Chapter 14: The "Injured but Determined" Legend
The Shin'ō Academy was located in the southeastern part of the Seireitei—not far from the Gotei 13 barracks.
Today was the day of the freshman entrance exam, so the roads leading to the academy were noticeably busier. Besides nobles from the first through fourth ranks, there were also large numbers of commoners from Rukongai.
Unlike nobles, commoners had only one path to rise above their station in the Seireitei: pass the Shin'ō Academy entrance exam, complete the six-year curriculum, and officially join the Gotei 13. Only then could they shed their commoner status.
Of course, exceptional individuals like Kenpachi Zaraki—who impressed multiple captains enough to earn special admission—were possible exceptions. But such people were rarer than phoenix feathers in all of Rukongai. Even after one Kenpachi, no one knew when the next might appear.
That was why the Shin'ō Academy exam remained the most reliable route.
The academy's instructors were drawn from the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukidō (Stealth Force), and the Kidō Corps—rotating based on their areas of expertise.
The curriculum was divided into the four core Shinigami arts:
Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship – Zanpakutō techniques)
Hakuda (Hand-to-hand combat)
Hohō (Movement techniques – Shunpo)
Kidō (Demon arts / spiritual spells)
Instructors would also scout promising students during lessons, selecting fresh talent to bolster their own squads. Those who excelled in one area—or reached a certain level across all four—could apply for graduation assessment after six years. Passing meant official entry into a division in their specialty.
Of course, students who failed to meet the requirements after six years were expelled.
These rules applied to ordinary students.
Special cases—like former Thirteenth Division Lieutenant Kaien Shiba, who completed six years of coursework in just one and was granted early assessment—were exceptions. Geniuses like Gin Ichimaru and Tōshirō Hitsugaya also received accelerated treatment.
Anyone who earned early assessment and graduated successfully was immediately viewed as a future vice-captain—or even captain—candidate.
"Look—who's that? Two Shinigami seniors are carrying him in on a stretcher! This is the very definition of 'wounded but unyielding'—it's igniting the burning flame in my heart!"
"Right! Look at his furrowed brow, that pained expression—even his mouth is bandaged! He must be seriously injured but refused to miss the Shin'ō Academy exam. He came no matter what!"
"This is a role model for us all! It just proves that entering the Shin'ō Academy, graduating, and joining the Gotei 13 is the only dream we commoners have!"
"You guys—if we healthy people can't even compare to a disabled person, isn't that shameful?!"
"…"
Enthusiastic, uplifting speeches echoed one after another.
The stirring words spread like a chain reaction as the stretcher passed through the crowd, rapidly reaching the wide-open gates of the Shin'ō Academy.
Watching commoners—and even some nobles—join in praising the "wounded but determined" spirit, Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai both had dark lines crawling across their faces. They desperately wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
On the way here, they had tried everything to wake Shiba Kuroha. No matter how much force they used, he showed zero signs of stirring. To make transport easier, they eventually borrowed a stretcher from the Fourth Division medical team—along with a kind-hearted medic who came along to try sobering him up.
They had hoped to reach the academy smoothly and quietly.
They never imagined that alcohol would turn Kuroha into a shameless chatterbox. When he started clinging to the female medic, slurring nonstop about "wife" this and "wife" that, Rukia and Renji decided drastic measures were needed.
They wrapped his mouth in bandages.
The result: Kuroha finally quieted down. But now the entire road was filled with endless praise for the "wounded but unyielding" hero. The poor medic couldn't take the thin-skinned embarrassment anymore. She made an excuse and fled with her tail between her legs.
If not for Captain Ukitake's guarantee, Rukia would have dumped Kuroha in the middle of the street and run.
Especially when she imagined what would happen if—still drunk during the exam—he shattered the "wounded hero" illusion. He'd be exposed as a three-bamboo reiatsu case who couldn't even meet the academy's entry threshold.
That would be ultimate humiliation.
"Renji, the front is already starting assessments. Let's find a corner to wait in. Once the crowd thins, we'll go," Rukia suggested as soon as they entered the exam grounds, eyeing the long lines in panic.
She absolutely did not want to be seen like this in front of so many people.
Today was the final day of admissions. The number of examinees was much higher than usual—mostly nobles.
In noble eyes, the first few days were for commoners. As nobles of superior birth, they naturally saved themselves for the grand finale.
The last day also drew the most captain observers—perfect for showing off.
No one knew exactly why this custom had formed. But candidates confident in their strength always chose to test on the final day.
"You're right, Rukia. Let's wait a bit. I think I just saw Captain Kuchiki. I want to say hello. If he hadn't told me you went to Zaraki District, I wouldn't have made it in time," Renji said, face slightly red and voice hesitant.
His eyes kept flicking toward the still-sleeping, frowning Kuroha on the stretcher.
Facing the encouraging stares from the crowd—and the presence of multiple watching captains—Renji clearly planned to slip away quietly.
After all, he had personally tested Kuroha's reiatsu at three bamboo. He refused to believe the later nine-bamboo reading on the bracelet.
The moment the "wounded hero" charade was exposed and three-bamboo reiatsu became public knowledge… The shame would echo through the Seireitei for centuries.
It might even become a legendary cautionary tale in Shin'ō Academy history.
And the two Shinigami who carried him here on a stretcher? They'd be immortalized in infamy—praised by generations of examinees as the ultimate cautionary example.
"Renji, you—!" Rukia nearly choked with anger.
She knew exactly what her childhood friend was thinking.
But before she could explode, the surging crowd of examinees turned their admiring gazes toward them. Both Rukia and Renji felt their scalps go numb.
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