Enrollment Day

Although he had figured out the cause of yesterday's medical accident, Kirinji still had one unresolved question.

Why was it that while soaking in the same experimental pool water, Kazuo's hands festered and his bones were exposed, yet Lin Nan remained unscathed, having merely shed a layer of skin?

But he no longer had time to conduct a detailed study on Lin Nan. Today was the day he had agreed with Yamamoto to send Lin Nan to the Shino Academy.

"Lin, we must part ways for now. From today on, you are a lifetime free customer of my Kirin Bath! As long as it is within my power, I will grant any request you have!"

The concept Lin Nan mentioned this morning had completely opened a bright skylight in his mind. This young man not only understood his train of thought but could also provide quite reliable improvements.

If he designed according to the direction provided, perhaps the healing hot spring would come into existence even faster! At this moment, Kirinji had already accepted Lin Nan as a kindred spirit in his heart.

Facing Kirinji's goodwill, Lin Nan did not stand on ceremony, flicking the silver-white hair on his forehead: "Genius Brother, then it's a deal. I don't know Kaidō yet, so you'll have to teach me next time!"

Kirinji nodded without hesitation: "No problem! A piece of cake!"

The gates of the Shino Academy were already not far ahead.

Lin Nan and Kyoraku walked on the left and right of Yamamoto, slowly heading toward the plaza in front of the gates under the lead of the Head Captain.

Kyoraku kept glancing sideways, staring at Lin Nan for a long time, before suddenly pointing his finger at Lin Nan's face in surprise: "I finally found what's wrong! How come I haven't seen you for two days, and you've grown so much taller than me!?"

Hearing Kyoraku's words, both Yamamoto and Lin Nan stopped in their tracks.

Lin Nan carefully examined his own body but didn't notice any changes. However, as Yamamoto pushed him toward Kyoraku, the difference became immediately apparent.

The two, who were originally of similar height, now stood side by side for comparison, and Lin Nan was at least half a head taller than Kyoraku.

Kyoraku noticed Lin Nan's gaze looking past his head toward the back, and he hurriedly jumped aside: "This is too absurd! It's only been two days, how did you grow so tall???"

Lin Nan scratched his head and shook it blankly: "I don't know either! I just soaked in the hot spring and slept at Kirinji's place..."

Yamamoto looked Lin Nan up and down, secretly guessing: It's probably that guy Kirinji playing tricks again; he didn't feed Lin Nan something he shouldn't have, did he?

But looking at Lin Nan full of vigor, he didn't seem to have any issues; his spiritual pressure was also very stable... Hmm? Had his spiritual pressure already reached the level of a seated officer? He was growing fast...

But why was this kid's spiritual pressure so faint?

"Lin Nan, did your treatment at Kirinji's go smoothly? Is it not fully healed yet?"

Lin Nan paused and briefly repeated the treatment process of the past few days, but he skipped the part about the medical accident; he had to save some face for Kirinji.

Seeing the concern in Yamamoto's eyes, he even punched his own wounds twice to prove that he had fully recovered.

Yamamoto nodded, not doubting him. He simply assumed that Lin Nan had just recovered from a major injury and his spiritual pressure was weak.

The master and his two disciples continued walking toward the gate.

As they walked, Kyoraku quietly leaned into Lin Nan's ear and asked: "Lin Nan, if I get injured in the future, could you introduce me to Mr. Kirinji for treatment... Let's be clear, I'm not doing it to grow taller, it's entirely because his medical skills are superb..."

Today was the day for the new students to enroll at the Shino Academy for the current year.

Because the Central 46 had strictly controlled the admission qualifications for the academy, only age-appropriate youths from noble and wealthy families within the Seireitei could enroll. Therefore, there were significantly fewer new students this year compared to previous years.

In the plaza, there were even more family members and servants who had come to drop off their young masters and misses than there were new students.

Lin Nan was in high spirits today; having successfully passed the test to become a student, he could now legitimately become a civil servant of the Seireitei, finally avoiding the identity crisis he faced when he first transmigrated.

"Ah? Is that Head Captain Yamamoto over there? Is he here to attend the entrance ceremony this year too? Who is that behind him?"

"He comes every year, didn't you know? As for the person behind him... could it be his disciple?"

"Speaking of disciples, have you heard the explosive gossip recently?--

Head Captain Yamamoto's new disciple not only dared to duel with the Kenpachi, but also wounded the Kenpachi, and she bled a lot!"

"Nonsense, the Gen Style hasn't taken on any disciples for decades. Besides, when the Kenpachi fights, she once cut someone into eleven halves with three blades! If she's that fierce, how could she lose??"

"The news is absolutely reliable! My cousin's sister-in-law's fiancé's aunt's cousin is in the 11th Division, and it's said that the Kenpachi was covered in wounds that day, and the blood soaked through her haori!"

"Bullshit! In the entire Soul Society, probably only Head Captain Yamamoto has that kind of strength, right? Are you sure it wasn't the Head Captain fighting on her behalf?"

"Absolutely not! I heard it clearly, the kid who dueled the Kenpachi had a head of white hair--look behind the Head Captain, isn't there a white-haired one right there?"

"...Then the Kenpachi will definitely seek revenge on this disciple, right?"

"Would someone who could make the Kenpachi bleed and get injured be afraid of revenge?..."

"Hmph, no matter who it is, I must find an opportunity to challenge this disciple in the future! I want to show him that I am the man who will become the strongest Soul Reaper!"

The new students nearby were gradually attracted by Yamamoto and Lin Nan, looking over one after another. As more and more new students joined the conversation, the chattering discussion gradually became noisy.

Lin Nan heard it clearly, and his expression gradually became unnatural.

Rumors are often spread with such embellishments. And since Yamamoto, who knew the truth, was still here, it was still a bit embarrassing to hear others blow things out of proportion like this.

Yamamoto noticed Lin Nan's abnormality and said in a low voice: "Do not be too complacent. A disciple of the Gen Style must first uphold their character. If you want to become a powerhouse, you cannot care about the voices of the weak."

This sentence was equivalent to tacitly acknowledging the content of the rumors. Kyoraku, standing to the side, was shocked.

Lin Nan actually dueled the Kenpachi?? How could this be possible? How did he survive?

And when Lin Nan heard Yamamoto's words, he was slightly stunned: "Then what if these weak ones are the people who need the protection of the strong? Do we not need to care about them either?"

Yamamoto slowed his pace slightly and glanced at Lin Nan beside him: "What qualifications do the weak who need to be protected have to speak?"

Lin Nan was momentarily speechless. This statement truly lived up to the reputation of the Court Guard Squad as a group of cutthroats in its early days.

A sudden image flashed through his mind: the frail old man who had once taken him in within the Rukon District.

"But if no one cares about the weak from beginning to end, then what is the meaning of the strong?"

Yamamoto did not speak this time, continuing to walk forward on his own: "Wait until you have become one of the strong before you ponder that question!"

Kyoraku sensed the atmosphere shifting and hurriedly tugged at Lin Nan's sleeve, preventing him from saying anything further.

Just then, a slender, tall figure appeared in the distance ahead of them. Long white hair was neatly tied into a low ponytail, draping smoothly down the middle of his back. He stood out remarkably among the group of academy students.

Upon seeing that back, Kyoraku was instantly jolted, his eyes widening until they nearly popped out of their sockets. He slapped Lin Nan's arm with exaggerated flair: "Look, look over there! It's a beautiful girl! I just love girls like that—so quiet and refined!"

Lin Nan knew Kyoraku was deliberately trying to stir the mood, but he hadn't expected the performance to be so over-the-top. He looked at Kyoraku with a helpless expression:

"What the hell are you getting so worked up for? You've seen plenty of women before and never acted like this. Today, you see a back and it's like you're possessed. Where's the image of the genius young master of the Kyoraku House gone?!"

Yamamoto saw the figure, stopped in his tracks, and said to the two of them: "Wait here for a moment. I shall return shortly."

Kyoraku kept a tight grip on Lin Nan's sleeve, his eyes fixed on the white-haired figure as he said dreamily: "Even a genius has a day where he falls in love! This back is exactly the type I like! Well-proportioned, and with long hair..."

Watching Kyoraku's expression, Lin Nan found himself unable to tell if he was being genuine or putting on an act. Suddenly, the image of a young Shunsui from the manga, pouncing on a group of female students like a monkey, appeared in his mind.

The two watched as Yamamoto met with the white-haired figure. After a few whispered words, the person bowed deeply to Yamamoto.

Kyoraku's expression grew even more excited: "Lin Nan, do you think Old Man Yama knows that girl? Heh heh, then he can act as a matchmaker for me later... No, if we end up in the same class, that won't even be necessary..."

Lin Nan: "...Stop acting. Old Man Yama can't hear you right now."

"Who says I'm acting? I... fine, I'll stop."

At this moment, Yamamoto beckoned the two over, and the three walked straight ahead.

"This is also your classmate, and he will be assigned to the same class as you both. From today on, as my students, the three of you must stand united." Yamamoto pointed to the white-haired figure before them and said, "Now, introduce yourselves to one another!"

The tall, white-haired figure turned around, waved at Lin Nan and Kyoraku with a kind smile, and spoke in a voice as gentle as a spring breeze:

"Hello there. I come from the 76th District of the East Rukon District, Reverse Bone. My name is: Ukitake Jushiro! Please treat me well!"