The so-called "official organization among students" was, in essence, a student council—meant to serve as a bridge and bond between the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy and its student body.
The moment Shin finished outlining the concept, Shiba Kaien immediately grasped the deeper significance behind it—and the potential power it could one day hold.
Manage students. Serve students.
At present, the majority of Soul Society's Shinigami were directly funneled out of the Academy. Many of the most outstanding among them had already grown into core pillars of their respective divisions. If such a student council were truly established—and if it began gathering talented individuals while they were still at the Academy—then once those individuals became full-fledged Shinigami, they would retain an additional bond with one another.
The moment Shin proposed the idea, Kaien's mind had already spun through countless pros and cons.
The key question was simple:
Would it even be permitted to exist?
The true administrators of Soul Society were the nobles. Although Kaien himself belonged to a noble clan, the Shiba family's influence was no longer what it once had been.
The divide between nobles and commoners in Soul Society was so vast it was practically reproductive isolation. The Academy was nearly the only path for commoners to become Shinigami. Nobles, by contrast, often had their own private training channels. Even without enrolling in the Academy, they could still ascend to Shinigami ranks.
How would the nobles view this "student council"? Would they encourage their heirs to enroll in the Academy because of it?
Perhaps that was thinking too far ahead.
Perhaps the nobles would never allow it to be established in the first place.
The cafeteria buzzed with overlapping voices, but to Kaien, they dissolved into indistinct white noise. He stopped eating, his eyes fixed on the boy in front of him, gaze flickering with calculation.
"I'll need to think this over carefully," he finally said.
Shin's smile didn't fade. "That's fine. I'm not in a hurry."
Kaien gave him a half-smile. "You've given me quite the surprise."
"You might be overcomplicating things, Vice-Captain Shiba," Shin said lazily. "It's just a small organization. And it would only be subordinate to the Academy."
Kaien neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, he asked, "If this succeeds—two years from now, when you graduate—would an ordinary seated officer position in the Gotei Thirteen still catch your eye?"
"You're making me sound greedy," Shin replied evenly. "I know my limits."
Kaien didn't answer. He didn't touch the rest of his meal either. After sitting in silence for a moment longer, he rose abruptly and left.
Once the vice-captain of the Thirteenth Division was gone, Hisagi Shūhei carried his tray over and sat across from Shin.
"You told him?"
"There's no one else I can tell. He's the only one who can help me." Shin lowered his head and began eating.
Shūhei frowned. "I don't think it'll be that simple, Shin. You're being too idealistic. We're just ordinary students."
When Shin had first told him about this idea the previous day, Shūhei had been stunned. Then he'd concluded it was pure fantasy.
"You're right," Shin replied calmly. "Precisely because we're just ordinary students, it's simple for us. The complicated, annoying stuff? Let someone else worry about it."
—
That afternoon was kendo class.
Nanda Hidezawa was already waiting inside the dōjō when the students filed in. His gaze locked instantly onto the refined boy entering alongside Shūhei.
A chill ran down Shin's spine.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this…"
Shūhei merely gave him a look that said, You're on your own.
"What did you tell him yesterday?"
"The truth. That Vice-Captain Matsumoto of the Tenth Division had business with you."
"Shūhei, you—"
Before he could finish, Nanda's cold voice cut across the room.
"Takikawa, care to explain why you were absent yesterday?"
The rest of the class was already kneeling to the side, their expressions openly expectant.
Shin immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I'm very sorry, Nanda-sensei. Yesterday was my fault. I've deeply reflected on my mistake. I shouldn't waste my time at the Academy. I promise it won't happen again!"
Nanda sneered. "How many times have you promised me that?"
Shin had been well-behaved during his first year. By his second, however, his laziness had blossomed into chronic truancy. Were it not for his exceptional talent, he would have been expelled long ago.
"This time I mean it!"
Nanda ignored him. Turning to the class, he announced:
"Today's lesson is Asauchi sparring practice. Every one of you will face Takikawa Shin. If you defeat him, I'll consider awarding bonus points on your year-end evaluations. Unlimited challenges."
"… "
The dōjō fell silent.
Then Shin felt dozens of blazing gazes burn into his back.
"Nanda-sensei, that's unfair!"
"I think it's perfectly fair!"
The latter voice belonged to Kaniezawa. She had already risen, gripping a black Asauchi.
"Takikawa-kun. It's been a while since we crossed blades."
An Asauchi was tossed toward Shin—it was Shūhei. There was unmistakable schadenfreude in his eyes.
Shin caught the heavy blade and exhaled slowly.
Fine. If it's unavoidable, I'll just exchange a few moves and surrender.
At that moment, Nanda added calmly:
"If you lose, Takikawa, I'll deduct points from your overall evaluation. Considering how many classes you've skipped this year… I wonder if you'll be repeating."
Shin's grip tightened.
Damn it.
"Bring it on!"
He stepped into the center of the dōjō, looking as though he were marching to war.
Nanda stood at the edge, arms folded. The fourth-years had already completed their core curriculum; this wouldn't delay anything. Given Shin's level, he believed this would instead serve as valuable experience for the others.
He had underestimated the gap.
Barely half an hour later, more than twenty students lay sprawled across the floor.
Not one remained standing.
Not even Kaniezawa or Shūhei lasted more than a minute.
Don't blame me. I wanted you all to earn those bonus points. I just don't want to repeat a year.
Shin sheathed his blade, muttering inwardly.
"…Is the gap really that large?"
Nanda murmured, staring at the unscathed boy in the center of the room.
He knew Shin's swordsmanship surpassed his own. But where the ceiling lay—even he didn't know.
"Nanda-sensei, I passed, right?" Shin smiled brightly.
Interpreting that smile as smugness, Nanda's face darkened. He pointed at several students still groaning on the floor.
"You strike your classmates this hard—have you no sense of restraint?!"
"I used the flat of the blade! No one's bleeding!"
"You dare argue back?!"
Nanda's eyes flashed. "From now on, you'll be in charge of everyone's sparring practice in kendo class!"
The students on the floor erupted in collective despair.
"Noooo, Nanda-sensei!"
"He's the one who messed up! Why are we the ones suffering?!"
"That's favoritism!"
—
After class, Shin was summoned alone to the office.
Most Academy instructors knew him by reputation—the thorn in Nanda-sensei's side. They were equally aware of Nanda's "special treatment."
Once seated, Nanda didn't mention the sparring.
"Why aren't you graduating this year?"
Shin paused. "Didn't Kaniezawa explain?"
Nanda adjusted his glasses. "Recognizing your shortcomings and choosing to deepen your studies for another year is commendable. But for you? Will another year really fix your bad habits?"
"I'll work on them!"
"Hisagi and Kaniezawa aren't applying either. Because of you?"
Shin laughed softly.
"Nanda-sensei, even if they applied, what are their chances of passing?"
Silence.
The graduation exam was brutally difficult for fourth-years. Though Shūhei and Kaniezawa were excellent students, Nanda couldn't guarantee their success—let alone the division entrance exams that followed.
He cared deeply about his teaching record. That was precisely why he favored Takikawa Shin.
"Nanda-sensei," Shin said lightly, "don't put all the blame on me. A person can only do what matches their ability. The graduation exam is voluntary. Whether they take it is their choice. Whether I do is mine. I want to remain at the Academy longer. I'd also like you to keep polishing me. That's not wrong, is it?"
Nanda glanced at the stack of documents on his desk.
"Several divisions have approached me to inquire about you—your condition, your future preferences. The graduation exam shouldn't be difficult for you. No matter which division you join, you'll be valued."
This happened every year. The top student naturally attracted attention. And Shin had once defeated him in kendo class, further increasing his weight.
If Shin graduated this year and entered the Gotei Thirteen directly as a seated officer, Nanda wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
"At noon today, Vice-Captain Shiba invited you to join the Thirteenth Division, didn't he?"
Kaien had expressed that intention long ago—and even asked Nanda to persuade Shin.
Shin nodded. "Vice-Captain Matsumoto from the Tenth Division also approached me. She said if I joined, I could start as Twenty-Third Seat."
Twenty-Third Seat. Appropriate.
Nanda considered that.
"Which do you intend to choose?"
Shin grinned.
"I intend to remain your student."
Nanda chuckled despite himself—then quickly grew serious.
"Waiting to sell yourself at a higher price is not a virtuous trait."
"You misunderstand me, Nanda-sensei," Shin replied innocently. "I'm telling the truth."
Nanda studied his eyes for a long time, unable to discern his true thoughts.
"The graduation exam is voluntary for fourth-years. If you don't wish to take it, stay another year."
"Thank you for understanding me, Nanda-sensei."
—
Two days later.
Shiba Kaien returned to the Academy and sought Shin out immediately after afternoon classes.
"So, Vice-Captain Shiba," Shin said lightly, "have you reached a decision?"
"I want to hear your full vision for this student council. Its structure. Its responsibilities. Member positions. Have you thought it through?"
Without hesitation, Shin produced a stack of documents and handed them over.
Kaien raised a brow but didn't open them immediately.
"When did you come up with this idea?"
"About a year ago," Shin answered. "Watching how hard the teachers work managing students… I thought perhaps I could help shoulder some of that burden."
Kaien shot back instantly, "Then why do you skip class so often? If you're so considerate of teachers, why not strive to be an exemplary student?"
"That's different!" Shin protested. "I don't skip without reason. I had legitimate matters. My health isn't great—I need rest."
Kaien didn't pursue the argument. Instead, he began reading.
The document meticulously detailed the council's structure, departments, responsibilities—down to each role and its function.
The further he read, the clearer it became: this was no makeshift arrangement.
This was a mature framework.
The kid really prepared.
Kaien closed the folder slowly, mind racing.
The Academy never lacked geniuses. He himself had graduated in a single year, directly becoming Third Seat. Decades ago, Ichimaru Gin had done the same.
Compared to them, Takikawa Shin could only be described as "excellent."
What did the title of genius bring?
A smoother start. Faster promotions.
And little else.
But this student council… if it succeeded…
Kaien didn't dare think too deeply.
He would need to consult his captain—Ukitake Jūshirō—and his uncle as well.
"Tell me," Kaien said quietly, "which division do you plan to enter after graduation?"
Shin replied slowly, "Captain Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division may be chronically ill, but for you to succeed him… that would still take a long time, wouldn't it?"
Kaien's expression didn't change.
There were deeper complications. His uncle captained the Tenth Division. Could the Gotei Thirteen truly host two Shiba captains simultaneously? The Central 46 would likely object. His path upward would not be easy.
Shin's words carried layered implications.
The Thirteenth Division's vice-captain was Kaien. Its Third Seat was Kaien's fiancée. If Shin joined, the highest he might reach was Fourth Seat.
No wonder Twenty-Third Seat from the Tenth Division hadn't tempted him.
"Tenth Division. Third Seat," Kaien said at last.
"Would you accept it?"