Garenge naturally knew who Hasumi Ren was referring to.
The ancient monster who had lived in the Soul Society for an eternity, the man who knew the names of every Zanpakuto.
The Regent of the Three Realms, the Soul King's corpse-guardian, the one who sees through all truths with a single glance.
Hyosube Ichibei.
Garenge nodded slightly.
"Exactly. He only knows the last two characters of my name and my first ability. Anything granted by the system remains beyond his reach."
Ren understood. This wasn't surprising.
"In that case, can 'The Almighty' be analyzed and sealed as well?"
"Of course. Once I successfully analyze it, his ability will naturally stop working against you. It's just... the analysis might take quite a bit of time."
"As for whether it can be sealed, that's up to you, Master."
Garenge stretched her limbs and flopped back onto the ground.
Watching the blonde girl squirming on the ground, Ren suddenly felt like he was getting a sugar rush just looking at her.
His Zanpakuto was powerful, sure, but she was a bit of a ditz.
"Alright, Master. If there's nothing else, you can head back now."
"Or perhaps... you'd like to have a more 'intimate' exchange with me?"
Garenge slowly began to lift the hem of her kimono, but when she looked up, Ren had already vanished.
'Tch, what a goody-two-shoes loser of a Master.'
She pouted, looking quite bored.
"He's still just foolishly reaching out to pick up fragments... doesn't he ever get tired?"
"Whatever. I'll help you out one more time. You are my Master, after all."
She flopped onto her back and let out a soft yawn.
She reached out, swiping across the system interface while humming a melodious tune. Drifting through the vast world, she eventually fell asleep.
In the next instant, Ren opened his eyes.
He had no idea how much time had passed, but he was still sitting in the training hall of the Shin'o Academy, his Asauchi resting across his lap.
But the Asauchi was different now.
The once-plain sword had undergone subtle changes. The guard was now a circular tsuba engraved with a lotus pattern, looking much closer to its Shikai form.
The very aura of the blade had been completely transformed.
"Ren?"
Nanao's hushed voice came from beside him, laced with surprise.
"Your Asauchi..."
She stared at the blade on his lap, her eyes widening as she noticed the drastic change in its presence.
Around them, other students were waking up from their Jinzen. Many noticed the anomaly surrounding Ren and cast curious or startled glances his way.
The instructor, a stern-faced middle-aged Soul Reaper standing nearby, noticed the commotion and strode over.
He stared at the sword on Ren's lap, a flash of astonishment crossing his features.
Such a physical change in the blade clearly indicated that the Zanpakuto had acknowledged its wielder, manifesting its will upon the Asauchi.
An explanation flashed through his mind—one that seemed unlikely, yet fit the situation perfectly.
"Alright, quiet down. Focus on your Jinzen practice and don't let outside distractions sway you."
The teacher gave the class a few instructions before whispering to Ren.
"You. Follow me."
Ren picked up his Zanpakuto and followed him out of the training hall. Once they were a safe distance away, the instructor turned to face him.
He looked at Ren, his calm expression finally giving way to shock, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Did you... achieve Shikai?"
Ren looked at the instructor and slowly nodded.
"Incredible. I never expected this class to produce a student who achieved Shikai before graduation."
Suddenly, the teacher paused as a recent rumor circulating the academy came to mind.
"Wait, you're a fifth-year... Could you be the one from the rumors? The student who killed a Menos Grande during the Konso field trip?"
"Uh, well..."
Seeing Ren scratch his head and look around shiftily, the instructor blinked. He suddenly recalled certain bits of gossip that had leaked from the Fifth Division.
Understanding dawned on him, and he nodded with a knowing look.
"I get it. I understand. Say no more."
He let out a long, heavy breath.
"To think those rumors were actually true."
"It makes sense now. With your level of ability, achieving Shikai isn't surprising at all."
"However, I must warn you—try not to mention your Shikai's ability to anyone. We don't want those with ill intentions taking advantage of you."
"When you join the Gotei 13, the paperwork will ask whether you've achieved Shikai and what its powers are."
"That information will be kept as a classified document in the Gotei 13 archives. You don't have to worry about leaks; you can rest easy."
Ren nodded, though he didn't take the words to heart.
'The Seireitei is like a sieve. "Don't worry about leaks," my foot.'
'That might work on a fresh graduate, but not me.'
Unaware of Ren's thoughts, the teacher continued to look at him with increasing amazement.
"With your current strength, you should be able to apply for early graduation and join the Gotei 13. What do you think?"
'That's true...'
"I'll be applying for early graduation at the end of this semester. As for which division I'm joining, it's already been arranged. You don't need to worry about it, sir."
The teacher was taken aback for a moment, then it clicked.
'I knew it. How could a student of this caliber truly remain anonymous?'
'It seems the higher-ups already have plans for him.'
"Well then, I won't say anything more. Keep working hard, student. And when you have the time, remember to come back and visit us old-timers."
He patted Ren on the shoulder with a sense of pride.
"Alright, head back. But keep quiet about the Shikai; I assume you know the drill."
Ren nodded slightly.
"Rest assured, sir."
Seeing Ren's composure, the instructor gave him an approving look.
When they returned to the training hall, though everything appeared quiet, many students were peeking through half-closed eyes, sizing up the two who had just returned.
Nanao was no exception.
Her restless heart only began to settle once she saw Ren return to his spot.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder why the teacher had pulled him aside.
'Could it be...?'
She saw Ren sit down and give her a quick wink.
Nanao's heart skipped a beat.
After that little episode, the Jinzen class concluded quickly amidst the students' restless curiosity.
There was no shortage of people casting curious looks at Ren, a guy who had previously kept such a low profile.
After all, there were faint rumors in the academy about a fifth-year who had slain a Menos Grande, and all signs pointed to Ren.
But since Harada Heita, who was in the same group, hadn't dared to spread the story, most people remained skeptical despite the rumors.
After class, the students stood up and began to filter out.
The crowds dispersed under the glow of the setting sun.
Nanao rubbed her sore shoulders as she and Ren walked toward the cafeteria.
"Sore shoulders? Want me to give you a massage?"
Nanao's eyes widened at Ren's suggestion.
She imagined his large hands resting on her shoulders, gently kneading the muscles...
When no reply came, Ren looked down at her curiously.
He saw her face turning bright red as she hugged her shoulders, staring at him as if he were a common thief.
"Is this sexual harassment?"
Ren: ?