"When is the soul burial practice scheduled?"

Shimo pondered for a moment before asking.

"In three days," Rukia answered truthfully.

Shimo's brows furrowed slightly. "And the location?"

"Designated Point 1026 in the World of the Living," Rukia replied, unaware of anything amiss.

Shimo's expression tightened further. Three days... that's cutting it too close.

Sending Rukia on a soul burial practice under Gin Ichimaru's supervision—Shimo couldn't feel at ease about that at all. Unless things deviated from his expectations, this soul burial practice was bound to go wrong.

While the timeline was off, the location and the participants in this mission largely aligned with the events he remembered.

"Looks like I'll have to intervene," Shimo resolved internally. Aizen had already noticed him—there was no point in hiding anymore. This would be a good opportunity to insert himself into the game officially. Even if he couldn't change the course of the board, he could at least be the one to flip it when the moment came.

"I'll keep it brief." Placing a hand on Rukia's shoulder, Shimo looked into her violet eyes with seriousness. "Be cautious during this soul burial practice. The World of the Living holds many dangers."

Moved by his sincerity, Rukia etched his words deeply into her heart.

After parting with her, Shimo left the Shin'ō Academy. He had three days—enough time to make a few preparations.

The most important step was registering the coordinates of the practice site into the Kyōraku family's Senkaimon. That way, he could reach the World of the Living in the shortest time possible.

Afterward, Shimo returned to Fourth Division to handle some internal affairs. Though most of his duties were carried out by Isane Kotetsu, there were still some matters he needed to personally review—just a quick look, nothing more.

When it came to administrative work, Shimo had complete trust in Isane. While her combat abilities were subpar—perhaps even an embarrassment to lieutenants—her efficiency easily surpassed that of some captains and lieutenants, such as Shunsui Kyōraku or his own father.

Unohana greeted his return with great enthusiasm, but she also invited him to participate in next month's Fourth Division ikebana contest and kenjutsu sparring match.

"Shimo-kun, your swordsmanship feels even more refined now," Unohana smiled as she spoke—but that smile carried a chilling, dangerous aura.

Shimo immediately recognized the atmosphere. Only in battle did Unohana emit such a vibe. "I just had some realizations during combat," he replied truthfully.

"I see," Unohana murmured thoughtfully. "Seems my belief from back then was correct."

Her expression darkened slightly. "Unfortunately, my talent in swordsmanship has already reached its limit."

"What belief?" Shimo asked instinctively.

Unohana chuckled. "Of course, I'm talking about my philosophy on training in the way of the sword—combat is the best path to true mastery."

As she spoke, the surrounding air shifted subtly.

Shimo had deliberately avoided Kenpachi Zaraki to steer clear of meaningless conflict. Yet he'd overlooked one thing—his own captain was the original Kenpachi. In her thirst for battle, Unohana Retsu was no weaker than Kenpachi Zaraki. The only difference was that time had tempered her, allowing her to suppress that craving. Perhaps only when she looked at Shimo did that yearning resurface.

"Next time, for sure."

Just as she processed his words, Unohana was startled. Before her eyes, Shimo's figure blurred and vanished like a phantom.

"A clone created through Shunpo?" she murmured in surprise. "To think Shimo-kun's mastery of shunpo has reached such a level…"

A trace of awe flickered in her eyes, mixed with a growing curiosity. "That must mean his progress in swordsmanship is even greater now…"

What Unohana truly thought, Shimo couldn't know. His mind remained preoccupied with the upcoming soul burial exercise.

Three days passed in a flash.

Shimo returned to the Shin'ō Academy to see Rukia and the others off to their training mission.

"Shimo!" Rukia's voice called out from the crowd.

Renji Abarai's expression turned complex when he saw Shimo appear. He still remembered Shimo's words clearly:

"Even if I give you time to catch up, someone who has been defeated by me will only fall further behind."

Two years ago, that line had fueled Renji's determination. But ever since Shimo graduated early, the brutal truth of that statement began to set in.

Now, Renji was devastated to realize the gap between them was only widening. He couldn't even see Shimo's back anymore.

"Renji, lost in thought?" Shimo smiled as he greeted him. "Don't tell me you're not confident about the soul burial exercise?"

Due to their match in the Academy's first swordsmanship competition, the two had grown somewhat familiar with each other.

"Of course not!" Renji's voice grew louder. "I'm going to be a squad captain one day. A simple soul burial mission won't stop me."

Always prideful in front of others, Renji made sure to speak loudly and confidently.

Shimo then turned to the person beside him. "Kira, feeling confident?"

No—Kira Izuru wasn't here. It was Kira Iro, with golden hair covering his left eye, giving off a somber yet steady demeanor in contrast to Renji's bluster.

"I think I'll manage," Iro replied, though his smile seemed a bit forced.

Shimo didn't press further. It was just Iro's nature.

"What about you, Hinamori?" Shimo looked at Momo Hinamori, standing to Rukia's left.

"No problem at all!" she said cheerfully, clearly brimming with confidence.

Among the crowd, another familiar "stranger" caught Shimo's eye—someone with messy black hair and a fierce aura. The tattoo on his left cheek clearly marked him as a member of Muguruma's Ninth Division.

He was none other than the elite Academy student—Hisagi Shūhei.

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