"Hu… hu… hu…"
In the courtyard of the Sixth Division, a shirtless teenager was drenched in sweat, his breath ragged and muscles taut from prolonged exertion.
His name was Da Shenchen, and it had been nearly a hundred years since he arrived in the Soul Society.
"The training quota is finally completed for today… but the improvement in my physical stats is still barely noticeable."
He sat down on the worn stone bench, gazing up at the sky with a complex expression etched across his face. In a Soul Society teeming with crisis and hidden powerhouses, Da Shenchen was painfully aware that he was just cannon fodder.
Even after years of toil at the Shinō Academy and finally being assigned to the Sixth Division, he was still scraping the bottom of the ranks.
"Ah Chen, done so early? Want to grab a drink later?"
The familiar voice made him glance over. It was Rukia Kuchiki, his longtime friend and someone who had always carried a calm sense of nobility about her.
"Rukia? Shouldn't you be with the Thirteenth Division today? What brings you here?"
"I'm heading out on a mission to the World of the Living tomorrow," she replied. "I figured we should catch up before I go."
Da Shenchen's eyes narrowed for a moment.
"The World of the Living…"
He hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. "Be careful out there, Rukia. Don't let your guard down."
He remembered clearly that this was the mission where she would encounter Kurosaki Ichigo, transferring her powers to him. If he wanted to keep his edge as a prophet, the rational thing would be to let the story unfold—but his conscience refused to ignore it.
Rukia chuckled, brushing off his warning. "It's not a dangerous task. You worry too much."
"I'm more concerned about you," she added gently. "Isn't the Sixth Division's seat test tomorrow? If you land at the bottom again..."
She trailed off, her concern unspoken but palpable.
Each squad held annual seat exams, reshuffling ranks based on strength and contribution. Those without seats were graded by performance into tiers. Remaining in the lowest tier for years could lead to dismissal from the Gotei 13.
Da Shenchen gave a bitter smile.
"Chances are slim. I still can't even manifest my Shikai."
"Still," Rukia encouraged, "you're skilled in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō. If all else fails, I'll ask my elder brother to step in."
He shook his head.
"I appreciate it, but I can't rely on Captain Kuchiki like that."
Before Rukia could respond, a mocking voice echoed from the walkway.
"Lady Rukia, someone of your noble standing shouldn't associate with lowborn trash from Rukongai. It brings shame to the Kuchiki name."
Two Shinigami from the Kuchiki family passed by, their sneers evident. Da Shenchen recognized them—Takuto and Guan Saburou, distant relatives of Byakuya who never missed a chance to flaunt their lineage.
"Takuto, Guan Saburou, tend to your own affairs," Rukia said coldly.
Takuto snorted. "We're just concerned the head of the Kuchiki clan wouldn't approve of you mingling with gutter dwellers."
"If my brother disapproves, he'll say so himself," she replied icily. "You don't speak for him."
"Forget them, Rukia," Da Shenchen said calmly. "It's normal for hothouse flowers who joined Gotei 13 through bloodline connections to be delusional."
"You insolent commoner!"
The two Shinigami trembled with anger but didn't dare act out with Rukia standing by.
"If you have a problem with me, we'll settle it during the seat test tomorrow."
They glared at him before storming off.
"Tomorrow's your last day, Da Shenchen. You'll regret this."
As their figures disappeared, Rukia sighed.
"I'm sorry. Some in the family take their noble status far too seriously."
"It's fine. The Sixth Division's filled with proud bloodlines. I'm used to it."
They continued talking well into the night. When it was time, Da Shenchen escorted her to the edge of the courtyard, watching as she vanished into the shadows.
Just as he turned to head toward his dormitory, a glowing line of golden text flashed before his eyes.
Congratulations to Host for surviving 100 years in the Soul Society. Survival System officially activated.
"Survival system?"
Da Shenchen froze. Joy overtook him like a surge of electricity. His body trembled, overwhelmed.
After gathering himself, he stared at the new translucent interface before him.
Host: Da Shenchen
Weapon: Sealed
Skills: Mediocre Zanjutsu, Mediocre Hakuda, Mediocre Shunpo, Mediocre Kidō
"System, what does surviving for 100 years mean?"
The mechanical voice answered in his mind.
"To activate this system, the host must survive in the Soul Society for a full century without dying. Once met, the reward function unlocks."
"What kind of rewards?" he asked.
"From now on, every day the host survives, a lottery can be drawn, potentially yielding weapons or skills of various levels."
His heart surged with hope.
"Then what about the hundred-year survival reward?"
"The survival lottery has been condensed into a single draw. Would you like to activate it?"
"Only one time? After a hundred years?" he asked, a bit disappointed.
"Correct. However, the longer and harder the survival period, the higher the chance of acquiring advanced rewards. For surviving a hundred years, the draw rate for rare items is 100 percent."
Understanding dawned on him. He nodded slowly.
"Alright then. Let's roll."
The system panel spun like a divine wheel. After a moment, it stopped.
Da Shenchen's eyes widened as golden light burst forth before him.
Congratulations to Host. You have obtained the Noble Phantasm: Sword of Oath of Victory.
A dazzling holy sword formed out of thin air, glowing with a brilliance that seemed to cut through the very fabric of darkness.