"Shisui, how have you been feeling at Shino Academy lately?"
In the study, Kenma wore a casual yukata and sat cross-legged before a low desk. He held a small pair of scissors and was trimming the potted plant in front of him.
Shisui held a cup of tea in both hands and sat rigidly at one side of the low table.
Hearing Kenma ask so casually, he immediately grew solemn and answered with utmost seriousness.
"At the academy, the teachers have all looked after me because of your and the Shikokuin Family's standing. They answer any questions I have, and my classmates are all very friendly."
"Relax. You're at home, so you don't have to be so formal."
Kenma kept his eyes on the small green plant and waved a hand at him. The small scissors in his hand unconsciously tightened, clicking repeatedly.
"Yes."
Despite his words, Shisui still wore an immaculate, solemn expression.
He had lived at the Shikokuin Family's estate for some time as Kenma's servant.
He was not the only one. Yashiro and the others who had come with him were also staying as guests at the Shikokuin Family's residence.
Even after Shisui entered Shino Academy, he did not live in the dormitories like the students from Soul Society. Instead, he attended as a day student.
He studied at school during the day, then learned and honed his skills with Yashiro and the others at night.
Sometimes, when Kenma was in the mood, he would also give them some guidance.
The teachers and students at the academy were naturally willing to build a good relationship with Shisui after learning that he came from the Shikokuin Family.
"I heard that you're quite famous at the academy. They call you and the boy Aizen brought over the rising Twin Stars of Soul Society, geniuses rarely seen in a century."
Kenma still wore a stern expression, and his voice remained low, but when he said this, the emotion in his words rose noticeably.
Shisui had followed Kenma for so long that he could hear the faint change hidden in his almost unchanging tone.
It did not sound like reproach. Instead, there seemed to be a trace of pride and delight.
Shisui immediately relaxed, and a humble expression appeared on his face.
"I cannot accept such praise, my lord. I may have some talent, but no matter what, I would never dare compare myself with you in your younger days. The claim that I am a once-in-a-century genius is even more of an exaggeration from idle gossip."
Although he could tell that Kenma was in a good mood, Shisui could not help putting on such an urgent display of modesty.
As far as he knew, the master before him, who held the life and death of the Uchiha Clan in his hands, had graduated from Shino Academy less than a century ago.
If he was a genius rarely seen in a century, where would that leave his master?
Some of the academy's teachers had been teaching there for several centuries. Shisui had privately and subtly coaxed information out of them.
He was mainly trying to learn about the classes Kenma had attended as a student.
Kenma—and especially Aizen, whom Kenma was deeply wary of.
According to what he had found out, three talents capable of becoming pillars had appeared consecutively within a span of ten years back then.
People of that era had collectively called the three of them the Three Elites.
The teachers still spoke about them with great enthusiasm.
Two of them were the Kenma before Shisui and Aizen Sosuke.
Shisui had never met the third. He had heard that this person was also a live-in son-in-law, having married into the Kuchiki Family, which was likewise one of the Four Great Noble Clans.
Even now, people still privately discussed how two of the Three Elites had already married into Great Noble families, and when Aizen would be next—and which family he would marry into.
Shisui told Kenma the gossip he had heard from his classmates, and Kenma's expression immediately stiffened.
"Is that what your entire class discusses at the academy now?"
"Please forgive me, my lord. I have tried to stop them, but those students still discuss it quietly in private," Shisui hurriedly said.
"How could that be your fault? Their mouths belong to them. What they want to say is their freedom. There's no need to take it so seriously."
It was not as if he could have the Punishment Force arrest those students merely because of their gossip.
Kenma did not consider himself especially broad-minded, but he would not punish people for their words, much less make things difficult for students over a few idle rumors.
"That said, I really can't imagine what it will look like when Aizen marries, let alone marries into the noble family he looks down on the most... Heh, I wonder how he'll react when he finds out."
Seeing that Kenma truly was not angry, Shisui finally let out the breath he had been holding.
"Aizen should know about these rumors. I heard my classmates mention that during calligraphy class, Aizen openly stated that he had no intention of marrying for the time being."
Shisui paused before speculating:
"It should have been Gin Ichimaru who told him."
Calligraphy was an elective at Shino Academy, unlike compulsory subjects such as Zanjutsu and Kido.
There were also flower arrangement, chess, painting, and so on. Students could choose to enroll according to their own interests.
The teacher for calligraphy was Aizen Sosuke himself.
Shisui knew Aizen's true circumstances, so he had not approached him.
"Gin Ichimaru..."
A trace of seriousness showed between Kenma's brows. His gaze shifted from the potted plant to Shisui.
"You're classmates. After spending these days with him, what do you think of him?"
"He's undoubtedly a genius, a genuine genius!"
As someone Aizen had brought over, and a person who likewise bore the reputation of being a genius, how could Shisui have failed to pay attention to Gin Ichimaru?
"Although my classmates and teachers like to place me alongside him, I know very well that I am not a genius like he is."
"Thanks to my experience as a Ninja in life, I can learn and master the knowledge and skills taught by the teachers quickly."
"But Gin Ichimaru is different. I can tell that he had never received systematic training before. He was a completely blank sheet of paper, yet he learned those things almost as quickly as I did. With some things, he was even faster than me."
Kenma was not surprised in the slightest by Shisui's answer.
After all, he was a genius who had graduated in just one year in the original story. Later, he had even schemed against Aizen. It was only natural that he possessed such talent.
Shisui, on the other hand, was remarkably capable for being able to contend with Gin Ichimaru.
"Heh, the more talented Gin Ichimaru is, the more headaches Aizen will have in the future."
Who knew what kind of eccentricity Aizen had? He had actually kept such a troublesome person by his side for over a century.
He had even treated Gin Ichimaru's killing intent as entertainment.
Kenma truly could not understand how Aizen's mind worked.
"My lord, there is one more matter."
"Hm?"
Shisui said, "I heard that Gin Ichimaru has already completed this year's studies and wants to advance to the next grade."
Kenma naturally knew about this. He looked at Shisui, understanding dawning in his heart.
"You want to advance as well?"
"I will follow whatever arrangements my lord makes."
Shisui knelt, pressing his forehead against the tatami.
To be honest, he had already completed the studies for his current level and had even begun learning more advanced knowledge.
He did not need to build connections at the academy. Continuing would only waste time.
Another reason was the expectations of his clansmen.
As the village's only university student, news about Shisui had attracted great attention within the Uchiha Clan, and his reputation as a genius had spread far and wide.
Whenever Shisui's name was mentioned, even three-year-old children would puff out their chests with pride.
The clan head had even written him a letter, subtly reminding him not to tarnish the Uchiha Clan's reputation.
Yashiro and the others around him also urged him, openly and covertly, not to let himself be outdone.
Shisui could not make the decision himself, so he could only come and ask Kenma for his orders.
"This matter..."
Kenma pondered for a moment and was just about to speak when a spirited and bold female voice suddenly came from outside.
"Kenma, Kenma, I have something to discuss with you!"
The voice was completely unceremonious and carried a hint of displeasure.
Kenma's brows furrowed slightly.
It was Yoruichi.
Before you continue