Orientation II

"I welcome all you new recruits to the Seireitei and Shinigami corps of the Gotei 13. Nothing is expected from you, besides your undying loyalty to the Gotei 13. Your mission as a Shinigami is to eliminate all evil, that threaten the Soul Society, even at the cost of your life..."

The old man declared in a powerful voice, as his massive reiatsu burst forth, drowning the entire hall in a seemingly overwhelming yet harmless pressure.

The expressions of all the Captains turned fierce, as they nodded their heads in agreement to the preaching of the law by the Captain Commandant.

Heaving a sigh of relief, Kenshin calmed himself, yet his muscles remained taut, like bowstrings, ready to erupt at any moment. Seated beside him, Toshiro couldn't help but furrow his brows when he sensed the unnatural restlessness that Kenshin seemed to find himself in, however he remained silent, and did not probe.

The inauguration did not last any more than it needed to -- less than an hour, and right after, the new recruits were sent to their respective classes to begin studies immediately.

The 1st class or class one, which was mainly reserved for the offspring of high ranking Shinigami and aristocrats from the four main families now had two peasants from the Rukongai seated within, a new record, which some Shinigami found baffling.

After all, the offspring of the Noble families were believed to be blessed, bearing immense amounts of reiryoku right from birth, with potential and talent which seemed unrivaled. Geniuses from the Rukongai, bearing such potential were rare, and people like Kenshin whose reiryoku level was so large even the measuring device was unable to bear it's pressure were as scarce as food in a famine.

Seated together in a well decorated class, Kenshin and Toshiro sat together at the back of the class, one having a solemn expression with his eyes closed, and the other with a bored and cold look on his face.

Before them, sat many nobles dressed in well crafted uniforms, well decorated, and different, compared to the ones Kenshin and Toshiro wore.

"Good afternoon.."

A bald and tall man dressed in black Shinigami robes walked in the class, with a stern expression, while adjusting his glasses.

The students lightly bowed their heads in response, with Kenshin and Toshiro being the only exception.

"My name is Gengoro Onabara, I'm your teacher for the four basic Shinigami arts.."

He quickly introduced himself and scanned the students, only for his eyes to rest upon the red haired and silver haired duo seated behind the class.

"Since some of you do not know, I will inform you. Fighting and killing Hollows are not the only important things a well trained Shinigami should know. Subjects such as History among others are important and must be studied.

However, if you want to rise to higher positions, as a Shinigami, then you'll need complete mastery in all four basic battle techniques. You'll need to completely master Zankensoki."

Kenshin finally opened his eyes and paid attention to the teacher as he explained. While he knew he was better than most Shinigami in terms of pure combat and speed, it wouldn't hurt to add more moves to his arsenal.

"Zankensoki are the four main combat techniques of Shinigami.

Zan - Stands for Zanjutsu or sword fighting, which is basically the main mode of battle for most Shinigami.

Ken - Refers to Hakuda, or hand to hand combat. While I believe it is important, most Shinigami mostly focus on Zanjutsu only.

So - Refers to Hoho or movement techniques. Us Shinigami have developed our own movement technique for speed known as Shunpo (Flash step), that allows one to move like the wind.

ki - Refers to Kido. A kido spell is a materialization of a phenomenon by externalising and harnessing ones reiryoku in a battle.

I'll take all of these one after the other, and explain everything into detail."

After a long non stop ramble, the teacher finally stopped and looked towards the ten students in his class who were startled.

'Interesting..'

Kenshin and Toshiro listened with rapt attention with most of the nobles looked bored. After all, this was generic information which was not privy to most Noble families.

"Without wasting any time, let us begin with Zanjutsu!"

*CLAP!*

Gengoro raised his voice and clapped hard, and in the next instant, multiple shinigami walked in, carrying bundles of nearly arranged sheathed katanas, which they placed on a large table in front of the class, bowed and then walked away.

"Most people think Zanjutsu just means slashing and cutting with a sword, however it gies even beyond that. Zanjutsu means swordsmanship, and the way of the sword. It goes beyond just using the sword as a tool for battle, but rather recognising your blade as a permanent companion and friend.

Reaching this realm of mastery in Zanjutsu would effectively allow you to communicate with the soul of your sword, allowing you to access power beyong your imagination."

Kenshin listened to the man's speech, as his palm gently caressed the sheath of his blade. Toshiro couldnt help but notice his action, and after a moment, realization dawned on him, as he sighed.

"Now, we mostly don't give out asauchis until after at least a week after staying in the institute, however things have changed now. The Academy requires you to being training as soon as possible.

One after the other, I want you to come and pick your own swords. Remember, a sword is not just a tool, but a companion. Feel your soul resonate with the blade and feel the attraction. Choose wisely.."

Gengoro advised and stood to the side, gesturing for the first noble student to walk out to the swords. Barely able to calm his excitement, the young boy immediately picked out a blade with a red handle and a circular shaped guard with a red sheath, without even bothering to trying to communicate with it whatsoever.

As he sat down in excitement he could tell but notice the disappointment on Gengoro's face.

One by one, the students picked their blades, some resonating with their soon to be companions, while the others just picking out of excitement.

Soon enough, it was Toshiro's turn. As the young boy walked to the blades, he could feel the deep coldness within his heart stir. As he looked through the array of blades, his eyes finally landed on one long katana with a purple hilt and a star shaped guard which instantly caught his attention.

It was as if the cold within him was guiding him to the blade and was even stirring in response to it.

As he picked it up, he slowly unsheathed it, as his turquoise irises reflected by a cold gleam on th3 balde's surface.

Watching the young boy in amazement, Gengoro nodded in approval, as Toshiro sheathed the blade and walked to his seat firmly.

After Toshiro picked up his blade, the only student who had not taken one was Kenshin and he sat there with no plans of doing so.

"Oi, we do not have all day!"

Gengoro couldn't help but furrow his brows, as he looked towards Kenshin who planned to make no move.

"I'm sorry. I cannot take any of the blades from the Academy, because I have my own companion here with me.."

Gently pulling out the scabbard of his blade from his waist, he hoisted it up before gently placing it back.

"You must be Kenshin.."

Gengoro lowered his glasses and looked towards Kenshin, sizing him up without discretion.

"I heard you defeated Jidanbo during the selections.."

He added, as Kenshin gently lifted his gaze towards him.

"Now! The Academy teaches a basic sword kata that every Shinigami is required to learn. After graduating, you may seek to further enhance your Zanjutsu by learning other styles such as Kendo, however until then, you'll be training with me..Let's move out to the training grounds."

Gengoro grabbed a blade from the arrays and moved out with the students, to begin their first sword training lesson.