The one who had spirited Kurotsuki Renya away was none other than the Captain of the Second Division, the Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukidō, and the leader of the Executive Militia Corps — Soi Fon.
Renya had suspected it might be her, but even so, he had not truly believed it until now. For her to bring him here… what reason could she possibly have?
Maintaining composure, Renya straightened his back and said evenly:
"This mountain… it's the headquarters of the Onmitsukidō and the Second Division. To enter and leave this place freely, with a height of barely one and a half meters and such mastery of Shunpo… there is only one person it could be: Captain Soi Fon."
At the mention of her height, Soi Fon's brow twitched, her jaw tightening.
But then her sharp gaze narrowed, calculating. "Two questions. How did you know I brought you to Central Hill? And how could you measure my height while being carried?"
Renya allowed a small smile. "I was never asleep. By following the direction of your movement, I deduced we were heading toward Central Hill. As for your height… I judged it from my distance off the ground while resting on your shoulder."
Soi Fon's eyes widened briefly. The boy had lain across her back with his head facing away from their direction of travel — meaning he had inverted every perception, reversed it, and still tracked their exact path. That kind of memory, spatial awareness, and analytical ability was rare, even among the Onmitsukidō.
For months, she had quietly observed Renya's growth. Tonight, his performance had exceeded even her expectations.
Her expression softened — if only slightly. "You are clever."
Renya tilted his head. "Then tell me, Captain… why bring me here?"
Soi Fon's face hardened again. "Why don't you guess?"
Renya thought for a moment before speaking. "…You want me to join the Second Division. Or rather… the Onmitsukidō."
Soi Fon almost stumbled, caught off guard by his directness. Her sharp eyes fixed on him. "…You… how do you know that?"
Renya chuckled softly. "Simple deduction. The Second Division oversees executions, while the Onmitsukidō handles assassination, patrol, surveillance, and communications. I've committed no crimes, so I'm no target. You coming personally leaves only one reason — recruitment."
Her frown deepened. "Then answer this. Why would I insist on you joining my Division?"
Renya's lips curved with quiet confidence. "Because I'm a genius. You'd be a fool not to."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Arrogant as he sounded, the boy wasn't wrong. Soi Fon studied him intently, realizing again why she had chosen to come herself.
Finally, she asked, "So… what is your answer? Will you join?"
Renya hesitated. He had already rejected the Kidō Corps because most of their members lived in archives and research halls, rarely seeing battle. His desire was to fight at the front lines, not work behind the curtain. Still, he had not yet chosen a Division. That decision would shape his entire life.
Originally, he had thought to wait until graduation. But now… perhaps the time had come to decide.
Which Division was right for him?
The First Division was out of the question — too high in prestige and responsibility. With Head-Captain Yamamoto at its helm, it was inaccessible.
The Fourth Division, dedicated to healing and support, was not suited for him either. He had not studied Kaidō, and doubted his aptitude.
The Third, Fifth, and Ninth Divisions were excluded outright. Their captains — Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Sōsuke, and Tōsen Kaname — were already marked in Renya's mind as dangerous. To face Aizen one day, he needed to avoid falling under his influence. Those squads were poisoned paths.
The Sixth Division, ruled by the Kuchiki noble clan, was reserved for nobility and their retainers. Renya, a commoner, would never be accepted.
The Eighth Division, led by Kyōraku Shunsui, was primarily an intelligence and administration squad. Likewise, the Thirteenth Division, under Captain Ukitake Jūshirō, managed the purification duties and oversaw stationed Shinigami in the Human World. Both were noble duties — but neither aligned with Renya's vision of fighting on the front lines.
That left four real options: the Second, Seventh, Tenth, and Eleventh Divisions.
The Seventh Division, led by Komamura Sajin, guarded the Seireitei's interior. A noble cause, though perhaps too restrictive.
The Tenth Division, under Captain Kurosaki Isshin, was a patrol unit. Its seated officers included Matsumoto Rangiku, and Renya knew the prodigy Hitsugaya Tōshirō would enter in the near future. After Isshin's eventual departure, there might even be room for him to rise further.
The Eleventh Division, led by Zaraki Kenpachi, embodied combat itself. But Renya knew his own fighting style relied on Kidō, Shunpo, and precision. A division that glorified brute force and despised Kidō would never suit him.
And then, the Second Division. Execution, patrol, surveillance, covert intelligence — its influence reached across the Seireitei. Its members moved unseen, guarding from the shadows. Most importantly, Soi Fon herself had come to recruit him. That was not a chance to dismiss lightly.
Renya's eyes narrowed. Aizen was the enemy he would one day have to defeat. A man who could hypnotize nearly all of Soul Society with a glance. To survive such power, secrecy would be his shield. The Onmitsukidō offered exactly that: hidden roles, cloaked identities, the chance to remain outside Aizen's gaze.
At last, he raised his head, his voice firm. "Captain Soi Fon… I will join the Second Division after graduation."
For the first time, a faint smile crossed her lips. "Very well. When the time comes, I will place you in the Patrol Corps, under Marechiyo Ōmaeda. Serve well, and once you achieve Shikai, I will see to it that you are raised to the rank of Lieutenant."
But Renya shook his head. "No. I have no interest in the Patrol Corps."
Soi Fon's expression darkened. "The Patrol Corps is the most suitable starting point for you. Why refuse it?"
Renya met her gaze with steady eyes. "Because I want to serve at your side directly. I want to join the Executive Militia Corps — as your adjutant."