Chapter 20: Chapter 20: A Lucky Day (Bouns Chapter)
Chapter 20: A Lucky Day (Bouns Chapter)
The sixth-year graduating class was required to travel to Hueco Mundo for a continuous seven-day live combat exercise. This was a long-standing tradition of the Shin’o Academy.
In past years, even newly enrolled academy students were sent to Hueco Mundo to train and experience the sight of blood. As for why that program was canceled this year...
It was naturally because of Moritora Shiba.
This incredibly famous genius had perished in Hueco Mundo three years ago, leaving not even a corpse behind. To this day, his death remained an unsolved case.
The Shin’o Academy bore immense pressure from the Shiba Clan. Ultimately, they had no choice but to make a promise to Central 46 to "control the student mortality rate," which finally spared the underclassmen from traveling to such a dangerous place.
However, regardless of the circumstances, the live combat exercise in Hueco Mundo for the sixth-year students remained absolutely unshakeable. From the very first graduating class featuring Shunsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake, to the current generation with Yato Uchiha and Byakuya Kuchiki, everyone had to make a trip to Hueco Mundo.
Time flew by.
In the new school term, Yato Uchiha successfully obtained the academy’s permission to skip directly to the sixth year, becoming what the residents of the Rukongai called a "Soul Reaper in Reserve."
During these days, aside from his training, Yato had also made ample preparations for his journey to Hueco Mundo.
Although it was only a short seven days, the amount of supplies needed was not insignificant.
Food had to be compressed for easy carrying; straw sandals needed to be specially made so that the sands of Hueco Mundo wouldn’t slip through the gaps; life-saving first-aid medicine had to be kept in the safest place possible; and those with the means could even purchase sand-proof cloaks...
The Shin’o Academy only provided students with the most basic supplies, just enough to ensure they could survive in Hueco Mundo for seven days.
After all, this was a trial meant to temper their willpower and souls. How could they be fully equipped? It wasn’t a camping trip.
Soon, the day of departure arrived.
On this day, the Soul Society was cloudless. Although the early spring season brought a slight chill, accompanied by the chirping of birds, it was still brimming with life.
"Byakuya, today is my lucky day."
At the back of the group, Yato crossed his arms and chuckled,
"Look, it’s been raining for the past few days, but the moment it’s our turn to depart, it suddenly clears up."
"A lucky day? Yato, we’ve known each other for a year, and I’ve never heard you mention such a thing."
"I just had my fortune read. Remember that straw sandal shop you recommended? There’s a stall right outside, took a left. The guy even used the Four Pillars of Destiny astrology, highly professional!"
"Yato, that seems to violate the regulations of the Gotei 13: ’Those who wield the sword must not lightly speak of fate’..."
"I’m not a Soul Reaper yet, so that rule doesn’t apply to me," Yato said, completely unbothered.
"Besides, it’s just for good luck, a bit of positive psychological suggestion."
"...I suppose." Byakuya Kuchiki couldn’t help but chuckle as well. When it came to his friends, the noble youth would always naturally choose to be partial.
"A lucky day. It truly isn’t bad."
However, right at that moment, a sudden burst of laughter startled the two boys.
"What are you chatting about? You two brats!"
They turned toward the source of the voice, and what entered their vision was a white haori fluttering in the air.
The newcomer was a young woman of exquisite beauty. She had dark skin, golden eyes like a wildcat, and wore a white haori bearing the insignia of the Second Division over a skin-tight Shihakusho, exuding a free-spirited yet fierce aura.
—This was the current 22nd Head of the Shihoin Clan, Captain of the 2nd Division, Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force and Corps Commander of the Executive Militia, the "Flash Goddess," Yoruichi Shihoin!
Her arrival sparked a chorus of gasps. The staff and students of the Shin’o Academy scrambled to bow and offer their greetings.
Every Captain in the Gotei 13 represented a formidable Spiritual Pressure capable of Bankai, and a supreme combat power that could suppress a Menos Grande with a backhand strike!
However, Byakuya Kuchiki was far too familiar with this woman. He merely stared at Yoruichi with wide eyes, veins bulging on his forehead. If it weren’t for the fact that so many people were watching, he would have long since shouted "Demon Cat!" and drawn his sword to slash at her.
Over the past year, Yato had seen Yoruichi several times at the Kuchiki estate, so they weren’t strangers. He stepped forward and asked,
"Captain Yoruichi, are you personally leading the team for this combat exercise?"
"Of course. Last time it was Captain Ukitake, and this time it’s my turn... But Little Brother Yato, compared to the last time we met, your Spiritual Pressure has grown even stronger." The dark-skinned beauty stretched lazily, a smile playing on her lips.
"So how about it? Come to the 2nd Division after you graduate! I’ll personally guarantee you the position of 5th Seat, complete with an independent office!"
"I am deeply honored by your high regard," Yato Uchiha replied with a bow. His etiquette was flawless, but he did not accept the offer.
Oh my, this brat... Even a 5th Seat isn’t enough to satisfy his appetite?
A glint of keen interest flashed through Yoruichi Shihoin’s golden-brown eyes. Suddenly, her hands shot forward, grabbing both boys by their collars.
"Honestly, you two are the undisputed top students of this graduating class, so what are you doing hiding all the way in the back?"
With a wicked grin, she tossed Yato and Byakuya right to the front of the line. She then used Shunpo to appear in front of the Senkaimon and addressed the crowd:
"Seven days! You will be staying in Hueco Mundo for seven days!"
"No matter what methods you use, remember this: when you return to the starting point in seven days, your blades must be stained with blood! The Hell Butterflies will record the Hollows that perish by your hands!"
"Of course, if you encounter danger, immediately flare your Spiritual Pressure, and someone will naturally come to your rescue. But if you return empty-handed, don’t blame the academy for not letting you graduate on time, hahaha..."
Hell Butterflies flew out one by one, landing on the collars of the students’ uniforms. Roaring with laughter, Yoruichi Shihoin was the first to charge into the Senkaimon!
This wasn’t Yoruichi acting crazy. As the Captain-class individual leading the team, she had to advance a step ahead to clear out the landing zone in Hueco Mundo, preventing any Menos Grande-class entities from endangering the students’ lives.
At the end of the day, a combat exercise was just an exercise. Letting the graduates gain some experience was one thing, but there was no need for them to actually throw their lives away.
For every exercise, the Gotei 13 would dispatch a Captain to be responsible for the students’ safety.
Naturally, Hueco Mundo was vast. Even though boundaries had been set up in advance in remote areas, the students could still run into unforeseen dangers due to being separated by great distances.
To ensure absolute safety, the Seireitei would also send three to four Lieutenants to act as auxiliary and backup support.
Forget an ordinary Menos Grande; even a Vasto Lorde would find itself in serious trouble if it ran into this lineup.
Hmm, the Captain in charge is actually an acquaintance. This trip is in the bag.
Thinking this, Yato Uchiha gleefully stepped into the Senkaimon with what was practically a tourist’s mindset.
"That fortune teller really knew his stuff. Today truly is a lucky day..."
...
In front of the Senkaimon, the crowd dispersed, leaving the area empty.
All the high-spirited sixth-year students had entered Hueco Mundo.
However, the guards remained standing solemnly before the Senkaimon, waiting for the few Lieutenants assigned to bring up the rear as backup.
It didn’t take long before a mellow, gentle voice drifted into the guards’ ears:
"Have Captain Shihoin and the students already departed?"
"Yes, Lieutenant Aizen." The guard stepped aside, clearing a path toward the Senkaimon.
"You are the first Lieutenant to arrive. Thank you for your hard work."
"It’s no trouble at all." A warm smile appeared on the handsome, dignified face of the 5th Division’s Lieutenant.
"Everything is for the sake of the Seireitei."
With that, he took a step inside, his silhouette vanishing in the blink of an eye.
Sosuke Aizen never looked back.
☆☆☆
-> Every new reviews = 1 Bouns Chapters
-> 20 Advanced Chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that’s help the story a lot Thank you
Comments