Graduation

At the Shino Academy, during Zanjutsu class.

"Diezuka Hiroe, come up and demonstrate the technique I taught yesterday!"

During Kido class.

"Diezuka Hiroe, tell us what you learned from casting Hadō #32!"

During Hakuda class.

"Diezuka Hiroe—no, Yoruichi. Actually, you two, come up here. One of you can demonstrate it properly, and the other can serve as a bad example. Hiroe, you're the bad example..."

The days passed, and before they knew it, Hongjiang and the others had spent six years at the Shino Academy.

Life at the Spiritual Arts Academy was leisurely but well-ordered. As one of the academy's central students, Hongjiang had thoroughly enjoyed his time there. It was destined to be one of the most cherished periods of his life.

Today was the day the three of them graduated. No matter how reluctant they were, it was time to say goodbye to the academy. Six years was the maximum time a student could study there. Whether they had succeeded or not, once those six years were up, they had to leave. That was the rule.

But Hongjiang was the only one who felt reluctant. Yoruichi and Urahara had never planned to attend the Shino Academy in the first place. Yoruichi had asked to graduate almost every year, so making it to today was no small feat.

"Congratulations on graduating, Senior Hongjiang! Please accept these flowers!"

"Haha, thanks! Come visit Squad 1 sometime, and I'll look after you!" Hongjiang took the flowers from the younger student and even gave the girl, who had only enrolled last year, a cheerful word of encouragement. She was over the moon.

Over the past six years, the three of them had been stars at the academy, thanks to their talent, strength, and handsome faces, now free of their childish looks.

Hongjiang was the most popular of the three. Yoruichi was too forceful, her bold presence intimidating people and keeping them at a distance. Urahara was always smiling and seemed easy to get along with, but there was something about his smile that made people feel as if he were scheming against them. As a result, even fewer people dared approach him than Yoruichi.

Hongjiang alone had an easygoing nature and never acted arrogant around others. In everyone's eyes, he was the most approachable of the three, and nearly every student at the academy had interacted with him at least once.

"You two have your hands free. Perfect—help me carry some of these." Hongjiang had just finished dealing with the last of his admirers. Seeing Yoruichi and Urahara standing there empty-handed, he hurriedly split off a few bouquets for them.

"You really are ridiculously boring!" Yoruichi rolled her eyes and asked irritably, "When did you even meet all those people?"

"Honestly, I don't know all of them. I don't even know some of their names..." Hongjiang answered with a pout. He'd spent most of the past six years with Yoruichi and Urahara, so even though some of those students seemed to know him well, he couldn't remember many of them.

"I didn't think you could be any more boring. What's the point of wasting time on people like that?"

"Senior Hongjiang, the Gotei 13 are at the Spirit Pool!" a little boy called from across the way.

Hongjiang nodded and thanked another admirer, then turned to Yoruichi. "See? It came in handy after all. So I didn't waste my time."

The academy's entrance ceremony was more or less optional, but graduation was a major occasion.

The Shino Academy had been founded to supply the Gotei 13 with fresh recruits. So whenever a graduation ceremony was held, the Gotei 13 sent a lieutenant or someone of higher rank to scout for promising students to bring into their squads.

The ceremony was practically a simple induction into the Gotei 13. Each year, the graduating students first had their spiritual power levels tested at the Spirit Pool, then submitted applications to the squads they hoped to join.

When they arrived at the room where the Spirit Pool was located, the graduates were already lined up neatly in front of it. They watched the thirteen Soul Reapers standing before them: twelve wore Shihakusho, while one wore a white, sleeveless haori. These thirteen were all the current lieutenants of the Gotei 13.

Although they said lieutenants or higher would attend, every year it was always the lieutenants who came. Hongjiang looked around. Aside from the oddly dressed lieutenant of Squad 1, Chojiro Sasakibe, this was his first time meeting any of the others.

"We'll begin the spiritual power assessments now!" the instructor in charge announced once everyone had arrived. "First up, Kao Susumu."

Kao Susumu had arrived early that morning and waited by the Spirit Pool. His white kimono was completely wrinkle-free, and his hair was neatly combed. He had clearly put a lot of thought into preparing for today.

"Level six and a half!" the instructor said with a broad smile. "Looks like you'll be able to join the squad you want."

Kao said nothing. He only glanced toward Chojiro Sasakibe, making no secret of the fact that he wanted to join Squad 1.

"Nice work, Kao!"

"Don't forget about me when you become a lieutenant!"

"That commoner actually made it to level six. Lord Yamamoto should never have let commoners set foot in the Seireitei!"

After six years of systematic training, Kao Susumu had risen from level four to level six. Apart from a small number of noble students, most people were willing to befriend him. After all, in the Seireitei, strength still came first.

"That guy's got some talent," Hongjiang said, pointing at Kao's back. "Did we misjudge him?"

"Character and ability have nothing to do with each other. Your Old Man Yama is the perfect example..." Urahara already had a hint of the mad scientist he would become one day. He spoke with stiff precision.

"Could you watch your wording? What do you mean, 'my Old Man Yama'?" Hongjiang said, taken aback. Then he turned to Yoruichi. "What do you think?"

"Urahara's right." Yoruichi nodded, then immediately changed her tune. "But a selfish, reckless bastard like him will end up dying by my hand sooner or later!"

"Uh, are you trying to get revenge for me?"

"The Onmitsukido's duty is to eliminate Soul Reapers who break the law. I'm just doing my job. Of course, part of me is also getting revenge for you, but that's only a side benefit."

Hongjiang's mouth twitched. Is this what it feels like to have someone keep you? His eyes flicked down slightly. She's not that big. Why does she always want people to rely on her? Isn't she afraid they'll bump into her?

Over the past six years, the relationship between Hongjiang and the others and Kao Susumu had never improved. In fact, it had grown even worse than it had been when they clashed in the Sword Chamber.

Truthfully, Kao's grudge was only against Hongjiang. Yoruichi and Urahara had been innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. But neither of them minded. By now, they were even more hostile toward Kao than Hongjiang was.

Forget what he had done to Hongjiang in the Sword Chamber. During their six years of study, Kao had kept targeting him. It wasn't fair competition; it was downright underhanded!

During sword training, he would keep thrusting at Hongjiang's throat. In Hakuda sparring, he'd either go for the eyes or try to grope him. He used nothing but dirty tricks meant for a fight to the death, as if he were determined to kill Hongjiang. As Yoruichi put it, "I've shown incredible restraint by not killing him on the spot, you know?"

Who knew when the grudge that had started because of Hongjiang would finally be settled? Or maybe it would last until one of them died. Who could say what the future held?