Sly Fox

Saw through her?

Matsumoto Rangiku lowered her gaze without speaking, then attacked again with her blade. Several flashes of sword light appeared around her weapon, swift and difficult to distinguish—was only one real, or were they all real?

Xin reacted just as swiftly, blocking every one of her attacks. Blade met blade, sending brilliant sparks flying.

Matsumoto Rangiku found it increasingly strange. Xin appeared to be completely suppressed, unable to retaliate, yet he had also forced her to keep attacking without pause. Had Xin seen through all her attacks? Or was he merely unable to do anything but defend because of the difference in their speed? What if she stopped her assault?

Gritting her teeth, Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly withdrew her sword. In that instant, a cold flash lit up before her eyes. The plain Asauchi thrust in from an exceptionally tricky angle, nearly grazing her cheek.

Had it missed?

Or had she dodged it herself? Still shaken, she caught sight of a strand of golden hair drifting down onto the blade before her.

Matsumoto Rangiku swallowed and froze where she stood.

Xin slowly withdrew his sword and took a step back.

"Miss Rangiku?"

"..."

Matsumoto Rangiku seemed to still be caught in the shock of that strike, uncertain whether she had heard Xin's soft call.

Hisagi Shūhei had witnessed everything. Rangiku, who had suppressed Xin from start to finish, seemed to have suddenly been defeated by a single blow.

Miss Matsumoto had lost?

That couldn't be possible...

Matsumoto Rangiku let out a long breath and sheathed her Zanpakutō.

"Was that how you defeated your teacher back then?" she asked.

Xin replied, "Teacher Nanda was much weaker than you."

When he had fought Nanda Hidezawa, the two of them had been using wooden swords. Xin had directly cut through his opponent's weapon.

Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly smiled. She did not particularly want to smile, but she did not know what expression she should have worn besides one.

Had she really lost just like that?

A dignified Lieutenant Captain had lost to a Spirit Training Academy student who had not even graduated!

She had only lost in swordsmanship. Perhaps that was how she should put it.

Even after finding herself an excuse, Matsumoto Rangiku still found it hard to accept.

She recalled the first time she had met Xin. In a ruined building in Gokō District, a thin boy had stood with a sword in hand, several corpses lying at his feet.

She had actually forgotten that.

This brat was far more than merely sly.

"I came to see you about something." Only then did Matsumoto Rangiku bring up the real matter, glancing at Hisagi Shūhei beside them as she spoke.

Seeing that, Shūbīng immediately said, "As it happens, I have something to do. I'll be leaving first. You two talk."

The kendo classroom fell quiet again. Xin walked to the side, picked up a water flask, and took a drink.

After considering it for a moment, Matsumoto Rangiku asked, "Did Vice-Captain Shiba of the Thirteenth Division invite you as well?"

"Yeah."

"What Seat did he offer you?"

Xin tilted his head. "Miss Rangiku thinks too highly of me. Seated Officer positions in the Thirteenth Division aren't cabbages growing by the roadside."

So this brat knows that much, too, Matsumoto Rangiku thought.

"Then which Division do you want to join in the future?"

Xin replied leisurely, "I haven't decided yet. I still have some time before graduation, so there's no rush."

Only then did Matsumoto Rangiku say, "If you are willing to join the Tenth Division, you can start directly as a Seated Officer. Which Seat you receive will depend on your own ability."

Xin grinned. "Miss Rangiku is so good to me. But something like that is still too far off. I'll think about it when I graduate."

Matsumoto Rangiku felt irritated. She had already shown such sincerity, yet this brat seemed to think himself something special. Did he really consider himself some extraordinary genius?

But on further thought, the swordsmanship he had displayed just now was indeed not something an ordinary person could achieve.

The Tenth Division was a patrol and security force. The work of its members was not especially dangerous, but they were busy every day. Her captain happened to be a lazy sort, leaving much of the Division's work piled onto her alone.

Matsumoto Rangiku dearly hoped someone could come and share some of her burden.

In terms of strength, Tachikawa Xin would indeed be qualified for an Upper Seat Officer position after graduation. Even if he started as the 10th Seat, someone with his talent would advance quickly in the future.

Third Seat—the Assistant Vice-Captain.

It would not take Tachikawa Xin long to reach that position after joining the Tenth Division.

Remembering her captain's instructions before she had come, Matsumoto Rangiku chose to yield another step. "Why don't you name your own terms? Which Seat do you want?"

Seeing Matsumoto Rangiku press the matter so earnestly, Xin could not make himself seem too inconsiderate. He said, "Miss Rangiku, after I graduate, I'll give the Tenth Division first consideration. Vice-Captain Shiba also spoke with me. I won't be joining the Thirteenth Division after I graduate."

Matsumoto Rangiku eyed him suspiciously. "Really?"

"Really!"

Xin nodded with great seriousness at first, then smiled. "I also hope I can see Miss Rangiku every day."

Matsumoto Rangiku merely rolled her eyes at him charmingly and brushed the hair by her ear aside, recalling the lock of golden hair Xin's blade had cut away earlier.

What a pity she had not managed to test the brat's true strength.

She was not about to use her full strength in a duel against a Spirit Training Academy student who had yet to graduate.

After chatting for a few more moments, Matsumoto Rangiku finally left the Spirit Training Academy and returned to the Tenth Division barracks to report.

"That brat really is a sly one."

After hearing Matsumoto Rangiku's account, Shiba Isshin could not help bursting into laughter.

"No wonder he could come up with an idea like that. He's no easy customer. Rangiku, if you're counting on him to become your assistant and help share the Division's work, I'd say you shouldn't hold your breath."

Matsumoto Rangiku curled her lips, about to say something when she suddenly froze.

"I never said I wanted him to be Third Seat, Captain. And what was that idea you mentioned?"

Shiba Isshin said, "Other than Third Seat, there's nothing in our Division that can satisfy him. For all we know, even Third Seat may not be enough for him."

"Captain, that's going too far, isn't it? He can't possibly be eyeing the Lieutenant Captain position, can he? Besides, who becomes a Lieutenant Captain right after graduation? Even if he has enough strength, he definitely wouldn't be able to handle the Division's affairs. Didn't your nephew start as Third Seat as well?" Matsumoto Rangiku said.

Shiba Isshin chuckled. "Before Kaien, no one would have imagined someone becoming Third Seat straight after graduation either. A genius is someone who accomplishes what ordinary people cannot foresee. Otherwise, wouldn't the title of genius be far too cheap?"

Matsumoto Rangiku's delicate brows drew together as she fell silent.

Shiba Isshin added, "Let's leave it at that for now. If Tachikawa Xin wants to join the Tenth Division, he'll naturally come. If he doesn't, there's no point in demanding him from above. You've worked hard, Rangiku."

But Matsumoto Rangiku said, "No, Captain. You're definitely hiding something from me."

Shiba Isshin gently shook his head. "There is something that should not be publicized yet, but you will learn of it before long."

"..."

Matsumoto Rangiku was utterly confused. She realized that something she did not know about had happened between her captain and Tachikawa Xin.

But the two of them should never have had any contact.

What exactly had that brat done...?