Following the founding of the Gotei 13, a massive recruitment drive swept across the Soul Society.
As an organization dedicated to the grand cause of protecting the Soul Society and the Seireitei, the number of applicants was naturally staggering.
It was a literal gold rush; the gates were swamped. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that more than half the residents of the Soul Society applied.
In other words, every Tom, Dick, and Harry—men, women, young, and old—was throwing their hat in the ring.
They offered pay, they offered food, and being part of the Gotei was far safer than wandering the Rukongai alone.
There was simply no reason not to apply.
Of course, accepting everyone who applied would have turned any organization into a disorganized mess in no time.
Thus, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, added a minimum requirement: applicants had to possess Spiritual Power...
And then, like magic, a miracle occurred—three-fifths of the applicants were instantly weeded out.
It was a mass culling that even Thanos couldn't pull off. I couldn't help but be impressed.
"That many people failed the first round?"
"Souls that harbor Spiritual Power aren't that common. It's only natural."
"I see."
Technically, I don't have Spiritual Power either.
While my ability to sense Spirit Particles and the flow of power has improved significantly, no matter how much time passes, actual Reiryoku refuses to form within me.
I used to worry about it, but now? I don't really care.
What if I don't have Spiritual Power? The only downside is not being able to use Flash Step or Kido.
I suppose I could manage if I applied the Quincy's Absolute Submission of Reishi, but why chase inefficiency?
Flash Step is slower than my natural sprint, and Kido is weaker than my fist anyway.
"Man, I guess even I wouldn't make the cut."
I tossed out the joke with a smirk, but Unohana tilted her head, giving it serious thought.
"Hmm... wouldn't you be an exception, dear? Even without Spiritual Power, you are overwhelmingly stronger than anyone else..."
"Exception, my foot. Stop that right there. If you start making exceptions for rules once they're set, people will just complain later."
Whether it's the Gotei or anything else, once you start creating precedents for exceptions, problems always follow.
It's not like I need to join, so there's no reason to leave a bad example behind.
"How disappointing. I thought we might be able to work together in Squad 4..."
"Oh, right, you were chosen as the Captain of Squad 4, weren't you? Congratulations."
"Hehe, thank you. Still, it really is a shame."
I chuckled at Unohana's slight pout and patted her head.
"Don't be so sad. Someone has to stay behind and guard the house, right?"
"Fufu, that's true. Well then, I have another meeting today, so I'll be heading out now."
"Yeah. Be careful. Oh, we're out of rice in the chest. Can you pick some up on your way back?"
"Yes, I will. I'll leave things here in your care today."
Unohana gave a bright smile and left for her duties at the office.
Looking out the window, I saw the sun was just beginning to rise.
Having to go to work at this ungodly hour... I wouldn't do it even if my life depended on it.
My wife sure is a hard worker.
"Heave-ho..." I groaned, standing up and heading toward the dojo.
Ah, wait. There's one place I need to stop first.
Slap-bang!
I kicked the door open so hard it rattled against the pillar. Inside, I found Saito sprawled out, dead to the world.
"Snore... mmm... chomp... can't eat anymore..."
"Belly out, drooling, snoring... You're really sleeping like a log."
Well, I guess if she feels safe enough to sleep like that here, it's not all bad.
I chuckled and crouched by Saito's head.
"Hey. Get up, brat."
I tapped her cheek. She let out a disgusting groan, drool still trailing from her mouth, before cracking an eye open.
"Whu...? What the fuck... why are you waking me up... what is it, why..."
"It's time for morning patrol. Stop rotting in bed, eat, and get out. Yachiru and I already finished breakfast."
"Ah..."
Saito let out a deep sigh and buried her face back into her pillow, moaning in agony.
Whether it's the modern era of my past life or right now, waking up in the morning is a universal form of torture.
Seeing that strangely nostalgic sight, I smiled faintly—and then promptly kicked her in the ass.
"Gah!! You son of a bitch! Do you want to die?!"
"Stop throwing a tantrum and get up to eat. The soup's getting cold."
Actually, I hadn't even ladled the soup from the pot yet, but I said it anyway.
It's the only way to get her moving faster.
"Haaah... what's for breakfast anyway..."
"Am I your servant? Check it yourself, brat."
"Ah... AHHH!! God damn it!!"
Saito, who had been sighing and flailing around, suddenly bolted upright and scratched her head aggressively.
"Gotei this, Gotei that... once I'm out there, I'm gonna flip everything... Seriously, what kind of horseshit is 'morning patrol'... I really don't want to go..."
Her language was foul, but seeing her faithfully folding her bedding showed that she had no intention of running away from the path she'd chosen.
If only she'd talk a bit nicer, she'd be perfect.
She reminds me of myself. I had a pretty shitty personality back in the day, too.
Haha, those were the days.
"What are you looking at with that creepy smile, you crazy pervert?! Get out!!"
While I was lost in thought, Saito started kicking my shins repeatedly, presumably because she wanted to change.
Does she have low blood pressure? Why is she so grumpy in the morning?
Wait, if she can throw a temper like that this early, it's definitely not low blood pressure.
"It's not like there's anything worth seeing anyway. I'm going."
"Fuck off!!"
I waved my hand and stepped out, closing the door behind me.
I didn't plan on looking anyway. I'm a married man now; I have to keep my integrity.
With Unohana sent off and Saito awake, time to head to the dojo.
Originally, I was only supposed to be a temporary instructor for a single day, but with both Unohana and Saito joining the Gotei, the role ended up falling to me permanently.
Not that I'm complaining. The whole reason I opened the Budokan was to raise some disciples, so there's no reason to be unhappy.
However, one particular concern has cropped up lately.
"Ah, Master!! Good morning!!"
"Yeah, yeah."
Not this kid.
The problem is what he's holding.
"Are you practicing that 'Shikai' thing again today?"
"Hahaha, practice? No, sir! I'm just having a chat with Shigetsu! He actually enjoys talking quite a bit!"
"'Shigetsu'... Every time I hear that name, it sounds ominous."
"Don't say that! Shigetsu has a great personality!"
"Sure, sure. Get inside when you're done."
Yes. The Zanpakuto.
Recently, some of the students have started successfully imprinting their souls onto their Asauchi, turning them into Zanpakuto, and... how should I put this?
"Ah, I can't spar today because of my Shikai training..."
"...Fine."
"Yes! Then I'll be on my way!!"
Slacker bastards like this have started appearing one after another.
Now, students like that guy who at least know the name of their Zanpakuto are the better ones. Those still holding plain Asauchi are a whole other story.
The real problem is the ones who haven't learned the name yet.
"Uoooooh!! Name! What is your name...!! Your name...! Tell me your name...!!"
"Please, just talk to me once...? I'm begging you.... At least let me hear your voice just once, please...!!"
Watching them clutch their swords and beg like absolute idiots makes me wonder what the hell I'm even doing here.
"That's enough, gather 'round."
"Guaaaaah!! Name!!"
"Good grief..."
As I let out a heavy sigh, one of the students holding a Zanpakuto raised his hand high.
"Um, Master! I have a question!"
"Yeah, speak."
"Master, do you not have a Zanpakuto?"
"Don't have one."
"Oh... right. Understood."
Seriously, what is the big deal about a damn sword?
...Actually, no. I shouldn't think by my own standards.
At their level, a Zanpakuto is far more useful than an ordinary blade.
Some spit fire, some shoot ice, some inject poison when they cut... and all sorts of other stuff.
A Zanpakuto is a hidden ace that can flip the power gap or a disadvantageous situation on its head.
Thinking that, I gathered the idiots wrestling with their blades.
"Today, we're doing something different."
"Something different... You mean the Zanpakuto...!"
"As if. I told you, I don't have one, kid."
"Awww..."
The disappointment on their faces was so blatant I wanted to sigh again.
"I know Zanpakuto are useful. They're great if you use them well. But listen: just because the Zanpakuto is strong doesn't mean you are strong. So, hone your Zanjutsu first. The Zanpakuto comes after that."
"But if someone has a Zanpakuto with a truly powerful ability, wouldn't we die before we could even use Zanjutsu?"
"That's exactly why you train—so that doesn't happen. And like I said, a powerful Zanpakuto doesn't make you strong. Giving a powerful Zanpakuto to someone at your level is like casting pearls before swine."
While I was scratching my head with my tree branch, I heard someone mumble from the back.
"Easy for someone who doesn't even have a Zanpakuto to say..."
"I can hear you."
"Eek...!"
That little shit is getting a focused beating today.
Having made that silent vow, I raised my trusty branch.
"Today, I'm going to attack you. Block what you can, and if you can't, dodge. Simple, right?"
Despite my kind explanation, the students just looked reluctant.
"Usually, people who share life and death develop a very deep bond. Why would it be any different for a Zanpakuto?"
"That's true..."
"Don't worry. I won't kill you."
It'll hurt like death, but that's just part of the training.
Ah, I should visit Nimaiya after today's training is over.
"You, in the back. Come out. The one who just mumbled about me not having a Zanpakuto."
"M-Me?"
"Didn't you succeed in your Shikai release last time? Use it."
Let's start by wrecking this brat first.
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