Making an Enemy (2)

On the day of the grouping, the training ground was bustling with activity.

The students gathered in twos and threes, looking for suitable teammates.

Liu Ziyun stood in a corner, watching the scene before him as he weighed his options. Who should I team up with? Kentarō? Ryōta? Yūji? Or...

Before he could decide, someone approached him.

"Liu Ziyun! Want to team up?"

"Liu Ziyun! Our team needs a healer!"

"Liu Ziyun! Join our team! We guarantee you'll graduate!"

In no time, Liu Ziyun became the most sought-after person around.

There were three reasons:

First, he had already been accepted into the Fourth Division, and his skill in Kaidō was widely praised. Though he always said he "only knew the basics," Kentarō had once been injured during training, and Liu Ziyun had casually healed him with a single use of Kaidō, without even leaving a scar.

Second, he was good-tempered and never competed or fought for anything, so he wouldn't cause infighting on the team. Well, obviously. He was hiding his strength, so what was there to compete for?

Third, and most importantly, teaming up with him meant establishing a connection with the Fourth Division. After graduation, if they ever got injured, they would at least know someone who could pull strings and get them treatment ahead of the line.

So even though Liu Ziyun had consistently ranked near the bottom in all four areas of Zankensoki, a steady stream of people still came looking to team up with him.

Liu Ziyun felt helpless too.

I just want to be a salted fish in peace...

But there was nothing he could do. He still had to pick a team.

Just as he was hesitating, a discordant voice rang out.

"Hey, Liu Ziyun."

Liu Ziyun turned and saw a young man in an ornate Shihakusho, his chin tilted sky-high as he looked at him arrogantly.

He knew the young man—Tsunayashiro Shigure, a member of a branch family of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of the Four Great Noble Clans. He was notorious at the academy for his arrogant, overbearing behavior.

Liu Ziyun's heart skipped a beat. Here comes trouble.

"I hear," Tsunayashiro Shigure said, walking up to him and looking down his nose at him, "you never team up with nobles?"

Liu Ziyun blinked, looking innocent. "No? I've teamed up with students from the Kyōraku, Urahara, and Ōmaeda families before. Aren't they nobles too?"

He added inwardly, But those people are at least 'normal' nobles, unlike your Tsunayashiro Clan. From top to bottom, you all give off an 'I'm the boss' air.

Tsunayashiro Shigure snorted. "You call those nobles? They're just fallen families."

He looked Liu Ziyun up and down, his tone growing even more arrogant. "This time, you'll team up with me."

He paused, then added as though bestowing a favor, "It's an honor for you to team up with me. After all, I'm a member of the Tsunayashiro Clan, one of Soul Society's Four Great Noble Clans."

Liu Ziyun: "..."

An honor? All I feel is disgust.

Still, he forced a smile. "Uh... sorry, but I might not be able to join a team this time."

"Why?" Tsunayashiro Shigure frowned.

"Because," Liu Ziyun began, making things up, "the Fourth Division has an urgent mission for me. So I might not be able to take part in any of the upcoming mock trials."

That was half true. The Fourth Division did often call him over to help, but he wasn't so busy that he had no time for academy activities.

Tsunayashiro Shigure's expression darkened. "Since when have the Fourth Division's affairs been more important than ours as nobles?"

His voice rose, drawing the attention of the people nearby. "You lowborn wretch, you dare refuse my request?"

He stepped forward, getting almost in Liu Ziyun's face. "Do you believe I can make you disappear from the Seireitei today?"

Liu Ziyun: "..."

Damn, he's that arrogant?

What's so great about the Four Great Noble Clans?

All right, they really are a big deal...

But before he could figure out how to respond, a gentle voice suddenly rang out. "Oh? Is that so?"

The voice was as soft as a spring breeze, but the chill in its words made the temperature around them drop by several degrees.

"Is your Tsunayashiro Clan so powerful? Why didn't I know?"

Everyone turned toward the voice.

At the entrance to the training ground, a figure in a white haori was walking slowly toward them.

Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her face was serene as a painting, and a gentle smile rested on her lips.

But in her eyes—her slightly narrowed eyes—a dangerous light flickered.

Liu Ziyun's heart leaped. Captain Unohana! My savior is here!

He quickly turned, preparing to go greet her. As a qualified "Huajie fanatic," he had long since mastered the skill of recognizing people by their voices, and could tell who it was after hearing her speak once.

But just as he turned, he heard Tsunayashiro Shigure's reckless voice. "Hmph! Naturally, everything concerning your Fourth Division must give way to our Tsunayashiro Clan's affairs..."

Halfway through his sentence, he finally got a good look at the newcomer.

His voice cut off abruptly.

He opened his mouth and forced out the final word. "...indeed."

Then he hurriedly changed his tune. "C-Captain Unohana, it's you."

His tone was still arrogant, but carried a hint of unease. "I-I was just teaching this brat a lesson. I wasn't talking about you."

His attitude clearly said, So what if you're the Fourth Division Captain? What does the captain of a noncombat division have to be so proud of? I'm already showing you respect by explaining myself.

Liu Ziyun froze on the spot.

Dude... are you really that brave?

Good thing Huajie has sheathed her sword now, or there might not be anyone named Tsunayashiro left in Soul Society...

He stole a glance at Unohana.

Sure enough, the smile on Unohana's face had grown even gentler.

So gentle... that it made his scalp tingle.

"Oh? Is that so?"

She walked slowly toward them, her white haori fluttering gently behind her. "Since it's one of our Fourth Division members you want to teach a lesson, I'll go ask His Excellency the Captain-Commander—"

She paused, her voice soft, but every word was like an icicle. "Should our Fourth Division member obey your orders, or mine?"

Tsunayashiro Shigure's face went pale. "W-Well..."

Unohana continued, "After all, you are a lord of the Tsunayashiro Branch Family. I might... not be able to afford to offend you."

As she said this, her eyes had narrowed completely into slits.

The students around them had already begun quietly backing away.

Even the most oblivious person could sense it—something was wrong! Very wrong!

Tsunayashiro Shigure also sensed the danger, and his tone softened. "Uh... never mind. Why trouble Lord Captain-Commander over something like this?"

He forced a smile. "Captain Unohana, you just need to let this brat team up with me for the mock trial. After all... it's just a small matter."

"A small matter?" Unohana tilted her head. "You want me to hand over one of our Fourth Division members to you. How is that a small matter?"

Her tone suddenly turned aggrieved. "I wouldn't dare carry out that order. After all, I'm supposed to act on the instructions of His Excellency the Captain-Commander."

She took a step forward, her voice growing even softer. "After all, Lord Tsunayashiro Shigure, you aren't the Captain-Commander yet."

She paused, then added, "How about you go discuss it with His Excellency the Captain-Commander?"

"Or—"