Chapter 1

Mirror flower, water moon—one sword cuts through!

The Invisible Empire? A bunch of men selling their own heads!

Kurotsuchi Mayuri...

Not much to it!

In this era, there is only one genius—me, the eternal first captain, Kuchiki Senya!

001, lingered in the flower district for two and a half years

"What an impressive sight."

"Is this Shino Academy?!"

Seireitei.

In the vast square.

A dense crowd of new students jostled shoulder to shoulder, their curious and awed gazes scanning the school before them.

Most came from Seireitei; a few came from Rukongai.

All were the elite among their peers.

Only those who met the age and power requirements could be admitted to Shino Academy.

"After the spiritual pressure test, we'll be divided into classes—if only I could get into Class One," someone whispered.

Watching each new student step forward and, under the examiner's guidance, touch the spiritual pressure sphere.

He couldn't help but feel nervous.

This was the moment that would decide his fate.

Only those whose spiritual pressure reached a certain level would be placed in Class One, receiving the best education; otherwise, they'd be sent to Class Two.

Class One.

If you performed well, you could join the Gotei Thirteen immediately after graduation—even hold an official position!

Class Two.

The treatment differed by more than a notch.

You might not even meet the requirements to join the Gotei Thirteen by graduation.

"Matsumoto, spiritual pressure level 3, assigned to Class Two."

"Matsuoka, spiritual pressure level 4, assigned to Class Two."

"Miwako, spiritual pressure level 8, assigned to Class One."

Above.

The examiner announced test scores and class assignments with a blank expression.

Students reacted with joy or sorrow.

But none objected.

After all.

Only thirty percent of students entered Class One each year.

Spiritual pressure.

0–10 levels: ordinary trash.

11–20 levels: eligible for squad officer or vice-captain positions.

21–30 levels: captain-tier, powerful figures even within Soul Society.

In past years.

Most new students scored three or four levels.

Those above ten levels were already standouts.

The threshold for Class One was five levels—selecting the best from the best among students.

…

At this moment.

In the square.

A few gathered together.

Their innate aristocratic aura caused surrounding new students to instinctively clear a wide space around them.

The crowd murmured in low voices.

Their eyes, filled with reverence, turned toward the center.

The young master of the Kuchiki family, Bai Zai.

The Princess of the Shihoin family, Shihoin Yoruichi.

Shihoin Yoruichi's friend, Urahara Kisuke…

The Kuchiki and Shihoin families both ranked among Soul Society's Four Great Noble Houses.

To these commoners and minor nobles, they were unattainable beings.

"I feel I shouldn't be standing here with you."

Urahara Kisuke still wore his familiar geta and hat.

He gently pulled down the brim, glanced at the surrounding stares, and his lips twitched slightly.

He was, after all, a famed genius from near and far.

But being with these two made him feel like a free gift—his halo completely swallowed by theirs!

"Hey, don't mind it, don't mind it—it's just a beautiful misunderstanding."

"If not for Bai Zai's older brother, neither I nor Bai Zai would have had the chance to come here."

Shihoin Yoruichi, her purple bodysuit straining against her chest, laughed heartily and slapped Urahara Kisuke's shoulder hard.

She then looked at Kuchiki Byakuya, who wore a sour expression. "Byakuya, why hasn't your older brother arrived yet?"

"Hmph!"

"Don't mention that person to me!"

Kuchiki Byakuya kept a stern face; beneath his jet-black, messy hair lay an ordinary handsome face.

Hearing the two words "older brother."

His expression soured even more, appearing to carry a thick aura of resentment.

"It's the first day of school; he wouldn't stand us up, would he?" Yoruichi said with a smile. "No matter what he's like, he is still the big brother of our noble circle."

"Once he's had his fill drinking in the pleasure district, he'll come over."

"I truly envy Kuchiki Senya; he does nothing but enjoy life. Who could be happier than him?"

Urahara pinched the brim of his hat and chuckled.

Kuchiki Senya.

The head of the four great noble families.

The eldest young master of the Kuchiki family, Kuchiki Byakuya's older brother.

Also the recognized big brother of the noble circle.

A full two and a half years.