(T/N: This is chapter 3 out of 6!)
Katori Nanatsuki and Komamura Sajin had been wandering around Inuyama for a while when they finally drew the attention of the Wolfman Clan's guards.
Several Wolfman clad in bamboo armor surrounded the two.
The leader stood out—he was nearly three meters tall, a full head taller than Komamura Sajin, and carried an overwhelming presence.
"This isn't a place for Shinigami," the towering Wolfman declared.
Back when Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto founded the Gotei 13, an agreement was made with the Wolfman Clan that Shinigami and Wolfman would not interfere with each other.
Since then, the Wolfman Clan had stayed within the Inuyama region, rarely venturing out, and Shinigami refrained from disturbing them.
"Big Brother!" Komamura stepped forward and introduced the man beside him. "This is my teacher—"
"Komamura Sajin!" the towering Wolfman cut him off, scowling rather than showing joy at the reunion. "You finally returned. After causing trouble outside and fleeing from pursuit, you still have the nerve to show your face? You've broken clan law and should be locked up to reflect!"
He waved his hand. "Seize him!"
"Wait! I came here with my teacher precisely to explain everything—"
Before Komamura could draw his blade, several Wolfman guards had already pressed theirs against his neck.
"Hold it."
Just as they were about to drag Komamura away, Katori Nanatsuki's calm voice rang out. Suddenly, an oppressive Reiatsu weighed down on the guards, rendering them immobile.
"You're a Shinigami Captain?!" the towering Wolfman's expression darkened as he sized up Katori Nanatsuki—but saw no Captain's Haori on him.
"I'm Katori Nanatsuki, Head of the Swordsmanship Department at the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy. I've come here to speak on official matters," Nanatsuki explained.
'Since when does the Academy have someone this strong?' The towering Wolfman frowned inwardly. Though Inuyama rarely interacted with the outside world, he still understood the basic structure of the Shinigami organization.
The Academy was a training institution, not a combat force. For someone like this to be there was... unexpected.
Still, power made diplomacy easier. Now that Nanatsuki had revealed his strength, the Wolfman were much more willing to talk.
"What brings you to Inuyama, then?"
"I've accepted Sajin as my disciple. I heard he's in some trouble, and as his teacher, it's my duty to help him resolve it," Nanatsuki said steadily. "I came to request that the Wolfman Clan drop the pursuit order on Sajin. As for the noble he offended, I'll handle that myself."
The towering Wolfman's expression softened. He hadn't wanted to imprison Sajin, but orders were orders.
Aside from the clan's decree, he also feared that if Komamura were caught by that noble, it would be a death sentence.
Now that a Captain-level Shinigami like Nanatsuki had stepped in, there was no doubt the matter could be resolved. To someone like that, even noble disputes were trivial.
"If you can convince the noble to withdraw their pursuit, then we won't interfere further," the Wolfman leader nodded. "But if you're his teacher, I assume he'll be staying with you?"
"Of course. Sajin is training under me in Zanjutsu. He'll remain in Seireitei and become a Shinigami."
"Become a Shinigami?" the Wolfman leader frowned. "There's no precedent for that. I can't make that call. We'll have to ask the Elder."
Since the founding of the Gotei 13, no Wolfman had ever become a Shinigami. The decision was above his paygrade.
"Then please take me to meet your clan's Elder," Nanatsuki nodded.
As he lifted the Reiatsu pressure, the guards sighed in relief.
The group proceeded to the Elder's dwelling, deep within the Inuyama mountain range—a network of connected peaks. The Elder lived atop the highest summit.
At the entrance to the Elder's cave, the guards stopped and remained outside.
The towering Wolfman led Nanatsuki and Komamura into the dark cave.
There was no light inside—only pitch blackness.
Leading the way, the Wolfman lit a torch with flint.
"Grandfather doesn't like contact with the outside world," Komamura whispered. "As far back as I can remember, I've never seen him leave this cave."
The Elder of the Wolfman Clan was Komamura's grandfather.
In fact, most Wolfman in Inuyama were related to the Elder.
He was still virile despite his age—Komamura even had uncles younger than him.
"Do not speak ill of the Elder in this place!" his older brother snapped, shooting him a sharp look.
Komamura caught the meaning in his brother's eyes and quickly fell silent, realizing the Elder could likely hear them from anywhere in the cave.
'Doesn't sound like someone who's easy to negotiate with…' Nanatsuki thought to himself.
The trio walked hundreds of meters through the tunnel before emerging into a wide cavern.
Still enveloped in darkness, the torch was the only light source.
But ever since Nanatsuki had gained mastery over shadows, darkness no longer hindered his vision.
Even without light, he could see shapes and forms clearly.
He saw a massive canine figure curled in the depths of the cavern.
It was a colossal and ancient wolf. Its fur was long and unkempt, matted from years of neglect.
Nanatsuki could feel the weight of time pressing down on the creature.
Indeed, the ancient wolf no longer moved freely. Even with guests entering, it remained still.
This was a Wolfman who had clung to life since the ancient times—far older even than Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
The old wolf had already sensed their Reiatsu. Slowly, he opened his lifeless eyes.
"Have the Shinigami already forgotten the pact of old? Or is it that Yamamoto is dead?"
His ancient voice echoed through the cavern.
The Elder's longevity placed him among the oldest beings in Soul Society. There were enemies he couldn't defeat—but he could outlive them.
"You're mistaken. Captain-Commander Yamamoto is still in good health," Nanatsuki replied calmly. "I am Katori Nanatsuki, current head of the Katori-ryu. I've come today to speak with you."
When speaking to Komamura's brother and the guards, he had introduced himself by his Academy title. To younger Wolfman, that carried more weight.
But to someone like the Elder—who had lived since before the Shin'o Academy was even founded—that meant nothing.
He would only respect the old schools, like the Genryu Dojo.
The Katori-ryu was an ancient school as well. Nanatsuki had seen stories in old scrolls about interactions between it and the Wolfman Clan.
To the Elder, being the head of the Katori-ryu meant more than being a department head at the Academy.
"Katori-ryu… Isn't your clan head still Katori Batsu'unsai? Shinigami really are short-lived. The head changes so quickly." The Elder's tone held a hint of ridicule.
"Batsu'unsai is still doing well—she just left the dojo in my hands for now," Nanatsuki said with a shrug. "I came to ask that you allow Sajin to train under me."
"Komamura Sajin has taken you as his teacher?" The Elder raised his head and examined Nanatsuki closely. "I sense sword intent… Yes, you are a true swordsman."
"Please, Grandfather!" Komamura said sincerely. "I want to train under Master Katori!"
"The world of the Shinigami must be enticing…" the Elder sighed.
"Young Shinigami. Let me see if you are worthy of teaching a Wolfman."
As his words fell, a storm-like wind suddenly roared through the cave.
Like blades, the wind slashed toward Nanatsuki.
He raised his right hand, lightning crackling at his fingertips.
In the next moment, he pinched the wind between two fingers—more accurately, the arcs of lightning trapped the gale midair.
Raikiri: Blade Catch!
"In terms of swordsmanship, I believe I am qualified to teach Sajin," Nanatsuki said with confidence.
The lightning surged between his fingers, shattering the wind blade completely.
"Shinigami are truly blessed…" the Elder murmured, squinting his eyes. "So young, yet already so powerful."
That wind had moved too fast for an average Shinigami to even dodge—yet Nanatsuki had calmly dispelled it.
The Katori-ryu specialized in iaido, valuing speed, precision, and ferocity. Nanatsuki's method was proof of his exceptional skill.
"Very well…" the Elder sank back into the ground, eyes closing again. "Since Sajin wishes to follow you, I won't stop him."
Yamamoto was still alive. Nanatsuki was no ordinary Shinigami. The Elder had no reason to cause conflict.
With the clan matter resolved, Komamura was overjoyed. "I'll work hard under Master Katori and become a strong Shinigami, Grandfather!"
"You'll face many trials in the world of the Shinigami. Take care of yourself…"
With that, the Elder stirred up another wind, gently pushing them toward the exit.
"His Reiatsu is incredible… Not surprising, considering how ancient he is," Nanatsuki said, glancing back at the deep cave. The pressure within rivaled even top Captains.
"Of course! The Elder is extremely powerful!" the towering Wolfman said with pride.
The Wolfman Clan was no less ancient than the great noble families. Their foundations ran deep.
The towering Wolfman clapped Komamura on the shoulder. "Since the Elder has given his blessing, follow your teacher and train hard. You're not just going to be a strong Shinigami—you'll be a Captain one day!"
"I'll do my best!" Komamura nodded solemnly.
"Next, we'll take care of that noble issue," Nanatsuki said.
This whole problem began because Komamura had injured a noble. To stay in Seireitei, it had to be settled.
"Hold on a moment," the towering Wolfman raised a hand. "This brat didn't bring a single coin when he left. Yuzu wine and yuzu cakes are Inuyama's specialties. I'll fetch some for your apprenticeship gift."
After leaving Inuyama, Nanatsuki brought Komamura to the Suzuka District.
The noble Komamura had injured was Amamimon Tomoya.
Nanatsuki actually knew the guy.
He'd been a Shin'o Academy student too—and once got thoroughly beaten by Azashiro Kana during a sword duel.
"He was in the same year as Kana? Surprising you managed to injure him," Nanatsuki remarked.
Turns out Tokitani from the Tsunayashiro family had a hand in this.
Though the students in his class were quite talented, they spent most of their time in self-study.
Families that valued martial training and had in-house mentors flourished. Those that didn't—like Amamimon's branch family—were left to fend for themselves.
Tomoya was placed in Tokinada's class due to political ties, expecting favor. But Tokinada was unreliable, and soon fell out of grace himself.
After graduating, Tomoya was assigned to a low-priority district—the Suzuka District—to manage a small family asset.
"He was in the same year as Kana-senpai?" Komamura looked shocked.
He'd gotten to know his fellow disciples during his time at the Katori Dojo.
Naturally, he knew Azashiro Kana, Hirako Shinji, Muguruma Kensei, and Kobane Jin'emon were all from the same class.
Being in the same cohort as so many powerhouses must've been rough.
"Yes, their class also had Kuchiki Sōjun and Ōmaeda Kishinosuke. Quite a few prodigies that year," Nanatsuki nodded, then grinned. "But your class isn't any weaker. You're all enrolling together—and I'd say you rival them in every way."
In Nanatsuki's arrangement, Aizen Sōsuke, Shiba Isshin, Azashiro Sōya, Kotetsu Isane, Yadōmaru Lisa, and Komamura Sajin would all be classmates.