The events that had unfolded during the real-world training exercise spread through the Shin'ō Academy like wildfire the very next day.
More than the fact that a Menos Grande had appeared during a simulated combat mission, it was the rumor of Student Council President Tachikawa Shin slaying that Menos with a single blow that caused the biggest stir. It became the subject of awe and admiration across campus.
Shin, meanwhile, lived his day as usual—skipping class and staying alone in the Student Council office. His life hadn't changed a bit.
That morning, Nanda Hidezawa, his class instructor, came by to see him. Clearly still shaken by the previous night, Nanda couldn't hide his amazement.
"Shin… maybe skipping class suits you better. Honestly, I have nothing left to teach you."
Shin answered him earnestly. "Sensei, I owe you more than you think. I wouldn't be where I am now without your guidance."
Nanda let out a hearty laugh. "You're the most outstanding student I've ever taught. Once you graduate and join the Gotei 13, I'll be proud to say I was your teacher!"
After lunch, Hinamori Momo, Kira Izuru, and Abarai Renji all came to visit him—formally expressing their thanks for what he did last night.
Kira and Renji, once easygoing and casual with him, now showed a quiet reverence—they barely made eye contact.
Hinamori praised him endlessly. She spoke of how the Menos's spiritual pressure had frozen her on the spot, how Shin cut it down with one swing, and—finally—whether he'd be willing to give her some swordsmanship guidance during his free time.
At her last request, both Renji and Kira's eyes lit up instantly.
If it were just Hinamori, Shin wouldn't have minded. Helping her could boost her affection score. But if he had to train all three… that'd seriously eat into his free time for practice and rest.
Still, remembering what these two would eventually become, he paused, then replied, "We'll see. If I have the time."
Hinamori beamed. "Then it's settled, President!"
"…I said if I have time."
"You'll definitely have time," she said with a mischievous smile.
That afternoon, with everyone else gone, Shin was alone in the Student Council office when Shiba Kaien arrived.
News travels fast, Shin thought, seeing the man walk in.
"A rare guest, Lieutenant Shiba."
Kaien entered, giving Shin a scrutinizing once-over, as if reevaluating him. Clicking his tongue, he muttered, "Unreal. You know your name's already circulating through the entire Gotei 13?"
Shin chuckled. "The Gotei has nothing better to gossip about? It was just a Menos."
Kaien shook his head. "You're still a student, and you took down a Gillian. That's more than worth the buzz. Besides… things were strange last night."
Shin's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Kaien paused, then spoke plainly. "The entire Barrier Corps team assigned to your unit—dead."
Shin's jaw clenched. "Who did it?"
"Preliminary reports point to a Twelfth Division member."
"Twelfth…?"
That threw Shin off. Of course, Aizen would concoct some plausible excuse—but tying it to the Twelfth Division?
That meant throwing Mayuri Kurotsuchi's squad under the bus. The Twelfth oversaw the Research and Development Institute, and Mayuri, both Captain and Director, was notorious for treating his subordinates like disposable test subjects.
Kaien continued, "Apparently one of Mayuri's men snapped. Couldn't handle the abuse, turned traitor, and lashed out against the Soul Society. Fled last night."
Shin: "…"
A long silence, and then he couldn't help but laugh.
Kaien frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing."
Kaien stared at him, then asked directly, "I watched the footage. The moment you cut down that Menos—was that your Zanpakutō's ability?"
Shin tilted his head. "That? Just sword pressure."
Kaien didn't buy it. "You sure?"
Shin casually picked up a pen, gave it a twirl, then swung it in front of him with a flick of his wrist.
Whoosh—
The air cracked. A semicircular arc of visible sword pressure burst forward from the pen tip.
Kaien flinched and ducked as it cut past him.
He turned back toward Shin, eyes wide.
You couldn't see it in the footage—but standing here, feeling that attack in person, he instinctively sensed danger.
This kid…
Kaien's gaze flickered. This wasn't the kind of swordsmanship you saw among Soul Reapers.
Sure, Zanjutsu was a core subject in the Academy. But how many could claim real mastery of the blade?
For most Shinigami, a sealed Zanpakutō was just a vessel for their speed and strength—nothing more.
But in Shin's hands… the sword itself mattered. His attacks were sharp, clean, fundamental—yet devastating.
"You believe me now?" Shin asked, smiling.
Kaien stared, then slowly said, "With your talent… I doubt you'll stay in the Fourth Division forever."
Shin smirked. "Careful, Lieutenant. What if Captain Unohana hears that?"
Kaien laughed. "She's not the petty type. Besides, if she knew what your sword can really do, I doubt she'd try to keep you there."
"I don't think there's anything wrong with the Fourth."
Kaien just said, "You'll see for yourself once you're in it."
Fourth Division Barracks.
Kotetsu Isane sat beside Unohana Retsu, watching a replay—the full recording of the incident provided by the Twelfth Division. It captured everything from the real-world training event.
When the footage showed Shin slaying the Menos, Isane stole a glance at her Captain.
"Isane."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Rewind a little."
Unohana's voice was gentle, calm as a still pond. Her eyes remained locked on the screen.
Isane hurried to adjust the controls, returning the feed to just before Shin's engagement with the Menos.
As the replay of the slash played again, Isane couldn't help but murmur, "Captain… his strength is truly incredible…"
"…Yes. It is," Unohana replied, her tone so placid it gave away nothing.
Then she asked, "Isane, did you notice anything?"
Isane blinked. She wasn't sure what the Captain meant.
The highlight of the footage was obvious: the slash that killed the Menos.
She thought hard. Then a spark of realization hit her.
"Captain… you don't think that slash was the ability of his Zanpakutō, do you?"
"It wasn't," Unohana said at once, her gaze dark and inscrutable.
"But many will think so," she added quietly. "That was pure swordsmanship."
Isane turned, surprised, just as her Captain softly chuckled—warm and faint, almost to herself.
"…Good thing I noticed."