Fate in Bleach: Unlimited Blade Works [Isekai]

Chapter 216 – Devious

“Last night, this fellow encountered a powerful medium-sized Hollow. He was incredibly unlucky.” The Shinigami who had rescued Yōsuke continued his explanation.

“The Hollow had him completely bound, unable to move. He didn’t even have a chance to launch his distress signal.”

“Captain Aizen instructed us to keep a close eye on the students, so when I saw that Hollow about to swallow him whole, I immediately intervened, killing the creature and saving him. If I had known what kind of person he was, I wouldn’t have bothered rescuing him.”

The Shinigami was clearly furious. He had acted out of kindness, saving Yōsuke’s life. Now, this ungrateful wretch was biting the hand that had fed him, twisting the truth to regain his eligibility for the exam.

It was enough to make anyone’s blood boil.

“Heh, is that so? But everything you’ve said is just your subjective interpretation, isn’t it?” Yōsuke sneered.

“You’re right. I was no match for that Hollow. I was completely restrained. However, that doesn't mean I was helpless. By the time that Hollow tossed me into its mouth, I had already broken free from its restraints.

I had also completed a Kidō incantation. I was fully prepared to launch Hadō #31 – Shakkahō before its jaws closed, attacking it from within. With my Kidō mastery, a fully chanted Shakkahō would have been more than enough to turn the tables and kill that Hollow.”

“Bullshit!” The Shinigami shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Yōsuke’s nose. “Do you think I’m blind? I saw you being tossed around like a ragdoll, screaming like a stuck pig! You were a blubbering mess, tears and snot were streaming down your face! And you expect me to believe you had completed a Kidō incantation?”

Yōsuke’s face darkened as the Shinigami recounted the events of the previous night.

While he couldn't deny the truth, did he have to air his dirty laundry in front of everyone? He had a reputation to maintain!

“Regardless of my condition, I had indeed completed the incantation.” Yōsuke insisted, clinging to his fabricated story.

“Heh, a completed incantation while pissing your pants?” The Shinigami scoffed.

“That wasn’t urine! It was the Hollow’s saliva!”

“You were so shaken up after I saved you, you could barely stand. I had to carry you here.”

“I was furious! Can you imagine? I had finally seized the perfect opportunity. All you had to do was wait one more second, and I could have launched my Shakkahō, killing that Hollow! I would have passed the exam with flying colors and joined the division of my choice! But you ruined everything!”

Yōsuke turned to Ailin with faux outrage. “Captain Aizen, I demand justice! I want a thorough investigation to expose whoever orchestrated this scheme, bribing this Shinigami to sabotage my exam!"

“You…!” The Shinigami started to retort, but Ailin raised a hand, silencing him.

“Enough. I’ve heard enough.”

“Matsubashi Yūma, your actions during last night’s rescue mission were a grave error. Once this exam concludes, report to the 9th Division’s detention center. You will serve a three-month sentence.”

Ailin then turned to Yōsuke, offering a courteous bow. “Kitada, I apologize for my subordinate’s mistake. Since you never used your distress flare, I cannot, in good conscience, disqualify you based on his error in judgment. You may return to the exam."

"Thank you, Captain Aizen.” Yōsuke boasted a smug grin as he turned and swiftly left the gathering point, heading back into the city.

The other five students watched him go with regret. If they hadn't used their distress flares the previous night, would they, like Kitada, have been granted a second chance?

Ailin, observing the five students’ expressive faces, easily discerned their thoughts.

However…

Instead of urging them to enter the Senkaimon, Ailin addressed the Shinigami who had rescued Yōsuke. “Yūma, I hope you’ve learned from this experience. Our 5th Division is a rescue squad. We can only intervene after a distress signal has been received. To make amends for your mistake, I’m assigning you to be solely responsible for Kitada’s safety during the remainder of this exam.”

“Yes, Captain.” Yūma couldn’t mask his displeasure at being tasked with protecting that deceitful little brat. However, his respect for Captain Aizen compelled him to accept the assignment.

His grimace betrayed his true feelings.

Under the watchful gazes of the students, Ailin began weaving a series of Kidō incantations in the air.

“Bakudō #77 – Tenteikūra!”

As Ailin finished the incantation, the Kidō symbols coalesced, forming a black-framed rectangle before him.

Then, Ailin’s voice echoed in the ears of every student still in the exam site, even reaching Kitada Yōsuke as he made his way back into the city.

"Good morning to all students remaining in the exam site. I am Sōsuke Aizen, the chief examiner for this year’s Shin'ō Academy graduation exam and the captain of the rescue squad tasked with ensuring your safety.”

"Captain Aizen's voice…" Momo Hinamori stopped running, pressing her left hand to her ear, listening intently to the message.

Every student, including Kitada Yōsuke, sought refuge, preparing to hear what Captain Aizen had to say.

“Last night, one of our rescue squad members intervened, saving a student named Kitada Yōsuke from the jaws of a Hollow. Based on my subordinate’s actions, I ruled that Kitada had failed the exam. However, after being disqualified, Kitada refused to accept the verdict.

He claimed that he hadn't launched his distress flare and hadn't requested our assistance… He insisted that he still had a means of defeating the Hollow and that the rescue squad member had acted on his own initiative, robbing him of the chance to pass the exam…

Since Kitada still possessed his unused distress flare, I have accepted his argument and reinstated his eligibility. I am grateful to Kitada for uncovering a loophole in our exam procedures.

Therefore, to ensure fairness in future exams, I am adding a new rule: All rescue squad members are prohibited from intervening unless a student launches their distress flare, even if that student is on the verge of death.

From this point forward, please consider carefully when to utilize your distress flares. This is your one and only chance to call for help.

If you do not launch your distress flare, even if you are about to be devoured by a Hollow, the rescue squad will not intervene.

Please bear this in mind.”

…

Back at the gathering point, the five remaining students stared at Captain Aizen in fright.

This Captain Aizen… He was vastly different from the one they had known.

Could it be that the kind and approachable Captain Aizen they had encountered at the academy had been a facade?

With a single Kidō spell, he had broadcasted the events of the previous night, ensuring that everyone remembered Kitada Yōsuke.

They could easily imagine the impact of Captain Aizen’s announcement on the remaining students. Who would want to team up with Kitada now?

If they were still in the exam, they would avoid Kitada like the plague. There was no way they would risk partnering with someone who had betrayed his savior.

Who knew what lengths he might go to in pursuit of his own goals?

If they were lucky, they might manage to launch their distress flares in time, securing rescue from the Shinigami.

But if misfortune struck, they might die in despair, even with a rescue squad member standing before them, unable to intervene due to the new rule.

Kitada’s selfish actions had undoubtedly increased the risk of casualties in future exams.

“Now, are any of your situations similar to Kitada’s? If you haven’t used your distress flares, I will gladly reinstate your eligibility.”

The five students, facing Captain Aizen’s seemingly benevolent smile, shook their heads vehemently.

“No, no, Captain Aizen! We all launched our distress flares and requested assistance from the rescue squad.”

“Yes, yes! We barely know Kitada…”

They weren't fools. Based on Captain Aizen’s handling of the situation, they knew that if Kitada failed the exam, he would join them in Hueco Mundo, far from the Seireitei.

But if he passed and became a member of the Gotei 13… They could only imagine the treatment Kitada would receive at the hands of this seemingly amiable captain.

They had already labeled Ailin as "devious," "petty," and "vengeful."

“Is that so? Then please return to the Seireitei. Shinigami will be waiting to process you and assign your duties.”

“Yes, Captain Aizen. We’ll be on our way.”

After Ailin nodded his approval, the five students quickly entered the Senkaimon. Once within the Dangai, they used Shunpo to rush towards the Seireitei’s gate, as if fearing they might incur that man’s displeasure if they lingered.

Thank you for the Ratings/Likes.
If you like the story, please support. Thank you.