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That evening.
Behind the Seireitei West Gate, at the Shin'o Academy.
In his luxurious mansion dormitory, Aozaki Reiji informed Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin of his intention to apply for early graduation.
"Applying for early graduation this year? At such a dangerous time, how could Captain-Commander Yamamoto issue such an order?"
In the dormitory, Matsumoto Rangiku's expression was tense as she listened to Aozaki Reiji's words.
"Isn't this too dangerous?" Ichimaru Gin also looked solemn.
Unlike the carefree Matsumoto Rangiku, he had been following news from the outside world, and Captain-Commander Yamamoto's decision made him disbelieve his ears.
Just a few days ago, a Captain-class Shinigami of the rebel army was killed; how could the Tsunayashiro Family swallow that humiliation?
Looking at the calm and kind smile on Reiji's face as he sat cross-legged on the floor, others might think he was going to enjoy himself!
This… he was simply an idiot!
"This current situation isn't a good time to graduate. Why don't you think of a reason to refuse the Captain-Commander?" Ichimaru Gin suggested, "You're usually so unreliable; if you make up any random excuse, the Captain-Commander should accept it."
The Gotei 13 and the rebel army were about to engage in a full-blown conflict, and the upcoming battles were bound to be exceptionally brutal.
At a time like this, joining the Gotei 13 was nowhere near as comfortable as staying in the Shin'o Academy.
"My teacher would, of course, not send me to my death."
Aozaki Reiji caressed the hilt of Senbonzakura, smiling as he reassured them:
"After I join the Squad, I will directly become the Third Seat of the Second Division, a position that also serves as the Captain of the Onmitsukidō Inspection Team, responsible for guarding the Maggot's Nest. I won't be on the front lines."
"Moreover, the Onmitsukidō is a Special Forces independent of the Gotei 13, completely controlled by the Shifengyuan Family, so there's no need to worry too much about internal hidden dangers."
"To be honest, joining the Second Division is even safer than staying in the Shin'o Academy."
At this point, he looked up at Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin.
If they were willing, they could graduate with him.
Neither of them had yet mastered Shikai, but passing the graduation exam should not be an issue.
In the original timeline, Ichimaru Gin was a genius who graduated from the Shin'o Academy in one year.
Now, Matsumoto Rangiku, with her complete Souls, had even greater talent than him.
While he was lost in thought, Ichimaru Gin opened his eyes and asked, "What happened to the rebel army that launched the attack?"
"Do they know that you killed a Captain-class Shinigami?"
This was a big deal; a Captain-class Shinigami represented not only the face of the nobles but also true high-level combat power. Such a loss, even the Four Great Noble Clans could not ignore.
With the Tsunayashiro Family's cruelty, dominance, and ambition, how could they possibly let him off?!
You are Captain-Commander Yamamoto's beloved young disciple!
You are not Captain-Commander Yamamoto!
"Will those rebels keep quiet?"
Aozaki Reiji came back to his senses, pondered for a moment, then spread his hands and smiled:
"Those rebels have been sentenced to death and are held in the Palace of Penitence, guarded by the Onmitsukidō. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to visit."
"All the rebels who saw me kill someone were killed by Retsu Unohana, so not many people know the truth now. They should not leak any secrets."
He didn't even need to mention Yoruichi, old Yamamoto, Ginrei Kuchiki, and Kuchiki Soujun; no one dared to cause trouble for them.
Even the Fourth Division Squad members who saw him kill someone were strictly supervised by Retsu Unohana and would only be released once the commotion died down.
"…"
Hearing Aozaki Reiji's words, Ichimaru Gin frowned.
He looked at Aozaki Reiji's confident demeanor and knew that he had truly handled it well.
Although he didn't know what method this guy used to get so many important figures to cover up the facts for him.
But the fact that things ended up this way was quite perfect.
He had saved Kūki-sensei, the matter of him killing a Captain-class rebel had not been exposed, and he was about to join the Second Division as its Third Seat. Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction, but was this truly a good thing…
Ichimaru Gin looked at Aozaki Reiji with a grave expression, worried by his nonchalant smile.
He knew well that what Aozaki Reiji had done was enough to cause a huge uproar.
Although the Captain-Commander could protect him for a while, how could he guarantee his safety for life?
This was vastly different from their future plans when they arrived.
The other party even told him to keep a low profile!
"Reiji!"
Aozaki Reiji looked at him strangely: "What's wrong?"
He pondered for a moment, then his eyes narrowed again, and he slowly said, "I also want to apply for early graduation."
"Me too, me too!" Matsumoto Rangiku quickly said.
Aozaki Reiji and Ichimaru Gin both rolled their eyes simultaneously, their heads covered in black lines.
They clearly remembered that this young lady had looked utterly bewildered just moments ago, and now she was joining in the excitement.
"Reason?" Aozaki Reiji tilted his head and asked.
"I can't rest easy letting a scatterbrained guy like you wander around alone," Ichimaru Gin sighed.
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded in agreement.
Aozaki Reiji paused, then smiled contentedly:
"I truly didn't misjudge you. It seems bringing you to the Shin'o Academy was a very correct decision."
"Unlike Matsumoto Rangiku, who only causes me headaches all day and never practices seriously; she can't do without my supervision."
Listening to Aozaki Reiji's complaints, Ichimaru Gin glanced at Matsumoto Rangiku, whose face was gradually darkening, and a strange expression appeared on his face.
"In any case, since you two have the intention, then let's go together!"
Aozaki Reiji hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation yet and became more and more excited as he spoke.
"Cough, cough…"
Noticing Matsumoto Rangiku's gaze growing colder and a dangerous aura of wanting to devour someone beginning to emanate from her, Ichimaru Gin couldn't help but cough twice.
Aozaki Reiji: "…"
"What I mean is, Matsumoto Rangiku has such a strong appeal to me that I'm willing to stay by her side, and supervising her training is just a bonus."
"…" This time, it was Matsumoto Rangiku's turn to be silent.
Ichimaru Gin, who had been observing the two, covered his forehead with a pained expression.
That change in topic… it was too abrupt.
But less than a second later, Matsumoto Rangiku smiled again and pounced on Aozaki Reiji.
"I knew it!"
Ichimaru Gin: "…"
Aozaki Reiji hugged Matsumoto Rangiku tightly and waved at him, saying, "I'll leave the graduation application report to you."
"I understand." Ichimaru Gin's eye twitched, and he said through gritted teeth.
Watching the two suddenly start their affectionate display, he felt a sense of exhaustion.
These two were birds of a feather!
After Ichimaru Gin completed the application report, Aozaki Reiji submitted his early graduation application to Keito Sato.
After explaining the reasons to Keito Sato, he very readily approved Reiji's application.
At the same time, he permitted Reiji to no longer attend Shin'o Academy courses, allowing him to focus on preparing for the graduation exam.
In the following time, Aozaki Reiji devoted himself to practicing the "Sokotsu" technique he had obtained from Yamamoto.
Matsumoto Rangiku and Ichimaru Gin also trained with him, hoping to improve their strength as much as possible before taking the graduation exam.
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