The so-called official organization among students was none other than a Student Council, designed as a bridge between the students and Shin'ō Academy itself.
As Shiba Kaien listened to Shin's proposal, he immediately grasped its potential—what it meant now, and what kind of weight it could carry in the future.
An organization to manage and support students?
Currently, most Shinigami in Soul Society came directly through the Academy. The top talents ended up as core members of the Gotei 13. If a student council could be formed, and began gathering elite talent even before graduation, it could serve as a powerful nexus—an early foundation of camaraderie, trust, and influence that would ripple into the Gotei ranks.
As Shin laid out the concept, Kaien's mind ran wild, weighing pros and cons in rapid succession.
But the core question was—would Soul Society allow such a thing to exist?
After all, the real rulers of Soul Society were the noble clans. Though Kaien himself was a noble, the Shiba family's political weight had long since fallen from grace.
In Soul Society, the divide between nobles and commoners was so vast it bordered on biological separation. The Academy was essentially the only way for commoners to become Shinigami. Nobles, meanwhile, often had their own private methods of training—even becoming Shinigami without ever setting foot in Shin'ō.
How would the great families view this "Student Council"? Would it push them to send their own heirs into the Academy just to keep up?
…or would they stamp it out before it began?
The cafeteria buzzed around him, but all sound dulled to white noise as Kaien stared at the boy in front of him, eyes flickering with thought.
"I need time to seriously consider this," Kaien finally said.
Shin kept smiling. "No rush. I'm patient."
Kaien gave a dry smile. "You really do surprise me, kid."
Shin said lazily, "You might be overthinking it, Vice-Captain. It's just a student-run body. It still reports to the Academy."
Kaien didn't comment. Instead, he asked, "And in two years, when you graduate… will some random low-ranking seat in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads still satisfy you?"
"You think I'm that greedy?" Shin chuckled. "I know my own limits."
Kaien didn't respond. He didn't finish his food either—soon, he stood and left.
A moment later, Hisagi Shūhei arrived with his tray, sitting opposite Shin.
"You told him?"
"He's the only one who can help," Shin said, digging into his lunch.
Hisagi frowned. "I still think you're oversimplifying this. We're just students."
"You're right. Which is why it should be simple—for us. Let someone else handle the politics."
That afternoon was Zanjutsu class.
Namita Hidezawa, their instructor, had arrived early. He watched the students enter one by one until his eyes locked onto the boy walking beside Hisagi—handsome, sharp-featured, and impossibly laid-back.
Shin felt a chill down his spine.
"…Why do I feel like something's coming?"
Hisagi gave him a silent look that said: You're on your own.
"What did you tell him yesterday?"
"The truth. Vice-Captain Matsumoto wanted to see you."
"Hisagi, you—"
Before they could even sit, Namita's cold voice echoed through the room:"Tachikawa-kun, care to explain why you skipped class yesterday?"
The rest of the students were already kneeling in formation, heads turning eagerly to watch the drama unfold.
Shin stepped forward with perfect humility and bowed. "I'm sorry, Namita-sensei. It was my mistake. I shouldn't have wasted valuable class time. It won't happen again!"
Namita sneered. "And how many times have I heard that exact line?"
Shin had been obedient his first year. But since his second? Frequent absences. He'd only avoided expulsion because of his talent.
"This time I really mean it!"
Namita wasn't buying it. His gaze swept the class. "Today's lesson is Shinai sparring drills. Every one of you will face off against Tachikawa Shin. Beat him, and I'll add extra points to your end-of-year scores. No limit on how many times you can challenge him."
"…"
Silence fell like a hammer. Shin suddenly felt twenty pairs of eyes burn holes into his back.
"This isn't fair!" someone protested.
"I think it's perfectly fair," came another voice—Kani Sawa, already on her feet, black Shinai in hand.
"Been a while since we sparred, Tachikawa-kun," she said coolly.
A Shinai flew his way—tossed by Hisagi, who looked a little too gleeful about it.
Shin caught the weapon, exhaled, and resigned himself. Alright… just let a couple of them land hits and throw the match.
But then Namita added casually, "Oh, and Tachikawa—if you lose, I'll be deducting marks from your final evaluations. Given how much class you've missed this year… you might just fail."
Shin's grip on his Shinai tightened.
Son of a—
"…Fine, come on!"
He stepped into the center of the dojo, ready to fight them all.
Namita stood calmly at the edge. The fourth-year curriculum was already done—this wouldn't disrupt anything. And if Shin's level could push the others harder, all the better.
But he'd underestimated him.
In just over thirty minutes, every single student was flat on the floor. Even Kani and Hisagi hadn't lasted a full minute.
Not my fault, Shin thought, sheathing his Shinai. I'd love for you all to get bonus points, but I'm not about to repeat a year.
"Is the gap really this wide…?" Namita murmured, staring at the boy in the center of the dojo, his uniform pristine, not a hair out of place.
"I pass today's lesson, right?" Shin smiled.
Namita scowled. "And you call that a classmate? You didn't hold back at all!"
"I did use the back of the blade. Nobody's bleeding!"
"You dare talk back?! Fine! From now on, you run sparring drills for the class!"
A collective groan erupted from the floor.
"Come on, Sensei!"
"He's the one who messed up—why are we being punished?!"
"This is favoritism!"
After class, Shin was summoned to Namita's office.
Everyone in the faculty knew him—Namita's problem child, but also his secret pride.
Namita didn't mention the earlier chaos.
"Why don't you want to graduate this year?"
Shin paused. "Didn't Kani explain?"
Namita adjusted his glasses. "Realizing your weaknesses and wanting more time to grow is admirable. But will one extra year really change your attitude?"
"I'll work hard. I swear."
Namita narrowed his eyes. "Hisagi and Kani aren't applying either. That's your influence, isn't it?"
Shin smiled. "Sensei, even if they took the exam, what are their chances of passing?"
Namita fell silent. The graduation exam was brutal. Hisagi and Kani had solid marks, but not a guarantee. And after that came the squad entrance trials.
He cared about his students' success. It was why he pushed Shin so hard.
"Don't blame everything on me," Shin said, relaxed. "Each of us can only do what we're capable of. They have their freedom to apply or not. And I have mine. I want to stay in the Academy a bit longer—learn more from you. That's not so bad, right?"
Namita looked through some files, then added, "Several squads from the Gotei have approached me about you. You're clearly ready. You'll be valued anywhere you go."
Every year, top graduates were courted by captains. Shin had even beaten Namita in a sword duel once. His future was all but assured.
"Shiba Kaien talked to you today at lunch. He wants you for Squad Thirteen, doesn't he?"
Shin nodded. "Matsumoto from Tenth also offered me a spot—Twenty-third Seat."
That sounded about right.
Namita asked, "So… which will you choose?"
Shin grinned. "I'd rather stay your student."
Namita chuckled, then straightened. "Playing hard to get won't serve you."
"You've got it all wrong! I meant it!"
Namita stared into his eyes for a long time. He still couldn't read this kid.
"The graduation exam's optional for fourth-years anyway. If that's your decision… then stay."
"See? You do understand me."
Two days later
Shiba Kaien returned to Shin'ō and found Shin just after classes ended.
"You've made up your mind, Vice-Captain?"
"I want to hear more. Structure, duties, member roles—have you really thought it through?"
Shin handed over a file.
Kaien raised a brow. He took it, didn't open it immediately.
"When did this idea come to you?"
"A year ago," Shin said. "I saw how hard the teachers worked managing us. Figured I'd try and help."
Kaien smirked. "And yet you skip classes?"
"Hey, I had real reasons! My health isn't great, I need extra rest—"
Kaien cut off the back-and-forth and started flipping through the documents.
Detailed breakdowns of roles, chains of command, departmental duties… it was all there.
It wasn't some childish pipe dream. It was a complete infrastructure.
He actually prepared everything.
Kaien looked up. He'd seen many geniuses pass through this place—including himself. He'd graduated in a single year and become Third Seat. Decades ago, Ichimaru Gin had done the same.
Compared to them, Shin was merely "excellent."
What did that title really mean?
It guaranteed a head start—a faster rise after becoming a Shinigami.
But this… this student council…
What could it give him, if it worked?
Kaien didn't dare think too far. He'd need to talk to his Captain. And to his uncle.
He asked one last question.
"Which squad do you plan to join after graduation?"
Shin answered slowly: "Captain Ukitake's health has always been frail. But Vice-Captain Shiba… it'll probably be a long time before you take his place, right?"
Kaien didn't flinch. Shin was right. His own uncle led the Tenth. Soul Society wouldn't approve of two Shiba captains at the same time.
The Central 46 would block it.
Even if Kaien was more capable, the politics made it nearly impossible. He knew that. He was content with his role—for now.
Shin's words said a lot.
Squad Thirteen's Vice-Captain slot was full. Third Seat was his fiancée. At best, Shin could hope for Fourth.
No wonder he turned down Matsumoto's offer for Twenty-third.
Kaien finally spoke.
"…Third Seat of Squad Ten."
He looked Shin dead in the eye.
"Would you accept it?"
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