"No way. No way."
"Don't tell me someone's really trying to pull the 'old cow eating tender grass' routine?"
"Rangiku, take it easy! Bai Chen is someone the old man himself has his eye on—a future captain-class candidate!"
"If you go too hard and drain him dry, we'll lose a once-in-a-generation talent for nothing!"
The moment he caught the unusually gentle tone hidden in Rangiku's words,
Shiba Isshin's imagination immediately ran wild.
The corners of his mouth twitched.
Damn it—
We're here to teach the Shinigami Four Techniques!
Not to teach some other kind of experience!
Rangiku, aren't you being a little too impatient?!
Naturally, Rangiku knew exactly what nonsense Isshin was thinking.
Beneath her golden wavy hair, a faint blush flashed across her face before she straightened up and shot him a sharp glare.
"Captain, what kind of nonsense are you spouting now…"
"Even if I do appreciate Bai Chen, I'm not the type to think the way you do."
"Oh? 'Appreciate,' huh?"
Hearing that, Bai Chen casually lowered his gaze.
His eyes drifted—quite naturally—toward Rangiku.
Under the shihakushō, those two temperamental little companions looked like they might leap out at any moment.
Bai Chen nodded appreciatively.
"I appreciate Vice-Vice-Captain Matsumoto as well."
"Ah—!"
She clearly hadn't expected that.
Despite being a seasoned, mature woman, Rangiku's heart was still caught off guard.
She hurriedly changed the subject.
"R-right, anyway!"
"Bai Chen, I forgot to explain something earlier…"
"It's about the Konso practicum."
"Oh?" Bai Chen asked with interest.
His gaze, unfortunately, still wandered from time to time—causing Rangiku's face to grow even redder.
She quickly turned sideways to avoid his eyes and spoke seriously.
"First of all, the Konso practicum must be carried out together with Sixth-Year students."
"And before every deployment, unanimous consent is required. That's to ensure no accidents occur."
"So…" Bai Chen said calmly.
"You're worried those graduating Sixth-Years won't be willing to accept me?"
"Exactly."
"Your deeds have already spread throughout Seireitei."
"But precisely because they sound so unbelievable, most people instinctively doubt them unless they've seen you for themselves."
"And from the Sixth-Years' perspective…"
"Young and hot-blooded as they are, they'd be even less willing to let you join and steal the spotlight."
Having led multiple Konso missions herself, Rangiku understood the temperament of each graduating class perfectly.
If Bai Chen wanted their recognition—
He'd need to demonstrate power that left no room for doubt.
"I see."
Bai Chen remained unfazed.
At the end of the day—
It was just a matter of crossing ranks. No big deal.
After all, he was skipping six years at once.
Without absolute strength, even backing and connections would only invite gossip.
"So if I defeat all the Sixth-Years in one go…"
"Then they won't have any objections left, right?"
Bai Chen said lightly.
Rangiku: "..."
Isshin: "..."
They exchanged a glance.
Somehow, both of them could already picture the Sixth-Years getting completely steamrolled.
"I understand the entire process now."
"So I'll trouble the two of you to help arrange and submit my early graduation application."
Bai Chen nodded to both captains sincerely.
But—
Just as the conversation wrapped up and the three prepared to leave the hidden base—
Suddenly—
Shunpo—!!
Two sharp bursts of air tore through the entrance without warning.
"…?!"
"We were just about to leave…"
"Who would deliberately come all the way out here?"
The sudden disturbance instantly drew all three of their attention.
When they turned toward the source—
They exclaimed in unison:
"Captain Soi Fon?!"
"And her vice-captain… Ōmaeda?!"
Recognizing the newcomers, everyone was caught off guard.
"What's going on?"
"Soi Fon actually came here in person?"
"That cold, tsundere ice queen…"
"Don't tell me she's here for me too?"
Bai Chen frowned slightly.
At the entrance stood two figures—one tall, one short.
The smaller one was petite yet sharp and imposing, radiating killing intent.
The larger one was… round.
Very round.
The thick gold chain around his neck gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
Soi Fon.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
Bai Chen never would've expected such visitors at the very end of his secluded training.
"But…"
"I don't recall having any dealings with the Second Division or the Stealth Force at all."
As Bai Chen pondered this, Isshin spoke first.
"Uh…"
"Captain Soi Fon, Vice-Captain Ōmaeda—may I ask why you've come here?"
"This hidden base shouldn't fall under the Second Division's jurisdiction, should it?"
Isshin scratched his head, a troubling thought surfacing—
Could it be…
Because this place once belonged to Yoruichi Shihōin?
Was Soi Fon holding a grudge?
"No, no—definitely not."
"Based on my understanding of Captain Soi Fon, she's not that petty…"
Rangiku said, with absolutely no confidence.
However—
While the two from the Tenth Division waited nervously—
Soi Fon's sharp eyes bypassed both of them entirely.
They locked directly onto Bai Chen.
Arms crossed, voice crisp and commanding, she spoke coldly:
"There's no need to be nervous."
"I came here for Bai Chen."
"I want him… to help me with something."
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