The testing continued, but Arata's attention was no longer on the stage, so he delegated the task of recording to another teacher.
He glanced toward the captains' seats and noticed several captains conversing quietly, their gazes occasionally drifting toward Tōshirō.
Especially Aizen, even though he still wore that gentle smile, the curve of his lips seemed to deepen.
"Saito-kun!" a familiar voice sounded behind him. Arata turned and saw Sasakibe Chōjirō walking toward him. "Captain Yamamoto wishes to see you."
When Arata approached Captain Yamamoto, the old man was leaning on his cane, gazing intently toward the examination field.
"Arata, what do you think of that young man named Hitsugaya?" Yamamoto Genryūsai got straight to the point.
Arata thought for a moment. "He's gifted, but his character is still immature. If guided properly, he could become a pillar of the Gotei 13 in the future."
Yamamoto nodded slightly. "Yes, I think so too. From today on, he will be under your special supervision."
Arata was stunned. "Under mine? But the kendo club classes are already completely full…"
"This is an order. Besides, you're the lead professor, so naturally you have the authority to make independent arrangements." Captain Yamamoto left no room for argument.
"Also, regarding the reformed practical courses, the captains of each squad will take turns teaching. Your first class will be in three days, and the target group is this year's sixth-year students."
Arata was about to agree when he suddenly felt a familiar spiritual pressure approaching.
He didn't even need to turn around to know who it was—Rangiku was quietly approaching, holding something in her hand.
"Captain!" Rangiku cheerfully interrupted. "Sorry to intrude on your conversation. I brought Arata some water, he hasn't had a drop since the speech."
Captain Yamamoto looked at Rangiku, then at Arata, with an expression of deeper meaning, before stepping aside to give instructions to Sasakibe.
"Why did you come?" Arata asked softly, accepting the teapot Rangiku handed him.
"To see how my man shows off his skills~" Rangiku said proudly. "The speech was amazing. I heard even some captains praised you."
Arata helplessly shook his head, but his eyes softened unconsciously. "The test's not over. Go back to your seat and wait for me."
Rangiku pouted, then suddenly leaned close to his ear. "Come pick me up tonight at the squad dorms. I've prepared a surprise." After that, she gave him a playful wink and turned to leave.
Arata followed her figure with his eyes, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting.
However, when he turned back, he cast a meaningful glance at Ichimaru Gin.
The 3rd Division captain still wore that fox-like smile, but Arata clearly felt the chill.
"Saito-kun or rather, I should call you Professor Saito now," Ichimaru Gin's voice rang out casually. "Congratulations. Both work and love are going well."
Arata calmly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Captain Ichimaru."
Ichimaru Gin only let out a quiet laugh and said no more.
At that moment, commotion arose from the other side of the testing field.
Arata furrowed his brow and quickly made his way over.
"What's going on?" he asked in a serious tone.
Arata hurried over to the source of the commotion and saw a black-haired young man standing in front of the examination platform. He looked about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome face and an inner resolve.
The spiritual pressure measuring stone in front of the black-haired youth glowed dark green, with a few purple spots scattered across its surface.
"Kusaka Sōjirō, dark green, level seven spiritual pressure!" the teacher in charge of recording announced in a trembling voice.
The crowd erupted in excitement, and even Captain Yamamoto once again cast him an evaluative glance.
Arata noticed that Tōshirō was standing nearby, curiosity flickering in his emerald eyes.
"Interesting." Arata took the list and marked a star next to Kusaka Sōjirō's name.
That genius, who had only appeared in the movie, was now standing alive before him, once again confirming that he was in the same generation as Tōshirō.
"Kusaka Sōjirō, very good." Arata patted his shoulder and felt a cold sensation.
Just like Tōshirō, this young man also carried a chill in his spiritual pressure.
When Kusaka stepped aside, Tōshirō suddenly stopped him.
"Kusaka, your spiritual pressure is very special." Tōshirō looked up and said, "If we get the chance, could we spar more often?"
Kusaka was momentarily surprised, then smiled slightly. "Of course."
Having a peer stronger than yourself who pushes you to improve, that's something one can only look forward to.
Arata watched it all and had a feeling that the gears of fate were beginning to turn in an entirely new direction.
By the time the opening ceremony finally ended, it was already noon.
Arata and Rangiku had lunch at Fujiwara Unagi-ya in Runlin'an.
Rangiku was nibbling on the tip of her chopsticks, her gaze fixed on the tempura on Arata's plate.
"If you want to eat, just take it." Arata helplessly pushed the plate with the fried shrimp toward her.
Rangiku squealed with joy but suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. "By the way, don't forget to go to the 4th Division meeting this afternoon. Isane just told me they might question you a lot."
"Don't worry, I've memorized the Advanced Kaidō Technique Analysis these past few days."
"Wow, wonderful~" Rangiku leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Then I'll head back to the division to sort some paperwork. See you tonight."
When they parted ways, Arata noticed her gait was still slightly unnatural.
Recalling the madness in the kendo club lounge last night, Arata's eyes involuntarily chilled a little.
…
That afternoon, the 4th Division quarters were filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, and the meeting room was already occupied by all division members.
The moment Arata stepped over the threshold, he felt eyes on his back.
Unohana Retsu was sitting upright at the head of the table, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, and the same gentle, unchanging smile on her lips.
"Arata-kun, you arrived just in time." Her voice was gentle like willow branches brushing the surface of water. "We're currently discussing emergency treatment of trauma caused by spiritual pressure. Could you please explain it to everyone?"
All afternoon, Arata felt like he'd been turned into a walking answer machine.
Whenever the discussion reached a key point, Unohana Retsu would suddenly call on him to answer.
From suturing frozen tissue, to toxin analysis, to organ regeneration, each question was harder than the last.
By the end of the meeting, the sunset had already dyed the eaves red.
Just when Arata sighed in relief, he heard Unohana's voice: "Arata-kun, please stay."
The other officers shot him sympathetic glances as they passed. Kotetsu Isane looked hesitant, and before she too headed toward the door, she silently mouthed a message:
Arata-kun, good luck – hang in there.
"Sensei, you asked for me?" Arata stood respectfully in front of the desk and noticed Unohana Retsu was sorting a stack of medical files.
On the top, it clearly read: "Matsumoto Rangiku – Lumbar Muscle Strain."
This is bad. Why did Rangiku go to the 4th Division for a check-up?!
If she wanted a doctor, why did it have to be… an exam of the lower back?!
Arata irritably covered his forehead with his hand.
Unohana Retsu slowly closed the file; the quiet sound of her fingers sliding across the paper sent a chill down Arata's spine.
"Arata-kun, your knowledge of Kaidō theory has improved significantly over these past two months." She raised her eyelids, and in her eyes was an abyss, cold like a deep lake.
"However, you missed the kendo training you personally promised me."
Arata's Adam's apple moved involuntarily. "That time, it was because Captain Kyoraku requested that... "
"No, it was because of her beauty."
Unohana Retsu suddenly cut him off, her voice still as gentle as honey, but her words sharp as a blade.