CHAPTER 108: First Class

Kazuya was feeling satisfied with the result of his impromptu battle with Soi Fon. Creating buzz about his strength was an easy ticket into the Gotei 13, even though it'd also attract attention from Aizen and the likes.

{I'm still salty you didn't beat her.}

'Let's not make an enemy out of her.'

Soi Fon had trained her martial arts and Shunkō relentlessly after Yoruichi departed from her life. To get over the shadow of Yoruichi, she had passionately honed her craft. She absolutely would have gone insane after losing against a first year student.

The moment Kazuya walked into the classroom, everyone regarded him with cautiousness and a hint of respect. He, however, was more intrigued by the classroom itself — a high school classroom, but one furnished in ancient Japanese style, more spacious and packed full of seats and chairs.

Among the students, a majority were nobles but none dared to act pompous in front of him. His individual strength aside, he had the backing of a Captain, and even the 2nd Squad Captain showed open interest in him. Crossing him was the last mistake they wanted to make. The students even treated Momo and Toshiro with utmost respect. Momo being Momo easily made friends whereas Toshiro acted flustered, his mind shutting down in the face of friendliness.

"Who let this kid in Class one?"

There were always exceptions.

Kazuya's eyes narrowed as they settled on a delinquent-looking figure with a high crimson ponytail — Renji Abarai, a simmering disdain for Toshiro evident in his body language. Momo moved to intervene, but Kazuya held her back.

"He can handle it."

Resigned, Momo stepped back, taking on the observer role alongside him.

Toshiro took a moment to crane his neck and glare up at Renji. "Are you stupid? Souls don't physically age the same as humans."

"I-I know, dumbass. Doesn't excuse you from being a toddler."

"Toddler?" Toshiro scoffed. "You're just half a meter taller than me."

"You—sensei is here. I'll deal with you later."

"Idiot."

With an authoritative stride, their bald homeroom teacher slammed a stack of books on his table. He wore piercing glasses that complimented his sharp aura. "Welcome to a new chapter in your lives, students. I'm Gengoro Onabara, the homeroom teacher of first year students from Class 1."

His introduction brought pindrop silence to the classroom.

"So, does anyone here know about the most important duty of a Shinigami?"

Momo immediately raised her hand. "Protecting humanity from Hollows by cleansing them with a Zanpakutō."

"Cleansing Hollows is important to protect humanity, yes. But there is something even more important to a Shinigami," Gengoro said as his gaze drifted to Kazuya. "You've made quite an impression in the opening ceremony, Ishihara-san."

Kazuya stood up and chuckled. "Trying to hide true brilliance is like attempting to cover the sun with a cloud; it shines through, regardless."

Gengoro laughed. "Well said. The Gotei 13 will be expecting a lot from you in the future. As for our current question, can you shed some light on the most important duty of a Shinigami?"

"Governance over the Balance. Without the soul balance between worlds, everything will collapse."

Cleansing Hollows was just a method to achieve the said balance. After all, without the balance, all realms would distort and spill into each other, eventually becoming one.

Gengoro gave a nod of approval at his answer. "Right. The Balance between the worlds is Shinigami's utmost priority." His eyes scanned the faces before him, pausing briefly on each, as if absorbing their potential, before he turned to the chalkboard and sketched a diagram. "Zankensoki. Here, Zan refers to sword fighting techniques. Ken refers to unarmed fighting techniques. So refers to movement techniques, and Ki refers to Kidō. To become a Shinigami, you'll need to become familiar with all the techniques depicted in Zankensoki."

A student's mastery over these techniques also dictated their future in the Gotei 13.

"You have to hone your abilities if you're aiming to enter the Gotei 13 or any of the special departments. Work hard and you'll easily get through the entrance test."

"Special departments?" Renji's voice cut through, his hand raised in curiosity. "What are those, Sensei?"

"Some of the divisions in the Gotei 13 are reserved for Shinigami with specific masteries. Take the 2nd Squad for example; it requires great mastery over Hoho and Hakuda from their Shinigami. Likewise, to enter the 4th Squad, you need to have talent in Kidō and Kaido, which is crucial in providing healing."

Kazuya raised his hand. "Is it possible to be part of two squads at once?"

His question left the entire classroom in an uproar. A graduate of Shin'o Academy wasn't guaranteed a spot in the Gotei 13. Instead of worrying about Gotei 13's acceptance, Kazuya was contemplating joining two squads.

Gengoro raised his hand to calm down the students. "Why, student Ishihara-kun? What good will joining two squads do?"

"I was just asking if it's possible."

"It has never been done and I don't believe it's possible."

Kazuya sighed. He wanted to join the 10th Squad as well as the 4th Squad — to seduce Rangiku and Unohana at the same time. There were only benefits in joining the 10th Squad since he'd get even closer to Isshin Shiba.

'It might be possible.'

He just had to create a situation where both Captains desired his strengths and made an agreement to let him act as a part of both squads. Convincing Isshin of his ability would be easy but the same couldn't be said for Retsu Unohana. The woman was just as old as Captain Yamamoto. He had to show something incredible to seize her interest. Something that she wouldn't be able to find in anyone else.

'The question is: how?'

Leaning against the chair, he caressed Yoruichi's head on his lap as he recalled details about Unohana. After being humbled by the kid Kenpachi Zaraki in the past, she abandoned the life of bloodshed and became a healer. Even when Aizen was causing chaos, she didn't lift her sword. Instead, she waited until the Quincy War and Yamamoto's death to use her sword in helping Zaraki regain his powers.

She still loved battles but she refused to fight, as if she took on an oath.

'I have no choice but to tickle her battle-freak nature.'

{Like I said, Partner, violence is the key to everything.}

…

Soon, the first lecture ended, and their next lesson on 'Zanjutsu' had to take place outside. The trio — Kazuya, Momo, Shiro — exited the classroom, followed by Yoruichi in her cat form.

Renji ambushed Yoruichi from behind with every intention to apprehend her. His hands met air as Yoruichi hopped on the window then jumped outside. The whimsical woman left for yet another whimsical adventure.

"Hey, don't disturb Yoruichi-san," Momo scolded Renji. "You still haven't apologized to Shiro-chan."

"I'm sorry," Renji said with a condescending chuckle and looked at Kazuya. "Dude, your cat reminds me of my friend."

Kazuya's smile widened, his eyes following a black-haired figure turning the hallway corner. "I take it your friend isn't a cat."

"Naw, she is a girl. Small and kind of cute," Renji rambled, his hand stroking his chin as if finding a fitting description from the depths of his memories. "She is bossy. kind of like a delinquent leader. She is a pain in the ass sometimes."

Kazuya's smile turned mischievous. "Oh. Does your friend happen to have shoulder-length black hair?"

"Yes, how do you know?! OUCH!"

Rukia kicked Renji's butt, making him fall on the floor. She stomped on his back a couple of times. "Stop calling me short. You guys are just freakin' tall abominations."

Renji got back to his feet and scratched his cheeks. "Stop eavesdropping on me like a stalker. It makes me embarrassed."

"Who would even want to stalk a monkey-faced pig like you?!" Rukia harrumphed and crossed her arms. As her face softened, she realized the students standing around Renji, her drifting to Kazuya. Her first thought was that he was even more handsome in person and second how ridiculously tall he was compared to her. "Aren't you… the student who fought Captain Soi Fon of the 2nd Squad?"

She didn't think she'd find Renji hanging out with the most famous student in the academy at the moment. Her friend had the most unexpected luck.

"He almost won against a Captain," Momo answered excitedly as she grabbed Rukia's hands. "I'm Momo Hinamori. You are?"

Faced with Momo's aggressive friendly behavior, Rukia almost took a step back. She wasn't used to dealing with people like Momo. "Rukia…"

"Rukia-chan! Do you want to be friends?"

"Sure…"

Momo didn't notice Rukia's uncomfortable gaze and gave her a quick hug. "Then we're friends. Which class are you from?"

"Class 2…" Rukia lowered her head and sighed. "They took Renji but didn't think I was good enough for Class 1. Something must be wrong with their eyes."

"Oi, my Spirit Class is Rank 3. Yours is 5 or 6. You lack talent, little girl."

A twitch of Rukia's face, and Renji found himself nursing a bruised shin. Watching the two fight, everyone smiled. Even Toshiro cracked a small chuckle seeing Renji facing consequences for his loudmouth.

...

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