Soul Society – Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy
At this moment, the great hall of the Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy was packed with students and even teachers dressed in academy uniforms.
Today marked the academy's annual graduation ceremony. Among the graduates was Takashi Ayanami, waiting for the event to begin.
"Takashi , which squad are you planning to join?" asked a man with narrow eyes, a fierce expression, and a shiny bald head that gleamed like a steel ball under the sunlight.
The light reflected from his bald head was so blinding that hardly anyone stood near them — except for Ayasegawa Yumichika, who was on good terms with Ikkaku Madarame.
"I've said it plenty of times while at the academy:
My dream squad is the Fourth Division. If that doesn't work out, I'll join the Thirteenth Division.
No way in hell am I joining something insane like the Eleventh Division with you muscle-heads!"
The Gotei 13 — the thirteen Court Guard Squads — are a core part of the Soul Society, a special force that maintains order in both the Soul Society and the human world. Joining the Gotei 13 means gaining official status and the right to be called a Soul Reaper.
Shinō Academy is the institution that trains future Soul Reapers. Talented souls with high spiritual power from the Rukongai often enter the academy to study the core skills of a Soul Reaper — Zanjutsu,Hakuda,Shunpo, and Kidō.
After their training, each year the Gotei 13 squads recruit new members from among the graduates.
In the Soul Society, all beings — be they ordinary souls or Soul Reapers — are spiritual entities and generally don't age or die from natural causes.
But being a spirit doesn't mean you're immortal. For the poor in Rukongai, becoming a Soul Reaper is a prestigious and secure job — but wielding a sword always comes with high risk.
Because of that, when graduation day rolls around, Gotei 13 squads short on personnel will come to recruit.
In the vast hall, graduates looked around at the flags representing each squad, contemplating their futures.
On the surface, getting an "official" job right out of school sounds great. But most students knew the truth — joining the Gotei 13 was extremely dangerous. One wrong move and you might end up cremated on the spot.
So, students were careful about choosing which squad to join. For most, switching squads later is nearly impossible.
There's no true equality in the world. Without noble blood or strong backing, they were just small fry. Landing a government job was already a win — who had the luxury to be picky?
At least compared to the poor souls in Rukongai who often went hungry twice a day, a Soul Reaper's life — while risky — came with decent benefits.
"No way! You're actually planning to join the Fourth or Thirteenth Squad? I thought you were joking all this time.
You're so good at all four core disciplines, and you want to join the medical or purification squads? That's crazy!
Why not join me and Yumichika in the Eleventh Division instead? That's the combat squad! Real men live for hot-blooded battles!
With your strength, joining the medical team sounds like you're planning to retire early!"
Takashi had met Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika in the chaotic streets of Rukongai.
Back then, due to the lawless nature of the district, he had clashed with both of them — even fought them.
But that fight sparked a bond, and the three eventually enrolled in the Shinō Academy together.
Ikkaku was righteous and not easily impressed. Back in Rukongai, he was basically a gang boss — until he met Takashi and another man named Zaraki.
The fight with Takashi had been close. Though Ikkaku lost, it was a fair fight between equals.
But against Zaraki? Ikkaku had been utterly crushed.
Later, Ikkaku heard that Zaraki had entered the Seireitei and become a Soul Reaper. Inspired to follow him, Ikkaku eagerly agreed to join the academy when Takashi suggested it — bringing Yumichika along too.
"I'm not joking. Why do you think I've been training so hard in Kaido ? To become a top-tier medical ninja… I mean, a top-tier healing division member!
You muscle-brained types just don't get it. Solo charges into enemy lines are just hero fantasies.
My ideal is to become a silent support worker in logistics."
When he said this, Takashi wore a solemn and noble expression, as if carrying a sacred mission. Someone unfamiliar with him might have been moved by the sincerity.
But Ikkaku and Yumichika had known him for years. Seeing that expression, they immediately responded:
Ikkaku: "You're just scared of trouble, huh."
Yumichika: "No, I think he's afraid of dying… Honestly, I don't get it. Takashi 's skills are among the best in our class.
But in every evaluation, he always holds back and scores only average.
Why? Isn't it better to stand out for your excellence? Or… is there something you're afraid of?"
Compared to the musclehead Ikkaku, Yumichika was clearly the brainy one. From the moment they entered the academy, he noticed something odd.
While Zanjutsu is just one part of the core four skills, Yumichika had fought Takashi and knew his skill was top-tier.
But in exams, Takashi always kept his grades around the average line.
When asked why, Takashi would always reply with confusing nonsense like:
"If you're not the main character, don't try to stand out."
"If you're too talented, you might attract the attention of mad scientists."
At first, Yumichika thought maybe Takashi had enemies in the Seireitei.
But years passed peacefully — no one ever bothered him. Eventually, Yumichika figured he was just paranoid.
Then again, it made sense. Anyone who had lived in Rukongai rarely came out emotionally unscathed.
Takashi had great strength and, in Yumichika's eyes, the only one who matched his own level of beauty.
If he had a few quirks — well, that was only natural.