Gotei 13

Time flowed like water, slowly slipping by as Yoruichi Shihōin and the others competed, spent time together, and trained.

Five months later, on that same training ground, the Genius Class students gathered in small groups. Some practiced Kido, some practiced Zanjutsu, some practiced Hakuda, and others practiced Shunpo.

Over this period, everyone had more or less come to understand their own strengths and weaknesses and begun focused training. After all, even the Genius Class students were not perfect in every way.

Yoruichi Shihōin was still best at Shunpo and Hakuda, followed by Kido. Zanjutsu remained her weak point. After Shadow's explanation last time, Yoruichi Shihōin had learned to observe the world with her heart. Relying on instinct, her Shunpo was fast, flexible, and ever-changing. Her speed was already no weaker than that of an ordinary Seated Officer, perhaps even a Lieutenant.

Kensei Muguruma was best at Hakuda and Zanjutsu, followed by Kido. Although his Shunpo could not compare to Yoruichi Shihōin's, it was hardly weak.

Hiyori Sarugaki was likewise best at Hakuda and Zanjutsu, while her Shunpo was a little weaker. As for Kido, it was better left unmentioned.

Kūkaku Shiba was practically Hiyori Sarugaki's opposite. She was best at Kido, followed by Hakuda, while her Shunpo was somewhat weaker. As for Zanjutsu, it was as unbearable as Hiyori Sarugaki's Kido.

Lisa Yadomaru's strongest suit was surprisingly Zanjutsu, which caught everyone off guard. Her Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido were all quite good as well. She was fairly well-rounded.

Kisuke Urahara still spent every spare moment working on his research and inventions. Still, his Kido seemed rather strong.

Mashiro Kuna left everyone speechless. Her Hakuda was just kicking, while her Zanjutsu, Kido, and Shunpo... uh... were impossible to assess.

After spending so much time together, even Kaien Shiba had become familiar with the group. Kensei Muguruma in particular got along with him. Both possessed Lieutenant-level Spiritual Power, and they had become acquainted through fighting. After sparring many times without either side claiming victory, no one knew who had suggested challenging Shadow.

When Yoruichi Shihōin first heard that, she stood there in a daze for quite a while. In the end, she called Shadow out, and he duly beat the two of them into pig heads. Though he had not tried to kill them, they still suffered terribly. Kaien Shiba and Kensei Muguruma secretly swore that they would never fight Shadow again. It was far too painful.

"Then that concludes today's Kido theory. Next, we will continue discussing the possible harm caused by Zanjutsu attack movements..."

At the podium, the goateed teacher was once again delivering his impassioned, utterly unoriginal lecture. Beneath the podium, the Genius Class students all lazily went about their own business. Then again, if the most talented students in the entire year still needed theoretical knowledge like this to improve their strength, that would be rather absurd.

"Huff... huff..."

Yoruichi Shihōin had her face pressed against the desk, softly snoring. Drool continuously dripped from the corner of her mouth, and every now and then her lips twitched adorably.

Compared to Yoruichi Shihōin, Hiyori Sarugaki was much more direct. She lay sprawled across her chair, fast asleep and snoring loudly.

Kūkaku Shiba was sprawled over her desk, writing something with a pen. She kept muttering to herself, smiling one moment and frowning the next.

Lisa Yadomaru still held a book in her hands. A glint occasionally flashed beneath her glasses, making her seem rather eerie.

Kensei Muguruma's soul had wandered elsewhere, Mashiro Kuna looked around in boredom, and Kisuke Urahara stared wide-eyed as he contemplated his research. Everyone was doing something, but not a single person was paying attention.

Just then, the goateed teacher on the podium suddenly said, "...That is roughly all there is to it. Oh! Right, three days from now, your class will have a simulated Hollow combat exercise. Make your preparations! Class dismissed!"

With that, he walked straight out.

"What? Simulated Hollows!"

"A combat exercise!"

"..."

All the students instantly snapped back to attention and stared at one another, processing the revelation. Unfortunately, the goateed teacher had slipped away without another word. He had done that on purpose, hadn't he?

Tomorrow was the weekend, and after class today, they would be able to temporarily leave Shin'ō Academy. As Yoruichi Shihōin and her group of seven walked along, discussing the simulated Hollow combat drill three days away, Kaien Shiba came running over excitedly. He was no longer wearing the Shin'ō Academy uniform, but a black Shihakushō.

Kaien Shiba chuckled as he looked at Kensei Muguruma's twitching brow. Patting his Shihakushō, he proudly said, "So, Kensei, jealous? Starting today—no, starting right now—I am a real Bleach!"

"Damn it!" Kensei Muguruma gritted his teeth, shouted, and turned to run. "I'm applying for early graduation too!"

"Kensei, don't tell me you've forgotten Shin'ō Academy's rules?" Lisa Yadomaru pushed up her glasses and looked up.

"Rules?" Kensei Muguruma abruptly froze mid-run.

"Well, only those who have studied at Shin'ō Academy for a full year and earned their teachers' approval with outstanding grades may apply for early graduation," Yoruichi Shihōin said. "Didn't Goatee tell us that on our first day of class?"

"What?!" Kensei Muguruma cried out angrily. "Why is there such a rule?!"

"Without rules, wouldn't Shin'ō Academy become a complete mess?" Kūkaku Shiba calmly puffed on a pipe she had somehow acquired. "Speaking of which, big brother, have you chosen a division yet?"

"A division..." Kaien Shiba propped his chin on one hand. "The Thirteenth Division. Captain Ukitake is a very good man."

"The Thirteenth Division is not bad. But I prefer the Tenth Division. Leading a bunch of underlings on patrol every day—how imposing would that be?" Kūkaku Shiba grinned brightly.

"..."

The group was speechless, black lines appearing across their faces as they looked at Kūkaku Shiba. That really was just like her.

"That is how it is," Kaien Shiba said with a smile. "I need to report to the Thirteenth Division first. We can meet at the usual place later. My treat!"

After Kaien Shiba left, Yoruichi Shihōin and the others gained another topic of discussion: the Gotei 13.

"But what exactly are the duties of the Gotei 13?"

Hiyori Sarugaki suddenly asked. She, Mashiro Kuna, Lisa Yadomaru, Kensei Muguruma, and the others had all come from Rukongai, so they were not very familiar with it.

"Hiyori, aren't you very close with Shinji Hirako?" Yoruichi Shihōin asked in confusion.

"Who is close with that baldy?!" Hiyori Sarugaki immediately became agitated.

"Is that so?"

Those two simple words came lightly from Kūkaku Shiba's mouth, yet they sent Hiyori Sarugaki's temper shooting skyward.

"Then I'll explain," Yoruichi Shihōin said, scratching her head. "Within the Gotei 13, the First Division is the headquarters, responsible for issuing notices from Central 46 and convening regular meetings. The Second Division handles assassinations and covert infiltration missions. The Third Division is a support unit, assisting the duties of all divisions other than the Fourth Division when necessary. The Fourth Division is the medical unit, responsible for emergency treatment and everyday medical work. The Fifth Division is a rescue unit, responsible for rescuing Bleach and Bleach trainees who encounter trouble while killing Hollows in the World of the Living. The Sixth Division is a unit exclusive to nobles, tasked with protecting the interests of Soul Society's nobility. The Seventh Division is an inner-court guard unit, responsible for assisting and protecting the First Division and Central 46. The Eighth Division is an intelligence unit, responsible for collecting and organizing intelligence. The Ninth Division is a prison unit, responsible for interrogation, extracting confessions, and imprisoning ordinary criminals. The Tenth Division is a patrol and security unit, responsible for maintaining order within the Seireitei. The Eleventh Division is a combat unit, responsible for frontline attacks. The Twelfth Division is a combat support unit, responsible for providing necessary supplies during battle. The Thirteenth Division is a purification unit, the main force responsible for purifying Hollows, and it is stationed in the World of the Living. That is roughly it!"

"Then, Yoruichi, which division do you want to join?" Kisuke Urahara asked.

"Of course I'm returning to the Second Division. I have to take Father's position," Yoruichi Shihōin complained. "What a pain. By the way, Kisuke, which division do you want to join?"

"I don't know yet," Kisuke Urahara said. "I probably won't consider that question until six years from now."

"Six years from now?" Kensei Muguruma asked in confusion. "Kisuke, aren't you applying for early graduation with us?"

"No, no." Kisuke Urahara repeatedly shook his head. "You all know I like researching things. It is more convenient here. If I join the Gotei 13, I won't have time for research, so I might as well wait another six years."

"That is why I call you an idiot, Baldy Urahara!" Hiyori Sarugaki mocked.

"..." Kisuke Urahara could only scratch his head and smile foolishly.

"How about this, Kisuke?" Yoruichi Shihōin thought for a moment before speaking. "Why don't you come to the Second Division with me?"

"The Second Division?" Kūkaku Shiba immediately choked on her smoke, coughed twice, and said, "But Yoruichi, doesn't the Second Division never recruit from Shin'ō Academy?"

"Well, what does that matter, Kukaku?" Yoruichi Shihōin waved a hand. "Don't forget, my surname is Shihōin."

"That is true." Kūkaku Shiba continued smoking her pipe and smiled. "Yoruichi is the Shihōin family's sole future heir, after all."

"So, Kisuke, do you want to join the Second Division?" Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head. "Most of the time, you can continue with your research."

"That would be quite nice," Kisuke Urahara said with a smile. "But wouldn't it cause Yoruichi any trouble?"

"It won't. Don't worry about that," Yoruichi Shihōin said, nodding with a smile. "Shadow is my man! Even if Father disagrees, there is nothing he can do about it!"

"Then thank you, Yoruichi!" Kisuke Urahara's face immediately blossomed into a smile.