Chapter 4

Miyako Amamiya, sitting cross-legged on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes. He gasped for breath. Being shot through really did not feel good.

I took too much for granted. I thought that once I'd gained my Zanpakuto's understanding, calling his true name would be easy, Miyako Amamiya thought with a bitter smile. His time at the Shin'ō Academy had gone smoothly, giving him the feeling that everything was going his way.

But releasing his Zanpakuto had dealt Miyako Amamiya a harsh blow. His Zanpakuto had fought him using Quincy abilities the entire time and had revealed nothing else. It looked like his Zanpakuto training might have to continue for a while yet.

But I don't have that much time. There won't be much time for me to train at my leisure in the future, either. Miyako Amamiya shook his head.

He said my understanding of him was one-sided. Does that mean I haven't truly understood my Zanpakuto? Miyako Amamiya wondered with a frown.

Miyako Amamiya sighed and looked out the window. It was already night, so that would be enough for today. He lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

In the morning, Miyako Amamiya headed to the Thirteenth Division's training grounds, thinking as he walked about ways to counter Quincy abilities.

Soul Society had fought the Quincy many times and could hardly have been more familiar with how to deal with them. But how could Miyako Amamiya bring himself to say that his Zanpakuto had abilities like a Quincy's? Better forget it. The risk was too great.

Maybe I can ask Captain Ukitake how to deal with ranged attacks? Asking the captain for advice was a good option. Although Ukitake was often bedridden, he was a disciple of Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, and his centuries of experience as a captain were no empty boast.

When Miyako Amamiya arrived at the training grounds, he found someone already there. It was only just getting light, yet someone had come even earlier than him.

Miyako Amamiya walked closer and saw that the person training was Rukia Kuchiki, whom he had met the day before.

"Good morning, Rukia. You're training this early? That's impressive."

"Good morning, Amamiya-kun. I'm not that impressive. I just wanted to train a little longer, that's all. After all..." Rukia's initial smile gradually faded.

Miyako Amamiya guessed that Rukia might not have been doing this for just a day or two, but every day since Kaien Shiba's death.

"Rukia, if I'm not mistaken, you get up this early to train every day, don't you?" Miyako Amamiya asked.

"Huh? How did you know?" Rukia looked puzzled.

Miyako Amamiya thought about it. Rukia Kuchiki was actually quite talented as a Soul Reaper, but early on, her state of mind had prevented her from using her Zanpakuto's Shikai. Later, after reconciling with Byakuya Kuchiki, she had immediately been able to use it again.

"Kotetsu told me yesterday about former Lieutenant Kaien," Miyako Amamiya said.

Rukia's eyes lost focus, and she fell into a daze.

"I see... So you know all about it. Well, you were bound to find out sooner or later." Rukia's smile was strained, but she still forced herself to answer.

"Rukia, what was Lieutenant Kaien's expression when he died by your blade?" Miyako Amamiya had decided to try persuading her after all.

"His expression?" Rukia looked puzzled, then continued, "Lieutenant Kaien deliberately ran into my blade. At the end, he smiled and apologized to me."

"But that doesn't change the fact that I killed Lieutenant Kaien. Maybe I shouldn't have become a Soul Reaper..." Rukia lowered her head, growing despondent again.

Seeing him like this, Miyako Amamiya decided to try a drastic approach. "How embarrassing, Rukia."

Miyako Amamiya looked at Rukia coldly.

"What did you say?" Rukia stared at Miyako Amamiya in disbelief.

"I never met Lieutenant Kaien, but I can more or less tell that he upheld his dignity as a Soul Reaper before he died, and that he wanted to pass his will on. Yet you haven't taken his final words to heart at all."

"Look at what you're doing now. You train yourself day after day, but you haven't learned anything from Lieutenant Kaien's spirit or grown at all in your heart. Every time someone mentions him, you wallow in self-pity. It's ridiculous," Miyako Amamiya said coldly.

"If that's all you're capable of, then I'll inherit Lieutenant Kaien's will. I hear the Thirteenth Division hasn't had an officially appointed lieutenant in a long time, so I'll become the new lieutenant and a better Soul Reaper than Lieutenant Kaien ever was."

Rukia was beginning to get angry. Not only had he misrepresented her, he had also brazenly declared that he would surpass Lieutenant Kaien.

Before she could speak, Miyako Amamiya cut her off. "No matter how sharp your tongue is, without the strength to match it, you're just bluffing."

Miyako Amamiya drew the Asauchi at his waist. "Rukia, fight me. Prove through battle that you haven't wasted your time."

Miyako Amamiya had long wanted to fight someone to get a proper measure of his current level. Even without this situation with Rukia, Miyako Amamiya would have sought out another Seated Officer of the Thirteenth Division. Now he had the perfect opportunity.

Rukia grew serious as well. She gripped her sword tightly and faced Miyako Amamiya.

"I'll make you understand that I haven't failed Lieutenant Kaien's will. I'll make you take back what you just said. Lieutenant Kaien's excellence isn't something you can catch up to so easily."

Neither spoke. Then Miyako Amamiya used Shunpo to close in on Rukia.

That speed—he's fast! Rukia was astonished. The level of Shunpo Miyako Amamiya displayed was unlike that of a Soul Reaper who had just graduated from the Shin'ō Academy. At the very least, she had never seen anyone at that level when she graduated.

But that alone is nowhere near enough. Rukia swiftly held her sword across her body and went to meet Miyako Amamiya.

Their swords clashed, and a piercing metallic ring sounded in their ears.

Miyako Amamiya had not underestimated Rukia. He knew that although she was not as outstanding a Soul Reaper as Renji Abarai, who had graduated alongside her, she was still at the level of a high-ranking Seated Officer.

After his downward strike was blocked, Miyako Amamiya quickly leaped back.

"Bakudō #21: Sekienton!" Miyako Amamiya quickly chanted the incantation and used Sekienton.

Trying to block my view? Rukia frowned, unwilling to let him succeed.

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa!" Rukia also used a Bakudō. A rope of Reiryoku flew swiftly toward Miyako Amamiya's sword hand.

Miyako Amamiya did not evade. Before the rope could wind around his hand, Sekienton went off, instantly forming a great cloud of smoke.

"It's no use. Even if I can't see, I already caught you with Hainawa." Rukia gripped the rope and tried to yank Miyako Amamiya toward her, but the rope came loose without pulling anything.

How is that possible? I definitely caught him, Rukia thought in surprise.

"Bakudō #4: Hainawa!" The incantation rang out clearly. Rukia quickly turned and dodged to avoid being caught by Hainawa.

But Rukia herself was not Hainawa's target. As she moved aside, a rope swiftly caught a sword and pulled it back into Miyako Amamiya's hand. As soon as he grasped the hilt, he slashed horizontally at Rukia.

He tricked me. Rukia finally understood. Miyako Amamiya had deliberately dropped his sword, which was why her Hainawa had caught nothing.

With the blade approaching, blocking it with her own sword was already a near-impossible task. Rukia ducked hard and managed to avoid the strike, but Miyako Amamiya's blade still took a strand of her hair.

Rukia quickly retreated with Shunpo, cold sweat already pouring down her face. Miyako Amamiya's Zanjutsu and Shunpo were both excellent, but not to an outrageous degree. His battle sense, however, made Rukia wary of underestimating this newcomer.

"What's wrong, Rukia? All you can do against a newcomer is dodge?" Miyako Amamiya asked with a smile, emphasizing her seniority.

Rukia did not dare let her guard down. She looked at him and tightened her grip on her sword.

As Miyako Amamiya and Rukia Kuchiki fought, Ukitake stood quietly at the edge of the open ground behind the Thirteenth Division barracks.

Kiyone Kotetsu had just arrived when she spotted Captain Ukitake standing nearby. She hurried over to ask what was happening.

"Captain, what's going on? Why are Amamiya-kun and Rukia fighting?" Kiyone asked.

Ukitake had actually arrived much earlier, just as Miyako Amamiya and Rukia Kuchiki began talking. He had intended to give Miyako Amamiya the detailed regulations governing the Thirteenth Division's duties, but he had not expected the two to get into a heated "conflict." He also found what Miyako Amamiya said very interesting, so rather than stop them, he let them continue.

"Amamiya-kun is sparring with Rukia. Or rather, they're fighting a battle of wills," Ukitake said with a smile.

"Why is a newcomer challenging his senior on his very first day? That's far too arrogant," Kiyone complained, unconvinced of Miyako Amamiya's chances. She had a rough idea of Rukia's level and did not believe Miyako Amamiya was capable of defeating her.

"Perhaps we've all been wrong," Ukitake said thoughtfully.

"Wrong?" Kiyone was puzzled.

"I heard their conversation earlier. Miyako Amamiya was right about one thing: Rukia really has been dwelling too much on Kaien's death. But we've all been too gentle with her. Whenever Rukia grows despondent, we only comfort her instead of encouraging her. For Rukia, perhaps repeated comfort only adds to the burden on her heart."

Ukitake smiled helplessly, but he also felt a sense of anticipation. He felt that Miyako Amamiya was different from Kaien Shiba, and perhaps he really could bring a new face to the Thirteenth Division.

Meanwhile, Miyako Amamiya and Rukia Kuchiki's battle was nearing its end.

Miyako Amamiya was actually very talented in Kidō. Perhaps thanks to the Quincy's natural ability to manipulate Reishi, arranging Reishi while chanting Kidō seemed very easy for him. As a result, he could already use low-level Kidō without an incantation and without sacrificing its power.

But his Reiryoku was limited and could not support Miyako Amamiya's continuous use of Kidō. My Reiatsu is starting to fade. Let's end this fight here, Miyako Amamiya thought.

After their final clash of blades, Miyako Amamiya quickly retreated and slowly sheathed his Asauchi.

"What do you mean by this? We haven't decided who won." Rukia frowned. She could still keep fighting, and as the battle went on, she had gained some understanding of Miyako Amamiya's fighting style. She believed it would not be long before she could beat him.

"This fight is your victory, Rukia. My Reiryoku is almost exhausted," Miyako Amamiya said calmly.

Rukia was a little annoyed. Although he had acknowledged her victory, a fight that ended without a conclusion like this was truly unsatisfying.

"But watch out, Rukia. I'll catch up to you and surpass you soon. After all, my goal is to become lieutenant," Miyako Amamiya said with a smile, putting heavy emphasis on her seniority. But Miyako Amamiya's true goal was far beyond the level of lieutenant.

Miyako Amamiya's words gave Rukia a sense of urgency. She knew he was not the kind of man to make empty boasts; he really was capable of doing it.

She tightened her grip on her sword, her thoughts running wild again. So this is a genius who graduated early. That strength, and that battle sense. Could it be that I really don't have the talent...?

"Rukia, may I ask you something?" Miyako Amamiya's words brought her back to reality.

"What is it?" Rukia asked, puzzled.

"You should be at the level of a high-ranking Seated Officer, shouldn't you? Your Kidō and Shunpo are both excellent."

"I-I'm only a low-ranking Seated Officer..." Rukia was a little embarrassed to say it. It was not as if she had never considered challenging a high-ranking Seated Officer, but Captain Ukitake had stopped her every time, and she had thought it was because she lacked the ability. I'm terribly sorry for being a low-ranking Seated Officer, Rukia thought, inwardly crouching down in dejection.

"No, Rukia. Your strength is actually quite impressive. You're definitely qualified to serve as a high-ranking Seated Officer in the Thirteenth Division." Captain Ukitake walked over as he spoke.

"Captain!" Only then did Rukia notice Ukitake standing nearby, and his words shocked her as well.

Ukitake gave a helpless smile. "You've actually been at the level of a high-ranking Seated Officer for a long time, Rukia. But for certain reasons I can't disclose, I wanted you to continue honing yourself as a low-ranking Seated Officer. In terms of strength, you're already outstanding."

Miyako Amamiya carefully considered Ukitake's words. From them, he could roughly work out his own current level. As for the reasons Ukitake could not disclose, one possibility was that Rukia still had issues with her state of mind. Another was that Byakuya Kuchiki had requested it and had been working behind the scenes to keep Rukia from becoming a high-ranking Seated Officer.

"Captain, then why? Why do you stop me every time I want to challenge a high-ranking Seated Officer? I-I want to prove that I'm a worthy Soul Reaper too." Rukia was anxious to hear his reasons.

Miyako Amamiya interrupted him. "Rukia, I've actually been 'communicating' with my Zanpakuto lately."

"Communicating with your Zanpakuto? What do you mean?" Rukia did not understand why he had suddenly brought it up.

Ukitake understood now as well and smiled helplessly. Even Miyako Amamiya had seen it. He really had failed in his duties as captain.

"Rukia, how long has it been since you spoke with your Zanpakuto?" Ukitake asked seriously.

"How long..." Rukia was a little embarrassed. Her progress with her Zanpakuto had essentially stopped after that incident. No matter how she called out, her Zanpakuto never answered, even though she had received some responses before.

"Kaien's death caused you to close off your heart. I'm afraid your Zanpakuto hasn't responded to you even once, has it?" Ukitake voiced his guess.

Rukia kept her head down and said nothing. It was indeed true.

"Kaien upheld his dignity as a Soul Reaper right up to his death. By deliberately running onto your blade, he was protecting that dignity too. And he also wanted you to inherit it—to inherit his will," Ukitake explained. "But we've all been too gentle with you, and that's left you under this shadow all along."

Rukia pressed her lips together and lowered her head, refusing to speak.

"Rukia!" Ukitake's voice suddenly turned stern as he rebuked her loudly. "Kaien entrusted his will as a Soul Reaper to you because he hoped you would carry it forward. Your regret and remorse are the greatest disrespect you could show him. Do you understand?"

"Captain, I, I..." Rukia's eyes began to redden.

"Rukia, how about a contest? Let's see which of us can become the Thirteenth Division's true lieutenant first." Miyako Amamiya walked toward Rukia Kuchiki and asked seriously.

What am I doing? A newcomer looks down on me, and the captain is scolding me. At this rate, won't I fall forever behind Lieutenant Kaien? Rukia finally began to emerge from the shadow bit by bit. She took a deep breath, intending to answer seriously.

"You newcomer, aren't you getting a little too cocky? I'm the current acting lieutenant, and I won't give up this position so easily. I'll be the one Captain Ukitake officially appoints as lieutenant!" Kiyone Kotetsu retorted loudly in her booming voice.

"Don't speak too soon. I'm an acting lieutenant too, and I'll be the one to become the official lieutenant." Sentarō Kotsubaki walked over at that moment.

The two then stared at each other, fierce sparks seemingly flying between them.

"Amamiya-kun, you're right. I've really been behaving disgracefully. But I'll be the one to become lieutenant!" Rukia answered Miyako Amamiya seriously this time.

"Captain, thank you. I won't go on like this."

Ukitake smiled and nodded at her.

Miyako Amamiya smiled. He had achieved his own goal: his spar with Rukia had successfully shown him his current level.

Miyako Amamiya turned and left, intending to go back, restore his Reiryoku, and continue training.

Just as Miyako Amamiya was nearing the barracks, Rukia called out behind him.

"Amamiya-kun, wait!" Rukia hurried over. "Honestly, did you use Shunpo to get here? How are you so fast?" she complained.

"Is there something else?" Miyako Amamiya asked, puzzled.

"The captain wanted to give you this." Rukia took out a handbook. "It contains the Thirteenth Division's rules, duties, and so on. Every newcomer needs to study it carefully."

"And, and also..." Rukia grew a little awkward.

Miyako Amamiya was baffled. What was this about?

"Thank you for today. Really..." After saying it, Rukia's earlobes reddened slightly, and she began speaking very slowly.

Miyako Amamiya was surprised. He had only done it in passing; his main aim had actually been to test his own strength. But seeing Rukia Kuchiki's expression, he thought to himself that he wanted to tease her.

"Oh, you're blushing. Let me see." Miyako Amamiya approached her with a mischievous grin.

A vein throbbed on Rukia's forehead. She had not expected Miyako Amamiya to be so frivolous.

Bang! Rukia jumped up and punched Miyako Amamiya on the head.

"Accept people's thanks properly, you idiot!" After hitting him, Rukia turned and left.