Chapter 214 – Rising Difficulty

Chapter 214 – Rising Difficulty

“So, thirteen students died because we couldn't reach them in time?”

"I apologize, Captain Aizen..." Fujimaru Kudo hung his head. “The difficulty of this year’s exam... It surpassed our expectations. The students were scattered throughout the city. At times, we received more distress signals than we had Shinigami available.

We had to prioritize those closest to us and then rush to help those farther away... We moved as quickly as we could, but...” He shook his head, unable to finish the sentence. “In the end, thirteen students... We couldn't save them.”

“Captain Aizen, this is my fault. I failed in my duty.”

“No, Fujimaru, this isn’t your fault.” Ailin placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder, offering a reassuring smile. “Don't blame yourself. Even I didn't anticipate that this year's exam would be so difficult.”

“Chin up, Fujimaru. Given the circumstances, your response was impeccable. Full marks from me. You made the right call. You had a higher chance of saving those closer to you. We couldn't be certain if those farther away would survive until our arrival. If you had chosen to prioritize those distant signals, the casualties might have been even greater.

However, now that the number of students has significantly decreased, I hope we won’t see a repeat of yesterday’s events. Can you guarantee that, Fujimaru?”

“Rest assured, Captain Aizen." Fujimaru squared his shoulders determinedly. Young and not particularly imposing, he had earned his position as the fifth seat of the 5th Division. His abilities were undeniable. "If even one more student dies tomorrow, I’ll offer you my head!”

Slap!

Ailin, hearing Fujimaru’s dramatic declaration, smacked him lightly on the head. “Get out of here with that 'offer you my head' nonsense... While I don't want to see any more casualties, your lives are far more important to me than those of these students.

If I were to demand your head over their deaths, what kind of person would that make me?”

"Hehe..." Fujimaru rubbed his head sheepishly.

"Go, arrange the night patrols. We rarely get to visit the World of the Living. I'll leave things here in your capable hands. I’m going for a stroll..."

"Yes, Captain Aizen."

...

The following days passed with a steady influx of Hollows, their numbers exceeding those of the first day. Despite the students being reduced to half their original number, their performance had drastically improved.

Having learned from their harrowing first-day experience, they faced the small Hollows with greater composure. While some still faltered under the pressure, their fear hindering their abilities, the 5th Division Shinigami ensured their safety. There were no further casualties.

After their first kill, their confidence soared.

They even began actively seeking out Hollows in other parts of the city, determined to improve their exam scores.

Ten days passed in a blur. To everyone's surprise, fifty-three students remained in the city.

This meant that after the first day's heavy losses, only five students had been eliminated in the subsequent nine days.

"Brother Fujimaru, how many students do you think will join the Gotei 13 this year?" Matsuri Kudo, perched on a rooftop, asked her brother curiously.

“Judging by this year’s exam standards, I’d say no more than thirty,” Fujimaru replied, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Unlike his sister, he had his own insights into the Gotei 13’s recruitment practices.

Typically, if a particular year saw a high number of Shinigami casualties, the following year's recruitment exam would be less stringent, replenishing the depleted divisions.

However, if casualties were minimal, the difficulty of the exam would increase, focusing on selecting the most exceptional candidates. The remaining students would be sent to the Hollow extermination forces.

This year’s exam was the most challenging in decades.

If Fujimaru’s memory served him right, last year’s casualties within the Gotei 13 had been similar to the previous year, exceeding fifty.

Seizing the opportunity while the Hollow frantically tried to extinguish the flames engulfing its legs, Momo aimed her left hand at the creature and chanted another Kidō incantation, her words flowing effortlessly.

"O Lord, mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges south, march!"

A ball of reiatsu, the size of a volleyball, coalesced in her palm, glowing with intense heat.

“Hadō #31 – Shakkahō!”

Boom!

The red fireball shot from Momo’s hand, striking the Hollow with incredible speed. A deafening explosion rocked the park, engulfing everything in a thick cloud of smoke.

Boom!

Blinded by the smoke, Momo cautiously retreated, gripping her Zanpakutō tightly. She dispelled her Kyokkō barrier and stared intently into the billowing smoke, her senses on high alert.

The power of Hadō #31 was considerable.

Moreover, Momo had chanted the full incantation, amplifying its destructive force.

However, due to her reiatsu and Kidō proficiency, even with a complete incantation, the spell’s power hadn’t reached its full potential.

As the smoke cleared, Momo straightened, letting out a sigh of relief.

The Hollow before her was dissolving into reishi.

Elsewhere, many students who had initially chosen to fight alone faced a harsh reality as they encountered medium-sized Hollows. While the most skilled among them, like Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, and Momo Hinamori, could still hold their own, the rest were forced to retreat.

Fortunately, with the reduced number of students, each 5th Division Shinigami now only needed to protect one or two examinees. Despite some students sustaining injuries, all were successfully rescued.

However, even the strongest students, after witnessing the power of medium-sized Hollows, felt the pressure mounting. They began forming teams with their comrades, realizing that cooperation was key to surviving this challenging exam.

...

The following morning, Ailin stood before the six students who had been disqualified during the night. He didn’t offer words of comfort.

Those who had survived until this point were clearly skilled individuals.

Moreover, after enduring days of intense combat, they were unlikely to perish easily, even in the harsh environment of Hueco Mundo.

They didn’t require consolation.

Ailin simply opened a Senkaimon back to the Seireitei and addressed the six students, "Your exam has concluded. Line up and return to the Seireitei. Your performance will be evaluated, and you will be assigned accordingly."

The Hollow extermination forces, like the Gotei 13, had a clear hierarchy.

The Gotei 13 consisted of five ranks: ordinary Shinigami, elite Shinigami, seated officers, lieutenants, and captains.

The Hollow extermination forces mirrored this structure with five ranks of their own: ordinary members, squad leaders, platoon leaders, battalion commanders, deputy legion commanders, and legion commanders.

Currently, the Seireitei maintained three legions in Hueco Mundo. While the strength of a single legion might not equal that of a Gotei 13 division, it wasn't far off.



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