Multiverse: Library

The most outstanding genius in the thousand-year history of the Shin'ō Academy was about to graduate, and upon graduation, would directly assume the position of Captain of Division 3 in the Gotei 13, becoming the youngest Captain-level Shinigami in history!

This news had already spread several days ago and, as expected, caused a tremendous uproar.

Countless Shinigamis in Seireitei found it unbelievable, and the Shin'ō Academy itself, after a long period of disbelief, became ecstatic.

After all, this was an Academy student who would graduate and immediately become a Captain—and had only been enrolled for half a year, still officially a first-year student. Without question, this was an achievement worthy of being etched into the Academy's milestones.

It was akin to someone just graduating from high school, attending university for only half a year, and then suddenly winning a Nobel Prize, skipping straight to graduation and becoming one of the top scientists in the field. For the Academy, this was undoubtedly a great honor. If they didn't throw a massive celebration, that would be the real surprise.

Thus, once the truth of the news was confirmed, the Academy Headmaster waved his hand and summoned everyone to organize a grand event—they had to celebrate this properly.

Thanks to this, the Shin'ō Academy had been incredibly lively these past few days. Many classes were temporarily suspended, and the entire campus was transformed as if it were a festival, festooned with decorations and brimming with celebratory atmosphere.

Kaiser himself was summoned by the Headmaster and the Academy's top officials, who praised him profusely. They even arranged for interviews and portraits, and someone was assigned to measure his height and weight—reportedly to create a life-sized statue to be permanently displayed on Academy grounds for students to admire and learn from.

They even planned a speech ceremony for Kaiser to attend, but the utterly exhausted Kaiser firmly refused.

"After such a serious incident just occurred, this Academy still has the nerve to hold a celebration? If this were my original world, anyone who tried this would be mobbed online for a lifetime."

Kaiser hid away in a corner, found a tree, and just like when he first entered the Academy, lay on top of it basking in the sun, grumbling internally.

"Looks like death here in the Soul Society isn't a big deal. A few dead students? Probably normal. Even if a bunch of Shinigamis died, no one would bat an eye. What a dangerous world."

In that regard, it was actually lucky his first experience was in the world of Asterisk.

At least there, people didn't casually die. Even someone like Dirk who'd been active in the underworld for years didn't openly try to kill him—just sent someone to cripple him. That had given Kaiser, who wasn't too strong at the time, a nice transitional start.

If the first world he'd ended up in had been High School DxD or this world, things definitely wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

"When I get back to that world, I'm going to give that fat bastard a proper beating."

Recalling those past events, Kaiser silently made up his mind.

"Kai!"

Just as Kaiser's thoughts were drifting and his eyes about to close for a nap, a loud voice suddenly called out, startling him awake.

He sat up with a jolt and looked down from the tree—and immediately saw a few familiar faces.

"Renji? Kira? Momo?" Kaiser looked down at them from above, chuckling in surprise. "You're back?"

The arrivals were none other than Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, Momo Hinamori, and Rukia Kuchiki.

At some point, they had arrived here and found him. Now they stood beneath the tree, all wearing complex expressions.

"What's with those faces again?" Kaiser jumped down from the tree and glanced at them, teasing, "You look like I just slashed an Adjuchas in half right in front of you again. Come on, cut it out. It's getting stale."

At that, they each let out a bitter laugh.

"Kai, you…" Renji looked as though he didn't know where to start. "You're really graduating without saying a word? And becoming a Captain right after? Isn't that a bit too sudden?"

Only they knew how shocked and disbelieving they'd felt when they first heard the news.

They had always known Kaiser was a genius, and they were mentally prepared for him to graduate early and be recruited by the Gotei 13—but who could have imagined he would skip all ranks and go straight to the top?

A Captain...

That was the Gotei 13's Captain!

As students of the Shin'ō Academy, their dreams were simply to graduate and join the Gotei 13. Even imagining themselves as Seated Officers felt like a stretch.

But Kaiser?

He was becoming a Captain immediately after graduation—and he'd only studied at the Academy for half a year!

It was incredible—almost too much to believe.

But reality often outdoes imagination.

"Honestly, I didn't expect it either," Kaiser said with a helpless shrug. "Who'd have thought I'd be graduating after just six months to become a Captain?"

In his original plan, he had never intended to apply for graduation so early.

The Academy did allow early graduation, but even the most talented had always studied for at least a year before joining the Gotei 13.

Take Gin Ichimaru, Lieutenant of Division 5—he was once a well-known genius who graduated after one year and was now capable of becoming a Captain.

If Kaiser hadn't appeared out of nowhere, this Division 3 Captain seat would likely have gone to Gin.

So Kaiser's original intention had been to stay for a year, complete the first year, then graduate.

But due to the recent incident, and after exposing his true power, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto had made the decision to have him graduate and take command of Division 3—without delay.

Sometimes, plans just couldn't keep up with change. His one-year Academy plan had ended halfway.

Graduating after half a year would set a new record in Shin'ō Academy history—one that might never be broken.

"So... Kai-kun is really going to become a Captain of the Gotei 13?"

Izuru Kira asked cautiously, still finding it hard to believe.

"Yes," Kaiser nodded, breaking the illusion of doubt. "In less than a month, my Captain inauguration will be held. Unfortunately, I can't invite you to attend."

Captain inauguration ceremonies weren't grand spectacles—just a formal declaration of appointment before the other Captains.

Only Captains would attend, and the venue would be the Division 1 barracks—specifically, the same room they'd previously gathered in. It wasn't meant to be overly elaborate.

Other than Captains, no one else would be allowed inside—not even Lieutenants.

Needless to say, ordinary Academy students stood no chance of being present.

This clearly showed the rigid hierarchy of the Soul Society—something unmatched by the Human World, at least in modern times.

Even though Kaiser himself didn't care about such things, bringing a group of students to the inauguration would definitely provoke discontent among the other Captains, who'd see it as disrespectful and improper.

So Renji and the others had little chance of witnessing his inauguration.

"Then..."

Momo Hinamori seemed nervous and excited as she asked,

"Kai-san… you'll be leaving the Academy soon, right?"

The answer was obvious.

"Yes," Kaiser nodded again, replying in front of them all, "My graduation ceremony preparations are already underway. It'll likely happen in about half a month."

"Once that's done, I'll officially graduate and naturally won't stay at the Academy anymore."

"Of course, the Headmaster has granted me special permission to reside here until I take office."

In other words, Kaiser's days at the Academy were numbered.

In less than a month, he'd leave to begin work at Division 3.

From then on, seeing him at the Academy would no longer be possible.

"…"

Momo fell silent.

Renji and the others were the same—wordless and pensive.

"What's with those faces again?" Kaiser let out a laugh. "It's not like we'll never see each other again. Don't give me that 'eternal farewell' look, okay?"

"But when we meet again, you'll be a Captain of Division 3…" Renji sighed, sounding a bit lost. "A Captain… Even if we graduate, we'll never be close to you again, right?"

Even someone as blunt as Renji understood how high a Captain stood in the Soul Society.

Right now, they were classmates—students at the same Academy. But next time they met, Kaiser would be a Captain. What would they be?

At most, Seated Officers. Maybe not even that—just regular Squad Members.

The status gap between them would be immense.

Imagine Kaiser walking down the street with his Lieutenant while they mingled among the crowd—clearing a path, bowing low, unable to even meet his eyes. That was the reality.

Just like when Sōsuke Aizen visited with Gin Ichimaru. The entire Academy had lined up to greet them, barely daring to breathe.

One stood at center stage—admired by all.

The others were just faces in the crowd—perhaps even unnoticed.

The difference was enough to sting.

At this, Kira shrank back in silence. Momo's expression turned gloomy. And Rukia, who barely knew Kaiser, stood quietly to the side, trying not to be noticed.

In that moment, Kaiser's eyes swept over them—and he smiled.

A calm smile.

"If you can't see me at graduation, then work hard after graduation to catch up."

Kaiser suddenly said this.

"Work hard after graduation?"

They froze.

"Do you only want to graduate and become Shinigamis? Have no dreams of reaching the clouds?"

His voice was like a hammer, pounding on their hearts.

"Right now, you're students. So work hard to graduate and join the Gotei 13. Become full-fledged Shinigamis."

"Once you're official Shinigamis, strive to become stronger—to climb higher. Become Seated Officers. Then Lieutenant."

"And once you're Lieutenants—how far are you from being Captains?"

His words stirred waves in their hearts.

"Lieutenants…"

Momo murmured.

"That's…"

Kira looked uncertain.

Renji and Rukia exchanged glances.

"What's wrong? Think it's impossible?" Kaiser chuckled. "You're underestimating yourselves."

"Trust me—you're all outstanding. More than any other student at the Academy. Even more than most Shinigamis in the Gotei 13."

"In my eyes, at the very least, you'll all become Lieutenants. Some of you becoming Captains wouldn't surprise me at all."

"As long as you work hard—in the future, we'll meet at the summit."

Kaiser said it decisively, with absolute certainty.

"The future is long, and we'll still have plenty of time together. Don't tell me you're too afraid to chase after my back?"

With those words, Kaiser turned with a smile and walked away—without hesitation, without looking back.

"W-Wait…"

Renji and the others tried to stop him—but he was already gone.

That departing figure, that action, seemed to say this wasn't goodbye—just a temporary parting.

No need for sorrow. No need for regret. The day they would meet again… might come very soon.

This silent message slowly eased the turmoil in their hearts, transforming it into resolve.

"Lieutenant…"

Momo murmured, staring in the direction Kaiser had left. Her eyes gradually sharpened with determination.

In that moment, they all made a decision—to give it their all.

At the very least… to be able to see the back of that person—