It was a hot summer day in Soul Society, and the first year students at the Shinigami Academy were attending an ethics lecture. Almost the entire class sat in stupefied silence as the professor droned on. All except for the red-haired young man in the third row, whose pencil was scratching furiously against the paper, seemingly taking down every word of the lecture. Anyone looking over his shoulder would see this was not the case, however. On his paper could be seen a drawing of a snake-tailed baboon, surprisingly life-like and detailed. He was just finishing the scales on the snake part when he heard a slight cough, and looked up to see the professor standing over his desk with a most displeased expression on her face.
"I would appreciate it, Abarai, if you would listen to my lecture instead of doodling some strange fantasy creature."
Renji opened his mouth to protest that it was not some fantasy creature, but for once in his life thought better of it. He didn't really feel like explaining that the creature had been visiting him in his dreams lately, and that he was sure it was his zanpakuto. He just hadn't been able to hear its name yet.
"Honestly, Abarai, you'll never succeed as a shinigami if you don't pay attention," the professor seemed to be relishing the chance to tell him off, "You need discipline and focus. You'll never even get to be a seated officer if you keep this up, let alone a lieutenant." Finished her mini lecture, she stalked back to the front of the class to continue her discussion of ethics.
Renji grinned. She was wrong. He would make seated officer, maybe even lieutenant someday. He could feel it. Maybe it had something to do with the strength and confidence he felt coming from his baboon-snake zanpakuto that seemed to perfectly mirror his own. He knew it wouldn't be long before he found out its name, and then it would only be up from there. And when he did finally make it, up from the slums of the Rukon district, all the way to the high ranks of the Gotei 13, he'd enjoy proving all the naysayers wrong.
"Just you wait!"