"Kyoya, over here."
On the training grounds, the sixth-year instructor immediately waved at Kyoya upon spotting him.
"Coming, sensei."
Kyoya responded and made his way to the instructor.
Today was the examination day for the sixth-grade students, and Kyoya was naturally among them.
Alongside Kyoya, over twenty others were also participating in the exam.
Surrounding them were several black-clad Shinigami standing expressionlessly nearby.
These Shinigami served as both examiners for the test and protectors for the students.
Having trained the students all the way to their sixth grade, granting them a certain level of combat ability, the Seireitei would never allow them to die so easily.
After all, even if they failed to graduate, they could still be assigned to the Expeditionary Force in Hueco Mundo, allowing them to contribute to the world in some capacity.
"This time, your exam location will be in the human world's Mibu Town."
"Kyoya, since this is your first time participating in the exam, you need to be aware that the Hollows you'll face won't be as weak as the experimental Hollows used in the academy."
"These are real Hollows."
"Both in terms of strength and intelligence, they are no less formidable than Shinigami."
"If you let your guard down even slightly, you will absolutely die."
"If you encounter danger, your first priority should be to escape-"
"Nomura-sensei!"
A loud shout abruptly cut off the instructor's words.
A Shinigami clad in a black Shihakusho, hands in his pockets, glared disapprovingly at the instructor giving instructions to Kyoya and the others, "Since you choose to become a Shinigami, you must bear the responsibilities and duties that come with it."
"When faced with a Hollow, a Shinigami's duty is to purify it."
"Even if you encounter a Hollow beyond your ability to handle, you shouldn't immediately flee. Instead, you should first call for reinforcements and then find a way to stall the Hollow to prevent it from harming more people."
"If you're afraid of death, then why even become a Shinigami?"
Nomura was left speechless by the Shinigami's rebuke.
Indeed, the very existence of the Seireitei was originally established by the Five Great Noble Families to maintain the balance of Reishi in the world.
After Yamamoto forcibly took control of the Seireitei, this duty was inherited by the Gotei 13 he founded.
As the Shinigami had said, the duty of a Shinigami was to maintain the balance of Reishi between the human world, Hueco Mundo, and the Soul Society by purifying Hollows.
Nomura cared deeply for his students and didn't want them to suffer casualties.
But for the members of the Gotei 13, fighting Hollows was their fundamental duty.
If everyone ran away the moment they encountered an enemy they couldn't defeat, which division would dare accept such people?
Besides, even if you wanted to say such things, you should've kept it to yourself. Saying it right in front of them… were you disregarding their presence?
Though these Shinigami were once students of the Shin'o Academy, and Nomura might have even been their instructor in the past, the Shin'o Academy and the Gotei 13 belonged to separate systems with no direct hierarchy.
Well, strictly speaking, the Shin'o Academy, which trained Shinigami, was naturally subordinate to the Gotei 13 in terms of status.
Once they became Shinigami, how many of them would still respect the teachers they once viewed as 'powerful'?
"My apologies, I misspoke."
Kyoya watched as Nomura lowered his head in apology and shook his head slightly.
At this time, Kyoya suddenly realized that he had been in the Shin'o Academy for nearly a year now and only remembered six instructors.
The first-grade Zanjutsu Instructor, the second-grade Hoho Instructor, the third-grade Kido Instructor, the fourth-grade Combat Instructor, the sixth-grade instructor, and the academy's head instructor, six teachers in total.
As for the fifth-grade instructor, Kyoya had only met him once, and it had been a brief encounter, so he had no real impression of them.
But it wasn't until today that Kyoya learned the sixth-grade instructor's name was Nomura.
As for the other instructors, Kyoya didn't even know their names… he only vaguely remembered their appearances.
Come to think of it, it seemed he was just like those Shinigami, lacking any real reverence for the instructors of the Shin'o Academy.
However, Kyoya didn't see anything wrong with that mindset.
Though he wasn't a pirate, he had resolved to pursue the 'freedom' he desired in the Shinigami World… to become the 'freest man' in this world.
If he wanted to get to know someone, he would.
If he didn't, he wouldn't waste time forcing connections.
Before long, the Shinigami who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, drew the Zanpakuto at his waist, and thrust it into the empty space ahead.
"Bzzzzzz…"
Immediately, a white light burst forth, and within it, several wooden doors materialized, swinging open to reveal a circular spatial passage.
[Senkaimon]
In the world of Shinigami, there existed four realms.
Hell, the final destination for all evil souls.
Moreover, Hell would grow by absorbing these wicked souls, eventually devouring the world itself.
Of course, at this point in time, that day was still far off.
The Human World, the 'physical' realm where the living resided.
Soul Society, the afterlife where souls went after death.
Hueco Mundo, the domain where fallen souls became Hollows.
These four worlds were separated by the Dangai, the Precipice World.
The pathways connecting these realms within the Dangai were known as Garganta.
Hollows from Hueco Mundo instinctively possessed the ability to open Garganta, allowing them to travel between Hueco Mundo, the Human World, and Soul Society.
Shinigami, on the other hand, required specialized methods to construct stable passages through the Dangai.
This ability was called the Senkaimon.
Normally, Shinigami had to submit a request and receive approval before using the Senkaimon.
Of course, some noble families possessed their own private Senkaimon, free from the Gotei 13's oversight.
"Follow me."
Once the Senkaimon was opened, the Shinigami stepped inside first, with Kyoya and the others close behind.
The passage through the Dangai resembled the interior of some monstrous creature's intestines… dark, winding, and oppressive.
Ahead of them, a black Hell Butterfly guided the way.
Though everyone could move much faster than the butterfly, no one dared to overtake it.
After all, within the Dangai, only the Hell Butterfly could navigate the chaotic flow of time and space.
Without its guidance, and lacking the Reiatsu to sense the Dangai's exit, they would lose their way, doomed to wander the Precipice World forever.
Since ancient times, the number of Shinigami lost in the Dangai hadn't been high, but cases still emerged periodically.