The sky was still faintly lit when Amamiya Miyako got up. He went to the training ground, wanting to train his Kido abilities, at least to the point where all the Kido he currently knew could be used with abandoned incantation without losing power. Amamiya Miyako was still confident in this; he could achieve it with just a little more time.
When Amamiya Miyako arrived, he saw Rukia also walking over.
"Ah, Rukia-senpai, good morning." Amamiya Miyako greeted her.
Rukia glanced at him, didn't reply, and just snorted lightly, going about her training.
"Rukia-senpai, wait a moment." Amamiya Miyako called out to her.
"Is there something, Miyako Amemiya? I'm about to train, and I don't have much time to chat with you." Rukia replied.
"Rukia-senpai, training alone is ultimately limited in effectiveness. How about we spar?"
"Spar? Do you mean like yesterday?"
"Yes, that's right. Just like yesterday, I believe practical combat is the best training method," Amamiya said seriously. "What's more, for what I'm about to do, solo training might not show results. I'll only know if it works by sparring with Rukia-senpai."
"Why do you say that? What is it?" Rukia asked, confused.
"I'm going to challenge a higher-ranking seated officer soon, so Rukia-senpai, who Captain Ukitake acknowledges has the strength of a higher-ranking seated officer, is the perfect benchmark."
"Wh…!" Rukia was shocked. To be thinking of challenging a higher-ranking seated officer right after joining the division—such an idea was rare in Soul Society.
"Ah, now that you mention it, if I succeed, then as a higher-ranking seated officer, wouldn't I become Rukia-senpai's senior?" Amamiya said with a mischievous smile.
Rukia's veins were throbbing. Amamiya's current flippancy made Rukia want to teach this junior a lesson.
"I accept. Let's begin." After Rukia finished speaking, she immediately drew the Zanpakuto from her waist and slashed at Amamiya.
"Huh?" Amamiya didn't expect Rukia to agree so quickly, and her action of slashing without a greeting made Amamiya quickly retreat, barely dodging.
"Rukia-senpai, at least say hello!" Amamiya complained, her movements not slowing as she drew her Zanpakuto to face her.
"Idiot! An enemy won't greet you!" Rukia said, muttering to herself while quickly delivering a second slash.
Amamiya was slightly startled by the sudden move and hurriedly raised her Zanpakuto to respond.
…
Meanwhile, when Kiyone Kotetsu arrived, she found the two fighting again and couldn't help but sigh. Captain Ukitake's old illness seemed to have recurred recently, and she had to rush over to use Kaido to treat Captain Ukitake. She only took a quick glance before running towards the Captain's office.
Inside the Captain's office, Ukitake was coughing violently. With each cough, the hand covering Ukitake's mouth began to be stained with blood.
'It's happening again, this body truly is…' Ukitake felt helpless. Although his illness had been halted by the Right Arm of the Soul King, it hadn't been truly resolved, and the occasional flare-ups still tormented Ukitake.
"Captain, are you there?" Kiyone Kotetsu's voice came from outside the Captain's office, allowing Ukitake to catch her breath slightly.
"Kiyone? Come in. Cough, cough, cough…" Ukitake couldn't help but cough again after just speaking.
Hearing the coughing, Kiyone Kotetsu knew that Captain Ukitake's old illness had recurred. She quickly opened the door, ran to Ukitake's side, and began to use Kaido.
"I'm sorry, Kiyone. I always have to trouble you like this." Although Kaido couldn't cure the old illness, it could make Ukitake feel a little better.
"Don't say that, Captain. This is what I should do," Kiyone Kotetsu said worriedly. Her movements continued until Ukitake's coughing eased.
Ukitake raised a hand, stopping her. "That's enough for now, Kiyone. When Sentaro arrives, let's first handle the divisional affairs."
"Yes, Captain." Seeing Ukitake's complexion improve, Kiyone Kotetsu stopped using Kaido.
"Captain Ukitake, when I came over this morning, I found Rukia fighting with that newcomer again. Should we go talk to them?" Kiyone Kotetsu asked.
"Oh, is that so?" A smile appeared on Ukitake's face as he replied, "It's fine, Kiyone, it's just sparring between division members. Moreover… I know that Rukia and Miyako Amemiya won't truly get angry. In fact, this might be better for both of them, especially Rukia."
"How is it good to fight with a senior twice on only the second day?" Kiyone Kotetsu grumbled. "But Captain, you said it's good for Rukia. Why do you say that?"
"Rukia has been delayed for too long because of Kaien's death, and Miyako Amemiya, I can see, has clear goals and a positive attitude. And in him, I see some of the same qualities as the former Kaien Vice-Captain," Ukitake said with a smile.
"For Rukia, spending time with Miyako Amemiya might allow her to grow further," Ukitake remarked with emotion.
Kiyone Kotetsu was still puzzled. She couldn't see anything special about this newcomer, other than having good talent.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Captain Ukitake, I'm here." It was Sentaro Kotsubaki's voice.
"Come in."
"Since everyone's here, let's begin." Ukitake began to handle the Thirteenth Division's affairs with the two acting Vice Captains.
"Captain, the division members stationed in the Human World are about to return to Soul Society. We should consider the next group of stationed personnel," Sentaro Kotsubaki said to Ukitake, holding a report.
"Is that so? I understand. List all the seated officers in the division. I hear the Hollows in the Human World seem to be getting stronger, so the next dispatch might need to be more thorough," Ukitake said seriously.
…
Meanwhile, the two on the training ground had finished their battle. Rukia had her Zanpakuto pressed against Amamiya's neck.
"I lost, Rukia-senpai. Please put your Zanpakuto down." Cold sweat dripped from Amamiya's forehead. He hadn't fought with true anger, but Rukia Kuchiki seemed to get more heated as they fought, her Zanjustu even sharper than yesterday, and her Kido proficiency equally improved.
"Hmph." Rukia Kuchiki slowly retracted her Zanpakuto. "Talking about becoming a higher-ranking seated officer, you still have a long way to go, 'Junior'.
Rukia Kuchiki was indeed a crucial character in the original work, and her strength was outstanding compared to ordinary Shinigami. However, Amamiya didn't feel she was insurmountable. If it were a true life-or-death battle, using all his means, Amamiya believed his chances of winning were very high.
But if it was only through the Shinigami's Zanjustu, Hirenkyaku, Shunpo, and Kido, Amamiya and Rukia Kuchiki still had a certain gap.
"Rukia-senpai, have you forgotten something?" Amamiya asked with a smile.
Rukia tilted her head, indicating confusion.
"Captain Ukitake just said yesterday that for certain reasons you cannot become a higher-ranking seated officer, but I don't have that restriction." Amamiya patted the dust off her clothes.
"So, if you haven't realized the reason why you can't become a higher-ranking seated officer, then I will definitely become a higher-ranking seated officer first."
"What?!" Rukia Kuchiki now realized the problem. Because she also knew Amamiya's talent, if this continued, she would be surpassed by her junior. Then what Amamiya said…
Rukia Kuchiki had already imagined this junior, after becoming a higher-ranking seated officer, frantically demanding that she call him 'senior'.
She quickly shook her head, discarding the thought. "I, I must find out the reason." Although she said it, she sounded a bit lacking in confidence at the moment.
Amamiya chuckled. 'I'm afraid there won't be that chance. Your sister-complex brother won't let you succeed. Unless you can convince Captain Ukitake and truly demonstrate your growth in mindset.'
"Rukia 'Senior', please cherish the respect from your junior. After all, our positions might be reversed in the future." After Amamiya finished speaking, he immediately used Shunpo to run away, not giving Rukia a chance to act.
Leaving Rukia alone, deep in thought.