However, Fūjin Taichi knew very well in his heart that becoming the Captain-Commander was probably nothing more than a foolish dream.
The current Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai, was an old yet incredibly formidable Shinigami whose strength was unfathomable.
At that moment, Hoko looked at the white-and-blue academy uniform on Fūjin Taichi and asked curiously:
"Fūjin-kun, are you also a new student at the Shin'ō Academy?"
"Yes…"
Fūjin Taichi glanced at his somewhat dirty academy uniform and said awkwardly:
"The storm was really strong last night. I accidentally fell into a ditch."
"I see."
A faint smile appeared in Hoko's eyes.
"Since school hasn't started yet, you should go wash yourself in the river."
"So classes haven't started yet? Good… looks like I made it in time."
Fūjin Taichi looked toward Seireitei not far away. The place was beautiful, with vast grasslands and gently rolling hills.
Most of the buildings in the city looked simple and elegant, with light-colored walls and tiled roofs. In the center stood the towering Sōkyoku Hill, said to be the location of the Senzaikyū and the Sōkyoku (Twinned Punishment).
Hoko followed Fūjin Taichi's gaze toward Seireitei and murmured softly:
"Looks like… we'll be living there for quite some time."
"Not just that."
Fūjin Taichi's tone grew firmer as he clenched his fist.
"I'm going to become a real Shinigami."
"Because only by becoming a Shinigami can we eat clean food, live in houses that shelter us from wind and rain, and have a decent life."
"Hey—!"
Kibune Makoto rolled his eyes and said unhappily:
"You're getting a bit too familiar, don't you think? Who said anything about 'we'?
If you want to become a Shinigami, go do it yourself. This young master has no interest in hanging out with you!
Hoko, it's getting late. Let's go back."
"Makoto!"
Hoko seemed to be inspired by Fūjin Taichi's words. She tightly clenched the jade pendant left by her late mother and said firmly:
"We should work hard too… and become excellent Shinigami!"
"Uh… well…"
Kibune Makoto clearly didn't expect his childhood friend—who had grown up with him since they were kids—to suddenly change sides.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally replied:
"…Alright then."
Looking at the dim, yellowish sky, Fūjin Taichi urged them:
"Since we're all going to become Shinigami, we should hurry to the Shin'ō Academy to register!"
"Huh? Now?"
Kibune Makoto looked shocked. "The registration period for new students still lasts two more days. There's no need to rush, right?"
Fūjin Taichi snapped: "Listen to yourself! There are only two days left! If we keep wasting time, we might miss it!"
"I see…"
Kibune Makoto nodded casually.
"Then let's go register. Anyway, it's not far from here."
"Let's go!"
Fūjin Taichi immediately started running. But after running a short distance, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
"By the way… do you guys actually know where to register?"
"Yes."
Hoko thought carefully before answering:
"The Shin'ō Academy has registration offices in the First Districts of East, South, West, and North Rukongai.
Since we're in East Rukongai, the registration site is at the intersection behind Tansaku Street in Junmai. Go about a hundred meters south and turn right—that's where it is."
"Alright! Let's go!"
"Okay!"
Half an hour later, the three of them finally arrived at the Shin'ō Academy's registration site in Junmai just before sunset.
They then filled out the required information.
Name:
Nothing special—surname Fūjin, given name Taichi.
Gender:
Obviously male.
Birthday:
Shinigami didn't care much about age; they mainly recognized birthdays. So he simply wrote October 29.
Height:
180.1 cm—just slightly taller than Byakuya Kuchiki.
Weight:
76 kg
Place of Birth:
District 63 of East Rukongai — Yone District
Relatives or friends serving in Seireitei:
"Hmm…" Fūjin Taichi hesitated for a long time before writing down the name Tite Kubo.
..
"Oh?" The man responsible for welcoming new students, Ōunabara Gengorō, stared sharply at Fūjin Taichi.
"So you're Fūjin Taichi, the one specially admitted by Saitō-sensei?"
"That's right."
Fūjin Taichi had no idea why this middle-aged man—wearing a black kimono and a samurai topknot—was asking him this question.
His heart suddenly tightened.
He knows me?
"You ranked last place in the entrance examination… but apparently you have some talent in Kidō."
Ōunabara Gengorō looked him up and down. "Sorry, but I can't see it at all."
"Well..."
"Have you ever heard of Shiba Kaien?!"
"No…" Fūjin Taichi shook his head honestly.
"Fool!"
At the mention of Kaien Shiba, fiery excitement flashed in Ōunabara Gengorō's eyes.
"He passed the entrance test on his first try, and his spiritual power had already reached Level Six!"
After that, he spent only two years completing a curriculum that normally required six years to finish.
During the division entry test, he caught the attention of Captain Jūshirō Ukitake, and joined the 13th Division as its 3rd Seat!
"In just five short years… he was already promoted to Vice-Captain of the 13th Division! Truly worthy of being my prized student—a genuine genius!!"
"Impressive," Fūjin Taichi nodded.
Then he asked in confusion:
"But… what does that have to do with me?"
"Fūjin!"
Ōunabara Gengorō's gaze suddenly became sharp.
"Don't you want to become an outstanding Shinigami like Kaien Shiba?"
"I do!"
"Then don't disappoint Saitō-sensei's expectations! Work hard! Struggle forward! Become the most outstanding Shinigami you can be!"
It almost looked as if flames were blazing from Ōunabara Gengorō's body as he gestured passionately and shouted:
"At the Shin'ō Academy Special Advancement Class that I guide, every lost soul will become an indispensable elite of the Gotei 13!"
After hearing this speech, Fūjin Taichi stroked his smooth chin and thought for a moment.
Then he turned to Hoko.
"Hey… Hoko."
"Huh?"
"There's a crazy guy here… let's just go back."
"Huh?!"
...
Two days later, in the afternoon, the streets of Tansaku Street in Junmai suddenly became noisy.
"Wow! What a beautiful rickshaw!"
"Yeah! It looks amazing!"
"Wow, you can practically see your reflection in it!"
Fūjin Taichi climbed up a large tree and looked toward the commotion.
Below, Hoko, Kibune Makoto, and many nearby townspeople were gathered around a brand-new black rickshaw, pointing and discussing excitedly.
"Sakuragi, who would've thought! That troublesome kid Shūsuke Amagai actually became a Shinigami!"
"Yeah! I remember his father also joined the Gotei 13 with excellent results back then! Time really flies… it's already been over a hundred years!"
"I'm so jealous! If only I could become a Shinigami too! Then I'd have money to marry a wife! Hahaha!"
"Stop daydreaming, Rukawa Matsu! Without spiritual power, becoming a Shinigami is absolutely impossible!"
"Yeah… I guess things like that are just far beyond people like us."
"Oh, that's true! Look, look—he's coming out!"
Under the eager gazes of the townspeople, a man wearing a black Shinigami uniform slowly stepped out of the house.
He had messy, fluffy hair and a gentle smile on his face.
He waved to the crowd, then walked straight toward the rickshaw.
"Good luck!"
"Do your best!"
"Go for it!"
The surrounding crowd shouted encouragement.
But Shūsuke Amagai simply smiled without saying anything.
Just as he was about to step into the rickshaw, a sudden "thud!" sounded behind him.
Immediately after, Kibune Makoto's panicked voice rang out:
"Hey, Hoko! Hey! What's wrong?!"
Amagai turned around and looked.
He saw a brown-haired boy in a white and blue academy uniform standing helplessly next to a ponytail girl in a white and red uniform who had collapsed on the ground.
Seeing this, Amagai hurried over and asked with concern as he approached:
"Are you two alright?"
Hoko didn't answer. She simply shook her head and lowered it.
Meanwhile, Kibune Makoto looked at Amagai nervously.
Amagai smiled again and asked: "Are you hungry? Did you faint because of hunger?"
"That's impossible! We... we used to be fine just drinking water! But lately, for some reason, we've been feeling hungry all the time." Kibune found his courage, seeing that Amagai didn't seem as fierce as other Shinigami.
"Haha. Normally, ordinary souls don't feel hunger. But some souls do."
"At first, I was confused too… but soon I had no choice but to accept the truth."
"As for the reason… you'll understand after you enroll tomorrow."
After saying that, Amagai took out a cloth-wrapped lunchbox from his sleeve and placed it in front of Hoko.
Smiling, he said:
"Just now, you were probably affected by my spiritual pressure, which drained your strength all at once."
"So as compensation, take this and eat it."
"No need to be polite."
"B-But…"
Hoko held the lunchbox in both hands, staring at Amagai with watery eyes.
She wanted to refuse.
But the delicious aroma drifting from inside the lunchbox made it impossible for her to say the words.
She simply held it there, unsure what to do.
Beside her, Kibune Makoto smelled the fragrance of the rice balls and couldn't help swallowing.
Then he stammered:
"B-But… why are you doing this? You… you…"
"There's no reason, young man."
Amagai pointed toward Seireitei in the distance.
"Work hard. Only then will you be able to protect yourselves better."
"Someday, we will meet again there."
After saying that, Shūsuke Amagai climbed onto the rickshaw.
Soon, he disappeared from everyone's sight.
...
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