On this day, the entrance to the Shin'o Academy was bustling with a jostling crowd.
This was the time of year when the academy was open for new student recruitment.
Whether they were souls from the Rukongai longing to change their destiny, or the heirs of noble families, as long as they passed the selection, they could enter the Shin'o Academy to learn the arts.
After graduation, they could join the Gotei 13 and become honored Shinigami.
Feeling the enthusiastic atmosphere at the academy's entrance, Kenma's heart seemed to be infected as well, and his steps became much lighter.
He had hardly returned to the campus since graduating.
Today, bringing Shisui for enrollment and seeing the familiar school buildings, a sense of nostalgia for his own youthful years welled up in Kenma's heart.
"My lord..."
"It's nothing, I was just reminiscing about the past. Let's go."
Kenma led Shisui through the noisy crowd, openly bypassing the long queue. They walked into the academy and found the instructor in charge of admissions.
Knock, knock!
After receiving permission from inside, Kenma and Shisui stepped into the room.
"Teacher Mikami, it's been a long time."
Kenma nodded slightly, offering a greeting.
The instructor inside thought it was someone from the academy. When he looked up, he was surprised to see one of his former students.
And a top student who had graduated with honors at that.
"Kenma, I didn't expect it to be you..."
The instructor's gaze swept past Kenma and landed on Shisui behind him.
"Are you here to bring me a new student?"
"Yes, Teacher Mikami." Kenma stepped aside to reveal Shisui. "This is a talent I found in the Rukongai. His aptitude is quite good, so I brought him here to enroll."
"Oh?"
Hearing Kenma's words, a light shone in Teacher Mikami's eyes, and he carefully sized up Shisui.
The Shin'o Academy was a place for training professional Shinigami. Naturally, the more outstanding a student's talent, the better, as their achievements after joining a squad would be greater.
It wasn't just about grades. For them as teachers, cultivating a genius was a great honor and a talking point for the future.
After observing for a moment, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed, not bad. His eyes are resolute. It seems he hasn't been training for very long, but his foundation is solid. You have a good eye. He is indeed a good prospect."
What surprised him even more was the faint trace of killing intent he sensed from the boy.
His demeanor and the overall impression he gave were not like those of an ordinary soul, but rather similar to the style of the Onmitsukidō.
He looked at Kenma, now the son-in-law of the Shihoin clan, who could no longer be compared to the poor boy with no background from before.
Every move he made was full of deep meaning. Today's action might very well be at the behest of the Shihoin clan.
His gaze fell on Shisui, and a guess gradually formed in his mind.
Perhaps he was a private soldier secretly raised by one of the great noble families, now getting his identity laundered through the Shin'o Academy.
He nodded slightly without speaking.
His meaning was clear: he approved Shisui's admission.
"It's good that he has caught your eye, teacher."
Although Kenma knew it was a sure thing, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
"In the future, I ask that you be strict with his education. Please do not slack off and waste his talent."
"That is only natural."
After a short wait, Shisui filled out some forms and had his identity information processed. With that, the day's registration was successfully completed.
After bidding farewell to his former teacher, Kenma led Shisui out of the office.
"Rest assured, my lord. I will not tarnish your reputation while I am at the academy," Uchiha Shisui pledged with a solemn expression.
When he had left the clan compound, Clan Head Fugaku and many of the clan elders had given him many instructions.
Besides his duty to protect Kenma, he was to conduct himself with discipline, and upon entering the Shin'o Academy, he was not to bring shame to the Uchiha clan.
"I am but an ordinary fourth seat. What reputation do I have?"
Kenma glanced at the serious-faced Shisui and said earnestly, "After entering the academy, focus on learning skills and knowledge. What they teach there is very important to you, and may even affect your future development."
"Yes, I understand."
Just as Kenma and Shisui were leaving the school building, a person walked towards them, causing Kenma to stop in his tracks.
Shisui, behind him, seemed to sense Kenma's vigilance. His expression immediately tensed, and he stared intently at the approaching person.
The newcomer was dressed in a Shihakusho with a Zanpakuto at his waist, undoubtedly a professional Shinigami.
He had a tall and sturdy build with broad shoulders and short brown hair. He wore black-framed glasses, the lenses of which reflected the light, obscuring his eyes and giving him an air of mystery.
The Shinigami had clearly seen Kenma as well. He quickened his pace, came before the two, and smiled a warm, sunny smile.
"It's been a while, Senior Kenma. I didn't expect to run into you here."
The man's voice was rich and kind, with a unique magnetism that was as pleasant as a spring breeze.
"It hasn't been that long."
Kenma maintained his usual deadpan, expressionless face.
The Shinigami was taken aback by his words.
Then he heard Kenma say, "Weren't you at my engagement to offer your congratulations, Sousuke?"
Kenma looked at the gentle and refined Shinigami before him, his heart tensing, unable to suppress a sense of dread.
As a transmigrator, how could he not recognize the seemingly humble and kind Shinigami before him!
Aizen Sousuke, the major boss of the early part of the Shinigami arc.
On the outside, he appeared elegant, polite, and gentle, but in reality, he was cold, ruthless, and ambitious, and on top of that, possessed power that was among the top in all three realms.
If possible, Kenma really wanted nothing to do with him.
He didn't even want to know him.
But as it happened, back in school, he had been four years senior to this mastermind.
They were both top students in the eyes of their teachers and classmates, and had some of the same elective classes. One thing led to another, and the two became acquainted.
Of course, with Kenma on his guard, his relationship with Aizen was limited to just acquaintances, not close friends.
But Kenma had not expected that Aizen would come as a junior to offer a congratulatory gift at his engagement.
Hearing Kenma's words, Aizen showed a look of surprise.
"There were many people congratulating you that day, and they were all distinguished nobles and captains. I am truly flattered that you noticed me, senior."
"It was nothing," Kenma said coolly.
With Aizen's identity and name, it would have been hard for him not to notice!
After the engagement, he had even made a point of opening the gift from Aizen. It was a complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study.
Such a thoughtful gift, on the contrary, made it difficult for Kenma to figure out his true intentions.
Kenma also noticed that beside Aizen was a small boy with a full head of silver hair.
The boy was dressed in the rough clothes of the Rukongai. His eyes were narrowed into slits, never fully open, and he seemed to be smiling. But combined with the shape of his face, it gave him a cunning and vicious air.
Kenma had a guess in his mind and asked aloud, "And you are here for?"
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