Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 356 A Heartfelt Class Teacher

For most of the freshmen present, the dazzling modern metropolis of steel and glass displayed on the projection screen was still too far removed from their lives.

Only after they grow into members of the Death Slayers capable of guarding the mortal realm will they have the opportunity to personally witness the scenery here.

But for Asuka, it was the real world where he had lived, fought, and almost lost himself.

The flickering lights were reflected in his eyes, and his tightly furrowed brows relaxed without him even realizing it.

Those familiar street scenes reminded him of the earth-shattering battle in Fuyuki City, the days he spent delivering goods in Karakura Town, and his life even earlier—

When—when—

A few hours later, the melodious school bell rang outside the window, signaling the end of get out of class.

The lesson ended before we knew it, with Teacher Jinba's video presentation and explanation.

Kinpachi-sensei smiled and snapped his fingers. The shikigami at the back of the classroom immediately flew forward and pulled up the sunshade.

The bright sunlight once again filled the classroom, dispelling the dreamlike feeling brought by the projector.

"Alright, that concludes our morning session on contemporary anthropology." Professor Kinpachi announced gently as he tidied up the film reels and projector on the podium. "I hope today's lesson has instilled in you a greater sense of awe and longing for the world you may be meant to protect in the future. get out of class dismissed."

"Stand up! Salute!"

The class monitor took the lead in calling out commands, and the students stood up in unison, bowing to thank the new teacher whose teaching style was so different.

Then, the classroom erupted in excitement, as the previously suppressed curiosity was completely unleashed.

The students gathered in small groups, excitedly discussing the miraculous events they had just witnessed that lacked any spiritual power, and walked noisily out of the classroom.

Asuka didn't participate in any discussion. She simply put away the "General History of Soul Society" that was giving her a splitting headache, casually stuffed it into her desk drawer, and prepared to get up and leave the classroom that made her feel so uncomfortable.

For him, the so-called academy life was nothing more than fulfilling his compromise with the Zero Squad; he only had to endure it for two more months before it ended.

"Asuka-kun."

Just as Asuka stepped out of her seat, a gentle voice came from ahead.

Asuka stopped and saw Mr. Kinpachi standing at the end of the aisle with his textbooks in his arms, a lazy smile on his face that seemed to never disappear.

"If you're not in a rush, could you hold off for a little while? I'd like to use some of your after-class time to talk to you privately."

The bird's first reaction was to refuse.

A private conversation? What about?

Should we talk about his abysmal learning speed, or his terrible talent in Kido that he can't even unleash the lowest level of Hakudo?

He could sense the fear and helplessness the instructors felt towards him.

If it weren't for the decree from the Spirit King's Palace, he had no doubt that he would have been kicked out long ago.

Just as he was about to refuse, a scene from before he left home that morning suddenly flashed through his mind.

In the courtyard in the early morning, Shinobu Kocho helped him straighten the collar of his Shinigami uniform while gently instructing him.

"Mr. Asuka, you can't lose your temper like that at the academy! I know those theoretical classes are difficult for you, but no matter what, you must respect your teachers."

Thinking of this, he took a deep breath and suppressed his agitation.

"...Alright, where shall we talk?"

Teacher Jinba breathed a sigh of relief. He had prepared himself to comfort the man after being rejected by this jinx, but he didn't expect the other party to be so easy to talk to.

"Let's go to my office. Perfect timing, I have some nice tea that I brought from the mortal world."

A moment later, in the teachers' office.

This place is unlike the office of Coach Ohara that Asuka visited, which was filled with all sorts of imposing files and certificates.

There were only a few tall stacks of modern books piled up in the corner, a few strangely shaped modern handicrafts on the desk, and a potted green plant on the windowsill, which looked chaotic yet orderly.

Teacher Jinpachi came over with two steaming cups of tea, gently placed one of them on the coffee table in front of Asuka, and then sat down on the single sofa opposite Asuka.

"Try it. This is sencha produced in Shizuoka Prefecture in the present world. Compared to the tea in Soul Society, it has a bit more bitterness and a sweet aftertaste." Kinpachi-sensei picked up the teacup and took a sip himself first.

Asuka, holding the hot teacup, asked curiously, "Mr. Kinpachi, what did you call me here for?"

"If it's for my academic progress... I can only say that I've done my best."

"If Coach Ohara or any of you think I've dragged Class B down for the entire year... you can report to Squad Zero and get me expelled. To be honest, I never wanted to stay here in the first place."

Upon hearing Asuka's clearly defiant remarks, Kinpachi-sensei did not show any headache or sternness like the other teachers.

He gently put down his teacup, interlaced his fingers on his knees, and burst into cheerful laughter.

"Haha, Asuka-kun, you might have misunderstood."

Kinpachi-sensei looked at Asuka, his eyes clear and sincere: "I called you here not to discuss your 'General History of Soul Society'."

"How much you memorize isn't to check your progress in the demonic path."

"I don't really care whether you can write or not."

The bird was stunned, its eyebrows slightly raised: "Then what do you want to talk about?"

"I want to talk to you."

Kinpachi-sensei's voice was very soft: "I know that Coach Ohara and the other teachers have always been trying to mold you into a standard Shinigami."

"They want you to be like those graduates of the Spiritual Arts Academy, to be able to recite the laws of the Soul Society by heart, to master elegant Kido, and to become a qualified cog in the Gotei 13."

"But they overlooked a fundamental fact." Kinpachi's gaze fell on the Zanpakuto at Asuka's waist.

"You are not a blank slate."

"Before you stepped into this classroom, you were already a finely forged sword."

"It is utterly absurd to expect you to be like those students who are trained from scratch."

The bird's eyes changed.

Looking at the seemingly weak and unassuming middle-aged man with a mediocre spiritual power level, he began to take him more seriously.

This was the first person he had met in the half-month since he arrived at the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy who did not look at him as an outsider, nor did they try to restrain him with those rigid rules.

Mr. Kinpachi leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry: "I'm more curious about your past than those rigid report cards."

"Flying Bird, I have heard of your great deeds at Twin Peaks Hill, and I also know that you are a privileged agent personally appointed by the Spirit King Palace."

"But what I'm more interested in is, what kind of experience could forge such a powerful soul like yours?"

"How...did you get to where you are today, step by step?"

This question, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirred up ripples in the depths of a bird's heart.

His past?

Fei Niao leaned back on the sofa, her gaze unconsciously drifting towards the window.

No one in this Soul Court had ever asked him this question before.

Those Grim Reaper captains and the high and mighty Zero Division only saw the power in his hands, or rather, the threat.

The birds could sense that they were on guard against him, or trying to control him.

But no one ever asked him how arduous his journey had been, in a tone as if he were questioning a traveler returning from a long journey.

But where should we begin?