At the same moment Bai Chen stepped into the arena—
It wasn't only the captains.
The academy's senior leadership, and the Sixth Years standing as his opponents, all turned their eyes toward him at once.
Every gaze converged on Bai Chen—
As if he were a star standing beneath a blazing spotlight.
"So that's Bai Chen?"
"He's even younger than I imagined…"
"His presence is strong, sure—but challenging all of us alone?"
"That can only be called arrogance born of youth."
Although they had long heard of Bai Chen's deeds,
Hearsay was just hearsay.
For the hot-blooded Sixth Years, it wasn't nearly enough to make them bow their heads and admit inferiority.
More importantly—
Bai Chen was only a First Year.
No matter how strong he was, this was still a six-grade leap, a one-man challenge against everyone present.
In practical terms, it was nearly one versus hundreds.
And if they lost to him—
Lost publicly, in such a grand setting—
No excuse would save their pride.
Bai Chen's name would become a shadow they'd carry for life.
Soon after,
Under countless gazes,
Bai Chen—calm and composed—walked forward and entered the combat zone.
He raised his head and swept his eyes across the field—
Before finally stopping on Hisagi Shūhei.
"Pretty relaxed expression…"
"So compared to the others, Hisagi's one of the few not acting on impulse."
"No wonder someone who failed twice could later stand out and become the Ninth Division's vice-captain."
At that moment,
Bai Chen noticed something different about Hisagi.
Unlike the others, Hisagi showed no obvious competitiveness—
He was simply observing, silently and carefully.
Was it self-awareness?
Or was he deliberately hiding his edge, waiting to explode at the right moment?
Bai Chen didn't know.
But one thing was certain—
Every Sixth Year here, Hisagi included, would end up flat on the ground.
That was the reason Bai Chen had come today.
—
The academy instructor in charge stepped forward and announced the rules:
"The evaluation consists of three rounds."
"In the first two rounds, the Sixth Years will choose two techniques from the four core arts—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō."
"The third round will be an unrestricted melee."
"No limits on techniques. All four arts may be used freely."
"The match continues until either side voluntarily concedes."
A pause—
Then the instructor added loudly:
"To increase difficulty, the number of Sixth Years participating in each round is unrestricted."
The announcement echoed across the arena.
Murmurs immediately arose on the captain's platform.
"Unrestricted numbers? That's rough…"
Ichimaru Gin shook his head, sounding almost concerned.
"With a numerical disadvantage like that, Bai Chen starts at a massive loss."
"So," Kyōraku Shunsui asked lazily,
"Gin-taichō, you're not optimistic about him?"
"Maa~ I didn't say that," Gin replied with a shrug and a foxlike smile.
"I'm just wondering…"
"If the Sixth Years all swarm him together every round—
How exactly is Bai Chen supposed to respond?"
"All of them?"
Kyōraku chuckled.
"That would be downright shameless. There are nearly two hundred Sixth Years."
Two hundred against one—
Anyone could imagine the outcome.
"Heh."
At that moment, Aizen adjusted his glasses and smiled faintly.
"You two seem to be forgetting something."
"Bai Chen is a once-in-history prodigy."
"We should have faith in his strength."
As Gin and Aizen quietly played their opposing roles—
The first trial was announced:
Zanjutsu.
—
Inside the arena,
At the instructor's signal,
Bai Chen walked to a weapon rack and casually selected a special training wooden sword.
He turned back toward the field, expression steady.
"Only fifty?"
"And Hisagi Shūhei didn't even step in…"
"So I'm being underestimated."
Within Bai Chen's field of view,
Fifty Sixth Years spread out across both sides.
Each gripped an identical wooden sword, hostility burning in their eyes.
They intended to use numbers—
To crush Bai Chen in the very first round.
"Trial—begin!"
The instant the command fell,
The Sixth Years launched their assault without hesitation.
Using both numbers and space,
They followed a prearranged plan—
Some attacked head-on.
Others pressured from the flanks.
The rest circled behind.
Their goal was simple:
Form a no-escape encirclement, then strike from every angle—
Force Bai Chen to split his focus and expose an opening.
A flawless plan.
Unfortunately—
Their opponent was Bai Chen.
"Sword stance."
Ignoring the rushing figures—
Ignoring the wooden blades flashing toward him—
Bai Chen tightened his grip and raised the sword to his side.
Shing—!
The wooden blade cut through the air, tracing a pale arc.
And in that instant—
Bai Chen's presence transformed.
Boom—!
Like a breeze stirring willows,
His white academy uniform began to billow violently.
At the same time—
A sharp, tangible sword aura, utterly distinct from reiatsu,
Burst forth with surging intent, spreading across the arena like a rising tide.
At that moment—
Before any reiatsu was even released—
Bai Chen stood wreathed in pure killing intent.
The wooden sword in his hand—
No longer felt like wood.
It felt like a blade meant to take lives.
And the Sixth Years surrounding him—
Like offerings awaiting slaughter.
"This pressure—this sword intent!"
"So my earlier sensing wasn't wrong!"
"Bai Chen… he really is a swordmaster!"
As the overwhelming sword intent surged outward—
Climbing all the way to the captain's platform—
The usually silent Unohana Retsu finally spoke, unable to restrain herself.
At the same time—
The corner of her lips lifted instinctively.
"Interesting…"
"After a thousand years…"
"Have I finally encountered another man capable of pleasing me?"
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