From the moment they stepped into the Zenteiji District, Kisaragi Akira's danger instincts began screaming at full force.A suffocating wave of malice pressed in from every direction—as if one wrong step would send them plunging straight into the abyss of death.
It was nothing like the duel he had with Unohana Rei.Her danger came from pure killing intent — a primal hunger for combat.
But the threat lurking inside Zenteiji District was… different.A twisted blend of bloodlust and malice, mixed with a chilling indifference toward life itself.
Even though Akira couldn't pinpoint any spiritual pressure,he knew with absolute certainty that the owner of this malicewas hiding somewhere in the shadows, watching them in silence.
He didn't dare make a single unnecessary move.He simply acted as if everything was normal —until they finally walked out of Zenteiji District unscathed.
Only then did the danger warnings fade, and the tension slowly drained from his body.
"That smell… the smell of death…"
Aizawa Sosuke frowned slightly, trying to recall any trace of abnormality inside the district.
He was familiar with Akira's inexplicable intuition.So he didn't doubt the statement at all.
But no matter how hard he searched his memory, he couldn't find a single clue.
"Eh, don't overthink it."Akira grinned with careless cheer."We'll just dump the killer's Zanpakutō on the teachers and let them worry about everything."
"We hand in the weapon, report what happened, and we're done.""And we even get paid for it."
"Tonight's tofu dinner? I'm treating!"
Aizawa nodded ever so slightly.
Akira wasn't wrong…yet something still bothered him.
Given his current level of spiritual pressure,any figure capable of avoiding his perception…
At minimum, they had to be captain-class.
So this case actually involved someone of that caliber?What role did the rogue Shinigami even play in all of this?What was the true nature of the incident?
Aizawa lowered his eyelids.Behind them, the flame of curiosity blazed fiercely.
Shin'o Spirit Arts Academy — Faculty Office
Kaede Jun'ya stared at the Zanpakutō placed on his desk, its owner's personality etched into every detail of its blade.
Not even a full day had passed —and these two had already solved the case and executed the culprit.
This kid…Was Kisaragi Akira already on par with top-seated officers?
Narrowing his eyes, Kaede turned to inspect the boy lounging lazily in another teacher's seat.
He couldn't read him anymore.Completely unreadable.
"These are your earned rewards."Kaede placed a thick stack of bills onto the desk with practiced ease.
"As for your report about potential dangers in Zenteiji District Thirty-Two,I'll relay that to the Head Captain myself."
"What happens afterward has nothing to do with you."
Akira grabbed the money in an elegant sweep,dragging the still-thinking Aizawa out with him.
But right before leaving, Aizawa suddenly stopped and turned back.
"If possible," he said calmly, "send a captain to investigate this matter."
Kaede blinked, clearly confused.But after seeing the sincerity in Aizawa's eyes, he found himself nodding despite not understanding.
He didn't know much about Aizawa Sosuke —but anyone who could keep up with Akira was impressive by default.
"I'd better hurry and report to the Head Captain…"
Picking up the Zanpakutō, Kaede rushed out of the office.
Night
Akira finally got to enjoy the special tofu dinner from the Shin'o cafeteria — just as he'd hoped.
Aizawa, though quiet and distracted, ate plenty as well.Tofu was one of his favorite foods —fragrant, smooth, delicate.As long as the cook wasn't incompetent, tofu dishes were almost always decent.And the Shin'o cafeteria chefs definitely met the standard.
After dinner, the two returned to their temporary dormitory.
Since the men's dorm was still under reconstruction,they were staying in makeshift rooms built by the Twelfth Division research team.
To be fair, the quality was surprisingly good.Only a bit cramped.
And since Akira's room housed only the two of them, it wasn't a problem.Some rooms held four students…and one unfortunate room had six.
"Food in my belly, tea in hand… this is the life."Akira sprawled across the bed like a satisfied salted fish.
Compared to the hellish struggle for survival back in the Gyaku-Kotsu District,this was basically paradise.
Well —it'd be even better if he could be resting on Shizune's lap pillow right now.
He remembered the days at the shrine —lying across Ise Shizune's lap while she massaged his head with those ten slender, fairy-like fingers.Perfect pressure, perfect rhythm…truly divine.
Aizawa glanced at the sprawled Akira but didn't comment.He sat on his own bed and immediately began spiritual pressure training.
Because curiosity alone wasn't enough —strength fueled it.
Even the most gifted talent would fade without effort.Judging from Akira's growth recently, his talent was certainly not inferior.
If Akira kept progressing at this pace…he would surpass him eventually.
Aizawa felt an unexpected urgency ignite within him.
"Seriously… you're already at it?"Akira noticed and sighed helplessly.
Being friends with someone like Aizawa had one drawback —if the other guy was training, and you were relaxing…the guilt was unbearable.
The kind of guilt that ruined meals and disrupted sleep.
Fortunately—
He also had talent to rely on.Not quite photographic memory, but a decent degree of natural insight.
Straightening his posture, Akira prepared to train as well.
Time to max out my Spirit Particle Affinity.Let's see how far I can take this!
As he released his spiritual pressure fully, an unexpected phenomenon occurred.
Spirit particles in the air began drifting irregularly,gathering together.A faint white glow shimmered through the room, illuminating the colorful fabric drapes hanging around them.
Aizawa opened his eyes and let out a resigned sigh.
He knew it.This incident was nowhere near that simple.
Kisaragi Akira was basically a walking, talking landmine.Wherever he went, something weird always happened.
Akira also felt the anomaly.And when he turned and saw what was materializing in the center of the room—
His eyes went wide.
The white light blurred, thickening as spirit particles converged.Gradually, a radiant silhouette took shape —pure white, simple, ethereal.
"What the—Did a mosaic sprite come to life?!"