Chapter 322: Commotion

Boom!!!

Today, the entire Shin'o Academy was in an uproar.

Gin Ichimaru had initiated his Shikai the very first time he touched his Asauchi. Shinsō pierced through the entire meditation room with its sharp, chilling blade passing right before his classmates' eyes, turning their faces pale with fright.

Afterwards, Gin merely tilted the hilt slightly, and Shinsō sliced through the teaching building as if cutting through tofu, splitting the five-story building in half. Fortunately, the instructor reacted quickly enough to pull a few students from the upper floors out of harm's way, avoiding any casualties.

Gin's feat had shaken the entire academy, drawing attention from all the instructors and even the outside divisions.

Noon.

The cafeteria buzzed with excitement.

Many students were discussing Gin Ichimaru, who had unlocked his Shikai within just six months of enrollment, directly comparing him to H'el.

"I think Gin Ichimaru is definitely the top student in the elite class."

"Not necessarily. H'el defeated all the instructors at Shin'o Academy and earned their unanimous approval. The instructors themselves admit they have nothing left to teach him."

"But Gin Ichimaru unlocked his Shikai the first time he touched an Asauchi."

"Did you hear? Some divisions are already fighting over Gin after hearing he unlocked his Shikai on his first try. Even Squad 11 is getting involved, having duels to recruit him."

"Gin Ichimaru is truly impressive!"

"I still think H'el is more impressive. The instructors speak of him with such admiration. Some even shake their heads with wry smiles, saying they can't compare to H'el."

"Yeah, I've heard some instructors even seek advice from H'el."

"I once asked H'el for help with Shunpo. His techniques really worked. Unfortunately, the instructors' training has been so intense and exhausting lately that I haven't had the chance to visit the library and ask him more."

"Me too. I struggled with Hadō #4: Byakurai, but after asking H'el, I got it right away. He's really amazing."

"You too? Same here. But it seems after we asked H'el, the instructors increased the training intensity. We've all been too tired to ask him anything lately."

"And it seems the instructors have been consulting H'el too..."

The students fell silent for a moment, before one of them continued:

"That just proves H'el is a great teacher and very knowledgeable."

"True, but Gin Ichimaru has unlocked his Shikai. The instructors say he will definitely become a lieutenant in the future."

"Gin may be odd, but you have to admit he's really powerful, especially now with his Shikai."

"I still feel H'el is a bit more impressive."

"He hasn't unlocked his Shikai yet!"

"Regardless of the issue, H'el can answer it, whether it's about people or anything else."

"He hasn't unlocked his Shikai!"

"H'el makes even the instructors feel inadequate."

"He hasn't unlocked his Shikai!"

"H'el is impressive!"

"Gin Ichimaru is impressive!"

"H'el is impressive!"

"Gin Ichimaru is impressive!"

The students continued to debate, comparing H'el and Gin Ichimaru, and the discussion became heated, with neither side willing to back down.

Meanwhile, Rangiku, who was eating quietly with her female friends, was pulled by her curious friends:

"Rangiku, tell us, who's more impressive—H'el or Gin? Gin unlocked his Shikai as soon as he got his Asauchi, slicing half of the building. If the instructors hadn't intervened, the whole building would have been cut in ruins."

Rangiku was reluctantly pulled into the conversation. Facing the curious and beautiful eyes of her friends, she could only say, "H'el is more impressive."

Although Gin Ichimaru had unlocked his Shikai, Rangiku had no hesitation in saying that H'el was still more impressive.

After all, H'el's Shikai even manifested the Gates of Hell, a Shikai so destructive it could threaten the entire world. There's no comparison.

Even though Rangiku had seen Gin's Shikai nearly cut through the teaching building, it didn't compare to the overwhelming force of H'el's Shikai as seen in his battle with Aizen.

Nonetheless, Rangiku was very happy for Gin's accomplishment. Unfortunately, before she could even congratulate him, Gin was taken to the instructors' office.

After waiting for a while and seeing that Gin hadn't been released, Rangiku and her friends decided to just have their meal in the cafeteria.

To her surprise, the discussion among her friends had reached her:

"Why? Gin has unlocked his Shikai, and he's so impressive. You saw it yourself. So why? Could it be that H'el have unlocked his Shikai too?" one of Gin's supporting friends asked, clearly surprised.

Rangiku and Gin Ichimaru were very close, having supported each other from the same area, and the other girls knew their relationship was strong. They had no doubt about Rangiku's words but were curious as to why she thought H'el was more impressive.

After all, Gin Ichimaru had unlocked his Shikai. Could it be that H'el had unlocked his too?

The pretty eyes of the girls grew even more curious. They momentarily stopped eating, fixated on Rangiku, waiting for her answer.

"H'el had already unlocked his Shikai before he even enrolled," Rangiku replied, then lowered her head to continue eating. She was already planning to finish her meal and bring some to Gin.

That guy had made such a commotion today and was caught in the instructor's office; she didn't know whether he was being lectured or if he had to compensate for the building.

If it was for the building, where would they get the money?

As Rangiku ate, she thought about the situation, feeling a sense of urgency. With both H'el and Gin having unlocked their Shikai, she felt left behind and worried about falling out of sync with her friends.

"Wow!!!!!!!"

Rangiku's statement caused another stir in the cafeteria.

People hadn't expected that H'el had unlocked his Shikai too, and had done so before enrolling.

But upon reflection, it seemed normal. After all, H'el had managed to impress even the instructors of the entire Academy, which surely required exceptional skill.

The students in the cafeteria buzzed with excitement and discussion.

After finishing her meal, Rangiku took a portion with her and headed towards the instructor's office, intending to congratulate Gin.

When she arrived at the instructor's office, she was informed that Gin had already been released. As for her concern about compensating for the building, the instructors happily assured her that it was an honor to have a talent like Gin Ichimaru, and there was no need for any compensation—her worries were unfounded.

Rangiku was relieved by the instructors' response. She said her goodbyes and, carrying the food, went directly to the dorms of Gin and H'el, but still found no sign of Gin.

Thinking for a moment, Rukia decided to head straight to the library.

In the library.

H'el was in a corner by a bookshelf, flipping through an old book when he noticed Gin Ichimaru arriving. H'el gave him a curious look.

Gin Ichimaru smiled and said:

"I think I'm ready to graduate."

"Oh?"

°°°

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