The Assessment Begins (Part One)

Over the days that followed, Liu Ziyun lived a life of the "996 blessing"—there was no overtime pay, but at least his meals and lodging were covered, and he had Captain Unohana's "attentive care."

Every morning at six, he appeared at the Fourth Division Barracks on time to begin another day as a "corporate drone": treating the wounded, sorting medicinal herbs, cleaning, studying Kaidō... Occasionally, Lieutenant Kiyōnosuke Yamada also dragged him off for "psychological counseling on dealing with nobles"—though he thought the counseling was utterly fucking useless.

"Remember, when you meet children of noble families, smile and speak respectfully, but keep your distance."

"If they make unreasonable demands, learn to refuse tactfully—say something like, 'I need to consult Captain Unohana,' or 'That's against Fourth Division regulations.'"

"Most importantly, never go anywhere alone with a member of a noble family! Not even if they say, 'I only want to invite you for tea'!"

Liu Ziyun yawned repeatedly as he listened. "Lieutenant, this is the eighth time you've told me all this..."

Kiyōnosuke Yamada glared at him. "Even if I say it eighty times, you'll listen! Didn't what happened at the Trial Grounds teach you anything?"

Liu Ziyun shrank back. "It did, it did... That's why I don't go anywhere now except the Fourth Division and my dorm!"

That much was true.

Since the last incident, Liu Ziyun's life had become a strict back-and-forth between two places: dorm → Fourth Division → dorm. Even on the rare occasions he went to the underground training grounds, he had to sneak around like a thief.

He even ate only with Tazawa Kentarō—his senior might have had a sharp tongue, but at least he wouldn't set him up.

"Hey, Ziyun," Tazawa Kentarō suddenly asked over a meal one day, "have you noticed... the mood in the Fourth Division's been a little strange lately?"

Liu Ziyun stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth. "Strange? How?" he mumbled.

"It's just..." Tazawa Kentarō lowered his voice. "Lieutenant Kiyonosuke seems... pretty close to certain nobles?"

Liu Ziyun froze. "You mean..."

"I didn't say anything." Tazawa Kentarō quickly shook his head. "I just think... it never hurts to be careful."

Liu Ziyun nodded and said no more.

But he knew full well that the nobles had indeed won Kiyōnosuke Yamada over. And the ones who had done it were most likely the Tsunayashiro Clan.

What a headache...

Even the Fourth Division's lieutenant has been compromised...

Soul Society really is rotten to the core.

He sighed and went back to his meal.

The days passed one after another.

The day of the Soul Reaper Internship assessment drew ever closer.

The mood in the Seireitei grew tense as well.

To keep the nobles from stirring up trouble again, the Third, Fifth, Seventh, and Ninth Divisions—the divisions aligned with the commoner faction—all made arrangements in secret.

"I heard that for this internship assessment, every team will 'just happen' to have one or two Seated Officers accompanying them."

"Really? Seated Officers leading the teams? Then what are we even being assessed for?"

"Idiot! They're protecting us from the shadows! You think they'd follow you around in the open?"

"Oh, oh... That's good, then."

Liu Ziyun heard the students talking too.

But he paid it no mind.

He cared about only one thing now—

How can I complete the assignment during the internship assessment without drawing attention?

And... how do I avoid the nobles who'll definitely come looking for trouble?

He hadn't figured out the answer yet.

But time wasn't waiting for him.

The day of the internship assessment arrived.

The square in front of the Senkaimon was packed with people.

All the students taking part in the assessment had arrived, dressed in Shihakusho with Asauchi or Zanpakuto at their waists. Some looked excited, others nervous.

Liu Ziyun stood in the crowd and yawned—he hadn't slept well the night before, having spent it thinking up countermeasures.

"Quiet!"

A voice rang out.

Everyone turned toward it.

Shunsui Kyōraku stood on the raised platform, still wearing his straw hat and his flamboyant haori, a blade of grass between his teeth and an "I'm here on vacation" look on his face.

But the moment he spoke, everyone fell silent.

"I'm Shunsui Kyōraku, the leader in charge of this internship assessment."

He paused and surveyed the crowd below.

"The assessment period is seven days."

"The location is the World of the Living—Karakura Town, to be precise."

"The assessment requires you to perform Konsō on at least three 'Pluses.' As for hunting Hollows... that isn't required, but you'll receive extra points for each one you kill."

He looked to the side. "Also, the Fourth Division Captain, Retsu Unohana, will be in charge of medical support for this assessment—in other words, if you're injured, you can go to her for treatment."

Unohana stood beside him, wearing a gentle smile as she nodded to everyone.

That smile warmed the hearts of quite a few students.

But Liu Ziyun knew that beneath it lay a blade that could cut down everyone present.

"Lastly," Shunsui Kyōraku added, "Captain Unohana and I... won't intervene unless your lives are in danger."

He grinned. "So, good luck."

With that, he waved a hand. "Line up and go through the Senkaimon!"

The students began entering the Senkaimon in an orderly line.

After passing through the long Dangai, the view suddenly opened up before them—

The World of the Living, Karakura Town.

The sun shone brightly, tall buildings stood in rows, and traffic filled the streets.

"Wow—!"

Many of the students visiting the World of the Living for the first time exclaimed in amazement.

Liu Ziyun looked up too—the architecture really was much more modern than in Soul Society.

So this is Karakura Town... the "spiritually rich area" from the anime.

But looking at it now... doesn't it seem like an ordinary city?

He looked around but sensed no unusual reiatsu.

Right, the plot hasn't started yet. Ichigo Kurosaki is probably... still a cell? Or just born?

His thoughts wandered.

Shunsui Kyōraku's voice brought him back to reality. "All right! From here on, you can act alone or form teams!"

He raised his voice. "Gather here in seven days! Now—dismissed!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the students sprang into action.

Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, Kensei Muguruma, and Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi quickly gathered together, then brought along students they each knew well to form a large group of over twenty people and set off in force.

Their strategy was obvious—stick together for safety.

The other students also formed teams and drifted away in twos and threes.

Before long, Liu Ziyun was the only one left in the square.

He stood where he was until everyone else had gone, then strolled over to Unohana and Shunsui Kyōraku. "Captain Unohana, Captain Kyōraku... I'm off to take the assessment too."

Unohana looked at him, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes. "Go on. Be careful."

"Okay." Liu Ziyun nodded. "I will."

With that, he turned and strolled toward the city.

His pace made it look less like he was going to take an assessment and more like he was going shopping.

Shunsui Kyōraku watched him walk away and suddenly laughed. "Senior Unohana, this little squad member of yours... is pretty interesting."

Unohana said nothing, merely letting the corners of her mouth rise slightly.

Meanwhile, in a corner of the city.

Several Soul Reapers dressed in Shihakusho, their faces covered with black cloth, knelt on one knee to greet a person emerging from a Senkaimon.

The man wore splendid noble attire, with delicate, feminine features and a cold gaze.

It was Tsunayashiro Tokinada—a member of a branch family of the Tsunayashiro Clan, and the planner behind this "hunting operation."

"The preparations I told you to make... how are they going?"

His voice was soft, but it carried an unsettling chill.

The Soul Reaper in the lead answered respectfully, "Lord Tokinada, the preparations are complete. There are five barriers in all. As soon as they step inside, we'll immediately sense them and activate the barriers."

He paused. "We can make sure... everything is over before reinforcements arrive."

Tsunayashiro Tokinada nodded in satisfaction. "Very good."

He looked into the distance, a flash of greed in his eyes. "My purpose in coming personally this time... is Liu Ziyun."

He paused. "As for the others... eliminate them if you can. If you can't, it doesn't matter. They're all just small fry."

"Yes!" the Soul Reapers answered in unison, then quickly dispersed.

Only after they had all left did Tsunayashiro Tokinada mutter to himself, "A Zanpakuto that can instantly heal injuries, almost like regeneration..."

He licked his lips. "A power that even Enrakyōten can't imitate... How intriguing."

He looked in the direction Liu Ziyun had gone, a cruel smile curling his lips. "Now then, little ant..."

"What kind of struggle will you put up next... I wonder?"

Liu Ziyun walked along the streets of Karakura Town.

He looked this way and that, like a tourist.

So this is the World of the Living...

There are cars, tall buildings, convenience stores...

And... so many living people.

He passed through a shopping street, and as he watched pedestrians coming and going, a sudden wave of nostalgia welled up in him.

In my previous life... I walked down streets like this too, rushing to work, squeezing onto the subway, eating takeout...

And now I've become a Soul Reaper, catching ghosts in the World of the Living...

Life really is... unpredictable.

He shook his head and continued on his way.

When he reached the outskirts of a park, he suddenly stopped.