“What a spirited bunch of kids!” Golden-blond hair, a wide mouth that looked almost like a zipper, and a pure white captain’s haori fluttering despite the lack of wind, with a large “Five” written across the back.
Captain of the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13, Shinji Hirako.
“This year’s class has three students with lieutenant-level Reiryoku (Spiritual Power), and another four with Third Seat-level Reiryoku.
Old Man Yama is probably going to be too excited to sleep tonight.
They’re all promising.” The man wore a straw hat and a gaudy floral coat over his captain’s haori.
Even the most serious words somehow sounded unserious coming from his mouth.
Captain of the Eighth Division of the Gotei 13, Shunsui Kyōraku.
“Hey!
Baldy Shinji!” Suddenly, a shrill yet stubborn voice rang out from within the crowd.
A girl with the same golden-blond hair stepped forward.
Her hair was tied into two small pigtails, and a few freckles dotted her face.
“Oh?
Idiot Hiyori, so you were here.
You’re so short that it’s no wonder nobody can see you!” Shinji grinned widely, wearing the kind of smile that made people want to punch him just by looking at it.
“You damn baldy!” Sure enough, Hiyori Sarugaki instantly flew into a rage.
She leaped into the air and kicked Shinji square in the face.
“Hiyori…
you little…!” Shinji clutched his bleeding nose and shouted angrily.
“What?
I’m not apologizing!” Hiyori raised her chin defiantly.
“I haven’t even said anything yet!” Shinji replied helplessly.
“Then I have even less reason to apologize!” “…” Shinji looked ready to cry.
“Hey, Kaien, is that guy really a captain?” Kūkaku Shiba turned around and asked her brother.
“I…
think so?” Kaien Shiba answered uncertainly.
“No matter how I look at him, he doesn’t seem remotely as reliable as Father or Shadow.” Yoruichi Shihōin crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.
“What a mess.” Shunsui adjusted the straw hat on his head and chuckled quietly.
Shinji covered his face, dark lines practically hanging over his head.
…
Two days had passed since the entrance examination at Shin’ō Academy in Seireitei, Soul Society.
During those two days, the newly admitted students mainly completed registration procedures, background checks, dormitory arrangements, and other administrative matters.
Shin’ō Academy had a strict rule.
Once students enrolled, they were not permitted to leave the academy except on Sundays or during officially scheduled holidays.
That rule applied even to nobles.
This year’s new students included three individuals with lieutenant-level Reiryoku, four with Third Seat-level Reiryoku, and several others whose Reiryoku was also considered quite impressive.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was overjoyed.
Because of this, Yamamoto made an unusual decision.
In addition to the academy’s existing classes, he ordered the creation of a special class specifically for these exceptionally talented students.
It was called the Prodigy Class.
He also ordered every captain and lieutenant of the Gotei 13, including himself, to set aside one day every month to teach a class at Shin’ō Academy.
That alone showed just how much Yamamoto expected from these students.
…
At that moment, inside the so-called Prodigy Class, a muscular man with a goatee stood at the front of the classroom, delivering the opening orientation.
“First of all, congratulations to all of you for passing the entrance examination with outstanding results.
As members of this class, you will receive the best learning environment and instruction from the finest teachers in the academy.
From time to time, Captain-Commander Yamamoto and the other captains of the Gotei 13 will personally come here to teach you.
Once you have spent at least one year at the academy and achieved sufficiently outstanding grades, you may apply for early graduation.
After graduation, your assignment to a Division will be determined by…” Listening to the teacher’s passionate speech, Kūkaku yawned and rolled her eyes.
“This is so boring.
Yoruichi, how much longer is he going to talk?
I’m about to fall asleep.” However, even after waiting for quite a while, Kūkaku received no answer.
She turned her head.
Beside her, Yoruichi sat next to the window with her cheek propped against one hand.
Her eyes were open, but it was painfully obvious that her mind had wandered somewhere far away.
Kūkaku pursed her lips.
She was just about to put her head down and get some sleep when the teacher at the front finally brought his lengthy speech to an end.
“To make it easier for everyone to get along in the future, we’ll now have each of you give a simple introduction.
We’ll start with the first student in the row on the right.” “Hello, everyone!
My name is Sakura Tsukiike.
I live in the Third District of Rukongai.
It’s nice to meet you!” “Sōsuke Senji.
I’m from the Sixteenth District of Rukongai.
My hobby is training, and my dream is to become a Soul Reaper as powerful as the Captain-Commander!” “…” “Hiyori Sarugaki.
I’m from Rukongai.
I don’t have anything I particularly like, and what I hate most are baldies!” Hiyori tilted her head with an arrogant, defiant expression.
“Kisuke Urahara.
I like inventing little gadgets and things like that!
I hope we all get along, haha…” The boy had messy, pale blond hair and scratched his head while laughing foolishly.
“Lisa Yadōmaru.” A girl with braided hair and glasses spoke calmly.
“I like reading and research.
That’s all.
Nice to meet you.” “My name is Kensei Muguruma!” A boy with short white hair quickly jumped onto the front platform and shouted enthusiastically.
“I like fighting and training!
If any of you ever feel like throwing some punches, come fight me!” He clenched his right fist and struck it against his left palm, grinning broadly enough to reveal his white teeth.
“Mashiro Kuna!
Everyone can just call me Mashiro!” The innocent-looking green-haired girl bounced up to the front of the classroom and stared at everyone with wide eyes.
“What I like most is kicking!” As she spoke, she gave a few demonstrative kicks.
“…” “…” “Finally, my turn!” Kūkaku stretched before walking up to the front with a grin.
“My name is Kūkaku Shiba.
I live in Rukongai.
My favorite things are pipe smoking and fireworks, and my dream is to become the greatest fireworks expert in all of Soul Society!” “But right now, I’m going to awaken my Zanpakutō before a certain someone, learn Bankai before her, and become a captain before her!” Kūkaku finished by shooting Yoruichi a provocative grin.
“That Kūkaku…” Yoruichi’s expression darkened.
“Hey, Yoruichi, you’re up.” After returning to her seat, Kūkaku patted Yoruichi beside her.
Yoruichi shook herself out of her daze, walked up to the front, and began her introduction.
“Yoruichi Shihōin.
There are plenty of things I like and plenty I don’t like.
But one thing is certain.
I will absolutely awaken my Zanpakutō, learn Bankai, and become a captain before the girl who just spoke!” “…” Kūkaku stared at her.
“…” “…” …
A Soul Reaper’s combat methods could broadly be divided into four categories, Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship), Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand Combat), Shunpo (Flash Step), and Kidō (Demon Arts).
Together, these were known as the four fundamental combat arts of the Soul Reapers, sword, fist, movement, and spells.
A Zanpakutō was the standard weapon carried by every Soul Reaper.
Every Zanpakutō possessed its own name.
By learning that name, a Soul Reaper could release the Zanpakutō and gain access to greater power.
The first stage was generally Shikai, followed by Bankai.
Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand Combat) referred to techniques for fighting barehanded.
Zanjutsu (Swordsmanship) referred to techniques involving the sword.
Shunpo (Flash Step) was an advanced movement technique used for extremely rapid linear movement.
Kidō (Demon Arts) was divided into two branches, Hadō (Way of Destruction) and Bakudō (Way of Binding).
Hadō was offensive Kidō designed to attack and destroy, while Bakudō was designed to restrain, bind, and imprison.
Both were spell-based techniques normally activated through the recitation of an incantation.
With sufficient training, Kidō could also be cast without reciting the incantation.
Doing so saved time, but it also reduced the power of the spell.
Furthermore, the strength and destructive power of Kidō were inseparably linked to the user’s Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure).
…
Several days had passed since classes began at Shin’ō Academy, and everyone had gradually adjusted to their new lives.
Yoruichi and Kūkaku’s competition had also gained two additional participants, Kensei Muguruma and Hiyori Sarugaki.
Kisuke Urahara, Lisa Yadōmaru, and Mashiro Kuna, on the other hand, had little interest in competing over such things.
Kūkaku and Hiyori were particularly worth mentioning.
They both had explosive tempers and equally domineering personalities, making them natural rivals.
Every time they met, one would throw out a remark and the other would immediately fire back, leaving Yoruichi and the others exasperated.
Strangely enough, however, the more they argued, the better their relationship became.
At one point, this gave Yoruichi and Lisa some rather imaginative ideas, and the two began spreading rumors everywhere that Kūkaku and Hiyori’s relationship went beyond ordinary friendship.
The rumor sent both girls into a furious rage.
For the first time, Kūkaku and Hiyori joined forces and went on a “manhunt” for Yoruichi and Lisa.
Fortunately, it was nothing more than friends fooling around.
Otherwise…
Shadow remained concealed in a corner as always, silently watching Yoruichi.
He rarely showed himself.
Aside from Yoruichi herself and Kūkaku, who had already met him before, not a single person at the academy had ever seen him.
None of them knew that beside Yoruichi Shihōin, there was always another shadow.