Chapter 106: A Disruptive Ceremony

Chapter 106: A Disruptive Ceremony

Observing the Seireitei from afar and stepping through its colossal gates was a completely different experience. Momo Hinamori found herself bewitched by the city's elegance, so different from the rough simplicity of Rukongai. Majestic buildings like titans, their stately arches and glistening rooftops lending the city a noble aura. The citizens on the streets wore decent clothes, their Reiatsu robust and more rigorous than 99% of the Rukongai population.

The wall dividing them did more than separate districts; it was a chasm cleaving heaven from earth.

Momo’s eyes darted everywhere without a stop. “This is stunning.”

"Stop gawking like an idiot," Toshiro scolded, though a hint of embarrassment and apology colored his tone. “It’s just a fancier version of our village.”

Momo glared at Toshiro as if he was the idiot here, not her. Her unblinking glare strangely intimidated him.

“This is the paradise we were promised.” Kazuya poked Yoruichi who was resting on his head. “But it’s reserved for Shinigami. Life is never fair but the afterlife should have some equality.”

Yoruichi bit his ear. “Get your head out of religious books.”

She didn’t shy away from speaking in her cat form. The boisterous crowd of three students made a good cover for her.

{Complains the motherfucker who spawned with Vasto Lorde-level power,} Nami’s sarcastic reply made him chuckle. {Partner, destroy the Seireitei after we come into power. Equally shitty life for everyone, baby!}

‘Let others be happy.’

{Nevah!}

Soon the academy came into sight — a sprawling multi-story building with an architectural style resembling the Seireitei. Kazuya’s group, along with many other new students, were taken into different halls. Each hall basically had the same responsibility of providing uniforms and relaying the assigned dormitory numbers to each student.

Kazuya caught two unexpected faces in a different queue.

‘Rukia and Renji?’

Rukia looked focused and determined. He remembered her lacking both when she joined the academy. Only after meeting Kaien did she reveal more confidence.RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

{They were supposed to join two years later... What happened?}

His mind whirred, connecting the dots. ‘If I had to guess, it’s because of the balance disaster in Rukongai.’

He didn’t feel an ounce of guilt even after hearing the consequences of Barragan’s death. His alignment wouldn’t be ‘Neutral Evil’ if he began sobbing for random people.

{Possibly. I wonder if the world will force different events to fuel her growth.}

‘You talk like this world is a living entity.’

“Wanna say hi?”

“Nope,” Yoruichi instantly replied before reclining against his shoulder. “Heh. Look at her act all tough now. She used to chase me like a lil’ baby.”

“Say it to her face, coward.”

“I’m not failing my mission.”

Soi Fon, who was on a hunt for potential assassin candidates, suddenly felt goosebumps. Looking around the crowd, she came across a pair of striking golden eyes belonging to a black cat sitting upon a student’s shoulder. The cat’s eyes gave her a sense of familiarity, stirring something within her — a deep, visceral reaction that made her blood boil.

She narrowed her eyes on the white-haired man who surprisingly grinned back at her. It was a grin reserved to tease others. A grin that provoked memories of the most loved yet hated person in her life.

Both the pet and its master got on her nerves without saying a word. She could almost feel the satisfying crunch of her fist against that grinning face.

She pointed at him, making the students around him step away and single him out. “You with the black cat. Do you see anything funny?”

He cluelessly looked around before pointing at his face. “Me?”

His voice sent ripples of fascination across the students. Soi Fon also fell dazed for a second.

“Why were you grinning like a fool?”

“Uh...” He rubbed the back of his head. “Smiling isn’t a sin, is it?”

Even though he was in a Captain’s presence, he showed no respect or courtesy. Soi Fon didn’t demand pure reverence but basic courtesy was the least a student could afford. It was not just an institution of learning; it was a crucible, molding future soldiers for the Gotei 13. Discipline was not an option; it was a mandate.

His nonchalance reminded her of the exiled Shinigami, the man she wouldn’t hesitate to murder in a heartbeat — Kisuke Urahara.

Soi Fon’s hand clenched involuntarily. “There is a time and place for every action,” she said, beckoning him with a finger. “Come over here.”

The entire crowd of students looked at him with pity. To offend a Seated Officer was to gamble with one's future; to offend a Captain was to dance with death itself. And this was no ordinary Captain. This was the master assassin, the one ruling over the Stealth Force Onmitsukidō and the 2nd Squad.

Kazuya’s response was anything but typical. He let Yoruichi slip down before he made his way through the path students made by parting, a carefree bounce in his step as if he wasn’t walking to his execution.

Jumping up the podium, he stood a few meters away from Soi Fon. “What can I do for you?”

“This opening ceremony will be a little different,” Soi Fon said as she turned to the students. “I’ll give you a little demonstration of Hakuda techniques and different ways to master them.”

Soi Fon decided to abuse her authority for the first time in her life.