"Don't move! What do you think you're doing?"
The Soul Reaper watched as Hasumi Ren took several steps, his hand reflexively tightening around the hilt of his blade.
Ren raised his hands, signaling that he had no ulterior motives.
He was simply picking up his spoils of war.
During the fierce battle just now, several fragments had dropped from Hasegawa's body.
Ren gathered most of the fragments and stopped under the nervous gaze of the Soul Reaper instructor.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment x22, Rei-i EXP +220]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kendo Insight x6, Kendo EXP +60]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Shunpo Insight x4, Shunpo EXP +40]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido Insight x1, Kido EXP +10]
Seeing the system prompts, Ren understood the situation.
Aside from having higher Spiritual Pressure, Hasegawa wasn't significantly stronger than him in other areas.
After this practical test, Ren had gained a clear understanding of his current strength.
Excluding his Zanpakuto's Shikai, his overall combat ability was already comparable to a typical high-ranking seated officer.
While he might be powerful for a student at the Spiritual Arts Academy, he was still a nobody in the vast Seireitei.
"By the way, instructor, my classmates left ahead of me. Are they safe now? Did you see a petite girl named Ise Nanao?"
"Hm? I didn't notice, but don't worry, the students have already gathered at the meeting point. Only one named Hasumi Ren is missing... What's your name?"
"My name is Hasumi Ren."
"Oh."
Ren and the Soul Reaper guarding him just stood there, staring awkwardly at one another.
Before long, a commotion echoed from the distance.
Soon, several well-organized Soul Reapers arrived on the scene.
The leader, a man with long blonde hair and a cold gaze, scanned the surroundings.
"Where is Hasegawa?"
The Soul Reaper beside Ren immediately snapped to attention and reported excitedly.
"Reporting to Captain Hirako! 6th Seat Hasegawa fled toward the one o'clock position. The other Soul Reaper instructors have already given pursuit."
"Fine. Take this student back. The rest of you, patrol the area."
After assigning a few Soul Reapers to handle the scene, Hirako Shinji vanished.
Led by the squad members, Ren finally returned to the Soul Society through the Senkaimon.
The area was mostly empty when they emerged from the gate.
Aside from a few Soul Reapers on guard, only Ise Nanao, Harada Heita, and the third-year students they were mentoring were there.
The moment Ren appeared, the first thing Nanao noticed was his tattered Academy uniform.
Nanao rushed forward and grabbed Ren's arm.
"You're hurt! What happened?"
Seeing Nanao's worried and agitated expression, Ren waved it off with a smile.
"It's just some scratches. If I'd come back any later, they'd have healed on their own."
At that moment, a Soul Reaper from the Fifth Division stepped in to separate Ren and Nanao.
"There has been a major incident during this Konsō field trip. Fortunately, there were no casualties."
"As witnesses, you need to cooperate with our investigation."
"This student is injured. Although it's not serious, we must take him to the Fourth Division for a check-up."
"The rest of you will head to the Fifth Division first."
Nanao pursed her lips at the words.
"Can I go with him to the Fourth Division first..."
"It's alright, Nanao. Just follow the instructions. Let's not make things difficult for them."
Before the Soul Reaper could speak, Ren stepped in to persuade her.
The Soul Reaper in charge shot Ren an appreciative look.
'Smart kid.'
"Let's go."
At his signal, Ren was separated from the others. Led by two members of the Fifth Division, he headed toward the Fourth Division.
The defection of a high-ranking seated officer was nothing short of a scandal for the Fifth Division.
This explained why the Captain of the Fifth Division had mobilized personally and acted so swiftly.
Until the facts were clarified, Ren, as the sole eyewitness, would clearly be kept under strict supervision until the matter was settled.
Ren couldn't help but think as they walked.
He wondered what Aizen was doing right now.
If this was all his doing, why would he use a high-ranking officer?
'Was he... a sacrificial pawn?'
"By the way, I saw Captain Hirako just now, but I didn't see Lieutenant Aizen. Was he here today as well?"
Hearing Ren's question, the two Soul Reapers looked at each other.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
One of them considered it; it wasn't exactly a secret.
"Lieutenant Aizen received another rescue mission from the World of the Living and set out quite a while ago."
Ren nodded. He didn't even have to guess; Aizen was definitely watching from the shadows just now.
'Still as meticulous as ever.'
A short while later, they arrived at the Fourth Division.
After receiving basic treatment, Ren was placed in a private room within the Fourth Division headquarters.
Outside the door, the two Fifth Division Soul Reapers remained at their posts.
A day passed quietly.
The sudden Menos attack during the field trip and the defection of the 6th Seat Hasegawa were like stones thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples through the Gotei 13.
However, these two incidents didn't spread through the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy; very few people knew the truth.
The Fifth Division had issued a gag order to Ise Nanao, Harada Heita, and others who knew the details.
Until an official announcement was made, spreading rumors was strictly forbidden.
Consequently, the Academy students who had hurriedly returned from the World of the Living had no idea what had actually transpired.
Only the news of a Menos attacking students was known to a small group.
None of this mattered to Ren, however.
He was currently lying comfortably on a medical bed in the Fourth Division, with Ise Nanao sitting beside him, peeling an apple with a small knife.
After over half a day of questioning, Nanao and the others had been cleared to return to the Academy.
Nanao had immediately come to the Fourth Division to find Ren's room.
Seeing it was Ise Nanao, the two guards at the door had a brief discussion.
After warning Ren once more not to mention anything about Hasegawa, they allowed Nanao to visit.
However, their attention remained fixed on what was happening inside the room.
Watching Ren's relaxed demeanor, Nanao's unease slowly dissipated.
"If you're not actually hurt, why do you need me to peel an apple for you?"
"Apples taste sweeter when you're the one peeling them."
Caught by Ren's dead-serious gaze, Nanao was speechless, but she meticulously finished peeling the fruit anyway.
"Consider this... your reward."
Once it was ready, she held it up to Ren's mouth.
"Open wide."
"Chomp."
Ren took a bite, but because he opened his mouth too wide, his lips accidentally brushed against Nanao's finger.
Nanao felt a jolt like an electric shock through her fingertip. She jerked her hand back, her face flushing a deep crimson.
A moment later, she wiped her hand on Ren's clothes.
"Gross..."
Ren could only stare back at her in confusion.
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