~ Next Bonus, 300!
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A dozen years flew by in the blink of an eye. Rukia Kuchiki had long since graduated and was now a seated officer in the 13th Division.
Shin, however, was still playing the part of a slacker at Shin'ō Academy. He'd occasionally drop by the 2nd Division or make a trip to the 4th Division, living a life of leisure.
"The story's about to kick off."
Shin had already gotten word that Rukia was heading to the World of the Living to hunt Hollows. It wouldn't be long before she lost her Soul Reaper powers, and Ichigo Kurosaki would absorb her spiritual energy to start his own journey of slaying Hollows.
Kisuke Urahara's Hōgyoku would also soon be hidden within Rukia's soul.
But Shin had no intention of being a spectator. He remained in the Soul Society, content with his lazy lifestyle. The early-stage Ichigo was still weak, so Shin saw no reason to get involved.
"I'm getting a little bored," Shin said with a yawn, stretching as he got up from his chair.
He might be bored now, but things were about to get a lot more interesting. Once the main plot began, everything would liven up.
"I'll head back to the 2nd Division. This teaching gig has lost its charm. I quit."
After decades as a teacher, Shin had had enough. He scribbled a resignation letter and decided he wasn't coming back.
Whether anyone would approve his resignation was irrelevant. Did Shin really need to care about what others thought?
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"Shin-sama, you're back!"
Soi Fon's face lit up with joy when she saw him. Shin only returned once in a blue moon, so every visit was a pleasant surprise.
"Your spiritual pressure has improved again, Soi Fon," Shin said, surprised as he sensed the increase in her power.
It was clear she had been training hard.
"Where's Yoruichi?" Shin asked.
"Lady Yoruichi is probably sunbathing somewhere," Soi Fon said, her expression weary. She was now single-handedly managing all of the 2nd Division's affairs.
Yoruichi acted more like the squad's retired empress, treating every day like a holiday. This, of course, meant Soi Fon never got a break.
"Will you be staying in the 2nd Division for a few days, Shin-sama?" she asked.
"I'm not planning on leaving. I've already quit my post at Shin'ō Academy. From now on, I'll be staying in the 2nd Division. I hope you don't mind, Soi Fon." Shin said with a smile.
A look of pure ecstasy flashed in Soi Fon's eyes. Mind? Of course not. She had never wanted Shin to go to the academy in the first place.
Now that he was finally back in the 2nd Division for good, she couldn't be happier. In the future, if she had any training questions, she could ask Shin-sama directly.
"Well, look who's back. Done playing teacher? Got too boring for you?" Yoruichi's voice came from behind him. In the next moment, she transformed into a black cat and leaped onto Shin's shoulder.
Shin grabbed the cat-form Yoruichi and unceremoniously dropped her on the ground.
She had been about to climb onto his head, and Shin wasn't having any of that.
"Still as rough with me as ever," Yoruichi said, annoyed.
"Heh, I think with you, there's no need to be polite." Shin chuckled, pulling over a chair and sitting down.
"You just up and left the academy. You think Old Man Yamamoto will approve?" Yoruichi asked.
"Do I need his approval?"
Shin was completely unconcerned. Even if Yamamoto didn't approve, there was nothing he could do about it. Shin couldn't care less what the old man thought.
"Besides, the real reason I quit is that the students these days are just terrible. If there were any with real talent, I wouldn't mind playing mentor for a bit."
Shin was telling the truth. The current crop of students was a far cry from their predecessors. They were all far too weak.
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Shin settled back into life in the 2nd Division. News of his resignation quickly reached Old Man Yamamoto, who was, after all, still the headmaster of Shin'ō Academy.
The academy had been founded by Yamamoto, and he had served as its headmaster ever since. Any resignation would naturally cross his desk.
Yamamoto was deeply displeased that Shin had left without so much as a word, but in the end, he didn't punish him, tacitly accepting the resignation.
He had always known this day would come. In fact, it had come a little later than he'd expected.
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"Soi Fon, your power is a bit lacking."
Shin was currently sparring with Soi Fon—or rather, guiding her.
Under his guidance, Soi Fon's progress was remarkable. Her strength, which had seemed to hit a plateau, was now improving once again.
"It feels like my strength can't get any stronger," Soi Fon said with a sigh.
"True, that is a weakness. But with the Monstrous Strength technique I taught you, you can still catch your enemies off guard," Shin nodded. After all, raw strength was largely innate.
Even with training, it was difficult to improve significantly, and Soi Fon's specialty had always been speed.
You couldn't expect her to excel in every area. Only a cheater could be perfect in every aspect. Without a cheat, there were bound to be flaws.
"Yoruichi, what do you think about Soi Fon's strength surpassing your own?" Shin asked Yoruichi.
"What's there to think? I have no thoughts on it." Yoruichi said nothing more.
But at this point, Soi Fon's strength had indeed surpassed Yoruichi's. One was working tirelessly while the other was a slacker; it was no surprise that Soi Fon had overtaken her.
"Don't you have any desire to improve yourself? Are you content with just being a slacker?" Shin asked.
"Nope, I really have no desire to get stronger. I'm perfectly happy with my current strength. Do I really have to be stronger than Soi Fon?"
Yoruichi seemed to lack any ambition.
"Actually, Lady Yoruichi has been working very hard. I've seen her training in secret," Soi Fon suddenly said to Shin.
She was trying to speak up for Yoruichi, but Yoruichi's mouth twitched. She hadn't expected to be completely exposed by Soi Fon.
Shin looked at Yoruichi. He had thought she genuinely didn't care, but it seemed she was only pretending not to be bothered by Soi Fon surpassing her. Deep down, she probably cared a great deal.
It made sense. She had always treated Soi Fon like a little sister. Now that her little sister was stronger than her, it was naturally hard to accept.
"What are you looking at?" Yoruichi snapped, seeing the playful smile and amused expression on Shin's face.
Shin looked away. This was good. The slacker Yoruichi was finally going to start improving her strength.
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