Jinzen Again

Marenoshin jogged away without waiting for Xuanxin to reply. He had meant nothing by the remark, but Xuanxin took it to heart.

Though Marenoshin had disappeared from view, Xuanxin stood rooted to the spot as if he had been placed under a binding spell.

"Wouldn't deign to... stay another second?"

The thought surfaced again and again in Xuanxin's mind. For some reason, instead of heading straight back to his dormitory that day, he began wandering aimlessly around the Shin'ō Academy campus.

It was the first time he had tried wandering around the academy without any purpose. Normally, he lived like a machine, going back and forth between the same two places.

Sunlight from Soul Society fell across the academy's artificial hills, and together with the lush greenery, it made the whole academy look full of life.

Students walked together in groups of two or three. Whenever they passed Xuanxin, they instinctively stopped talking and stared at the academy's current man of the hour.

But that was all.

Not one person came over to talk to him. Not one person dared reach out to pat him on the shoulder and make a harmless joke between classmates.

Xuanxin watched it all. They were right there before him, vivid and real. Yet he felt as though a thick pane of glass stood between him and them, one that could never be shattered.

Back in his single dorm room, Xuanxin poured himself a cup of hot tea. Steam rose from its gently rippling surface, which reflected a handsome face that always held a trace of indifference.

It wasn't that others had isolated him. He had isolated everyone without distinction, and that indiscriminate isolation stemmed from the faint sense of "detachment" in his soul.

He had never cared what anyone in this world thought. He had placed himself entirely outside it. To put it in more modern terms, Xuanxin and everyone else in this world were on different layers.

Though he met all sorts of people every day, none of them had left any mark on him. To Xuanxin, they were no different from the words in his textbooks.

Xuanxin felt no sense of belonging in this world, nor did he identify with the glory of the Gotei 13. Even "Fujiwara Genshin," the name he had stumbled upon in his soul, was nothing more to him than a garment he could take off at any time.

At that thought, Xuanxin's pupils contracted sharply, and the cold teacup trembled between his fingertips.

Xuanxin finally understood. The faint sense of rejection in the Jinzen world wasn't caused by a problem with his Jinzen, nor was it a rejection from his Zanpakuto. His own soul was rejecting the entire world!

Of course. A Zanpakuto was the mirror of a Shinigami's soul.

How could the soul of a person who refused to acknowledge even his own name and existence possibly earn a Zanpakuto's recognition?!

That old fox Shihoin Seigen had most likely noticed Xuanxin's problem long ago, but he had thought it was merely the confusion of a soul newly arrived in Soul Society. And given Xuanxin's intelligence, he had believed that Xuanxin would naturally become part of this world once he began living among others.

But Seigen had never imagined that Yoruichi would privately use her privileges to get Xuanxin a single room, making it easier to carry out her own plans. Xuanxin, meanwhile, had built an even more isolated island through day after day of sweat-soaked kendo and physical training.

If he hadn't been without an Asauchi today, and if Marenoshin hadn't made that offhand invitation, there was no telling how long it would have taken him to break through the thin barrier between himself and his sword spirit.

Xuanxin set down the teacup and closed his eyes, trying to find in his memories a thread that could anchor him to this world.

Yet after searching for a long time, he found only emptiness. Just as that overpowering emptiness was about to swallow him...

A faint, delicate fragrance seemed to drift past his nose. It was that soft, warm touch the purple-haired girl had left on his cheek that night when she leaned close to him, a little shy and a little pleased with herself.

Xuanxin's tightly shut eyes flew open. The detachment in them, which had seemed ready to scatter on the wind at any moment, shattered piece by piece.

That was right. He wasn't alone. In this world, he at least had the young lady who would bristle with jealousy over a single remark from him, as well as the blond shopkeeper who was always tinkering with strange concoctions in his basement.

At that thought, Xuanxin's gaze gradually cleared, and the sense of detachment that had always hung around him slowly faded.

He walked over to his desk, spread out a sheet of pristine white xuan paper, and picked up a brush, dipping it generously in dark ink.

Without the slightest hesitation, he put force into his wrist and solemnly wrote four large characters on the paper:

[Fujiwara Genshin]

"If I want to become part of this world, I should start by acknowledging myself. From now on, I'm no longer a spectator. I am Fujiwara Genshin."

At the same time.

High above the Seireitei, beyond its many layers of protective barriers.

A large, heavyset monk with a thick beard and a strand of oversized prayer beads around his neck sat barefoot and silent at the edge of the stone steps, seemingly sensing everything in Soul Society.

"Oh?"

Ichibē Hyōsube, the being whom the Soul King had named the "Monk of the Eye" and who knew the names of everything in Soul Society, opened his eyes slightly. They seemed capable of seeing through to the origin of all things.

He turned his head, fixing his gaze on the Seireitei below the Soul King Palace. Ichibē Hyōsube stroked his thick beard, and a rare hint of surprise and interest appeared on his ever-smiling face.

"Well, this is interesting. Is a Zanpakuto whose name even I can't see about to awaken? Looks like an extraordinary tree is about to grow from these waters that have lain stagnant for a thousand years."

Chapter 8: Jinzen Again

That weekend, inside an elegantly furnished restaurant on Second Street in the Seireitei.

This was supposed to be an ordinary gathering of classmates, and normally the atmosphere should have been livelier. Instead, a trace of awkwardness seemed to permeate the entire private room.

Two distinct groups sat in the room: people in fine clothes on the left, and a somewhat ill-at-ease group in plain clothes on the other side. Now, both groups found themselves looking toward the white-haired young man seated at the head of the table.

Although this was Xuanxin's first time attending an event with his classmates, his manners were impeccable. As long as he sat there, the others couldn't help looking at him.

Marenoshin, seated just below Xuanxin, felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity as he looked at him in the seat of honor. It was exactly the same oppressive feeling he had felt when he followed his family head to pay a visit to Shihoin Seigen.

Seeing the stiff atmosphere in the room, Marenoshin felt a thin layer of sweat forming on his forehead. As the organizer of the gathering, he had no choice but to raise his cup and salute Xuanxin, who sat at the head of the table.

"C-class rep, thank you for honoring us with your presence today. On everyone's behalf, I'd like to offer you a toast."

Seeing Marenoshin's hand shaking like a leaf, Xuanxin's lips curled slightly. He raised his cup and took a sip.

Seeing that Xuanxin had shown him due respect, Marenoshin felt less nervous. Just as he was about to strike while the iron was hot, Xuanxin raised his cup to everyone once more.

The classmates seated on both sides noticed Xuanxin's movement and sat up, raising their own cups.

"Everyone, this is Class One's first group event. Today is just a gathering of classmates; there are no distinctions of rank. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

With that, he drained the light tea in his cup.

"Right, right! The class rep is right. Everyone, make yourselves comfortable!" As if granted a pardon, Marenoshin immediately raised his voice to liven up the atmosphere.

The mood finally relaxed a little. At the very least, the people on both sides began chatting quietly with their classmates.

Though Xuanxin wanted to take the initiative to become part of this world, his first encounter was on such a "grand" scale that he, who had long lived secluded in a residence, still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

So, after exchanging a few casual words with Marenoshin, Xuanxin made an excuse, quietly got up, and left early through the back door.

Sure enough, no sooner had he left than the sound of conversation in the room behind him rose a little.

Xuanxin walked alone to the front desk. Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of an agile black cat darting onto a roof across the street.

The dark silhouette suddenly reminded him of someone he knew, who also seemed to appear and disappear just as mysteriously, and who likewise loved fish.

At that thought, Xuanxin turned to the attendant at the front desk. "Sorry for the trouble, but could you pack up an order of grilled Pacific saury for me? Thank you."

"Of course, sir, but if you'd like it freshly grilled, you may have to wait a little while."

Xuanxin nodded without urging them to hurry.

He then stepped outside and stood beneath the eaves, quietly waiting for the grilled fish.

A gentle breeze stirred his long silver-white hair as Xuanxin silently watched the clouds drifting slowly across the Seireitei sky.

Listening to the faint sound of his classmates' laughter and conversation behind him, he was suddenly struck by the feeling that a life like this wasn't bad either.

Xuanxin's heart, which had been suspended in midair all this time, finally began to settle.

After receiving the grilled fish, Xuanxin left the restaurant and headed straight for the secret base beneath Sōkyoku Hill.

When he opened the training ground's door with practiced ease, Yoruichi Shihōin was sprawled on the ground without a care for appearances. Hearing the door open behind her, Yoruichi sprang up like a corpse jolting back to life.

But when she saw who it was, she froze for a moment. Then her nose twitched twice, and her golden eyes locked onto the fragrant food box in Xuanxin's hand.

"Is that grilled fish?? Where did you get it? I don't remember you knowing how to make that." Yoruichi circled Xuanxin twice and sniffed, asking in some confusion.

"Of course I don't. I got it to go from a restaurant on Second Street. My class had a meal there today," Xuanxin said with a smile.

Yoruichi looked at him in disbelief. This notorious training maniac had actually attended one of those boring meals with his classmates?

Most importantly, most importantly, he had brought her grilled fish!!!

Yoruichi took the food box and opened the lid. She looked at the golden, crispy grilled saury inside, then looked up at the young man standing calmly in the light before her.

For some reason, Yoruichi suddenly felt that Xuanxin had changed.

Before, although he had indulged her antics, he had always seemed like an emotionless block of wood, lacking the warmth of a living person.

But now he had actually taken the initiative to dine with his classmates, and had even gone out of his way to bring her something she liked afterward.

So, in Yoruichi's eyes, Xuanxin suddenly seemed a little more alive.

Yoruichi tightened her grip on her chopsticks, and her heart skipped half a beat without warning. She lowered her head and viciously bit off a large mouthful of fish to hide her slightly burning ears.

But as she chewed the familiar flavor, a powerful thought once again grew wildly in her mind.

Fujiwara Genshin... The more I think about that lousy surname, the more it gets on my nerves! It has to be changed!!

Xuanxin knew nothing of Yoruichi's private thoughts. He merely watched her eating heartily, a trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

The next morning, Xuanxin arrived at the classroom for Jinzen.

Although his hands were still empty, Xuanxin felt no anxiety.

Yoruichi had said she would deliver the modified Asauchi to him before the next Jinzen class, so he trusted her.

A little while later, the teacher in charge of Jinzen arrived early. After entering the classroom, he swept his gaze around out of habit, and it naturally settled on Xuanxin, who was sitting in the front row.

When he saw that there was nothing beside Xuanxin, the teacher froze for a moment, then a look of gratification appeared in his eyes.

He can be taught! Looks like the boy finally came around and gave up that arrogant dual-wielding style!!

But when the teacher looked more closely, his gratified smile froze on his face.

Wait! Giving up two swords is right, but you can't bring no sword at all, can you?! How are you supposed to take Jinzen today without a sword? Are you just going to meditate!!

Just as the teacher frowned and prepared to step down from the lectern to question him, a sudden, fierce gust swept in from the corridor.

Immediately afterward, a purple afterimage appeared without warning in front of Xuanxin's desk.

"Smack."

With a crisp sound, a long wooden box wrapped in black cloth was slapped heavily onto the desk in front of Xuanxin.

Yoruichi casually wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and raised an eyebrow at Xuanxin, a sly smile curling her lips. "Good, I made it in time. Mission accomplished, your swords are here. But don't forget my payment, okay~?"

Without giving Xuanxin the slightest chance to ask a question, she used Shunpo and became a gust of wind once more, rushing out through the classroom doorway.

Xuanxin rested a hand on the wooden box, his face full of bewilderment.

"Huh? Payment? Since when? Did she mention it when she was eating the grilled fish yesterday? Why don't I remember anything about it?"

Xuanxin thought for a long time but couldn't recall when Yoruichi had mentioned payment. Adhering to the principle of "if I can't figure it out, I might as well stop thinking about it," he shook his head, casually untied the black cloth, and lifted the lid of the wooden box.

Two long swords emitting a sharp, cold gleam lay quietly inside.

Judging by the blades alone, they were identical to other Asauchi. But looking down revealed that their hilts were shaped like those of the two Divine Gift Armaments from before!

Kisuke Urahara, that seemingly unreliable blond, had actually completed this incredible fusion.

Xuanxin took a deep breath and, with one hand on each, naturally gripped the two reforged "Asauchi."

The teacher, who had remained at the lectern, saw the entire scene.

Seeing Xuanxin's familiar stance, a sword in each hand, the teacher felt his blood pressure break through the critical point once again. The small measure of gratification he had just felt vanished with the appearance of the two swords.