"I want to study at the Shino Academy and then become Shinigami!" Chen Fan said.
Kaien Shiba was slightly taken aback. Seeing such a horrific scene, he still dared to say he wanted to become Shinigami. Those Shinigami who came on their first mission and saw how powerful the Shinigami were all regretting their decision. If they had known they would face such risks, they would have preferred to stay in Rukongai. Some people looked at each other and finally lowered their heads. Chen Fan's words made them feel slightly ashamed.
Kaien Shiba watched as a smile gradually appeared on Chen Fan's face and said, "Very good...! There's actually someone with such courage. My name Kaien Shiba! This is the last mission for today. Come back with us tomorrow. However, your spiritual pressure seems a bit low!"
Chen Fan smiled slightly upon hearing Kaien Shiba's words. Since they could go to the Shino Academy so smoothly, that was certainly the best outcome. He said to Kaien Shiba, who was still pondering, "Don't worry about the spiritual pressure!"
"Alright then...! Let's call everyone back...!" Kaien Shiba said to everyone.
Then, he led Chen Fan towards the Seireitei. A few days later, Chen Fan finally stood in front of the Shino Academy. During these days, Chen Fan had also chatted with Kaien Shiba. Kaien Shiba's personality was similar to Chen Fan's, and the two got along very well, naturally becoming friends. They even made a promise that if Chen Fan graduated from the Shino Academy, he would join the 13th Division. Chen Fan didn't have much aversion to joining that team, since his goal wasn't there anyway. Looking at the large characters for the Shino Academy and the statue of Genryusai Yamamoto, he thought, "Let's start from here."
Chapter Three: An Unexpected Encounter
(I don't quite understand the time Old Ice in Shinigami, Old Ice I'll catch up as soon as possible. Please bear with it.)
Thanks to Kaien Shiba's introduction— Kaien Shiba was, after all, the head of one of the Four Great Noble Clans, albeit a fallen one —the Soul Society strictly distinguished between nobles and commoners. Coupled with Chen Fan's barely passing spiritual pressure, Chen Fan became the first person to enter the Shino Academy through connections. Once inside the academy, Chen Fan didn't have much leisure to enjoy campus life. Aside from some required courses, Chen Fan devoted all his time to practicing his Asauchi type of martial arts technique). Over time, he gained a slight reputation, but all of it was negative.
Ten percent of the Shinigami entered the Shino Academy condensed their Zanpakuto within the first year, fifty percent in the second year, ninety percent in the third year, and ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent in the fourth year. The only one who did not condense Zanpakuto Chen Fan.
That pitiful spiritual pressure—even the top 5 Kido struggle to release it; this is the legendary bottom-ranked student. Kaien Shiba, however, remains very kind to Chen Fan, genuinely considering Chen Fan a friend. He frequently invites Chen Fan to his home for meals. During casual conversations, they are all surprised to learn that Chen Fan was brought here by Isshin Shiba. Isshin Shiba is arguably the only current captain in the Shiba Family, so there are often rumors that the Shiba Family is more capable of making the Shiba Family prosper than the main family, and that Kaien Shiba should relinquish his position as head of the Shiba Family as soon as possible.
Of course, the reality was not as outsiders imagined. Kaien Shiba had said that he would give the position of head of the family to Isshin Shiba, but Isshin Shiba disagreed, which is why he went to the Human World.
Kaien Shiba's wife is also a gentle and kind woman. Occasionally Kaien Shiba would jokingly suggest introducing Chen Fan to someone, but Chen Fan would quickly wave his hand and say that he already had many. This would startle Kaien Shiba and his wife. They were surprised that Chen Fan, who seemed so honest, had so many tricks up his sleeve. However, they quickly realized that Chen Fan was probably joking. They knew Chen Fan well enough to know that Chen Fan was also someone who liked to joke and tease people.
"You two look so alike, haha!" said Miako Shiba 'Kaien Shiba wife, with a smile.
"What?! Me and him? I'm way more handsome than him...!" Chen Fan and Kaien Shiba exclaimed in unison.
"Hehe...! That's why I say they look alike...!"
"Forget it...! Being even one percent as handsome as me is enough! You should be honored!" Chen Fan said, patting Kaien Shiba on the shoulder.
With a displeased expression, Kaien Shiba said, "You really know how to be rude!"
Then he looked up, the joking expression on his face disappearing, and looked at Chen Fan seriously, saying, "You'll graduate from the Shino Academy in two years. I've heard about your situation, but you don't know about the situation within the Shinigami team."
"According to the original plan, you wouldn't even have a chance to enter the Shino Academy. Don't think it's really because of me. It's just that Shinigami usually lose more battles than they win. You saw what happened that day. Just one Giant Hollow killed more than a dozen Shinigami, forcing them to flee for their lives. They couldn't even fight back. Even though all the captains and vice- Captain-level of each team were sent out, they still couldn't stop the Hollow onslaught. So the Shino Academy lowered its admission requirements, intending to make up for the difference in combat power between the two sides with sheer numbers. The number of Shinigami deaths is increasing."
"If you graduate, it's best to join the Fourth Division. The Fourth Division is responsible for medical care and doesn't participate in direct combat. They usually stay in Seireitei. The Fourth Division, which used to be ridiculed, is now highly sought after. Another option is to join our 13th Division. Although you'll be on missions, with Miako and me there, your safety should be—no, absolutely—not injured!" Kaien Shiba said firmly.
Chen Fan smiled. Back in Fairy Tail, all his companions actually wanted to protect him, but because he was too strong, he ended up protecting them instead. Kaien Shiba's eyes were what convinced Chen Fan of his meaning. He never expected that after coming to the Shinigami world and not moving around Tenten, he would still have two friends. Heaven had been kind to him.
Chen Fan smiled and shook his head. Kaien Shiba was slightly taken aback, exchanged a glance with Miako, and then looked at Chen Fan softly, saying, "What's wrong? Don't you want to?" Chen Fan their friend, and if Chen Fan really had his own ideas, they would respect them.
"No...! It's not that I'm unwilling, just join the 13th Division!" Chen Fan said with a smile;
Upon hearing this, Kaien Shiba and Miako smiled. "Miako, prepare some more side dishes, and Chen Fan and I will have another drink!"
"Drink less, we have a mission tomorrow," Miako said to Kaien Shiba.
"I understand...! I understand...!"
"I just can't do anything with you two!" Miako shook her head with a smile;
Chen Fan and Kaien Shiba left after drinking for a short while, because although Kaien Shiba liked to drink, his alcohol tolerance was really too low. He passed out on the table after only a few drinks. Chen Fan said goodbye to Miako and left.
It was already Midnight. Chen Fan looked up at the moon, lost in thought, then headed towards the dormitory of the Shino Academy. Back in his room, Chen Fan placed his sword beside him. Each time he swung the sword, he channeled his spiritual pressure into it, but the sword seemed like a bottomless pit. Despite years of torment, Chen Fan's spiritual pressure hadn't improved at all. Therefore, his Kido Chen Fan extremely weak, to an appalling degree.