Restricted Death

Chapter 4 Rangiku's Test

The 10th Squadron barracks.

"Captain, you're slacking off again."

As soon as Matsumoto Rangiku walked into the captain's office, she smelled the smell of alcohol in the air. There were some documents piled up haphazardly on the desk, as well as a few plates of snacks and a bottle of wine.

The current captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin, was sleeping soundly on the floor under his desk.

Feeling helpless, Matsumoto Rangiku walked forward and stepped on the face that looked extremely disgusting at the moment.

"Ok?"

Zhiba Isshin opened his eyes dazedly, and what he saw was the angry face of his beautiful vice-captain.

"Rangiku."

"Captain, are you done with yesterday's work?"

Shiba Isshin scratched his head and sat up. "Work, what was it?"

"team leader!"

Zhiba Isshin stood up awkwardly, apologizing and saying that he would deal with it right away.

Matsumoto Rangiku sighed heavily and began to clean up the mess on her desk.

She suddenly noticed some documents on the desk that she had never seen before, and couldn't help but pick them up to examine them carefully: "What is this... Student Union?"

Shiba Isshin suddenly stood up and snatched the document from her hand.

"nothing."

Matsumoto Rangiku looked suspicious: "Captain, is there anything in the team that I, the vice-captain, cannot know?"

Shiba Isshin laughed it off and said, "It's nothing, just some unimportant little things."

Matsumoto Rangiku helplessly folded her arms across her chest, holding up the surging waves, "Anyway, just deal with the work quickly."

Zhiba Isshin did not put the documents in his hand into the drawer, but directly put them into his arms.

He suddenly thought of something and asked Matsumoto Rangiku, "What was the name of that student from the Spiritual Arts Academy you mentioned earlier who you wanted to recruit into our squad?"

"Tachigawa Nobu, Captain, can you please pay more attention to the team's affairs? Once all the talents are snatched away by other squads, there will be no one to help you share the team responsibilities. Are you planning to exhaust me to death?"

"Tachigawa Nobu..." Shiba kept repeating the name.

Seeing that he was suddenly interested in this, Matsumoto Rangiku explained to him the basic information about Tachigawa Nobuyuki.

"He was born in the Zaraki district of Rukongai's 80th district. I met him during a mission before. I found that his spiritual pressure was not low compared to ordinary people, so I recommended him to enter the Spiritual Art Academy to become a Shinigami."

"Zaraki District." Shiba Isshin smacked his lips. He knew exactly where that place was.

Rukongai is divided into districts numbered 1 to 80, surrounding the Soul Society, but the conditions in each district are different. District 1 is closest to the Soul Society, with ideal security and living environment, and abundant food. District 80 is the farthest away from the Soul Society, where there is no grass and famine everywhere. It is even common for people to kill each other for survival.

"What kind of person is he?" Zhiba Isshin asked again.

Matsumoto Rangiku thought for a moment and said, "He's a genius. He's currently a fourth-year student at the Spirit Arts Academy. He's scored full marks in all four subjects, especially kendo. He defeated his own kendo teacher in his third year. But he's also a sly guy. I invited him to join our 10th Division after graduation and promised him the 23rd seat, but he refused."

"Is there someone you can't even handle?" Shiba was extremely surprised. He glanced at his adjutant's extraordinary qualities and secretly wondered if this guy named Tachigawa Nobu was a normal man...

Matsumoto Rangiku realized what he meant and a vein popped up on her forehead.

"The 23rd seat..." Shiba Isshin then remembered that the 23rd seat in his team had just retired due to illness not long ago.

"Isn't that a bit low? You said he was a genius, Rangiku. Think about all the geniuses in the past. Their later achievements were all extraordinary. At the very least, he should be given a high-ranking official position."

The so-called high-ranking officers refer to the third to tenth seats, and are elite reapers who have access to core team affairs.

Matsumoto Rangiku was surprised at how much Shiba Isshin valued Tachigawa Nobu, and said, "But none of our ten positions are vacant. Besides, I've seen his file at the Spiritual Arts Institute, and he doesn't even have his own Zanpakutō yet."

Shiba Isshin waved his hand, dismissing the idea. "That's all they teach in school. Most Shinigami only acquire their own Zanpakutō after joining the team. Besides, didn't you say he's a slippery idiot? How can you guarantee you know all his details?"

Matsumoto Rangiku also hesitated, after all, the captain had the final say on such matters.

"Then...how many seats?"

Shiba Isshin smiled and said, "You can go talk to him again and see what he wants. Isn't the Spiritual Arts Academy on holiday now? He should be quite free."

#
After the final exams, students from the Spiritual Arts Academy who have not yet graduated will have a long vacation. However, considering that some students come from Rukongai, the school will still provide food and accommodation, and it is up to the students to choose whether to stay or not.

During the holidays, many classrooms and training grounds of the Spiritual Arts Academy are idle and can be provided to students for use. However, they need to be registered when using them. Any damage to any facilities during the period will be recorded and will be repaid slowly after the students graduate and become Death Gods.

In the empty kendo classroom, there were bursts of metal clashing sounds at this moment. Two figures were moving quickly and dodging, fighting fiercely with each other.

It was said to be a fierce battle, but if you look closely you can see that one side is training the other.

"Too slow, too slow, Xiubing, do you know that you are full of flaws?"

"With this little bit of ability, you still have the nerve to say that you didn't graduate early because of me? Don't expect me to appreciate your kindness."

Taunted, Hisagi Shuhei gritted his teeth, his hands tightly gripping the Asado in his hands, desperately trying to reach the figure before him.

But the opponent was always able to predict his next move, or the difference in reaction speed between the two made it possible for each of Xiubing's attacks to be easily offset by the opponent.

Another attack missed, and as his opponent's figure flew towards him, Hisagi Shūhei slashed at him with a somewhat exhausted look.

Xin raised his eyebrows slightly. He did not dodge or block the attack, but just raised the blade.

Ding!
There was a crisp sound of metal ringing, and the sword in Xiubing's hand was directly shaken out of his hand, and he trembled with pain in his palm.

He looked at the fallen bullet on the wooden floor, was stunned for a few seconds, and suddenly collapsed to the ground and gasped.

Xin put away the letter, walked slowly to the side, picked up the kettle and threw it over.

After taking a swig, Hisagi Shuhei's breathing finally calmed down a bit. He looked at Shin, who was standing there, playing with his sword, and panted, "I really regret not staying at school during the holidays."

Xin glanced over and said with a smile, "You asked me to train with you. Can't you handle this little blow?"

Hisagi Shuhei didn't know how to respond after hearing this. He just lay on the floor with his back. Losing to Shin wasn't shameful to him at all, as he had never beaten Shin before.

But what really frustrates him is that no matter how hard he tries, he seems unable to catch up. Not to mention catching up, he still doesn't know Xin's true level.

"Xin, how strong are you?"

Xin responded: "It's so boring to talk about this kind of thing. You should slowly discover it yourself, Xiubing. If one day in the future you let me use my full strength, I will be very happy and will give you my sincere praise." As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of slow applause suddenly rang out in the quiet classroom.

“That’s a really cool thing to say.”

The door of the classroom was pushed open at some point, and a figure was leaning against the upper half of the door frame, looking here with her body tilted. The sunlight coming in from outside happened to hit her shoulders. Her golden hair shone like silk, and her graceful body curves were like a work of art carefully crafted by a master, revealing the feminine beauty and strength. The deep V neckline revealed her unique health and confidence.

Her pretty face seemed to be smiling but not quite smiling, charming but not coquettish.

Ms. Matsumoto...

After seeing clearly who was coming, Hisagi Shuhei jumped up from the floor and stood up straight with an awkward posture.

"Vice Captain Matsumoto!"

When did Ms. Matsumoto come? Did you see how miserable I was?

Many thoughts flashed through Hisagi Shuhei's mind, and then he suddenly realized something and looked at his good friend beside him.

It's coming for this guy again!
Matsumoto Rangiku took off her shoes at the door. She walked calmly. On the sleeves of her black Shinigami uniform were the adjutant armbands of the Tenth Division. She wore a white silk ribbon around her waist and a Zanpakutō with a dark red sheath slung across her back.

"How come Miss Rangiku has time to come to the Spiritual Arts Academy?"

Xin spoke with a look of surprise. It had been a month since the last time they met.

He had a very peaceful month and passed the final exams of the fourth round of students in the Spiritual Arts Academy normally. Many things may have happened in places he was not aware of.

"I have nothing to do, so I just want to stroll around." Matsumoto Rangiku's beautiful eyes rested on Xin, and one hand suddenly pressed the hilt of the knife behind her waist, smiling brightly.

"I just saw you guys sparring, and it made me want to show off my skills. I wonder if you could exchange a few moves with me?"

Hisagi Shuhei, who stood aside like a statue, suddenly swallowed hard, his eyes shifting between Matsumoto Rangiku and Nobu.

He knew that Xin was very strong, and Vice Captain Matsumoto also discovered this. Did he want to test Xin's true level?
Xin laughed: "Ms. Rangiku, stop joking. You are the vice-captain of the 10th Division, and I am a student of the Spiritual Arts Academy. You can't bully me like this, right?"

But Matsumoto Rangiku didn't give him a chance to refuse. She pulled out her sword and held it across her body. "It's just a sparring match, Nobu-san. Fighting the vice-captain is a rare opportunity. You must seize it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Matsumoto Rangiku flew over, her speed as fast as a ghost. Before Hisagi Shuhei could see how she moved, he heard the sound of metal clashing.

Without time to exclaim in surprise, he quickly retreated to the edge of the classroom to make room.

Matsumoto Rangiku read the letter and blocked her swift sword, smiling brightly.

"Not bad."

She leaped lightly and retreated to a position about three meters away from Xin, staring at him with her beautiful eyes.

"Are you ready? I'm coming."

Xin saw that he had to do something, so he sighed inwardly and lightly raised his hand to strike. It was obvious what Matsumoto Rangiku's purpose was in coming here, and it was not difficult to understand why he suddenly did this.

Last time, Shiba Kaien asked him if he would like to join the 10th Division and serve as the third seat. The captain of the 10th Division, Shiba Isshin, is Shiba Kaien's uncle, and Matsumoto Rangiku is the vice-captain of the 10th Division.

This is to test my own weight.

The ultimate achievement of a Grim Reaper is directly linked to his strength. No matter how extraordinary his intelligence is, if he lacks strength, he is destined to not go far.

It is difficult to confirm what kind of brain Xin has, but it is very easy to confirm his strength and ability.

The sword in his hand trembled slightly, and a white light suddenly flashed before his eyes. He did not move, but the sword just blocked the sword that Rangiku Matsumoto was stabbing at.

When Matsumoto Rangiku saw that her attack was blocked, her beautiful eyes narrowed and she thought to herself that this guy reacted quite quickly.

The white socks on his feet stepped on the floor, making an inaudible sound when he turned. The moment he stood still, his Zanpakuto swept across, and wherever the cold light reached, the sword body collided with it.

Ding!
Having a blow blocked in battle was common, but Rangiku always felt an inexplicable unease.

She is the vice-captain of the 10th Division and has been a Shinigami for decades. Her spiritual pressure, speed, and physical fitness are beyond the reach of Shin.

Xin's only advantage over her is his swordsmanship!

Matsumoto Rangiku didn't believe it, so she drew her sword and struck again.

These sword moves look rather plain and simple, but they contain speed and power that completely surpass faith.

Xin failed to block the attack and just managed to avoid it by taking two steps back.

Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly stopped where she was and did not choose to continue attacking, her beautiful eyes flickering.

Seeing this, Xin's eyes moved slightly, and he thought to himself, has she discovered it?

Matsumoto Rangiku suddenly grinned and said, "If you really have the ability, why don't you just show it?"

She did notice something was wrong. As the vice-captain, she was naturally experienced in battle. She was faster, but Xin was one step ahead.

Xin completely saw through her sword moves.

Xin's expression remained calm, noncommittal: "Miss Rangiku, if you can allow me to use my full strength, I will give you my sincere praise."

Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes darkened slightly.

Madness!

She moved again, faster than before, with her sword even more fierce, aiming straight at Xin's chest.

She didn't believe that the other party could predict her attack this time, and even if he did, he would not be able to react.

Xin was just a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy. As a vice-captain, she was so humble as to compete with him and even used some of her true strength. If you think about it carefully, it was really inappropriate.

Maybe he was inspired by the letter just now, or maybe he was thinking about how he had invited him to join the Tenth Division several times before but was rejected.

Fortunately, Matsumoto Rangiku held back a little when she struck the knife, so as not to really hurt Nobu.

"Ding!"

The shrill sound of metal clanging.

The long and narrow blade in front of her once again blocked her knife and her sight, reflecting her cheek and her slightly dilated pupils.

The man hiding behind the blade seemed to raise the corner of his mouth slightly, his voice was slow and unhurried, and casual.

"I see right through you, Miss Rangiku."

(End of this chapter)