Late June, Shinigami Academy Main Building, Rooftop.
The entire first-year Class 1 was assembled, chatting in small groups. Many were nobles, with striking looks. But in terms of sheer "presence," they couldn't compare to the four students in the corner.
Even with their Reiatsu perfectly suppressed, the legendary "aura" around them made them the center of attention.
Many groups, while pretending to talk, were secretly watching them, the topic of conversation often being them.
However, the "celebrities" themselves were... unbothered.
Ichigo was squatting, bored, his orange hair and "I'm-always-angry" expression making him look just like a delinquent.
Rindo Itaru was expressionless, staring at a bird perched on his finger, radiating an aura of extreme isolation. To others, he was just a "weirdo."
Yayahara was even more out there. Her makeup was 'gyaru-trendy' even for the human world. She'd even "modified" her uniform, making it less stuffy and more "JK" (high school girl) fashionable.
The most "normal" one... was Shigū Takeru.
...If you ignored his gallows humor.
"Sending this many people to the human world for 'Konsō Training,' and at night, no less. You think that's where those 'special holiday traditions' came from? If so, and we run into someone burning 'joss paper,' we'd have to respond, right? Give the living some peace of mind. You could even say that is the essence of 'Konsō'."
"Give me a break. You'd just scare them to death. They pick night to minimize the impact on the human world."
"Oh? You remember that clearly. Guess you're not planning to use this chance to say 'hi' to your family, then," Takeru teased.
"...I wasn't planning on it. I'm dead. I shouldn't bother the living. A quick look from far away is all I need," Ichigo's eyes dimmed, though he tried to sound casual.
"I see."
"What about you?" Ichigo, not to be outdone, shot back.
"Unlike you, I don't have anyone in this world I'm attached to."
"..."
Takeru's blunt words struck Ichigo silent. Just as he was about to apologize, there was a small commotion.
Three unfamiliar faces, also in Academy uniforms, had arrived on the roof.
"Everyone! Are you ready?"
A clear, boyish voice rang out. He had tan skin and delicate, androgynous features. He was slender, not very muscular, and looked no different from a middle-schooler.
"He is...?" Ichigo stood up, surprised. Not just by his appearance, but by the extraordinary Reiatsu he sensed.
"A 6th-year. From the Four Great Noble Families... the next head of the 'Heavenly-Armed' Shihōin clan. Shihōin Yūshirō Sakimune," Yayahara, ever the know-it-all, identified him. "The two with him are also from high noble families, but they can't compare to him, in status or power."
"I don't get the 'status' stuff, but I can feel that he's strong... I didn't know the Academy had anyone this good, besides us."
"The heir to one of the Four Great Noble Families is in a completely different league from the 'nobles' you've seen," Takeru said, watching Yūshirō explain the training exercise.
"I heard he barely even comes to class. For him to be leading this... it's probably because of us."
He'd instantly guessed the Academy's motive.
It couldn't be helped. This year's "honors class" was too good.
But... besides Yūshirō... there wasn't a single person in the whole Academy who could beat Yayahara or Rindo, let alone the "exceptions-to-the-rule" Takeru and Ichigo.
To protect this crop of geniuses, they needed a better leader.
That's why the Headmaster had gone to the trouble of calling back Yūshirō, who had been skipping class for years, to help.
(Though Yūshirō himself probably had other reasons for agreeing.)
"Are they afraid we'll cause trouble? They really underestimate us. Do we look like troublemakers?"
"Hard to say. Your friend over there looks like she's dying to 'cause trouble'," Takeru said. Ichigo instinctively looked at Yayahara.
Yayahara was furious. "Who looks like they're 'causing trouble'!?"
Her anger faded as quickly as it came, replaced by a mysterious smile.
"Anyway... don't you guys notice anything... different about me today?"
Takeru, Ichigo, and Rindo all looked at her.
After a moment...
"Don't you look the same as always?" Ichigo frowned.
[The sword. She's not carrying it,] Rindo Itaru noted.
"See? Rindo has some observation skills. But just 'some'~" Yayahara waggled a finger, looking smug.
"How can you go on Konsō training without a sword?" Takeru rolled his eyes.
"She's not 'not carrying it.' She's mastered her Shikai. And it's turned into something we wouldn't normally notice. For example... her fingernails."
"That's my soul-friend Shigū!"
"Her fingernails?!" Ichigo was floored. "What kind of Shikai is that!?"
"Hmph. You got a problem with my Zanpakutō? Too bad, I don't care~ I'm very happy with it. Now I can finally fight at full power!" Yayahara said, admiring her manicure.
"Are you... planning on staying in Shikai?"
"Obviously!"
"...You're something else." Ichigo was well and truly beaten.
"See? Now you know how awesome I am~ In any case, I'm definitely not the weakest one in our group anymore! After all, Rindo hasn't even—"
Before Yayahara could finish, Rindo Itaru wrote a line in the air.
—[I have also mastered Shikai.]
Yayahara's smug smile froze.
"Mm." Takeru's gaze shifted between the two. "It seems... we'll have to see which of you is stronger."
"I'll bet a thousand kan on Rindo," Ichigo said, holding back a laugh.
"Then let's find out...!" Yayahara's face flushed, her eyes burning. Her "nails" flashed with a cold light.
Fortunately, the Senkaimon (World-Gate) opened at that exact moment, stopping her.
...
Human World, Karakura Town.
In a park, under a streetlight, a Hollow was lunging at the spirit of a small, bloody girl. Suddenly, a figure dropped from the sky, wielding a massive cleaver-like katana, and split the Hollow in two.
"Hoo! Just in time!"
"—Inoue, what's the situation?"
"Ah?"
"Looks like I don't need to ask."
Rukia, in casual clothes, ran up. She saw the dissipating Hollow and smiled in relief.
"Are you okay, little one?"
The orange-haired Shinigami... Inoue Orihime... looked at the spirit under the light, her eyes full of gentle sorrow. The girl looked like she had died in a car accident.
It reminded her of another... car accident... she'd heard about, just a few months ago.
Tragedies... were always happening, in places you'd never know.
But... as long as you could "live on"... you would be reborn.
With that sincere wish, Orihime performed Konsō, sending the little girl to the Soul Society.
Rukia, who had watched quietly, spoke, her voice full of praise, but also a complex, hidden emotion. "Inoue. You're becoming more and more like a real Shinigami."
"Not at all! It's all because you taught me so well, Kuchiki-san," Orihime blushed.
Her Shinigami robes, and the giant sword in her hand, made her current identity clear.
—Substitute Shinigami.
"I did give you my powers, and forced you to take over protecting Karakura Town when I lost them. It's only natural I teach you. But... your progress has truly surprised me."
Rukia held her chin high, her expression serious, giving her an air of maturity.
"Normally, a human who becomes a Shinigami... just being able to fight a Hollow is impressive. But at your level, even a normal Shinigami wouldn't be your match."
"It... certainly makes training you easier. Of course, the most important thing is your good personality. If it had been some arrogant, snot-nosed, also-orange-haired... brat... I'd have a real headache."
Orihime blushed. "You're very kind too, Kuchiki-san! You used your own power to save my life, and you helped me resolve the misunderstanding with my brother... I owe you so much. I wonder when your powers will return. I'd love to fight alongside you."
"You say I'm strong, but... when I fight alone, I'm always... scared."
"Fight alongside... I don't know when my powers will return, either."
Rukia frowned. This was a real headache.
Two months ago, she'd been forced to give Orihime half her power to save her.
It had worked, and the incident with Orihime's Hollowfied brother was resolved. But... for some reason, after she'd put on the gigai (false body) from Urahara's shop, her powers... hadn't just not returned. They were fading.
She was trapped.
She couldn't do her job, but she was too scared to return to Soul Society.
All she could do was wait.
Out of a sense of responsibility, Rukia hid her anxiety, putting on a fierce expression.
"Is that so? Then we'll just have to train you for that! No training, no dessert!"
"Whaaaat!?"
"—Heh."
A sudden, cold laugh made Rukia jump.
"Who's there!?"
Her sharp gaze shot to the shadows.
A figure in white stepped out, walking calmly. He wasn't hiding at all. In fact, he was projecting an aura of pure intimidation.
"Apologies. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But... as Shinigami, you two are... a real 'surprise'."
"You're... Ishida Uryū?"
"Ishida-kun? What are you doing here? And... in those clothes?"
Both Rukia and Orihime (who were now classmates at Karakura High) recognized him.
"Do Shinigami... not even recognize the attire of a Quincy anymore? Perhaps I was too 'subtle'. I should be more direct..."
Ishida Uryū pushed up his glasses, his eyes cold, his voice full of animosity.
"—I am... sorely disappointed."
"With your power... can 'Shinigami' really protect this world?"
"...'Quincy'... I think I've heard that name. But... what do you want?"
Rukia, though powerless, sensed his ill-intent.
"Don't worry. I hold a grudge against Shinigami, but I won't attack you. That said... I can't do nothing."
Ishida produced a small, silver tube, smiling with calm arrogance.
"This... will attract a large number of Hollows."
"Let's have a contest. To see which of us... the Shinigami or the Quincy... is superior. To see which of us... has the right to protect this world."
"Wait!"
Rukia's pupils shrank. She was too late, and too weak, to stop him from crushing the bait.
The silver powder dissolved into the air... and a deep, cold dread began to rise.
"Kuchiki-san...!"
Orihime's face paled, her fingers trembling.
In her senses... she could hear the cries of Hollows.
And the cries... were multiplying... swelling into a terrifying, massive shriek.
CRACK!
The sky above the park began to split open. Hollows of all shapes and sizes poured out.
"Now then..."
Ishida summoned his spiritual bow, about to announce the "rules"...
When, without warning...
Many of the cracks widened, merging into one... massive... rift, stretching from heaven to earth.
The upper half of a gargantuan creature squeezed through.
THOOM!
"?!?!"
Ishida's expression froze. He whipped his head around.
A black body. A pointed nose.
A giant, cloaked in black.
"How... How can this be... A Grand Hollow... A Gillian!? You attracted a Gillian!? Ishida, did you even think about the consequences!?"
Rukia's face was bloodless.
"No... that's wrong! Wait! My bait... it's not that strong!"
It was true.
Rukia had to admit it.
Because just as Ishida yelled his protest, more rifts tore open. From the park, they could see... multiple Gillians... descending on Karakura Town.
The bait had worked... but it was just a catalyst.
It shouldn't have... attracted prey so far beyond the user's own strength.
"Kuchiki-san, what do we do now!?" Orihime cried.
Rukia opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
What do we do?
...All they could do... was wait for help from Soul Society.
BOOM!
It wasn't a Gillian's footstep. It wasn't an explosion.
It was... a massive, multi-pronged... explosion of Reiatsu... from somewhere else in town.
"This... Is this... Soul Society's reinforcements?"
Rukia jolted, staring into the distance.
How... How did they get here so fast?
-------
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