The talent Hitsugaya Tōshirō displayed went far beyond academics. After joining the Student Council, he managed all the tasks assigned to him with remarkable competence, occasionally even suggesting improvements Nobu hadn't considered.
"Has anyone approached you privately?" Nobu asked him one day.
"Who exactly do you mean, Kaichō?" Hitsugaya replied, puzzled.
"Someone from outside the academy."
Hitsugaya shook his head, looking confused.
But it didn't take long before Nobu's prediction was proven correct.
Shiba Kaien appeared again!
After teaching a class for the first-year Class A students that afternoon, Kaien immediately sought out Hitsugaya, chatting privately with him for quite some time.
Only after that did he come to see Nobu.
Seeing Kaien's broad grin, Nobu instantly knew what he was after.
"What brings you here, Lieutenant Shiba?"
Kaien casually threw his arm around Nobu's shoulder, smiling brightly. "Nobu, I won't beat around the bush—help me get Hitsugaya Tōshirō into my squad!"
Nobu rolled his eyes dramatically. "You're really bold, Lieutenant Shiba. First, you wanted me to sway Hinamori and Kira. Now, Hitsugaya? You make it sound like Shin'ō Academy exists solely to recruit for the Thirteenth Division."
Kaien laughed shamelessly. "Come on, it's because we're close!"
Nobu sighed in resignation. "It's not something I can control. It depends entirely on Hitsugaya's own wishes."
Kaien quickly replied, "I already spoke to him—he said he hasn't decided yet. Precisely because he hasn't chosen a squad, we have to act quickly to persuade him. He's not like you; if he puts in effort, he could probably graduate within the year."
He shot Nobu a pointed look. "Don't you dare infect him with your weird habit of insisting on staying at the academy for the full six years!"
Nobu smiled lightly. "Doing this kind of thing so blatantly—aren't you worried other divisions might protest?"
Kaien proudly countered, "Of course not! Otherwise, what's the point of me being the honorary Student Council advisor?"
Deep down, Kaien was well aware other divisions had undoubtedly taken notice of Hitsugaya Tōshirō by now. A talent who achieved Sixth-Class spiritual power upon enrollment didn't appear every day. Back when he was in the academy himself, countless divisions had tried to recruit him.
Nobu pretended to think. "I suppose I could casually put in a good word for the Thirteenth Division when I talk with him…"
Kaien's face lit up. "Really?"
Nobu's tone quickly shifted, however. "But…"
"But what?"
Nobu gave Kaien a meaningful stare. "Weren't you deliberately avoiding me recently, Lieutenant Shiba?"
"No way!" Kaien vehemently denied, "I've just been busy with squad duties! You know how the Thirteenth Division is—I can't be away for long."
A sly grin appeared on Nobu's face. "Then are you busy today?"
Kaien hesitated, "Um…well…"
Nobu sighed dramatically. "In that case, I wouldn't want to disturb you any further, Lieutenant. As for Hitsugaya, I really can't—"
"Hold it! Wait, wait!" Kaien hastily interrupted, plastering an apologetic smile onto his face.
In the end, Kaien agreed to Nobu's request: a sparring session.
This time, they chose a spacious open area outside Shin'ō Academy rather than the kendō hall.
Unlike Madarame Ikkaku, Shiba Kaien was an entirely different type of Shinigami. Known as a genius in his own right, Kaien had an extremely balanced yet powerful skill set, and their battle was exhilarating for Nobu.
Kidō clashes, shunpo, hakuda, swordsmanship—Kaien excelled in them all.
Ultimately, the spar ended in a draw, but victory or defeat didn't matter.
Kaien was equally shocked. He now had an even clearer grasp of Nobu's abilities.
At first, Kaien had chosen close-combat swordsmanship, but after just two exchanges, he nearly lost outright. Realizing this, he quickly adjusted tactics, keeping his distance instead.
With his extensive Kidō experience, Kaien initially managed to suppress Nobu. However, Nobu adapted at an astounding rate, quickly matching Kaien's tempo and pushing him back into an even exchange.
Of course, it was just sparring, so neither fought seriously, holding back significantly.
"You really keep surprising me, kid," Kaien said admiringly.
Privately, Kaien thought: In a real fight, Nobu would never abandon his swordsmanship advantage. If I let him get close, I'd lose in an instant.
Kaien understood clearly that Nobu wanted to use this opportunity to practice real combat with Kidō.
Last year, Kaien had asked Ikkaku to spar with Nobu. Afterward, Ikkaku confronted him angrily, telling him the outcome:
Despite being at vice-captain level himself, Ikkaku had barely lasted a few exchanges.
After hearing that, Kaien had deliberately avoided coming back to the academy for some time, wary that Nobu would pester him next.
"Satisfied now?" Kaien asked, smiling.
"It was alright," Nobu said lightly. "I could go another round, or maybe several more?"
"You little punk!" Kaien laughed and scolded.
He then added more seriously, "Remember, you promised about Hitsugaya."
"I can't guarantee results, but I'll definitely mention your squad to Hitsugaya more often," Nobu assured him.
Kaien nodded. "That's good enough."
As twilight deepened, Kaien finally departed.
...
The very next day, Shin'ō Academy welcomed yet another familiar face.
Seeing that graceful, alluring figure standing at his office doorway, Nobu's eyes brightened instantly.
"Rangiku-san!"
Matsumoto Rangiku strolled gracefully inside and sat opposite Nobu at his desk.
"This place has changed quite a bit," she remarked, glancing around.
Nobu's expression became nostalgic. "The heartfelt donation of a friend before leaving—I'll cherish his kindness forever."
Rangiku: "…"
"Did you come here specifically for me, Rangiku-san?"
"Something like that."
Nobu smiled warmly. "I'm free right now. How about a drink?"
"Sounds perfect."
They left the academy together and arrived shortly at a nearby izakaya.
Once seated, Rangiku leaned closer with an amused smirk. "So, how are things going with that Kuchiki noble girl? Any luck?"
Nobu raised an eyebrow. "Rangiku-san, you're making that sound rather indecent."
She shot him a teasing glance. "Oh, bold enough to do it, but too shy to admit it?"
"My relationship with Rukia is completely innocent—we're purely friends, classmates, and colleagues."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Rangiku's eyes filled with mock disdain. "Sounds like you got nowhere with her and found someone else."
Nobu's smile grew playful as he stared at Rangiku meaningfully. "Actually, I already have someone else in mind, Rangiku-san."
Rangiku returned his look with a captivating smile. She casually shifted her posture, resting her chin lightly on her hand, subtly exposing the Zanpakutō at her waist.
Her crimson lips parted slightly as she whispered softly, "If you dare utter my name next, I'll cut out your tongue."
"..."
Nobu shivered involuntarily, promptly shutting his mouth. Instead, he busied himself refilling Rangiku's cup.
Rangiku laughed heartily at his reaction.
"Alright, let's talk business," she said, still smiling. "I assume you've heard of Hitsugaya Tōshirō?"