"Yes, sir!"
Under the stern, warning gaze of Ōunabara Gengorō, nearly every student in the room responded in unison.
All except Fūjin Taichi—who sat there, brow tightly furrowed.
I remember now… Saturday, I was sleeping in the dorm… But when I woke up, it was already Monday? Does that mean… I slept for two whole days?!
"Fūjin!"
Ōunabara's sharp eyes immediately caught the strange look on Taichi's face.
"Is there something about what I said that you don't understand?"
"N-No! Not at all!" Taichi shook his head frantically. At a time like this, the last thing he wanted was to get on this old man's bad side.
Especially since—
He'd already noticed that Ōunabara Gengorō, just like that ancient fossil Saitō who taught Kidō, seemed to have it out for him for no apparent reason.
"Idiot."
Sitting beside him, Saitō Mizuki stifled a laugh. Yet behind her dark crimson eyes flickered a faint, almost imperceptible excitement.
Father… I'll do my best this time. I won't bring shame to you—or to the Saitō family.
"Next, all of you—fill out your division preference forms."
Ōunabara gestured for the front row to pass back a thick stack of papers.
Clearing his throat, he continued:
"After this exercise, your performance results will be sent—with priority—to the divisions you've selected, for the captains' reference."
"Of course, this is only a preliminary preference. When you graduate in six years, you'll submit your official division application."
"That said… exceptionally talented students may receive early invitations from certain divisions."
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"And that… is considered a great honor."
He paused briefly before adding:
"Furthermore, those who perform outstandingly in this exercise may receive an additional recommendation letter for a seated officer position."
"That could earn you special attention from the captains."
"So—make sure you give it your all."
"Prove yourselves worthy of the Advanced Promotion Class!"
"—!"
The moment the words seated officer were mentioned, the classroom erupted into excitement.
More than eighty aspiring Shinigami lit up with anticipation.
After all, whether it was Third Seat or even some lower-ranked candidate position—
It meant one thing:
A foothold in Seireitei.
"Tch. This old geezer really loves playing word games…"
Taichi rolled his eyes at his overly excited classmates.
"'May,' 'might,' 'possibly'… all vague nonsense."
"In reality, those academy recommendation letters are basically toilet paper in the captains' eyes. What really decides your position is strength—and connections."
Muttering under his breath, he lowered his gaze to the form in his hands.
Without hesitation, he wrote down a single line.
"…Eleventh Division?" Mizuki glanced over—and blinked in surprise.
"Taichi, aren't you always complaining about Eleventh Division? You know, the bunch that's always fighting and causing trouble?"
"Nope!"
Taichi shot to his feet, puffing out his chest as if making a grand declaration.
"I was born for battle!"
"A real Shinigami should fight with fists and blades—blood flying everywhere with every strike!"
"Fūjin—TAICHI!" Ōunabara's glare burned through his glasses like twin flames, locking onto him with terrifying intensity.
"Don't think placing second in class gives you the right to act up in my lesson!"
"Now get out into the hallway and stand there!"
"Y-Yes, sir! I'm very sorry, Instructor Ōunabara!"
Taichi bowed repeatedly, practically cursing himself inside.
Damn it! I told myself not to provoke the old man—so why did I get carried away again?! The moment it's about fighting, I just lose control…
"Idiot."
Mizuki didn't even bother looking at him anymore.
Calmly, she filled in her own preference form—
Fifth Division.
There was no grand reason behind it.
…Maybe, she thought to herself, it's just because I like calligraphy.
At the thought of calligraphy, Saitō Mizuki couldn't help but recall the moment she'd seen Captain Aizen at the freshmen orientation.
A faint sweetness immediately bloomed in her heart.
But the moment she thought of Saitō Jūshirō, her lips puffed up slightly in frustration as she added another choice to her form—
First Division.
Looks like… joining Fifth Division probably wasn't in the cards after all.
After all, her father had a close personal relationship with Yamamoto Genryūsai. It was practically her fate—just like her older brother, Saitō Keichirō—
To join First Division after graduation.
"…I really wanted to work under Captain Aizen…"
She murmured inwardly, a trace of longing in her eyes.
"He's so gentle… so refined… he must be wonderful to work with…"
Shaking off her thoughts, she looked up just in time to see Ōunabara Gengorō collecting the forms. Once he finished, he began patiently explaining the rules and precautions for the upcoming exercise.
After a long stretch of instructions—
He finally organized the stack of forms and looked up at his students.
His voice… trembled slightly.
"That concludes… today's final lesson."
"Students… I—I wish you all…"
He paused.
Looking at the faces before him, his eyes suddenly grew moist.
Turning toward the blackboard, he picked up a piece of chalk and, with all his strength, wrote several large characters:
"Cut through all obstacles—and return in triumph!"
Then he stood there silently, leaning his head against the wall.
He didn't say another word.
He only raised a hand and gestured lightly.
"Class dismissed. You may go."
"Yes, sir!"
More than eighty Shinigami students bowed in unison before filing out, each heading off to prepare for the afternoon's exercise—
Those from Rukongai returned to their dorms.
Those from Seireitei headed home.
Only Fūjin Taichi remained in the hallway, leaning against the wall with his hands behind his head, lost in thought.
Clatter… clatter…
Male students in white-and-blue academy uniforms and female students in white-and-red uniforms streamed out of the lecture hall. Before long, the place was completely empty.
"Fūjin." Ōunabara Gengorō stepped out, holding the thick stack of forms under his arm, and stopped in front of Taichi.
"Have you filled out your division preference?"
"Yes, Instructor."
Taichi handed over the form.
Ōunabara glanced at it—
Then his brows furrowed deeply.
"Eleventh Division?"
"…Yes."
"Why?"
Ōunabara lowered his gaze, his eyes filled with clear disapproval.
"I remember that among the four disciplines—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—you excel most in Kidō and Hakuda. Even Tokio Tsunayashiro, who ranks first in our class, doesn't surpass you in those areas."
"When you were still in Class Two, Instructor Saitō even asked if you were interested in joining the Kidō Corps."
"I also assumed that, if not that, you might lean toward Second Division under Captain Soi Fon, given your talent in Hakuda."
"And yet…"
"You chose Eleventh Division? The division led by that brute, Zaraki Kenpachi?"
"Why?!"
"Instructor Ōunabara! I believe I also have outstanding talent in Zanjutsu , so—"
Taichi carefully chose his words.
What I really think is—my Zanjutsu is my strongest point. Eleventh Division is perfect. A bunch of battle-hungry maniacs to sharpen my skills against…
He'd heard that under Zaraki Kenpachi, the entire division—from top to bottom—lived for combat.
And the stronger you were, the more respect you earned.
The higher your seat.
But—
Ōunabara Gengorō suddenly took a pen and added two strokes over the "Eleven" on Taichi's form.
Then he explained:
"Fūjin. As your teacher, it's my responsibility to guide you toward the path that suits you best."
"Based on your performance at the academy, I recommend that you aim for Thirteen Division."
"Captain Ukitake has an excellent reputation. He doesn't place much importance on background—and he is also a direct disciple of Captain-Commander."
"Perhaps… with your abilities, you'll have greater opportunities for growth there."
"So—perform well in this afternoon's exercise."
"Strive to become a seated officer as soon as you graduate."
"…."
Taichi fell silent.
From the way Ōunabara spoke, it was clear—
He wanted Taichi to use Captain Ukitake Jūshirō's connections to reach the Captain-Commander himself.
From there…
Status, wealth, and influence would follow naturally.
But—
From beginning to end, Taichi knew one thing.
He was nothing more than an impostor who had taken Fūjin Taichi's place.
If he got too close to the Captain-Commander…
Wouldn't he just be burned to ashes in a single strike?
And yet—
After hearing Ōunabara's words, something in him shifted.
Whether it was Ōunabara Gengorō… or Instructor Saitō…
They had both been quietly watching over him all this time.
That realization left him both startled—
And deeply moved.
He straightened, then bowed deeply.
"…Thank you, Instructor Ōunabara."
"Do your best, Fūjin."
Ōunabara nodded.
"Make sure you perform well in this afternoon's exercise."
"Don't disappoint me—or Instructor Saitō."
With that, he turned and walked down the hallway.
Before long—
His figure disappeared from Taichi's sight.
..
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