In the dormitory, Kurotsuki Renya sat cross-legged on the bed, with the Zanpakutō lying flat on his knees, pressing his hands on the hilt and blade of the sword respectively.
There was no vision, nor any change. After a while, Renya opened his eyes.
It had been a month since he received his Zanpakutō, and he poured his soul into it every day, trying to communicate, but he had gained no response, not even the slightest clue. Yet among the sixth-year students, some had already achieved initial communication and manifested signs of Shikai, earning recruitment from other Divisions in advance.
This was the first time Renya was not number one.
But he was not in a hurry. Standing, he slid the blade back into its scabbard, dressed quickly, and stepped out of bed.
Beside him, Renji Abarai, Izuru Kira, and Isamu Kondo were already prepared. Renji looked at Renya and said, "We'll send you out."
Renya nodded. Today marked the beginning of the internship period, and he was to report directly to the Second Division. This meant that from now on, he would no longer remain on campus, fully separated from his classmates.
Accompanied by the three, Renya walked out of the boys' dormitory. Outside stood two girls: Rukia Kuchiki and Momo Hinamori.
Rukia stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "You must listen to your seniors."
Hinamori smiled warmly and said, "Renya, we'll meet again soon."
They escorted him to the gates of the Shin'ō Academy, where five of them stood in line to see him off.
"Then, I'm leaving." Renya bowed deeply.
"Goodbye."
"Take care of yourself."
Hearing their voices, Renya turned, a touch of sadness in his chest. In the past he might have cried, but now, with a clear goal and growing strength, he held himself firm.
Although we'll be apart, we will surely meet again.
Renya stepped down the street, quickening his pace toward the Second Division barracks.
The Division's headquarters rested within the mountains, hidden by thick forests. Climbing the stone steps, he ascended steadily until a towering figure suddenly leapt down, blocking his path.
The man was enormous, over two meters tall, broad-shouldered and immensely fat. He wore the standard black Shihakushō with a purple collar, his Zanpakutō at his waist. His massive form loomed like a wall, blotting out the sunlight.
Renya recognized him instantly: the Second Division Vice-Captain, commander of the Onmitsukidō Patrol Corps—Marechiyo Ōmaeda. Despite his comical appearance, his true strength and loyalty were known, though rarely displayed openly.
Ōmaeda's round face glared fiercely down at him.
Renya frowned. "Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, you're blocking my way."
Ōmaeda scratched his head, pretending to apologize. "Haha, sorry. I'll move aside." He shifted, letting Renya pass.
But then he realized how wrong that felt. Wait—this boy's supposed to be my subordinate. I can't just let him stroll through.
Ōmaeda straightened, puffing his chest. "Stop right there!"
Renya halted, calm. "Senior Ōmaeda, what do you want?"
With a forced scowl, Ōmaeda said, "Listen, brat. Captain Soi Fon may have chosen you to join the Second Division and serve as my adjutant—but I haven't approved yet."
Renya tilted his head, amused. "Are you saying Captain Soi Fon's decision was wrong?"
Ōmaeda's body trembled at the very thought of her anger. "N-No! Of course not! Captain Soi Fon's decisions are never wrong!"
"Then what do you mean, Vice-Captain?"
He coughed awkwardly. "I simply wish to test you. To prove to the others that Captain Soi Fon's choice was correct."
Renya's eyes narrowed. "How do you plan to assess me?"
Ōmaeda clapped his hands. From the surrounding trees, six masked operatives in Onmitsukidō battle garb appeared, each brandishing short blades. They surrounded Renya in a circle, swift and disciplined, their mastery of Shunpo evident.
Six against one… all trained in actual combat. Renya gauged them quickly. Without Shikai, pure close-quarters would be dangerous.
Ōmaeda smirked. "Defeat them, and I'll acknowledge you as my adjutant."
Renya exhaled slowly. "I'd rather not hurt them."
Ōmaeda laughed. "Big words from a boy! If you think you can harm them, then try!"
At that moment, Renya raised his right hand, a crimson sphere of light forming instantly.
Ōmaeda blinked. "Hadō #31: Shakkahō… cast without incantation, eh? Impressive, but futile against six." He waved his men forward.
The six operatives closed in from all sides. Renya could target one at most—escape seemed impossible.
But just as they converged, Renya's body vanished in an explosion of roaring flame. Fire and smoke billowed violently across the path.
When the haze cleared, six men lay scattered, uniforms scorched, bodies battered. Ōmaeda's clothing was singed, his face blackened with soot.
Renya emerged from behind a boulder, unscathed. "Vice-Captain, you only saw the Shakkahō, but not the traps I laid."
Ōmaeda's eyes widened.
Renya continued, "I combined Hadō #31: Shakkahō with Bakudō #58: Kakushitsuijaku and Bakudō #26: Kyakko. By hiding my Kido arrays with Kyakko, then triggering them with Shakkahō, I created a chain explosion. The flames came from overlapping Kido patterns—like setting a minefield."
If he had used full incantations, the blast could have killed them outright. But even suppressed, the operatives had been incapacitated.
Ōmaeda scowled. "Tch… hurry, get them to the Fourth Division!" His men were too wounded for any other treatment.
At that moment, a sharp voice cut in. Soi Fon appeared, eyes narrowed. "What is going on here?"
Ōmaeda froze, sweating. "C-Captain, I was only—"
Her glare cut him off. "Did you question my judgment? Did you decide my order needed your 'approval'?"
Ōmaeda paled. "N-No!"
But before he could finish, Soi Fon struck him with a single blow, sending his massive frame crashing into the mountainside. Dust scattered as he slid down, stunned.
Renya blinked. No wonder he can take so much damage. Even Captain Soi Fon's strikes barely dent him.
She turned coldly. "Ōmaeda, I'll deal with you later. For now—both of you, follow me."
Renya and the battered vice-captain obeyed, trailing her into the Second Division barracks.