What Nobu proposed — an official student organization — was, in essence, a student council. Its purpose? To act as a bridge between Shin'ō Academy and its students.
As soon as Shiba Kaien heard Nobu's pitch, he immediately grasped the potential significance — and power — such a council could hold in the future.
Manage students? Serve students?
The fact was, the vast majority of Soul Society's Shinigami were graduates of the Academy. Many of today's elites had once been students here. If this student council truly came to be — and began recruiting outstanding talent while they were still students — those relationships would carry forward into their professional lives, creating a powerful, lasting network.
As soon as the idea left Nobu's mouth, Kaien's mind began racing with pros and cons, benefits and consequences.
The biggest issue, of course, was whether something like this would even be allowed.
The real power in Soul Society lay with the noble clans. And while Kaien himself was born into nobility, the Shiba family no longer held the influence it once did.
Between nobles and commoners, the gap in Soul Society had widened to the point of near genetic separation. For those born outside nobility, the Academy was almost the only path to becoming a Shinigami. Nobles, however, often had their own systems — they could become Shinigami without ever setting foot in the Academy.
How would the noble houses view this so-called student council? Would it inspire them to start sending their own heirs through the Academy? Or would they snuff it out before it even began?
Maybe I'm thinking too far ahead, Kaien thought. They might not even let it be born.
The noise of the cafeteria faded to a kind of white static. Kaien set down his chopsticks, eyes flickering as he studied the boy seated across from him.
"This is something I'll need time to think about," he said at last.
Nobu's smile didn't falter. "Take all the time you need. I'm not in a rush."
Kaien let out a dry chuckle. "You're full of surprises, you know that?"
Nobu replied lazily, "Vice-Captain Shiba, you might be overthinking this. It's just a small group — and it would still fall under the jurisdiction of the Academy."
Kaien made no comment. He only said, "If it really happens… In two years, when you graduate, do you think a low-ranking officer position in the Gotei will still be enough for you?"
"You're giving me too much credit. I know my own limits."
Kaien said nothing more. He didn't touch his food again, and after sitting in silence for a while, abruptly got up and left.
Moments later, Hisagi Shūhei arrived with his lunch tray and sat down across from Nobu.
"You told him?" he asked.
"I had to," Nobu replied between bites. "He's the only one who can help."
Shūhei frowned. "You're being too optimistic, Nobu. Things aren't that simple. We're just students."
When Nobu had first pitched the idea to him, Shūhei had been stunned — both at the ambition and the audacity.
"You're right," Nobu said. "But because we are students, that's exactly why it's simple. Let other people worry about the messy parts."
...
That afternoon: Kendo class.
Nanada-sensei was already waiting when the students arrived. As he watched them file in, his gaze locked onto a certain black-haired boy entering beside Shūhei.
Nobu shivered under that stare.
Something's about to go down…
Shūhei sent him a sympathetic look. You're on your own.
"How did you cover for me yesterday?" Nobu muttered.
"I told him the truth. That Lieutenant Matsumoto needed to see you."
"Shūhei, you—"
Before they could sit down, Nanada's cold voice cut across the room: "Tachikawa-kun. Care to explain why you missed class yesterday?"
The rest of the class was already kneeling to the side, all eyes gleaming with barely concealed amusement.
Nobu stepped forward immediately and bowed deeply. "I apologize, Nanada-sensei. It was my fault. I realize now how valuable class time is, and I swear it won't happen again."
Nanada let out a cold laugh. "How many times have I heard that promise?"
Back when he first enrolled, Nobu had been well-behaved enough. But by his second year, his attendance had turned erratic. Any other student would've been expelled by now — but his talent had bought him leniency.
"This time I really mean it!"
Nanada wasn't moved. He turned to address the entire class.
"Today's lesson is live sparring. Your opponent… is Tachikawa Nobu. If any of you can defeat him, I'll give you extra points on the end-of-year exam. You can challenge him as many times as you like."
"…"
The kendo hall fell dead silent for a moment — and then Nobu felt a hundred eyes lock onto him with hungry intent.
"Sensei, that's not fair!" someone shouted.
"I think it's perfectly fair," said a voice.
It was Kanisawa Hotaru. She had already stepped forward, gripping a black practice blade.
"Tachikawa-kun. It's been a while since we sparred."
A wooden blade was tossed toward him — Shūhei, of course. And by the glint in his eye, he was clearly enjoying this.
The weight of the practice sword settled into Nobu's palm. He took a deep breath.
This is happening whether I like it or not. I'll just let them get in a few hits, take a loss, and move on.
But Nanada wasn't finished.
"Tachikawa-kun," he said, smiling thinly, "If you lose, I'll be deducting points from your overall assessment. You've missed so many classes this year — who knows, you might not even pass."
Nobu's grip on the sword tightened.
Damn it…
"Fine then. Let's do this."
He stepped into the center of the hall, like a man walking to his execution.
Nanada stood off to the side, arms folded. The fourth-year curriculum was already complete — this wouldn't disrupt anything. In fact, he hoped it would push the others to improve.
But he had underestimated Nobu.
In less than thirty minutes, every single one of the twenty-something students lay sprawled on the floor — even top-tier students like Sazame and Shūhei hadn't lasted a minute against him.
Don't blame me. I wanted you guys to get your bonus points, I really did. But I'm not about to get held back because of it.
Sliding his blade back into the sheath, Nobu quietly consoled himself.
"Was the gap really that wide…?"
Nanada murmured, staring at the unruffled boy at the center of the dojo. Not a scratch on him.
He already knew Nobu's swordsmanship outstripped his own — but just how far, even he couldn't say.
"Nanada-sensei. That was sufficient, I trust?" Nobu asked with a grin.
Nanada's face darkened. Feeling provoked, he pointed at several of the groaning students nearby.
"And here I thought you were classmates! You didn't hold back at all!"
"I used the back of the blade! Not one of them is bleeding!"
"You still dare talk back?! From now on, you're running sparring drills for every kendo class!"
A collective groan rose from the floor.
"Nooo, Nanada-sensei!"
"Why are we being punished for his mistake?!"
"Sensei, that's so unfair!"
After class, Nobu was summoned to Nanada's office.
The faculty all knew him. Knew that Nanada-sensei had a "special" student who was both talented and troublesome.
But Nanada didn't bring up the earlier class. Instead, he got straight to the point.
"Why aren't you planning to graduate this year?"
Nobu considered, then countered, "Didn't Kanisawa-san tell you?"
Nanada adjusted his glasses. "If you're aware of your shortcomings and want to improve, then staying an extra year is admirable. But will it fix all your bad habits?"
"I'm really going to change this time!"
"Hisagi and Kanisawa also decided not to apply for graduation. Because of you?"
Nobu chuckled. "Sensei, even if they applied, what are the odds they'd pass?"
Nanada fell silent. The truth was, the graduation exam for fourth-years was notoriously tough. Both Shūhei and Sazame were excellent students, but there were no guarantees — and after graduation came the division entrance exams, which were even harsher.
As a teacher who cared deeply about his students' outcomes, Nanada had a vested interest in Nobu's future — and had always pushed him harder than the others.
"Sensei, you can't pin this all on me," Nobu said. "Everyone's got their own limits. Whether they take the exam or not, that's their decision. Same with me. I want to stay at the Academy a little longer — and I want you to keep teaching me. Nothing wrong with that, right?"
Nanada flipped through a stack of documents, then said, "A few squads from the Thirteen have approached me, asking about your intentions. If you take the exam, you'll pass easily. No matter which division you join, they'll value you highly."
It happened every year — the Academy's top student always drew attention. But Nobu had even defeated Nanada himself during a kendo lesson, making his prestige even greater.
If he graduated now and started as a seated officer, Nanada wouldn't be surprised in the slightest — in fact, he'd be proud.
"Vice-Captain Shiba came to recruit you for the Thirteenth, didn't he?" Nanada asked.
He already knew — Kaien had consulted him previously, hoping he could persuade Nobu.
Nobu nodded lightly. "Lieutenant Matsumoto from the Tenth offered me a spot as their Twenty-Third Seat."
That did sound appropriate.
Nanada asked, "So which one are you leaning toward?"
Nobu grinned. "I'd rather stay your student."
That got a rare chuckle out of Nanada — though he quickly sobered. "Don't get cocky. Playing hard to get isn't a good look."
"You've got me all wrong!" Nobu protested. "I'm being totally sincere."
Nanada studied him in silence, unable to read what lay behind that smile.
"The exam is optional for fourth-years. If you've made up your mind, then stay another year."
"Only you truly understand me, Sensei."
...
Two days later.
Shiba Kaien returned to the Academy and found Nobu right after the afternoon classes ended.
"So, Vice-Captain Shiba," Nobu said. "You've thought it over?"
"I want to hear your vision in detail. Structure, responsibilities, member roles — have you actually mapped it out?"
Without hesitation, Nobu handed him a thick packet of documents.
Kaien raised an eyebrow but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he asked, "When did you come up with all this?"
"About a year ago," Nobu replied. "It came from watching how hard the teachers worked to manage the students. I started thinking, maybe we could help lighten that load."
Kaien narrowed his eyes. "And yet you skip class all the time? If you care so much about your teachers, why not just be a model student?"
"That's different!" Nobu protested. "I had valid reasons! My body's not in the best shape — I need more rest than most—"
Kaien waved it off and started reading the documents.
Inside, everything was outlined in detail — the student council's structure, functions, departments, member roles, and responsibilities. The more Kaien read, the more impressed he became. This wasn't some half-baked idea. It was a fully developed framework.
He really did his homework.
Kaien's thoughts raced. He looked up at Nobu.
The Academy had never lacked for geniuses. He himself had graduated in one year and entered the Gotei as a Third Seat. Decades earlier, Ichimaru Gin had done the same.
Compared to them, Nobu was merely "excellent."
So what did it mean to be a genius?
It got you a good start. It helped you climb faster. But that was about it.
This student council, though — if it succeeded, what would that mean for Nobu's future?
Kaien wasn't ready to answer that. He still had to discuss it with his captain… and with his uncle.
"So tell me," Kaien asked again. "Which division do you plan to join after graduation?"
Nobu replied calmly, "Captain Ukitake's health has never been strong. But even so, Vice-Captain Shiba, it's going to take a while before you're in a position to succeed him, right?"
Kaien's face didn't change. But Nobu wasn't wrong — his uncle was the Captain of the Tenth Division. Two Shibas holding captaincies at the same time? The Central 46 would never allow it.
His own path to promotion was riddled with obstacles. His uncle was still in his prime. Kaien was comfortable in the Thirteenth — happy, even — but promotion? That was complicated.
And Nobu had picked up on that.
Kaien was Vice-Captain. His fiancée held the Third Seat. If Nobu joined the Thirteenth… the most he could hope for was Fourth.
No wonder he'd turned down Matsumoto's offer for Twenty-Third.
"Third Seat of the Tenth Division," Kaien said suddenly.
"Would you take it?"