Restricted Death

Chapter 170 Hinamori Joins the 10th Division

Peaceful days always pass quickly, and another year has passed in the blink of an eye. The affair between Shin and Unohana Retsu did not cause any disturbance in Seireitei, and those who knew about it were still limited to the people who were involved at the time.

Everything is back on track, just as Captain-Commander Yamamoto had hoped.

During this year, Captain Xin's life was very uneventful. Every day, besides handling team affairs, he would practice cultivation. In his spare time, he would also have small gatherings with Xiubing or Haiyan.

His interactions with the Fourth Division have become increasingly rare. Occasionally, when he runs into Isane, he greets her and then she quickly leaves.

Retsu Unohana no longer has the cursed spirit lock on her body, and there will no longer be any injured people coming to him for immediate treatment. Since then, Shin has never been to the Fourth Division again.

The last time I saw Retsu Unohana was during the captain's meeting.

If there's any gain this year, it's that I've completely adapted to the spiritual pressure intensity of my body now.

That day, Matsumoto Rangiku came to the letter with a list of names and a stack of documents.

"This is the data of this year's graduates from the Spirit Arts Academy. The number of students who volunteered to join our 10th Division is significantly higher than last year."

Matsumoto Rangiku seemed to be in a good mood. In previous years, at this time, their 10th Division was not a particularly outstanding team among the graduates of the Spirit Arts Academy. She even had to actively contact other divisions for her own team. But this year, many graduates chose them as their first choice.

This surprised Matsumoto Rangiku, especially since the list included many high-achieving students.

After taking the letter, he quickly flipped through it and found some familiar names. He could roughly guess the reason.

Among those students with good grades, a considerable number are members of the student council.

These people are all here because of him, the former student council president.

Matsumoto Rangiku said leisurely, "I never thought that our 10th Division would be so popular one day. It seems that I have managed the 10th Division well enough, which has given it a better reputation. Among all the vice-captains of the 13th Division, I am probably the most hardworking. I suppose the students of the Spirit Arts Academy have all heard of my reputation."

She unceremoniously took all the credit for herself.

The letter replied, "I've heard about your reputation for beauty, and I guess it's true."

Matsumoto Rangiku, who was in a good mood, was not annoyed when she heard this. Instead, she said, "It's normal to have a reputation for being beautiful. After all, I am such a beautiful person."

Xin glanced at her and couldn't help but say, "I never knew you could be so narcissistic!"

Matsumoto Rangiku then glared at him and said, "You should be grateful to have such a good adjutant like me!"

"Yes, yes, I'm very content. I'm so happy. Just thinking about how my vice-captain is Ms. Rangiku makes me so excited that I can't sleep every night."

"Ugh! How disgusting!" Matsumoto Rangiku crossed her arms and glanced at the letter with disgust. "You, you're not thinking about me doing anything weird tonight, are you?"

Xin smiled and said, "Guess."

"abnormal!"

"It's because you're so beautiful, dear sister. I can't fall asleep without thinking about you every night."

While taking advantage of the situation verbally, Xin also took out a pen and made some markings on the roster.

Matsumoto Rangiku, finding these words unbearable, said with slight annoyance, "Shut up!"

Xin handed the completed roster back to her, saying, "We'll keep these people. As for the rest, you can discuss it with the other squads."

Matsumoto Rangiku then got down to business: "This list already has quite a few members left over. We need to select some to be sent to other squads. Finally, it's the time when people come to me for help."

She even put on a pretentious headache-inducing act: "This is such a hassle. I'm a soft-hearted person. What if I give in later?"

But after she reread the list of people selected in the letter, she frowned.

The letter listed people with excellent grades, which was not surprising. It should be so, since the people on the list all chose the 10th Division as their first choice. Their selection of these people was a mutual choice. However, she couldn't help but say something when she glanced at one of the names.

"This Hinamori Momo...aren't we keeping her? Did you forget her?" she asked. "Her grades at the Spirit Arts Academy are second only to the top student, and aren't you quite familiar with her?"

Shin said, "Her... let things take their course. If other squads want her..."

"What are you doing!" Matsumoto Rangiku interrupted him, picked up a pen from the table, and checked Hinamori Momo's name on the roster.

"Anyone else is fine, but such an outstanding student definitely needs to stay in our 10th Division!"

Since it wasn't appropriate to explain too much, he casually said, "Whatever you say."

Matsumoto Rangiku rolled her eyes: "Can't you pay a little attention? Do you know what a good member can bring to a squad? In the end, aren't you the one who benefits?"

Among this year's graduates, the top-ranked Kira Izuru chose the Third Division, which Matsumoto Rangiku knew she couldn't win over, especially since the Third Division's captain was Shiba Kaien. But she absolutely couldn't give up Hinamori Momo, who was second in the rankings.

Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she looked at the letter with suspicion: "I say, is this Hinamori Momo a romantic entanglement you got into back in the Spirit Arts Academy?"

"..."

Upon seeing the letter without speaking, Matsumoto Rangiku burst into laughter: "Good lad, you're really something. I remember you had the young lady from the Kuchiki family by your side back then. So your life as a student was quite exciting."

Xin said speechlessly, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Matsumoto Rangiku then said, "In that case, I'll have to keep this person here even more, and see if she can teach you a lesson later."

Xin glanced sideways and said, "As long as you're not afraid of chaos and turmoil."

Matsumoto Rangiku tilted her head back and snorted, "What am I afraid of? You're the one who's afraid."

I have seen the full list of this year's graduates.

Hinamori and Kira graduated early, while Renji and Rukia did not choose to graduate.

Renji's grades at the Spirit Arts Academy are severely unbalanced, making it unlikely he'll pass the graduation exam. Rukia's overall grades aren't particularly high either, making her graduation exam much more difficult. Her chances of passing are probably similar to Renji's.

Aside from Hinamori and Kira, many of the student council members have graduated this year, and the 10th Division will be welcoming a group of "familiar faces".

#
The graduates of the Spirit Arts Academy soon received notices that they had been accepted into various squads.

Compared to the calm outside world, the Spirit Arts Academy has been quite lively these past few days. As graduation approaches, many people are feeling reluctant to part ways.

After the student council members had their farewell dinner, Rukia, Hinamori, Kira, Renji, and Ganju also got together for a private gathering.

Inside the izakaya, the group reminisced about the past, filled with emotion and sighs.

"Time flies! It's finally our turn."

After a few drinks, Kira became much more talkative today.

Renji clicked his tongue and said, "It's so much more boring after you two left. You're such traitors!" Hinamori mocked without any politeness, "It's your own fault for failing the graduation exam, why are you blaming us?"

Renji pouted: "It's the teachers at the Spirit Arts Academy and those guys in the 13th Division who don't know what's good for them. The place I'm going to is the 11th Division, but they insist on testing me on some kind of Kido."

"These are the basic comprehensive qualities that all Grim Reapers should possess. I advise you to pay attention to them and not repeat a grade."

Renji was also very troubled by this. It wasn't that he had any prejudice against Kido, and he had wanted to study it properly, but he just didn't have the talent for it. The use of Kido required very precise control of spiritual particles, which was too difficult for him.

After realizing that his efforts and rewards were completely disproportionate, Renji simply gave up on this aspect of his training.

He couldn't help but worry about his future. He couldn't possibly turn back and have to repeat a grade, could he?
Renji imagines Rukia graduating on that day, but he fails his graduation exam, and Rukia looks at him with a disappointed expression...

hiss!
He shuddered.

Renji looked at Rukia expectantly, "Rukia..."

Rukia asked curiously, "What are you doing?"

"Could you tutor me in the ways of the demonic path later?"

Kira said with a smile, "Rukia is usually very busy. Her overall grades have declined somewhat compared to before, so please don't take up her time."

Rukia said nonchalantly, "I'm fine. I don't have anything to do during this holiday anyway."

Her plans for the holiday consisted of diligent practice, intending to improve her skills in various aspects with the help of several teachers from the Kuchiki family.

But after hearing Kira's words, Renji shook his head again: "Then forget it, I don't want to hold Rukia back."

Hinamori sighed softly, rubbing her forehead, and said, "What an idiot, beyond saving."

Rukia naturally understood the meaning behind her words and rolled her eyes at Hinamori.

Renji didn't understand and took Hinamori's words as mockery. He said angrily and embarrassedly, "Hinamori, you bastard!"

“How about I do it?” Ganju suddenly said. “If you don’t mind, Abarai-senpai, I can help you with your Kido.”

Although he was considered a junior among the group at the Spirit Arts Academy, his talent was exceptional. After Hitsugaya left, Ganju consistently ranked first in all subjects.

Renji's eyes lit up, and he hugged Ganju tightly: "That's great, Ganju, you're really my good brother!"

Kira chuckled and teased, "Abarai, you're a bit too high-ranking for yourself."

Renji simply glared at him.

Kira suddenly remembered something and said to Ganju with a smile, "Ganju, I've always been good to you, haven't I? Why don't you talk to your older brother and ask him to take good care of me in the Third Division? It would be best if he could just give me a seat officer position. I'm so outstanding, it wouldn't be too much to ask me to become a seat officer right after graduation, would it?"

Rock Eagle: "..."

Hinamori scoffed, "You're dreaming."

Kira wasn't ashamed at all, and spread his hands, saying, "There's nothing I can do. I'm also unfamiliar with the Third Division. It's different from you going to the Tenth Division. Besides Shin-senpai, Hitsugaya is also in the Tenth Division. Moreover, many of our student council members from this year's graduates have gone to the Tenth Division."

That's true. Hinamori doesn't feel too much sadness about graduating now; she's full of anticipation for joining the 10th Division.

She was eager to report to the 10th Division and see what kind of expression the chairman would have when he saw her.

Kira paused thoughtfully for a moment, then added, "Speaking of which, isn't Ganju planning to join the 10th Division after graduation? Let's hope the 10th Division doesn't become the regular destination for our student council members after graduation."

“That’s quite possible,” Hinamori said. “After all, the guild master is there.”

Kira then looked at Rukia and suddenly laughed, "Rukia, why don't you think of a way to join the 10th Division later?"

These words immediately froze Hinamori's face.

Kira seemed to realize something and inwardly cursed himself for being too talkative.

Rukia shook her head calmly: "I will go to the 13th Division after I graduate."

"Squad 13?"

"Isn't it the Sixth Division?"

Everyone was surprised.

Rukia hesitated for a moment, then said, "It was arranged by my older brother."

They all thought of Rukia's older brother, who was now the captain of the Sixth Division. They had never met him in person, but as the captain, he must be someone they could not reach at all.

This arrangement, however, left Renji and the others completely baffled.

Rock Vulture pondered, "Perhaps he has similar thoughts to my older brother."

Shiba Kaien had explicitly told him not to join the Third Division after graduation, which he initially found very difficult to understand, wondering why his older brother disliked him so much.

Now he understands. If there is a captain in the same squad who is the eldest brother, then he will inevitably become a very special privileged existence in that squad, and all sorts of rumors will inevitably spread. His eldest brother does not want such a thing to happen.

"Perhaps." Rukia seemed a little absent-minded; she hadn't said much, even though she had drunk some wine.

Hinamori then said, "The 13th Division is great. I heard that Captain Ukitake is a very nice person, kind and gentle to his subordinates. Wasn't Ganju's older brother once the vice-captain of the 13th Division?"

Ganju nodded and said, "Captain Ukitake is indeed very good."

Before becoming the captain of the Third Division, Shiba Kaien often talked to his family about how good Captain Ukitake was, and would also compare him to his uncle.

Rukia smiled and said, "I know. The 13th Division is great. I want to go there too."

Her smile was serene, and she seemed to have no negative emotions.

Hinamori's eyes flickered slightly when she saw her like this.

Kira then raised his glass and laughed, "It seems everyone has found a suitable place to go. Our futures are all bright. Why don't we have a competition and see who becomes the vice-captain first!"

Kira's bold words stirred the emotions of everyone present.

Among the group present, Rukia, who had the worst overall grades in the Spirit Arts Academy, was still considered "excellent." Moreover, as the current student council president, she was used to being ahead of everyone else in everything, and she certainly harbored ambitions of becoming a "vice-captain" or even a "captain."

"Okay! Let's have a competition!"

"cheers!"

(End of this chapter)