Who are you calling a stable boy?!

Chapter 76: Old Zheng, You Are Destined to Be a Peerless Hero

"—That's it."

Zheng Jing lowered his four flailing arms and pursed his lips at Aizen.

"In the end, I still don't know why the old man conducted this test. I feel like I got slapped, but all I got in return was a promise from Unohana-neechan... No, thinking about it this way, it seems like I got a pretty good deal?"

Muttering to himself, Zheng Jing looked up and saw Aizen touching his chin, seemingly deep in thought.

"Old Lan? What are you thinking about so intently? Did you encounter a difficult problem in class today? That can't be!"

"...Old Zheng."

Aizen looked at Zheng Jing.

Seeing his serious expression, Zheng Jing also stopped smiling and sat up straight.

"Are you really in trouble? What can I do to help?"

"Gotei 13, have you thought about which one you want to join in the future?"

"what?"

Zheng Jing was taken aback.

He hadn't really thought about this issue carefully.

The Shinigami Academy is a six-year program, during which students are welcome to skip grades at any time. As long as they can pass the test, even first-year students can graduate on the spot.

Zheng Jing had never considered skipping a grade to graduate.

If I had to say something, it would be whether Lao Lan jumps and how he jumps.

Old Blue jumped, and he jumped too.

Moreover, when discussing the issue of time, we must also talk about the flow of time between different dimensions.

Although there is a difference in the flow of time between this dimension and Zheng Jing's hometown dimension, it is not as fast as one day there being equivalent to one year here.

In other words, Zheng Jing estimated that he would have to go back to his hometown in his first year as a freshman.

With time passing between the two trips, when he returns, he might be caught by Old Lan and subjected to endless questioning...

In short, Zheng Jing thought that he was in doubt even if he could graduate from the True Central Academy of Spiritual Arts normally, so why should he think about which team he should join after graduation?

But now that Lao Lan has asked this question, Zheng Jing has realized what he meant.

"—Old Lan, do you mean the old man wants me to graduate early and go straight into the Gotei 13?"

"It's not impossible."

Aizen nodded slightly.

"With your current strength, Lao Zheng, I'm afraid you could hold the position of chief officer in any of the remaining twelve teams, excluding Team One."

"Then you'll have to give me more time to develop, right? Is Seireitei so short-lived that they're even pulling up tender seedlings like me, Old Zheng?"

"How could that be? In my opinion, after you pass this test, Lao Zheng, you will likely face two choices from the captain."

"Oh? Which two?"

Aizen raised a finger.

"Firstly, they will set special standards for you, requiring you to graduate as soon as possible and join the Gotei 13. Judging from the records of graduates who skipped grades in the academy, this period is probably two to three years."

Secondly...

Aizen stared intently at Zheng Jing, his gaze burning.

"It's highly likely that they'll recruit you directly into the first team, take you under their wing, and personally train you."

"......ah?"

Zheng Jing blinked and pointed to himself.

"Me? Go to the First Division?"

He waved his hand.

"It's over Old Blue! It's over, it's over, me—"

"Old Zheng."

Aizen got out of bed, came to Zheng Jing, and patted him on the shoulder with both hands.

"Don't doubt it, you do have the potential to be worthy of the Captain's attention."

Zheng Jing blinked several times.

"...I always felt that you, Lao Lan, actually had some strange expectations of me."

“This is different.”

Gazing at Zheng Jing, Aizen said with a smile.

"Old Zheng, you are destined to be a peerless hero."

Zheng Jing rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Old Blue, haven't you ever considered that I might be transferred to the Fourth Division and work with Unohana-neechan?"

"...Indeed, it cannot be said that such a possibility is completely impossible."

Aizen withdrew his hand and nodded.

"Right?"

Zheng Jing shrugged.

"Speaking of which, Lao Lan, have you thought about which team you'd like to join in the future?"

"My words..."

Aizen sat back on the bed and fell silent for a moment.

"Seventh Division, I suppose."

"Oh? Why? What's so great about the Seventh Division?"

"Um......"

Aizen smiled again.

"Can I come to the Fourth Division to chat with you from time to time?"

"Alright! Old Lan, I can sense your ambition to slack off! I understand your determination to be lazy!"

Zheng Jing clenched four fists!

"However, I still need Unohana-nee's approval before I can go to the Fourth Division."

"Didn't you say that Captain Unohana promised to grant you one of your wishes?"

Aizen said with a smile.

"Of course, that's just a joke. Old Zheng, a captain's promise is such a valuable opportunity, so we should be more careful in using it. Besides, if we can really be valued by the Captain-Commander and be specially recruited into the First Division, wouldn't that be great?"

"Hiss...this..."

Zheng Jing scratched his head in frustration.

Aizen assumed that Aizen simply didn't like being controlled by the Captain-Commander and shook his head helplessly.

"There's a return course taught by Captain Unohana tomorrow afternoon. Why don't you ask Captain Unohana after class, then you'll know for sure?"

-

"So, you're curious?"

Sitting on the futon, Unohana Retsu looked at Jung Kyung with a smile.

After class, Zheng Jing, unusually, did not leave the classroom with Aizen.

To be precise, he parted ways with Aizen when he left the dormitory at noon.

Aizen didn't choose Dao as an elective course.

He chose calligraphy as his elective course.

That's right, the True Spirit Arts Academy doesn't just teach students how to fight and kill.

Courses on self-cultivation and scientific culture are also plentiful on the elective list.

"Unohana-neechan, dear sister, please tell me, okay? I really want to know!"

Sitting opposite Unohana, Zheng Jing lowered his eyes and murmured softly.

"The Captain-Commander praised your exceptional talent and indeed intended to have you join the team as soon as possible. Originally, he planned to send you to one of the teams where officers were still absent, but because you are naturally unruly and difficult to manage, he intends to send you directly to the First Division, where the Captain-Commander will personally train you for a while before sending you to another division."

"Ok?"

Zheng Jing scratched his cheek.

"Sister, the old man always has such a long face. If I go, I won't be able to joke around or have fun anymore. What's the point then? I, Old Zheng, am not going, I'm not going!"

As he spoke, he turned his head and turned away.

"Zheng Jing, stop talking nonsense."

Unohana Retsu put away her smile, her face becoming serious.

"Well......"

Seeing Zheng Jing's dejected look, she smiled slightly.

"The Commander-in-Chief has high hopes for you. With your talent, and after your training, you will be able to serve as the deputy captain in any team within three years. At that time, the Commander-in-Chief will surely let you go. The court is vast; where can't you go?"

Seeing that Zheng Jing still didn't respond, she reached out and gently patted the back of his hand.

"If you encounter any difficulties on this journey, I will certainly help you."

"Oh?"

Zheng Jing rolled his eyes.

"Hehe, well... sister, I, Old Zheng, am in a bit of a predicament right now, do you know?"

"Ok?"

"This is the one I'm really keen to study!"

Turning around, Zheng Jing clasped his hands and bowed to Unohana Retsu.

"Please teach me some real skills!"

Chapter 77: Let me see you too!

"Oh?"

Mao Zhihua raised an eyebrow.

"I've heard that you have quite a talent in the path of the Demonic Path. Even the Great Demonic Path Master once suggested to the Captain-Commander that the Demonic Path disciples be given a chance when you graduate... However, it seems that you are more interested in the Binding Path and the Returning Path than the Breaking Path?"

Zheng Jing nodded.

Why is that?

"This... Ghost Path is full of mysteries. I don't have any prejudice. It's just my nature. Compared to breaking the path, fighting with fists and sticks is more enjoyable! And this Binding Path and Returning Path can save people and myself. I will definitely need them in the future."

Upon hearing this, Unohana Retsu remained silent, only staring at Zheng Jing.

It was already dusk, and fiery red clouds gathered the setting sun, shining into the dojo and landing on the fourth division captain, making his dark eyes shine even brighter.

It seemed as if a splash of blood was rolling inside.

"...Hmm, that makes sense."

After staring at Zheng Jing for a while, until Zheng Jing shrank back, Unohana Retsu finally spoke softly.

"Sit closer."

Zheng Jing pulled off the futon, shifted his body towards Unohana Retsu, and sat down cross-legged again.

"Take off your shirt."

"what?"

What difficulties are there?