Matsumoto Rangiku brushed her hair back, her expression still a little incredulous. She looked at Kurotsuki Renya and asked, "You really agreed? Didn't Captain Soi Fon pressure you into this?"
Renya nodded calmly and replied, "Of course not. I can't find a reason to refuse."
Matsumoto narrowed her eyes. "Members of the Second Division and the Onmitsukidō must remain hidden in the shadows at all times. That means disappearing. Are you truly willing to bury your talent in secrecy?"
Renya's tone stayed even as he answered, "That doesn't matter to me."
The Soul Society will face danger in the future. Whether it's Aizen or Yhwach, both are overwhelming, nearly hopeless opponents.
Renya wanted to play a part in defeating them and, even more, to lessen the losses that Seireitei would suffer.
For that goal, Renya was willing to sacrifice much.
Matsumoto studied the boy's thin frame with curiosity and asked, "You're so small. How do you have the nerve to kill?"
Renya scratched his head awkwardly. "Captain Soi Fon asked the same thing. That's why she wants me to join the Patrol Corps of the Onmitsukidō."
Matsumoto gave a small laugh. "Our 10th Division is also a patrol unit, but it's different from the 2nd. We work in the open. They move in the dark."
Only then did Renya recall that the 10th Division was also assigned to guard and patrol within Seireitei.
Matsumoto leaned closer with a mischievous smile. "Besides, if you join Squad Ten, I wouldn't mind if you peeked at me."
As she said this, Matsumoto arched her chest forward with teasing pride.
Renya instantly recoiled, face flushed. "I—I wasn't peeking!"
She smirked. "What a stubborn brat. You were staring at me for quite a while."
Renya stammered back, "I only glanced by accident!"
Matsumoto's teasing smile faded into something more serious. "Are you truly set on joining Squad Two?"
Although both the Second Division and Tenth Division handled patrol and policing duties, one moved in the shadows while the other operated openly. Squad Two's stealth and intelligence-gathering abilities were leagues beyond Squad Ten's.
Renya nodded firmly. "Yes. I want to join the Second Division."
Matsumoto sighed, regret flashing in her eyes. "If your mind is already made up, no one has the right to change it."
She stepped aside and gestured. "Go on, then."
Renya nodded, turned, and walked away.
Matsumoto shook her head. She had hoped Renya would join Squad Ten after graduation. With the vice-captain preparing to leave, she herself would be promoted, which meant a vacant third seat.
With Renya's talent, becoming the third seat wouldn't be difficult.
But he chose the Second Division, a place that was far from forgiving.
Matsumoto lingered in thought until Renya's presence was gone, then resumed her patrol through the quiet night.
Renya returned to the dormitory. Abarai Renji was still sound asleep, unaware that Renya had just made one of the most important decisions of his life.
The next morning, Renya told Renji everything. He saw no reason to hide it.
After hearing it, Renji didn't think Squad Two was a bad choice at all. In fact, he congratulated him.
Time passed. A month and a half of summer vacation slipped by. Each day, Renya devoted himself to practicing Kidō and Shunpo relentlessly.
After watching Soi Fon's movements firsthand, he realized his own control was still lacking. He couldn't yet leap cleanly from low ground to high points.
But after weeks of hard training, his Shunpo speed had improved dramatically. He could now cover 20 meters in a flash step and leap to the roof of a two-story building, with far greater control of his body than before.
His Kidō progress was slower. He had learned 20 Hadō spells and 15 Bakudō spells, but could already perform some without incantations—though their power dropped to one-third.
When classes resumed, Renya went to visit his Kidō instructor, Tsuruno Hidetoshi, before lessons began. He arrived early and knocked on the office door.
"Come in," came the teacher's voice. Renya pushed the door open.
"Oh, it's you. So early?" Hidetoshi smiled.
"Good morning, sensei," Renya greeted politely, standing before him, unsure how to begin.
This time, Renya had come to inform his teacher about joining Squad Two. He had studied Kidō under Hidetoshi with the understanding that he hadn't yet chosen his division. Now that he had, he couldn't keep it from the teacher who had placed such high hopes in him.
Noticing his hesitation, Hidetoshi asked gently, "What's wrong?"
Renya took a breath. "I've already chosen which squad I'll join after graduation."
Choosing a combat squad meant he would not be part of the Kidō Corps.
Hidetoshi looked regretful, but not angry. "That's good. It means you have potential worth recognizing."
Renya bowed his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, sensei."
The teacher had guided him in Kidō with the hope that he'd pursue it further, but Renya had chosen another path.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Hidetoshi said, waving his hand. "You're free to decide your future."
He gave a small smile. "So then, which squad did you choose?"
"Squad Two," Renya answered.
"The Second Division?" Hidetoshi frowned. "Why Squad Two?"
Renya explained his encounter with Soi Fon. After hearing, the teacher nodded in understanding. "So the captain herself recruited you. Still… do you understand what the Second Division truly represents? Are you sure about this choice? Other squads might suit you better."
Renya's resolve did not waver. "I've already decided."
Hidetoshi nodded slowly. "Any division serves to protect Seireitei. Do your best."
"I will," Renya answered quickly.
"And you came just to tell me this?" Hidetoshi asked with a faint smile.
"Yes. After all, I promised I would."
"I see. That's enough. You can go," the teacher said.
Renya turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Hidetoshi called after him. "By the way—don't forget to come see me after classes. I'll continue teaching you Kidō."
Renya stopped in surprise. "Sensei?"
He had thought that with his choice, their private lessons had ended. But Hidetoshi was still willing to teach him.
"You only have half a year until graduation," the teacher explained. "In that time, I can teach you the full set of basic Hadō and Bakudō, and a few representative intermediate ones. That's all I can manage."
In the past six months, Renya had already learned the first 20 Hadō and the first 15 Bakudō. Half a year wasn't enough to master the intermediate techniques, but continuing at all was more than enough for him.
Excited, Renya bowed deeply. "Thank you, sensei!"
"It's nothing. Go on now." Hidetoshi waved him away.
Renya left the room, closing the door gently behind him. His heart swelled with gratitude.
Even knowing he would not join the Kidō Corps, his teacher still chose to guide him.
And beyond that, Renya couldn't suppress a thrill of anticipation.
In half a year, I'll finally obtain my Zanpakutō.
What ability will it hold…?