New Friends

Byakuya stood in the center of the field, with the petals of Senbonzakura slowly falling around him, like snow in early spring.

Amber was sent flying and crashed to the ground. Looking at the sky, the feeling of powerlessness—that no matter where she ran, she would be one step ahead, and all her attacks were seen through and neutralized—left Amber somewhat dazed, unable to think of anything.

As Amber gazed at the blue sky, two heads appeared: one with red hair, the other with a receding hairline—it was Marechiyo Ōmaeda and Renji.

"Abarai- senpai... Marechiyo Ōmaeda... Captain-level is so strong... I have absolutely no feeling of being able to win." Amber said blankly, her eyes vacant.

Renji couldn't help but laugh Renji hearing Ko's words, saying, "You've got quite the ambition, trying to take down a captain in your first encounter? Get up already, just staring blankly at the sky won't get you a captain."

Marechiyo Ōmaeda said with a hint of jealousy, "It's Lieutenant Marechiyo Ōmaeda... Really... Why does Abarai use honorifics but call me by my first name?"

The two then reached out and helped Amber up. Marechiyo Ōmaeda continued, "Besides, Captain Kuchiki has been Soul Reaper for over a hundred years. Do you think you can defeat someone you just Soul Society and casually trained for a little over a month?"

"Huh?" Renji was a little confused by what he was saying.

What do you mean "just arrived in Soul Society"? What do you mean "just trained for a month"? What kind of joke is Marechiyo Ōmaeda making? Are you telling me this guy who fought Captain Kuchiki to a standstill during training and even managed to take a book from the captain is a brat who just arrived in Soul Society and trained for a little over a month? This growth rate is abnormal!!

Renji's inner monologue is a frantic outburst.

"That's true. I'm sorry, Marechiyo Ōmaeda. I was a little too hasty."

"At least use a polite form of address! You have absolutely no manners."

This is a casual conversation between Kou and Marechiyo Ōmaeda.

After being helped up, Amber began to relax her joints on her own, while Marechiyo Ōmaeda pulled Renji aside. "Marechiyo Ōmaeda, are you just going to accept this? A newbie who's been training for a month just lasted longer than both of us combined!"

"So what? I wasn't promoted to Lieutenant because of my combat prowess. Besides, we're both instructors. To be honest, if that guy hadn't been hampered by his injury, he might be the captain now." Marechiyo Ōmaeda and Renji were talking, while Amber twisted her waist and checked Jiku'a again.

"Who is that person? Who exactly is that person...?"

Before Renji could finish his question, Amber's voice rang out. "Captain Kuchiki, spar with me a couple more times!"

Hu charged forward, carrying Jiku'a directly!

"You're in good spirits. Have the other two not rested enough?" Byakuya said to the other two as he gripped the hilt of his sword and used Senbonzakura 'Jiku'a slash.

"Captain Kuchiki, then I'd like to ask you to give me a little more guidance, Captain." Renji said, raising his Zabimaru and unleashing a sweeping attack!

Byakuya dodged with a Shunpo just as Zabimaru was about to sweep at him, and Senbonzakura, who was grappling with Koko, also released her strength. As a result, Zabimaru's sweeping attack went directly to Koko.

"Oh no! Amber! Get out of the way!" Renji realized the situation was bad and immediately began to withdraw his strength, trying to pull Zabimaru back.

When Koko saw Zabimaru attacking, she immediately threw out a Summoned Swords and teleported to dodge, not as late as Renji had imagined. Instead, because Renji held back his strength, the back of Zabimaru's sword struck Koko's back, almost causing her to lose her balance.

While Renji was still in shock, Byakuya's voice rang out from Renji: "Renji, you're too used to fighting alone. Is this a bad habit you picked up during your time in the 11th Division? You should have more faith in your comrades' abilities. This is your punishment."

Byakuya tapped Renji's shoulder with his finger from Renji.

"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"

A flash of lightning struck Renji's body, causing him to feel a sharp pain and numbness Renji he was withdrawing his power, instantly freezing him in place.

"Captain Kuchiki has an opening!" Marechiyo Ōmaeda seized the moment Byakuya released his power, raised his Zanpakuto (which had somehow reverted to its Shikai) and unleashed Shikai once more.

"Smash him! Gegetsuburi!"

In a flash of light, Marechiyo Ōmaeda's Zanpakuto transformed into a Meteor Hammer, its immense weight and potential energy slamming towards Byakuya.

"Where is the flaw?" Byakuya swung his sword hilt, pushing the Meteor Hammer back. Marechiyo Ōmaeda dodged the cherry blossom torrent, Byakuya saw that the Gegetsuburi in Marechiyo Ōmaeda's hand had returned to its Shikai form!

"I see. So the seemingly overwhelming Shikai was just a misconception? The speed of your Shikai is your winning weapon. This kind of unexpected attack is quite typical of the Second Division." Byakuya revealed Marechiyo Ōmaeda's true strength.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda quickly retreated, wary of Byakuya's follow-up attacks. "Sorry, Captain Byakuya! The Second Division is, after all, an intelligence-based team. Using intelligence as a weapon is only natural!"

"No need to apologize, war is all about deception. On the battlefield, being able to convince your opponent of false information is also a testament to your ability. However, you're not the only one capable of using such underhanded tactics." Byakuya slightly lifted the hilt of his sword, and three petal-shaped blades sliced across Marechiyo Ōmaeda's neck, leaving three shallow lines of blood and tearing Marechiyo Ōmaeda's clothes.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda exclaimed in surprise, "When did this float in?!"

"You should have paid close attention to the number of petals I had when I Shikai!" Then the petals rushed towards Marechiyo Ōmaeda once again.

"How can I possibly count all these petals!" Marechiyo Ōmaeda turned and ran. The petals of the Senbonzakura blossoms chased after him relentlessly.

"Someone save me!" he shouted as he ran.

Kou wanted to help, but Byakuya was already blocking his way.

Koko gritted her teeth and unleashed a slash from Jiku'a. Byakuya dodged to the side, petals attacking from the side. Koko Shunpo retreat, her Summoned Swords pinning the distance before she teleported away—

However, a few petals from the Senbonzakura suddenly floated up and tore open Amber's clothes.

"Is there only a maximum of five Summoned Swords? Speaking recklessly in battle will only lead to being exploited and suppressed!"

Just as Koko tried to use Shunpo to move away, Byakuya arrived and swept his leg horizontally, sending Koko flying.

Renji finally broke free from the paralysis and charged forward, unleashing a sweeping Zabimaru. Byakuya stepped back, and flower petals condensed into a shield in front of him, blocking the attack.

"Renji, your techniques are too straightforward," Byakuya said. "Zabimaru is a versatile weapon; its flexibility should be utilized."

Renji gritted his teeth and swung his sword again with all his might. The blade twisted like a python, biting at Byakuya and forcing Byakuya to dodge to the left.

Hu's eyes lit up; this was a great opportunity!

When Byakuya dodged to the left

Kou Shunpo forward, Jiku'a slashed at Byakuya's side. Byakuya turned his sword hilt downwards, and flower petals gathered on the hilt to serve as the blade, catching the slash.

But Hu did not retreat.

"Marechiyo Ōmaeda!"

Marechiyo Ōmaeda could escape the pursuit of the flower petals, he heard Amber's shout, turned around, and immediately understood.

As he ran, he released his Zanpakuto. The Gegetsuburi spun in his hands, constantly accumulating kinetic energy.

Byakuya wanted to break free and block.

"Void Blade Realm!"

Byakuya sensed something and slightly turned his head—

The Jiku'a emitted a deep blue light, gradually carving cracks in space while severing time in that small area. Byakuya struggled to lift the hilt of his sword.

And Marechiyo Ōmaeda finally chimed in. "I told you, use honorifics when you call me!"

The Gegetsuburi, accompanied by a whistling sound, slammed towards Byakuya's head. Byakuya had no time to dodge, and raised his left hand...

"Bakudo #81: Dankū!"

The Gegetsuburi slammed into the Dankū, producing a dull, loud thud.

Byakuya's arm sank slightly.

"Almost there!" Marechiyo Ōmaeda roared.

Renji charged in from the right, finishing off Zabimaru's third attack, aimed straight at Byakuya's face. "Captain! I'll take this one!"

Amber, on the other hand, presses down from the front.

Caught in a pincer movement! Byakuya has no way out.

Byakuya gave a faint smile, which vanished in an instant.

"Unfortunately, you can't finish Renji."

The Void Blade Realm shattered the force field created by tearing apart time, and the petals of the Senbonzakura Blossoms suddenly exploded, spraying in all directions. The three were blasted away and crashed to the ground.

Byakuya stood still, as the petals slowly fell back to his side.

"Good teamwork, but not enough!"

The three of them got up and looked at each other.

"Again." Renji grinned, clearly caught up in the moment.

"Agreed!" Kou and Marechiyo Ōmaeda also stood up, leaning on their swords, equally engrossed in the fight.

Time passed little by little, and as the horizon gradually turned red with the sunset, Fon Shaoling left the training ground without anyone noticing.

Senbonzakura restored the sword to its original shape, sheathed it, and Byakuya put on his white feather robe that was hanging to the side again before leaving the training ground.

On the other side of the field, the three people were piled up like a human pyramid.

At the very bottom is Marechiyo Ōmaeda, his face already turned a deep purplish-red.

"You two... can you... get up...?"

Renji lay weakly on his back, saying, "I can't get up..."

Hu lay on top, unable to speak.

A moment later, the three of them struggled to their feet and collapsed onto the ground.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda tried to sit up, but his arms went limp and he lay back down.

"I can't get up..."

Renji tried as well, but he couldn't get up either.

Hu took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and sat up, then stood up, but his legs went weak and he knelt down again.

The three exchanged a glance and smiled simultaneously.

Renji was the first to get up. He helped Koko up, and Koko then helped Marechiyo Ōmaeda up. The three of them stood in a row, every part of their bodies aching.

"Come on," Renji said, "I'll treat you to dinner."

Marechiyo Ōmaeda glanced at the sky, and his expression changed.

"No, no, I haven't finished processing my paperwork for today!"

He dragged his aching body and limped away.

Kou and Renji watched his retreating figure and shook their heads simultaneously. It seemed that what Marechiyo Ōmaeda said wasn't entirely an excuse; he really was taking logistics seriously.

"Let's go," Renji said.

Hu nodded.

The two helped each other out of the Second Division's territory and found a noodle stall on a small street in Seireitei to sit down.

The steaming hot noodles were served, and the two of them buried their heads in their food.

Halfway through his meal, Renji suddenly looked up and gazed at the street corner.

Rukia?

Hu followed his gaze.

Rukia Kuchiki stood on the street corner, carrying a small box and wearing Shihakusho.

Rukia approached after hearing Renji's voice.

"Are we getting ready to leave already?"

Rukia nodded.

"Yes, the scheduled opening time for the Senkaimon is approaching."

Rukia glanced at him, then at Amber sitting in front of the noodle stall, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"Why are you two eating noodles together? Did you make friends on the first day of school? And why are your clothes so tattered? Did you fight?"

Renji touched the bruise on his face and gave a wry smile.

"Accompany the captain during training."

"How come the two of you are training with your brother? Renji, isn't Akihime a freshman?"

... beep beep beep... beep beep beep...

Rukia wanted to ask more, but the messenger beeped, "The Senkaimon is about to open, so I have to go now. We'll talk again when I get back..."

After saying that, Rukia started walking towards the Senkaimon.

"I'll see you off." Renji gulped down all the noodles and ran after Rukia.

Hu followed, carrying a bowl of noodles.

Walk all the way to the Senkaimon,

"Rukia- senpai... 'slurp'... have a safe trip... 'slurp'..." Amber said while slurping her noodles.

"Don't talk while you eat, it's very rude." Renji patted Amber's head and then said to Rukia, "Rukia, have a safe trip."

Rukia looked at them and smiled, "Thanks, Koko-kun." She paused, "Study hard, don't fight all the time. Don't end up like Renji, unable to properly unleash your Kidō."

"Yeah, Captain Kuchiki praised my Kidō talent today. I'll definitely not end up like Abarai- senpai, who couldn't even unleash the Shakkahō!" Kou held up his bowl of noodles and gestured with his chopsticks towards Renji.

Renji blushed, lifted Amber's bowl of noodles, and poured the noodles into Amber's mouth. "Go eat your noodles!"

Rukia watched the two playfully bickering and walked towards the Senkaimon: "Then I'll be off. Don't worry, this term is short, I'll be back soon."

Koko and Renji stopped their playful fight and watched her figure disappear through the Senkaimon.

Amber thought to herself: This term will be much longer than you imagined, Rukia- senpai.

Meanwhile, from another opened Senkaimon, Cilian emerged and walked towards this side.

When Hu saw him, he grinned.

"Instructor Cilian!"

Cilian frowned as she looked at his disheveled appearance.

"Isn't today your school entrance ceremony? What happened?"

Koko scratched his head, looked at Renji looked equally miserable, and gave him a thumbs up.

"I fought with the captain of the Sixth Division!"

Cilian: "..."

"Instructor! You don't know..."

After Hu finished speaking, Cilian's expression became even more indescribable. She walked away on her own.

"Instructor, aren't you going to give me some feedback?"

Cilian didn't turn around; she simply waved her hand, indicating that she didn't want to speak.

Hu: "..."

Renji watched Cilian's departing figure.

Who was that just now?

"My archbishop, he was the one who basically trained me in real combat."

"Oh, right, what Marechiyo Ōmaeda was talking about was being held back by his disability, but his limbs are all intact, aren't they?"

"I lost an arm and an eye before, but I just recovered."

The two chatted under the moonlight.

Behind them, the light from the Senkaimon gradually faded.