"No way... what kind of power is this..."
Lisa struggled to her feet, looking at Satoru as if he were a monster.
Though she'd heard of Satoru's achievements, she'd assumed there must be some exaggeration involved.
How could a student who'd only attended the academy for half a year genuinely hold his own against two captains?
Now, having actually crossed swords with him, she realized those feats were probably true!
The thought that this boy younger than her already possessed captain-level strength made Lisa click her tongue.
How terrifying would this monster become when fully grown?
Witnessing such a genius's growth firsthand would be quite the experience.
"Satoru, you're strong!"
"But if you think that means you've already won, you're celebrating too soon."
"Next, I'm releasing my Zanpakutō. Be careful!"
Raising her sword, she flashed a dashing smile.
Satoru gave her a slightly odd look.
Sis, that smile is cool and all... but is your sword really worth getting excited about?
Lisa remained unaware of Satoru's thoughts.
If she could hear what Satoru was thinking, she probably wouldn't be smiling so happily.
BOOM!!
A dazzling spiritual pressure erupted from Lisa.
As she released her spiritual pressure, her eyes widened:
"Smash, Haguro Tonbo!!"
With the release command spoken, the Zanpakutō in her hand began to elongate with a white glow.
In an instant, the one-meter-long katana transformed into a massive spear nearly three meters long.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—huff!
Lisa raised the spear high, spun it several times above her head, then swung it downward, pointing the spearhead directly at Satoru.
"This is my Shikai, Haguro Tonbo!"
The girl wore a proud expression.
Seriously, what's there to be proud about?!
Satoru couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to retort.
It had no special abilities at all—just turning into a big spear. How was this any different from Hōzukimaru?!
Wait, no—it was even worse than Hōzukimaru. At least Hōzukimaru could turn into a three-section staff...
Not that that was particularly useful either.
Though he didn't think much of Lisa Yadōmaru's Zanpakutō, since she had already released her Shikai, it would be somewhat impolite not to follow suit.
Satoru raised his Zanpakutō, pondering what release command he should make up this time.
Just then, Yamamoto's voice suddenly rang out:
"No need to release your Zanpakutō. Win as you are."
Satoru frowned slightly and glanced at Yamamoto on the high platform.
If he didn't know Yamamoto's true strength, he might have suspected the old man had been replaced by an impostor.
First, raising the difficulty of his graduation exam, and now forcing him to fight in such an absurd way...
If he won, would Yamamoto next demand he slap Lisa Yadōmaru twice in front of everyone?
Facing Satoru's displeased gaze, Yamamoto remained as expressionless as ever.
Instead, it was Shunsui, standing behind him, who secretly made a calming gesture at Satoru.
Satoru almost laughed.
This Shunsui Kyōraku—Lisa Yadōmaru is your vice-captain, and instead of demanding an explanation from the old man, you're telling me to calm down?
Withdrawing his gaze, he turned his attention to the girl in front of him.
"Vice-Captain Yadōmaru, your captain just signaled for me to hit you hard."
Hearing this, Lisa turned her head in confusion.
She saw Shunsui on the high platform quickly retracting his hand into his sleeve.
Lisa narrowed her eyes.
Shunsui nearly wet himself.
Only when Lisa finally looked away did Shunsui raise a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow.
His junior here really had a knack for being utterly shameless.
On the field, Lisa steadied her stance again—
"Though I don't know what my idiot captain is up to, there's one thing he got right."
"If we're going to fight, then come at me with everything you've got. The whole point of battle is to enjoy it!"
"Hesitating, holding back—what's the point? Might as well be a little girl."
Well, damn. She just revoked her own girl status?
Satoru couldn't help but chuckle.
He gave his sword a light flick. "Understood."
"Come at me, Vice-Captain Yadōmaru!"
Lisa shifted into a bow stance. "Just call me Lisa."
"Here I come, Satoru!"
The moment her voice fell, she shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
Despite wielding a massive spear twice her height, her speed was unaffected.
Her spear not only packed immense offensive power but also had a strong ability to disrupt spiritual pressure.
If Satoru tried to defend with Kidō or repel her with his spiritual pressure, that would be her chance to turn the tables!
Swinging the spear, she let out a fierce cry and thrust straight for Satoru's chest!
Yet, in the face of her brutal strike, Satoru sidestepped in a flash, appearing beside the spear's shaft.
Lisa's eyes widened.
Impossible… What kind of speed was that?!
Dodging the spear with Shunpo, Satoru closed the distance between them instantly.
Polearms lost all advantage the moment an opponent got in close.
Lisa was well aware of this weakness.
The instant Satoru rushed toward her, she released her grip on the spear, preparing to unleash a prepped Kidō.
"Hadō #33, Sōkatsui—"
"Too slow."
With a single slash, Satoru shattered the blue fireball forming in Lisa's hands.
Then, clenching his left hand into a fist, he drove it forward with full force, striking Lisa square in the abdomen.
"Guh—!!!"
Lisa's eyes bulged as her feet left the ground, her body curling inward.
An invisible shockwave burst from her back before dissipating into the air.
Satoru slowly retracted his fist and exhaled.
Lisa collapsed to the ground with a thud, unconscious.
Satoru caught her before she hit the floor, then glanced up at Yamamoto on the platform.
Yamamoto coughed once before raising his right hand.
"Winner—Satoru!"
"Satoru, first-year at Shin'ō Academy, has successfully passed his early graduation exam!"
Once the Fourth Division medics carried Lisa away, Satoru turned and left without another word.
He couldn't fathom what Yamamoto was playing at.
Though he was a respectable Captain-Commander, and despite his minor flaws, he was generally a good man.
So why did he have to pull such a stunt today?
Watching Satoru approach with a displeased expression, Aizen curled his lips slightly.
"What's the matter? Something upsetting you?"
Satoru sighed. "Family disgrace!"
Aizen chuckled. "I'm afraid this is just the beginning."
"If I'm not mistaken... there's an even bigger surprise waiting for you soon."
Satoru's mood instantly turned uneasy.
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