A flicker of surprise crossed Shimo's face—he clearly hadn't expected this.
The person who had appeared was none other than Ise Nanao, the lieutenant of Eight Division.
Strictly speaking, she was also his cousin.
Unlike the complicated entanglements of the Ise family, Shimo's parents had died in the line of duty during an official mission.
What surprised Shimo the most, though, was that Shunsui hadn't kept the Ise family's secrets from Nanao. Instead, after she came of age, he had told her everything—no details spared.
Although she had fallen into a period of silence afterward, Nanao eventually emerged from the shadow of the past and embraced life once more.
As for the divine sword Shinken Hakkyōken —the Eight-Mirror Sword—it remained sealed away by Shunsui.
In his words: "Until you're truly ready, I'll keep it safe for you."
Since joining the Eight Division, Nanao's personality had become more outgoing than it once was.
As for her fashion choices? That was just personal preference.
"I'm honestly surprised he allowed you to come to the Human World," Shimo said with a soft smile as he regained his composure.
Nanao tilted her head slightly and smiled back. "This has nothing to do with Captain Kyōraku."
"I simply heard you applied early for your Soul Burial Assessment, so I requested to supervise it myself."
"Have you already decided which squad you want to join?"
It was clear she had full confidence in Shimo. In her eyes, the Soul Burial test wouldn't pose any challenge to him.
"Why is everyone so hung up on what squad I'm joining?" Shimo sighed, brushing aside a strand of hair that had fallen near his face. "Didn't Captain Kyōraku tell you?"
"I told him my decision not long after I enrolled."
Nanao blinked in confusion. "He never mentioned it to me."
"Well, you know what his daily workload is like."
Shimo couldn't help but facepalm at that. "Let's just spare him the embarrassment and not talk about this in public."
Having a relative like him is exhausting.
"My choice is the Fourth Division."
A hint of confusion flashed across Nanao's face, but unlike the others who had asked this question, she simply respected Shimo's decision.
The senior students preparing for this Soul Burial Assessment had already gathered before Shimo arrived.
After briefing them on the key points to be aware of, Nanao officially announced the start of the exam.
Guided by a Hell Butterfly, Shimo entered the Senkaimon alone.
At his own request—and with Byakuya's discreet influence—the test location had been changed to a very specific city:
With a single leap, Shimo stepped through the gate and descended into the World of the Living.
A full moon hung high overhead, casting silver light across the quiet cityscape.
The Hell Butterfly shimmered under the moonlight before dispersing into spirit particles and vanishing into the air.
From his elevated vantage point, Shimo could sense the spiritual presence of multiple trainee Shinigami dispersing across Karakura Town in all directions, seizing the opportunity to complete their tasks.
"Soul Burial can wait."
"I need to find that man first."
Shimo understood what mattered most.
The assessment wasn't particularly difficult—he only needed to perform ten konsō to pass.
As for any Hollows he might encounter?
He wasn't concerned in the slightest.
His right hand rested on the sheath of his zanpakutō as his thoughts churned with anticipation.
"I hope I get to see your true power this time."
Half a month ago, Shimo had climbed the Stairway of Time through sheer determination and finally reached the hundredth step.
In doing so, he had earned the right to hear his zanpakutō's true name.
That power—drawn from the depths of his soul—was now waiting to be called forth.
He moved swiftly across rooftops, weaving between buildings as he searched for his true target in the Human World.
This was his first time in Karakura Town, so he had no choice but to resort to this kind of clumsy search method.
Still, during this time, he encountered several Plus Souls.
Never one to waste an opportunity, Shimo helped them pass on.
With a gentle tap of his zanpakuto's hilt, each wandering soul was marked with a glowing konsō seal and sent off to the Soul Society.
This was the duty of a Shinigami—and a vital part of maintaining balance in the world.
Without soul burials, these lingering spirits would remain trapped in the Human World, restless and full of regret.
In time, they would either succumb to their own negativity and become Hollows, or be devoured by existing ones.
After several successful konsōs, Shimo had grown quite proficient.
As he dashed across the rooftops, strange sounds echoed from the streets below.
Peering down, he spotted a lifeless man trudging aimlessly—his eyes dull, his posture slouched, completely hollowed of hope.
He was a middle-aged man with a ragged beard and a spirit full of sorrow, wandering without direction through the street.
Shimo had always prided himself on his swift, efficient handling of such souls.
In a flash of Shunpo, he vanished from his rooftop perch, reappearing directly in front of the man.
Before the spirit could even speak, the hilt of Shimo's zanpakuto was already pressed gently against his forehead.
A faint white glow appeared, and the soul burial symbol lit up.
Moments later, the man's soul was sent peacefully to the Soul Society.
Just then, a long-lost, familiar chime echoed in Shimo's mind—
[Ding! A new check-in Task has been issued: Sign in at Urahara Shop and release your Zanpakutō!]
[Reward: Mastery of Hakuda!]
(TL/N - Just a quick announcement. There would be no more sword intent bullshit here or other 'C' term. xD >_<
I would instead use the concept of sword style, sword arts, sword techniques, etc.(To befit bleach universe). Even if I have to alter some stuffs.
So yeah, there would be no more 'C' bullshit here.)
Advance Chapters on !
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
-Remove the parenthesis to access normally
Thanks for the Support!