To help the newly graduated students adapt more easily to life in Seireitei, and more importantly, because the captains were pleased to have recruited so many talented and powerful newcomers, they decided to hold a celebration on the hill behind the academy.
Yoruichi and the others enthusiastically approved.
Even Kisuke Urahara, who had been busy with his research, was forcibly dragged over by Kaien Shiba and Kensei Muguruma.
Everyone gathered together, arms slung over one another’s shoulders as they ate, drank, laughed, and messed around.
The atmosphere was incredibly lively.
Perhaps after parting tonight, many of them would never see one another again.
Perhaps the next time they met, they would have to address one another formally as superiors.
Perhaps… There were simply too many possibilities.
Shunsui Kyōraku was visibly drunk.
Retsu Unohana held a cup of steaming tea, her usual gentle smile still on her face.
Jūshirō Ukitake leaned off to one side, his complexion pale.
Shinji Hirako was still grinning widely as he bickered with Hiyori Sarugaki, while Kirio Hikifune watched them with an amused smile.
Yoruichi and Kūkaku Shiba fought over the food, occasionally trading sharp remarks.
Nearby, Kaien and Kensei had once again started sparring, while Mashiro Kuna jumped around beside them, loudly cheering Kensei on.
In a dark corner beyond the reach of the firelight, a trace of nostalgia appeared on Shadow’s normally emotionless face.
It seemed that once, long ago, things had been like this too.
Whether they cried or laughed, this was the last night they would all spend together like this.
Once dawn arrived, every sorrow and every joy would be tucked away somewhere deep within their hearts.
Perhaps years from now, when some of them met again and remembered the laughter of this night, they would find themselves laughing all over again.
This was who they had once been.
Young, inexperienced, and yet… Seireitei did not seem especially dark at night.
The moon cast a silvery veil over everything, while countless fires illuminated the gathering below.
A gentle night breeze continued to blow until dawn.
The morning glow stretched the students’ shadows far across the ground.
The newly risen sun was not yet hot, but its light carried a vibrant warmth.
One by one, the students stopped what they were doing.
The noise gradually faded as everyone turned toward the sun rising in the east, relaxed smiles appearing on their faces.
Tomorrow, they would do even better.
“Hey, everyone.” Yoruichi stood up and looked at Kūkaku and the others with a grin.
“Don’t forget about our competition!” “As if I’d ever lose to you, Yoruichi!” Kūkaku was the first to respond.
“Of course!” Kensei shouted passionately.
“I’m going to be the first one to master Bankai!” “Quit bragging!” Hiyori scoffed, tilting her head.
“…” “Then everyone better work hard!” Yoruichi said brightly as she extended her right hand.
Kūkaku grinned and placed her hand over Yoruichi’s.
Kaien and Kensei immediately followed, neither willing to be left behind.
Hiyori quickly joined them as well.
Seeing Kensei place his hand in the pile, Mashiro happily added hers too.
“Well, since everyone’s so motivated, I suppose Lisa and I should join in too.” Urahara scratched his head and glanced at Lisa Yadōmaru.
“I don’t mind.” Lisa closed her book and shrugged casually.
Eight hands stacked together.
Eight young faces were filled with broad smiles.
“One, two, three!
Everyone, give it everything you’ve got!
Hahaha!” All eight hands shot into the air together beneath the beautiful dawn sky.
Their real lives were only just beginning.
“Every time I see them like this, I feel old,” Retsu Unohana said wistfully.
“I know.
Youth really is wonderful,” Kirio Hikifune agreed.
“Personally, I think I’m still in the prime of my youth.” Somehow, Shinji Hirako had produced a comb and mirror and was smugly fixing his hair as he spoke.
Unfortunately, dreams were beautiful, while reality was cruel.
Smack!
The world fell silent.
Clutching his face as blood poured from his nose, Shinji pointed a trembling finger at Hiyori.
“Hiyori, you little…” “Shut up!
I’m not apologizing!” “I haven’t even said anything yet…” “Then I have even less reason to apologize!” “…” Everyone burst into laughter.
Life, when it came down to it, could really be this simple and warm.
The newly graduated students were not required to report to their respective squads until three days after the graduation ceremony.
Taking advantage of the rare free time, everyone continued talking and fooling around for a while longer before finally ending the gathering and heading home to get some proper rest.
Yoruichi yawned and rubbed her eyes before tilting her head slightly.
“Shadow, time to head back.” “Yes, Yoruichi!” Shadow appeared instantly and dropped to one knee.
“Would you like to return home and rest?” Yoruichi shook her head, climbed onto Shadow’s back, and rested her chin on top of his head.
“There’s no need to rush.
I still want to walk around for a while.
I’m reporting to the Executive Militia the day after tomorrow, so I should relax while I still can!” “Yes, Yoruichi!” … As they walked through the streets of Seireitei, Yoruichi’s amber eyes constantly darted from one thing to another.
Whenever she spotted something she liked, she bought it and casually tossed it to Shadow to carry.
There was no trace of exhaustion on her tanned face, only an excited smile.
Shadow maintained his usual cold expression as he followed exactly one step behind her, paying for everything while steadily stuffing her purchases into the bags in his hands.
After spending yet another entire day running around, the inevitable happened.
The moment they returned to the Shihōin residence, Yoruichi collapsed into bed and fell asleep.
She was so exhausted that she did not even eat dinner.
Shadow sighed helplessly, pulled the blanket over her, then quietly walked outside and closed the door.
He formed a hand seal.
“Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.” Poof!
After a burst of smoke, an identical Shadow appeared beside him.
Shadow instructed the clone to guard the door, then shook his head.
He needed some proper rest too.
… The three days passed quickly.
The graduates received their Shihakushō and officially became full-fledged Shinigami.
On their very first day after joining their respective squads, Kūkaku Shiba, Kensei Muguruma, Hiyori Sarugaki, Lisa Yadōmaru, and Mashiro Kuna each challenged one of their squad’s seated officers.
Every one of them won.
Kisuke Urahara joined Squad 2, although he did not receive a seated position.
He did not care.
As far as Urahara was concerned, research and invention were far more important than rank, something everyone had already expected from him.
At the same time, Yoruichi began undergoing all kinds of training within the Executive Militia.
Everything continued progressing in an orderly fashion.
And all of them looked forward to the beginning of whatever came next.