As the match ended between Ikkaku and Akio ended, then scene shifted towards the area where captains were sitting.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes, breaking the silence."Was that… partial release from the bald-headed brat? And that black reiatsu from the other one?"
Unohana's calm voice followed, though her tone carried a note of intrigue. "Yes, it was partial release for the bald kid. A very weaker version than the actual release. It means that the individual has enough bond with his Zanpakto for release but his physique is not ready. Though for the other one even I don't know."
Komamura's deep rumble came next. "That peacock head kid is quite good too."
"He should be as he was trained by Kiyomi Hoshizora herself." added Byakuya.
"He should be," Byakuya remarked, eyes half-lidded. "He was trained by Kiyomi Hoshizora herself."
Aizen's lips curled in that familiar, serene smile."Yet the most fascinating one is Kurozume Akio. I hear he was trained by Captain Kuchiki and Captain Kyōraku. You've raised quite the disciple."
Tousen turned slightly."And that black reiatsu of his, Captains Kyōraku, Kuchiki? What is it?"
Kyōraku shrugged under his wide hat."Truth is, even we don't know much. Only that it seems tied to his zanpakutō."
Isshin chuckled lightly, breaking the growing tension."Regardless, those three are far too advanced for fourth years. Shouldn't we let them graduate early?"
"An excellent idea," Gin added with a sly smile.
But the final word came from Yamamoto himself, his voice like thunder."The decision to graduate early… rests on them."
A voice suddenly rang out from below."The Captain-Commander will give us a speech now!"
Yamamoto rose, descending slowly. His very presence hushed the arena, an ancient weight pressing on every soul.
"You have all witnessed the strength of this generation," his voice rumbled, like fire beneath stone. "Some shine with promise, some burn recklessly… but only through discipline will a flame endure."
His gaze swept over the students — lingering on Yumichika, Ikkaku, and finally Akio. "Remember this day. For power without resolve is nothing but ash."
Just as Yamamoto was going to leave a voice came from the crowd, "Captain Commander."
The voice was heard in the captain's area too. The voice paused the conversation the captains were having. And in that silence someone spoke, "...Shit." And that someone was Kyoraku who just got a deja vu.
When Yamamoto turned around he saw Akio with his hand raised. His eyes were like a child full of expectation and his face had all the innocence a child should have.
Looking at this situation Yamamoto remembered a report he got 2 years ago about how a boy after winning a competition asked Kyoraku for a reward. He hadn't thought this would happen to him. But reality was different from what he had imagined. Obviously not anyone can be Aizen.
Just as Yamamoto was about to speak Akio interjected. "The reward you brought 'personally' for being the first of the tournament. I don't want that but instead of that can ask for something that I want?"
"Huh?" was the only thing Yamamoto was able to say. He was standing with a shocked face. 'What is this brat talking about, when did I said I would bring a reward personally for the winner of this tournament?"
He looked at Tanaka like asking if he had said anything to the kid but Tanaka just had a panicked and surprised look on his face and he was moving his life like a chicken like he was saying he had nothing to do with all this.
"Guys look at our Captain Commander. How can a man be so great that he brought a gift for us little kid for this puny little tournament. And not only that he has also agreed to my request without hesitation. This shows how much he values us next generation." Akio said while facing the crowd.
Listening to him everyone started cheering for Yamamoto, the kids were looking at him as if looking at god himself.
'What nonsense is this runt spouting? When did I agree to his request of giving him something he wants for the reward I brought? First off all I didn't even bring a reward and second off all, just because I didn't spoke doesn't mean I agree.' Yamamoto became speechless at this situation.
'I can't even do anything about this situation, I have give the kid what he wants. Hope he will not ask for something absurd.' In his 1000 year of life no one had ever had 'Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto' cornered like this. But today a kid did it.
Sighing Yamamoto asked, "What do you want, boy?"
"I am from Rukongai and my sharp rise in power may not be liked by some nobles so, can u make me a noble too?" Akio asked with face full with innocence of a child who didn't know about the world. Even Yamamoto would have been fooled by that expression if he hadn't known better.
Silence fell on the the academy ground hearing Akio's wish which wasn't less than a death sentence if any noble heard it and there were many nobles in here. And on top of that he had asked that absurd thing like he just asked Yamamoto to pluck a flower and give it to him.
At the captain's area...
"Is he insane? He will get himself killed." Soi Fon voiced out.
Kyōraku's eyes darkened. 'Brat, what are you playing at? Even I won't be able to save you if you go too far.'
All the captains nodded in unison.
Back to the ground....
Even Yamamoto seemed confused by Akio's wish. The brat who seemed like a genius 2 seconds ago talked like a idiot now. Curious Yamamoto replied, "I cannot. I have no authority over noble titles."
Giving his answer Yamamoto observed Akio and the expression he was expecting from Akio wasn't there but instead there was a smile. A smile which said he had just caught a fish on his hook. "Oh ok, then how about you become my guardian?"
This reply shocked Yamamoto a second time. And also every other individual present there.
"You know you can help me grow, support me with resource and stuff, help me with everything I need to grow strong. And most important—"
Suddenly the atmosphere around Akio changed. It became heavier. His expression innocent suddenly changed to a serious one. He knelt to one knee, "I know the truth — a Rukongai dog who rises too fast draws wolves. I ask only one thing: let me walk this path without fear of knives in the dark. Stand as my guardian, if only until I can stand above all on my own."
Gasps ripple through the arena. To ask the Captain-Commander himself for such a vow — it was nothing more than a madness filled with audacity.
Then again the demenour of Akio changed to playful, "Surely the great Captain Commander would not be so cold hearted to outright reject two small wishes of this puny little Rukongai kid simultaneously, will he?"
'This kid, he is quite good. He made that absurd request at first knowing I would reject it. Then he made his real request and now after all the praises he had sang for me if I reject him again it would actually look bad at me. Well looks like I don't have a choice and besides this kid is brilliant in both is strength and using brain. This would be my small investment.'
Yamamoto's gaze sharpens, his cane tapping once on the stone. Silence. Then the he spoke:"Very well. If that's what you wished for. Kurozume Akio. From this day forth, no blade, noble or otherwise, shall cut your rise short while I draw breath. I will guard your right to reach your peak. But hear me — if you falter, if you stray, my fire will fall upon you just as swiftly."
Akio smiled standing up and bowing to Yamamoto, "Thank you. Captain Commander."
Yamamoto then left the scene. Tanaka told everyone to return to their dorm room when he got to his senses. Everyone left except for Akio who was dragged by Kyoraku and Isshin aside.
"Long time no see, brat. How have you been?" Isshin asked.
"Well I have been good Isshin-san. Why didn't you come to visit me even once in the Academy? Did you forget about me?" Akio complained.
"I didn't forget about you. Um, there are some family problems going on so I couldn't come. I am in hurry even now but came to meet you for a second."
"You were great today." Isshin said ruffling Akio's hair with a proud smile. "I am in a hurry so, see you next time." Saying that he left using Shunpo.
After Isshin left Kyoraku who was a few distance away from them started walking towards Akio his arms crossed , "Why did you do that today, brat? Do you know how dangerous it was?"
Akio replied in a calm tone," I did all this today for my survival. Was I wrong when I said about nobles and all? Rukia after being adopted by Captain Kuchiki himself was shown so much hatred by the noble. I am just a brat from Rukongai, think what they would do to me." 'And also since I have shown so much of my powers and been involved with so many powerful people many eyes will be on me. The most dangerous being Aizen's. And using Yamamoto I can hide from them.'
"But still that was too dangerous." Kyoraku argued.
"Well the nobles can't directly try to harm me after Captain Commander have said to protect me directly so they will try using indirect ways. And I think I should be able to handle those. What do you think, Uncle Shunsui."
"Huh, When did I become your uncle?" Shunsui said.
"Since. Captain Commander is my guardian wouldn't it make sense for me to call you uncle as you are his disciple?" Akio argued.
[A/N: Bro is trying to force relationship everywhere.]
"Trying to change the subjects, kid. Well do as you like. Just be smart enough to know where to stop." Kyoraku disappeared
Next day.. At the Captain Commander's Office...
Chojiro Sasakibe—Vice captain of Squad 1 came.
"Captain-Commander," Sasakibe bowed. "The nobles demand Akio be judged by Central 46."
"Tell them it was a child's naivety," Yamamoto rumbled. "If they refuse, tell them I will come myself."
"…Yes, sir."
Somewhere inside a particular nobles mansion.....
"Yamamoto declined the orders and even threatened us? That old fox. Fine. If we cannot touch Kurozume Akio directly… then we shall take the indirect path." A voice came dripped with Venom.