As a series of knocks echoed—thump thump thump—Asano Kiyoshi took a deep breath. Sweat dampened his palms and soles as his heart pounded faster and faster, like a drum being struck relentlessly.
The world seemed to fall into silence after the knock. Even the wind rustling through the leaves outside froze in place.
Then, a deep and authoritative voice from inside the room broke the stillness:
"Come in."
Asano Kiyoshi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the old man's voice. He opened the door with slightly trembling hands, revealing the presence of three men in captain's haori.
Shiba Isshin stood to the right, wearing his signature goofy grin. He gave a slight wave and a playful wink—clearly greeting Kiyoshi in his own laid-back way.
To the left stood Ukitake, silver-haired and calm. Upon seeing Kiyoshi, he offered an encouraging and gentle smile, silently telling him not to be nervous.
At the center sat an elderly man exuding awe-inspiring authority. His head bore a cross-shaped scar, his long white beard rested on his chest, and a purple sash was tied at his waist. His captain's haori was pristine, and his eyes were half-closed in quiet contemplation. The air around him radiated a pressure that made him seem naturally commanding. Yet when he looked at Kiyoshi, his expression softened into a rare smile.
"You're the top-ranked student of this class, Asano Kiyoshi, correct?"
Kiyoshi bowed his head respectfully and answered,
"Yes, Head Captain, sir."
He had no intention of using his scroll to analyze the Head Captain or the senior captains. The reason was simple: the difference in spiritual pressure was too vast. Attempting to scan them would probably drain his own spiritual energy completely.
Seeing the young man's nervous demeanor, the Head Captain chuckled slightly and softened his tone.
"No need to worry. I merely want to see your Zanpakutō. It's the first time I've seen a student achieve Shikai the moment they touch their Asauchi. No need to be tense—just release your spiritual pressure."
Kiyoshi nodded and replied firmly:
"Yes, Head Captain."
Inwardly, he whispered twice to summon his scroll. As it began to unfurl, a vast and mysterious black spiritual pressure began to emanate from him.
To fully demonstrate his potential, Kiyoshi didn't hesitate—he revealed Gate of Demons as well.
As the black spiritual pressure spread, an eerie and otherworldly scroll unfolded beside him. On it appeared grotesque, soul-devouring demons, hauntingly beautiful flowers, and towering palace structures of divine grandeur… the surreal visions made all three captains watching raise their brows in surprise and curiosity.
The Head Captain leaned forward slightly as he gazed upon the scroll's images. Ukitake, noticing this, realized what it meant: the Head Captain only reacted this way when something—or someone—truly intrigued him.
Shiba Isshin, on the other hand, was more direct. He stared at Kiyoshi's "Shikai" and muttered:
"Damn, that's one hell of a cool Shikai! No matter how many times I see it, I can't help but be jealous. If only Engetsu looked like that…"
But it didn't stop there. Amid the inky spiritual pressure, a bright red glow emerged like a ripple on calm water.
The ground beneath them seemed to transform into a liquid surface under the weight of the energy, and from that "water" slowly rose a magnificent, ancient structure bathed in crimson. It radiated a sense of timeless desolation, like a relic from an era long past. Atop the towering gate was a large plaque bearing three blood-red characters: Gate of Demons (鬼门关).
The moment this structure appeared, everyone—even the Head Captain—felt a fleeting sense of unease, as though they were being watched by countless invisible eyes from all directions. The feeling was inexplicable and unnerving, but it was gone in an instant as the captains' immense spiritual pressure forcefully dispelled it.
When they looked back at Kiyoshi, their eyes were filled with admiration and awe.
Surrounded by a scroll laced with ink-like spiritual pressure, Kiyoshi stood calmly. Around him floated dreadful ghosts, sacred palaces, and crimson blossoms of fire. The towering ancient gate loomed silently behind him, as if standing guard. He wore a long robe of black and crimson, looking like a character stepped straight out of an ancient scroll—aloof and otherworldly.
But such a display was still taxing for Kiyoshi. Within just a few minutes, his once-vibrant face had turned pale.
At last, with a faint crack, the visions surrounding him began to shatter like broken glass and faded away.
Seeing Kiyoshi's drained appearance, the Head Captain smiled approvingly. He cleared his throat, stood up, and walked over, handing him a round wooden token inscribed with the number "1."
"You have good talent, a gentle disposition, and the ability to handle things wisely. Very good. Keep this token. Every Sunday afternoon, you may come to the First Division's rear training yard. I will personally instruct you in swordsmanship. By the way—what's the name of your Zanpakutō?"
Kiyoshi clutched the token tightly, feeling its warm texture. He knew exactly what this token represented—and what it meant to be personally trained by the Head Captain. It meant he had officially entered the Soul Society's inner circle. As long as he stayed alive, avoided crossing any major lines, and continued to grow, it was only a matter of time before he rose to the top.
Even though he was filled with excitement, he kept calm and respectfully accepted the token. The Head Captain nodded in satisfaction—he wanted subordinates who could both follow orders and think independently.
After a moment of hesitation, Kiyoshi spoke honestly:
"Head Captain, sir… I don't actually know the name of my Zanpakutō."
Hearing this, Yamamoto's eyes, which had been narrowed, opened slightly wider. He stared at Kiyoshi and asked, word by word:
"This isn't your Shikai?"