Chapter 216 – Devious

Chapter 216 – Devious

“Last night, this fellow encountered a powerful medium-sized Hollow. He was incredibly unlucky.” The Shinigami who had rescued Yōsuke continued his explanation.

“The Hollow had him completely bound, unable to move. He didn’t even have a chance to launch his distress signal.”

“Captain Aizen instructed us to keep a close eye on the students, so when I saw that Hollow about to swallow him whole, I immediately intervened, killing the creature and saving him. If I had known what kind of person he was, I wouldn’t have bothered rescuing him.”

The Shinigami was clearly furious. He had acted out of kindness, saving Yōsuke’s life. Now, this ungrateful wretch was biting the hand that had fed him, twisting the truth to regain his eligibility for the exam.

It was enough to make anyone’s blood boil.

“Heh, is that so? But everything you’ve said is just your subjective interpretation, isn’t it?” Yōsuke sneered.

“You’re right. I was no match for that Hollow. I was completely restrained. However, that doesn't mean I was helpless. By the time that Hollow tossed me into its mouth, I had already broken free from its restraints.

I had also completed a Kidō incantation. I was fully prepared to launch Hadō #31 – Shakkahō before its jaws closed, attacking it from within. With my Kidō mastery, a fully chanted Shakkahō would have been more than enough to turn the tables and kill that Hollow.”

“Bullshit!” The Shinigami shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Yōsuke’s nose. “Do you think I’m blind? I saw you being tossed around like a ragdoll, screaming like a stuck pig! You were a blubbering mess, tears and snot were streaming down your face! And you expect me to believe you had completed a Kidō incantation?”

Yōsuke’s face darkened as the Shinigami recounted the events of the previous night.

While he couldn't deny the truth, did he have to air his dirty laundry in front of everyone? He had a reputation to maintain!

“Regardless of my condition, I had indeed completed the incantation.” Yōsuke insisted, clinging to his fabricated story.

“Heh, a completed incantation while pissing your pants?” The Shinigami scoffed.

“That wasn’t urine! It was the Hollow’s saliva!”

“You were so shaken up after I saved you, you could barely stand. I had to carry you here.”

“I was furious! Can you imagine? I had finally seized the perfect opportunity. All you had to do was wait one more second, and I could have launched my Shakkahō, killing that Hollow! I would have passed the exam with flying colors and joined the division of my choice! But you ruined everything!”

Yōsuke turned to Ailin with faux outrage. “Captain Aizen, I demand justice! I want a thorough investigation to expose whoever orchestrated this scheme, bribing this Shinigami to sabotage my exam!"

“You...!” The Shinigami started to retort, but Ailin raised a hand, silencing him.

“Enough. I’ve heard enough.”

“Matsubashi Yūma, your actions during last night’s rescue mission were a grave error. Once this exam concludes, report to the 9th Division’s detention center. You will serve a three-month sentence.”

Ailin then turned to Yōsuke, offering a courteous bow. “Kitada, I apologize for my subordinate’s mistake. Since you never used your distress flare, I cannot, in good conscience, disqualify you based on his error in judgment. You may return to the exam."

Back at the gathering point, the five remaining students stared at Captain Aizen in fright.

This Captain Aizen... He was vastly different from the one they had known.

Could it be that the kind and approachable Captain Aizen they had encountered at the academy had been a facade?

With a single Kidō spell, he had broadcasted the events of the previous night, ensuring that everyone remembered Kitada Yōsuke.

They could easily imagine the impact of Captain Aizen’s announcement on the remaining students. Who would want to team up with Kitada now?

If they were still in the exam, they would avoid Kitada like the plague. There was no way they would risk partnering with someone who had betrayed his savior.

Who knew what lengths he might go to in pursuit of his own goals?

If they were lucky, they might manage to launch their distress flares in time, securing rescue from the Shinigami.

But if misfortune struck, they might die in despair, even with a rescue squad member standing before them, unable to intervene due to the new rule.

Kitada’s selfish actions had undoubtedly increased the risk of casualties in future exams.

“Now, are any of your situations similar to Kitada’s? If you haven’t used your distress flares, I will gladly reinstate your eligibility.”

The five students, facing Captain Aizen’s seemingly benevolent smile, shook their heads vehemently.

“No, no, Captain Aizen! We all launched our distress flares and requested assistance from the rescue squad.”

“Yes, yes! We barely know Kitada...”

They weren't fools. Based on Captain Aizen’s handling of the situation, they knew that if Kitada failed the exam, he would join them in Hueco Mundo, far from the Seireitei.

But if he passed and became a member of the Gotei 13... They could only imagine the treatment Kitada would receive at the hands of this seemingly amiable captain.

They had already labeled Ailin as "devious," "petty," and "vengeful."

“Is that so? Then please return to the Seireitei. Shinigami will be waiting to process you and assign your duties.”

“Yes, Captain Aizen. We’ll be on our way.”

After Ailin nodded his approval, the five students quickly entered the Senkaimon. Once within the Dangai, they used Shunpo to rush towards the Seireitei’s gate, as if fearing they might incur that man’s displeasure if they lingered.



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