Shinigami Academy, Special Class (Class 1).
Yayahara poked Takeru in the back and whispered:
"What's with Ichigo? He looks awful. Did he have a nightmare about a Hollow?"
"Maybe. But knowing him, to scare him that badly, a Hollow would have to at least steal his girlfriend, beat him up twice, and put a hole in his heart."
"Hey! I can hear you!"
Veins bulged on the forehead of Ichigo in the next seat.
"So what if you can? Wanna fight?"
"..."
Normally, faced with such a blatant provocation from Takeru, Ichigo would never back down. The possibility of him being scared just because Takeru was strong—stronger than him—didn't exist.
But Ichigo held back.
This reaction made Yayahara's eyes go wide.
"Ichigo, you... you really did have a nightmare about a Hollow stealing your girlfriend?"
[?]
Even Rindo Itaru slowly formed a question mark, expressing concern for his "life group" member.
"Don't listen to that bastard!"
Ichigo was going crazy. He shot Takeru a dirty look.
"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. You're just trying to start a fight so you can show off your new Shikai. I'm not giving you the chance."
"Who said I wanted to show off? I saw how envious you were that I mastered Shikai first, leaving you no chance to overtake me. I just wanted to let you see it, to help you 'improve.' Brother Kurosaki, you've misunderstood me so deeply. It's truly heartbreaking."
Takeru shook his head and sighed.
"I can't be bothered with you. Anyway, I've already mastered the basics of 'Kaidō'. In terms of technical difficulty, my Kido is now on par with yours, hehe."
"That's really impressive."
"..."
Seeing Takeru give him a thumbs-up, his admiring expression looking completely genuine, Ichigo's face froze. Whether it was sarcasm or sincerity, it was equally infuriating.
To be honest, Takeru was telling the truth.
After Aizen's careful guidance, Ichigo had not only mastered the basics of Kaidō, but his foundations had also become much more solid. His Reiatsu, which was growing rapidly every day, showed no signs of going out of control.
It was clear that his innate Quincy ability for Reishi manipulation was beginning to shine.
He hadn't slacked on his Zanjutsu, Hakuda, or Shunpo, either.
In a normal sparring match, he was already a match for the 5th Division's 3rd Seat.
Graduating early was already a done deal.
To say it was "impressive" was a massive understatement.
Of course, Takeru was no slouch either.
In Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido, he was only stronger than Ichigo, not weaker. He could already cast Hadō spells like "Sekkaho" without an incantation while retaining half their power. Even a "normal" genius like Yayahara called it "insane."
After the last class of the day, Ōunabara Gen'gorō suddenly came to the classroom. As the head teacher for Class 1, he had many responsibilities, but none were more important than the students' personal safety.
Today, that bottom line had been crossed.
"I need a moment of your time. I am here to issue an emergency notice on behalf of the Academy."
Ōunabara Gen'gorō's expression was grim.
Everyone immediately had a bad feeling.
"A short time ago, it was confirmed that one student from Class 1 and one from Class 2 have disappeared without reason in the Outer District, Junrinan. If anyone has any information, please report it to me immediately. Also, until this is investigated, I advise all students not to leave the Seireitei."
With that, Ōunabara Gen'gorō hurried away.
The classroom was silent for a moment, then erupted.
"I can't believe something like this happened," Yayahara muttered, rubbing her chin. "I hope those two students are okay."
"What's with you? You're all tense, like you just got punched," Takeru glanced at Ichigo.
"Didn't you hear Teacher Ōunabara? The disappearance was in Junrinan." Ichigo's voice was heavy.
"Relax. Even if some villain is at work, they won't threaten the Elder. That place isn't as weak and defenseless as you think."
"The missing student from our class... I didn't really know him, but I remember he was also from the Rukongai. Just not from Junrinan."
"..."
A flicker of doubt crossed Takeru's eyes.
A commoner not from Junrinan disappeared in Junrinan. The key is that no one knows why he went there, otherwise they wouldn't use the word "without reason."
And the other student was also "without reason." That's very telling.
Could it be... Teacher (Aizen) did it?
The possibility is low. We're long past the time when he needed people to go missing.
But that, in a way, makes it even more dangerous.
"I admit, your concern has some merit. But this isn't our business. Look at those guys." Takeru gestured to the other students. "They've practically got 'This is so exciting' written on their faces. To them, a commoner from the Rukongai is less important than a bit of entertainment. There's no 'classmate' bond at all."
Hearing this, Ichigo looked at the nobles in the class who were chatting excitedly, and he fell into a heavy silence.
"...You're right, but..."
"But, speaking of which, it's been a while since we've seen the Elder. We should probably go back and let him know we're doing okay. Want to come?" Takeru said suddenly.
"..."
Ichigo paused, then snorted.
"Do you even have to ask? I don't want people pointing at my back, saying I'm ungrateful."
"Are you two really going to get involved? It's dangerous. This isn't like our usual sparring matches," Yayahara, who had heard everything, warned them.
"You're right. So... you coming with?"
"Guhehe~"
No answer was needed. That sly laugh said it all.
"And Rindo... okay, looks like I don't need to ask."
Takeru turned his head and met Rindo Itaru's serious gaze.
Nothing more needed to be said.
"Shigū, even you can be an idiot sometimes. We're a 'life group,' of course we stick together," Ichigo said, his tone less mocking and more teasing, while also making his own stance clear.
"No time to waste! Let's go tonight! GO! GO! GO! Yayahara Squad is taking over the Rukongai!" Yayahara pumped her fist, looking fired up.
"Why is it 'Yayahara Squad'? I'm the one who brought it up! It should be 'Kurosaki Squad'... No, that sounds embarrassing too. Let's just skip the name."
"???"
Takeru looked at Ichigo, confused. Were you the one who brought it up?
And that "Let's go tonight!" (今晚就走 - Jīnwǎn jiù zǒu) sounds suspiciously like "Let's go and die!" (今晚就SOU - a pun)... This feels like a bad omen for the team.
-------
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