Free Web NovelChapter 870: Chapter 871: The Test Is Forever
Unohana was indeed looking for Ethan. Just after he finished speaking with Yoruichi, a member of the Second Division ran in to say that someone from the Fourth Division was looking for him.
"Hahaha, I knew it."
Yoruichi waved at Ethan, then ignored him and continued briefing several seated officers, including Kisuke.
However, from Ethan’s perspective, she was mainly briefing Kisuke. The other two seated officers were more like props, simply being recommended to go through the motions.
"Unohana is calling me back. Could it really be to recommend me for Captain of the Twelfth Division?"
With that guess in mind, Ethan quickly returned to the Fourth Division barracks and met Unohana in the Captain’s office.
"I plan to recommend you for Captain of the Tenth Division."
"The Tenth Division? Not the Twelfth Division?"
Ethan was slightly surprised. It was not the Twelfth Division. But the Tenth Division. He remembered that during a recent mission, the Tenth Division had suffered heavy losses in a major battle. If he had not brought several medical teams there in time, the division would likely have been wiped out, leaving only a few survivors.
However, even with Ethan’s timely support, the Tenth Division still suffered severe casualties. The Captain, the Lieutenant, and most of the members had fallen. It was now barely different from being wiped out.
"Are you interested in the position of Captain of the Twelfth Division?"
"Not really."
If it were the Twelfth Division, he would have to compete with Kisuke. Over the years, Ethan had benefited greatly from Kisuke, and he truly did not feel comfortable competing with him for the position.
If it was the Tenth Division, there was no problem at all.
"This time, I just wanted to ask for your opinion."
For any other Shinigami, such an inquiry would merely be a formality. Who would not want to be a Captain? There were only thirteen such positions in the entire Seireitei. Many factors were involved. It was not something that could be achieved through strength alone.
For example, the Second Division was usually led by members of the Shihoin family, and the Sixth Division, the Noble Guard Division, was always led by members of the Kuchiki family.
Although the other divisions were not as unique as those two, they were still not positions that ordinary Shinigami could easily attain. No one would refuse when told they were being recommended for Captain.
However, after spending years with Ethan and knowing him well, Unohana understood that he was one of those rare exceptions. She needed to ask clearly in advance to avoid the awkward situation of him refusing after she had already recommended him.
"Why was there no prior indication, and then suddenly I’m being recommended for Captain of the Tenth Division?"
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto originally intended to fill the vacancy for the Twelfth Division first, then select a suitable candidate when reorganizing the Tenth Division."
The Tenth Division was essentially crippled and needed to be rebuilt from the ground up. The duties it was responsible for would temporarily be handled by other divisions. Therefore, it did not matter whether the Tenth Division currently had a Captain, so there was no urgency.
"Why does Captain want to recommend me for the Tenth Division?"
"Because your abilities are sufficient to serve as a Captain of the Gotei 13."
Ethan remained silent. His strength had improved rapidly over the years, and Unohana, who sparred with him daily, knew his capabilities better than almost anyone in the Seireitei, aside from Yoruichi and Kisuke.
"Well? Are you willing to participate in this assessment?"
Promotion to Captain was not simply a matter of recommendation and approval.
According to the procedure, a Captain assessment was required. Only by passing it could one officially become a Captain. Ethan guessed that the assessment would most likely be a test of strength.
"Why not? I also believe my strength is sufficient to serve as a Captain."
Since becoming a Lieutenant, Ethan had stopped declining promotions. He was already highly visible, so there was little point in remaining low profile. He might as well become a Captain, delegate the troublesome trivial matters to subordinates, and enjoy some leisure himself.
And he was not competing with Kisuke, so there was nothing to hesitate about.
"In that case, come with me to the First Division."
"Huh?"
Ethan was stunned.
"Now?"
"Yes. The assessment for the successor of the Twelfth Division is today. Your assessment was decided at the last minute, so it has been arranged together."
"Alright."
After hearing the explanation, Ethan saw no issue and followed Unohana to the First Division barracks.
Compared to the quiet location of the Fourth Division, the First Division was not hidden in a remote corner, yet the surroundings were equally silent. No one would be foolish enough to make noise near the First Division.
Anyone who saw the massive gate from afar would feel immense pressure and instinctively want to stay away. As a result, the area was nearly deserted.
After entering the First Division barracks, Ethan was not immediately taken to see Captain-Commander Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai. Instead, he was led to a separate room to wait.
"So the assessments are held separately."
He had thought he might see how Kisuke passed his assessment.
"I didn’t expect to encounter another test."
He once believed that after leaving school, he would never face exams again, only to learn otherwise. After transmigrating, he thought he could say goodbye to tests forever, yet he kept participating in various assessments. Was testing an eternal law across all worlds?
Since Unohana had gone to report to the Captain-Commander, Ethan had no one to talk to. There was not even anyone visibly supervising him.
He knew that was only on the surface. In secret, who knew how many members of the Onmitsukido were watching.
"I’ll just wait patiently."
Fortunately, he did not wait long. After about two hours, Unohana reappeared and gestured for him to follow.
"The Twelfth Division assessment is over?" free𝑤ebnovel.com
"I know what you are concerned about. Your friend performed very well."
Although Unohana did not elaborate, that single sentence was enough. Ethan immediately understood that there had been no surprises. Kisuke becoming Captain of the Twelfth Division was settled.
This was normal. With Ethan’s influence, the current Kisuke was even stronger than he had been at this point in the original timeline. Since he had succeeded before, there was no reason for failure now.
After walking for a while, they arrived at a spacious area resembling a dojo. As they entered, the large door behind them closed firmly.
Continuing forward, they saw Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Yoruichi Shihoin, Sixth Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki, and Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyoraku already present.
As soon as Ethan appeared, Shunsui, wearing a pink haori, greeted him with a smile.
"Oh my, I had a feeling it might be Ethan. I was right."
Shunsui seemed about to say more, but a glare from the Captain-Commander made him swallow his words and stand obediently to the side.
Following Unohana, Ethan stepped forward. She then moved aside, leaving him standing in the center, facing the scrutiny of those present.
However, among them, only the Captain-Commander was truly scrutinizing him. Yoruichi and Shunsui, who were familiar with him, merely greeted him with their eyes.
"Fourth Division Lieutenant Ethan, do you know the purpose of your visit?"
After a brief examination came the usual questioning. Besides basic inquiries, he was also asked about the responsibilities of a Shinigami. Anyone with a normal mindset who did not deliberately try to be unconventional could give the correct answers.
In his previous life, Ethan had extensive experience with such questioning, so he passed this stage quickly.
Ultimately, the Captain assessment focused on strength. No matter how well one answered, insufficient strength meant failure.
"Shunsui."
"Oh, I knew being called here wouldn’t be for anything good."
Adjusting his straw hat, Shunsui stepped forward and stood opposite Ethan in the center of the area.
"Seeing this situation, you should understand what the assessment involves, right?"
"It’s obvious."
He was not foolish. The meaning was clear.
"Just a reminder. I won’t hold back."
Although Shunsui always appeared carefree, as a disciple of the Captain-Commander, his strength was formidable.
This was proven later when he succeeded Yamamoto as Captain-Commander.
Furthermore, Shunsui’s Zanpakuto, Katen Kyokotsu, possessed troublesome and bizarre abilities. Ethan suddenly wondered how Kisuke had dealt with him earlier.
"Was Captain Kyoraku in charge of the previous assessment as well?"
"No. I just arrived myself, a little earlier than you."
"I see."
Although he did not understand why he was being treated with such importance, now was not the time to dwell on it. Facing Shunsui, Ethan knew he would have to show genuine strength.
The Captain-Commander looked at the two who were ready and lightly tapped the ground with his staff.
"Assessment begins."
There were no unnecessary words. As the staff struck the floor, Ethan and Shunsui vanished from their original positions at the same time.
In the next instant, they reappeared in the center and clashed head-on.
What surprised Shunsui was that he could not see Ethan’s Zanpakuto.
"It seems your Zanpakuto isn’t limited to healing."
(To be continued.)
