The holiday passed in idleness — the kind of idle that quickly turned dull.
Nobu had nothing to do each day except train. Shūhei frequently came to spar with him, only to lose again and again. Though he kept saying he didn't want to fight Nobu anymore, the number of matches never seemed to decrease.
[Spiritual Pressure Level: Lv. 14]
[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 7%]
[Spiritual Energy Reserve: 20%
Progress through self-training alone was slow. It had taken him half a year just to gain one level.
If he could steadily advance one level every six months, he wouldn't be in a rush — in a few decades, he'd max out.
But back when he'd first started training, it had only taken a few days to level up.
It only got harder the further he went.
Just as the monotonous holiday neared its end, Nobu finally received a summons from the upper ranks of the Shin'ō Academy.
It was Nanada Hideaki who came for him personally, leading him straight to the headmaster's office.
Nanada didn't say much along the way, though there was something strange in the way he looked at Nobu — perhaps he didn't know what this was about either, only that he'd been abruptly instructed to fetch him.
"Go in. The headmaster's waiting."
After a knock, a deep, resonant voice called out from within: "Come in."
Pushing the door open, Nobu saw that the headmaster wasn't alone. He scanned the room and recognized most of the occupants. He'd seen the Academy headmaster before — every year, he gave a speech to the new students. As for the other three—
Captain Shiba Isshin of the Tenth Division.
Captain Ukitake Jūshirō of the Thirteenth Division, and his vice-captain, Shiba Kaien.
There was also a middle-aged man dressed in elegant robes — no shihakushō, no captain's haori — his expression blank, or perhaps severe. Clearly, a noble.
This wasn't a casual gathering.
Nobu remained composed. After stepping inside, he respectfully bowed to everyone present.
"So you're Tachikawa Nobu?"
The one who spoke first was Shiba Isshin. He wore a gentle expression and examined Nobu with interest, as though sizing him up.
"Tachikawa-kun," said the headmaster, Sasakibe Gyōsō.
"You should have some idea why we've called you here today."
Nobu considered briefly. "It's about the student council, isn't it?"
Sasakibe Gyōsō was a white-haired elder, stern rather than kindly in appearance. He wore a wide-sleeved kimono, exuding an air of dignified authority.
"When did you first come up with this idea?"
"A year ago."
"Why?"
"At the time, I noticed that the instructors were personally handling all kinds of trivial and administrative tasks. Class monitors could help with some of it, but there's only so much one or two students can do. That's when the idea came to me."
"That's all?" Sasakibe pressed. "From what I've seen, your proposal for the student council is already fully developed. It could be implemented immediately."
Nobu replied, "Once the idea came to me, I decided to act on it. I spent the year refining the plan. If you all find it feasible, it would reduce the cost of trial and error — and that aligns with the goal of easing the teachers' workload."
He understood that Sasakibe was trying to probe for something deeper — but this was all he could say.
The truth was, the student council would clearly be a net benefit. No matter how some might view it, the fact remained: it would significantly reduce the burden on the Academy's staff.
Moreover, students who served in the council would graduate with valuable management and practical experience.
Such an organization, beneficial to both the Academy and its students, left little reason for rejection.
Everyone present had read Tachikawa Nobu's file. A commoner from Zaraki District — the fact that he'd even survived there made him noteworthy.
The Seireitei barely paid attention to that district. Unless a Hollow appeared and caused unrest, the Shinigami rarely intervened.
"It seems you came well-prepared," Sasakibe said. Whether he meant Nobu's proposal or something more, it wasn't clear.
Nobu already had the qualifications to graduate from the Academy, but he'd chosen to stay. Instead of reporting his idea to the faculty, he'd gone to Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien of the Thirteenth Division.
Sasakibe had only learned of this through Captain Ukitake.
Not long afterward, he was summoned to a meeting of the Central 46 — a special session convened solely for this issue, which passed the proposal with a strong majority.
Sasakibe, the headmaster of the Academy, had been completely in the dark. He later questioned Nobu's homeroom teacher, Nanada Hideaki, who was just as confused.
That was when Sasakibe realized: Tachikawa Nobu was no ordinary student. At the very least, he understood how the upper echelons of Soul Society operated.
Of those present today, Captain Shiba Isshin had personally asked to attend. The nobleman was a current member of the Central 46, from the Kasakurōji family.
"What are your thoughts on recruitment criteria for the student council?"
That part hadn't been included in Nobu's proposal, nor had he drafted any council bylaws yet.
"We'll select the best from each incoming class," Nobu said. "They'll go through interviews. Academic performance is secondary — we'll focus on their ability to manage and execute—"
"No."
The interruption came from the nobleman.
"Academic scores must be the primary standard. A student who can't even maintain the basics won't go far as a Shinigami."
Nobu chose not to argue.
Sasakibe stepped in: "We'll formulate a comprehensive recruitment framework, along with the council's regulations and responsibilities."
"One last question."
"Tachikawa Nobu — do you wish to serve as the first student council president?"
That, of course, was his goal.
Sasakibe knew this boy had taken a winding route — using the vice-captain and captain of the Thirteenth Division to push the idea forward — all for this.
At the Central 46 meeting, both Ukitake and Shiba Isshin had pushed hard for Nobu to become the inaugural president.
Had he submitted the idea directly to Academy staff, that seat would never have gone to him.
Fortunately, aside from a few skipped classes, his record was stellar. His talents left little room for criticism.
Ukitake's standing in the Seireitei was not low. Though his family wasn't noble, he'd served as a captain for centuries — his teacher was none other than the Captain-Commander.
Shiba Isshin came from a noble family, and Shiba Kaien's talent was well-known to all.
This kid…
Facing the varied expressions in the room, Nobu showed no fear. Instead, a confident smile rose on his face.
"I have full confidence I can fulfill the role."