Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

Chapter 106: The Invincible Aoki! Hitsugaya’s Dazzling Debut!

Chapter 106 - The Invincible Aoki! Hitsugaya's Dazzling Debut!Despite the month of preparation, the Gotei Thirteen Exchange Tournament didn't feel particularly grand in scale. The setup still seemed makeshift — like something thrown together hastily.

Were it not for the full attendance of all Captains, the event might not have carried any weight at all.

Among the crowd of regular Shinigami stood Aoki, heart pounding with nerves. He had been chosen to represent the Fourth Division in the upcoming bout. Shin's earlier instructions rang in his mind, but he wasn't sure if he could live up to them.

Then, from the center of the arena, Kotetsu Isane formally announced the beginning of the lower tier bracket.

"Who among the Divisions wishes to serve as the initial defender of the ring?"

Immediately, several contestants stirred with excitement. If no one volunteered, lots would be drawn to decide.

Aoki grit his teeth — and stood.

The moment he rose, a ripple of surprise swept through the spectators. Even a would-be participant from the Eleventh Division sat back down reluctantly.

In the Captains' viewing stand, glances were exchanged.

Someone chuckled and said, "Captain Unohana, your squad members are unusually brave today."

Unohana smiled without answering. Truthfully, she hadn't been involved in setting the lineup for this exchange. Shin had handled it entirely. She remembered Aoki only vaguely — a recent graduate from the Academy, known to be close to Shin.

Being the first to take the stage meant facing the full strength of every challenger that followed. It was the harshest possible position.

Aoki felt the weight of every gaze on him, almost suffocating.

But now that he had stepped forward, there was no turning back. He strode toward the ring's center.

"I'll do it!"

No sooner had he spoken than another participant stood — a member of the Eleventh Division. He had wanted the first match himself and clearly wasn't thrilled at being beaten to it.

Aoki calmed his breathing, hand resting on the hilt of his asauchi.

Shin's instructions had been clear:

"You can lose later — but the first one? You must win."

Which meant, until the designated target took the stage, he couldn't afford to step down. He had to hold the ring.

Sure, it was just the lower tier — regular Shinigami — but Aoki, fresh out of the Academy, was still at a disadvantage. His only edge was Shin's mysterious "enhancement."

The two bowed in ritual salute. The crowd fell silent, watching with heightened interest. What could this Fourth Division newcomer possibly bring to the table?

The Eleventh Division fighter struck first, blade flashing. Aoki raised his sword in defense — and was immediately pushed back. He was overwhelmed from the very first clash.

Disappointment rippled through the crowd. Within a few brief exchanges, Aoki's blade was knocked aside, and his opponent thrust toward his chest. He barely dodged — but the sword grazed under his arm.

Gasps rose from the stands... until something strange happened.

Aoki flinched aside, breathless, and instinctively clutched his ribs — but found his clothing perfectly intact.

Confused, he looked down. That blow should have landed.

The Eleventh Division fighter, unfazed, lunged forward again and delivered a powerful kick to Aoki's chest. He staggered several steps — but didn't feel a thing.

Not even fatigue.

Shin's words echoed again in his mind.

Aoki gripped his sword tighter — and this time, he charged.

Though still outmatched in technique, it quickly became apparent that his opponent couldn't harm him.

Every hit landed — but had no effect.

Aoki felt as though his stamina were limitless. After minutes of sustained combat, he finally caught his opening — bound the opponent with a low-level Bakudō, and pressed his blade to their shoulder, claiming victory.

Gasps filled the air.

He hadn't dominated. He hadn't even fought well.

But he simply... could not be brought down.

Kotetsu Isane declared the victor: "Fourth Division — Aoki. He shall remain as ring defender."

Kyōraku Shunsui leaned toward Unohana, blinking in disbelief. "Now that was unexpected."

Several Captains looked toward the ring, eyes narrowing.

"Is this guy invulnerable?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi murmured, voice scratchy and theatrical. His bizarre white mask and face-paint made him look more clown than scientist.

"How curious. Captain Unohana, may I borrow this one for some... re

Aoki's job was done. Mission accomplished.

Hitsugaya's power was simply beyond comparison.

That someone like him wasn't even a seated officer yet was absurd.

As Hitsugaya wiped the floor with the remaining contestants — including Hisagi Shūhei of the Ninth — his dominance became clear.

Shin watched as Shūhei, disheartened after his defeat, trudged off.

He worked so hard... and still can't catch up. That's gotta sting.

Hitsugaya finished the first round with eleven straight wins.

Kasagarō's injury counted as a forfeit — making it twelve.

He took the top spot for the lower bracket.

After an hour's break, round two began.

By then, many were no longer at full strength.

Aoki, thawed out and restored by Shin's Zanpakutō, was unscathed.

But Shin had withdrawn his ability from him — and Aoki was quickly defeated.

More murmurs spread — what happened to the invincible man?

By day's end, the results of the lower tier were clear.

Hitsugaya Tōshirō: First place.

Aoki: respectable middle placement, thanks to three wins.

Kasagarō: bottom of the board — twelve losses from his injuries.

In the Captains' stand, Byakuya Kuchiki sat like a marble statue, his expression cold enough to chill the sun.