Chapter 321: Shinso

"I wonder what my Shikai will be like?"

"I hope my Shikai looks beautiful."

"What good is beauty? It needs to be big and powerful."

"Hmph, only primitive commoners would be so superficial."

"I'd be happy just to achieve Shikai."

"Shikai isn't easy to attain. There are many Shinigami in the Seireitei who can't achieve it."

"Such childish thinking."

"Tch, does beauty help in fighting Hollows?"

"Strive for Shikai! Work hard, persevere!"

"You should master Shunpo first."

"We don't need to fight at all; you don't understand."

As the lesson on Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden concluded, the classroom burst into noisy chatter during the break. The students of the elite class, filled with anticipation, began discussing the next lesson, fantasizing about wielding Asauchi and imagining their impressive forms once they achieved Shikai.

The elite class students walked and talked, full of expectations, as they filed out of the Kidō training room in groups, heading towards the Meditation Room.

Among this crowd, Gin Ichimaru stood out. His slim figure moved alone through the throng, with the other male students keeping a slight distance from him, making it seem as though he was isolated.

In truth, it was he who isolated himself.

It's not that other students didn't want to befriend Gin. After all, upon graduation, they were to become Shinigami, entrusting their lives to their comrades. Building good relationships early on would facilitate future cooperation.

But interacting with Gin felt awkward for everyone. His understanding of everything differed from that of his peers, especially when he pointed out their flaws with that fox-like, smiling face of his. It seemed both insidiously critical and mockingly disdainful, making his classmates uncomfortable and leading them to keep their distance.

The only one who could withstand Gin's peculiar manner was Rangiku.

At this moment, however, Rangiku was busy chatting with her friends about the differences in their bust sizes, laughing and comparing.

"How are you all moving around so easily?"

As the students entered the Meditation Room, a natural hush fell over them.

A burly instructor with a stern face, Instructor Omori, was kneeling calmly on a cushion on the platform, eyes closed in meditation.

The room was arranged with cushions for the students. They quietly found their seats, eyes alight with curiosity as they glanced towards the neatly stacked Asauchi on one side of the platform.

"Silence!" Instructor Omori suddenly opened his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the students, startling them into immediate quiet. They straightened up, focusing their attention and refraining from looking around.

"In your hearts, there is impatience, anxiety, and anticipation. Collect yourselves! If you can't control these emotions, don't even dream of touching an Asauchi today!" Instructor Omori's deep voice echoed through the Meditation Room as he spoke slowly.

"Shikai requires you to infuse your spirit and resolve into the Asauchi. If you can't even control your own heart and recognize your true self, how can you expect to release your Shikai?"

As Instructor Omori explained the preparatory steps and mindset needed for achieving Shikai, he carefully observed the elite class students, nodding subtly as he saw them follow his instructions. Their breathing became slow and calm, and the room grew so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. He then instructed two other instructors to distribute the Asauchi to each student, allowing them to begin their initial connection.

At first, the students couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement when they touched the Asauchi. However, at Instructor Omori's command, they suppressed their emotions and began to quietly attune themselves to the swords.

Gin Ichimaru gently ran his fingers over the Asauchi resting on his lap, recalling the detailed instructions H'el had given him for unlocking Shikai. H'el's teachings were even more thorough than Instructor Omori's, with specific guidance tailored just for him.

Closing his eyes completely, Gin began to explore his inner self. He had always seen himself as a venomous snake, constantly lying in wait, capable of deception and disguise, all for the sake of delivering a final, lethal strike.

This mentality had been true both before he met H'el and during his time surviving alone in the impoverished districts, managing to save enough food to stay alive. His actions perfectly embodied how a snake survives.

After meeting H'el, Gin experienced for the first time what it felt like to have comrades—a feeling quite different from the solitary existence of a snake.

He particularly remembered the time when he tracked Masaki Seino, who had taken Rangiku, hiding in the bushes and deciding that even if it meant death, he would save her. Just then, H'el arrived, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "You've done well."

That simple gesture and those words made Gin completely trust H'el and filled him with an indescribable sense of relief.

Even someone like him, a snake, can have moments of complete trust when he appears. That's truly precious.

Especially when Rangiku and I were threatened by Aizen, H'el preferred to kill us rather than compromise and let Aizen take only one of us. That feeling was incredible for Gin Ichimaru.

Isn't that what comrades should be like? Giving their all without compromise, even if it means being killed by a comrade or killing a comrade, never bowing to the enemy.

If H'el had chosen to let Rangiku be taken by Aizen to save his own life, Gin would have been deeply disappointed. It would have been meaningless.

If that were the outcome, then why would he have bothered to track down Masaki Seino after he took Rangiku? The result would have been the same—Rangiku taken away.

If that had happened, Gin would have had no choice but to revert to being his own snake.

But H'el did not let him down!

I can be my own snake.

And I can be his snake.

Gin Ichimaru slightly opened his thin eyes, revealing pale blue pupils, and the exaggerated curve of his smile showed how satisfied he was.

He lightly grasped the Asauchi, raising it horizontally in front of him. The blade, shining like a mirror, reflected his eyes, and his spirit and resolve seemed to be received by the sword.

A voice echoed in his mind, calling out to become the sharp blade in his hand.

With a satisfied smile, Gin softly murmured:

"Shoot to Kill, Shinsō!"

°°°

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