Chapter 36: Growth

In the auditorium, Yamahiko once again came here for the graduation ceremony and the formal bestowal of the Zanpakuto.

Among this batch of sixth-grade graduates, three-quarters passed the internship assessment, were selected by squads, and entered the Gotei 13 squads.

The remaining one-quarter included many who got injured during the internship when facing Hollows, and some who didn't complete their internship tasks, thus unable to become Shinigami.

Among these three-quarters of graduates, approximately two-fifths had mastered Shikai, which was the minimum requirement for squad missions.

For example, in Thirteenth Division's Purification Unit, those who had mastered Shikai could be stationed in the Human World and be responsible for purifying a specific area.

Similarly, Tenth Division's Patrol Unit required Shinigami with Shikai to oversee each patrol zone.

Yamahiko didn't possess Shikai, and although he still had formidable combat abilities, it made his genius aura fade slightly.

He wasn't even as impressive as Shūhei Hisagii, who graduated two years earlier and mastered Shikai within two months, gaining considerable recognition within the squads.

Yamahiko was formally bestowed with his Zanpakuto and became a member of  2nd Division, marking the end of his academy life.

After the graduation ceremony, Yamahiko slowly walked out of the auditorium and stood outside, somewhat dazed. A voice sounded by his ear, "Yamahiko, over here."

Yamahiko raised his head and looked into the distance. Abarai Renji, Rukia, and others were all standing there.

"Big brother Renji, Sister Rukia..."

Yamahiko hurried over and was immediately embraced by Abarai Renji, who ruffled his hair vigorously, saying, "Congratulations on your graduation."

In the year Yamahiko spent in the Onmitsukidō, he had less time to be with them, but they still maintained their friendship by meeting up every time they received their wages.

Rukia looked at Yamahiko and took out a package, saying, "This is a gift for you."

"Thank you."

Just as Yamahiko was expressing his thanks, Abarai Renji said, "Rukia, why didn't you tell me you prepared a gift? So I could've prepared one too."

Rukia replied with a touch of annoyance, "Isn't it normal to prepare a gift? Do you need someone to tell you?"

"Of course, you do! Look, they also... What? You all prepared gifts too?" Abarai Renji looked at the others who were taking out gifts and couldn't help but feel helpless.

Izuru Kira gave Yamahiko a pen and said, "This pen is for you."

Kondo Isao offered a kunai and said, "I heard the Onmitsukidō is skilled in assassination. Here's a kunai for you."

Momo Hinamori gifted Yamahiko a sunny weather doll and smiled, saying, "I hope every day for you is sunny."

"Thank you."

Yamahiko accepted all these items and stored them carefully.

Rukia smiled and said, "And mine, open it quickly."

Yamahiko nodded and opened the package Rukia had given him. Inside was a silver-white necklace with a silver heart pendant.

Rukia explained, "This is to remind you to never forget your heart, no matter where you are."

Yamahiko hung the pendant around his neck and smiled, saying, "I'll always wear it."

Abarai Renji chuckled and said, "Since you all prepared gifts, and I didn't, I'll treat you to a meal."

The six of them headed to the food street and found a cozy izakaya to celebrate Yamahiko's graduation.

However, as the banquet was nearing its end, Kondo Isao's eyes turned red, and he quietly sobbed.

Abarai Renji, Rukia, and the others didn't interrupt, seemingly aware of what had happened.

Yamahiko quietly asked Rukia, "What happened exactly?"

Rukia whispered, "He didn't meet the requirements for a fourth-class Reiryoku and can't advance to the fourth year next year."

Upon hearing this, Yamahiko was slightly taken aback. Advancing to the fourth year was relatively straightforward. Over the course of three years, if one wasn't too slow-witted, they could graduate successfully by completing their academic courses, swordsmanship, and hakuda. However, the requirement for Reiryoku was a talent-based limitation.

Yamahiko didn't know how to console him. He had achieved a fifth-class Reiryoku and graduated early, so comforting Kondo would be somewhat ironic.

Yamahiko remained silent, and Abarai Renji sighed, saying, "Even if you can't become a Shinigami, there are still many things you can do."

Rukia echoed, "Renji's right. Maybe you think we're not qualified to say such things, but putting all your life into one thing is too harsh on yourself."

Kondo Isao, still choked up, said, "I know. I also wanted to live a different life, but the thought of not being able to meet you all in the future makes me really sad."

Kondo Isao had already accepted the fact that he couldn't become a Shinigami, but after dropping out, he could only return to the Rukongai, and there was no possibility of re-entering the Seireitei. This meant he would hardly have a chance to meet Abarai Renji and the others again, especially the joy of their gatherings like the one that night, which made it even harder for him to let go.

Abarai Renji put his arm around Kondo Isao's shoulder, smiling as he said, "No matter what, we're still friends."

Izuru Kira added, "We'll come to visit you."

Kondo Isao nodded heavily, picked up his glass, and downed the contents in one gulp. He then poured another glass of alcohol and drank it as well.

Seeing him continuously drinking and showing signs of drunkenness, Abarai Renji wanted to intervene, but Rukia stopped him and said, "Don't stop him, let him drink."

Abarai Renji nodded, raised his own glass, and said, "Then let's drink together."

Rukia, Hinamori Momo, and Kira Izuru also raised their glasses. However, when Yamahiko tried to grab a glass, Rukia swatted his arm away, saying, "You can't drink yet."

Yamahiko sighed, saying, "I'm already grown up."

Hinamori Momo smiled and said, "But you're still just a kid."

Yamahiko, now nearly fifteen years old, was much younger than his friends, who were all around a hundred years old.

Yamahiko could only accompany them with juice mixed with alcohol.

As the banquet came to an end, Kondo Isao was completely drunk and had to be carried on Abarai Renji's back.

Standing at the entrance of the food street, Yamahiko pointed to the other end and said, "I need to return to the squad; I'll go this way."

Abarai Renji smiled and said, "Go ahead, don't be late."

Yamahiko nodded, turned away, and left with a hint of sadness.

Kondo Isao was a character not present in the original work, but like in the original, he faded into obscurity among the crowd. However, he was a good friend of Yamahiko's, and they had spent quite some time together during the three years.

They were parting ways now, and their chances of meeting again were getting slimmer.

But compared to his time at the Shin'o Academy, where he would get emotional from even brief separations, the current Yamahiko had become stronger.

It wasn't that he didn't feel sad; he just hid his sadness better.

As his time as a student came to an end, Yamahiko not only became a Shinigami but also grew more mature.