The Shinigami Ascension: Rise of the Reaper

"I didn't expect to be able to draw weapons from other worlds!"

Renjiro Kurozawa was excited and couldn't wait to hold the Sword of Promised Victory.

The moment he held it, a message entered his mind.

[Sword of Promised Victory: Host can freely use this Noble Phantasm, and the magic power required for activation has been changed to spiritual power. This Noble Phantasm comes with skills such as Wind King Barrier and True Name Liberation and can be stored in the system space when not in use.]

"As expected, it is a 100% high-level reward!"

After reading all the information, Renjiro was agitated.

Although his Zanpakutō couldn't even reach Shikai, he had obtained a weapon no less than any Zanpakutō!

Not to mention Shikai—the power of the Sword of Promised Victory was more than enough to rival Bankai!

"If I can frequently obtain high-level rewards, then Aizen and Yhwach are nothing to worry about!"

Thinking of this, Renjiro began to study the survival system again.

After asking various questions, he finally understood how the so-called "survival difficulty" was defined.

The difficulty of survival included many factors—whether the environment was dangerous, whether people around him were hostile, and whether any powerful existence was watching him.

These factors determined his survival difficulty, which in turn affected his reward probability.

"In other words, the more dangerous the situation, the better the rewards…"

Renjiro pondered. Though that logic made sense, he had to ensure his own survival.

Otherwise, if he exposed Aizen right now, his survival difficulty would instantly skyrocket—but he'd die before he could even benefit from it. That would be suicide.

"For now, let's focus on the seat test."

---

The Next Morning – Sixth Division Training Grounds

The members of the Sixth Division gathered in the training grounds, waiting for the annual Seat Ranking Test to begin.

Some were nervous about losing their ranks, while others were determined to climb higher.

A few noble-born Shinigami kept glancing at Renjiro, whispering among themselves.

Renjiro noticed, but he didn't care.

He already knew what this was about.

The two Kuchiki nobles from yesterday—Takuto and Guan Saburo—must have spread the story of their humiliation.

No doubt they hyped up their revenge, inviting their friends to watch them "teach a lowly commoner a lesson."

Renjiro didn't even need to eavesdrop to guess what they were saying.

Suddenly, a commanding voice rang out.

"Quiet."

The entire training ground fell silent.

On the elevated platform, the Sixth Division Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki, stood with his usual composed expression.

"The seat test is about to begin. Vice-Captain Hiroshi Arata will explain the rules."

Beside him, Hiroshi Arata stepped forward.

"Though this is the same every year, I'll explain the rules again for the newer members."

He scanned the crowd before continuing.

"The Seat Test is not like the exams in the Shin'ō Academy. It doesn't just evaluate Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, or Kidō individually."

"Instead, we prioritize actual combat performance. You will face each other in live battles. You may challenge others, and your rankings will shift based on your strength."

After a short pause, he raised his hand and swung it downward.

"This year's Seat Test officially begins!"

The nearly 300 members of the Sixth Division began their duels in an orderly manner.

From the elevated platform, Byakuya and Hiroshi observed the battles, evaluating each participant's performance.

After some time, Hiroshi Arata sighed.

"Captain, I don't see much improvement this year. Some members have even regressed."

Byakuya remained silent, listening.

Hiroshi crossed his arms.

"Captain, I told you before—stop recruiting so many noble-born members. Most of them don't know how to fight properly."

After speaking, he hesitated.

Because Byakuya himself was from a noble family.

However, Byakuya's response was indifferent.

"I have also recruited talented commoners. But even among them, there is no one particularly exceptional."

Hiroshi sighed again.

"You're right."

At that moment, a voice rang out from the training field.

"I, Takuto Kuchiki, challenge Renjiro Kurozawa!"

Instantly, everyone turned to look.

Byakuya and Hiroshi exchanged glances.

"Just after we talked about nobles and commoners… and now we get a noble vs. commoner battle. What a coincidence."

Hiroshi smirked.

"Captain, who do you think will win?"

Byakuya didn't even hesitate.

"Don't ask pointless questions. The outcome is obvious."

Hiroshi sighed again.

"Well, no matter how incompetent some noble-born Shinigami are, they're still born with high spiritual power. It's not something most commoners can compete with."

Byakuya closed his eyes, no longer interested in watching a "decided" battle.

---

On the Training Grounds

Renjiro Kurozawa stepped into the field, instantly becoming the center of attention.

Most of the spectators already believed he was doomed.

Renjiro, however, remained calm as he faced Takuto Kuchiki.

Takuto sneered.

"Just a little advice—you choosing me as your opponent is a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life."

Renjiro smirked.

"You're mistaken. The only regret here is yours."

Takuto laughed.

"Oh? Feeling scared now?"

His grin widened.

"Too late! Commoners like you should know their place! And we nobles have no obligation to show mercy!"

Renjiro sighed.

"You talk too much."

Then, he extended his hand into the air.

The audience was confused.

What was he reaching for? There was nothing there.

Takuto ignored the strange action and drew his Zanpakutō.

"DIE!"

He lunged forward, slashing down at Renjiro.

Renjiro whispered softly—

"Wind, roar—"

A violent storm erupted across the training grounds.

"W-What's happening?!"

"Why is there a tornado here?!"

"Did Renjiro… release Shikai?!"

On the elevated platform, Byakuya opened his eyes again.

Hiroshi, stunned, leaned forward.

In the middle of the storm, a golden holy sword slowly materialized in Renjiro's grasp.

Hiroshi's eyes widened.

"That's… his Zanpakutō?"

But he had never seen a Zanpakutō like this before.

Even more shocking—it was more radiant and divine than Sode no Shirayuki, the most beautiful Zanpakutō in the Soul Society!

Renjiro grasped the Sword of Promised Victory with both hands and declared coldly—

"This battle will end in an instant."

As he spoke, countless golden light particles surged into the blade, making it shine with an overwhelming radiance!