Gillian

The night was cloudless, and a waning moon hung high.

Several figures darted across the rooftops of buildings. Renji Abarai, gripping his Asauchi, excitedly pursued a Hollow about the size of a person. It resembled some sort of crawling beast, but under the coordinated efforts of Renji, Hinamori, and Kira, it was startled into fleeing in all directions.

The three were already outstanding among the first-year students, and their performance during this practical training had been quite impressive.

Hinamori blocked its path ahead, and a Crimson Cannon struck the Hollow squarely in the face. However, the power of the Crimson Cannon, released with her Reiatsu, was limited and did not inflict any substantial damage.

As the smoke and dust cleared, Renji and Kira attacked from both sides simultaneously, slicing it into three pieces.

Watching the body on the ground slowly dissipate into spiritual particles, Renji sheathed his Asauchi behind his back.

"You guys were pretty quick, Kira, but I could have handled it easily on my own."

Izuru Kira chuckled and said, "Don't say that, it's everyone's teamwork that got the job done."

Renji, quite self-satisfied, declared, "I'm at the level where I can truly fight Hollows. This kind of training is too easy."

Hinamori, who had walked over at that moment, rolled her eyes. "Your mouth is really something."

Renji said, slightly annoyed, "I'm serious!"

Hinamori Momo didn't hold back at all. "Even though it always takes all three of us working together, you always claim it was all your doing. Are you going to brag about yourself alone when you report back?"

Renji was speechless and turned his head away. He looked at the senior students on the elevated platform not far away.

He then changed the subject, saying, "They sure seem relaxed."

Kira said, "This is training prepared for us. The seniors don't need to interfere unless we're in danger."

Renji scoffed, "How could a Hollow of this level possibly be dangerous?"

Hinamori helplessly put a hand to her forehead. "Here we go again."

Not all students were as fortunate as they were. Some, facing Hollows for the first time, were tense and fearful, nearly forgetting everything they had learned during the practical application.

Fortunately, senior students were secretly protecting them, preventing them from getting injured.

In this practical training, besides providing assistance to the first-year students when necessary, the senior students were also responsible for recording each student's performance.

Meanwhile, over with Xin.

The large Hollow that had appeared earlier was killed by Xin before it could even make a move, so it didn't attract much attention.

Xin and his group also had no intention of publicizing the matter for the time being.

They had no choice but to temporarily trust the response from the barrier team.

"Kira and Hinamori are performing well."

Their vantage point offered a good view, and Shūhei had been observing Hinamori's group.

Hinamori's mastery of Kido was already far ahead of her peers. The girl had a great talent in this area, but it was limited by her Reiatsu.

Although Renji appeared reckless, his combat skills were actually very strong. His only weakness was Kido.

Izuru Kira was well-balanced in all aspects, with equally impressive Swordsmanship, Kido, and Shunpo.

Hisagi Shūhei held a document, on which he recorded Hinamori's performance with brief comments.

Kanazawa was also paying close attention to the entire situation. Apart from the large Hollow that shouldn't have appeared at the beginning, everything had gone smoothly until now, leading her and Shūhei to gradually believe it was just an accident.

Xin remained silent, his gaze fixed on the somber night.

"Xin?"

Shūhei, having spoken at length without a response, looked at Xin strangely.

"What are you looking at?"

Kanazawa's quiet nature was normal, but Xin wasn't usually like this.

"Nothing, just looking around," Xin said.

Shūhei thoughtfully asked, "What are you worried about?"

Xin gave no definitive answer.

Shūhei pondered for a moment, then felt that Xin's caution wasn't a bad thing.

It was only the first night, and there was still a long time until the end of the practical training.

Xin was currently paying close attention to all the Reiatsu fluctuations within the barrier, wary of any further abnormal situations.

As the night deepened.

Feeling tired, the students gathered at the rendezvous point to rest and eat to replenish their energy.

One class of students excitedly discussed something. This practical training in the Human World was a novel and thrilling experience for them, while others looked listless and disappointed.

Xin and Shūhei also arrived there. Shūhei spoke words of encouragement and praised everyone's performance, while also warning them not to let their guard down in the upcoming battles.

While everyone was resting, Hinamori Momo suddenly approached Xin.

"President!"

She greeted him cheerfully and then also greeted Kanazawa beside him. "Senior Kanazawa."

Kanazawa simply nodded with a calm expression.

Hinamori put on a look that clearly sought praise, "Did you notice our group's performance, President?"

A faint smile touched Xin's face. "I did. Your coordination was good."

Hinamori seized the opportunity to complain, "We were actually cooperating quite well, but that guy Renji, he's always thinking about showing off. Many times, he just went off to chase Hollows without us. I warned him many times, but it was no use."

Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that so? Call him over."

Hinamori's spirits immediately lifted at this, but she quickly hesitated. "Maybe not. I'll talk to him myself later. If you scold him for me, President, he'll definitely curse me to death in his heart."

Xin couldn't help but chuckle, thinking that this girl was quite considerate.

"Keep up the good work and be careful from now on."

Hinamori nodded with a serious expression. "I'll work hard, and I'm not scared! Because..."

As she spoke, her face lit up with a bright smile. "President will definitely protect me!"

But in the next instant, the smile on her face froze. In her field of vision, in the air behind the President and Senior Kanazawa, a narrow, horizontal, pitch-black gap suddenly tore open in thin air. From it emerged a giant white mask, its glowing red eyes opening, looking incredibly terrifying.

What is that...

Her thoughts briefly short-circuited for a second before she instantly reacted.

Among the ranks of Hollows, some powerful ones possessed special abilities, like opening Garganta!

Similar to the Senkaimon used by Shinigami to travel to the Human World, Garganta served the same purpose of traversing space.

Xin also felt the immense Reiatsu fluctuation from behind him almost instantaneously. He turned around swiftly, only to see a massive hand descending upon him like Mount Tai.

Boom!

The gigantic palm, like a house, slammed onto the ground, shattering it into pieces.

"President!"

Hinamori cried out in alarm.

Kanazawa was flung away, crashing heavily against a nearby wall. When she looked up and back to where the incident had occurred, her pupils suddenly contracted.

The hand had directly smashed a deep pit into the ground. Apart from the flying debris and broken bricks, no one could be seen.

She then remembered that in the critical moment, Xin had grabbed her and thrown her out.

Then where is Xin...

Xin?!