Not long after, a faint whistling sound approached from a distance as a figure landed swiftly on the roof.
The newcomer was Hasegawa Shinjiro, the 6th Seat of Squad 5 and one of the instructors for this field trip.
With a solemn expression, he scanned the scene. His gaze lingered briefly on Hasumi Ren and the spot where the Giant Hollow had dissipated before he spoke in a low voice.
"I've already gathered the gist of the situation from Ise Nanao's report. Encountering a Large Hollow nearing the Gillian level was a major oversight. This is no place to linger."
He turned to the shaken students, his tone shifting to a command.
"Harada, Ise, the two of you are responsible for leading all the third-year students along the designated retreat route to the rendezvous point. Link up with the other groups there."
"I will notify the other instructors to increase vigilance and gradually converge on the meeting point."
"Yes, Instructor Hasegawa."
Hasegawa turned to face Hasumi Ren. The formal sternness on his face softened slightly, replaced by a complex, scrutinizing look.
"Hasumi Ren, I heard you handled that Hollow alone, and quite quickly too. Well done. You've far exceeded my expectations for a fifth-year student."
"I was just lucky, Instructor Hasegawa."
"No need for modesty."
Hasegawa waved him off, his gaze drifting toward the deeper darkness.
"There's been a mishap with the Soul Burial field trip. I've already reported it to the Seireitei. Withdrawing the students is the priority. As for cleaning up any remaining risks..."
He looked at Hasumi, his eyes sharpening.
"According to Ise's report, you possess the strength to deal with threats of this magnitude."
"I am now conscripting you to form a temporary squad with me. We will conduct a final sweep and cleanup of this area to ensure the safety of the residents in the World of the Living."
The reasoning was sound, logical, and backed by the authority of a superior.
Hasumi's gaze fell calmly on Hasegawa.
"Understood."
"But..."
Nanao glanced at Hasumi, who was being left behind alone, a flicker of worry in her eyes.
A Soul Reaper conscripting a student from the Academy? That didn't seem quite right.
But Hasumi gave her a slight nod. Seeing the look in his eyes, Nanao felt her heart settle.
She trusted his judgment.
As the students' figures quickly vanished into the night, only Hasegawa and Hasumi remained on the roof.
The night wind swept through the ruins, carrying an echo like a low wail.
Hasegawa gave him a long look, then without another word, turned and leaped toward another direction.
"Keep up."
One after the other, the two moved silently and swiftly through the air above the town.
They were fast; only the sound of the wind and the faint rustle of their clothes cutting through the air could be heard.
It wasn't until they crossed the town and reached a wooded area that Hasegawa suddenly stopped.
Hasumi also stopped, landing behind him.
Hasegawa didn't look back. With his back to Hasumi, his hand was already resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
In the next instant, he vanished, moving with a speed far exceeding their travel pace.
The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, aiming straight for Hasumi's throat.
The strike was ruthless and decisive, a life-or-death opening move with nothing held back!
Hasumi's eyes narrowed as he instantly drew his blade to block.
Clang!
The crisp sound of clashing metal erupted in the empty ruins, sparks flying.
Hasegawa was forced back several steps, his sword arm feeling slightly numb from the impact.
Hasumi also stepped back, but his hand was as steady as a rock.
Hasegawa stared at Hasumi. For some reason, he felt a sense of pressure from this student who had yet to graduate from the Academy.
"Excellent defense. It seems you knew I was going to move against you. When did you realize?"
"The moment you appeared, I felt something was off... Instructor Hasegawa, have you betrayed the Soul Society?"
"The corruption of the Soul Society is already deep-rooted. How can one talk of betrayal regarding a place they were never loyal to?"
"So your convictions are that noble? Then why strike at a mere student like me?"
"Hmph. If you want to trick me into talking, come back after another thirty years of training."
Hasegawa lunged forward again.
His footsteps were agile, his swordsmanship sharp and experienced. Every move targeted a vital point, combined with masterful Shunpo in a relentless, wave-like assault.
However, Hasumi's response was equally airtight.
Every block and dodge was perfectly timed, precisely sealing off all of Hasegawa's lines of attack. Furthermore, his strength and speed consistently overpowered his opponent.
After dozens of exchanges, Hasegawa began to show signs of fatigue. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his breathing grew ragged.
Hasegawa leaped back to create distance, panting heavily. Looking at the composed Hasumi across from him, the self-deprecation on his face deepened.
'Hah, how pathetic...'
'Ever since my Zanpakuto achieved Shikai, I've relied too much on its power and neglected my own swordsmanship.'
'I never thought facing a student without using Shikai would be so taxing.'
'Lord Aizen, who is likely watching, will probably be disappointed by my performance.'
He slowly raised his sword, holding it vertically before him. His eyes became focused and solemn as his spiritual pressure began to climb, radiating a ripple entirely different from before.
"Stir the waters, Mayutsugawa."
With the low chant of the release command, the form of Hasegawa's Zanpakuto changed.
The blade didn't change drastically; instead, it became coated in a flowing, pale gray mist-like luster.
In the next moment, the blade seemingly vanished, leaving only the hilt in Hasegawa's hand.
Hasumi's gaze hardened.
'He's using Shikai to fight me?'
"Hey, Instructor Hasegawa, aren't you going to explain your Zanpakuto's ability? Isn't this a bit like bullying?"
Hasegawa snorted and swung the hilt toward Hasumi.
In the next instant, a sharp blade edge silently slashed toward Hasumi from his side and rear!
Relying on his perception, Hasumi barely managed to twist away, but the corner of his clothes was sliced.
Subsequently, Hasegawa's attacks became increasingly bizarre and unpredictable. He stood in place swinging his sword, yet invisible attacks struck at Hasumi from all directions.
Hasumi was forced to heighten his vigilance, focusing entirely on dodging.
Strikes that couldn't be predicted were indeed causing Hasumi some trouble.
He could no longer easily predict and block like before. He had to expend more mental energy to sense and react to the elusive attacks, and several wounds inadvertently appeared on his body.
'Zanpakuto abilities really are troublesome...'
"It's working," Hasegawa said, slightly winded but determined. "Then, it's time to end this."
"Bakudo #21, Sekienton!"
A massive smoke screen billowed out, instantly obscuring Hasumi's vision.
At the same time, Hasegawa poured all his spiritual pressure into the blade, preparing for a thrust.
The speed and power of this strike would be his strongest attack.
Hasumi's eyes flashed.
Under this interference, he couldn't fully lock onto the trajectory of the strike.
But he didn't panic. He lowered his stance slightly, ready to break out with Shunpo at any moment, holding his Asauchi before him as his spiritual pressure began to surge.
However, at the very moment Hasegawa was about to strike...
"Stop!"
"Hasegawa! What do you think you're doing?!"
Several spiritual pressures, accompanied by sharp shouts, rapidly approached from the distance.
It was the other Soul Reaper instructors who had rushed over after receiving the news or sensing the anomaly.
Hasegawa's momentum visibly faltered, and a flicker of hesitation crossed his face.
He gave Hasumi a deep, unreadable look, then without hesitation, retreated and vanished into the distance under the cover of the smoke.
"After him!"
The arriving Soul Reapers were both shocked and furious. One stayed behind to watch Hasumi, while the others immediately gave chase in the direction Hasegawa had fled.
The remaining Soul Reaper approached Hasumi, watching him warily for a moment with eyes full of disbelief.
He had seen clearly just now; Hasegawa, a 6th Seat, had already released his Shikai and yet couldn't take down this student.
"Sheathe your weapon. What just happened here? Why were you fighting?"
Hasumi sheathed his sword, looking toward the direction where Hasegawa had disappeared—and the experience fragments floating quietly there.
"I'm not sure. For some reason, 6th Seat Hasegawa attacked me."
"If you catch him, you should interrogate him thoroughly."