Teasing Nanao
In the cafeteria of the Shin'ō Academy, students come and go in small groups.
Wang Xun a quiet spot by the window and sat down. Nanao Ise, holding her plate, sat quietly opposite him.
Nanao wore thin-rimmed glasses on her nose, and her smooth black hair clung to her cheeks; she looked much the same as before.
Wang Xun had shed the naiveté of his student days, gaining instead the composure and sharpness befitting Soul Reaper.
Nanao lowered her head and ate her rice in small bites, but couldn't help but steal glances at Wang Xun across from her.
He has changed a lot since then.
After finishing their meal, the two walked side by side along the tree-lined path of the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Cherry blossom petals drifted down in the wind and landed on Nanao's hair.
Wang Xun noticed this and reached out to brush away the petals for her.
When Nanao met her gaze, Nanao paused for a moment, then turned her head slightly away.
Not far away, sunlight streamed through the library windows, casting a warm golden hue across the ground.
Wang Xun stood at the door, looking at the familiar wooden door, and for a moment it seemed as if he had returned to last year.
At that time, he was just an ordinary student at the Spiritual Arts Academy, and his daily life consisted of attending classes, training, and spending time in the library.
Nanao always sat by the window, with a thick book of Kidō spread out in front of her, reading quietly.
Zhu Xun sat opposite her, rubbing against the Kidō fragments that had fallen from Nanao's body.
Wang Xun was momentarily dazed.
What are you thinking about?
Nanao's voice came from beside her.
Wang Xun snapped out of his daze, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"Thinking back, we used to come here often to read books."
"Yes, it's been almost a year since you left. Next year, I'll be graduating too."
"Wang Xun," Nanao spoke again, asking softly, "Are you very busy in the Fourth Division?"
"Fortunately, there's been a lot of work—medical treatment, training, team affairs, and various other things."
Nanao nodded, understanding, since Wang Xun was already Fourth Seat.
At this moment, Nanao recalled Wang Xun's time at the Spiritual Arts Academy.
At that time, Wang Xun kept a low profile and concealed his talents.
Looking back now, the difference is like heaven and earth.
"Let's go to the training ground."
Wang Xun smiled, patted Nanao on the shoulder, and turned to walk towards the Kidō training ground on the west side.
"Let me see how your Kidō arts are progressing lately."
Nanao quickly followed, staying beside him.
The two arrived shortly afterward.
The Kidō training ground was spacious and flat, with targets erected in the distance. Several students were practicing Hadō, kicking up dust as they blasted.
Seeing Wang Xun's signal, Nanao walked to the center of the arena, took a deep breath, placed her hands in front of her chest, and as she chanted the incantation, a faint red Reiatsu emanated from her fingertips.
Her posture was perfect, and her Reiatsu flowed smoothly.
But at this moment, Wang Xun could see that there was still much room for improvement in her Kidō.
"Your Shakkahō's Reiatsu was channeled too hastily; it was released before reaching the optimal point, so its power is naturally insufficient."
Nanao nodded.
"I know, but I can never quite get the timing right."
Wang Xun thought for a moment.
"Let me demonstrate it for you."
Wang Xun a step back, placing one hand naturally in front of him.
The next moment, a blazing Shakkahō appeared out of thin air, its fiery red flames tearing through the air.
It then accurately struck the bullseye on the training field, creating a loud bang.
As the smoke cleared, the bullseye was completely burned, its power several times that of Nanao's earlier attack.
Nanao's eyes widened.
"Shakkahō, no incantation?!"
Wang Xun nodded.
"Did you sense the change in Reiatsu?"
Nanao stared at Wang Xun in shock, her mouth slightly agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.
She remembered that when they practiced the Kidō together last year, even if Wang Xun had some reservations, he was at most only slightly stronger than her.
In less than a year, they've already managed to unleash the Shakkahō without chanting?
Even many Seated Officer of the Gotei 13 might not be able to unleash the Shakkahō without chanting.
"How... how did you do that?"
Her voice sounded a little dazed.
"Just practice more, and I'll teach you if you want to learn."
Wang Xun spoke casually, finding Nanao's surprised expression quite amusing.
Then Wang Xun raised his hands again, cupping them together as Reiatsu rapidly condensed in his palms.
A crackling sound of lightning rang out, and the prototype of the Hadō #63: Raikōhō Hakudo Technique: Raikōhō took shape in his palm.
A violent Reiatsu swept around, and the blinding lightning of the Raikōhō had already taken shape.
Nanao's face turned pale instantly. She quickly stepped forward, grabbed Wang Xun's sleeve, and her voice changed with anxiety.
"This is Raikōhō! You, you're going to mess things up!"
Wang Xun smiled and dissipated the Reiatsu from his palm.
"No, look, I'm very steady."
The lightning from the Raikōhō vanished without a trace, as if the terrifying pressure from before had never existed.
Just kidding, don't be afraid.
He gently rubbed the top of Nanao's head; her hair was soft and smooth.
Nanao patted her chest in relief, her brows furrowed, her eyes filled with complex emotions, before giving Wang Xun a reproachful glare.
"Your Kidō have become so powerful..."
But in her eyes, there was surprise, admiration, and something else that was hard to describe.
Just a few months ago, they sat together reading books, training together, and discussing the theories of the Kidō.
At that time, although his Kidō was better than hers, the gap wasn't this large.
Now, he can do things she never even dared to dream of.
She calmed her racing heart, looked at Wang Xun, and her gaze became serious.
"Do you think if I study the Kaidō properly and apply to join the Fourth Division after graduation next year, I'll be accepted?"
Wang Xun paused, looked at the quiet yet determined girl in front of him, and gently shook his head.
"No need, and there's no need to prepare anything special."
Nanao was stunned, her eyes behind her glasses filled with confusion.
"Why?"
Your destination has already been arranged.
Wang Xun spoke calmly, without elaborating.
He knew that Nanao Ise's destiny was never the Fourth Division, but the Eighth Division.
Kyōraku, that old man, wouldn't let Nanao leave his sight.
"Arrangements? You mean..."
Nanao tilted her head, her eyes full of curiosity.
Wang Xun shook his head, without saying anything.
You'll find out when you graduate next year.
Seeing Wang Xun's expression, Nanao knew that there was no point in asking Wang Xun about what he didn't want to talk about, so she just nodded.
At that moment, looking at the sky in the distance, Nanao suddenly remembered something, exclaimed "Ah!", and quickly picked up her textbooks.
"Oh no, I have other classes this afternoon, I have to go!"
Wang Xun nodded.
"Go."
Nanao jogged away, then turned back after a few steps and waved to Wang Xun.
Her figure gradually receded into the distance under the sunlight, disappearing into the shade of the trees.
Wang Xun stood there, watching the girl's retreating figure, and chuckled to himself.
Then he turned around and walked towards the training ground for the second-year students.
The training ground for second-year students was bustling with activity.
Wang Xun stood on the sidelines, watching the students who were training.
At this moment, their skills seemed far too rudimentary to Wang Xun.
Although Wang Xun was one of them a few months ago.
But now, he has already gone far ahead of them.
Among the crowd, a figure with black hair stood out.
He wielded Zanpakuto, his moves were fierce, and his Reiatsu was calm and dense, far surpassing that of the students around him.
Then, Kaien Shiba seemed to sense this gaze.
He turned around, paused for a moment when he saw Wang Xun, then instantly broke into a hearty smile and strode over.