— "He's here!"
A deep, powerful voice echoed from behind the crowd as a tall, robust man pushed his way through the spectators, slowly approaching the arena.
He stopped next to Yoruichi. Arima Shinya looked up and, for a moment, could only think of one thing.
How tall.
Judging by his size, he had to be over two meters tall.
He wore a brown pompadour and kept his hair in a styled arrangement, with a wide, firm face. His body was so large it seemed twice the size of Arima Shinya — maybe even more.
His expression was completely neutral, without a hint of emotion, and he even looked a little annoyed by Yoruichi Shihōin's excited call.
The enthusiasm on Yoruichi's face quickly shifted to displeasure the moment she saw him approach.
Crossing her arms, she lifted a leg and delivered a sharp kick to the man's back.
— Omaeda! Cheer up right now!
The man made a pained grimace, teeth gritting. After a few seconds, he managed to compose himself.
— W-what? At your command!
— Very good! From now on, you will be Arima Shinya's opponent!
…Huh?
I'm going to fight the vice-captain of the 2nd Division? Me, a first-year student?! This has to be a joke!
Both — Shinya and Omaeda — turned in surprise to Yoruichi, their expressions confused.
But she merely kept that teasing smile and narrowed, feline eyes, evaluating them as if looking at an interesting prey.
— What's strange about that?
— I told the old man ages ago: these lukewarm teaching methods are a complete waste of time! People with real talent need to be tested intensely; only then will they develop properly!
Raising her arms like a swallow celebrating the arrival of spring, Yoruichi spoke in a vibrant, energetic tone.
— Omaeda! The young man in front of you is this year's new prodigy — the most promising student of the academy! In just half a month of training, he has already severely injured a seated officer! A true genius blessed by the heavens!
— Arima Shinya! Vice-captain of the 2nd Division and subcommander of the Secret Operations Force! Isn't having an opponent like this exciting?!
…Exciting?
Really?
Definitely not. How annoying! (×2)
But Yoruichi had that kind of energy that set the atmosphere ablaze.
Before anyone could react, she had already turned, raising her arms and shouting to the audience:
— Aren't you tired of these boring fights? Don't you want to see something more exciting?! Hey! Where's your reaction?!
With her excited tone and lively smile, it was impossible not to be swept up. Yoruichi always knew how to rile up a crowd — and now, the excitement doubled.
— W-we want to see, yes!
No one knew who shouted first, but within seconds the phrase spread like wildfire, igniting the entire audience.
Fight! Come on, fight already!
— Vice-Captain Omaeda is a high-ranking officer! There's no way he'll lose, right?
— No, wait! The fight is restricted to hand-to-hand combat — which means Arima Shinya actually has a chance of winning!
— Anyway, who cares? The important thing is that there will be a show!
— Hehehe, wonderful… you can almost smell the blood in the air!
No one knew where all these bloodthirsty spectators had come from… but the fact was, now neither of them could back down.
Yoruichi turned to the two in the center of the arena, her smile shining even brighter.
— So? Feeling a bit of fighting spirit now, Arima Shinya?
Not at all.
In fact, he never intended to actually fight seriously.
But he couldn't just say that out loud.
So, with a forced smile, he slightly bowed to the man in front of him.
— In that case… Arima Shinya. I count on your guidance.
— The pleasure is mine. I'm Omaeda Hidetoshin; glad to fight with you.
…Huh?
This guy was… really that polite?
Arima Shinya was surprised for a moment, but quickly understood.
Omaeda Hidetoshin was the vice-captain who had served under Yoruichi a hundred years ago — and also the father of Ōmaeda Marechiyo, Soi Fon's direct subordinate in the original timeline.
The resemblance between father and son was striking.
If it weren't for the pompadour, Shinya would have had trouble telling them apart.
— Arima-kun, it's a pleasure to meet you. I didn't imagine our first conversation would be in a situation like this. Such a pity, really.
With his square face and sunglasses covering his eyes, Hidetoshin maintained a calm and respectful posture.
— I heard you're the standout this year? Well, seeing you in person, I can tell the fame isn't exaggerated.
Being complimented like that, face-to-face… Shinya couldn't deny it made him a little embarrassed. He replied with a polite smile, nodding slightly.
— You are very kind. I just had a bit of luck, that's all.
— Hahaha! Being able to speak well is a skill too.
Removing his sunglasses, Hidetoshin leaned slightly and lowered his voice, speaking confidentially:
— To be honest, I don't have much confidence in my hand-to-hand combat skills. So… if possible, please don't go too hard, okay?
A forced, slightly embarrassed smile appeared on his serious face.
— It would be far too humiliating to get beaten badly in front of so many people. Lady Yoruichi wouldn't let me live in peace afterward.
He even had a sense of humor.
Shinya couldn't help but chuckle. He was about to respond when Yoruichi returned, even more excited.
She slapped Omaeda so hard on the back that the sound echoed, making Shinya flinch.
— Omaeda! You are the subcommander of the Secret Operations Force! Don't let anyone think you got this position just because of your status, got it?!
The scolding hit like a weight.
Omaeda could only manage a bitter smile.
— Y-yes, ma'am… Captain Shihōin!
— Excellent, that's how I like it!
Turning to Shinya, Yoruichi opened a mischievous smile, her eyes shining with mischief.
— You, Arima Shinya… didn't want to work under my command, right? That's fine, no problem! If you can beat Hidetoshin, I, Yoruichi Shihōin, swear by my name that I will give you a reward impossible to refuse!
— "A… reward impossible to refuse?"
It sounded mysterious.
Although he wasn't particularly interested, now there was no turning back.
He could see it as a bonus, an extra.
— Understood. Thank you, Lady Yoruichi.
— Excellent! Then I want both of you to give it your all!
As soon as Yoruichi left the ring, Shinya noticed she went straight to Aizen — the two whispered something with expressions that didn't reassure him at all.
Suddenly, everything seemed to make sense.
Ah, damn, Aizen… What are you plotting this time?
Sigh…
A slight sound of breathing caught his attention. Turning his head, Shinya saw Hidetoshin assuming a combat stance.
Feet shoulder-width apart, shoulders raised, enormous hands open — a movement reminiscent of an animal about to pounce on its prey.
Ridiculous? Maybe a little.
But it was undoubtedly a valid combat form.
He would try to use his weight and strength difference to win directly…
(To be continued in the next chapter)