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Fate In Bleach (215)
🕑 Added 2024-06-16 17:00:10 +0000 UTCChapter 215 - Backlash
Ailin's words drained the color from the faces of the six students.
It was their final judgment.
Clearly, Captain Aizen, renowned for his kindness and approachability throughout the Seireitei, had no intention of offering them a second chance.
As sixth-year students of the Shin'ō Academy, they knew what awaited those who failed the graduation exam.
A lifetime in Hueco Mundo as members of the Hollow extermination forces.
They had lived in Rukongai for years, then spent another six at the academy. Never once had they heard of a Shinigami from the extermination forces returning to the Seireitei.
Simply put, once they were assigned to Hueco Mundo, their lives would be consumed by an endless cycle of combat against Hollows, until death finally claimed them.
Ailin observed the six students, offering no words of comfort or encouragement. He didn't pressure them to step through the Senkaimon.
They were far more skilled and fortunate than the fifty-odd students who had been eliminated on the first day.
If those who had failed immediately were destined to become the lowest-ranking members of the extermination forces, then these six students could at least attain the position of squad leader.
Of course, Ailin couldn't wait indefinitely.
He had already opened a Senkaimon. If it remained open for too long, it might attract the attention of the Kōtotsu, the monstrous creatures that dwelled in the Dangai, the dimensional void between worlds. That would be a disaster.
However, Ailin’s patience inadvertently ignited a flicker of hope in the hearts of the six students.
As the highest-ranking official present, if Captain Aizen were willing to grant them another chance…
One student, unable to resist the temptation, stepped forward and bowed before Ailin.
“Captain Aizen, I was careless. I misjudged the strength of that medium-sized Hollow. I beg you, give me another chance to take the exam. If I pass, I will join the 5th Division and serve under your command with unwavering loyalty!”
The remaining five students, witnessing their comrade’s actions, felt a surge of hope. They quickly followed suit, bowing before Ailin.
“Captain Aizen, please give us another chance.
"We promise we’ll pass the exam and join the 5th Division, becoming your loyal subordinates."
For them, a life of servitude under Captain Aizen was far more appealing than a bleak future in Hueco Mundo, fighting Hollows until their inevitable demise.
It would allow them to remain in the Seireitei. Moreover, with Captain Aizen as their patron, they wouldn’t have to worry about being bullied by other Shinigami after joining a division.
It was a win-win situation.
“Oh?” Ailin raised an eyebrow. This student was quite bold.
Unfortunately for them, while Ailin might sympathize with their plight, he wouldn’t break the rules for their sake.
If he granted these students another chance, it would be a grave injustice to those who had been eliminated previously.
Moreover, Ailin wasn’t trying to belittle them, but their talent, in his estimation, would only allow them to reach the level of an elite Shinigami.
Every year, countless students graduated from the Shin'ō Academy. Yet, even over centuries, only a handful managed to fully manifest their Zanpakutō and learn its name.
Talent, effort, and a unique "trait" were all essential.
These six students possessed some talent and were hardworking.
But Ailin couldn’t sense a unique "trait" in any of them.
The key to manifesting a Zanpakutō through meditation was to fuse one’s own unique "trait" with the "spirit" of the Asauchi, nurturing it and allowing it to grow until it could significantly enhance the Shinigami’s abilities.
For example, Koga's unique trait was manipulating his opponent’s perception of distance. Therefore, the Zanpakutō he manifested possessed the ability to control the "distance" between itself and its master, creating discord and eventually leading to betrayal.
Gin Ichimaru's trait was "snake." Consequently, the Zanpakutō he manifested, Shinsō, was the fastest "divine spear" in existence.
As for Ailin…
Honestly, when his Zanpakutō manifested as "Unlimited Blade Works," he had believed for a time that his unique trait was "sword." However, as his power and understanding grew, he realized that while his essence was "sword," his true trait was "space."
"Unlimited Blade Works" was "a world that contained all the elements of swords," not a world that contained all "swords."
The two concepts were entirely different.
If Ailin’s trait had been "sword," his Zanpakutō might have manifested with abilities like "replication" or "projection."
But because his trait was "space," his Zanpakutō was a Bounded Field - Unlimited Blade Works.
A powerful trait might give rise to a seemingly weak Zanpakutō, such as Yoruichi Shihōin. Her trait was "cat," and Ailin had never seen her wield a Zanpakutō in combat.
He suspected that Yoruichi’s ability to transform into a black cat was her Zanpakutō’s power.
However, a weak trait could never manifest a powerful Zanpakutō.
These six students clearly lacked self-awareness.
The way they spoke, it was as if joining Ailin’s division was an honor for him.
Perhaps they even believed that one of them would become a captain in a few decades.
Therefore, Ailin flatly refused their request.
“While I sympathize with your situation, I cannot condone cheating. It wouldn't be fair to the students who have already been eliminated."
The five students who had followed the first student's lead, upon hearing Ailin’s refusal, exchanged disappointed glances. They straightened up, their shoulders slumping with resignation.
However, the first student refused to give up.
“Captain Aizen, this world is inherently unfair. Those nobles are born into privilege, treating us, the souls of Rukongai, as mere insects to be trampled upon…
I acknowledge that my birth pales in comparison to those noble lords and ladies, but to equate me with those who have already been eliminated… Isn’t that a bit condescending? Just give me a chance. I promise…”
“Hold on. What’s your name?”
“Captain Aizen, my name is Kitada Yōsuke. You can call me Yōsuke.” Overjoyed that Ailin had asked his name, he straightened up and introduced himself with a booming voice.
“Kitada,” Ailin ignored Yōsuke’s request to be addressed by his given name, opting for the more formal address. “You just stated that this world is unfair. But we cannot allow the world’s injustices to corrupt our own actions. You may have faced, and will likely continue to face, many more and far greater injustices in your life.
However, here, in this exam, I will treat all students equally and fairly. I regret to inform you, Kitada, that the greatest fairness I can offer is to treat you the same as all other disqualified students.
Now, please compose yourself. I wouldn’t want the people of the Seireitei to turn you into a laughingstock.”
Yōsuke’s face flushed red, then drained of color. He had discarded his pride, begging Captain Aizen for a second chance, only to be made to feel like a clown.
He had chosen to appeal to Ailin’s empathy, reminding him that they were both born in Rukongai. But it seemed that Captain Aizen, having achieved the position of 5th Division captain, had aligned himself with the nobles.
They wouldn’t allow a talented Shinigami like him, someone who could potentially threaten their authority, to remain in the Seireitei.
Realizing this, Yōsuke’s expression darkened.
However, the more they tried to push him down, the more he refused to yield.
“Captain Aizen, if I recall correctly, you stated that the only way to be disqualified from the exam was to launch a distress signal and be rescued by one of the Shinigami protecting us, right?”
“Indeed. Do you have an issue with that rule, Kitada?”
“Of course I do!” Yōsuke retrieved a distress flare from his pocket. He held it up for all to see.
“Captain Aizen, I never used my distress flare. I never asked to be rescued. In fact, I was on the verge of defeating that medium-sized Hollow when one of the Shinigami intervened, killing the Hollow and then bringing me here.
I suspect that Shinigami was acting on the orders of someone who holds a grudge against me, someone who deliberately sabotaged my exam."
Yōsuke held the flare high, ensuring that everyone present, both students and Shinigami, could see it clearly.
“Captain Aizen, you just stated that you would treat all students fairly. Therefore, according to the rules, I, a student who was unjustly eliminated without ever using my distress flare, am still eligible to continue the exam, am I not?”
Observing Yōsuke’s arrogant demeanor, Ailin’s smile slowly faded.
“Hey, you! You’re going too far!” A Shinigami stepped forward from the ranks, pointing an accusing finger at Yōsuke. “Have you forgotten that if I hadn’t intervened and killed that Hollow, you’d be dead already, swallowed whole?!”
After berating Yōsuke, the Shinigami turned to Ailin and said respectfully, “Captain Aizen, this student’s claims are preposterous. He’s lying!”
