Bleach: From the moment I was invited by Squad Zero

Chapter 69 The Missing Vice-Captain

The thunderous applause and cheers had not yet completely subsided, and the air in the martial arts arena, stirred by the duel between the two powerful figures, was still trembling slightly.

Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin had already sheathed their swords and were calming their breathing.

Just as Shiba was about to pat Yanagawa on the shoulder and say a few more jokes, he saw a figure part the excited crowd at the front and walk steadily into the center of the training ground, coming up to them.

It was none other than the top graduate of this year's class, Toshiro Hitsugaya.

"Toshiro Hitsugaya, the top graduate of this year's class, hereby issues a challenge to the lieutenant of the 10th Division!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

The commotion that had just subsided was instantly reignited!

"Here they come! The chief is challenging the vice-captain!"

"Toshiro is so handsome!"

"Just finished watching the captain's battle, and now it's genius boy vs. beautiful vice-captain? Today was totally worth it!"

"Lieutenant Matsumoto is one of the pillars of the Tenth Division; I've heard he's very strong!"

"With Hyōrinmaru, Toshiro-senpai might not lose!"

"Let's fight! Let's fight!"

Everyone was excited. According to the tradition of the ceremony, it is the highest honor for outstanding graduates to challenge the vice captain of the entourage, and it is also a touchstone to test their true worth.

In particular, Toshiro Hitsugaya, who carries the name of the strongest ice-type Zanpakuto "Hyorinmaru", has long been a prominent figure both inside and outside the academy, and everyone has been looking forward to seeing him deliver an even more amazing performance.

I just finished watching a captain-level martial arts performance that was nothing short of an art, and what followed was the duel between the genius boy and the sexy vice-captain. It was simply the perfect dramatic climax!

All eyes instantly shifted from Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin, and turned to the 10th Division vice-captain with flowing orange hair and an impressive figure standing at the edge of the training ground.

Even the teachers on the viewing platform wore expectant smiles, ready to enjoy another exciting match.

Shiba Isshin chuckled, nudged Yanagawa beside him, and whispered with a laugh, "Hey, that kid Shiro, ———— uh?"

Before he could finish speaking, the smile on his face suddenly froze, turning into astonishment.

Because he noticed that Matsumoto Rangiku, who had been leaning against the railing with a slightly mocking smile, had suddenly disappeared after Hitsugaya Toshiro issued his challenge—

Without warning—it vanished!

The spot where she had just stood was now empty, with only a gentle breeze blowing through the railing and stirring up a few grains of sand.

"Um?"

"Where is Vice Captain Matsumoto?"

"Where did everyone go?!"

"It was just here!"

The entire audience erupted in commotion. The students looked at each other, glancing around frantically, trying to find that orange figure in the crowd or on the sidelines, but to no avail.

Hitsugaya Toshiro was also stunned. A look of surprise flashed in his icy blue eyes. He was still in a challenging stance, but his opponent was gone.

This sudden turn of events plunged the scene into an eerie silence and awkwardness.

The challenger has left the arena, but the challenged has mysteriously disappeared? What's going on?

Just as everyone was at a loss and discussions were starting to rise, on the viewing platform, the vice president of the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy was...

He coughed twice, picked up the megaphone, and spoke in a tone as if he were reading a weather forecast.

"Ahem. Just now, the vice-captain of the 10th Division, Matsumoto Rangiku, suddenly felt unwell, suspected of having a relapse of an old illness, and has been rushed to the academy's infirmary for treatment."

The challenge segment is cancelled because the challenged party is unable to attend.

The vice dean's voice echoed in the training ground, each word like a small hammer striking the question marks in everyone's hearts.

Feeling unwell? Relapse of an old illness? Need emergency medical attention?

You're kidding me! The guy who was so excited watching the captain's martial arts demonstration, his eyes were practically sparkling, and he was practically eating sunflower seeds.

The moment you hear about a challenge, your "old ailment" relapses? And you even need to "seek emergency medical attention"? Could this excuse be any more flimsy?!

The scene instantly shifted from an eerie silence to extreme awkwardness, as if the air itself had frozen.

The students' excitement and anticipation froze instantly, turning into expressions of disbelief and suppressed laughter.

"Pfft—!" Someone couldn't help but laugh out loud first, and then suppressed chuckles spread out.

"Feeling unwell ———— Hahaha ————"

"Vice-Captain Matsumoto's illness came at just the right time —"

"Are you afraid of losing face if you can't beat Toshiro?"

"The vice-captain of the 10th Division actually deserted in the face of battle?"

"This is just too... embarrassing!"

Shiba Isshin's face went from astonishment to flushed red, and finally turned ashen.

He suddenly covered his forehead with one hand, and his other hand fell limply to his side. He felt that he had never been so humiliated in his life.

The dignified lieutenant of the 10th Division, at such an important occasion as the graduation ceremony of the Shinigami Academy, in full view of everyone, after the top graduate officially issued the challenge—

They actually used such a ridiculous excuse—"My foot's completely buried in the ground"—to just slip away?!

If this gets out, what will become of the reputation of the Kaneshiro Squad?! What will become of Shiba Isshin's reputation?!

"Matsumoto Rankiku—!!!" Shiba Isshin squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, veins throbbing on his forehead, wishing he could rush out immediately, grab the vice-captain who had deserted his post, and rub him to the ground.

Meanwhile, in the spacious and bright student cafeteria of the Shinigami Academy, which was now almost empty.

Matsumoto Rangiku sat comfortably on a bench by the window, with a dish of pickles and half a pot of sake in front of her, which she had just "borrowed" from the food window.

She crossed her long legs, her orange hair shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the window, showing absolutely no signs of "physical discomfort".

She took a sip of sake with relish, smacked her lips, and frowned in disdain: "Tsk, this sake from the academy? It's nowhere near as good as the team's." But it was better than nothing.

She sipped her drink while gazing in the direction of the training ground. Although she couldn't see it through the buildings, she could almost picture the awkward scene unfolding there. A sly smug glint flashed in her beautiful blue eyes.

"Hmph, do you think I'm stupid?" she muttered to herself, her tone relaxed. "That little brat, Toshiro Hitsugaya, is obviously a serious guy. The power of Hyōrinmaru is no joke. Fighting him in front of so many people—"

She shuddered as she imagined herself being overwhelmed or even defeated by a recent graduate.

"What about my authority as vice-captain? How can I confidently entrust him with those mountains of team documents in the future?"

She thought matter-of-factly, taking another sip of her drink, "For the sake of long-term work—well, for the sake of the training plan—strategic avoidance and saving face is the best course of action!"

"Anyway, with Captain Shiba and Yanagawa around, they'll definitely be able to cover it up—probably?"

Without a trace of guilt, she picked up another piece of pickled vegetables and drank from a pot of wine.

She nodded in satisfaction and began to leisurely enjoy her meal, completely forgetting about the mess at the training ground and the possible rage of her captain.