Time passed quietly yet swiftly at Shin'ō Academy.
However, something remarkable did happen later in the year.
Hitsugaya Tōshirō awakened his Zanpakutō. After thorough examinations by academy teachers and members of the Twelfth Division, it was confirmed to be an ice-type Zanpakutō, with immense potential—one that could someday become the strongest ice-element Zanpakutō ever known.
This revelation stirred considerable excitement, not only within the academy but throughout Seireitei itself.
In the days following, most of the vice-captains from the Gotei 13 visited the academy—some spoke directly to Hitsugaya, others approached academy leadership or his class instructor.
Matsumoto Rangiku and Shiba Kaien each paid Nobu another visit as well.
Keeping his previous promises to both of them, Nobu spoke to Hitsugaya privately, recommending the Tenth and Thirteenth Divisions as potential placements after graduation.
Hitsugaya himself had yet to decide. In the original timeline, he'd joined the academy at Rangiku's urging. However, due to Nobu's influence, Hitsugaya had enrolled years earlier, thus bypassing any direct connection with Matsumoto.
"I'll give it serious thought, Kaichō," Hitsugaya replied simply.
Nobu accepted this without further pressure; after all, Hitsugaya's choice should be his own.
Recently, Nobu had begun distancing himself from day-to-day Student Council activities, entrusting responsibilities increasingly to Vice-President Katori Hayaha and Hisagi Shūhei, while actively involving Kuchiki Rukia.
Aware that Nobu intended to groom Rukia as the next council president, Katori tactfully cooperated. After all, having the surname "Kuchiki" alone made securing that position effortless.
One day, Shūhei brought Nobu a form.
"Division assignment request?" Nobu raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
"Minamida-sensei asked me to deliver it. Everyone graduating this year needs to fill one out," Shūhei explained.
It was common knowledge that Nobu was destined for the Fourth Division—his future was effectively set. Still, the paperwork was a required formality.
Graduation remained some time away, but division assignments needed advance preparation. Between the Gotei 13, the Kidō Corps, and the Onmitsukidō, there were fifteen organizations in total, inevitably resulting in uneven distribution. Thus, adjustments would be made, similar to a university's system of reallocating students among majors.
Unlike a university, however, students could not refuse the arrangements. The Gotei 13's regulations were strict and absolute—which was part of why Nobu had been so reluctant to graduate.
Life in the academy was considerably freer.
"Have you filled yours out yet?" Nobu asked.
Shūhei produced his own form, placing it before Nobu.
Glancing down, Nobu laughed softly. "Still the Ninth Division, huh, Shūhei?"
Shūhei nodded calmly. "You know why I joined the academy. That won't change."
Years earlier, Shūhei had been saved by Muguruma Kensei, the former Ninth Division captain. To honor that memory, Shūhei even tattooed the number "69" beneath his left eye.
Though the Ninth Division now had a different captain, Shūhei's resolve hadn't wavered.
Nobu studied Shūhei's form briefly before asking suddenly, "If I become a captain in the future, would you become my lieutenant?"
Unsurprised by the question, Shūhei considered it seriously before answering, "No, I wouldn't."
"Huh?" Nobu exclaimed, genuinely startled. He'd expected it to become a promise between friends.
Shūhei explained quietly, "We're friends, right?"
"Of course," Nobu shrugged easily. "Shūhei, you're my best friend."
"It's fine within the Student Council," Shūhei continued slowly. "But in the Gotei 13, I don't want us to have a superior-subordinate relationship."
Shūhei's tone was solemn, making his feelings clear.
"It's not that our friendship would change exactly. But if you become a captain and I serve as your lieutenant, I might become complacent over time…"
"What do you mean?" Nobu asked, confused.
Shūhei smiled faintly, the expression fleeting. "Even in the Gotei 13, you'll continue shining brighter and brighter. I'd rather keep some distance—so I can hear others talk about your achievements, their admiration and respect for you. That way, you'll always motivate me, push me forward, keep me striving to catch up to you."
"…" Nobu fell silent for a moment, then abruptly shoved the form back at Shūhei's chest.
"You idiot," he muttered with a laugh.
Shūhei continued, "Unless you happen to become the Ninth Division captain. Then I'll have no choice—but I'd rather that day never come."
Nobu sighed quietly, smiling. "Who knows what the future holds?"
That same day, Kanisawa sought Nobu out as well.
Standing gracefully before him, she declared frankly, "I don't want to join the Fourth Division."
Nobu looked amused. "Nobody said you had to."
Kanisawa persisted, "I'm not particularly interested in healing or medical work. And I won't change my own plans just because of you. Doing so would feel like giving up on myself."
It felt less like a conversation and more like Kanisawa reasoning aloud.
"So which divisions did you list?"
"My first choice is the Thirteenth Division, second is Eleventh, and third is the Fifth," she answered.
The Fifth Division…
Nobu almost asked her why she'd picked the Fifth Division, but realized such a question might sound peculiar. There was nothing inherently wrong with the Fifth Division; their captain had an impeccable reputation for kindness and courtesy.
Besides, it was only Kanisawa's third choice.
"The Tenth Division is also good. Haven't you considered it?" Nobu suggested lightly.
"I did, but I don't like the Tenth Division's lieutenant."
"You know her?" Nobu asked in surprise. "You have a grudge against her or something?"
Kanisawa stared directly at him. "No grudge. Never met her. I just don't like her."
Nobu: "…"
"What about the Third or Seventh Division?"
"The Third Division doesn't even have a captain right now. And the Seventh Division is far too idle—I wouldn't like it there," Kanisawa stated bluntly.
The Seventh Division served primarily as the Internal Security Guard; their members notoriously had minimal duties.
Conversely, the Thirteenth Division—the purification unit—was the busiest of all, frequently stationed in the human world, performing soul burials, purifying hollows, and handling frontline duties.
Kanisawa's choices clearly indicated her preference for keeping busy.
Still, if she ended up in the Fifth Division…
Nobu couldn't help but feel uneasy. Even though Aizen hadn't revealed his true colors yet, who knew how many dark deeds he'd quietly committed over the years?
"How about the Eighth Division?" Nobu suggested.
The Eighth specialized in intelligence; their work, though lighter in volume, held great importance.
Within the Gotei 13, the most critical divisions were led by Captain-Commander Yamamoto's direct disciples.
Kanisawa immediately countered, "Do you dislike one of my division choices?"
She sensed something beneath his hesitation.
Nobu remained quiet.
She shrugged lightly. "Fine, I'll replace my third choice with the Eighth Division. But with my grades, I doubt I'll have trouble joining the Thirteenth anyway."
Aoshika also specifically visited Nobu that afternoon, his elongated face beaming. "Nobu, looks like we'll still be together after graduation."
Nobu grimaced slightly. "Don't phrase it so weirdly."
Aoshika had undoubtedly selected the Fourth Division—his highest grades were in healing techniques, and those who chose the Fourth Division were accepted almost without exception.
Nobu glanced again at the blank form Shūhei had left him. After a moment's hesitation, he slowly wrote "Fourth Division" in the blank space.
Only then did he pause, leaving his name for last.