Madarame Ikkaku had never imagined the squad predetermined for Tachikawa Nobu could actually be the Fourth Division!
Once certain he hadn't misheard, he instantly concluded that someone in Seireitei must have gone insane.
With such extraordinary sword skills, even if Nobu didn't join the Eleventh Division, he absolutely shouldn't go to the Fourth!
Unwilling to accept it, Ikkaku asked again, "Don't tell me it's your own idea to join the Fourth Division? What good is the Fourth? With swordsmanship like yours, you'd be wasting your talents there!"
Nobu slowly replied, "It just so happens my Zanpakutō is healing-type, so after graduation, I have to join the Fourth Division."
Ikkaku and Yumichika were even more baffled. A single thought emerged simultaneously in their minds:
What kind of joke is this—how could someone like him possibly have a healing-type Zanpakutō?!
Seeing their stunned expressions, Nobu couldn't help but laugh, "What, is it that unbelievable?"
Ikkaku said seriously, "You must be insane—or a lunatic with split personalities!"
He'd been hoping Nobu might join the Eleventh; not only would the division gain another elite, but he himself could regularly spar against him.
Now, that hope was shattered.
Ikkaku knew exactly what having a healing-type Zanpakutō meant. Anyone with that type was essentially guaranteed to go to the Fourth Division. Every year during squad placements, the Fourth Division was always at a disadvantage, forced to take in volunteers reassigned from other divisions.
Still feeling mixed emotions, Ikkaku suddenly asked Nobu, "Did you learn all your swordsmanship from Shin'ō Academy?"
If the academy could produce skills at that level, Ikkaku might regret never attending himself—though perhaps he could ask the academy's instructors for guidance.
Nobu smiled lightly. "Sort of. But I happen to be exceptionally talented—so most of it came naturally."
Ikkaku's face twitched. This brat was even more arrogant than himself.
But then again, he has the skill to back it up.
Ikkaku knew nothing about Tachikawa Nobu before today; he had never paid attention to gossip in Seireitei.
Eventually, both Ikkaku and Yumichika left the academy, each harboring complex feelings.
Ikkaku didn't mind losing the spar; what he truly cared about was Tachikawa Nobu himself.
Initially, Shiba Kaien had simply asked him to spar with someone at the academy, without further explanation. He definitely had to question Kaien about this brat later!
"What do you think of him?" Ikkaku asked Yumichika.
Yumichika had observed their fight from the sidelines and had a clearer view of certain things than Ikkaku.
"His swordsmanship is exceptional."
"I already know that."
Yumichika shook his head gently. "It's stronger than we can even imagine. Our fighting style relies entirely on brute strength and speed. We call it swordsmanship, but it actually has no real discipline—our swords are just tools we swing around. But he's different. In his hands, a sword becomes truly lethal. He can see through every single attack and movement instantly, so none of your moves could ever land unless you were far faster and stronger than him."
Ikkaku grew silent. His own style was practically identical to his captain's—Kenpachi Zaraki.
The only difference was Zaraki was even more reckless, ignoring attacks even when dodging was possible.
"Ikkaku," Yumichika continued quietly, "I clearly saw it during your spar. Defeating you was effortless for him. He prolonged the fight just to see everything you had."
Ikkaku felt irritated at those words. "What you're saying is really annoying."
Yumichika smiled faintly. "But it's the truth. Fighting him with sword skills alone is never a smart move."
Ikkaku grumbled, "And yet, someone like that won't join the Eleventh… it's really damn annoying!"
Yumichika murmured thoughtfully, "Maybe…"
"Maybe what?"
Yumichika just smiled lightly. "Nothing."
When they returned to the Eleventh Division barracks, a tiny pink figure immediately rushed toward them.
"Hey, Baldy! You're finally back!"
Ikkaku felt a vein popping on his gleaming head. In all of the Eleventh Division, only his vice-captain dared call him that. Yet against the little girl, Kusajishi Yachiru, he couldn't muster a hint of annoyance and endured it silently. Seeing Yumichika trying to suppress laughter only angered him further. "What're you laughing at?!"
Behind Yachiru came a towering figure approaching leisurely.
"Couldn't find either of you all afternoon. Where've you been?"
---
Unsatisfied after his spar with Ikkaku, Nobu initially planned to find Shiba Kaien again.
Yet Kaien seemed to be deliberately avoiding him, never returning to the academy after that day. Nobu didn't feel it proper to bother him at home just to spar.
After a heavy snowfall, the term at Shin'ō Academy came to an end.
Minamida Hideyoshi once again asked Nobu if he intended to graduate early. Upon Nobu's refusal, he didn't inquire further.
Although Nobu often skipped class, he never missed final exams.
Similarly, Hisagi Shūhei and Kanisawa chose not to graduate early either, deciding to finish their last year at the academy alongside Nobu.
Hinamori and Rukia had also completed their coursework for the year. Notably, Abarai Renji, with his abysmal Kidō grades, was advised by the instructor to repeat a year, becoming instant fodder for jokes from Hinamori and the others.
Naturally, Renji refused to repeat. Knowing he'd never improve in Kidō, he gave up entirely on that course. By the end of the finals, despite missing one course's grades, Renji narrowly passed.
Shin'ō Academy entered a lengthy break.
As usual, Nobu remained at the academy, as it had essentially become his home.
In Zaraki District, he'd never had a fixed residence, wandering around for food, fighting and killing just to survive…
Shūhei stayed back too, keeping Nobu company. Like Nobu, he hailed from Rukongai. Though his past wasn't as harsh, it was similar enough.
Renji also stayed. With Rukia now the adopted lady of the Kuchiki household, Renji saw no reason to return alone to Inuzuri District.
The academy grew quiet. During the break, Nobu trained with Shūhei and even gave pointers to Renji, greatly surprising and delighting him.
Hinamori occasionally visited to train with them—mostly because of Nobu.
Rukia, however, never appeared, likely due to the strictness of the Kuchiki household.
Fortunately, time passed quickly, and soon the academy opened again.
As student council president, Nobu participated in reviewing new admissions before the term started.
He scanned through the entire list of qualified applicants, eventually spotting two familiar names.
In the end, Shiba Kaien had decided to enroll his younger brother after all.
That year, Shin'ō Academy also welcomed a genius rarely seen in a century.
A freshman named Hitsugaya Tōshirō had entered with astonishing test results, achieving Sixth-Class spiritual power and shocking the entire school.