Chapter 56: Field Evaluation

Chapter 56 - 56: Field Evaluation The Shinigami base was enveloped in a defensive Kidō that blocked spiritual pressure. Unlike in future generations, the enemies Shinigami faced in the World of the Living weren't just Hollows. This barrier was actually designed to guard against Quincy. In this era, many Quincy still existed in the World of the Living. The war waged centuries ago by the King of the Quincy had left deep scars on the Shinigami—wounds that hadn't yet healed and perhaps never would. Both sides suffered heavy losses in that war, and the hatred between them had long since become irreconcilable. Two Shinigami led Nanatsuki and the students through the barrier. As Shinigami, they could pass through it freely. Quincy and Hollows, however, would be blocked completely. Inside the base, Nanatsuki met the 3rd Seat of Squad 13, Kuratani Yūjirō. Kuratani Yūjirō had wild, naturally curly hair—dense, long, and almost like an afro. "Yo, you're the instructor for this field exam?" Kuratani greeted him with a bright grin. "I'll give a quick rundown of your class's assignment." "Two days ago, we detected abnormal spiritual pressure fluctuations in the western district of Karakura Town, but the signal disappeared quickly. I went to investigate but found nothing unusual." "This gentleman..." Kuratani suddenly paused, realizing he hadn't asked for the name. "I'm Katori Nanatsuki," Nanatsuki replied. "Ah, my bad, Katori-sensei. I'm Kuratani Yūjirō." Kuratani continued, "Katori-sensei, please take your students and follow Yamashita-kun and Kawada-san to monitor the western district of Karakura." "If you encounter an anomaly you can't handle, report it to me immediately." "How long is the mission expected to last?" Nanatsuki asked. "A week. If nothing shows up during that time, we'll just chalk it up to faulty monitoring equipment," Kuratani said after a brief pause. "But for the full week, you'll need to patrol the western district daily." "Understood. I'll take my leave now—I need to explain the mission to the students." Nanatsuki nodded. Leaving Kuratani's wooden quarters, he went straight to find the students. They were currently touring the base and getting dorm assignments under the guidance of two Shinigami. Even Shinigami got tired—let alone these students who hadn't officially become Shinigami. They couldn't be expected to carry out missions 24/7. But staying outside was too risky—they could be attacked by Hollows or Quincy—so they returned to the base every night to rest. Nanatsuki was assigned a dorm as well. It was small and simple—just a bed, table, and chairs. Nothing else. He didn't mind. He wasn't here for comfort, after all. After everyone had been assigned rooms, Nanatsuki gathered the students in front of the dorms to brief them. "For the first two days of patrol, I'll be leading you," Nanatsuki called out. "For the remaining five days, you'll carry out patrols independently." "You'll be split into six teams. Each team will take turns on a four-hour rotation." "Each team will be given a Hell Butterfly for communication. If you encounter anything unusual, report immediately." "Let me emphasize—regardless of whether it's something you can handle or not, you must report it. If you don't, the entire team will be penalized." "During the mission, harming ordinary humans without cause is strictly forbidden. Anyone who breaks this rule will be disqualified from the assessment." "And lastly, during the mission, follow the instructions of Yamashita-kun and Kawada-san. They're also your evaluators for this exam." These Hell Butterflies were special—they could automatically collect mission data. If the students forgot to report something, or tried to hide any misconduct, Nanatsuki would find out. Nanatsuki turned to the female Shinigami beside him and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Kawada-san. Let's head out and do a round of patrol in the western district." The two official Shinigami who had come to the World of the Living with them would be handling patrols as well, rotating in shifts. Two Days Ago— The western district of Karakura was a noble neighborhood. The lord's estate was located there. In the rear residence of the estate, a voluptuous woman lay resting. Judging by the size of her belly, she was nearing childbirth. Several servants stood outside the door, awaiting orders. The estate was heavily guarded. Only nobles, samurai, and servants were allowed inside. But today, three uninvited guests intruded. Cloaked in black hooded robes, the three figures suddenly appeared in the backyard and entered the main residence without hesitation. Strangely, the servants outside didn't react—they seemed completely unaware of the intruders. The three approached the pregnant woman. "Judging by her soul, she's almost due," one of them said. "Finally, some luck. After three pregnant women, we've got one who's ready," another added. "Perfect. She'll do. Insert the 'bait'," said the last. Although sleep during late pregnancy was poor, the woman was still awake. She shifted now and then, trying to relieve the pressure on her back. But she showed no reaction to their presence or their conversation. She simply remained lying on the bed. The figure in the middle took out a round pill from his sleeve. Channeling Reiatsu into it, he raised his hand and sent the pill into the woman's belly. Once the pill was inside, he formed a hand seal and activated the spiritual pressure embedded in it. A strange wave of Reiatsu emanated from her womb. "Bakudō #78: Soul Seal!" the man intoned, forming another seal and pointing at her belly. A red beam shot from his fingertip and sank into her womb. The strange Reiatsu wave immediately quieted. "It's done." "Now we just wait for the baby to be born." "Erase our spiritual traces. Let's go." "Soul Seal" was a type of Bakudō that used souls to suppress and seal objects. What the cloaked figures had done was inject the pill into the unborn child's body and use the baby's soul to seal the pill's spiritual presence. A newborn's soul was fragile and couldn't suppress the pill's aura on its own. But while still in the womb, the baby could temporarily draw on the mother's soul to keep the aura in check. Once born, however, the baby would no longer have that support—and its soul alone wouldn't be enough to suppress the pill's energy. After erasing their remaining Reiatsu, the three vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind—as if they'd never been there.