173 A new school life begins

(Ryoto's pov)

Behind me, I heard a voice and felt danger even though the voice was soothing and motherly. It reminded me of someone who I shouldn't be messing with.

I turned around to see a woman who was 159 cm in height, which meant that she was shorter than me, but to be fair, I haven't met many people who are taller. She had a unique hairstyle. Instead of the usual ponytail, she had styled a loose ponytail in front of her body.

She was smiling gently at me, but my body was screaming to run away. While I don't have my spider sense anymore, I still have good instincts.

She also wore a white haori over her usual black Shinigami clothes meaning that she was a captain.

Retsu Unohana or Yachiru Unohana as she was known before. I don't know if I'm lucky or not to meet a captain so early.

Retsu: "Let me explain that to you. You pass."

Ryoto: "Excuse me?"

Retsu: "You pass."

She repeated with a smile.

I looked around to see if anyone had started laughing or something.

Ryoto: "Are you serious?"

Retsu: "Yes, while it didn't happen before, as no one was hot-headed enough to try and destroy the crystal, people with high Reiryoku tend to be physically stronger, and since you were able to break it with your bare hands, we can assume that you have a high amount of Reiryoku."

Ryoto: "So why are you not making all the participants test their strength instead of using this defective device."

I pointed at the broken ball.

Retsu: "Oh, this thing? It works perfectly fine. Some people just like to mess with others."

She looked at the leader of the group.

Shinigami 3: "I would like to apologize for the behavior of my friend, captain."

Right, she was from the 4th Division.

The girl apologized while the guy was laughing embarrassingly while scratching the back of his head.

Shinigami 2: "You what!!!?"

The other Shinigami that was still bound by a speel was furious at this information. I guess he never knew.

Shinigami 2: "I did this test 10 times, and you were making fun of me!!!?"

Shinigami 1: "I couldn't help myself. Seeing you trying so hard and not succeeding was so fun."

I see, a sadist. It makes some sense now.

Shinigami 2: "You son of a bitch!!!"

He started struggling to free himself but without any luck.

Shinigami 1: "Haha, but at least you finally passed and got into 11th Division. Though it was only because you sucked at Kido."

The leader was making fun of the guy on the floor and was enjoying it. Seeing that they won't be stopping any time soon with their shinanigans, Unohana explained where I should go now that I had passed the test.

Retsu: "When you exit the tent, please enter the big building on the right."

She instructed me, and I did as I was told, not only because I wanted to see if Rin passed her test as well but also because Zangetsu was starting to release some of our Reiatsu.

(Retsu's pov)

What an interesting young man.

Shinigami 3: "Captain, was it wise to let him in just like that? I am aware that having higher physical strength means high Reiryoku, but just that isn't enough of a reason to let him in. Not to mention he broke the machine."

A young girl from my Division asked about my decision. If I remember correctly, her name was Izuna.

Retsu: "That wasn't, of course, the only reason. When he touched the ball, just for a minuscule moment, it started to shine red. Meaning he has Reiryoku equal to average lieutenant."

Not to mention his Zanpakuto. He already possesses Shikai. His blade also tasted blood before. I could practically feel his Zanpakuto's desire for battle, and it was reflected in his Reiatsu. While he was keeping his Reiatsu at a low level, I could still feel its violent nature. It somehow reminded me of my past. I just hope that he won't end up like me as well.

It's not often that someone applying to Spiritual Arts Academy, as it is now called, already possesses Zanpakuto, but it tends to happen from time to time. Many young and inexperienced or too confident Shinigami die on the missions leaving their Asauchi to be picked up by someone.

(Ryoto's pov)

'Zangetsu, why the hell are you picking up the fight with Captain?! Do you want to kill us?!'

Zangetsu: "Sorry, I was subconsciously doing it. Seeing someone so strong, I couldn't stop myself. I just wanted to fight her."

'We would die instantly."

Zangetsu: "Get stronger then."

'Then why didn't you do something similar to when we met Yami for the first time?"

Zangetsu: "I did. You just couldn't feel it at that time."

'I sometimes forget that you're a battle junkie.'

Zangetsu: "And I forget that you are crazy enough to not be one."

---

Rin passed the test as well, and she was already waiting for me in that building I was guided to by Unohana. I knew that she could do it. I felt proud of her, and out of habit, I patted her head. She enjoyed it.

Yoruichi: "Yo!"

Someone familiar greeted us, but she wasn't alone.

Ryoto: "So it will be your first year here as well."

I was genuinely surprised. I expected her to be at least second year by the way she spoke, but apparently, she was starting at the same time as us.

Yoruichi: "Yep, so we will be seeing each other quite often from now on."

Remembering that she still didn't introduce her friends, she acquainted us with each other.

Yoruichi: "By the way, the one on my right is Kisuke Urahara and on my left is Tessai Tsukabishi."

Kisuke: "Plesure to meet you."

Tessai: "Nice to meet you."

Rin and I returned the greetings, but we didn't talk for a long time longer as soon after, we were called out in groups of two. Rin was together with Yoruichi, and I was with Urahara. Later we learned it meant that we would live in the same room for the next six years.

And so my new school life started.

---

END

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