Stepping out from the shadows and into the open, Kisaragi Akira felt countless eyes lock onto him.A dull throb formed between his temples.
He never liked being the center of attention.If he did, he wouldn't have bothered hiding the true extent of his abilities in the first place.
But with a troublesome friend like Kisaragi Mei around, even a modest wish like that became nothing more than a luxury.
In that moment, he genuinely started regretting the simple greeting he gave on the first day of enrollment.If he could redo that one moment…
"Sōsuke! You can't just watch me die!"
Mei dashed up to him and wailed dramatically.
"Three hundred and ninety thousand rings! Old man Kaede Fumiya is trying to kill me! There's no way I can pay that!"
"You're smart—you definitely have some kind of plan, right?!"
Akira's expression remained calm, his gaze unreadable. He answered quietly:
"Actually…"
"You already have a perfect way out, don't you?"
If the future Aizen Sōsuke possessed the most terrifying insight into human hearts, then the current Akira already carried the early shape of that gift.He wasn't perfect yet, but understanding people was never difficult for him.
After spending so much time with Mei—morning, noon, and night—if he still couldn't figure out what kind of person this idiot was, then he didn't deserve to call himself Kisaragi Akira.
Mei blinked, surprised.
"Wait, how'd you know I was planning to go fleece that rich mutt?"
Akira fell silent.
Only then did he realize… perhaps he didn't understand Mei as well as he thought.
"Hehehe, well, three hundred and ninety thousand rings is a lot, sure, but it's not like we're totally helpless."
Mei slung his arm around Akira's shoulder in a way far too familiar for Akira's liking.Anyone watching would immediately think of one phrase:
Thick as thieves.
"I asked around! The one who bought that charm earlier?He's the sole heir of the Kuchiki family—a rich mutt among rich mutts!"
Mei's mood swung so fast that even Akira found himself impressed.
"He's known for being too gentle and kind for his own good. People even call him the 'Good-natured Heir' of the Kuchiki family."
"Hardly any nobles are as approachable as he is."
"So! If you just cooperate with me a little—"
Mei rambled on and on, gesturing wildly, excitement sparkling in his eyes—the exact same expression he had when he chopped Kaede Fumiya into a chalk outline with a single strike.
But people's joys and sorrows rarely align.Akira only found Mei's chatter endlessly annoying.
He knew from the moment Mei discovered him: nothing good would ever come of it.
And now, here he was—dragged in as an accomplice.
Fortunately for them, no one else heard their conversation.Every passing reaper-in-training was far too busy worrying about how to rebuild the men's dormitory of the Shinō Spirit Academy as quickly as possible.
They couldn't actually let students sleep on a pile of rubble, after all.
Later that same day.
The Twelfth Division's development unit arrived at the academy.At the front stood a beautiful woman named Shudara Senjumaru.
Under her command, vibrant sheets of enchanted cloth unfurled and twisted through the air, forming temporary house-like structures across the cleared grounds—makeshift dormitories.
Thanks to her work, the students were spared the fate of camping outdoors.
Of course, once word spread that the culprit behind the destruction was Kisaragi Mei, several brave (or reckless) students came knocking to challenge him.A group of elite sixth-year students, all soon to be assigned to squads, gathered.After some discussion and under the supervision of stationed reapers, they formally initiated a hand-to-hand duel.
The Shinō Spirit Academy, being the training ground for future Soul Reapers, was full of hot-blooded idiots and impulsive brawlers.To prevent private fights from turning into serious injuries—or worse— the Head Captain had established strict rules for official duels back when the academy was founded.
There were many details:
No killing intent or lethal force
A supervising Soul Reaper or instructor must be present
No dirty tricks
Elite students may not refuse duel requests
Regular students may not recklessly challenge elites
Since Mei's swordsmanship was absurd—he had literally cleaved instructor Kaede Fumiya in half and sent him flying with one strike—the students seeking revenge wisely chose unarmed combat.
Mei naturally didn't refuse.
The moment his consciousness returned from his Zanpakutō's inner world, he immediately noticed something unusual.
First—his spiritual pressure had skyrocketed.Second—his spirit body felt heavier, fuller, as though a balloon filled with air was suddenly filled with water instead.
It was a strange and disorienting sensation.
And right then, some sandbags came knocking on their own.How could he decline their kindness?
A kidō barrier expanded, forming a massive oval dome around Mei and the challenger.
The student facing him was named Matsushita Takeo—a towering, muscle-packed giant.His massive hands looked like fan-sized bear paws, his face full of hard lines.He looked more like a Hollow than a Soul Reaper.
As one of the elite sixth-years, Takeo was renowned for his hand-to-hand prowess.He already had a squad assignment waiting for him even before graduation.
Once, during an internship mission, he had single-handedly crushed a rebel with the strength of a fully fledged Soul Reaper using only his fists.
"People must pay the price for their actions."
Takeo's voice boomed like thunder—deep, heavy, and oppressive.Even just standing there, he exuded crushing pressure.
"Less talking, more punching," Mei grinned. "Unless… you're scared?"
Takeo's muscles twitched violently, his already enormous frame swelling even larger.
Scared?
Impossible.
He was Matsushita Takeo—an aspiring future captain, a man aiming to become the strongest Soul Reaper alive.
And this little rat dared provoke him?
"Good. You're the first person who's ever dared piss me off before a duel."
He raised his iron-like arm and pointed at Mei.
"You'll pay dearly for that."
With the pre-battle trash talk complete, the referee gave the signal.
Takeo surged forward like a furious bull, muscles rippling as he charged.The ground trembled lightly beneath his steps, dust scattering upward with each thunderous stomp.
His massive hand descended like a collapsing mountain, fingers closing to seize Mei.Even the air cried out under the pressure.
Unlike the agile, ever-shifting techniques of someone like Yoruichi Shihōin, Takeo's style was direct and brutal—no flourishes, no wasted motion.He turned his massive frame into a weapon, immovable as a mountain, overwhelming as an avalanche.
Within the limited space of the kidō barrier, dodging wasn't an option.
Mei had only one choice: meet him head-on.
Takeo had already calculated everything the moment the fight began.In his mind, this duel was already won.
Stupid brat.Face the consequences of your actions.
But when the giant hand was just about to land, Takeo's heart suddenly tightened.For the first time, he felt a chill.
This kid—Why isn't he dodging?!
Mei looked up at the enormous shadow looming over him and grinned.His fingers trembled lightly as if plucking invisible strings, then curled into a firm fist.He stepped forward, posture light and effortless.
Then—
His seemingly slender fist cut through the air with a sharp, piercing crack, a violent shockwave bursting outward as it drove straight toward the oncoming blow!
Author's Notes on Senjumaru and Timeline
(Kept as meta commentary, but rewritten into natural light-novel author's notes)
Regarding Senjumaru's settings:In an old interview, Kubo mentioned that she and Mayuri were acquaintances long before the establishment of the official Technology Development Bureau. Even back then, the Twelfth Division had research teams, and Senjumaru was Mayuri's superior. This fills the gap explaining their familiarity in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
As for the timeline:Since Mayuri was imprisoned in the Maggot's Nest about a hundred years ago, Senjumaru's promotion to the Royal Guard likely wasn't much earlier than Hikifune's. So in this story, she hasn't been promoted yet.
Regarding the shihakushō:Just like in real life—achievements require official approval before promotions. The shihakushō existed early on, but the Royal Guard notification hadn't yet been issued. That's the general interpretation.