Chapter 150: Soul Reaper Academy.
Soul Reaper Academy, Headmaster's Office.
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, whose life was almost synonymous with the history of the Soul Society, had single-handedly founded the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Soul Reaper Academy. He was the Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and Captain of the First Division, while also serving as the Headmaster of the Soul Reaper Academy.
"The Soul Society has produced another promising talent!"
Still in his prime, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamotohad not yet developed the aged appearance he would have later. Furthermore, with his strength at its Peak, he had not resigned from any of his many positions, remaining the most powerful figure in the Soul Society.
Stroking the short beard on his lip, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sighed before returning to his usual composed state, causing beads of sweat to suddenly break out on the forehead of the instructor who had come to report, along with Kido Shūi and the other person.
"Have you begun the testing?"
"I have come specifically to ask for your opinion, sir."
"The testing must still be conducted, but once he passes, bring him into the Soul Reaper Academy. The front lines are currently strained, and the Quincy, led by Yhwach, are constantly disrupting the ecological balance."
"We and the Quincy..."
"Although the Quincy contributed significantly to the great war in Hueco Mundo, their ability directly annihilates Hollows, which contradicts the original intention of the Shinigami."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto remained expressionless. His intimidating demeanor, which required no anger to command respect, stemmed from his overwhelming strength; after all, he was the recognized strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society.
"The Quincy within the Soul Society have already been completely expelled. Once the battle in Hueco Mundo concludes, the war against the Quincy must begin. You need to hurry."
"Yes, Master Genryūsai!" The instructor who had come to report bowed respectfully. "I am currently accelerating the special training for the students in the academy, so they can contribute their strength to the Soul Society in the future war!"
"Cultivate them well..."
Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto nodded, then closed his eyes, signaling that he could leave.
...
"Where is this?"
After completing a pile of messy and nonsensical tests, Naruto was finally granted permission to follow Kido Shūi and the other person through the gate and into the Seireitei.
"*Inhale*..." Taking a deep breath, Naruto's soul felt a wave of pleasure from the inside out. "The density of reishi here is more than a hundred times that of the Rukongai; I suspect it might even be a thousand times!"
"For a soul, this place is heaven," Ōshima Shūzōreplied. "Once you become a Shinigami, don't forget about us two."
"Brother Shūzō, you're joking. How could I forget you?" Naruto smiled slightly. "Besides, whether I can become a Shinigami is still up in the air, so don't pin too much hope on me."
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the entrance of the Soul Reaper Academy, and Naruto was naturally led into a small room by the instructor responsible for testing talent.
"You two, return to your classes." After closing the door and dismissing Kido Shūi and the other person, the instructor turned to look at Naruto. "Are you the student who just passed the test today?"
"Yes, teacher." Naruto acted very respectfully.
"Attack me with all your might!"
"This..." Naruto hesitated.
"Don't worry about causing me any harm." The instructor waved his hand. "Without formal Cultivation, let alone using Spiritual Pressure on your own, you wouldn't even be able to manipulate the free-floating reishi around you at will."
"Forgive me!" Naruto hesitated no longer; clenching his fists, he lunged forward with a punch!
"Bang!"
Catching Naruto's fist with one hand, the instructor's face flushed red; it was clear that the immense force of Naruto's soul had traveled through his palm and into his body.
"*Cough, cough*." He coughed twice to hide his embarrassment. "Your talent is strong, and your soul is quite robust. After studying theory for a while, you can skip a grade and come directly to me."
He had developed an appreciation for his talent.
Competition existed within the Soul Reaper Academy. Setting aside the quality of teaching, the more outstanding the students under an instructor, the more they would be valued by Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Not to mention receiving personal guidance, they would also have a significant advantage in terms of career advancement.
Although the Soul Society was where beings from the living world came after death, there were indigenous Shinigami in the Soul Society, most of whom were nobles.
Therefore, for those souls who arrived later from the living world, if they wanted to live better in the Soul Society, nepotism was very important.
Although there was no clear factional division between commoner Shinigami and noble Shinigami, there was a competitive relationship in certain aspects. In the eyes of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, this was a healthy competitive relationship, so he simply turned a blind eye, occasionally even stepping in to stir things up himself.
And Naruto, this new soul from a commoner background, was clearly a catfish arranged to be introduced into the Soul Reaper Academy.
"If you have anything you don't understand during your studies, you can come and ask me." He patted his chest. "By the way, my name is Watanabe Shōjirō; you can call me Teacher Shōjirō."
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Shōjirō." Naruto bowed respectfully in thanks.
"Let's end the testing here for now. I'll take you to report to the first-year branch." Watanabe Shōjirō pushed open the door. "There are quite a few new students today, so you won't be bored."
Following behind him, Naruto curiously examined the surrounding buildings. He could tell that the main body of the buildings was made of reishi, just that they had been aggregated into solid form through some method, similar to the water and spirit wine that Naruto drank.
"Curious?" Watanabe Shōjirō naturally noticed Naruto's curiosity and turned his head to ask Naruto while they were walking.
"Yes, the uses of reishi are really quite extensive." Naruto nodded. "But why can reishi be used to build structures, yet there's no willingness to give this excess reishi to those souls in the Rukongai?"
"This is a regulation, and also a method." Watanabe Shōjirō was quite frank. "If all souls were in a fair environment, they would lose the motivation to strive for progress."
"Oh." Naruto did not refute him.
"Moreover, the dense, free-floating reishi in the Seireitei is actually not enough to go around!" Watanabe Shōjirō revealed another piece of information. "A Shinigami's Bankai, especially the Bankai of powerful Shinigami, requires a massive amount of reishi to sustain. The environment of the Seireitei simply provides them with a comprehensive environment to Cultivate."
Watanabe Shōjirō sighed with a mix of emotion and longing. "The Seireitei is protected by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and it is because of them that the Seireitei has never been disturbed by Hueco Mundo or the Quincy."
Only when the Seireitei is stable can this stability be extended to the entire Soul Society, allowing all souls, including those in all the Rukongai, to live peacefully.
Compared to the benefits, some minor adverse conditions are tolerable; everything is for the sake of the greater good."
The reason he said so much was simply because Naruto was a new soul and had only spent a short time in the Rukongai, so he did not fully understand the suffering of the lower classes.
Instilling some ideas into Naruto early on, exposing part of the nature of things early, could also prevent Naruto from overthinking or acting rashly, so he wouldn't be regarded as a rebellious soul who refused to be disciplined and suffer imprisonment for no reason.
You have to know, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamotoat this time was not only a staunch supporter of the royal family, but he was also a man who valued rules and used quite heavy-handed methods.
A promising talent like Naruto could not be ruined just like that...