Making a New Trump Card / I Want to Apply for a Transfer

There was a dull thud.

Tokoyo Misao had already concentrated Reishi on his stomach and took the punch head-on.

"Not bad. Looks like you still remember the techniques."

Rukia crossed her arms over her chest, raised her chin, and replied proudly:

"You must have thought I'd been neglecting my training."

She held out her right hand and wagged a finger from side to side as she continued:

"The teaching and resources at the academy can't compare to the Kuchiki Clan at all.

"Not only have I kept up with my training, my Rei'i Grade has already risen to the eighth class!"

"Even a genius like you who graduated from the academy in six months still can't beat me!"

"Sure, sure," Tokoyo Misao replied perfunctorily, then asked, "Well? Any news about my family?"

Rukia put away her joking expression and answered seriously:

"As for information on the Tokoyo Clan, there was only an old parchment recording the crests of the Five Great Noble Clans, including the eye on your arm. But that was all."

"Still, I've learned recently that the Tsunayashiro Clan is in charge of history among the great noble clans. They might have more detailed information."

Tokoyo Misao nodded and changed the subject with a smile. "How is it? Is there anything you're uncomfortable with as the young lady of the Kuchiki Clan?"

"Of course not. I was born to be a young lady. I'm right at home here," Rukia replied proudly, planting her hands on her hips.

"That's great, then. Are you still planning to become a Soul Reaper?"

"Of course. Once I pass the clan's assessment, I can become a Soul Reaper through their recommendation."

"That's right. Only a fool wouldn't use their connections." Tokoyo Misao wore an expression of approval.

"Hmph." Rukia snorted, then suddenly grabbed her sash and gave it a sharp tug.

With a rustle, her outer robe came loose and slipped off her body onto the floor.

Tokoyo Misao didn't blink throughout the whole thing, only to see that beneath Rukia's robe was a white training outfit.

"Hehe, disappointed?" A hint of mischief appeared in Rukia's eyes. "Come on, train with me for a while."

"All right."

Chapter 54: Making a New Trump Card

Sakahone, North Rukongai, District 64.

A Hollow was under attack by a group of 11th Division members.

Three of them blocked off three directions, leaving one route open for it to flee.

Tokoyo Misao was lying in wait behind the trees along that escape route.

He waited quietly for his teammates to drive the creature his way.

Before long, he heard a shout: "It's coming your way!"

"Be careful! This guy's a lot stronger than an ordinary Hollow!"

Silvery-white threads drifted through Tokoyo Misao's pupils.

His gaze passed through the large tree in front of him, and he saw the Hollow charging toward him.

The Hollow's Spirit Ribbon was deathly pale, speckled with red. That meant it had either devoured a Soul Reaper or been modified by Aizen.

This one, however, was much weaker than the Blade Hollow in the World of the Living.

He could tell just by looking at its Spirit Ribbon that they weren't on the same level. At most, it was Thirteenth-Class Rei'i.

The Hollow raced madly deeper into the forest. As it passed the tree, it failed to notice Tokoyo Misao hiding behind it with his presence concealed.

As its body passed by, it suddenly noticed something was wrong. It looked down and saw that its lower half had been left behind at some point. Its body had been split in two.

It opened its mouth and let out a wail. "Roar!"

The next moment, Tokoyo Misao threw his Zanpakuto, driving it straight into the Hollow's mask.

The Hollow's body turned into Reishi, but instead of dissipating, it gathered around the Zanpakuto.

A moment later, a bead of Reishi about a centimeter across appeared at the tip of the Zanpakuto and fell to the ground.

Tokoyo Misao walked over and picked up the bead. He looked at the mottled red spots on it with some distaste, but still tucked it away in his sleeve.

"How'd it go? Did you get it?" his teammates asked as they ran over.

"You guys had already worn it down. I just finished it off. No problem."

Tokoyo Misao smiled and waved to his three teammates.

"Come to think of it, why haven't you applied for a duel yet?" asked a crew-cut man among his teammates, wearing sunglasses and stroking the two little tufts of his mustache.

"Senior Tetsuzaemon Iba, I've only been in the division for a month. How could I challenge my seniors?"

Tokoyo Misao replied with a smile.

"The 11th Division isn't like the others. You don't need seniority here. You should know that."

10th Seat Iba stared intently at Tokoyo Misao's face from behind his sunglasses.

"I know, but I still want to learn more for now. Besides, I've gotten so close to you seniors lately that I'd feel awkward fighting you, wouldn't I?"

Tokoyo Misao waved a hand with a smile and continued.

"It's about time we headed back, isn't it, Senior Iba?"

"All right. We've finished today's mission, so let's head back."

Iba watched Tokoyo Misao's back as he walked ahead with his hands behind his head and an easy stride.

Lately, a great many Hollows had appeared in Rukongai for no apparent reason, and the 11th Division had become especially busy.

Iba had been Tokoyo Misao's team leader during this time, but even after spending so long with him, he still couldn't see through the young man.

In terms of Rei'i Grade, Tokoyo Misao was one class below him.

But he had heard that Tokoyo Misao had graduated from Shin'ō Academy of Spiritual Arts in just six months.

He had also fought alone in the World of the Living and killed more than sixty Hollows.

Iba had originally thought he would quickly challenge the higher-ranked Seated Officers, and perhaps even set his sights on the position of Kenpachi.

But in the squad, he was the sort of guy who:

Would always complete whatever task he was assigned.

But if he wasn't given a task, he would stand to the side and watch.

Iba had only seen that look of having everything under control on his former captain.

He couldn't help thinking that this was definitely someone who kept himself well hidden.

But it was also thanks to him that the squad had become incredibly safe.

Their recent missions had all ended successfully, so his mother back home no longer had to nag him every day.

The thought put him in a much better mood.

Tokoyo Misao walked ahead, humming a tune.

In the distance, he could see a red Spirit Ribbon streaked with black quietly moving away.

Judging by its size, thickness, and the state of the Reishi it contained, it belonged to someone who was at least Captain-level, though he didn't know who exactly.

Ever since he had started coming to Rukongai on missions with Iba, this person had been hiding in the shadows and watching him.

His initial guess was that Aizen had sent them.

After all, during the past month, every Hollow their squad had encountered was suspected of having been modified. How could that be a coincidence?

Fortunately, it wasn't a big deal to Tokoyo Misao.

After the battle in the World of the Living, he had happened to think of another way to prepare a trump card.

Tokoyo Misao could use Eternal Eyes to see Reishi, then use the World-Crossing Principle to gather it together.

He hadn't wasted a trace of the Reishi from those modified Hollows that possessed Soul Reaper Reishi. He had made it all into beads and stored them in his sleeve.

If he encountered someone who tried to overwhelm him with the sheer quantity of their Reishi again, and he couldn't replenish his own from his surroundings,

he could swallow the beads to instantly gain a large amount of Reishi and raise his Rei'i Grade.

Of course, the World-Crossing Principle's ability to regather the Reishi that naturally dispersed when a Hollow died was actually very discreet. Not the slightest fluctuation escaped.

He was also confident that the person watching him from the shadows hadn't noticed.

When he returned to the 11th Division barracks, Tokoyo Misao heard waves of complaints.

"What's going on lately? How come so many Hollows are showing up in Rukongai?"

"If this keeps up, I'm afraid we'll have to split into pairs. Otherwise, there just won't be enough of us."

"Should we talk to Acting Captain Yamanaka and ask another division for support?"

"Are you kidding? How could the 11th Division ask another division for support? We wouldn't do that even if it killed us!"

Tokoyo Misao understood exactly how they felt.

Lately, they had often received alerts in the middle of the night.

As a combat division, the 11th had to be the first to arrive wherever an enemy appeared.

Few people could endure working nonstop like this. Even Acting Captain Yamanaka had dark circles under his eyes now.

Another major reason for this situation was that the 11th Division currently had no captain.

A captain could easily patrol a large area, so they wouldn't have to send out every member and could have some time to rest.

Acting Captain Yamanaka came to the longhouse and looked out at the exhausted division members, his expression as stern and cold as ever:

"I know everyone has been working hard lately, but our duty is to fight, and fighting is all we can do."

"If anyone really can't take it, you can apply for a transfer."

Chapter 55: I Want to Apply for a Transfer

"Apply for a transfer?"

Tokoyo Misao's eyes lit up. He quietly asked Iba beside him, "What's the procedure?"

"Wait, you've only been here a month and you already want to leave? That's not going to reflect well on you." Iba sat cross-legged on his bed and raised a finger as he continued his explanation.

"There are two conditions for a transfer. First, your current division has to let you leave. Second, another division has to be willing to take you."

"Both conditions have to be met. If you leave without permission, you'll be considered a traitor and hunted down by the Onmitsukidō Detention Unit."

Tokoyo Misao nodded repeatedly. "Thanks, Senior Iba."

Iba frowned at Tokoyo Misao, who had already flopped onto his bed, and spoke quietly:

"Someone like you who wants to transfer after such a short time in the division is going to be looked down on.

"You should know that if your transfer fails, even your standing in this division will take a hit."

"I'm a newcomer. What standing do I have?" Tokoyo Misao waved a hand, then picked up his blanket and covered himself.

Iba sighed.

He himself had only joined the 11th Division three years ago, and his goal was to become lieutenant.

No matter how hard things were now, he had to keep at it.

Early the next morning, Tokoyo Misao went along to Rukongai again and eliminated two modified Hollows.

This time, however, he didn't return to the 11th Division with the others. Instead, he hurried to the gates of the Kuchiki Clan's residence on Noble Street and shouted:

"The head of the Tokoyo Clan has come to visit!"

The enormous gates opened once again, and the Kuchiki Clan's old butler stood in the center to receive him, just as before.

This time, however, he didn't lead Tokoyo Misao to the main hall, but to the rear courtyard.

Rukia Kuchiki had just finished training and was wiping the sweat from her face with a towel.