Three days later—in front of the Seireitei's Senkaimon.
"Huh? President, you're the one leading this mission?"
The first-year Class A students, including Hinamori, were visibly surprised when they saw that among the senior students assigned to lead the field training, Nobu was heading the group.
Aside from Hinamori, Kira, and a few Student Council members, the rest of the group wasn't just surprised—many of them were visibly thrilled.
Tachikawa Nobu was something of a legend at Shin'ō Academy. Many students saw him as someone to aspire to—or chase after.
To be able to conduct field training alongside their idol? That was nothing short of exhilarating.
"What's so strange about me being the team leader?" Nobu smiled casually as he swept his gaze across the gathered Class A students.
He saw the familiar few.
So it really is this group…
He addressed them, "No need for a long introduction. We'll now draw lots to divide you into teams of three for the exercise."
Aoshika brought over the box of name slips, and everyone crowded around.
Nobu pulled out the Denreishinki, the spirit communication device issued to upperclassmen for this mission—akin to a cellphone, though in this era, cellphones didn't exist in the living world yet. In terms of technology, the Soul Society was currently far ahead.
However, because the Denreishinki transmitted via spirit particles, it was easily affected by fluctuations in spiritual pressure.
But for a simple field exercise like this, no one would expect any tampering.
The first-years had already finished drawing lots.
Hinamori Momo, Kira Izuru, and Abarai Renji—the three close friends—just so happened to be grouped together.
Nobu stared at the lottery box, thinking, Is this really just coincidence…?
It was how things played out in the original storyline too—but even with his presence altering events, this supposedly "random" outcome remained unchanged?
In the original plot, Aizen orchestrated an accident during this field training to test the potential of Hinamori, Kira, and Renji—to see if they could be molded into useful tools.
They didn't disappoint.
Hinamori became his lieutenant. Kira became Gin's.
Renji… likely due to his temperament, was abandoned.
As the students prepared to pass through the Senkaimon, many of the younger ones were visibly nervous. Hollows were something most of them had only read about. Now, they were going to fight them—even if only the lowest-grade ones, the tension in the air was unmistakable.
Nobu turned, giving them a reassuring smile. "Relax. Fighting Hollows isn't as hard as you're imagining. Just apply what you've learned in class, and you'll be fine. And with us upperclassmen here, we'll make sure you stay safe."
His presence alone was comforting. Simply standing there calmed many of the students.
The Senkaimon opened, and Nobu was the first to step through.
...
The Living World.
The simulated combat zone was constructed over a coastal town. While it appeared to be part of the real world, it was in fact a false space—a replica created using Kidō barriers. Had they conducted this training in a real human city, innocent people might have been harmed.
Thanks to the 12th Division, this space was fabricated as a perfect copy.
Besides the pre-inserted Hollows, the only inhabitants were Shin'ō Academy students.
Nobu stood atop the highest building in the town, Hisagi and Kanisawa at his side.
The training exercise would last quite a while. Their job was to oversee the operation and ensure the safety of the first-years—not to interfere directly with each individual team's combat experience.
Hisagi was using the Denreishinki to communicate with the barrier team. Once done, he turned to Nobu and Kanisawa. "Everything's good so far."
"Is that so?"
Nobu's expression remained neutral. From his vantage point, he could see nearly the entire town laid out beneath them.
The moonlight shimmered across the sea's surface.
Before either Hisagi or Kanisawa could react, Nobu disappeared with a flash-step—Shunpō. A blinding arc of sword light lit up the horizon.
Boom!
A massive Hollow, several meters tall, was cleaved cleanly down the center. It crashed to the ground, split in two.
By the time Hisagi and Kanisawa followed with their own flash-steps, the Hollow was already disintegrating into spirit particles.
They stared at it, stunned.
"That thing was huge…" Hisagi murmured. "That's definitely outside regulation."
Neither he nor Kanisawa had sensed it. Worse, it had concealed itself with remarkable skill. If Nobu hadn't noticed in time, a lower-level student might have died.
Hisagi quickly pulled out his Denreishinki and called the barrier team. "A large Hollow appeared within the barrier—much larger than the allowed limits. What happened?"
A moment later, the response came: "We show all conditions as normal. Are you certain?"
"Normal? That Hollow was six meters tall! That's way beyond regulation!"
"Any casualties on your end?"
Hisagi looked at Nobu and replied, "No. It's been taken care of."
"Then all is well. It was likely a mistake during deployment."
Hisagi frowned. "Requesting temporary suspension of the exercise to recheck all Hollow deployments within the barrier."
There was a pause on the other end. Then:
"No need to suspend. The issue won't happen again."
"Barrier team?"
"We've investigated. One Hollow was adept at suppressing its spiritual pressure. It was misclassified during insertion. The issue is resolved. Training can proceed."
Hisagi ended the call, though unease lingered on his face.
That Hollow…
If Nobu hadn't come this time, someone would have died.
Kanisawa's expression darkened. "Allowing something like that to slip through… it's playing with students' lives."
Then she looked at Nobu. "Thank goodness you were here."
Nobu remained calm. Is that really the end of it?
In the original story, only one Hollow ran amok. But now? He couldn't be sure anymore.
His presence had already disrupted the original plan. Whoever was behind it might now take a different approach.
...
Meanwhile, at the barrier control room.
The final technician, after finishing the Denreishinki call, collapsed—cut down by a silver-haired boy.
"Things went a little off script, huh, Captain Aizen? That Hollow got taken out before it even reached those kids."
Before a flickering monitor, a refined, soft-spoken man watched the familiar figure onscreen with quiet interest.
Tachikawa Nobu.
A candidate for the 4th Division. Not originally factored into Aizen's long-term plans.
The current 4th Division Captain was troublesome—old, senior in both age and experience, and had never revealed the full extent of his power. That made him impossible to gauge.
"…Then let's test him too."
Aizen pushed up his gleaming glasses, their reflection briefly obscuring his eyes.
In the dimly lit room, his expression turned cold and calculating.
"Send in two more Hollows."
Gin Ichimaru glanced at his still-bloodied Zanpakutō and grinned. "That strike of his earlier… quite something. I say toss in ten more and see what happens."
"No," Aizen said flatly. "You're mistaken, Gin."
"This is a test, not an assassination. I just want to see what he's really capable of."
"One more large-class Hollow. And one… Gillian."
Gin's perpetually narrowed eyes opened slightly in surprise.
A Gillian?