Death's Hidden Mobile

"Renji-nii, Rukia-neechan..."

Xia Yan quickly walked over to them and was immediately pulled into Renji Abarai's arms. Renji frantically rubbed his hair and said, "Congratulations on your graduation."

During his year in the covert mobile unit, Xia Yan spent less time with his friends, but he would always meet up with them after receiving his paycheck to maintain their friendship.

Rukia looked at Xia Yan, took out a package, and said, "This is a gift for you."

"Thank you."

Xia Yan had just thanked and accepted the gift when Renji Abarai said, "Rukia, why didn't you tell me you prepared a gift? I could have prepared one too."

Rukia said irritably, "Isn't preparing a gift a given? Do I need to be told?"

"Of course we need them, look at them too... What? You all prepared gifts?" Renji Abarai looked at the group of people who had brought out gifts, his expression extremely helpless.

Kira Izuru gave Natsuhiko a pen, saying, "This pen is for you."

Kondo Isami gave Natsuhiko a kunai, saying, "I've heard that the Secret Service is good at assassinations, so I'll give you this kunai."

Hinamori Momo gave Natsuhiko a teru teru bozu (a Japanese doll symbolizing good weather) and said with a smile, "I hope every day of yours is a sunny day."

"Thank you."

Xia Yan took all the items and carefully put them away.

Rukia laughed and said, "There's mine too, hurry up and open it."

Xia Yan nodded and opened the package Rukia had given him. Inside was a silver necklace with a silver heart as its pendant.

Rukia explained, "This is so that you will never forget your own heart, no matter what."

Xia Yan hung the pendant around her neck and said with a smile, "I will wear it forever."

Renji Abarai said with a smile, "Since you all prepared gifts, and I didn't, then I'll treat you to a meal."

The six of them went to the food street together and found an izakaya (Japanese pub) to celebrate Xia Yan's graduation.

"cheers."

Everyone raised their glasses, but just as Xia Yan was about to take his glass, he was stopped once again.

Renji Abarai said, "You are too young to drink alcohol."

Xia Yan felt helpless when he heard this. Even though he had graduated, they still treated him like a child.

However, I am indeed not very old. Counting the year I spent in Rukongai, I am not even fourteen years old now.

Xia Yan could only pick up the juice and say, "Cheers."

Everyone drank their drinks in one gulp, and Renji Abarai said with a smile, "Natsuhiko graduated in just two years, that's really amazing. It's been years since that happened, hasn't it?"

The most recent instance of skipping a grade dates back to fifty or sixty years ago, when a boy named Gin Ichimaru completed six years' worth of courses in just one year.

Although Xia Yan was somewhat inferior, he still managed to complete six years of study in two years, which was still astonishing.

Of course, Hisagi Shuhei was also supposed to shine. He was recruited early by the squad when he was in sixth grade, a genius that only appears once every few years.

But in front of Xia Yan, his aura would fade.

However, three years later, a genius boy will enter the Shinigami Academy, graduate in just one year, join a squad as the third seat, master Bankai within thirty years, and become the captain.

This person is the most talented person in the history of Seireitei. His appearance can completely overshadow Natsuhiko's limelight.

This is something Xia Yan is looking forward to immensely. Joining the covert mobile force is precisely to reduce the attention he receives. If he can be overshadowed and have his attention diverted, he can avoid being noticed by others as much as possible.

Xia Yan didn't want to be noticed by Aizen and become his object of observation before he grew up.

Once he sets his sights on someone, even a captain-level figure will be unable to detect it and will be manipulated at will.

Rukia said with a smile, "And Xia Yan was recruited early, while we won't be entering our third year until next year."

The others felt deeply frustrated; their efforts seemed insignificant in the face of Xia Yan's talent.

Xia Yan said with a smile, "But you will eventually join the squad, and I will be waiting for you in the squad."

Upon hearing this, Renji Abarai laughed and said, "You're right, we'll also join the squad. All the members of our Abarai squad will become Shinigami."

"Why is it called the Abarai Squad?" Kira Izuru asked.

Renji Abarai said smugly, "Because I'm the eldest brother."

Rukia interjected, "But that name is awful."

"What did you say?"

Renji Abarai and Rukia glared at each other and started arguing again.

The others laughed heartily, and the banquet was very lively.

However, no matter what, it cannot change the fact that they are separated. Xia Yan will see them again in the future, but most of the time, he will be alone.

Of course, he will also meet new friends. Life is not always the same, and there will always be separations on the road ahead. Xia Yan knows that a brand new life will be waiting for him.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Omaeda Kichiyo

In the dormitory, Xia Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, his Zanpakuto resting flat on his knees, his hands on the hilt and blade respectively.

There were no unusual phenomena or changes. After a while, Xia Yan opened his eyes.

He has had his Zanpakuto for a year now, and every day he pours his soul into it, trying to communicate with it, but to no avail, and without any clue whatsoever.

Of course, mastering the initial interpretation within a year is quite difficult.

If someone can master Shikai within three years of obtaining a Zanpakuto, they will be called a genius.

Xia Yan was not in a hurry. He stood up, put the knife back in its sheath, then got dressed and got out of bed.

Beside the bed, Abarai Renji, Kira Izuru, and Kondo Isami were already dressed. Abarai Renji looked at Natsuhiko and said, "We'll see you out."

Xia Yan nodded. Today was the day Xia Yan was to leave school and report to the Second Division.

Accompanied by the three, Xia Yan walked out of the room and out of the boys' dormitory building. Two girls were standing outside, namely Rukia and Hinamori Momo.

Rukia saw Natsuhiko, walked over and hugged him, saying, "You must listen to your seniors."

Hinamori Momo smiled and said, "Natsuhiko, we'll meet again."

They escorted Xia Yan to the gate, where five people stood side by side in front of him outside the gate of the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy.

"Then I'll be going." Xia Yan bowed to the five people.

"Goodbye."

"Take care of yourself."

Xia Yan listened to their farewells, turned around, and felt a little sad. If it were before, he might have cried.

But now, he has his own goals to strive for, and he is stronger.

Although we won't see each other for now, we will meet again someday.

Xia Yan slowly walked out of the street before quickening his pace and heading towards the Second Division's headquarters.

The Second Division's barracks were located on the mountain, hidden among the forest. Xia Yan climbed the stone steps and hadn't gone more than a few steps when a figure leaped high into the air and crashed down in front of him with a thud.

The figure was very tall, standing at 2.1 meters, with a robust and extremely obese physique.

He was dressed in a black Shinigami uniform with a purple stand-up collar, and his Zanpakuto was tucked into his waistband.

He stood there like a thick wall, blocking the sunlight from reaching him.

Xia Yan naturally knew this person. Legend has it that he had the power to overturn the world. Legend also has it that he pretended to be weak while actually being strong, never revealing his true strength, but secretly quelling the crises against Soul Society time and time again.

He is the vice-captain of the 2nd Division, the captain of the 2nd Division of the Onmitsukido, Ōmaeda, the former god.

Xia Yan looked at that fat face, which was staring at him with a fierce expression.

Xia Yan said irritably, "Vice Captain Ōmaeda, you're blocking my way."

"Haha, sorry, I'll move aside right away."

Omaeda Kichiyo instinctively apologized and made way for him.

But after Xia Yan walked over, he realized something was wrong. Even if he hadn't come to intimidate him, he couldn't just move aside even if Xia Yan told him to.

I am the deputy captain and the captain of the second squad. He is my adjutant, and my rank is higher than his.

Omaeda Kichiyo immediately shouted, "Stop right there!"

Xia Yan stopped and looked at Ōmaeda Nozomi, asking, "Ōmaeda-senpai, is there something you need?"

Ōmaeda Norichiyo slowly walked up to Natsuhiko and said coldly, "Kid, do you know that although Captain Soi Fon has let you join the Second Division and make you my lieutenant, I haven't agreed to it yet?"

Hearing this, Xia Yan asked with amusement, "Does Captain Ōmaeda mean that you think Captain Soi Fon's decision was wrong?"

"No, no, how could Captain Soi Fon's decision be wrong?"

Thinking of Captain Soi Fon's appearance, Noriyo Omaeda couldn't help but shudder and quickly said...

Xia Yan asked curiously, "So, what does Vice Captain Ōmaeda mean?"

Omaeda Nozomi coughed and said, "However, I still need to test you, in order to prove to the other teammates that Captain Soi Fon's decision was correct."

It seems I can't get away with this today. Xia Yan asked impatiently, "So, Vice Captain, how do you plan to conduct the assessment?"

"Come out."

As Ōmaeda Norichiyo finished speaking, several men in combat uniforms jumped out from beside him. Their bodies were wrapped in black, their faces were covered by masks, and they held short swords in their hands, surrounding Natsuhiko.

Xia Yan counted the number of people; there were six in total. Judging from the speed at which they appeared, their skill in Instant Step was no less than his own.

Moreover, they had experience in actual combat, and before unleashing their Zanpakuto, Xia Yan was not confident that he could defeat them through close combat.

Ōmaeda Kichiyo said with a smile, "If you can defeat them, I'll make you my adjutant."

Xia Yan frowned and said, "But I'm afraid I'll hurt them."

Upon hearing this, Ōmaeda Kichiyo laughed and said, "Little guy, you're really good at talking big. If you have the ability to hurt them, then come on."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yan suddenly raised his right hand, and a ball of red light appeared in his palm.

"Hado? Hado 31 Red Fire Cannon, abandoning the incantation, is indeed remarkable, but what use is it?"

Upon seeing the red light in Xia Yan's hand, Ōmaeda Nozomi immediately recognized the Path of Destruction he was using, but paid no attention and simply waved her hand.

Six members of the covert force rushed towards Xia Yan. Xia Yan could only attack one person at most, and there was absolutely no way to avoid the attacks of the remaining five.