Shigan Higan

"Shigan Higan..."The teacher in charge of recording repeated the name aloud as he jotted it down, then chuckled."Sounds like a name for two blades."

"And its ability?" the other instructor followed up, eyes sharp with expectation.

Shin put on a thoughtful face, smiling faintly."I haven't fully figured out its exact capabilities yet... but—if I had to say—it's probably a healing-type Zanpakutō."

[Shigan Higan — Semi-Shikai][Type: Binding Rules]

He wasn't lying. It was the name of two blades. Shigan, a katana. Higan, a tantō.In Buddhist thought, "this shore" signifies the world of birth, death, and suffering. "That shore" represents nirvana—the path to enlightenment.

Shin's Zanpakutō was unlike those of most Shinigami.It wasn't forged from an asauchi infused over time.It was born from his own reiatsu, condensed into form by sheer will.

"Healing-type?"

Even Nandō Shūsaku, his teacher, looked visibly stunned.

Healing Zanpakutō were incredibly rare. The only renowned one was Minazuki, wielded by Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division. Even within the healing corps, few possessed actual healing-type blades.

And Shin's kaidō (healing arts) scores had always been the lowest among his disciplines—though still excellent by normal standards.

For someone of his prodigious swordsmanship to awaken a healing Zanpakutō… Nandō's excitement was tinged with genuine concern.This might very well limit Shin's future.

"Can you demonstrate it for us?" the recording teacher asked.

Shin nodded calmly.

He had claimed it was a healing-type blade because, frankly, that made the most sense given what little he knew.

Without hesitation, he unsheathed the black asauchi and dragged its edge across his palm. Blood welled up instantly.

Then—his blade lit with soft, pale reiryoku.

In a blink, the wound vanished without a trace.

"…!"

"Incredible healing power!" one teacher exclaimed.There wasn't a scar, not even the faintest trace of trauma.That required high-level kaidō—far beyond the reach of an average student.

With proper training, this would be a formidable support ability.And paired with Shin's raw genius…

This was a windfall for the Gotei 13.

The two teachers peppered him with more questions and had him demonstrate the effect multiple times. For questions he didn't want to answer, Shin simply replied that he was still unfamiliar with his Zanpakutō, having just awakened it.

When the registry was complete, the teachers finally departed.

Shin plopped into Nandō-sensei's seat and exhaled loudly."What a pain."

He glanced at his teacher. "What's with the face, sensei? Still not happy?"

Nandō's expression was somber. "Shin… do you understand what your Zanpakutō's ability means?"

Shin tilted his head. "No, what?"

"Now that it's been officially recorded, your file will be visible to all thirteen divisions. When you graduate, there's no doubt about it—you'll be placed in the Fourth Division. No—you will be placed there."

Healing Zanpakutō were one-in-a-thousand, if not rarer.

The Gotei 13 had many strong fighters.What they lacked were healers.Life-savers.

"And what's wrong with the Fourth?" Shin asked with a carefree grin.

Nandō hesitated. Then, slowly, he said,"Your swordsmanship, kidō, hakuda, and shunpo… every one of them is top of your class. Especially swordsmanship. In all my years teaching, I've never seen talent like yours."

"You have what it takes to be more than just a capable officer. You could be a lieutenant—maybe even a captain one day. But if you're funneled into Fourth… that path closes."

Shin leaned back, folding his arms."But my Zanpakutō is a healing blade. What can I do?"

He smiled."You make it sound like my future's already decided, sensei."

Nandō could only sigh. It wasn't that he looked down on the Fourth—it was that Shin's sheer potential felt wasted in a support role.

"All right, all right. Thanks for worrying about me," Shin said, standing up. "But I'm not in a rush, sensei. Who can say what the future holds?"

He turned to leave, blade in hand, mentally noting that he should probably mark the weapon.He didn't want to accidentally grab someone else's asauchi again.

Outside the boys' dorm, he spotted Kani and Shūhei waiting for him.

"Yo! Waiting for me?" he grinned.

Their eyes immediately locked on the blade in his arms.As Shin approached, he casually held it out to them.

Shūhei blinked. "Your Zanpakutō… looks so ordinary. Doesn't look any different from the asauchi we train with."

Shin rolled his eyes. Because it is one of those.

Kani, more quietly, asked: "What's its name?"

"Shigan Higan."

"…Shigan Higan," Kani murmured, running her fingers along the edge."What a beautiful name."

To students, a real Zanpakutō was still something rare, almost mythic.The two stared at it for a long time, as if hoping some secret would reveal itself—some insight that might help them awaken their own.

But they would be disappointed.

No matter how they looked at it, it was just a plain asauchi.There were dozens like it in the weapon storage room.

"…You're pulling ahead fast, Shin," Shūhei muttered.

Shin chuckled. "Haven't I always been right here beside you?"

Shūhei smiled in return.

"Just don't fall behind," Shin added, "or I might have to leave you in the dust."

Next morning.Student Council Headquarters.

All the newly accepted first-years had arrived early, their faces glowing with nervous excitement.Today was their official start as members of the Student Council.

Shin showed up a little late—but not too late.As he stepped through the door, a chorus greeted him:

"Good morning, President!"

It woke him up better than any cup of tea.

Shūhei stepped forward to address them in his stead."Welcome, everyone, to the Student Council. We are the bridge between the Academy and the students…"

He paused, then added:

"Next, we'll announce your departmental assignments.We hope you will approach your duties with responsibility and commitment.You carry with you not only the trust of the Academy, but of your fellow students."

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