(T/N: Chapter 2 out of 6!)
After returning to the Spiritual Arts Academy, Kakyō also received the evaluation reward.
Although her disappearance was due to the appearance of Tsunayashiro Yōto and Tsunayashiro Tokinada, the examiners from the Kidō Corps had already given her excellent marks before Szayelaporro showed up.
[Disciple Kakyō has completed the graduation assessment with an Excellent rating. Rewards calculated.]
[Gained 30,000 points of General Ability EXP]
[Random Skill Proficiency +1]
The proficiency level of "Dankū" had reached the Mastery tier.
Once a skill reached Mastery, it could be used with Chant Abandonment and Post-Chanting Kidō techniques.
"Dankū" was one of the most powerful defensive Kidō spells, and with Chant Abandonment and Post-Chanting, its practical value would increase several times over.
After returning, Nanatsuki didn't return to work right away. Instead, he chose to rest for a few days.
Spending so long in the Dangai had left him mentally drained. He needed a break to reset.
However, before he could enjoy much rest, he was summoned to the office by Dean Kotetsu.
When Nanatsuki arrived, he found Kotetsu Ayane leaning back in her chair, gently massaging her temples.
"What could possibly trouble Dean Kotetsu this much?" Nanatsuki asked with a smile.
"It's that business with Tsunayashiro Yōto... He brought this on himself, but left behind a mess for the rest of us to clean up," Kotetsu Ayane said as she poured him a cup of tea. "Just brewed."
"Thank you." Nanatsuki accepted the tea and asked, "What kind of trouble did he leave behind?"
"Someone from the Tsunayashiro family came to see me—" Kotetsu Ayane laughed in disbelief, "—and had the nerve to say they want to send someone to take over Yōto's position!"
Tsunayashiro Yōto had died in the Dangai, leaving the position of Vice Dean vacant.
The Tsunayashiro family immediately declared their intention to fill that vacancy with one of their own.
But the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy isn't the private property of the Tsunayashiro family. There's no reason their people should automatically inherit the position of Vice Dean.
Kotetsu Ayane rejected them on the spot.
But that wasn't the end of it.
Over the centuries, the Shin'o Academy had cultivated countless outstanding Shinigami, and its status had risen accordingly.
Many factions had their eyes on the now-vacant Vice Dean seat.
Kotetsu Ayane had spent the past few days fending off these people.
"The Academy isn't the Tsunayashiro family's private playground. They have no right to appoint someone to Yōto's former post," Nanatsuki said flatly.
"Exactly! And can you believe it? Tsunayashiro Yōto and Tokinada even tried to exploit the students—it's disgraceful behavior from supposed mentors." Kotetsu Ayane scowled. "There's not a single decent one among them. And now they're still not giving up, trying to extend their influence into the Academy!"
She sighed soon after. "But their influence is vast. It wouldn't be surprising if we suddenly received an order appointing a Tsunayashiro as the new Vice Dean."
The Tsunayashiro family still had several seated officers and even retired vice-captains. It wouldn't be impossible for them to pull strings and have someone transferred over.
"To prevent that, we need to settle the matter of the new Vice Dean quickly," Kotetsu Ayane said, locking eyes with Nanatsuki and smiling. "So, Katori-kun—I'd like you to take the position."
"You want me to be Vice Dean?" Nanatsuki looked surprised.
He hadn't expected this summons to be about offering him the role of Vice Dean.
Kotetsu Ayane nodded and continued:
"Of course. Right now, no one is more qualified than you."
She raised her hand and began to count off the reasons one by one.
"In terms of teaching ability, you're unmatched. No other instructor at the Academy would dare claim they're better than you."
"In terms of strength, you've already attained Shikai. You're at a captain-level—and people like Yōto and Tokinada together wouldn't stand a chance against you."
"In terms of reputation..."
"You're already extremely popular among the students. And your months in the Dangai, staying there to rescue them—that story has spread like wildfire. They admire you deeply, Katori-sensei!"
"If we handed out ballots for 'most admired teacher,' there's no doubt they'd choose you."
"So you taking on the Vice Dean position is just what everyone wants—no one could argue with it."
"Dean Kotetsu, your praise is more than I deserve." Nanatsuki scratched his cheek, slightly embarrassed. "But truthfully, I probably won't be at the Academy much longer."
Hikifune Kirio would likely be heading to the Royal Guard in a couple of years, and Nanatsuki planned to take over as the captain of the 12th Division after this class graduated.
He'd been eyeing Hikifune's lab for quite some time.
Once he became captain of the 12th Division, he could inherit that lab.
Urahara Kisuke already had vice-captain level power, and might achieve Shikai soon. Nanatsuki didn't want him to swoop in and take it first. He needed to be ready to claim the position as soon as Hikifune left.
"You plan to become a captain, don't you..." Kotetsu Ayane sighed. "I knew we couldn't keep you here forever. The Gotei 13 is your real stage."
"But the Vice Dean post can't fall into the hands of the wrong people again. We need someone trustworthy."
"I never want to see another Tsunayashiro Yōto or Tokinada worm their way into the Academy."
"If you can take the post, you'll make those people back off."
"Besides, the True Blade Tournament is coming up. There's too much work for me to handle alone."
"So even if it's just to help me for a while—please?"
Kotetsu Ayane knew someone with Nanatsuki's strength wouldn't stay at the Academy forever.
But even a short-term appointment would help keep the noble factions at bay long enough for her to find a worthy replacement.
And there was genuinely a lot to handle lately. The position couldn't stay empty.
"If it's only temporary, then I've got no objections," Nanatsuki nodded.
He wanted to help host the True Blade Tournament anyway, so he agreed.
"I'm so glad you're willing to help!" Kotetsu Ayane exhaled in relief. "I couldn't deal with them all on my own."
The Kotetsu clan was neither large nor powerful—handling pushback from the major noble houses was nearly impossible.
Though not all the candidates from those families were as bad as Yōto, they were all pressuring her hard to make a hasty decision.
Right now, only Katori Nanatsuki had the status and credibility to shut them down.
The next day, Nanatsuki went to find Danmu Zōsuke in his office.
"Congratulations! Our dear Katori-sensei got promoted again!" Danmu Zōsuke teased. "But tell me, Vice Dean—could you maybe cut some slack for the subordinates who've been working overtime?"
While Nanatsuki had been in the Dangai, Danmu Zōsuke had substituted for him in class.
"You're well-informed. Heard that fast, huh?" Nanatsuki chuckled. "I'm treating everyone after work."
Danmu Zōsuke grinned. "Then you'd better be cooking personally!"
Nanatsuki nodded lightly. "Of course."
"Dean Kotetsu already came by to inform us!" Sakai-sensei said, leaning across the desk. "We'll be calling you Vice Dean Katori from now on!"
"Has your health recovered, Sakai-sensei? I'm sorry I haven't visited—things were hectic recently," Nanatsuki said.
Sakai-sensei had been seriously injured during Kakyō's assessment mission and had spent some time hospitalized with the 4th Division.
"I'm doing well. Got discharged two days ago. I'm just glad Kana and Kakyō made it back safely. I was so worried about them," she replied with a gentle smile.
"Vice Dean Katori, that's such a fast promotion!" Shirai Riko said with envy. "I still remember your first day at the Academy... and now, just like that, you're the Vice Dean!"
"All thanks to Dean Kotetsu's trust," Nanatsuki smiled. "Everyone, remember to come to the dojo after work."
"Yay! We finally get to eat Katori-sensei's cooking!"
Nanatsuki had come to personally invite the colleagues closest to him to the dojo for dinner—both to thank Danmu Zōsuke for covering his classes and to show appreciation to Sakai-sensei for caring for Kakyō.
Back in his own office, Nanatsuki found Kakyō waiting for him.
"Sensei!" Kakyō stood up. "I've completed my graduation procedures."
"Then you're officially a Shinigami now!" Nanatsuki beamed. "Did the Kidō Corps say when you're to report in?"
"This afternoon," Kakyō answered. "The Kidō Corps suffered significant losses during the Dangai mission and is shorthanded. They need me to start right away."
"I thought you might get a bit of a break... Seems like they really are understaffed. Still, this is your chance to train your Kidō and earn a place in the Corps."
"Yes! I'll give it my all!" Kakyō nodded.
That afternoon, Kakyō arrived to report to the Kidō Corps.
"Senpai, I'm Kakyō, just graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy, reporting in!" she said as she handed over her information sheet.
"Oh, it's you. Katori-sensei mentioned you," said Ushada Hakugen, looking over her form.
"The Sealing Division is short-staffed right now. You'll be placed there. Your assessment instructor is also in that division—they can help train you."
A short-staffed division meant quicker promotion opportunities. This arrangement was clearly made with Kakyō's best interests in mind.
"However..." Ushada Hakugen hesitated for a moment. "The new vice leader of the Sealing Division, Watanabe Jirō, is a Tsunayashiro family retainer. He might give you trouble."
"I'll be fine!" Kakyō nodded. "I'm ready for a challenge."
Where there's risk, there's reward—rarely do you get both safety and opportunity.
"Still, don't worry too much. Watanabe isn't the only one in the Sealing Division. He's new, just like you. Get along with the others and he won't be able to target you."
"I understand!" Kakyō nodded again.
But the days ahead would be rougher than she expected.
Just a few days in, Kakyō was informed she would be deployed to Hueco Mundo.
"Vice Leader Watanabe... Aren't new recruits supposed to have a training period? Why am I being sent to Hueco Mundo?" Kakyō frowned.
This wasn't what she'd imagined.
She had expected to shadow veterans for a while before being sent on missions.
If she went to Hueco Mundo now, she wouldn't be able to fully take advantage of the Kidō Corps' extensive knowledge base.
"The Sealing Division is short-handed. Newbies need to pull their weight," Watanabe Jirō said coldly. "A group from our division is supporting the expeditionary force in Hueco Mundo by maintaining the Reishi barriers. They've been stationed there for years, and I plan to rotate them out. But someone has to take their place."
Kakyō bit her lip. Orders were orders—she couldn't refuse. She had no choice but to accept.
"Relax. I'll be leading the support team myself. I'm strong enough to keep you all safe," Watanabe said flatly.
He was exactly who she was worried about!
Watanabe was a Tsunayashiro retainer. Following him to Hueco Mundo was dangerous.
Watanabe smirked ever so slightly.
The Tsunayashiro family wouldn't give up easily on what they wanted.
If Kakyō went with him, Hueco Mundo was full of opportunities to create accidents. And in such a dangerous place, casualties were not unusual—even within the rules.
But the very next day, before Watanabe could depart, Shihōin Yoruichi and Ushada Hakugen suddenly arrived at the Sealing Division.
The moment he saw Yoruichi, Watanabe knew things were about to go sideways.
He knew she and Kakyō were from the same school.
It looked like his plan to send Kakyō to Hueco Mundo was about to be overturned.
"The Maggot's Nest barrier needs reinforcement. We need to assign someone from the Sealing Division," Ushada said.
"But..." Watanabe's expression stiffened. He tried to protest, "The Maggot's Nest is a Second Division stronghold. We should send someone experienced—I'll go find someone."
"We want a rookie," Yoruichi cut him off coldly. "Aren't you guys super busy heading to Hueco Mundo? The Stealth Force doesn't want to delay your business. Just send Kakyō over. It's a long-term job—so don't even think of using her for anything else."
"Kakyō graduated early and with distinction. She'll suit the Stealth Force's needs just fine," Ushada nodded.
Watanabe's face turned dark.
The Hueco Mundo assignment had already been submitted. He couldn't revoke it now.
He, as vice leader, would have to go—but Kakyō would remain in Seireitei.
His plan to exploit his authority to target her had been foiled.