Chapter 12 – The Challenge Begins
Marenoshin Ōmaeda was the family head of the Ōmaeda, a lower noble clan.
At the inception of Soul Society, the Ōmaeda were merely an average family. However, tremendous changes occurred for the Ōmaeda after Marenoshin Ōmaeda’s birth.
Firstly, Marenoshin naturally possessed outstanding aptitude, graduating top of his class from the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Secondly, upon joining the Second Division, Marenoshin Ōmaeda immediately leveraged the full might of his clan in pledging loyalty towards the Shihōin. The Ōmaeda offered their centuries of established business channels in providing immense aid for the Shihōin, becoming retainers as the Shihōin clan leader Chika Shihōin elevated the Ōmaeda into lower nobility.
Thirdly, Marenoshin Ōmaeda personal strength grew swiftly. In less than a century, he had already become an indispensable right hand man for Chika Shihōin as Second Division's Vice-Captain.
After Chika’s resignation, Marenoshin Ōmaeda continued serving Yoruichi Shihōin loyally.
Even when his childhood friend Kisuke Urahara surpassed Marenoshin Ōmaeda in strength, Yoruichi Shihōin didn't replace him from the vice-captain seat. Of course, Kisuke Urahara’s own reluctance to accept the position also factored into this arrangement.
However, occupying the vice-captain office for nearly two hundred years didn't cause Marenoshin Ōmaeda to become arrogant whatsoever. On the contrary, this period made him utterly cognizant of his limits.
Until now, Marenoshin Ōmaeda didn't have the faintest clues on manifesting his Zanpakutō's spirit. Furthermore, his Reiatsu ceased growing a century ago. Hopes for attaining Bankai were zilch. Estimated another few decades and retirement would be forthcoming. Before then, Marenoshin Ōmaeda still hoped to pave the path ahead for his son.
This brat called Ailin wasn't very old, supposedly not even forty yet, but his notoriety was already substantial enough to be considered a worthy investment target. After discovering Ailin's intentions to challenge him, Marenoshin Ōmaeda esteem rose even higher instead.
Other than an utter fool, anyone daring enough to contend for the vice-captain seat must have at minimum already attained their Zanpakutō's initial release, Shikai. Moreover, their manifested sword's capabilities would need to be exceptionally powerful too.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m
If one's Zanpakutō was weak after releasing, even winning a seated officer position would be difficult.
Initially, Marenoshin Ōmaeda harbored thoughts of going easy on Ailin to grant the latter a dignified defeat. But after meeting Ailin face to face, Ōmaeda realized even preserving his own prestige would be hard if he didn't utilize everything at his disposal.
After centuries as a Shinigami, while Marenoshin personal growth stagnated, his discernment remained sharp as ever.
From Ailin, he vaguely sensed traces reminiscent of the bearings exhibited by Lord Chika, Lady Yoruichi, and even that damnable Third Seat Kisuke Urahara!
Those three individuals...
Good heavens! Could this Ailin brat be of similar ilk?!
Entertaining such notions nearly caused Marenoshin’s footsteps to falter. Nonetheless, as someone long accustomed to the grand stage, he swiftly stabilized his state of mind.
Halting ten meters away from Ailin, Marenoshin turned around with both arms crossed and silently awaited Captain Yoruichi Shihōin’s arrival alongside Ailin.
Sensing Vice-Captain Ōmaeda's appearance, the other spectators promptly quieted down while keeping their eyes glued towards both parties.
Witnessing Marenoshin Ōmaeda’s state astonished all observers. Having one's Reiatsu leak externally represented only the lack of released Zanpakutō. Clearly, Marenoshin was prepared to stake everything on this battle.
Boom!
Matching Marenoshin Ōmaeda, Ailin unleashed his Reiatsu as well.
"This..."
"Unbelievable... Ailin's Reiatsu is actually evenly matched with Vice-Captain Ōmaeda's..."
Ailin's eruption similarly surpassed everyone's predictions. After Ailin's rising reputation, all were aware that he had only been in Second Division for thirty years.
Attaining the sixth seat officer's level of Reiatsu within a mere half century - Ailin's talents were genuinely freakish.
“Whoosh!”
In the spectators' eyes, Ailin and Marenoshin’s silhouettes vanished in the next instant.
Boom!
Clang!
Clang Clang!
Clang!
Rumbling rang out as sparks scattered while clear sounds of weapons clashing finally entered their ears.
"Such speed!" Someone involuntarily cried out.
While perhaps lagging behind other areas, any Shinigami's Shunpo capability from Second Division was guaranteed to meet stringent benchmarks. Yet astoundingly, many couldn't even glimpse Ailin and Marenoshin afterimages in this intense melee.
Clearly, both Ailin and Vice-Captain Marenoshin Ōmaeda’s Shunpo far exceeded everyone present.
These observers could only depend on the erupting sparks and intersecting weapons to ascertain Ailin and Marenoshin’s positioning.
However, whenever their sight landed towards the scattering embers' origins, the dueling pair had invariably shifted elsewhere instead.
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