(T/N: Hey guys! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone! Thanks for the support!! it really helps a lot!)
The next day.
Nanatsuki arrived at the Dean's office.
"Just came back from Hueco Mundo. Don't you need some rest?" Kotetsu Ayane asked in surprise.
Yesterday, Nanatsuki had gone to speak with Kuchiki Ginrei at the Kuchiki residence and hadn't shown up at the Academy.
Ayane had asked Isane and the others to pass along a message telling him to take some time off.
With summer break coming up at the Academy, he could rest for two or three months easily.
"There's something I need to discuss with Dean Kotetsu," Nanatsuki said.
"Other matters can wait—take a look at this first." Kotetsu Ayane pulled a document from her drawer. "I was going to notify you after your vacation, but since you're here, have a look."
Nanatsuki took the file curiously and skimmed through it quickly.
It was a personnel change document approved by Yamamoto.
"I'm being awarded the title of Honorary Dean?" Nanatsuki said in surprise.
The document stated that Katori Nanatsuki was to be granted the position of Honorary Dean of the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy.
Until now, the title had only ever been given to former deans of the Academy.
Kotetsu Ayane herself would be awarded the title once she retired.
But as of now, the only living Honorary Dean was Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
And Nanatsuki, merely the Vice Dean, was being granted the title? This was the first time in the Academy's history.
"I submitted the proposal some time ago. Vice-Captain Sasakibe delivered the document this morning. Head-Captain Yamamoto approved it," Kotetsu Ayane explained. "You've made great contributions to the Academy over the years, and this time, you made a significant impact in Hueco Mundo. The Head-Captain's approval was only natural."
Since Nanatsuki had been dispatched as a field instructor, his achievements also counted toward the Academy's merit.
"I know you'll soon be taking up a Captain's position, but that doesn't conflict with being an Honorary Dean. Even after you leave the Academy, the title remains," Kotetsu Ayane said with a smile. "I hope that once you're Captain, you'll still come back occasionally to give lectures."
Since Nanatsuki joined the Academy, overall student performance had steadily improved. Kotetsu Ayane had great faith in his teaching ability.
But she also knew he wouldn't stay at the Academy forever.
Even if he wanted to, captain commander Yamamoto wouldn't let a Captain-class combatant stay in the Academy long-term.
"I was actually coming to talk about that. Captain Hikifune may be stepping down as early as next week. I plan to succeed her as the Captain of Squad Twelve," Nanatsuki replied.
"You're resigning? And Captain Hikifune is stepping down?" Kotetsu Ayane was surprised. She hadn't heard anything about Kirio Hikifune being promoted to the Royal Guard.
Nanatsuki had found out early due to their shared interest in cooking—he and Hikifune often exchanged recipes, and their personal friendship ran deep.
Knowing Nanatsuki wanted her position, Hikifune had informed him in advance about her promotion, so he could prepare to take over as Captain.
"Yes. I came for two reasons today: first, to submit my resignation; second, to recommend a swordsmanship instructor to you."
If Nanatsuki was to take over Squad Twelve, he would have to step down as Vice Dean.
He hadn't expected Kotetsu Ayane to apply for the honorary title on his behalf—let alone that Yamamoto would approve it.
The Honorary Dean title could be held concurrently, so it wouldn't interfere with his new role.
"This is all quite sudden..."
Kotetsu Ayane felt a bit of regret. She had hoped Nanatsuki would teach for a few more years.
He was an outstanding teacher, and every class he taught had consistently outperformed others.
But the Academy was too small for someone of his caliber.
Keeping a Captain-level asset tied down in the Academy was a waste.
The Gotei 13 desperately needed Captains—bolstering their strength took priority.
"Right, you said you were recommending a sword instructor?" Kotetsu Ayane asked.
"Dean Kotetsu, do you remember Kobane Jin'emon?" Nanatsuki asked.
"Kobane Jin'emon?" Ayane thought for a moment. "Wasn't he from your first class? I recall he's now a seated officer in Squad Eleven… wait, is he planning to teach here?"
"Yes. Kobane wants to return to the Academy to teach swordsmanship." Nanatsuki nodded.
At a reunion with former students the day before, Kobane had heard about Nanatsuki leaving and had expressed his desire to teach Kendo at the Academy.
The Katori-ryu needed fresh blood. With Nanatsuki leaving, he wouldn't be there to train the next generation of sword talents at the Academy.
Kobane Jin'emon had volunteered to take on that duty and contribute to the legacy of the Katori-ryu.
Nanatsuki considered that with Squad Eleven's Captain and Vice-Captain firmly in place, Kobane had little room for advancement. Thus, he agreed to let him teach at the Academy.
Besides, the Academy was short on sword instructors.
Once Nanatsuki left, the swordsmanship department would only have the idle Danmu Zōsuke.
Although Zōsuke treated students well, his own swordsmanship was mediocre—unfit to teach the Advanced Swordsmanship Class.
And that class was particularly demanding. Even Zōsuke himself wasn't keen on handling it.
"Kobane has kept up with training after graduation. With his mastery of Katori-ryu swordsmanship, he earned a high-ranking seat in Squad Eleven. His skills are more than sufficient to take over the advanced class," Nanatsuki added.
"If he's someone you vouch for, I've got no objections." Kotetsu Ayane agreed without hesitation. "Before break starts, let's hold the Honorary Dean conferment ceremony for you. It'll be your send-off!"
Three days later.
Students streamed continuously into Nanatsuki's office.
"Nanatsuki-sensei… this is for you. I carved this puppet using a Reiatsu Blade!"
A student presented a small wooden doll.
"Thank you for your teachings. I'll never forget them!"
Carving puppets with Reiatsu Blades was a training method Nanatsuki had devised to improve spiritual pressure control.
The more intricate the puppet, the more precise the control.
"Thank you," Nanatsuki smiled as he evaluated the carving. "Not bad at all. Next term, you can advance early into the Advanced Swordsmanship Class."
The puppet had only a basic humanoid shape—no detailed facial features or limbs—but it was already enough to qualify for early advancement.
Over the years, Nanatsuki had made several reforms to the Academy's teaching methods.
Advanced classes in each department were no longer restricted to only final-year students.
As long as a student met the criteria, they could join earlier.
This approach had many benefits—students with exceptional talent in specific areas could access more advanced material sooner.
"It's a shame you won't be teaching the advanced sword class anymore..." one student said sadly.
"I only chose to study swordsmanship because of you, Nanatsuki-sensei!"
"Kobane-sensei will be taking over the class. His swordsmanship is excellent too. In Squad Eleven, they even call him the 'Sword Demon.'" Nanatsuki replied with a smile.
Kobane Jin'emon's Zanpakutō, Onikirimaru, could raise his Reiatsu by burning his own blood.
That self-destructive style left a lasting impression—earning him the nickname "Sword Demon."
"'Sword Demon'? That sounds so cool! Is Kobane-sensei really that strong?"
"Is he your student too?"
"Yes, Kobane was once my student. If you follow his training seriously, you'll become sword masters yourselves one day." Nanatsuki encouraged them.
"I want to become a sword master! I'll train hard!"
After receiving waves of student visits, Nanatsuki's office was soon filled with Reiatsu Blade-carved puppets.
Each one a heartfelt farewell gift from his students.
That afternoon, the Academy's grand hall was decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with excitement.
The ceremony to confer the title of Honorary Dean to Katori Nanatsuki was underway.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto attended as a guest of honor, along with many Captains and Acting Captains.
"That Nanatsuki… he's truly something! Even the King of Hueco Mundo was slain by him. Every time you blink, there's a new headline about him!"
Kuyashiki Kenpachi marveled, unable to hide his awe.
No one had expected Nanatsuki to kill the ruler of Hueco Mundo during what was meant to be a routine field assessment for students.
"An Honorary Dean, huh… heh, the only other one is Old Man Yama himself. And now we've got the youngest Honorary Dean in the Academy's history!"
Kyōraku Shunsui's voice had a playful tinge of envy.
All graduates of the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy share a teacher-student bond with its deans.
Now that Nanatsuki held that title, every Shinigami who graduated could call him "Teacher."
"Nanatsuki defeated Baraggan and stabilized the war front. He deserves this reward," Yamamoto declared.
That was the primary reason behind Yamamoto's approval of the title.
Las Noches had shown unexpected aggression—their offensive stunned the Gotei 13, with even Baraggan appearing on the battlefield.
If not for Nanatsuki, it was likely few from Squad Six would have survived.
"Baraggan's ambition was frightening. To gather a massive army and attack the expedition… It's good Nanatsuki took him down. At least now the expedition force can have peace for decades."
Ukitake Jūshirō looked somber.
"But this means Las Noches will be in chaos for a while. I'll need to assign more Shinigami to the World of the Living."
"World of the Living deployments… will be jointly handled by Squads Ten and Thirteen."
Yamamoto decided after a brief pause.
Previously, there was a tacit understanding with Las Noches: The Shinigami wouldn't launch raids, and Las Noches would restrain Hollows under their control from attacking humans.
Now that its king had fallen, there would be a temporary power vacuum.
Without that restraint, rogue Hollows might begin hunting souls again.
So it was time to strengthen deployment in the World of the Living.