Shinigami Academy.
Oyunahara Genugoro looked solemnly at the students below, his feelings complicated.
These were the strongest students he had ever taught, without question.
Even young master Kaien of the Shiba Family back then was far inferior to a select few of these monsters.
After all, not every first-year student could master Shikai within a few months.
That was right.
As the greatest genius of this class, Toshiro Hitsugaya had learned his Zanpakuto's True Name a month ago and successfully achieved Shikai.
As for Renji Abarai, the Hogyoku vessel, although he had not yet reached that stage, he had resonated with his Zanpakuto. He was only one step away from learning its True Name and mastering Shikai.
Such terrifying progress was something Oyunahara Genugoro had never witnessed. Even throughout the history of Soul Society, it was the stuff of only a handful of legends.
However, though the two were geniuses, their personalities were exceptionally difficult to manage.
For example, Renji Abarai was currently sitting in his seat with his arms crossed, wearing an insufferably smug expression, as if everyone else owed him a fortune.
Ever since learning that Toshiro Hitsugaya had mastered Shikai, he had eagerly gone to challenge him—only to be beaten three matches to none.
Throughout the entire battle, he had been utterly stripped of all dignity.
He had practically been ground into the floor.
One defeat was nothing. For someone as resilient and unyielding as Renji Abarai, it would only become fuel to drive him onward.
But in the time that followed, he kept challenging Toshiro Hitsugaya. He lost again and again, then fought again after every loss. His record was simply unbearable to look at.
After reflecting bitterly, Renji Abarai had no choice but to admit the gap between himself and Toshiro Hitsugaya.
Before mastering Shikai,