Omniverse: The Martial Artist

Hao took the fresh clothes from Aizen's hands and said, "Thanks. You done with your exam too?"

Aizen nodded, glancing at the bloodstains still visible on Hao's well-toned, bare upper body. "Don't feel discouraged. What matters is that you're alive. Even if it takes two more years to graduate, that's fine too."

He had just finished his own exam and came over to check on Hao's condition. In his mind, the worst-case scenario had been having to collect his roommate's corpse.

Seeing that Hao was still alive brought him an inexplicable sense of relief.

"Sōsuke, what are you talking about? I already passed the exam. I just need to complete the graduation formalities," Hao said as he began putting on his clothes.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Aizen's eyes. "You… passed? You defeated Captain Unohana?"

When he arrived earlier, he had seen Captain Unohana. Maybe because the fight had just ended, there was still an oppressive aura clinging to her.

Just a brief glance exchanged between them had convinced him that his earlier assumptions had been completely wrong. Unohana was absolutely not some ideal "lucky pick" among the examiners. She was a terrifying woman.

When Aizen saw the large bloodstains covering Unohana's uniform, he had already braced himself to retrieve Hao's remains. But not only was Hao fine—he was claiming he won?

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a win," Hao said modestly. "Captain Unohana had her Reiatsu suppressed, and during the initial probing stage of the fight, she didn't go all out. If she had, I wouldn't have lasted long enough to turn the tables with Shikai."

He looked at Aizen sincerely. "Sōsuke, I really have to thank you. If not for your help, I wouldn't have awakened my Zanpakutō so easily."

Only now did Aizen notice the changes to the blade at Hao's waist. It was no longer just a common Asauchi—it had become the exclusive Zanpakutō of a true Shinigami.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, Aizen accepted the truth. His roommate was indeed a monster—he had actually defeated a captain in a peer-level battle.

"I didn't help much. This was all thanks to your own efforts, Hao."

Aizen smiled. "Congratulations on passing the exam and setting a new record in the history of the Spiritual Arts Academy. From now on, I'll have to call you 'senpai.' So—have you decided which Division you want to join?"

Hao shook his head. "Haven't thought about that yet. Let's not talk about it now—let's eat."

Which squad of the Gotei 13 to join didn't matter much to him. He only had two days left before he'd be leaving this world.

No matter what Division he joined, it would only be for a day. He might as well take the chance to visit the Human World and broaden his horizons—after that, it would be time to return to the Terminal Space.

Inside the dining hall, all eyes turned toward Hao, filled with awe and respect. News of his success in defeating Captain Unohana had spread like wildfire—no one knew exactly where the leak came from.

"If you don't have a specific squad in mind," Aizen suggested, "how about joining the Fifth Division? Seated Officer Hirako will take care of you."

He himself was planning to head to the Fifth Division after graduation. Having Hao waor him there didn't sound bad.

"That's acs acly not a bad idea. Alright, Fifth Division it is," Hao said after swallowing a bite of steak.

Aizen was a bit surprised. "That fast? You're not even going to ask about the atmosphere in the squad? The conditions? The benefits?"

Hao chuckled. "I haven't made up my mind anyway. But I trust your judgment, Sōsuke."

After all, he was leaving in two days. It didn't matter where he went. Might as well make his roommate happy.

Later…

—-—

"Kid… You really pulled it off."

At the graduation ceremony of the Academy, the Head Captain looked at Hao with heartfelt emotion.

He had thought he'd given Hao an impossible trial. But somehow, Hao had actually won.

When Unohana volunteered to serve as his examiner, the Head Captain had felt a bit of regret, thinking this promising seedling was likely doomed.

He truly admired Hao's talent, but he was no soft-hearted elder. This was a test Hao had chosen for himself. If he could make it through, then the sky would be the limit. If not—then Hao's death would simply be the result of arrogance.

"…Still, we should thank Captain Unohana for holding back."

Hao spoke modestly. At the annual graduation ceremony of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy, most of the captains were in attendance—and today, Captain Unohana had also come.

But the captains weren't just there to observe and offer congratulations—they were here to recruit.

At this moment, Hao could feel several intense, eager gazes locked onto him, coming from the various captains. Clearly, he was now the hottest prospect of the year.

He had completed the entire Spiritual Arts curriculum in just three months, excelled in zanjutsu, hakuda, hohō, and kidō, and even bested Captain Unohana in a same-rank duel. Though technically still a student, Hao's name was now known throughout the Seireitei.

Every captain in the Gotei 13 wanted this prodigy in their squad. With just a little nurturing, he could quickly become a seated officer—and judging by his potential, rising to the rank of lieutenant or even captain was only a matter of time.

"Hahaha, now's not the time to be modest. But kid, you've definitely got everyone's attention."

The Head Captain was in a particularly good mood today. Glancing at the captains eyeing Hao, he smiled and said, "So, how about it? Want to join the First Division?"

The moment he said that, the expressions of the nearby captains visibly changed—the anticipation drained from their faces instantly.

They had come here today specifically for Hao. But if the Head Captain was extending an invitation personally, that meant the rest of them could forget about it.

Everyone at the graduation ceremony, including the other captains, was surprised. This was the first time Old Man Yamamoto had ever personally invited a graduate to join the First Division.

It was clear just how much promise he saw in Hao. It wasn't hard to imagine the Head Captain wanting to keep Hao close and mentor him personally. Perhaps, in a hundred years, a new captain-class powerhouse would emerge.

"Thank you for the offer, Head Captain, but I've already made up my mind on which squad I want to join."

Everyone was shocked—Hao had just turned down the Head Captain!

The students around him gave him strange looks, thinking: Do you even realize what you just turned down?

But Hao had his reasons. To be honest, he could join any squad in the Gotei 13—it didn't matter to him. The only one he couldn't join was the First Division, because it was obvious the Head Captain intended to keep a close eye on him.

That would be a problem when he had to return to the Terminal Space.

Once granted the right to return, he could choose to leave at any time. But if he stayed too long, the Terminal Space would forcibly pull him back—down to the second. Not a moment more.

And Hao had a strong hunch: he might come back to this world someday. So he didn't want to "vanish" under the Head Captain's watchful eye.

"Oh? So you've already decided? Is it the Fourth Division?" the Head Captain asked.

He knew it was Unohana who had brought Hao into the academy and served as his examiner. That made her a pivotal figure in Hao's journey. If Hao wanted to follow her to repay the favor, that would've made sense.

But he personally felt that assigning Hao to a medical support squad would be a total waste of combat talent.

Hao turned to the area where the captains were gathered. When his eyes met Unohana's, she gave him a gentle smile and nodded softly at him.

"No. I want to join the Fifth Division."

Hao's answer froze Unohana's smile for a moment. She had been prepared to personally take Hao under her wing.

That didn't make any sense. Hao had no real connection with the Fifth Division. If he wanted a combat-focused squad, shouldn't he at least be considering the Eleventh?

"You've got good taste! Our Fifth Division has the best perks!"

At that moment, the current Fifth Division Captain, Akimoto Noritaka, couldn't help but step forward eagerly, flash-stepping to Hao's side with a barely concealed grin of joy.

He had originally thought a talent like Hao was out of his reach. Not just because of the Head Captain—but also because Unohana had a personal bond with Hao. It didn't seem like there was any chance for him.

But now Hao had chosen the Fifth Division himself. It was like a gift from the heavens!

Hao looked at this unfamiliar captain—a character who never appeared in the original timeline—and thought to himself, Yup. That's definitely the face of a background character. Probably going to be replaced by Shinji Hirako within a hundred years.

Seeing that Hao had made his choice, and that Akimoto Noritaka clearly had no intention of letting go, the Head Captain gave up trying to persuade him.

He figured, with Hao's talent, it was only a matter of time before he rose to captain-level anyway. He wouldn't stay in the Fifth Division forever.

°°°

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