier?!"

"Because there's no point. Do you really think the seniors will go easy on us?"

Exactly.

That was the reality.

From a structural standpoint, it was akin to Yoruichi casually dropping by the academy to flex her prowess.

This was more about indulging the whims of those in power than an actual examination.

If you didn't like it, you just had to climb your way up—earn seniority, take on significant roles, and one day become one of those standing at the top...

But… wait.

Seiya's expression froze as he noticed a familiar face entering the dojo.

It was Kaname Tōsen.

Without even glancing in his direction, Tōsen raised his right hand in a simple gesture of acknowledgment.

"You have the time to come watch my exam, huh?"

The situation was full of ironies.

So, that sly smile Tōsen had when this was mentioned earlier… It was because he had already planned to watch me struggle, huh?

While annoyed, Seiya knew there was nothing he could do about it now. Pressing his lips together, he decided to pretend he hadn't seen Tōsen's faintly mocking smirk.

The first match began.

As expected, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.

The senior opponent was a sixth-year student nearing graduation, while the examinees were still first-years with minimal training.

On top of that, Seiya's class came from one of the less prestigious divisions, with limited resources.

Honestly, if the freshmen won, it would be an even bigger problem.

Cries of pain echoed across the arena as the first participant was knocked out of the ring, curled up like a shrimp.

After a moment of recovery, the battered student wobbled back to the senior who had just thrashed him.

Wiping away tears and snot brought on by the pain, he straightened himself and managed a slightly crooked bow.

"T-Thank you for your guidance!"

"Oh, keep working hard."

One side seethed with indignation; the other responded with utter indifference.

Seiya watched the defeated student limp off the stage. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward to help.

"Are you okay?"

"I-I'll be fine… Thanks, Arima-kun."

He didn't look fine.

Every muscle in his body was tense, and his expression twitched uncontrollably.

He must've been frustrated.

After all, this felt less like an exam and more like a public execution.

Humiliating.

Hoping to lighten the mood, Seiya patted his classmate on the back and joked.

"No need to be so formal. Just make sure you're ready to help me out when I get knocked out."

The proctor then called out, loud and clear:

"Examinee number one, Kyō Odamata… Pass!"

As previously explained, the standard for passing wasn't particularly high.

The next matches proceeded in order.

The second participant fared even worse—flattened by a high kick to the chin, they remained on the ground for quite some time before staggering up.

"...Pass!"

The third and fourth participants followed suit.

A seemingly frail girl took the stage and was promptly punched so hard she vomited.

"...Pass! Clean up the mess, and the next group, hold on!"

Tearfully, the girl wiped the floor clean as the spectators jeered from the sidelines.

Seiya watched, his brows furrowed.

So, this was what passed for an "exam."

No wonder Aizen had warned against eating anything hard to digest beforehand.

"Because if you puke, you'll have to clean it up yourself…"

The growing audience, comprised mostly of seniors and spectators, appeared to be enjoying the show.

It wasn't an exam—it was a performance.

The freshmen played the clowns, while the seniors vented their frustrations.

Did this serve any real purpose?

It was no wonder Aizen harbored such disdain.

Feeling a boiling frustration in his chest, Seiya's thoughts were interrupted by two familiar figures entering the dojo.

It was Kotetsu Isane and Ise Nanao.

The two scanned the crowd before quickly spotting Seiya.

Isane waved enthusiastically, her expression beaming, while Nanao pushed her glasses up with a calm nod in his direction.

Wait, what?!

While Tōsen's presence was expected, why were these two here?

Though stunned, Seiya couldn't just ignore them. Forced to respond, he mustered an awkward smile and waved back.

The two women took seats on the outer edge of the dojo.

Before Seiya could fully process their arrival, another familiar figure appeared at the entrance.

Aizen Sōsuke.

Seeing Aizen's enigmatic smile, Seiya had an epiphany.

"Aizen must've brought them here!"

Seiya had never openly discussed his relationships with Aizen, but a little investigation would've revealed them easily.

But why gather his acquaintances here?

Was Aizen encouraging him to give his all so he wouldn't embarrass himself in front of his friends?

Or was there something else?

Aizen's tendency to act unpredictably left Seiya deeply unsettled.

Caught up in his swirling thoughts, Seiya heard the proctor call out:

"Last group… Seiya Arima!"

There was no time to think anymore.

Seiya took a deep breath, stood up under the watchful gaze of his classmates, and replied.

"Present!"

With measured steps, he ascended to the stage.

The previously sparse dojo was now packed with onlookers.

Was it always like this? Where did all these people come from?

Through his conversations with Isane, Seiya understood that his reputation as a standout first-year had spread.

But he didn't think it warranted this level of attention.

Something felt off.

"Seiya, good luck!"

Wait, what?

Seiya turned to see a classmate shouting encouragement.

This guy had barely spoken to him before, yet now his gaze burned with determination.

"You're amazing! Please win this match for us."

"Don't let them look down on us. We're counting on you!"

"Arima-kun, do your best!"

Their entire class had been defeated, and while such an outcome wasn't unusual for first-years, it still stung.

Seeing their comrades humiliated and treated like toys ignited a sense of collective indignation.

Seiya could only smile wryly.

"Uh… I'll do my best."

Promising victory outright wasn't his style.

He adjusted his focus, scanning the sidelines.

Tōsen gave a small nod, raising a thumb in silent encouragement.

Isane waved her arm enthusiastically like she was cheering with a flag, her expression endearingly shy.

Nanao sat with her hands neatly folded, her posture reserved, yet her steady gaze conveyed quiet support.

And then there was Aizen…

Standing at the front, Aizen's serene smile betrayed an unusual excitement.

"What exactly are you expecting from me, Aizen-sensei?"

Seiya couldn't afford to think further.

Stepping onto the stage, he faced his opponent—a senior who seemed unusually tense, his face taut as if bracing for a formidable foe.

Seiya bowed courteously, as per the rules.

"Seiya. Please, take care of me!"

Before the senior could respond, a familiar voice boomed from the entrance.

"Wait a second!"

A figure leaped onto the stage, landing squarely in front of Seiya.

It was…

A woman dressed in the standard Shinigami uniform, her long purple hair tied in a high ponytail. Her amber eyes gleamed mischievously as she crossed her arms, tilting her head confidently.

"Hey, Seiya Arima!"

Her voice was clear and commanding, as striking as her overwhelming presence.

"I already offered to recruit you under special circumstances, didn't I? So why haven't you agreed yet?"

It was Shihōin Yoruichi.

What was she doing here?

Before Seiya could even process the situation, Yoruichi stepped closer, grabbing him by the collar.

"Cat got your tongue? Don't tell me you've already forgotten what happened before."

"Um… Could you jog my memory?"

What on earth was she talking about?

Yoruichi's eyes sparkled with amusement as she yanked him closer, her voice dripping with playful menace.

"You had the audacity to grope me, and now you want to act like nothing happened? You've got guts, rookie."

Wait, what?!

The entire dojo erupted into chaos. From the perspective of the crowd, such words were explosive.

Seemingly satisfied with the commotion, Yoruichi released Seiya with a sly smile.

"Alright, this is supposed to be an exam, right? A Hakuda test for first-years?"

The nervous senior and proctor nodded furiously.

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi, that's correct!"

"Good. Then get off the stage. From now on, I'll handle this personally."

Without a second glance, Yoruichi shooed them away and turned her attention back to Seiya.

Her amber eyes glimmered with mischief as she cracked her knuckles.

"Well then, rookie, ready for a real challenge?"

Before Seiya could respond, Yoruichi snapped her fingers.

"Omaeda, get over here!"