Perhaps the most significant news for all the districts was the recent disappearance of the Сaptain of the 3rd Division. Rangiku told me about it. He went into the rift leading to the Hollow world — the very one through which the creatures came — and vanished. His squad never returned. No one has seen them since. The search continued for several months, but nothing was found.
My acquaintance, Ichimaru Gin, was appointed the new Сaptain. Now he is the commander of the 3rd Division. Well, good for him. I wish him luck. In honor of his appointment, I sent him some very tasty cakes. Knowing the delivery person might have her eye on the treats, I sent extra in advance. Matsumoto seems to have delivered them… though she definitely ate half herself. What a glutton. I'm more than sure everything she ate went straight to her boobs. Many would envy such a metabolism.
Well, it doesn't matter.
Now it's all over.
I stroked the gravestone and smiled.
"I'm trying to live," I said. "And today my journey begins. Wish me luck." I stood up. "See you later."
Leaving the village, I hurried toward the district.
Shunpo!
A sharp lunge forward — and in an instant I was on the wall. Again — now the roof of a house.
Forward!
I quickly reached the storefront.
"Hello, everyone!" I greeted as I stepped inside.
"Hello, Karasu-san!" Kiki smiled. She had grown a little too, and now helped with the confectionery. Since Momoto-san married Teguchi-dono, she spends a lot of time with him. She used to work constantly and take care of us, but now she has a personal life. So the girls became more active in learning to cook. Yes, Black Tree Confectionery is going to thrive for a long time.
"Hi, Karasu," Kittan yawned. "Momoto is with Teguchi-san. Hikari went to get some 'super secret' ingredient for her 'special creation'. She said she's going to make something new and incredible."
"I hope that experimenter doesn't create a tentacled monster here," I chuckled.
"That would be funny," he grinned. "Are you leaving already?"
"I have tests today, so I have to go. And tomorrow the reception and everything else will begin," I said while changing clothes. I switched from a simple gray kimono to a dark blue one — a gift from Momoto-san. Guess where she bought it. There. I'd been through a lot again. Another little hell, but I got through it with my head held high. Still haven't found comfortable shoes, so sandals will have to do. They may not help me, but they're just for appearance's sake. Anything can happen. "Well, I'm off!"
"Good luck!"
"Good luck, Karasu!"
Waving goodbye, I set out. The First District wasn't that close, but at my speed it wasn't a problem. And the road was safe.
I took off in shunpo.
I wasn't late, but preferred not to arrive at the last moment.
After half an hour of leisurely shunpo, I reached the First District. There, I decided not to show off my speed. In general, I need to be more modest. The Shinigami will understand my abilities and potential anyway — no need to stand out too much.
The people in the district were particularly nervous today. Yes, once a year a crowd of strangers invades their quiet streets. They come from all walks of life. Everyone wants to test their strength. Some are driven by noble motives, others by greed, by their only chance for survival — by the desire to become stronger, famous, or rich. Or maybe all of the above.
I quickly found the place. I had been here last year — It was really interesting to see. And today, many people were heading there.
A large crowd had gathered near the southern entrance to Seireitei. People from all walks of life.
There is a group of people who look extremely thuggish — there was no strict age limit for applicants. They had to be at least fifteen, though even there were exceptions. The upper age wasn't set; the only requirement was the ability to fight. That group looked around thirty, all of them.
A little to the left, the guys are clearly farmers. Strong men, but clearly uncomfortable. Look at how nervous they are.
Further on — aristocrats. Easy to pick out by their bright clothes, bodyguards, and haughty looks.
There were no gender restrictions either. Look at how many girls there are.
I didn't push into the crowd; instead, I sat at a distance and waited for everything to begin, pulling my hood over my head. I didn't want to show my face. Girls react strangely to me, and if they looked at me like a guy, no, everyone sees me as a cute kid. Rangiku, or something, bit everyone.
Well, it doesn't matter.
People gradually gathered and grew restless. No one likes waiting. Some couldn't even endure it and left. Not surprising — that's how the Shinigami weed out the impatient and the hasty. If you managed to wait, then you passed the first exam.
There were many people here. A couple of hundred, if not more.
Oh! It looks like it's starting.
Shinigami emerged from the gates of Seireitei — a group of very important-looking individuals led by a short old man with round glasses. Others stood around him. All of them were quite original characters.
Something like that.