Chapter 3 Three Seats
The official student organization, known as the Student Council, aims to serve as a bridge and link between the Spiritual Arts Academy and its students.
Upon hearing Tachikawa Shin's description, Shiba Kaien immediately recognized the significance of this so-called Student Council and the potential power it could wield in the future.
Manage students, serve students?
Most Shinigami in Soul Society are currently direct products of the Spiritual Arts Academy, and the outstanding individuals among them have become core members.
If this Student Council could truly be established, and if it could recruit talented individuals during their time at the Spiritual Arts Academy, then after they become official Shinigami, they would have an additional connection with each other.
After Shin proposed this concept, countless pros and cons about it immediately came to Shiba Kaien's mind.
The key was whether this Student Council would be allowed to exist.
The actual administrators of Soul Society were the nobles.
Although Shiba Kaien himself was a noble, the Shiba family's influence was no longer what it used to be.
In Soul Society, the gap between nobles and commoners was almost like reproductive isolation.
The Spiritual Arts Academy was almost the only way for commoners to become Shinigami, but nobles were different; many of them had their own training methods and could become Shinigami even without entering the Spiritual Arts Academy.
How would the nobles view this Student Council? Would they encourage their descendants to study at the Spiritual Arts Academy for its sake?
Perhaps he was thinking too far ahead; maybe the nobles wouldn't allow it to be established at all!
The various sounds in the cafeteria were somewhat noisy, and in Shiba Kaien's ears, they all became a blurred white noise.
He stopped eating, his eyes fixed on the boy in front of him, flickering uncertainly.
"I need to think about this carefully," Shiba Kaien finally said.
Shin's smile did not diminish.
"It's alright, I'm not in a hurry."
Shiba Kaien smiled faintly, "You, kid, you really gave me a surprise."
Shin slowly said, "Vice Captain Shiba, perhaps you're overthinking it; it's just a small organization, and it's only an organization subordinate to the Spiritual Arts Academy."
Shiba Kaien was noncommittal, only saying, "If this works out, in two more years, when you graduate, will ordinary Seat Officers in Squad Thirteen still be able to catch your eye?"
"You think I'm too greedy; I know my own limits."
Shiba Kaien said no more, nor did he touch the remaining food.
He didn't sit there for long before suddenly getting up and leaving.
After the Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division left, Hisagi Shuuhei came and sat down opposite Shin with his tray.
"You told him about it?"
"I could only tell him, and only he can help me." Shin lowered his head and began to eat.
Hisagi Shuuhei reminded him, "I don't think it will be that simple, Shin.
You're being too idealistic; we're just ordinary students."
When Shin proposed this idea to him yesterday, Shūhei was surprised that Shin would have such a thought, yet he also felt it was a wild fantasy.
"You're right; precisely because we are just ordinary students, it's simple for us.
Let others worry about those troublesome things."
It was Swordplay Class again in the afternoon.
Sawataku Minamida was already waiting in the Swordplay Classroom.
Watching the students enter one after another, his gaze suddenly locked onto the refined boy who walked in with Hisagi Shuuhei.
Shin felt a chill run down his spine from his gaze.
"Why do I feel like something bad is going to happen…?"
Shūhei merely gave him a look that said, 'You're on your own.'
"What did you tell her yesterday to help me?"
"The truth.
Vice-Captain Matsumoto of the Tenth Division was looking for you."
"Shūhei, you…"
Just as he stood in the classroom and before he could sit down, he suddenly heard Sawataku Minamida's cold voice: "Tachikawa student, can you explain why you didn't come to class yesterday?"
The students in the classroom were already kneeling to the side, each casting a 'watching the show' gaze.
Shin immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, bowing sincerely to Mr. Minamida with a very earnest attitude: "I'm sorry, Mr. Minamida, yesterday was my fault.
I have deeply realized my mistake and should not waste time studying at school.
I promise there won't be a next time!"
Sawataku Minamida sneered, "How many times have you promised me this?"
This guy was relatively well-behaved only when he first enrolled, but by the second year, he started becoming lax, and skipping class was a frequent occurrence.
If it weren't for his outstanding talent, such a student would have been expelled long ago.
"I will definitely change this time!"
Sawataku Minamida was unmoved.
He turned to all the students watching the show and said, "Today's lesson is Asauchi combat practice.
All of your opponents will be Tachikawa Shin alone.
If you can defeat him, I will add points to your grade's final exam as appropriate.
There's no limit to the number of challenges for each person."
"…"
The Swordplay Classroom suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.
Shin suddenly felt countless fiery gazes on his back.
"Mr. Minamida, that's not fair!"
"I think it's very fair!"
It was Kanisawa speaking.
She had already stood up, holding a black Asauchi, at some unknown point.
"Tachikawa student, it's been a long time since we sparred," Kanisawa slowly said.
An Asauchi was thrown over; it was Shūhei.
Shin always felt there was a hint of schadenfreude in that kid's eyes.
Clutching the heavy sword in his hand, Shin took a deep breath.
Seeing that it was unavoidable, he thought he would just give up after a few random moves if no one was around.
Sawataku Minamida then spoke again: "Tachikawa student, if you lose, I will deduct points from your comprehensive evaluation.
You've missed so many classes this year; I wonder if you'll have to repeat the year."
Shin's grip on the sword tightened involuntarily.
Damn it!
"Come on!"
Shin stepped into the center of the classroom, looking like he was ready for anything.
Sawataku Minamida stood steadily at the edge of the classroom.
These students had already completed all their fourth-year studies, so doing this wouldn't delay anything.
And because he knew Shin's skill level, he actually felt that such combat practice could better promote the progress of other students.
However, he still thought things were simpler than they were.
In just over half an hour, none of the more than twenty students present were standing.
Including the top students Kanisawa and Shūhei, not a single person could last more than a minute against Shin.
Don't blame me.
Although I really want you to get extra points, I don't want to repeat the year either.
Shin sheathed his sword, muttering to himself.
"Is the gap that big…?"
Sawataku Minamida murmured, looking at the boy in the center of the classroom whose clothes showed not a single tear.
He knew that Tachikawa Shin's swordplay level was even stronger than his own, but even he didn't know its upper limit.
"Mr. Minamida, did I pass?" Shin looked at him with a smiling face.
Feeling that this guy seemed to be showing off, Sawataku Minamida's face darkened.
He pointed at some of the students lying on the ground, groaning in pain: "You're so harsh on your classmates; do you have any kindness left in you?!"
"Mr. Minamida, I used the blunt side of the blade!
None of them are bleeding!"
"You dare to talk back?!" Sawataku Minamida glared, "From now on, you'll be in charge of everyone's combat practice in Swordplay Class!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the students lying on the ground immediately began to wail.
"No, Mr. Minamida!"
"Isn't he the one who made the mistake? Why are we the ones suffering?!"
"Mr. Minamida, you're playing favorites!"
After class, Shin was called to the office by Sawataku Minamida alone.
Most of the teachers at the Spiritual Arts Academy knew Shin, aware that he was a troublesome student under Mr. Minamida, and they were also aware of Mr. Minamida's "favoritism" towards him.
After Sawataku Minamida sat down, he did not mention what happened in class just now.
"Why aren't you planning to graduate this year?"
Shin thought for a moment, then asked, "Didn't Kanisawa student tell you?"
Sawataku Minamida pushed up his glasses, "If you can recognize your shortcomings and want to study more and settle down for another year, it is indeed a good thing.
But for you, will studying for another year really get rid of your bad habits?"
"I'll try my best to change!"
"Hisagi student and Kanisawa student also don't plan to apply for the graduation assessment, is it because of you?"
Shin, however, laughed upon hearing this: "Mr. Minamida, even if they participated in the graduation assessment, what would be their probability of passing?"
Sawataku Minamida fell silent.
The graduation assessment was extremely difficult for fourth-year students.
Indeed, Hisagi Shuuhei and Kanisawa both had very good grades, but Sawataku Minamida could not guarantee that they would pass smoothly, and there was also the Squad entry assessment after the graduation assessment.
Sawataku Minamida was a teacher who cared deeply about his teaching results, which was why he "favored" Tachikawa Shin so much.
"Mr. Minamida, don't blame all the responsibility on me.
A person can only do as much as their ability allows.
Whether they take the graduation assessment or not is their freedom, and whether I take it or not is my freedom.
I still want to stay at the Spiritual Arts Academy for a while longer, and I also want you to train me more.
There's nothing wrong with that, right?"
Sawataku Minamida then flipped through several stacks of documents on his desk and said, "Several Squads from the Squad Thirteen have come to me, asking about your situation and your future Squad preference.
The graduation assessment shouldn't be much for you.
No matter which Squad you join, you will be highly valued."
Such things happened every year.
The top student of the Spiritual Arts Academy would naturally be highly regarded by the high-ranking Shinigami, and Tachikawa Shin had once defeated him in a Swordplay Class, which made his weight as the top student even heavier.
If Tachikawa Shin were to graduate this year and directly start as a Seat Officer in Squad Thirteen, Sawataku Minamida would not be surprised in the slightest, and he would even be very happy to see such a thing.
"Did Vice Captain Shiba of the Thirteenth Division come to you at noon today hoping you would join the Thirteenth Division in the future?" Sawataku Minamida asked again.
Shiba Kaien had expressed this intention long ago and had even sought out Shin's teacher, hoping he would persuade Shin.
Shin nodded lightly, "Vice-Captain Matsumoto of the Tenth Division also approached me, saying that if I joined the Tenth Division, I could directly become the Twenty-Third Seat."
Twenty-Third Seat, that's quite suitable.
Sawataku Minamida thought this and asked, "Then which one do you want to choose?"
Shin grinned lightly, "I want to continue being your student."
Sawataku Minamida was also amused by him, then immediately became serious again: "Holding out for a better offer is not a good behavior."
"Mr. Minamida, you've misunderstood me," Shin said with an innocent expression, "I'm telling the truth!"
Sawataku Minamida gazed into Shin's eyes, silent for a long moment, unable to fathom the other's thoughts.
"The graduation assessment for you fourth-year students is originally a voluntary choice.
Since you're unwilling, then stay for another year."
"Mr. Minamida, you truly understand me."
#
Two days later.
Shiba Kaien arrived at the Spiritual Arts Academy again and sought out Shin just as the afternoon classes ended.
"Has Vice Captain Shiba thought it through?"
"I want to hear your vision for this Student Council—its organizational structure, specific responsibilities, member duties, and so on.
Have you thought about these in detail?" Shiba Kaien asked.
Shin directly pulled out a stack of documents and handed them over.
Shiba Kaien raised an eyebrow slightly at the documents handed to him.
He took them but didn't rush to flip through them; instead, he asked, "When did you have this idea?"
"About a year ago," Shin replied, "I saw how hard the teachers at the Spiritual Arts Academy worked to manage students, so I suddenly had the idea of helping the teachers and the school share the burden."
Shiba Kaien, however, retorted, "Then why do you still frequently skip class?
Since you sympathize with the teachers' hard work so much, why don't you strive to become a student of excellent character and academics?"
"That's different!" Shin argued forcefully, "I don't skip class without reason; those are all genuine emergencies.
I'm not in good health and need more rest…"
Shiba Kaien stopped arguing with him about such matters and began to seriously read the documents in his hand.
The contents of the documents listed the specific structure and functions of the Student Council in full detail, down to the division of labor for each department and member.
The more Shiba Kaien read, the more he felt that this was a very mature organization, not a makeshift one.
This kid really made thorough preparations.
Shiba Kaien's thoughts raced.
He put the documents away and looked at Tachikawa Shin in front of him.
The Spiritual Arts Academy never lacked geniuses.
Like himself, he only took one year to graduate and directly became a Third Seat, and there was Ichimaru Gin decades ago, who also graduated in just one year.
Compared to them, Tachikawa Shin's resume seemed to only qualify as "excellent."
What could the title of a genius bring?
It could make their start and promotion smoother after becoming Shinigami, but it seemed that was all.
But this Student Council, if successful, what could it bring to this guy…?
Shiba Kaien dared not think too deeply.
He still needed to consider this matter carefully, discuss it with his Captain, and with his uncle.
"Tell me, which Squad do you plan to join after graduation?" he asked again.
Shin slowly said, "Although Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division has always been in poor health, Vice Captain Shiba, it will probably take a long time before you can take his place."
Shiba Kaien's expression remained normal upon hearing this.
Many things were not just that.
The Captain of the Tenth Division was his uncle.
Could there be two Shiba Captains in the Gotei 13 simultaneously?
Central 46 probably wouldn't agree.
His difficulty in future promotion was unusually great, and Shiba Kaien was aware of this.
His uncle was still in his prime, and fortunately, he was also very comfortable in the Thirteenth Division, so there was nothing wrong with remaining a Vice-Captain.
Shin's words revealed a lot of information.
The Vice-Captain of the Thirteenth Division was him, and the Third Seat was his fiancée.
If Shin went to the Thirteenth Division, he could at most become a Fourth Seat.
No wonder that kid didn't agree to Miss Matsumoto's promise of the Twenty-Third Seat.
"Tenth Division Third Seat," Shiba Kaien spoke again.
"Are you willing?"