Chapter 22 - Aranmaru Shishin

“I’ve heard the rumors about you, Kimura Muyang. Everyone says you are the unprecedented prodigy of Soul Society.”

Even though he was used to the praise and admiration, when someone he just knew said it right to his face, it was still embarrassing for him, so he just said humbly: “you flatter me, but everyone is just exaggerating.”

“Well, I think so too.”

“Hehe, eh?” What was it again? You think so, too? Kimura Muyang suddenly raised his head confusedly. Although he didn’t show it in his face, he definitely snapped right there. There he was, playing the humble guy, hoping Aranmaru Shishin would play along, but Aranmaru Shishin didn’t seem to think of the same thing as him.

“Yeah, you can’t be an unprecedented genius. After all, you were already strong even before coming to the Academy.”

Although what Aranmaru Shishin said was on point, Kimura Muyang was still baffled by how straightforward he was!

“You took that right out of my mouth. I am indeed not a prodigy like everyone said.”

Noticing Kimura Muyang seemed a bit frustrated, Aranmaru Shishin consoled him: “Well, don’t let it get you down. Although you are no prodigy, that strength of yours is the real deal.“

Kimura Muyang was even more annoyed because it was as if Aranmaru Shishin couldn’t stress enough that he wasn’t a prodigy.

“By the way, Kimura, you will be graduating in a few months. Which Division do you want to join after graduation?”

Kimura Muyang pondered for a while because he hasn’t really thought about it. He didn’t really want to join the 8th Division even though he was familiar with Shunsui. Besides, Lisa didn’t seem to be fond of him. Meanwhile, Kensei and Mashiro always exchanged banters, so they were out of the question as well. Love Aikawa crossed his mind for a moment, but he immediately threw away that thought because of his hairstyle. Hirako might not be so bad. Hiyori seemed pretty decent too since she was honest with her feelings.

“I don’t know. I guess I’ll cross the bridge when the time comes. How about you? Which Division do you want to join?” Kimura Muyang returned the question. With such a handsome face, he should be able to attract some chicks from the 4th Division.

“It’s such a waste, Kimura. With your capability, you can join whichever Division you want. Me? I’m going to join the 11th Division. I’ve admired Captain Kuruyashiki Kenpachi for quite a while, and I plan to follow him forever!”

“Huh??” Kimura Muyang realized that he couldn’t judge someone by appearance. To think that a hot guy like him wanted to join the brawny 11th Division. Speaking of which, Kuruyashiki Kenpachi was truly a charming figure that even a Shin’ō’s student admired.

“You’re pretty ambitious.”

“That’s not it, really. It’s simply because I can enjoy even more fight if I follow Captain Kuruyashiki.” Bloodthirst flashed in Aranmaru Shishin’s eyes, and Kimura Muyang could sense the Reiatsu seeping out from him. Looks sure could be deceiving.

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Despite having a hard time keeping himself awake, Kimura Muyang managed to tough it up through the morning class. He thought the class would cover some important lessons now that he was in the 6th Grade. To his dismay, it was still some basic stuff. After sorting his belongings, Kimura Muyang decided to talk to the vice headmaster so that he’d be exempted from attending the next class because he’d rather spend that time learning more about his Zanpakuto.

“Kimura, see you in the afternoon.”

“Uhhh…” Kimura Muyang waved his hand without saying anything because he wouldn’t attend the next class.

The vice headmaster knew that Kimura Muyang’s strength was the real deal, especially after he defeated Asano. He realized that there was nothing left Kimura Muyang could learn from the Academy, and he should be able to wing it, so he was more than happy to comply with Kimura Muyang’s request.

As Kimura Muyang stepped out of the vice principal’s room, breathing a sigh of relief. The next thing he had to do was find the perfect place to learn more about his Zanpakuto. Although he could use Shikai now, he hasn’t mastered it. Once he did, he’d then learn Bankai, which made him really pumped up.

As Kimura Muyang left the Academy’s vicinity and headed toward the forest, a familiar voice greeted him.

“Yo, you’re here too, Kimura. What a coincidence.”

“Hm?” Kimura Muyang immediately turned his attention toward where the familiar voice came and saw Aranmaru Shishin was leaning against a big tree while holding his Zanpakuto, sweating excessively.

“Yeah, what a coincidence. Are you training here?”

“Yeah, I’m training my Zanpakuto and Zanjutsu.”

“Zanpakuto and Zanjutsu, how about Kidō?”

“Err…” Aranmaru Shishin scratched his head, “I don’t know anything about Kidō.”

“Ah, sorry.” Kimura Muyang felt sorry for assuming that Aranmaru Shishin could use Kidō.

“Don’t mind about it. Anyway, I heard you’re pretty good at Zanjutsu. Can you teach me?” Aranmaru Shishin looked at Kimura Muyang expectantly.

Seeing the hopeful look on Aranmaru Shishin’s eyes, Kimura Muyang had a hard time refusing his request.

“Okay, but I can’t teach you, let’s spar.”

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After sparring for a while, Aranmaru Shishin slumped weakly to the ground as he looked at Kimura Muyang, who didn’t seem out of breath at all, as expected of the one who defeated the Zanjutsu instructor.

“You’re really formidable, Kimura. I can’t even touch you.”

“It’s nothing, really. I simply learned Zanjutsu earlier than you. Besides, your Zanjutsu is pretty good. At least I haven’t seen any student with stronger Zanjutsu than yours.”

“Really??” Aranmaru Shishin asked excitedly after hearing Kimura Muyang’s honest opinion.

“Of course!” Kimura Muyang affirmed as he recalled that even some 6th Grade or 2nd Grade student was nowhere near Aranmaru Shishin’s level.

Aranmaru Shishin was delighted to hear Kimura Muyang’s straight answer even though he had a hard time believing it.

“Oh, Aranmaru Shishin ·····”

“Just call me Aranmaru.”

“Uh…Okay, Aranmaru, how do you train in Zanpakuto?”

“Jinzen.”

“Jinzen??” He felt like he had heard it in anime, but he forgot what it was.

“You don’t know?” Aranmaru Shishin looked at Kimura Muyang weirdly and explained, “The so-called Jinzen is…”

“What?” Kimura Muyang had the urge to beat him up after hearing Aranmaru Shishin sounded like he was looking down on him.

“I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Fuck! Are you kidding me? Can I punch you, then?”

“Please, don’t.” Aranmaru Shishin racked his brain and tried to explain: “I can’t explain properly, just place your sword on the lap, and then meditated to enter your Inner World and communicate with your Zanpakuto.”

“Meditation?” Kimura Muyang wondered. “Is there any special meaning behind it?”

“I don’t know, simply because it’s easier to enter your Inner World that way, that’s all.”

“So that’s how it is. Well, you can go now. You have a class coming up, right?”

“You’re just disposing of me after you’re done with me?”

Kimura Muyang sweated profusely. If someone heard that just now, they might get a wrong idea

“What time is it now…?”…Ah!!! I’m late!”

“I know.”

“Aren’t you coming?”

“I spoke with the vice headmaster, and he said that I could skip classes.”

“Ah!!” Aranmaru Shishin screamed all of a sudden. “This afternoon class is a Kidō Class. I suck at Kido, and on top of it, I’m late. Sensei is gonna be pissed for sure.”

Aranmaru Shishin glanced at Kimura Muyang and clicked his tongue, looking a little displeased, and then hurried to the classroom.

He still had so much time before the plot started, so he was not in a hurry to learn Kidō. He’d rather learn Jinzen first and see for himself if he could develop his Zanpakuto Abilities. With that in mind, Kimura Muyang found a secluded place, sat cross-legged as he placed his Zanpakuto in his lap, and his mind became one with his Zanpakuto.

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