Ninth Division.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni quietly watched Shinazugawa Sanemi and Genya's figures gradually disappear outside the office door.
At this moment, his mood had calmed down slightly.
However, he still found it difficult to come to terms with the things humans had done.
Merely out of fear of others' power, they would meticulously plan to exploit it.
Once they realized they couldn't exploit it, they would attempt to destroy it to prevent it from threatening themselves…
Such selfish and ruthless behavior had become a common ailment frequently seen in the Human World.
Fortunately, Soul Society had not been affected by this ailment.
In this world where power dictates everything, the more powerful a person is, the more others admire them.
Thump, thump…
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's fingers gently tapped the table.
After a brief period of thought, he immediately decided to dispatch a few Shinigami who were not born in the Human World to the Human World of the Demon Slayer Corps world.
Those Shinigami who had never been exposed to the Human World would naturally have no sense of belonging to that world.
After all, with cannons and firearms unable to hit a Shinigami, those weapons were merely useless objects.
Although it was unclear why a Shinigami's body would materialize in that world, regardless, this was undoubtedly the quickest way to quell the war.
To catch the bandits, first catch their leader; as long as the key point was taken, all problems would be easily solved.
Immediately, a team composed of five Shinigami swiftly departed.
Half a day later, the mission was successfully completed.
The so-called honorable death was meaningless in the face of true supernatural power.
Just one hypnotic Zanpakuto could make tens of thousands of soldiers instantly lose all fighting spirit and strength.
They effortlessly stormed into the so-called "Supreme Command Center."
When people learned that "Shinigami" truly existed in the world, and that these Shinigami seemed to have no goodwill towards humans,
and even rumors subtly spread that if one defied the Shinigami, they would very likely fall into hell after death…
On that very day, the raging war abruptly came to an end.
Although humiliating, there was no choice; no one wanted to go to hell.
As the saying goes, ignorance is bliss, but knowing brings deep fear…
Hell would not treat someone differently or give them a pass just because of their noble status…
Moreover, they had already reached their doorstep, and even His Majesty almost died; to resist further… wouldn't that be seeking death?
A hundred million honorable deaths must also have value…
Of course, due to the appearance of the Shinigami, people's inherent perceptions were shattered.
So, after surrendering, some people tried to curry favor, like using sugar-coated bullets to make them stay.
Unfortunately, these Shinigami paid no heed.
The flattery of ants was insignificant in the eyes of humans, even somewhat laughable.
At the same time, they adhered to the principle that all actions must align with Soul Society.
After coldly leaving a few warning words like "We will always be watching you."
The Shinigami instantly vanished from the Human World.
Leaving behind a bewildered and fearful populace…
… …
"Above is the entire process of our operation."
The Shinigami team hurriedly returned to the Ninth Division and then reported the mission details to Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Yoriichi listened, nodded slightly, his calm face showing little emotional fluctuation.
After confirming that everything was settled and there were no further worries, he first praised the group as usual, then summoned Ichimaru Gin.
His intention was to instruct him to inform the Shinigami guarding the Underworld not to relax.
Should large-scale casualties occur again, they were to report immediately.
After all, too many souls suddenly pouring into the Three Realms would cause an imbalance in the number of souls in the Three Realms.
Maintaining peace as much as possible and allowing humans to die naturally was the basic policy for the harmonious coexistence of the Four Worlds…
If necessary, further military action could be taken.
Ichimaru Gin nodded knowingly.
Then, he suddenly remembered something and asked:
"Oh, by the way, Captain, today is the Freshman ceremony, and as the honorary principal and acting principal, you should be giving a speech, right?"
"It's getting late now, and you're still here, not having set off yet. Is this really appropriate?"
According to normal procedure, the speech should have been given by Yamamoto Genryusai, the old principal.
However, in recent years, the old principal seemed to have less interest in these matters than before, and his energy was more focused on other aspects.
At the same time, he was greatly influenced by Okikiba Genjirō, the vice-principal.
Even though Yoriichi Tsugikuni was only an honorary principal before, with no real power, he gradually took over many responsibilities of the Spiritual Arts Academy without realizing it.
Yamamoto Genryusai had given speeches for over a thousand years and wanted to rest this year.
Anyway, in his opinion, the choice for the second principal was already set in stone, so he considered it letting Yoriichi Tsugikuni adapt in advance.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni recalled Yamamoto Genryusai's previous assignment. He nodded slightly, his tone calm:
"There's nothing inappropriate. There's still plenty of time, and I won't miss it. You don't need to worry."
"First, convey my orders."
Although Ichimaru Gin was worried that Yoriichi Tsugikuni would miss the Freshman ceremony—after all, Rukia and Hisana were both on this year's student list, along with Hinamori Momo, Toushiro, and others—
considering it was an order from the Captain, he could only obey.
When everything was handled, and Ichimaru Gin returned to the Ninth Division, he found that Yoriichi Tsugikuni had already disappeared from the office.
He looked up at the clock on the wall.
By his reckoning,
the Freshman ceremony had already begun.
… …
Leaving aside what happened at the Freshman ceremony, let's rewind two hours.
In a cemetery in Rukongai, Kira Iziru had just finished reverently paying respects to his parents and was about to head towards Seireitei.
Suddenly, he saw a young monk lying on the side of the road.
The monk was extremely tall and robust; even lying still, he still gave Kira Iziru a sense of oppression, like facing a small mountain.
Kira Iziru didn't know which temple this monk came from, but he was puzzled… Dressed in white, could he be a soul who had just entered Soul Society?
Normally, any soul arriving in Soul Society from the Human World would first be assigned by a Shinigami, and their situation in Soul Society would be determined based on different circumstances.
Those with bad luck would be assigned to the back regions, while those with good luck would be assigned to the front regions.
No matter where they were assigned, there would always be family accompanying them…
Even if their family passed away the next day, it would be the same.
This was a courtesy given by Shinigami to souls from the Human World, intended to help them quickly integrate into Soul Society and find a sense of belonging.
But this one here…
Kira Iziru was silent for a moment, then prepared to act as if he hadn't seen him and leave directly.
Kira was not the type to be eager to help others; ever since his parents died when he was young, his personality had become quite dark.
He understood that all troubles stemmed from meddling.
And because of this, in order to survive and gain the power to protect himself, he had applied to the Spiritual Arts Academy in advance.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni's example could be said to have greatly encouraged him…
No, to be precise, it encouraged the vast majority of commoners from Rukongai.
Kira Iziru carefully walked past the monk, almost leaving the cemetery…
Just then, a sudden change occurred.
Whoosh, whoosh…
Gyomei Himejima gradually regained consciousness from the endless chaotic darkness.
He slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing that came into view was the clear blue sky and white clouds.
The air was very quiet; such a tranquil and beautiful scene formed a stark contrast with the lingering smoke of war and devastated landscape in his memory.
The rumbling of cannons and even the sound of machine gun fire still echoed in his mind.
This sudden change made him fall silent for several seconds, his thoughts momentarily dazed.
When he looked up and saw Kira Iziru, the subtle sense of relief that welled up within him unconsciously made him shift his gaze to his own hands.
His impression of withered hands had now become full and strong, and his powerful breathing accompanied the rhythmic beating of his heart in his chest…
Instantly.
Gyomei Himejima understood the new environment he was currently in.
—This is the world of the dead.
Clap.
His hands instinctively clasped together. Gyomei Himejima silently lowered his eyelids, his pale eyes showing a hint of sadness and emotion, and tears flowed uncontrollably:
"Amitabha…"
"Is this rebirth?"
He murmured in a low voice, and this sudden movement truly startled Kira Iziru.
… …
… …
Returning to the present, inside the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Kira Iziru, dressed in his academy uniform, stood in the bustling plaza, his mind still unable to detach from the encounter with Gyomei Himejima.
He truly didn't understand why he had decided to let Gyomei Himejima stay at his home.
Perhaps it was because he felt sorry for him, homeless?
Or perhaps… his house was empty, and having someone live there was better than leaving it vacant?
But no matter the reason, one fact remained.
That was, the aura emanating from Gyomei Himejima made Kira Iziru feel exceptionally comfortable.
Even after spending only a few minutes with him, Kira Iziru subconsciously concluded that Gyomei Himejima must be a good person…
—I must be crazy…
Kira Iziru held his forehead, full of vexation. First impressions really were misleading! What if he took over his house?
Although the probability was extremely small, it wasn't entirely impossible.
And he was so tall and so strong…
Kira Iziru was starting to regret it.
Abarai Renji happened to be standing beside Kira Iziru. Seeing Kira Iziru's expression, he couldn't help but frown slightly.
Although Renji didn't know what had happened, he knew that the so-called mutual assistance among classmates was precisely for situations like this.
However, since the Freshman ceremony was about to begin, it was inconvenient to move around or talk freely, so Renji could only temporarily suppress these thoughts and planned to address it after the ceremony.
… …
Backstage.
"Has Gyoumei also passed away?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni listened to the report from a Shinigami, his face not showing too much surprise.
As the strongest Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei Himejima's existence had not been completely erased, after all, he had been imprisoned before…
It would be abnormal if the army hadn't found him.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni pondered for a while, looked through the curtain at the students below, sighed softly, and then calmly instructed the Shinigami:
"First, find the location of his reincarnation. A person with such obvious physical characteristics shouldn't be hard to find."
"Pay close attention to temples; the possibility of him appearing there is higher."
"Yes."
The Shinigami respectfully responded and quickly left. Yoriichi Tsugikuni watched his retreating figure, let out a soft breath, and felt an increasing aversion to war.
The Demon Slayer Corps had always protected humans, yet now they were being harmed by humans… It was truly ironic to say the least.
Fortunately, the two worlds were connected; otherwise, it would truly be difficult to rest in peace even in death.
He wondered how the others were doing…
… …
"Momo, you're here too."
Rukia stood in her class's formation in the plaza, and her gaze, as it swept around, suddenly caught sight of Hinamori Momo, and a hint of pleasant surprise instantly flashed in her eyes.
Previously, due to her special status, Rukia did not need to participate in the assessment and directly passed the entrance test. It was precisely because of this that she was completely unaware that Hinamori Momo was in the same class as her.
Now that she knew, a surge of joy spontaneously welled up in her heart.
Hinamori Momo also had a smile on her face, but Rukia keenly detected a hint of bitterness hidden deep within that smile.
Following Hinamori Momo's gaze, Rukia saw Tōshirō Hitsugaya standing nearby.
His expression was stern, and after his Reiatsu awakened, his entire demeanor became even more aloof, as if he naturally exuded an aura that kept others at a distance.
It wasn't just Hinamori Momo; several other girls around them also had their eyes on Toushiro.
Their gazes held none of Hinamori Momo's bitterness; instead, they were filled with undisguised admiration, even mixed with a hint of barely suppressed eagerness.
He was a genius; everyone had known this since his enrollment.
As nobles, they believed that humble origins were not a major issue, and that one could completely change their circumstances through their own efforts.
Therefore, they valued talent and strength more, and Tōshirō Hitsugaya excelled in both these aspects.
What kind of concept was it to possess a Fifth-Grade Spiritual Power upon enrollment?
One must know, he was only in his fifties this year.
Even if he was slightly inferior compared to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, he could still be considered a high-quality resource, destined to become a master of the Second-Grade Spiritual Power level in the future.
Naturally, nobles would not easily let go of such a male who could help their family's strength improve further.
Seeing this, Rukia finally understood the reason for Hinamori Momo's expression.
The competition was too fierce.
The drama of "childhood sweethearts losing to a new arrival" seemed ready to unfold at any moment.
Those noble girls, with just a few tricks, might make Toushiro forget Hinamori Momo.
And if Hinamori Momo were to step in to dissuade them, she knew in her heart that those girls might have ulterior motives for approaching Toushiro...
But Toushiro was still young after all, and might not be able to discern the complexities involved.
If a misunderstanding arose, the two might even become enemies...
Thinking of this, Rukia felt a mix of emotions and began to worry about Hinamori Momo's future.
She silently took a deep breath, lowered her eyes slightly, pondered for a long while, and finally made up her mind.
She decided that after the opening ceremony, she would talk to Hinamori Momo and ask her what she planned to do next.
No matter what, she would always stand by Momo's side.
...
Time slowly passed, and as soon as the opening ceremony concluded, the students began to exit in an orderly fashion.
Seeing this, Rukia immediately hurried to Hinamori Momo's side, tightly grasped her hand, and without a word, pulled her towards the exit.
Hinamori Momo clearly knew the reason for Rukia's actions, perhaps it was the deep affection in her heart at work.
She did not resist at all, obediently followed Rukia, and arrived at a secluded corner of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
A gentle breeze brushed across their cheeks. Under the shade of a tree, Rukia turned around, held Hinamori Momo's hands, and asked with concern in her voice:
"Do you need my help, Momo?"
"You must be very troubled, right?"
"Toushiro has become a genius..."
"With Big Brother's precedent, those nobles probably won't let him go easily..."
"If you need my help, I'll do my best to warn them. It's just a few words."
"Big Brother will understand."
Rukia knew very well what kind of situation she might face if she uttered those warning words.
Most likely, those girls would complain to their elders, and then Big Brother would come looking for her.
But no matter what, for her friend, these sacrifices were worth it.
Moreover, watching Toushiro get involved with those inexplicable girls and then ignore Hinamori Momo, yet doing nothing...
That was not Rukia's style of doing things.
Hinamori Momo was deeply moved upon hearing these words.
After all, in this vast Spiritual Arts Academy, Rukia was the only friend who would care for her so much.
However, after Hinamori Momo calmed her emotions for a while, she lowered her head and thought about it. In the end, she gently shook her head and, with a hint of apology, softly said:
"I'm sorry, Rukia, I appreciate your kindness, but this is ultimately Toushiro's private matter..."
"Although I'm worried, I don't have the right to interfere with these things..."
"I..."
Rukia interrupted, "How can this be his private matter? Momo, don't underestimate yourself too much."
"I've seen everything you two have been through over the years."
"Even Big Brother thinks you two are a match made in heaven. After all, in the entire Ninth Division, only you and he can get along."
Although Yoriichi Tsugikuni had never said that, it was indeed the truth.
Firstly, Toushiro was too young, and his outstanding talent meant he had little in common with other Rukongai residents.
Secondly, in Toushiro's fifty-year life, Hinamori Momo alone had accompanied him for forty years...
This bond was unparalleled.
The relationship between the two was probably similar to that of Ichimaru Gin and Matsumoto Rangiku before.
Hinamori Momo fell silent after hearing this.
Just then.
Whispers from a distance suddenly broke the silence.
It seemed there were others here besides them...
Rukia instinctively shifted her gaze.
...
"What?"
"You let a monk of unknown origin live in your house?"
Abarai Renji looked at the helpless Kira Iziru, momentarily speechless.
This matter was neither big nor small.
If the monk had good intentions, then it would be fine.
Perhaps after he moved into Kira's house, he could even help maintain order near their hometown.
He looked very tall and seemed capable of fighting, perhaps even able to drive out some "heroes."
When Kira returned, he might even experience the feeling of having family by his side.
After all...
Kira Iziru, like himself, was an orphan.
But if he harbored ill intentions.
Not only would his home be gone, but he would also harm the surrounding residents. Kira Iziru might never forgive himself...
Abarai Renji exhaled deeply and asked:
"So, what do you plan to do next?"
"Do you want to drive him out?"
"But we're at school now. Even if we tell the teachers, they probably won't care."
"After all, this is just your speculation."
"And if you're wrong, then you'd be driving away a good person for no reason..."
"I know." Kira Iziru sighed helplessly. "That's exactly what I'm worried about, but I really can't do anything about it. It's come to this..."
"I can't just ask for leave and go home to see for myself, can I?"
"That doesn't comply with school rules."
The Spiritual Arts Academy's school rules clearly stipulated that students were not allowed to leave the school during non-holiday periods or non-special circumstances, with the exception of students whose relatives owned property within the Seireitei.
This rule was to prevent accidents among students who came from Rukongai.
Because of this, even if Abarai Renji wanted to help Kira Iziru, he was at a loss for what to do, and the two fell into silence.
At this moment.
Rustle.
The bushes not far away were suddenly pushed open.
Rukia emerged with Hinamori Momo.
As former students from Rukongai, their conversation particularly caught Rukia's attention.
A house occupied by a monk who was possibly a bully?
This was no small matter.
Rukia understood the importance of a dwelling place more than anyone; Hisana had abandoned her precisely because she had no fixed abode and struggled to even maintain basic sustenance.
Now that she knew about this, she naturally couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Her gaze first swept over Abarai Renji, then settled on Kira Iziru, and she asked softly:
"Excuse me, do you need help?"
"Please allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Tsugikuni Rukia, and I am a student in the Elite Class."
"Although it might be a bit presumptuous as this is our first meeting, could you please tell me the name of that monk?"
"!"
Tsugikuni Rukia's appearance and her self-introduction made the two of them pause.
Then, they suddenly remembered something, their expressions changed slightly, and they said in unison:
"Tsugikuni?"
Abarai Renji and Kira Iziru exchanged glances.
Even though they were commoners, they knew what that surname meant.
Although it was possible it was a coincidence of names...
But...
Elite Class...
Kira Iziru took a deep breath and respectfully turned around: "Excuse me..."
He had only spoken two words, and his question wasn't finished, when Rukia, as if she had expected it, nodded very affirmatively:
"Yes, it is I."
"My brother is the current acting headmaster, so if you have any problems you can't solve, I can help you solve them."
"After all, we are all classmates, and perhaps we'll even be assigned to the same division in the future."
This statement was actually a bit modest. The Ninth Division, due to its excess combat power, had rarely recruited Shinigami from outside in the past decade or so.
Those who could enter the Ninth Division were bound to be geniuses with special talents in a certain area.
For example, those who write particularly fast, or run particularly fast...
Combat ability, on the other hand, became secondary.
Although Abarai Renji and Kira Iziru had always made joining the Ninth Division their life goal, they also knew that this goal was truly difficult to achieve.
Thus, they could only settle for the next best thing, focusing on graduating successfully first.
Now...
Kira Iziru lowered his gaze slightly, not refusing Rukia's kindness.
After all, her status was so high, and she was willing to selflessly help him. If he refused, it would seem ungrateful.
Rukia might not care, but they didn't know if Rukia would care...
Kira Iziru's gaze was serious, and he said in a deep voice:
"He said his name is Gyomei Himejima. I'm not sure if that's his real name, but, he seems very powerful..."
"I know you are of noble status, Miss Rukia, but please be very careful..."
"It's fine. No matter how strong he is, he can't be stronger than Big Brother. Gyomei Himejima... I think I've heard that name somewhere before. I'll go ask Big Brother first."
Rukia listened, nodded thoughtfully, and felt the name become increasingly familiar in her mind.
Abarai Renji, on the other hand, knitted his brows tightly, then sighed softly.
A problem he had painstakingly tried to solve was resolved by Rukia with a simple sentence...
To say he wasn't envious would definitely be a lie.
Captain Tsugikuni's sister...
So kind-hearted...
He remembered.
If he couldn't join the Ninth Division to repay Captain Tsugikuni's kindness, then repaying his sister... seemed pretty good too, didn't it?