Chapter 4: Rangiku’s Test

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Tenth Division Headquarters.
“Captain, you’re slacking off again.”
As Rangiku Matsumoto stepped into the captain’s office, the scent of alcohol hung heavily in the air. Documents were carelessly piled on the desk, alongside a few plates of snacks and a bottle of liquor.
Ichigo Shiba, the current captain of the Tenth Division, was sound asleep on the floor beneath the desk.
Feeling exasperated, Rangiku stepped forward and lightly stepped on the face that now seemed especially annoying.
“Hm?”
Ichigo groggily opened his eyes, only to see the angry face of his stunningly beautiful lieutenant.
“Rangiku.”
“Captain, did you finish yesterday’s work?”
Scratching his head, Ichigo sat up. “Work? What was that again?”
“Captain!”
Embarrassed, Ichigo stood up hastily, apologizing while promising to handle it immediately.
Rangiku sighed deeply and began tidying up the mess on the desk.
She suddenly noticed some unfamiliar documents on the table and picked them up for closer inspection. “What’s this… Student Council?”
Ichigo abruptly stood and snatched the papers from her hands.
“Nothing.”
Rangiku looked skeptical. “Captain, is there something in the division I, as your lieutenant, am not supposed to know?”
Ichigo laughed nervously. “I said it’s nothing, just some trivial matters.”
Rangiku folded her arms, her ample chest rising and falling. “Anyway, you’d better get to work.”
Ichigo didn’t put the papers in the drawer but tucked them into his chest instead.
Suddenly, he remembered something and asked Rangiku, “What was the name of that Shinigami Academy student you wanted to recruit to our division?”
“Toshikawa Shin. Captain, can’t you pay more attention to division affairs? If all the talent gets snatched up by other divisions, there’ll be no one left to share your workload. Do you want to wear me out?”
“Toshikawa Shin…” Ichigo muttered the name.
Noticing his sudden interest, Rangiku began to explain Shin’s background.
“He’s from District 80, Komaki District, on Rukongai. I met him during a mission and noticed his spirit pressure was quite strong among ordinary people. So, I recommended he enter the Shinigami Academy to become a Soul Reaper.”
“Komaki District, huh,” Ichigo clicked his tongue knowingly.
Rukongai is divided into eighty numbered districts surrounding Seireitei. District 1 is closest to the Seireitei, with good security, living conditions, and abundant food. District 80 is the farthest, barren and ravaged by famine, where survival often means killing one another.
“What kind of person is he?” Ichigo asked.
Rangiku pondered: “A genius. He’s currently a fourth-year student at the Academy, scoring full marks in the four disciplines of Shunpo, Hakuda, Kido, and especially swordsmanship. He even defeated his kendo instructor in his third year. But he’s also quite a cunning fellow. I invited him to join the Tenth Division after graduation and promised him the Twenty-Third Seat, but he refused.”
“Someone even you can’t handle?” Ichigo was surprised. Glancing at his lieutenant’s remarkable qualities, he inwardly wondered if this Toshikawa Shin was a normal man…
Rangiku noticed his implication and a vein twitched on her forehead.
“The Twenty-Third Seat…” Ichigo suddenly remembered that the seat had recently become vacant due to illness.
“Isn’t that a bit low? You said he’s a genius. Think of all the geniuses in the past—their achievements were remarkable. He should at least get a higher seat.”
The so-called higher seats are from the Third to the Tenth Seat, elite Shinigami who have access to core division affairs.
Rangiku was surprised by Ichigo’s regard for Shin. “But there are no vacancies in the top ten seats, and according to his Academy record, he doesn’t have his own Zanpakuto yet.”
Ichigo waved dismissively. “Most of the skills taught at school are basic. The majority of Shinigami only manifest their Zanpakuto after joining a division. Besides, you said he’s cunning—how can you be sure you know all his secrets?”
Rangiku hesitated. Such decisions are ultimately up to the captain.
“So… which seat?”
Ichigo smiled. “You can talk to him again, see what he wants. The Academy’s on break now; he should have plenty of time.”
#
After final exams, non-graduated Academy students have a fairly long break. Since some students come from Rukongai, the school still provides meals and lodging, and students may choose to stay or leave.

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During the break, many classrooms and training grounds at the Academy are left unused, but students may use them with registration. Any damage caused would be recorded and repaid after graduation when they become Shinigami.
In the spacious kendo dojo, the clash of metal rang out. Two figures moved swiftly, exchanging strikes and dodges in an intense sparring match.
Though fierce, a closer look revealed one was clearly training the other.
“Too slow, too slow, Shuhei! Don’t you realize your entire body is full of openings?”
“It’s your fault I haven’t graduated early. Don’t expect me to cut you any slack.”
Shuhei Hisagi gritted his teeth, gripping his light practice sword tightly as he desperately tried to strike the figure before him.
But the opponent always anticipated his next move; the difference in reaction speed meant each of Shuhei’s strikes was easily parried.
Another attack missed, and as the opponent swept past his side, Shuhei weakly slashed sideways.
Shin raised an eyebrow but didn’t dodge or block; instead, he held his sword upright.
Clang!
The clear ring of metal on metal sounded as Shuhei’s practice sword flew from his hand, his palm throbbing painfully.
He stared blankly at the wooden floor where the practice sword landed, then suddenly collapsed, gasping for breath.
Shin sheathed his sword leisurely and tossed a water bottle over.
After a long drink, Shuhei’s breathing steadied. He looked at Shin, who was idly twirling his Zanpakuto, and panted, “I really regret staying at the Academy during break.”
Shin glanced sideways, smiling. “You’re the one who asked me to train with you. Can’t handle a little beating?”
Shuhei didn’t know how to respond. He lay back on the floor. Losing to Shin was no shame; he had never beaten him.
What frustrated him most was that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t catch up—or even understand Shin’s true level.
“Shin, just how strong are you?”
Shin replied, “It’s no fun to say. You’ll have to find out for yourself, Shuhei. If one day you make me go all out, I’ll be very happy and give you sincere praise.”
Just then, slow, deliberate applause echoed through the quiet dojo.
“That was a cool thing to say.”
The door had been opened quietly. A figure leaned against the frame, half-tilted, watching. Sunlight streamed over her shoulder, her golden hair shimmering like silk. Her graceful curves were like a masterpiece crafted by a master, exuding feminine beauty and strength. Her low-cut collar revealed the weight of health and confidence unique to her.
Her lovely face bore a faint, knowing smile—seductive without being lascivious.
Miss Matsumoto…
Seeing who it was, Shuhei sprang up awkwardly and straightened.
“Lieutenant Matsumoto!”
When did she arrive? Did she see my crushing defeat?
A flood of thoughts crossed Shuhei’s mind, then he suddenly noticed his friend’s expression beside him.
She’s here for him again, isn’t she!
Rangiku Matsumoto removed her shoes at the door, walking calmly. The sleeve of her black Shihakusho bore the Tenth Division lieutenant armband. A white silk ribbon was tied at her waist, and her Zanpakuto with a dark red sheath hung across her back.
“Lieutenant Rangiku, what brings you to the Academy?”
Shin looked surprised. Their last meeting was a month ago.
The past month passed quietly for him. He had passed the fourth-year final exams normally. Many things may have happened elsewhere, beyond his knowledge.
“Just wandering around, with nothing better to do.” Rangiku’s bright eyes rested on Shin as she suddenly placed a hand on the hilt of her Zanpakuto behind her, smiling brightly.
“I saw your sparring earlier—it got me itching to try. How about a few rounds with me?”
Standing nearby, Shuhei swallowed nervously, his gaze flickering between Rangiku and Shin.
He knew Shin was strong, and now the lieutenant had noticed too. Was she testing Shin’s true level?
Shin laughed. “Lieutenant Rangiku, don’t joke. You’re the Tenth Division’s lieutenant and I’m just an Academy student. You can’t bully me like that.”
But Rangiku gave no chance to refuse, drawing her sword and holding it before her.
“It’s just sparring. Shin, a chance to fight the lieutenant is rare—you’d better make the most of it.”
Before she finished, Rangiku moved like a phantom, so fast Shuhei barely saw the motion but heard the clash of steel.
He quickly stepped aside, yielding the space.

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Rangiku saw Shin block her swift strike and smiled brightly.
“Not bad.”
She lightly leapt back, placing herself about three meters from Shin, her eyes fixed on him.
“Ready? Here I come.”
Seeing resistance was futile, Shin sighed inwardly and lightly lifted his practice sword. Rangiku’s purpose was clear—this sudden challenge made perfect sense.
Last time, Ichigo Shiba’s niece, Kiyone Shiba, had asked Shin if he wanted to join the Tenth Division as the Third Seat. Ichigo Shiba, the captain, was Kiyone’s uncle, and Rangiku was the division’s lieutenant.
This was a test of his worth.
A Shinigami’s ultimate achievements are closely tied to their strength. No matter how brilliant their mind, without power, they won’t get far.
It’s hard to gauge Shin’s intellect, but his strength could be tested simply.
The blade in his hand trembled lightly, a white flash streaked before his eyes. Though he made no move, the sword just barely blocked Rangiku’s thrust.
Rangiku’s eyes narrowed, thinking, “His reflexes are pretty fast.”
Her white socks barely made a sound as she shifted her stance. With a fierce sweep of her Zanpakuto, their blades met again.
Clang!
Being blocked in battle is normal, but Rangiku felt an inexplicable unease.
She was the Tenth Division lieutenant, a Shinigami for decades. Her spirit pressure, speed, and physical fitness far surpassed Shin’s.
His only advantage was swordsmanship!
Rangiku refused to accept this. She drew her sword again for a heavy strike.
Her moves seemed simple but contained speed and power far beyond Shin’s.
This blow wasn’t blocked; Shin stepped back two paces to narrowly evade.
Rangiku suddenly halted, not continuing the attack. Her eyes flickered uncertainly.
Shin’s gaze shifted slightly, thinking she had noticed something.
Rangiku suddenly smiled and said, “If you’re really capable, why not show it?”
She had indeed sensed something off. Experienced as she was, her speed was greater, yet Shin was always a step ahead.
He could completely read her swordplay.
Shin remained calm, noncommittal. “Rangiku, if you can make me unleash my full strength, I’ll give you sincere praise.”
Rangiku’s eyes darkened.
Arrogant!
She moved again, faster and fiercer, aiming straight for Shin’s chest.
She didn’t believe he could predict this attack, and even if he did, he couldn’t react in time.
He was just an Academy student. For her, a lieutenant, to lower herself like this and show some real skill was questionable.
Perhaps Shin’s words earlier stirred her, or she recalled her repeated failed attempts to recruit him.
Fortunately, Rangiku held back slightly, not wanting to truly hurt Shin.
“Clang!”
The sharp clang of metal on metal rang out.
The slender blade in front of her blocked her strike and her view, reflecting her face and slightly parted eyes.
Behind the blade, the man’s lips curled into a faint smile. His voice was casual, unhurried.
“I’ve seen through you, Rangiku.”