Nine months had passed since the start of classes.
And today, Kaito officially requested early graduation.
According to the original plan, he would graduate after 11 months at the Academy — just early enough to be recognized for his talent and trigger a location login for finishing in under a year.
But the emergence of the Spiritual Clone ability changed everything.
Kaito had grown stronger, faster. And more importantly: the imbalance between his spiritual arts was gone.
Now, he could train in Zanjutsu, Kidō, Hakuda, Shunpō, and Zanpakutō meditation — all at once.
And thanks to the immense spiritual power granted by his noble Kasumiōji bloodline,
he could create multiple clones without overloading himself.
---
On the day of the graduation test, Kaito arrived at the Shin'ō Academy's training grounds...
And was surprised by the faces present.
One, in particular, stood out.
An old man with an explosive posture, eyebrows sharp as blades, and a white beard like eternal flames.
> [Character Login: Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni]
Condition: Seal his Zanpakutō
Reward: Ghost Rider's Contract
Kaito's eyes widened.
"The Ghost Rider's Contract...?"
"Spiritual powers with absolute judgment over souls… That's a divine-level gift."
But his excitement cooled as he read the condition.
"Sealing Yamamoto's Zanpakutō requires Captain-level power… and not just any captain."
"This is someone who's faced two powerful sealers:"
Wēsei, a high-level Arrancar known as the Demon of Fire.
And Sūsuke Amagai, a captain with an anti-Zanpakutō ability who briefly rivaled the Commander.
"This is definitely a reward for the future."
---
Kaito then looked around at the others present.
Most were teachers and members of Squad One.
Normally, Yamamoto wouldn't attend a graduation — after all, while he's the Academy's nominal director, these events are beneath someone of his caliber.
But Kaito's status as a genius graduating ahead of schedule made him an exception.
Had Kaito submitted his request earlier, other captains would surely have come — both to evaluate and to recruit him into their divisions.
This time, only third seats had been sent by the other squads.
Sasakibe, vice-captain of Squad One, had considered sending a representative…
But the Kasumiōji surname made him hesitant.
Yamamoto had attended Yoruichi Shihōin's graduation.
Skipping this one might be seen as disrespect to the nobility.
---
The test itself went smoothly.
In truth, Yamamoto and the other examiners were genuinely impressed.
During his intense training, Kaito had discovered a new talent:
Previously, he was deeply dedicated to Hadō, fascinated by magic in a spiritual world.
But with the help of his clones, he began training in everything at once — and discovered an unusual gift for Hakuda.
> [Kaito's Current Status]
Zanjutsu: Intermediate
Hakuda: Elite
Shunpō: Intermediate
Hadō: Elite
At this level, Kaito already surpassed many low-ranking seated officers.
Naturally, he passed the Academy's final exam with ease.
---
After the exam, various officers from different divisions approached Kaito with offers.
But not all were viable.
Some divisions would limit his growth:
Squad 1, with Yamamoto as captain and Sasakibe as vice —
There was no room above third seat, and neither Kaito nor Raien would accept that ceiling.
Squad 2, led by the Shihōin family.
Squad 6, led by the Kuchiki family.
Raien had already made it clear:
Great nobles should never serve under other great nobles.
Still, Kaito already had a plan.
He had already chosen which division he would join.