Time flowed like water as Yoruichi Shihōin and the others spent their days competing, socializing, and training.
Five months later, at the same training grounds, the students of the Prodigy Class were scattered around in small groups.
Some were practicing Kidō (Demon Arts), some were working on their swordsmanship, others were training Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand Combat), while the rest practiced Shunpo (Flash Step).
By now, everyone had developed a general understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses and had begun focusing their training accordingly.
After all, even the students of the Prodigy Class weren’t perfect at everything.
Yoruichi’s greatest strengths remained Shunpo and Hakuda.
Kidō came next, while swordsmanship was still her weakest area.
After Shadow’s guidance during their previous training session, Yoruichi had learned to observe the world with her heart and trust her instincts.
Her Shunpo had become exceptionally fast and unpredictable, and her speed was already comparable to that of an ordinary seated officer, perhaps even a lieutenant.
Kensei Muguruma excelled most at Hakuda and swordsmanship, followed by Kidō.
His Shunpo couldn’t compare to Yoruichi’s, but it was by no means weak.
Hiyori Sarugaki was similarly strongest in Hakuda and swordsmanship.
Her Shunpo was somewhat weaker.
As for her Kidō…
The less said about that, the better.
Kūkaku Shiba was almost Hiyori’s complete opposite.
Kidō was her greatest strength, followed by Hakuda.
Her Shunpo was somewhat weaker, while her swordsmanship was about as impressive as Hiyori’s Kidō.
Which was to say, not impressive at all.
To everyone’s surprise, Lisa Yadōmaru’s greatest strength turned out to be swordsmanship.
Her Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kidō were all fairly good as well, making her the most balanced among them.
Kisuke Urahara still spent every free moment working on his inventions and research, although his Kidō appeared to be quite strong.
Mashiro Kuna, meanwhile, left everyone completely speechless.
Her version of Hakuda consisted almost entirely of kicks.
As for swordsmanship, Kidō, and Shunpo…
Well…
They were impossible to evaluate.
After spending so much time together, even Kaien Shiba had grown familiar with everyone, especially Kensei.
Since both of them possessed lieutenant-level Reiryoku (Spiritual Power), they had naturally ended up fighting several times.
Neither had managed to establish a clear advantage.
At some point, neither of them could remember whose idea it had been, the two of them decided to challenge Shadow.
When Yoruichi first heard what they wanted to do, she stared at them blankly for quite a while.
In the end, however, she called Shadow out for them.
They got exactly what they wished for.
Shadow beat both of them until their faces were swollen beyond recognition.
He hadn’t seriously injured them, much less tried to kill them, but they still suffered enough that Kaien and Kensei secretly swore never to fight Shadow again.
It was simply too painful.
…
“And that concludes today’s Kidō theory.
Next, we’ll continue discussing the potential injuries that can be caused by different sword attacks…” At the front of the classroom, the goateed teacher was once again passionately delivering one of his long, uninspired lectures.
The students of the Prodigy Class below him were lazily doing their own things.
Then again, if the most talented students in the entire year still needed basic theoretical lessons like these to improve their abilities, calling them geniuses would have been rather questionable.
“Zzz…
zzz…” Yoruichi had her face pressed against her desk, quietly snoring.
Drool steadily trickled from the corner of her mouth, and every now and then her lips twitched adorably in her sleep.
Compared to Yoruichi, Hiyori was far less restrained.
She was practically sprawled across her chair, sleeping soundly.
Kūkaku lay over her desk with a pen in her hand, writing something no one else could see.
She kept muttering under her breath, sometimes smiling and sometimes frowning.
Lisa was still holding a book in front of her.
Light occasionally flashed across the lenses of her glasses, making her look strangely ominous.
Kensei’s mind had wandered elsewhere.
Mashiro was boredly looking around the room.
Kisuke stared into space while thinking about his latest research project.
Everyone was doing something.
Not a single person was seriously listening to the lesson.
Then, without warning, the goateed teacher dropped a bombshell in the middle of his lecture.
“…And that’s roughly how it works.
Oh, right.
Three days from now, the students in your year will participate in a combat exercise against simulated Hollows.
Make sure you’re prepared.
Class dismissed.” With that, he simply walked out.
“What?!
Simulated Hollows?” “A combat exercise?!” “…” Every student in the classroom instantly came back to life.
They stared at one another, processing what they had just heard.
Unfortunately, the goateed teacher had already vanished without giving them another word of explanation.
He had definitely done that on purpose.
…
The next day was the weekend, which meant that once classes ended today, they would finally be allowed to leave Shin’ō Academy temporarily.
Yoruichi and the other six were walking together, discussing the simulated Hollow combat exercise scheduled for three days later, when Kaien came running toward them excitedly.
He was no longer wearing the uniform of Shin’ō Academy.
Instead, he wore a black Shihakushō.
Kaien grinned broadly.
Looking at Kensei, whose eyebrow was already twitching, he proudly patted the Shihakushō he was wearing.
“Well, Kensei?
Jealous?
Starting today, no, starting right now, I’m officially a real Soul Reaper.” “Damn it!” Kensei gritted his teeth, shouted in frustration, then immediately turned and started running.
“I’m applying for early graduation too!” “Kensei, you haven’t forgotten Shin’ō Academy’s rules, have you?” Lisa asked, pushing her glasses up as she looked at him.
“Rules?” Kensei abruptly froze mid-run.
“You can only apply for early graduation after studying at Shin’ō Academy for at least one year and earning the approval of your teachers through outstanding grades,” Yoruichi explained.
“The goateed teacher told us that on our very first day, remember?” “What?!” Kensei shouted indignantly.
“Why the hell does a rule like that even exist?!” “Without rules, Shin’ō Academy would turn into complete chaos.” Kūkaku calmly took a puff from the pipe she had somehow gotten her hands on.
“Anyway, Kaien, have you decided which Division you’re joining?” “A Division, huh?” Kaien rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The Thirteenth Division.
Captain Ukitake is a really good person.” “The Thirteenth Division isn’t bad.” Kūkaku grinned brightly.
“But I like the Tenth Division more.
Imagine patrolling every day with a bunch of subordinates following behind me.
Now that would be impressive.” “…” Everyone stared at Kūkaku in complete silence.
Dark expressions settled over their faces.
That really did sound exactly like something she would want.
“Anyway, that’s how it is!” Kaien said with a laugh.
“I need to report to the Thirteenth Division first.
Let’s all meet at the usual place later.
My treat.” After Kaien left, Yoruichi and the others gained another topic to discuss, the Gotei 13.
“Come to think of it, what exactly does each Division of the Gotei 13 do?” Hiyori suddenly asked.
She, Mashiro, Lisa, Kensei, and several of the others had all come from Rukongai, so they weren’t especially familiar with the organization.
“Hiyori, aren’t you pretty close with Shinji Hirako?” Yoruichi asked in confusion.
“Who the hell is close with that baldy?!” Hiyori immediately exploded.
“Really?” Kūkaku asked flatly.
It was only a single word, but coming from Kūkaku, it made Hiyori’s anger surge even higher.
“Fine, I’ll explain.” Yoruichi scratched her head.
“The First Division is the command Division.
It handles announcements from the Central 46 and organizes regular meetings.” “The Second Division handles assassinations and covert infiltration missions.” “The Third Division serves as a support unit.
Whenever necessary, it assists the other Divisions with their duties, except for the Fourth.” “The Fourth Division is the medical unit.
They’re responsible for emergency treatment and routine medical care.” “The Fifth Division is a rescue unit.
They’re responsible for helping Soul Reapers and trainees who run into trouble while fighting Hollows in the Human World.” “The Sixth Division is dedicated to the nobility and protects the interests of Soul Society’s noble families.” “The Seventh Division serves as an internal guard unit, assisting and protecting the First Division and the Central 46.” “The Eighth Division is responsible for intelligence gathering and organizing information.” “The Ninth Division handles prisons.
They’re responsible for interrogations and imprisoning ordinary criminals.” “The Tenth Division handles patrols and security throughout Seireitei.” “The Eleventh Division is the main combat unit and is responsible for frontline attacks.” “The Twelfth Division handles combat support and supplies whatever equipment and materials are needed during battles.” “And the Thirteenth Division is the primary purification unit.
They’re one of the main forces responsible for purifying Hollows and are stationed throughout the Human World.” Yoruichi shrugged.
“That’s about it.” “So which Division are you planning to join, Yoruichi?” Kisuke asked.
“The Second Division, obviously.
I’m supposed to take my father’s place eventually.” Yoruichi sighed in annoyance.
“What a pain.” Then she looked at Kisuke.
“What about you, Kisuke?
Which Division are you joining?” “I haven’t decided yet,” Kisuke replied.
“I probably won’t think about it until six years from now.” “Six years?” Kensei stared at him in confusion.
“Wait, Kisuke, you’re not going to apply for early graduation with us?” “No, no.” Kisuke quickly shook his head.
“You all know I like researching and inventing things.
It’s much more convenient to do that here.
If I joined the Gotei 13, I’d probably be too busy to focus on my research.
So I’ll just wait until six years from now.” “That’s why you’re an idiot, baldy Urahara,” Hiyori shot back.
“…” Kisuke could only scratch his head and laugh foolishly.
“How about this, Kisuke?” Yoruichi thought for a moment before speaking.
“Why don’t you come with me to the Second Division?” “The Second Division?” Kūkaku immediately choked on her smoke and coughed twice.
“But Yoruichi, doesn’t the Second Division normally never recruit anyone from Shin’ō Academy?” “Eh, who cares, Kūkaku?” Yoruichi waved dismissively.
“Don’t forget.
My last name is Shihōin.” “That’s true.” Kūkaku took another puff from her pipe and grinned.
“Yoruichi is the sole future heir of the Shihōin Clan, after all.” “So, Kisuke?” Yoruichi tilted her head.
“Want to join the Second Division?
You’d be able to spend most of your time continuing your research.” “That does sound pretty good,” Kisuke said with a smile.
“But wouldn’t that cause trouble for you, Yoruichi?” “It won’t.
Don’t worry about that.” Yoruichi smiled and nodded.
“Shadow is on my side.
Even if my father disagrees, there’s not much he can do about it.” “Then thanks, Yoruichi!” Kisuke’s face immediately lit up.