The lounge was located on the eastern side of the training grounds. Its layout was simple yet extremely elegant.
The paper sliding door was half-closed. Outside, bamboo shadows swayed, and the wind whispered softly. Inside were low tables set on the floor and two cups of light tea. The air was filled with a sense of tranquility and the scent of accumulated books, built up over many years.
After a round of polite greetings, Ken'ichi got straight to the point: "Setsuna-kun, you must be aware that each division of the Seireitei has its own duties and mission. Among these divisions, the responsibilities of the 2nd Division are the most extensive, divided into five sections."
"The First Unit, the Patrol Corps, focuses on execution and assassination. The Second Unit, the Security Unit, patrols within the Seireitei and monitors the movements of Shinigami. The Third Unit, the Detention Unit, oversees the Maggot's Nest. The Fourth Unit, the Spy Corps, searches for missing Shinigami. And the Fifth Unit, the Rapid Messenger Unit, swiftly conveys orders to all troops."
"Among these five sections, the duties of the Detention Unit are the most special: guarding the Shinigami imprisoned within the 'Maggot's Nest' who have not committed actual crimes yet are extremely dangerous. Furthermore, the Maggot's Nest has a particularly troublesome rule: Shinigami entering are not permitted to carry any weapons."
Ken'ichi's voice carried a difficult-to-conceal anticipation: "Therefore, as the captain of the Detention Unit, one must possess a special quality: the ability to subdue all the prisoners there bare-handed. This position has been vacant for many years. But today, I would like to formally invite you to become the Corps Commander of the 2nd Division's Third Unit, the Detention Unit, upon your graduation."
Setsuna sat on the cushion opposite them, his expression calm.
"I am very grateful for your high regard," He said with a slight bow, his tone gentle yet firm. "But I must ask your forgiveness, as I am unable to accept for the time being."
"Why?" Yoruichi spoke up before Ken'ichi could, her voice tinged with clear displeasure.
"Do you think my father is not qualified to invite you? Or do you feel that the Onmitsukido is not worthy of your 'talent'?"
Ken'ichi said sharply, "Yoruichi, don't be absurd!"
"Of course not," Setsuna shook his head slightly, his gaze turning to Ken'ichi. "It's just that the 'path' I wish to walk may be different from the one you have prepared for me."
Ken'ichi sighed. "It seems I do not have that honor."
"Hmph, speaking so mysteriously," Yoruichi stood up, looking provocatively at Setsuna. "Do you dare to fight me? I want to see for myself if you are really that incredible."
Setsuna smiled. "Of course."
"Let's go then, to the training ground right now."
"That won't be necessary. We can fight right here."
Yoruichi frowned slightly. "You're not thinking that I wouldn't dare damage this place, and that's why you deliberately chose to fight here, are you?"
Setsuna let out a light chuckle. "Don't misunderstand. I just think a battle that ends in an instant is unlikely to damage this place."
Ken'ichi smiled inwardly, thinking, 'This seemingly steady young man was even more arrogant than my daughter.'
Yoruichi glared at Setsuna, fuming. "Hmph, let's see how you end the fight then."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Yoruichi's figure dissolved like ink in water.
Even Ken'ichi's eyes showed a trace of admiration, 'Yoruichi's talent in Shunpo truly was exceptional.'
Yoruichi arrived with the wind, striking fiercely at Setsuna's abdomen.
Setsuna extended a single index finger again, moving later but arriving first, precisely touching Yoruichi's fist.
'Again with this move!' Masahiko screamed internally. He had been toyed with by Setsuna using just one finger yesterday.
When fist and finger met, Yoruichi instantly knelt before Setsuna.
Her eyes were filled with disbelief. That single finger seemed to possess the weight of a million mountains.
Like a mountain gently pressing down on a piece of paper trying to fly.
"This... is impossible..." Yoruichi's mind was in chaos. She hadn't sensed Setsuna's Reiatsu.
This meant Setsuna hadn't overpowered her with force, but had defeated her instantly with some incomprehensible technique.
Ken'ichi was equally shocked in his heart. The mastery Setsuna had displayed in Hakuda was too astonishing.
'Could his identity in the living world actually be that of a 'martial saint'?'
Setsuna shook his head slightly. Although he had the experience of several worlds, logically speaking, with Shinigami training for hundreds of years and the Soul Society's system inherited over millions of years, the development of Hakuda shouldn't be this weak.
But as Masahiko had said yesterday, most people tend to favor the dazzling, mysterious Kido and Zanpakuto, to the point of not valuing Hakuda enough.
"I lost. You're good, I admit it!" Yoruichi said, grinding her teeth.
Ken'ichi stood up, a relieved smile appearing on his face. "The gates of the 2nd Division are always open for you."
…
With the precedent of the failed invitation from the Shihoin Clan, the disturbances Setsuna received immediately decreased considerably.
Five days later, indoor dojo.
The air was filled with an almost eager anticipation.
Compared to the simple, unadorned, and somewhat dry nature of Hakuda, the mysterious, elegant, and deeply fateful Zanpakuto was undoubtedly more appealing to young hearts yearning for the extraordinary.
They had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
The paper sliding door of the dojo opened silently.
A tall, sturdy Shinigami walked in. He looked to be about thirty, with a resolute face and eyes as sharp as blades.
"I am the third seat of the 11th Division, Ishiwara Hiroshi. From now on, I will be your swordsmanship instructor."
Many students' eyes lit up, thinking to themselves: 'The Hakuda instructor was only a fifth seat, but the Zanjutsu instructor is a third seat. It seems the Academy also considers Zanjutsu more important.'
Hiroshi's gaze swept over the young, eager faces below the platform. "The key to becoming a Shinigami is the Zanpakuto. A Zanpakuto needs to be nurtured from the Asauchi stage, growing together with the soul. Therefore, the distribution of Asauchi follows a strict procedure."
"The Asauchi you are to receive are still on their way and will need a little more time to arrive."
Disappointment was evident on many students' faces, but that disappointment soon turned into even more intense anticipation.
Didn't such strict procedures just prove the importance of the Zanpakuto?
Hiroshi said solemnly, "In the meantime, let me introduce a new student to you."
He turned towards the door. "Yoruichi-san, please come in."
The paper sliding door opened again, and a tall figure stood behind it.
The girl's black hair was simply tied up. Her skin was honey-colored, and her eyes were bright and sharp.
"This is Shihoin Yoruichi. Starting today, she is your new classmate."
A new student below muttered softly, "What's going on? Didn't the enrollment period end long ago?"
"We struggled and fought so hard to get in. How can she just transfer in like this? This is so unfair!"
A student clearly dressed as a noble sneered, his voice sharp. "Do you know who this person is? She is the princess of the Shihoin Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Families of the Soul Society!"
Another minor noble added immediately, "The Five Great Noble Families are the ones who make the rules. Do you think the rules have any meaning for them?"
"Being able to study in the same room as Yoruichi-sama is already a great honor for you commoners!"
Yet another minor noble's eyes were practically glowing with heat. "If one could gain Yoruichi-sama's favor, like that lucky kid who caught the eye of the Kasumioji Clan's young lady back then, it would mean rising to the top in a single step!"
However, the girl didn't even glance in their direction.
Her gaze locked onto Setsuna, and she walked straight towards him.