"If I remember correctly…"
"To activate the Four Red Yang Formation, you need the combined power of four Kage-level ninja!"
"And once the barrier is formed, it can even restrain the Ten-Tails!"
Bai Chen thought back carefully.
In his memory, Four Red Yang Formation was a technique cast jointly by the successive Hokage.
Once the barrier took shape, it was so enormous it shot straight into the sky.
And the surface of the barrier was wrapped in red flames, preventing anyone from forcing their way in—or escaping.
Touch the walls, and you'd be burned.
"I see…"
"No wonder it's the flame-enhanced version…"
"Looks like the system's upgrade this time is focused specifically on the flames coating the barrier."
As that thought landed, another very similar technique flashed through Bai Chen's mind—
The sealed-fire move released by Ryūjin Jakka.
During the Fake Karakura Town battle, it had trapped Aizen's group inside flames and kept them out of the fight for a short time.
Zanka no Tachi: South — Kaka Jūmanokushi Daisōjin… no.
Kaka Jōkaku—a closed space formed by six-thousand-degree flames.
His instincts told him that the system-upgraded Four Red Yang Formation—
Whether in sealing effectiveness…
Or in the temperature of its flames…
Would be no weaker than the old man's Kaka Jōkaku.
Satisfied, Bai Chen set the thought aside.
After exchanging a few more words with Unohana, the conversation ended.
"Since it's already agreed…"
"I can put the sword sparring on the back burner for now…"
"The priority is finding the right chance during the Soul Burial practicum to complete the sign-in."
Bai Chen was surprised by the sign-in location, but he didn't overthink it.
Urahara Shop—the ordinary-looking storefront Kisuke Urahara ran in the World of the Living after leaving Soul Society.
And to get there…
All he had to do was arrange for the practicum's location to be Karakura Town.
To Bai Chen, that was trivial.
After all, Matsumoto Rangiku had already promised him—
And leading a Soul Burial practicum mission was well within Squad Ten's duties.
So completing the sign-in and claiming the reward…
Was basically guaranteed.
Soon, the day Bai Chen had been waiting for arrived.
Early in the morning, after assembling with the sixth-years, the group followed the academy instructor to the Senkaimon.
And once they got there—
Bai Chen also got exactly what he wanted.
He saw that familiar figure again—the one he'd spent day after day with not long ago.
"Ah…"
"Bai Chen! It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"I don't know why, but ever since I left your side… this time has felt ridiculously long."
Noticing Bai Chen's gaze, Matsumoto Rangiku—who'd been waiting here—spun around at once.
While tossing out shamelessly suggestive words, she strode over with quick, confident steps and stopped right in front of him.
That move…
And that line…
Instantly made the surrounding sixth-years look painfully envious.
"Bai Chen's luck with women is insane…"
"Captain Soi Fon, Captain Unohana… and now Vice-Vice-Captain Matsumoto too!"
"Every female captain who's had contact with him ends up getting close to him!"
"If only I had even a fraction of that kind of luck…"
The sixth-years drooped, forced to accept the reality—
Rangiku had completely ignored them and was beaming at Bai Chen like they didn't exist.
No choice.
The gap between people was enormous.
Some things, no matter how jealous you are, you'll never get in your lifetime.
Especially not someone like Rangiku—beauty and figure both maxed out.
"Vice-Captain Rangiku…"
"Since this is my first time participating…"
"I'll be relying on you to guide me along the way during this practicum."
Feeling Rangiku's enthusiasm, Bai Chen smiled.
And instead of calling her by title again, he spoke her name directly—closer, more familiar.
"Hey, Bai Chen—listen to you." Rangiku leaned in, laughing openly. "I haven't forgotten what I promised you. Not even once."
She was standing so close that—
When she spoke, Bai Chen could clearly sense the subtle sway of her "headlights."
He couldn't help lowering his gaze for a quick look.
…Mm.
Looks like it really had been a while.
Those adorable little "pets" seemed to have grown even better.
And the moment Bai Chen looked—
Rangiku's cheeks flushed bright red.
Right in front of everyone, she showed a kind of shy sweetness that didn't match her usual mature, teasing vibe at all.
The sixth-years were stunned on the spot.
"Holy—!!!"
"Flirting in front of this many people… is that really okay?!"
"Soul Burial practicum? Yeah, right."
"This whole trip to the World of the Living is basically their sweet little date!"
At that moment, the sixth-years were grinding their teeth in pure envy—
But all they could do was watch.
Furious on the inside, helpless on the outside.
Finally—
As the Senkaimon opened,
Under Rangiku's lead, the group filed in one after another.
The Soul Burial practicum officially began.
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