Finally returning to Shin’ō Academy, Rin immediately spotted Nanao waiting at the entrance.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Why aren’t you resting?
It’s been such a long day.
You must be exhausted.”
Seeing his somewhat pale complexion, Nanao awkwardly turned her head away.
“Everyone who went to the Fourth Division for treatment has already returned…
except you.
Where did you go?”
“You’re worried about me.” Rin smiled knowingly.
“Don’t worry.
Everything’s fine in Seireitei.
Lieutenant Yamada called me away to help with some work.”
“Lieutenant Yamada Seinosuke?” Nanao immediately caught the hidden meaning in his words.
“So you’ve officially decided to join the Fourth Division.”
Having known Rin for many years, she could easily infer the truth from such subtle details.
Besides, in the eyes of many people, this had already become an open secret.
“Yeah.” Rin nodded.
“Captain Unohana mentioned it to me before, and Lieutenant Yamada brought it up again today.
As far as I know, Captain Unohana has already submitted the recommendation to the Headmaster.
Unless something unexpected happens, my future should already be settled.”
The two walked toward the academy while chatting.
At that moment, Nanao suddenly became somewhat excited, though a trace of uneasiness lingered beneath her expression.
“Oh, right, Rin.
I have something to tell you.”
“I’ve been invited by Captain Kyōraku.
I’ll be joining the Eighth Division.”
Although her voice was filled with excitement and happiness, it also carried an almost imperceptible fear of being misunderstood.
“Really?” Rin stopped walking before smiling warmly at her.
“That’s wonderful.
I knew sooner or later there would be a captain who recognized your talent.”
He continued sincerely.
“Now you don’t have to keep worrying anymore.”
Nanao quietly looked into his eyes, as though trying to find even the slightest trace of dissatisfaction over favoritism or resentment toward privilege.
There was none.
His eyes contained nothing except genuine happiness for her.
He truly wasn’t bothered.
He was honestly happy for her.
The realization warmed her heart like a stream of gentle water.
“Yeah…” she answered softly with a smile.
“It’s wonderful.”
She finally relaxed.
She never really cared about what strangers thought.
What mattered was that her closest friend didn’t misunderstand her or think she had only relied on the protection of the Ise Clan once again.
“Aren’t you going to ask me why?” she asked cautiously.
Rin blinked.
“What’s there to ask?”
“It’s probably because Captain Kyōraku saw your potential.”
“Or maybe your outstanding command during the Konso operation impressed him.”
“Even though you don’t have a Zanpakutō, Captain Kyōraku has never been someone who judges people solely by that.”
“Your overall abilities are already better than most students.”
He paused briefly before smiling again.
“It’s not only you.”
“I’d bet Kaien has already received invitations from several divisions.”
“He probably received more invitations than anyone.”
“I just wonder which division he’ll choose in the end.”
“It’s alright.”
“I don’t mind even if other people gossip.”
“I’ll prove them wrong.”
“Not having a Zanpakutō doesn’t mean I’m weaker than them.”
“Besides, the Eighth Division specializes in intelligence gathering.”
“In many situations, Kido isn’t any less useful than a Zanpakutō.”
Her confidence was obvious.
“Oh, right.”
“There’s one more thing.”
“During the graduation ceremony, every division of the Gotei Thirteen will send representatives to observe and recruit students.”
“Normally, those of us who have already been selected don’t need to participate in the demonstrations.”
“But this year’s arrangements are different.”
“We’ve also been asked to demonstrate our abilities in combat so the lower-year students can witness the standards expected after graduation.”
“So…”
“Prepare yourself.”
“Huh?” Rin immediately rubbed his forehead helplessly.
“That sounds troublesome.”
“Can’t they just let me skip it?”
“What if I simply surrender after stepping onto the stage?”
“Anyway, in most people’s eyes, I don’t have any offensive ability.”
Nanao laughed so hard that her shoulders trembled.
“No chance.”
“And after Kaien heard about the demonstrations…”
“He immediately declared that he wants an official match with you in front of every division representative.”
“He keeps saying your strength isn’t as simple as everyone believes.”
“It seems he wants to use this opportunity to clear your name.”
“Hehe.”
Rin could only sigh.
“That guy really…”
He shook his head helplessly.
“Forget it.”
“Since things have already reached this point, there’s nothing I can do.”
“If we really fight…”
“I’ll probably be the one getting beaten up.”
“But that’s fine.”
“It’ll only reinforce everyone’s impression that the Fourth Division specializes in healing instead of combat.”
While chatting, the two eventually arrived outside the instructors’ office.
Nanao smiled.
“Go on.”
“Once the instructors finish making the arrangements, go get some rest.”
“We’ll meet again during the graduation demonstration.”
After saying that, she turned around and left, as though she had been waiting at the entrance all this time simply to tell him those few things.
Only a few days passed.
As seventh-year students of Shin’ō Academy, they finally welcomed their graduation ceremony, along with the annual recruitment conference and graduation demonstrations.
It was a ceremony held every year.
Yet now that it was their turn to stand on the stage, everyone felt an indescribable emotion.
After today…
They would no longer be students of Shin’ō Academy.
They would officially become Shinigami of the Gotei Thirteen.
Before the ceremony officially began, representatives from each division arrived one after another.
Just like every previous year, no representative came from the First Division.
After all, no graduate joined the First Division directly.
Representing the Second Division was Third Seat Soi Fon.
Representing the Third Division was Third Seat Kotone Ueno.
The representative of the Fourth Division…
Was Captain Unohana herself.
The moment Captain Unohana appeared, surprise spread throughout the entire academy.
Captains rarely attended such ceremonies personally.
Her presence clearly suggested there was another reason behind today’s visit.
Not long afterward…
Captains Shunsui Kyōraku and Jūshirō Ukitake arrived together.
With two more captains appearing simultaneously, the atmosphere immediately became completely different.
Seeing Unohana first, Kyōraku casually greeted her with a grin.
“Yo, Captain Unohana.”
“You actually found time to attend such a small event?”
Although he didn’t intend to tease her, his carefree tone immediately earned him a nudge from the person beside him.
“Ahem.”
Ukitake smiled apologetically.
“My apologies, Senior Unohana.”
“He’s always been like this.”
“Please don’t mind him.”
Unohana merely smiled.
However…
Kyōraku inexplicably felt a cold breeze pass behind him.
“Mm.”
“It’s alright.”
“Our Fourth Division really has been quite busy recently.”
She deliberately emphasized the word “busy.”
“Still…”
“I managed to spare enough time to relax a little.”
“It just so happens that our division recruited a rather gifted young talent this year.”
“I wanted to personally watch his graduation performance.”
Kyōraku smiled as well.
“What a coincidence.”
“I’m here for exactly the same reason.”
His tone became noticeably more serious.
“Although she doesn’t possess a Zanpakutō…”
“She’s no less outstanding than anyone else.”
Ukitake coughed lightly before speaking.
“I…”
“Cough…”
“I’m also here…”
“It’s just…”
“I was asked to come…”
“I originally…”
Before he could finish speaking, another fit of coughing interrupted him.
The three captains chatted casually among themselves.
Meanwhile…
The representatives from the other divisions all felt increasingly uncomfortable.
“What’s going on?”
“Why are so many captains here today?”
The representative from the Fifth Division was Lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke, whose arrival eased the atmosphere slightly.
The representatives from the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Divisions were all Third Seats.
As for the Twelfth Division…
Its representative was Lieutenant Sarugaki Hiyori.
Compared with previous years…
This year’s lineup could already be considered exceptionally luxurious.