Dual-Form Asauchi

Hearing Isshin Shiba's words, Asano Kiyoshi sprang upright from the hospital bed as if he had springs installed beneath him. His eyes went wide as he stared at Isshin Shiba in disbelief. "Brother Isshin, don't lie to me. Just because I did well on an exam, the principal wants to see me? That can't possibly happen, right?! Even Rose-Colored Lane in Seireitei Communication wouldn't dare write something like that."

(Note: Seireitei Communication was Seireitei's official newspaper, managed by the Ninth Squad. It was the Soul Society's largest media outlet and received an official introduction in the Four Noble Clans Arc. Rose-Colored Lane was an adult novel written by Shunsui Kyoraku.)

Isshin Shiba's face darkened as he said to Asano Kiyoshi, "You brat, you were so composed just a moment ago. So you have this side too?"

Seeing that Isshin Shiba did not deny it, Asano Kiyoshi took a deep breath and continued asking, "Then, Brother Captain Isshin, are you certain that Lord Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni—the embodiment of Soul Society's history and the strongest Shinigami in a thousand years—wants to see me?"

Hearing Asano Kiyoshi's words, Isshin Shiba nodded solemnly and said, word by word, "That's right. Old Man Yama, the one with all those titles, wants to see you."

After receiving Isshin Shiba's confirmation once more, Asano Kiyoshi's mind went blank for a moment. Then he stared straight at Isshin Shiba.

It was not until Isshin Shiba was starting to get goosebumps all over that Asano Kiyoshi finally said, "Brother Isshin, I haven't done anything wrong, have I? A special type of Zanpakuto... they won't throw me into prison, will they?!"

Isshin Shiba smiled at that. He ruffled Asano Kiyoshi's hair, then gave him a hard knock on the head. "What nonsense are you thinking about? Head Captain Yamamoto is just curious about your Zanpakuto. Don't be too nervous when you see him tomorrow. Just show him what your Zanpakuto can do. It'd be best if you put on a good performance. Head Captain Yamamoto may be stern most of the time, but he actually likes little brats like you quite a bit."

Asano Kiyoshi nodded, then asked Isshin Shiba again, "Then, Brother Captain Isshin, is there anything I need to pay attention to tomorrow? What time am I meeting the Captain-Commander, and where? Do I go alone, or will someone come lead me there? Do I need to leave early?"

Isshin Shiba's head started aching from Asano Kiyoshi's barrage of questions, but he still answered, "After class tomorrow, go straight to the Principal's Office at three in the afternoon. Old Man Yama will wait for you there after his annual speech. Oh, and when you meet him, remember to tell the truth. Don't try to lie. We juniors have practically no secrets before him. Just be honest. There's no need to make things up."

After saying that, Isshin Shiba seemed afraid that Asano Kiyoshi would keep pestering him with questions. He hurriedly used Shunpo to leave, leaving behind only the half-open window that continued to blow in cold air.

Asano Kiyoshi looked at the window and sighed helplessly. At that moment, Isshin Shiba's voice came again. This time, it came from very far away, yet he could hear it clearly. He had probably used some special spiritual power technique.

"Oh, right! I've already had someone go pick up your family. Before long, she'll have a place to stay near the academy. As for the expenses, I'll cover the first month for you. After that, you pay for it yourself—3,000 Kan a month. Remember to pay me back once you have money~ And~ one last thing~ Report to Class A at eight tomorrow morning. Don't be late~ Number One!"

Hearing Isshin Shiba's words, Asano Kiyoshi smiled helplessly. Looking at the moonlight flowing outside the window, a light called hope flickered in his heart.

Everything was moving in a better direction!

Isshin Shiba was walking home at that moment. Looking at the bright moon hanging high in the night sky, he yawned tiredly, stretched lazily, and complained, "Ahh~ seriously. I thought the Third Term would let me worry a little less and slack off a bit, but who would've thought~ a little monster would show up. I really should've fought to take the second round instead... As the chief examiner, I even handled everything personally. I'm such a good person."

The wind of the Soul Society was as gentle as ever, softly caressing everyone's dreams.

Leaning by the window, Asano Kiyoshi looked at the Soul Society's scattered lights. His thoughts gradually calmed as he quietly summoned the Scroll. As the illusory Scroll unfolded and ink-colored shadows churned, Asano Kiyoshi's personal data slowly appeared:

Host: Asano Kiyoshi

Slash: 14

White: 13

Demon: 15 (Having obtained an Asauchi, you have successfully raised your Reiatsu by one rank.)

Step: 15

Rei: Third Class Reiatsu: 27% (The method for improving Reiatsu at this stage is to continuously master and absorb Reishi, thereby stimulating the Reishi within your body to transform. After being tempered a thousand times, it will undergo a qualitative change! Due to obtaining an Asauchi, progress has increased by 26%.)

Overall Rating: 57 (With an Asauchi, you can now be considered a student of Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy. You now possess the ability to briefly fight back against small fry.)

Zanpakuto: Underworld

Shikai Phrase: ???

Bankai Phrase: ???

Currently unlocked ability: Gate of the Underworld

Next unlockable scene: Road to the Underworld (Currently unlocked: 26%. When the Host's Reiatsu advances to Fourth Class, the Road to the Underworld scene will be released, and you will obtain half of the Shikai Phrase!)

Note: The Asauchi has now fused with this Scroll, so the Host will possess two forms of Asauchi.

Form One: An ordinary Asauchi, used for slashing and possessing good Reishi conduction ability.

Form Two: Scroll form, floating around the Host. When activated, it automatically releases Gate of the Underworld by default, while increasing spiritual power consumption and activating the Gate of the Underworld's innate dual ability effect!

Looking at the words on the Scroll, Asano Kiyoshi could not help but smile. At last, he had gained at least a little ability to control his own fate, though he probably could not even defeat a small-fry Hollow yet.

Still, one step at a time. Things would get better eventually.

He closed his eyes and began thinking about tomorrow's meeting with the Captain-Commander, as well as how he would get along with his new class tomorrow...

Getting first place would probably make a lot of people resent him... especially those nobles. Ah~ what a pain.

As for the Captain-Commander, how was he supposed to explain this ability tomorrow...

Amid his tangled thoughts, Asano Kiyoshi gradually fell asleep. Moonlight streamed through the half-open window, gently draping the soft night breeze over the boy.

The next morning, Asano Kiyoshi looked at the golden-red Fish Belly White at the edge of the sky. After stretching and letting out a few strange cries, he washed up, changed into the academy's blue-and-white uniform, pinned on the badge bearing the letter "A," and left the hospital, walking toward the rising sun!

That was where everything began—Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy!