The training grounds of the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy were always the liveliest place in the Seireitei. Young boys and girls in their academy uniforms sweated profusely here, giving their all. Occasionally, Kidō erupted in flashes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Kensei clasped his hands behind his back, nodding occasionally like a high-ranking official on an inspection tour. Unfortunately, the Academy Head wasn't here to accompany him—otherwise, he might have offered some guidance.
What's that? The Academy Head is Old Man Yama? Oh, never mind, then.
Just as Kensei was lamenting that these juniors belonged to a different era than him, a familiar voice sounded from nearby.
"Kensei Kenzuru?"
He turned to see a middle-aged man staring at him in surprise.
"If it isn't Teacher Toshiki!"
"I didn't expect you'd have time to visit here."
Inoue Toshiki couldn't be bothered to correct Kensei's odd form of address. He studied Kensei with a complex gaze. The last time he'd seen Kensei was... well, the last time.
Hadn't it been not that long since Kensei enrolled? Why did it feel like ages had passed? Was it all the major incidents happening in Soul Society recently, giving him the illusion that time was flying?
"Came to check on Komamura and Gin—the ones I brought here."
"They're over there."
Following Inoue Toshiki's gesture, Kensei spotted two figures—one large, one small—standing opposite each other.
Komamura gripped his wooden sword tightly, his massive frame as steady as a mountain. Each swing carried the whoosh of cutting wind and astonishing power.
Gin Ichimaru, ever-smiling, always managed to evade Komamura's strikes by a hair's breadth, occasionally countering with an angled thrust so fast its trajectory was nearly invisible.
"Teacher Toshiki, you teach so well—why haven't you been promoted?"
"Haha, it's all their natural talent." Inoue Toshiki scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Take you, for instance—nominally my student, but I never formally taught you anything. As for promotion... let me actually accomplish something first."
Kensei patted Toshiki's shoulder, his tone turning serious. "Teacher Toshiki, the Academy Head is frail and ill—you must take up the mantle."
Leaving a bewildered Toshiki standing there, Kensei walked toward Komamura and Gin.
Watching Kensei's retreating figure, replaying those meaningful words, Inoue Toshiki's mind suddenly raced like Kennedy in a convertible.
Was Kensei so impatient for the Captain-Commander to retire that he was already plotting succession? Was this an attempt to recruit him with the promise of the Academy Head position?
He shook his head, discarding such unrealistic thoughts.
Ridiculous. Captain-Commander Yamamoto was Kensei's own teacher. How could such a treasonous thing happen?
"Not bad. Looks like you two haven't been slacking."
Both trainees halted their movements simultaneously.
Komamura turned, and upon spotting Kensei, immediately bowed respectfully. "Lord Kensei! What brings you here?"
"Bored. Came to see if you two were embarrassing me." Kensei waved casually, indicating Komamura should relax, then shifted his gaze to Gin. "So? Getting used to it here?"
"Much better than the Rukongai. And just now, we had a Captain-level instructor for our swordsmanship class."
Captain. Swordsmanship class.
The combination of these two words inexplicitly accelerates Kensei's heartbeat. He quickly ran through the current Captain roster in his mind.
Though any Captain was qualified to teach swordsmanship here, those who actually enjoyed coming—excluding Kensei Muguruma and the Three Fools, among others—left only Old Man Yama and Sister Hana.
An ominous premonition began brewing in Kensei's heart.
"Ha ha... Well, since you two are doing so well, it's time for me to go. The cat and bees at home are waiting to be fed."
Kensei laughed dryly, preparing to slip away.
"It seems luck is on my side today—running into you here, Kensei."
Just as Kensei turned, a voice as soft as water sounded from behind him.
Damn it, Old Man Yama—now he was imitating Sister Hana's voice to scare him!
Kensei's movements stiffened. He turned back slowly, like a rusty gear, to find that gentle, beautiful face wearing a tender smile, quietly watching him.
Heaven truly wished for Kensei Kenzuru's demise!
"Sister Hana! What a coincidence—didn't expect to find you here too."
Kensei's mouth twitched. Why was it that facing the far stronger Old Man Yama didn't faze him, but seeing Sister Hana made him nervous?
"This, too, is a kind of fate, is it not?"
Unohana took half a step forward, her smile deepening slightly. "Come to think of it, Kensei... you still haven't paid me the reward you promised last time."
remuneration?
Kensei thought back. He recalled that during the Tsunayashiro Clan incident, he'd asked Sister Hana to guard one of the Tenkai Ketchu pillars, promising her a sparring match in return.
Damn that Tsunayashiro Jin—was this his death curse?
"You'll be succeeding to the Captain-Commander position someday, Kensei. Surely you wouldn't want the other Captains to think you're a man who breaks his word?"
Looking at the smiling Sister Hana, Kensei's expression turned peculiar. Yoruichi had said something similar before. Did all the female Shinigami in Soul Society share this trait?
"Of course not! I was actually planning to visit you at the Fourth Division right after checking on these two, to fulfill my promise."
"Then please, right this way."
Unohana hooked the strap of her Zanpakutō over her shoulder and stepped forward with a smile, heading toward a destination she'd already chosen in advance.
Kensei resignedly followed behind Unohana. He could sense the gazes of Komamura and Gin Ichimaru on his back. The former's eyes held reverent admiration—"Lord Kensei is truly impressive, even Captain Unohana personally invites him!" The latter's gaze carried a more amusement-seeking, popcorn-watching mentality.
This brat—instead of thinking about saving his lord, he wanted to watch his lord make a fool of himself. Clearly, the seeds of rebellion were already planted. He must be dealt with.
Kensei silently made a mental note about Gin Ichimaru. When the time came to fight the Wandenreich, he'd send him to the front lines first.
Following Unohana out of the Shin'ō Academy, Kensei surveyed the surrounding buildings and cautiously reminded her: "Sister Hana, this doesn't seem like the direction to the Fourth Division?"
"A sparring match requires a suitable venue, wouldn't you agree?" Unohana continued walking without pause. "And you must have gained much from your trip to Hueco Mundo. Finding a secluded place will spare us any trouble."
Kensei swallowed hard, watching their path lead toward the Central Great Underground Prison. An ill feeling settled in his chest.
He wondered if he'd make it back today. If Sister Hana got too into it, who knew when it would end... And Muken had no day or night. He could only hope he'd still have the strength to crawl out.
Kensei silently prayed as he followed Unohana's footsteps.