Gotei 13

Gotei 13

Time flowed like water as Yoruichi Shihōin and the others spent their days competing, getting along, and training.

Five months later, in that same training field, the students of the genius class were scattered in small groups, some practicing Kido, some Zanjutsu, some Hakuda, and others Shunpo.

Over this period of time, everyone had gained a general understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, beginning targeted training; after all, even the students of the genius class were not infallible.

What Yoruichi excelled at the most remained Shunpo and Hakuda, followed by Kido, while Zanjutsu was still her weakness. Following Shadow's explanation last time, Yoruichi had learned to observe the world with her heart, and relying on her intuition, her Shunpo was fast and flexible, reaching a speed that did not lag behind ordinary seated officers or even lieutenants.

What Kensei excelled at the most were Hakuda and Zanjutsu, followed by Kido; though his Shunpo could not compare to Yoruichi's, it was not weak either.

What Hiyori excelled at the most were likewise Hakuda and Zanjutsu, with a slightly weaker Shunpo, and as for Kido, the less said, the better.

Kūkaku was almost the exact inverse of Hiyori, excelling most in Kido, followed by Hakuda, with a slightly weaker Shunpo, and as for Zanjutsu, it inspired the same cautious dread as Hiyori's Kido.

Lisa's strongest skill turned out unexpectedly to be Zanjutsu, which caught everyone by surprise; meanwhile, her Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kido were all quite good, making her well-rounded.

Kisuke still threw himself into his research and inventions whenever he had the time, though his Kido seemed quite formidable.

Mashiro left everyone utterly speechless: Hakuda consisted of her kicks, and as for Zanjutsu, Kido, and Shunpo—uh, they were immeasurable.

Having spent a long time together, even Kaien had grown familiar with the group, especially Kensei. Since they both possessed lieutenant-level spiritual power, they were truly friends made through blows. After exchanging blows numerous times without a clear victor, neither knew who had first suggested it, but they decided to challenge Shadow.

When Yoruichi first heard those words, she stood stunned for a long time before finally calling Shadow out, who duly beat the two of them into bruised pulps. Although Shadow held back from delivering fatal blows, they still suffered quite a bit, causing Kaien and Kensei to secretly swear that they would never fight Shadow again, as it was simply too agonizing.

"Well, that concludes today's Kido theory. Next, we will continue examining the potential hazards that can be caused by the attacking motions of Zanjutsu..."

Up on the podium, the goatee-sporting teacher was once again passionately delivering his utterly uninspired, lengthy lecture. Down below, the students of the genius class lazily went about their own business one by one. Then again, if the students with the most talent in the entire grade still needed theoretical knowledge to improve their strength, it would truly be inexcusable.

"Hoo... hooh..."

Yoruichi pressed her face against her desk, snoring softly as drool continuously pooled at the corner of her mouth, occasionally twitching her lips in an endearing manner.

Compared to Yoruichi, Hiyori was much more straightforward, sprawling out in her chair and sleeping soundly.

Kūkaku slumped over her desk, holding a pen and writing something or other while continually muttering under her breath, chuckling one moment and frowning the next.

Lisa still clutched a book, light occasionally flashing across the lenses of her glasses in a manner that appeared rather eerie.

Kensei's spirit wandered the cosmos, Mashiro looked around in boredom, and Kisuke stared wide-eyed as he pondered his research. Everyone was doing something different, but in short, not a single person was listening attentively.

Right at that moment, the goatee-sporting teacher on the podium suddenly blurted out, "...That is pretty much it. Oh! Right, three days from now, the students of your year will have a simulated Hollow combat drill. Everyone, prepare yourselves! Class is dismissed!"

With that, he walked straight out the door.

"What, a simulated Hollow?!"

"A combat drill?!"

"..."

All the students instantly snapped back to their senses, staring at each other in blank dismay as they reprocessed this bombshell. The frustrating part was that the goatee teacher had departed immediately without saying a single extra word—had he done that on purpose?!

The weekend was approaching, and once class ended today, they could temporarily leave Shin'ō Academy. As Yoruichi and her six companions walked and discussed the upcoming simulated Hollow combat drill three days away, Kaien came running over eagerly. The clothes he wore were no longer the uniform of Shin'ō Academy, but rather a black Shihakushō.

Kaien chuckled, looking at Kensei's twitching eyebrows while patting his own Shihakushō and boasting smugly, "How is it, Kensei? Jealous, aren't you! Starting today—no, starting right now—I'm a true Shinigami!"

"Damn it!" Kensei gritted his teeth, let out a loud shout, and turned to run. "I'm going to apply for early graduation too!"

"Kensei, you surely haven't forgotten the rules of Shin'ō Academy, have you?" Lisa pushed up her glasses and looked up.

"Rules!" Kensei's running figure abruptly froze in place.

"Well! It's just that you can only apply for early graduation after studying at Shin'ō Academy for a full year and earning the teachers' affirmation with outstanding grades!" Yoruichi said. "Didn't the goatee say all that on our very first day of class?!"

"What!" Kensei shouted indignantly. "How can there be a rule like that?!"

"If there weren't some rules, wouldn't Shin'ō Academy descend into chaos?" Kūkaku calmly puffed on a dry tobacco pipe she had gotten from somewhere. "Having said that, Big Brother, have you chosen a division?"

"A division?" Kaien propped his chin in his hand. "It's the Thirteenth Division. Captain Ukitake is a wonderful person."

"The Thirteenth Division, that's not bad! Though I'd prefer the Tenth Division—patrolling around with a bunch of subordinates every day, how majestic!" Kūkaku smiled, radiating high spirits.

"..."

The group fell speechless, instantly breaking out in dark veins as they looked at Kūkaku. That was certainly typical of her!

"That's how it is!" Kaien smiled. "I'm going to report to the Thirteenth Division first. Everyone meet up at our old spot later! My treat!"

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

"Even so, what are the duties of the Gotei 13?"

Hiyori suddenly asked. Since she, Mashiro, Lisa, Kensei, and the others all came from Rukongai, they were not very familiar with them.

"Hiyori, aren't you on good terms with Shinji Hirako?" Yoruichi asked in confusion.

"Who's on good terms with that baldy?!" Hiyori flared up instantly.

"Is that so?"

The simple two-word response dropped casually from Kūkaku's lips, sending Hiyori's temper shooting straight upward.

"Let's talk about it then!" Yoruichi scratched her head and began. "Among the Gotei 13, the First Division is the general division, responsible for issuing notices from Central 46 and holding routine meetings; the Second Division handles assassination and covert infiltration missions; the Third Division is the support division, assisting other divisions' duties aside from the Fourth Division when needed; the Fourth Division is the medical corps, responsible for emergency treatment and daily medical work; the Fifth Division is the rescue corps, responsible for rescuing Shinigami and trainee Shinigami who run into trouble while slaying Hollows in the World of the Living; the Sixth Division is the exclusive noble division, tasked with protecting the interests of Soul Society's nobility; the Seventh Division is the inner court guard corps, responsible for assisting and protecting the First Division and Central 46; the Eighth Division is the intelligence division, responsible for gathering and organizing information; the Ninth Division is the prison corps, responsible for torture-interrogations and imprisoning ordinary criminals; the Tenth Division is the patrol and security corps, responsible for public order within Seireitei; the Eleventh Division is the combat unit, responsible for frontline offense; the Twelfth Division is the combat support corps, responsible for providing necessary supplies during battle; the Thirteenth Division is the purification corps, serving as the primary force for purifying Hollows and responsible for stationing in the World of the Living. That's pretty much it!"

"So, Yoruichi, which division are you going to join?" Kisuke asked.

"Of course I'm going back to the Second Division to take over my father's position!" Yoruichi Shihōin complained. "It's such a pain. Oh right, Kisuke, which division are you going to!"

"I don't know about that yet!" Kisuke Urahara said. "I'll probably wait until six years later to think about that question!"

"Six years later!" Kensei Muguruma asked in confusion. "I say, Kisuke, aren't you going to apply for early graduation with us!"

"No, no!" Kisuke Urahara shook his head repeatedly and said, "You guys know I like to research some things, and it's quite convenient here! If I join the Gotei 13, I won't have time for research, so I'll wait until six years later to talk about it!"

"That's why I say you're an idiot, Baldy Urahara!" Hiyori Sarugaki retorted.

"..." Kisuke Urahara could only rub his head and laugh sheepishly.

"How about this, Kisuke!" Yoruichi Shihōin thought for a moment and spoke up. "How about you come with me to the Second Division!"

"Go to the Second Division!" Kūkaku Shiba immediately choked on a puff of smoke, coughed twice, and said, "But, Yoruichi, doesn't the Second Division never recruit people from Shin'ō Academy!"

"Well! What does that matter, Kukaku!" Yoruichi Shihōin waved her hand and said, "Don't forget, my last name is Shihōin!"

"That's true too!" Kūkaku Shiba continued smoking her long-stemmed pipe and smiled. "Yoruichi is the sole future heir of the Shihōin!"

"How about it, Kisuke, do you want to go to the Second Division!" Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head and said, "Most of the time, you can continue doing your research!"

"That would be really nice, though!" Kisuke Urahara smiled. "It's just, won't that cause any trouble for Yoruichi?"

"No, you can rest easy about that!" Yoruichi Shihōin nodded and smiled. "Shadow is on my side, after all! Even if Lord Father doesn't agree, there's nothing he can do about me!"

"Then many thanks, Yoruichi!" A beaming smile broke out across Kisuke Urahara's face.