This day.
In front of the Shino Academy's gates, crowds milled about in a bustling throng.
It was the time of year when the Shino Academy opened enrollment to the public.
Whether they were Lost Souls from Rukongai who yearned to change their fate or the descendants of noble families, anyone who passed the selection could enter the Shino Academy to study the arts.
After graduating, they could join the Gotei 13 and become glorious Shinigami.
Feeling the fervent atmosphere in front of the academy, Kenma seemed infected by it as well, and his footsteps grew much lighter.
Ever since graduating, he had hardly returned to the academy to look around.
Today, he had brought Shisui to enroll. Seeing the familiar school buildings stirred a trace of nostalgia in Kenma's heart for his youthful years of the past.
"Sir..."
"It's nothing. I just remembered some things from the past. Let's go."
Kenma brought Shisui through the noisy crowd. Walking openly past the long line, the two entered the academy and found the instructor responsible for enrollment.
Knock, knock!
A knock sounded on the door. After receiving permission from the person inside, Kenma and Shisui stepped into the room.
"Mikami-sensei, it's been a long time."
Kenma gave a slight nod and greeted him.
The instructor inside had assumed it was someone from the academy. When he looked up, he realized it was one of his former students.
And a top student who had graduated with outstanding results at that.
"Kenma, I never expected it to be you..."
The instructor's gaze swept over Kenma before landing on Shisui behind him.
"Are you here to bring me a new student?"
"Yes, Yamakami-sensei." Kenma shifted aside, revealing Shisui behind him. "I found this talented person in Rukongai. His aptitude is quite good, so I brought him here to enroll."
"Oh?"
Hearing Kenma's words, Instructor Mikami's eyes lit up as he carefully examined Shisui.
The Shino Academy was a place that trained professional Shinigami, so naturally, the more outstanding a student's talent, the greater his achievements would be after entering a squad.
It was not only about grades. If teachers like them could nurture a genius, it would also become a considerable honor and topic of conversation for them in the future.
After observing him carefully for a moment, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Indeed, not bad. His eyes are resolute. He doesn't seem to have trained for very long, but his foundation is solid. Your judgment is good—he's truly a fine seedling."
What surprised him even more was that he could sense a faint trace of Killing Intent from the youth.
His conduct, mannerisms, and overall bearing did not resemble those of an ordinary Lost Soul. Instead, they were reminiscent of the Onmitsukidō's style.
He glanced at Kenma. Kenma was already the son-in-law of the Shikokuin Family, and he could no longer be compared to the penniless boy with no backing he had once been.
Every move he made was laden with meaning. It was possible that today's actions had been ordered by the Shikokuin Family.
His gaze fell on Shisui, and a speculation gradually formed in his mind.
Perhaps this was one of the private soldiers secretly raised by those Great Nobles, now having his identity laundered through the Shino Academy.
He nodded lightly without saying anything.
That meant he agreed to Shisui's enrollment.
"I'm glad he met with your approval, Sensei."
Although Kenma knew there could be no mishap, he still unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.
"Please educate him strictly from now on. Be sure not to slacken, or this talent will be wasted."
"Of course."
After waiting for a while, Shisui finished filling out several forms and processing his identity information. His enrollment for the day was considered successfully completed.
After bidding farewell to his former teacher, Kenma led Shisui out of the office.
"Sir, rest assured. Shisui will never tarnish your reputation at the academy." Uchiha Shisui gave a solemn promise.
When he had left the clan grounds, Clan Head Fugaku and the other clan elders had given him many instructions.
Besides protecting Kenma, he had to conduct himself properly. After entering the Shino Academy, he especially could not bring shame upon the Uchiha Clan.
"I'm only an ordinary Fourth Seat. What reputation do I have?"
Kenma watched Shisui's serious expression from the corner of his eye and said earnestly, "Once you enter the academy, study the skills and knowledge diligently. What they teach you there will be very important to you and may even affect your future development."
"Yes. Shisui understands."
Just as Kenma and Shisui were leaving the school building, someone approached from the front, causing Kenma to stop subconsciously.
Shisui seemed to notice Kenma's wariness from behind him. His expression immediately grew tense as he stared fixedly at the approaching person.
The newcomer wore a Shinigami uniform and had a Zanpakuto at his waist. Without a doubt, he was a professional Shinigami.
He had a tall, straight build and broad shoulders, with short brown hair and black-rimmed glasses. White light glinted across the lenses, concealing his eyes and revealing an air of mystery.
That Shinigami had clearly also seen Kenma. He quickly walked over to stand before the two of them, a warm, sunny smile appearing on his face.
"It's been a long time, Kenma-senpai. I never expected to run into you here."
The man's voice was deep and kind, carrying a unique magnetism that felt like a spring breeze.
"It's not been that long."
Kenma still wore his usual stern, expressionless face.
The Shinigami froze at his words.
Then Kenma continued, "Didn't you come to congratulate me when I got engaged before, Sosuke?"
Kenma looked at the gentle, mild-mannered Shinigami before him, his heart tightening as wariness rose within him.
As a transmigrator, how could he not recognize this seemingly humble and amiable Shinigami?
Aizen Sosuke, the major villain in the early stages of Bleach.
On the surface, he seemed elegant, courteous, and gentle, but in reality, he was cold-blooded, ruthless, and wildly ambitious. To make matters worse, he possessed top-tier strength throughout the Three Worlds.
If he could, Kenma truly did not want to get involved with him.
He did not even want to know him.
But back when they were students, Kenma had been four years ahead of this hidden major villain.
They had both been top students in the eyes of their teachers and classmates. After attending several of the same extracurricular classes, the two gradually became acquainted.
Of course, under Kenma's vigilance, his relationship with Aizen had remained limited to knowing one another. They were not close.
What Kenma had not expected was that when he got engaged, Aizen had actually sent a congratulatory gift as his junior.
Hearing Kenma's words, Aizen showed a surprised expression.
"There were many people congratulating you at the time, and they were all distinguished nobles and captains. I never expected you to notice me, Senpai. I'm truly flattered."
"It was nothing." Kenma spoke indifferently.
Given Aizen's identity and name, it would have been difficult not to notice him!
After the engagement ceremony, Kenma had even deliberately opened Aizen's gift. To his surprise, it was a complete set of the four treasures of the study.
Such thoughtfulness had instead left Kenma unable to figure out Aizen's true intentions for a while.
Kenma also noticed that a small boy with a head of silver hair was standing beside Aizen.
The boy wore the coarse clothing of Rukongai. His eyes were narrowed shut and never opened, making him appear to be smiling. Yet combined with the shape of his face, it gave him a sly and vicious air.
Kenma made a guess and asked, "What's this?"
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