Orientation

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The next day..

Almost all the new recruits were up and ready for the big day ahead of them. To them, it was a life changing experience, something most of them would never forget in their entire lives. The day they become real shinigami's, transcending the ordinary and stepping into the realms of the supernatural..

On this day, the new recruits would've the chance to meet the hotshots of the Seireitei, the highest ranked officers themselves, the Captains. To them it was a dream come true, and nearly everyone was up and ready for the day ahead of them, all except one..

Resting in his sitting pose, with his sword in his bosom, Kenshin's breaths were shallow, however his eyelids twitched from time to time. The rest of the recruits in the dormitory including Toshiro couldn't help but look at him in slight annoyance and surprise..

A few moments later, his eyes snapped open, face drenched in sweat, and his sword partially unsheathed, as he looked towards the recruits who were scurrying away from his little unconscious display.

Gently sighing to himself, he sheathed his sword and slowly arose to wash his face, before he took off his old red robe, as a wave of nostalgia hit him, along with a flush of memories.

'Im taking the first step in this new life, Arrai..the first step to become better..'

The uttered to himself, as he gently folded the red robe and pushed it under his pillow, clearly indicating it's significance.

Takijg his own black Shinigami robes, he stared at it for a moment, in hesitation, knowing there was no going back after this. After putting it on, all binds of the past were to be broken.

As he slipped on the robe, the cold interior made contact with his skin and made him flinch, as it fit right on his lean figure, accentuating his physique and godly looks.

Picking up a black cloth to be used as a belt, he picked up his sword and fastened it to his waist..before putting on two black tekko, that covered the back of his hands.

About several minutes later, the new recruits began moving out to the Academy Campus, eager to begin their first day as Shinigami in training.

Kenshin and Toshiro walked side side behind the groups in silence, dressed in the same manner, like two siblings; one with white hair, the other with red hair.

"Are you really taking that toy with you to the initiation ceremony? Wouldn't it be weird seeing you have an Asauchi when none of the recruits have been given one?"

Toshiro took one look at Kenshin's solemn face and the sword strapped to his waist before asking with a small sneer.

"It's not a toy..Its a family heirloom that holds great significance in my heart.."

Kenshin turned towards the young boy and spoke with a small smile.

"I still think it's a toy. You can't cut anything with it.."

Toshiro argued, his voice cold like the depths of waters.

"In the hands of a master swordsman, even a twig can become the most deadliest of weapons.."

Kenshin cemented his point, while Toshiro turned to look at him and furrowed his brows.

"So why won't you teach me how to fight like you? You made it clear yesterday, but I really want to know the reason. Is it because I'm weak?.."

Toshiro spoke, his voice wavering at the end.

"It's not. Even I wish I can unlearn this cursed burden..."

Kenshin spoke with a deep sigh, as he raised his head to the sky.

Their conversation continued for about a minute, until they finally reached the Academy gates.

"Welcome all. I congratulate you all on making it to the Academy. It's time for your inauguration. Follow me.."

One Shinigami with long black hair and a handsome face came to welcome everyone with a polite smile and a nod, before he gestured to them, and took the lead towards one of the Academy's main halls.

As they entered the hall, it was already half filled with other Shinigami students, the seniors, with a large podium mounted at the forefront, and there, the eyes of all the recruits began to shine in reverence and respect.

The Gotei 13, the military, powerhouse and backbone of the Seireitei and Central 46 sat in all their power, with their various Vice Captains standing behind them.

As the new recruits made their way into the hall, the eyes of all the Captains bore right on their beings, as waves of invisible reaitsu crashed towards them, as if testing their wills and resolve.

And while most of the Shinigami felt great pressure, as if they were carrying mountains on their shoulders, only two managed to remain completely unaffected by the pressure.

The two being the red haired handsome yet solemn youth, and the silver haired cold and indifferent boy.

Standing behind the crowd, Kenshin and Toshiro could feel the gazes of nearly every other Shinigami as well as the Captains bear right into the bodies, as if trying to discern their talents and potential.

And while Toshiro felt completely indifferent to it, Kenshin on the other hand was on alert. He could feel the gazes bear deep into him even more. Some of the gazes he recognised, others he did not.

As he slowly walked, he couldn't help feel a massive pressure slam into his body, and when he turned around, he noticed a beautiful figure intently watching him with gaze that seemed to pierce into his soul.

A beautiful woman pale skinned woman, with her dark long hair worn as a large braid in front of her body. She was dressed in the normal Shinigami shikahusho underneath her white Captain's robe.

The moment, their eyes met, the grip on Kenshin's blade tightened as he took in a deep breath and calmed his raging heart. He couldn't help but remember that fateful night when he had battled her under the glow of the moonlight.

Moving on, the grip on his sword loosened, while the pressure on his heart lifted, however in the next moment, a pair of light grey eyes bore into his own, making his temporarily take a step back.

The owner of those eyes, a young handsome man dressed in a a normal Shinigami robe underneath his Captain attire furrowed his brow for a moment. On his head were intricate white headpieces along with a beautiful and expensive looking scarf that wrapped around his neck region.

Unpleasant memories rushed to his mind, as Kenshin faltered for a moment. Deep in the night under earth the pouring rain, he remembered to have met a young boy with the same eyes after finishing off the head of the clan that was responsible for the execution of his family.

Taking a deep breath, Kenshin calmed himself and continued his gait to his seat, behind Toshiro.

If they knew of his real identity, he was sure the Captains would not wait any longer and rush in to subdued him immediately, after all, being once known as the Hitokiri Battosai (sword drawing manslayer), the most wanted criminal in the Seireitei was enough to warrant an instant death penalty for him.

However, even if they all ganged up on him, he was confident in his ability. He might not be able to fight them all, but escaping would be fairly easy.

"It would seem we have some talents this time around.."

Watching Kenshin's back with her eagle like gaze, the woman with the braided hair commented in a low voice, before turning towards the old man sitting before them with his eyes closed.

"I think Captain Kuchiki is trying to scare them off with his cold and stoic expression.."

One Captain, a man with short ponytail hair wearing a pink kimono over his Captain's robes and a straw hat commented with a small chuckle, referring to the little interaction between the handsome and cold Captain and Kenshin.

"Captain Unohana is right..this year's recruits are no joke. Especiqlly the red haired one. His reiatsu alone is on another level. I heard he defeated Jidanbo.."

A silver haired Captain commented, smiling towards Kenshin as he sat down.

Meanwhile, Rangiku stood behind her Captain with a small smile, as she looked towards Kenshin and Toshiro who sat together.

The moment the new recruits took their seats, a massive reiatsu descended, bringing with it a colossal pressure that overshadowed the ones from before.

Suddenly, the old man with the long beard who sat in silence all this while suddenly arose from his seat, his robes fluttering behind him with his walking stick firmly gripped in his hand.

His eyes scanned nearly every recruit for about a second, however upon reaching Toshiro and Kenshin he halted for a few moments, taking another look at Kenshin.

Maintaining his solemn look, Kenshin's body tensed up once more. Apart from himself, only two Shinigami he knew possessed the necessary strength to cut through space itself.

The first being his master, Seijuro Hikko XIII, and the other being none other than Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai, the Captain Commandant of the Gotei 13 who had previously wounded him to the point of death.

With his gaze towards him, Kenshin placed his hand on the handle of his sword calmly. The moment the old man made his move, he would just escape without wasting any time to try to battle him, although he was significantly even more powerful compared to before.

However the outcome he had predicted did not follow through in the end, as the old man turned his gaze away after a few moments.

"Welcome, all of you..."

Despite his frail appearance, his voice boomed out like thunder, drawing every attention towards himself.

As the Captain Commandant gave his speech to the teary eyed recruits, only Kenshin looked odd, as his solemn expression seemed to shift from tension to relief in multiple frames.