The Next Beginning

To help these newly graduated students better adapt to life in the Seireitei in the days ahead, and more importantly, because the captains had acquired a number of talented, powerful students, they decided to hold an evening gathering on the academy's back mountain.

Yoruichi Shihōin and the others strongly approved of the decision. Even Kisuke Urahara, who was still conducting research, was forcibly dragged over by Kaien Shiba and Kensei Muguruma.

Everyone gathered together, arms slung over one another's shoulders, eating, drinking, playing, and laughing, each of them having a wonderful time.

Perhaps after this parting, many of them would never see each other again.

Perhaps after this parting, when they next met, they would address one another as "my lord."

Perhaps... there were simply too many possibilities.

Shunsui Kyōraku was drunk beyond measure, Retsu Unohana held a steaming cup of tea with her usual gentle smile, Jūshirō Ukitake leaned off to one side with a pale face, Shinji Hirako still grinned broadly as he messed around with Hiyori Sarugaki, while Kirio Hikifune watched with a beaming smile.

Yoruichi Shihōin and Kūkaku Shiba fought over food, occasionally bickering, while Kaien Shiba and Kensei Muguruma had begun sparring again. Mashiro Kuna hopped around nearby, cheering Kensei on.

In a corner beyond the reach of the firelight, a trace of nostalgia surfaced on Shadow's cold face. It seemed that once, he had been like this too.

Whether they cried or laughed, this final time together would come to an end with the night. When dawn arrived, whether it was sorrow or joy, it would all gather in the deepest corners of their hearts.

Perhaps years later, when some of them met again and recalled the laughter of this moment, they would laugh out loud.

This was who we were back then! Though immature, though...

The nights of the Seireitei did not seem dark, not only because the moon scattered its silver-white veil, but also because of the clusters of flames.

The night breeze drifted by, full of tenderness, carrying them all the way to dawn.

The morning glow stretched the students' shadows long, while the rising sun radiated light that was not scorching, yet full of vitality.

All the students set down what they held, stopped their chatter, and watched the rising sun in the east, revealing their most contented smiles.

Tomorrow, we would do even better.

"Hey! Everyone!" Yoruichi Shihōin stood up, looked at Kūkaku Shiba and the others beside her, and smiled. "Don't forget our promise!"

"I definitely won't lose to you, Yoruichi!" Kūkaku Shiba was the first to respond.

"Of course!" Kensei Muguruma shouted passionately. "I'm going to be the first to learn Bankai!"

"Stop bragging!" Hiyori Sarugaki tilted her head and mocked him.

"..."

"Then everyone, do your best!" Yoruichi Shihōin grinned and held out her right hand.

Kūkaku Shiba turned her head with a smile and placed her hand on top. Kaien Shiba and Kensei Muguruma followed without yielding, while Hiyori Sarugaki refused to be left behind. Seeing Kensei put his hand in, Mashiro Kuna extended hers as well.

"Since everyone is so fired up, Lisa and I might as well join in too!" Kisuke Urahara scratched his head and glanced at Lisa Yadomaru.

"I have no problem with that." Lisa Yadomaru closed her book and shrugged indifferently.

Eight hands overlapped, and deep smiles filled eight young, immature faces...

"One, two, three! Everyone, let's do our best! Hahaha..."

The eight hands swung upward together toward the beautiful sky beneath the newborn sunlight. True life had only just begun!

"Every time I see them, I feel like I've grown old," Retsu Unohana said with feeling.

"Yes. Being young is wonderful," Kirio Hikifune agreed.

"Actually, I feel like I'm in the prime of my life right now!"

Shinji Hirako somehow produced a comb and mirror, smoothing his hair as he narcissistically spoke.

But while wishes were beautiful, reality was cruel. After a loud smack, the world fell silent.

Covering his face as blood gushed from his nose, Shinji Hirako pointed at Hiyori Sarugaki with a trembling hand.

"Hiyori, you little brat!"

"Quit whining! I'm not apologizing!"

"But I haven't even said anything yet..."

"Then I have even less reason to apologize!"

"..."

Everyone could not help but laugh. Life was simply this easy and warm!

The day for the probationary Bleach to report to their respective divisions was not until the third day after the graduation ceremony. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, the students laughed and played for a while longer before finally ending the gathering and preparing to go home for some proper rest.

Yoruichi Shihōin yawned, rubbed her eyes, tilted her head, and softly said, "Shadow, it's time to go home!"

Shadow appeared instantly and dropped to one knee. "Yes, Lady Yoruichi! Are we returning to rest?"

Yoruichi Shihōin shook her head, climbed onto Shadow's back, and rested her chin on top of his head.

"There's no need to hurry. I still want to take a walk. I'll be joining the Stealth Force the day after tomorrow, so I should relax first!"

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

Walking through the streets of the Seireitei, Yoruichi Shihōin's amber-like eyes darted about. Whenever she saw something she liked, she bought it and tossed it to Shadow to carry. Her tireless, wheat-colored face was full of excited smiles.

Shadow still wore a cold expression as he followed one step behind Yoruichi Shihōin, paying with one hand while stuffing items into the bags in his other hand.

After another entire day of wild fun, Yoruichi Shihōin collapsed into bed the moment she returned to the Shihōin household. She did not even eat dinner. Shadow sighed helplessly, tucked her in, walked out, closed the door, and formed a hand seal.

Shadow Clone Technique

After a puff of smoke with a bang, an identical Shadow appeared beside him. After ordering the clone to stand guard outside the door, Shadow shook his head. He needed to get some proper rest too.

Three days passed quickly, and the students each received their Shihakushō, becoming true Bleach.

On their first day of joining their divisions, Kūkaku Shiba, Kensei Muguruma, Hiyori Sarugaki, Lisa Yadomaru, and Mashiro Kuna challenged the seated officers of their respective divisions—and succeeded.

Kisuke Urahara joined the Second Division, though he held no seat. He did not care about that at all.

To Kisuke Urahara, research and invention were more important than anything else, and everyone had expected as much.

At the same time, Yoruichi Shihōin was undergoing all kinds of training within the Stealth Force.

Everything continued to develop in an orderly fashion, awaiting the next beginning.

Welcome, readers! The latest, fastest, and hottest serialized works are all on Qidian Original!