The Report
1

In order to produce a great number of talented persons who will go on to become soldiers of the Gotei 13, Kido Corps and the Onmitsukidō, the late Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni established within Seireitei the Shinōreijutsuin, a Shinigami training institute boasting a history of 2000 years.
In one block of that institute, the fourth year students who had just finished their summer vacations were gathered in the large lecture hall which could feasibly accommodate all graduate students.
"You should all be aware that in the previous Protection of the Soul King Great War, the Gotei 13 lost approximately half its soldiers."
Glancing over all who were present, the headmaster with a sturdy physique continues speak.
"It goes without saying, our Shinō Academy is a 6 year curriculum. However due to the Shinigami Apprentice program established the year before last, after the 4th years' summer vacation, you will have belonged, as an apprentice, to each company of the 13 Court Guard Squads and acquired on site experience of shinigami duties."
The Shinigami Apprentice program is a new system created to maintain the Gotei 13 after it lapsed into a grave shortage of troops. The apprentice units study at the academy in the mornings while in the afternoons they are split into each division and actually assist with duties. Prior to the advent of this system, students were assigned to each squad after graduation, in the first year they would follow around a senior officer as an apprentice and study the work of a Shinigami. On the other hand, the structure which allows one to complete that apprenticeship period while still an academy student, is this current Shinigami apprentice program. "Owing to a lack of manpower everywhere, work is being left undone! I hope we can replenish personnel as soon as possible! On this occasion, student or not, it shouldn't matter!" faced with scenes of these sorrowful voices, the program was set up as a temporary measure only, but being able to observe their idols up close and personal increased their motivation and even the lessons became fun. Therefore, it seems the new program is highly praised among the students in question.

"So today, we invited squad 3 vice captain Kira Izuru who is a graduate of the academy himself, in order to talk to us about the mental attitude one should have as a Shinigami!"

Hearing that, a burst of excitement was aroused among the students.
Captains and vice captains in Soul Society are equivalent to first class celebrities of the Human World
"Well then vice captain Kira, thank you for your trouble."
Encouraged to take the podium by the headmaster, Kira Izuru scanned the lecture hall with a pale visage that lacked vitality. The entrance of an actively serving vice captain caused the students' eyes to sparkle.
—I'd never have guessed that a dead man would be preaching a Shinigami's pride to young people in the future…
Casting his eyes down, Izuru heaved a small sigh.
After the lecture, Izuru passed into the guest room seating himself deeply into a sofa, he leaned back and exhaled a heavy breath. It seems the honest optimism in the young people's eyes had greatly fatigued Izuru's spirit.
"Kira, thank you! I'm sorry for inconveniencing you when you're busy!"
Headmaster of the Shinō Academy Isawa Genji gave a broad smile and deposited himself on a sofa that was opposite Izuru and across a low table.
"It's alright. Both of my former classmates have accepted the invitation, I can't be the only one to refuse."
Last year, the lieutenant of squad 6 Abarai Renji was invited to give a similar lecture and the year before that the lieutenant of squad 5 Hinamori Momo was invited to do the same.
"I'm relieved to hear you say that."
Genji exhaled a quick breath, "okay if I do a little paperwork?" He pulled out a box stuffed with paper bundles from under the table.
"Do you usually work here?"
"The chairs in here are softest! The desk is also wide"
Watching the documents get piled up atop the desk one after the other, Izuru murmured "that's not 'little' at all don't you think?" seemingly in shock.
Much like Izuru and Renji, Genji is a graduate of the academy's class of 2066. In contrast with Izuru who was assigned to the first class throughout his six years - an advanced class comprised of high achievers only - Genji was enrolled in the second class for six years. By all rights these two would appear unlikely to have any point of contact, however as a result of sharing the same living quarters in the student dormitories, they became close friends.
"…You were always the type to leave your assignments untouched till the end and then finish it all in one go, isn't that right?"
Izuru recollected images of Genji's back hunched over the writing desk until the late hours of the night whilst uttering complaints at the same time.
"For your information, this is all today's portion you know!"
Genji spoke up in protest, his eyes still lowered on his documents.
"Huh? This much…?"
"The problem of insufficient manpower is the same everywhere right? Since I'm so good at paperwork, even the other teachers' share is now handled by me. I was a member of the 5th division after all, under the command of lieutenant Hinamori known as the 'tiger of paperwork'!"
"…Isn't captain Hirako the one in command? In any case, Hinamori san had such a nickname…? I wasn't aware."
"By the way, the 'dragon of paperwork' is Sōsuke Aizen and the 'hawk of paperwork' is me! You don't think I'm going to be second class forever do you?"
"Yeah, yeah. I know all too well that the 5th division are proficient at their paperwork."
Seeing Genji's chest swell with pride with a "humph", a small smile tugged at Izuru's lips.
"Well… I'm sorry for distracting you from your work, I should get going now."
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Genji hurriedly restrains the rising Izuru.
"I haven't seen you in a long time so let's talk a little more!? With the exception of going to the Department of Research and Development once a month, I'm at the academy the whole time, so I'm starved of talk from the outside world~!"
Hearing that, Izuru's movements suddenly came to a halt.
"Once a month… to the Development Department? For what reason?"
"Huh? I didn't tell you?"
All of a sudden and without a care, Genji rolled up his hakama.
"Incidentally both of my legs were blown off during the Great War. I have prosthetics now."
An artificial leg manufactured with smooth milky-white parts, peeped through his dark blue trouser hem.
"There are also legs that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing, but it's not covered by the compensation of the Gotei. Well, these however are just fine since they don't prevent me from going about my daily life."
Genji was the third seat of squad 5.
Because he had lost both legs when the Sternritter invaded and had received artificial ones, Genji became unable to use Hohō - Shunpo that allows one to travel long distances in a flash which can also be regarded as indispensable for a top ranking Shinigami. Feeling that his current self was no longer suitable for third seat, Genji put forward a request to his captain, Hirako Shinji, stating that he would like for his seat to be lowered, whereupon it was suggested that he should become the head of the Shinō Academy instead.
"I was pretty confident in my Hohō , so my legs being like this came as a shock… but since starting this job, I've been enjoying myself despite being insanely busy every day. I was never the type to cut the mustard in the first place, so I totally understand what sort of place the students can fall into, or when they are feeling discouraged. I intended to play the sharp and able third seat in front of captain Hirako, and yet he was able to see through me I guess, see my true essence."
Hirako's words ring in his ear as he recalls it.
"Headmaster, I think that's fitting don't you?…You're able to put yourself in other people's shoes."
Understanding that this is a proposal made on the basis of recognising his attributes, Genji accepted with gratitude.
"That's the reason why! I don't get bothered about my legs anymore."
Clapping his knee, Genji grinned. Indeed this cheerfulness of his is likely to aid many bewildered youngsters, Izuru thought.
"I see… it must have been very difficult, Isawa."
"No, not at all, the only one I don't want to be told that by is you Kira! Is there any guy alive who has gone through more hardship than you!?"
"That's… I guess, you have a point."

"I heard that you were killed in action, information came in saying that you had apparently returned to the war front still in a dead condition, I was in a state of utter confusion!"

In the last Great War, Izuru died through a fatal injury where thirty percent of his body was lost. The fact that he is still able to freely manoeuvre himself like this is due to the experimental body remodeling surgery performed on Izuru's corpse after the captain of squad 12 Kurotsuchi Mayuri recovered it from the battlefield. The surgical procedure, which was performed without the consent of the man in question, was a brilliant success and Izuru was able to live while still in a dead condition.
"I read captain Kurotsuchi's research paper on the body remodelling experiment in the returning issue of Seireitei Communication, and I finally understood. 'So that's how it was?' I said to myself."
"Seireitei communication" is an informational magazine edited and published by the 9th division, its publication system was out of order and had to be suspended for a whole year after the war. In the first reissue, a list of a vast number of war dead and the state of progress regarding reconstruction makes an appearance, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's research paper is attached as an extra file at the end of the magazine.
The successful surgical procedure of a departed soul on vice captain Kira Izuru! Relief even though he lost his life! The secrets of the surgical procedure of a departed soul is now made widely public!
Due to the contents of the report under this sensational headline, Izuru becoming the subject of the demonic experiments of the president of the Technological Development Department, was well-known within Seireitei.
"It doesn't matter, whether you're still alive… not alive… well anyway, I'm just happy I got to see you again."
"…Thank you."
A Denreishinki(Shinigami communication device)buzzed in the mumbling Kira's breast pocket.
Pressed on by Genji who said "check it. It might be urgent business right?" Izuru scanned his eyes over the electronic correspondence being lit up by the words'new message'. The sender was Abarai Renji.

"It's from Abarai-kun, can we gather this evening? he says."

Hinamori Momo's name is also in the address field.
"Is Hinamori san also invited…? What about you?"

When he replied to the correspondence with a simple "okay" and then lifted his face up, Genji smiled broadly and placed his hand on the piled up documents.
"Don't you see this? Lieutenant Kira."
"…I will give your regards to everyone, headmaster"
With that said, Izuru also returns a smile.
As the two were talking about the situation, a woman with black hair flew in from outside an open window. Her shiny ponytail swayed matching the movement of her head.
"Having fun?"
With both hands at her hips she grinned, it was Shihōin Yoruichi.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Shihōin sensei!"
"It's been a while, Shihōin san."
The two tried to stand up but were halted by her hand, with a thump Yoruichi lowered her back somewhere to the side of Izuru.
"Kira, this is the first I'm seeing you in half a year correct? In any case, are you getting along well with Ōtoribashi?"
Captain of the 3rd division, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō, has a deep understanding of music, not only for appreciating musical composition, but also enjoying the act of playing musical instruments as a hobby. When Yoruichi served as head of the Shihōin clan, Rōjūrō would sometimes commission the Gagaku* band of the Shihōin clan to repair and tune musical instruments he had brought back from the Human World, the relationship that existed between these two is an old friendship. Once or twice a year Yoruichi would call upon the offices of the 3rd division bearing gifts from the human world.
(*TN:Gagaku is a type of classical Japanese court music)
On these occasions, they would exchange a few words and as a result, she was also acquainted with Izuru.
"Well, not too bad I guess. I've even grown accustomed to the musical performances in the middle of duties."
"…You sure it's okay to be accustomed to that?"
Izuru shrugged his shoulders at Genji's question.
At the 3rd division, many musical instruments are placed side by side not only in the captain's room but also in the squad offices, depending on Rōjūrō's mood, the musical performances can start even in the middle of professional duties with little regard for others. At first it was Izuru who criticised it, however after the musical performances he noticed that his work efficiency had improved remarkably, since then Izuru has come to tolerate it.
"You turn a blind eye to it! Why not just confiscate the instruments from that guy, leave nothing whatsoever behind!"
"It's never going to be'nothing whatsoever'you know."
With a nonchalant air, Yoruichi disregards Genji's reproving gaze. Izuru smiled inwardly thinking "these two seem to be doing well too."
"By the way… how are you finding the work of a lecturer? Shihōin sensei?"
"Ha! It's just teasing youngsters anyway…"
After casting a momentary glare at Izuru, Yoruichi transferred a large scrap of paper from the palm of her hand to Genji.
"Persons who have their names here may already enlist in due form."
Glancing over the names that had been written down, Genji eagerly nodded his agreement with a "yes, yes, I see."
"What's up with the kids that have these circles affixed to them?"
"Oh, let those guys into the 9th division. Their aptitude for Hakuda is limited, but they're intelligent and they have a keen interest for writing."
"Understood!"
Genji produced a notebook from his pocket and made a note of Yoruichi's words, placed the scrap piece of paper between it before closing it shut.
"I was surprised… you're taking your role as 'sensei' seriously aren't you?"
With a twitch, Yoruichi lifted one eyebrow at Izuru's manner of speaking.
"… Did you make fun of me just now?"
"Such a thing would be absurd…! It's just that, since I heard from my captain that Shihōin san wore a look that seemed as if she were troubled deep down at the time she accepted the role…"
"It feels troublesome deep down even now."
"Shihōin sensei… could you please be careful not say that in front of the students? You know, things like that."
Watching Genji with an expression that looked as if she wanted to say "I know", Yoruichi folds her arms and looks up to the ceiling.
"Like I've said, since I'm a genius and all, I don't know what teaching methods to use towards average people, but I was told to either undertake the responsibilities of guest lecturer once every half a moon, or restore squad 8 by becoming its captain, naturally I decided that I probably had no choice but to take up responsibilities in this place."
If she refused to restore the squad then she would have to deliver a lecture on Hakuda and Hohō to the 5th and 6th year students every other week. That was the proposal handed down to Yoruichi from captain commander Kyōraku.
"We probably can't afford to leave people as talented as Shihōin san idle… after all, orders have been sent down to all divisions, each squad elects at least one member for academy lecturer."
"Because the original tutors passed away in great numbers during the Protection of the Soul King Great War, isn't that so."
At the time of the great war, all students were evacuated to their dormitories.
Due to the vast amounts of Reiatsu that was accumulating, the Wandenreich's foot soldiers, known as Soldat, focused their attack on the dormitories, a defensive battle in which the lecturers put up a do-or-die spirit began to unfold before the eyes of the students. Each and every lecturer was skilled with the experience of a seated member, however it was difficult to overthrow the numerical advantage, and one after another they fell.
Under the desperate circumstances, a Shinigami donning a mask came into sight cutting through dark clouds.
"Here comes the superhero!"
It was Kuna Mashiro the 'super' vice captain of squad 9, she executed a brisk pose atop a Soldat who was being trampled underfoot.
When departing for the battlefront in order to launch a counter-attack on the Sternritter, captain of the 9th division Muguruma Kensei did not allow Mashiro's attendance.
"No way! It's not fair if you're only takingShu~hei~!Not fair, not fair, not fair, not fair~~~!"
Naturally, Mashiro tumbled around on the ground and put up a resistance. Under normal circumstances the scene would be filled with a loud rebuttal telling her to "shut up", however this time Kensei kneeled down, leveled his line of sight with Mashiro and spoke.
"Go to the Shinō Academy, Mashiro. Go and protect the future of the Shinigami."
He grabbed her left arm to help her up. A lieutenant badge handmade by Mashiro herself was fitted there.
"I guess you're not a mere lieutenant huh?"
With a supportive push at her back, Mashiro leaps into the evening sky without turning to look back.
Her "SUPER 9" engraved stamp caught the last light just before sunset and glimmered red.
Although the students were protected by the actions of a Hollowfied Mashiro, the number of lecturers diminished to less than a third of the original, the training of Shinigami is urgent business now, it was no exaggeration to say that refilling lecturers is a matter of utmost importance.
"Protection of the Soul King Great War huh… what a nauseating name don't you think?"
Yoruichi spat out her words in disdain. Izuru was also of the same opinion.
"…It cannot be helped. If you tell the truth you won't be able avoid confusion and disorder"
After Kurosaki Ichigo had triumphed over Yhwach, his remains were transported to the Soul King Palace at the hands of Squad Zero soldiers. Hundreds of binding seals were placed around the corpse which still contained a vast amount of Reiryoku even after death, by storing it as the new lynchpin in the Soul King Greater Palace area, the world was spared from collapse.
The demise of the Soul King, as well as the fact that it is the mastermind of the great war who keeps the world tethered now, are both kept secret, the series of incursions by the Wandenreich was assigned the name "Protection of the Soul King Great War."
"The Soul King Palace was safeguarded, and the Soul King was not assassinated… that's what the students are being taught, I wonder if there were things that were falsified in this way within the history that we studied too."
With a countenance that appeared to have mixed feelings, Genji shook his head a little.
"Distortion at the convenience of the hand that's spinning it… History is like that."
The eyes of Yoruichi who had muttered that, held a slight trace of anguish.
Hitting upon the fact that she is a person who was once driven out of the Soul Society which considered her a traitor, the other two fell silent.
"Don't all go making that depressed face now! I'm not at all…"
A dissatisfied Yoruichi's words were interrupted by a knocking sound at the door.
"Headmaster sir! I've been instructed to bring back the completed paperwork!"
A voice which appeared to belong to a male student could be heard through the door.
"I'll take it myself so don't worry about it…! I'd better get going soon. The matter of formal enlistment must also be discussed."

Excusing himself from the pair, Genji tucked his processed documents underarm and exited the room.
Waiting for the sound of his footsteps to fade away, Yoruichi turns her face in Izuru's direction.
"…Just the two of us then huh?"
Noticing the mischievous smile in her eye, Izuru shuddered.
—A frog being glared at by a snake*… no, in this case, perhaps it's a mouse being glared at by the cat…?

Toying with the idea, Yoruichi leaned in closer without a moment's hesitation.
(*TN:In Japan a "frog being glared at by the snake" is an idiomatic phrase that is essentially the equivalent of the English expression "a deer in the headlights" used to describe a person paralysed to the spot out of fear or surprise)
"*squeal*"
Matching her advance he retreated backwards at which point his back hit the armrest of the sofa, a dead end.
"According to what I've heard, you apparently have a large hole opened up on your body correct?"
"…W-whats this all of a sudden…?"
Izuru instinctively placed his hand over the right side of his chest. As a result of the cavity, that move only caused his hand to sink into his Shihakushou.
Immediately following his surgical procedure, he was instructed to dissipate the heat of the body without covering the hole, consequently he had to live in a state of leaving one shoulder exposed. However, by way of an upgrade after the war, the problem of heat dissipation was resolved and it became unnecessary to expose the hole, Izuru was thus able to wear his Shihakushou fully again as before.
"Didn't Kurotsuchi tell you? Nemuri is a masterpiece of artificial soul technology, Kira is a masterpiece of body remodeling technology, isn't that right? …Now then, let me take a little look at that hole."
"Whaa…!? I'd rather you didn't!"
"Don't be so square, I just want to see what's going on with the cross- section. It's nothing to fret about. C'mon, quickly"
Without any regard for the resistance Izuru was putting up, Yoruichi caught his right sleeve and tugged with great vigour.
"Please stop doing that!"
Just when he was struggling to remove the hands secured at his collar, an open door entered his vision.
"Kira! These guys want to ask you some questions abou…"
Genji who had returned accompanied by two female students, froze at the sight of the pair.
Izuru's Shihakushō was loose and disheveled. Yoruichi half straddling him.
Genji shut the door immediately.
"S-sorry Kira!"
"Don't apologise this is not what it looks like!"
Izuru pushed past Yoruichi and darted out of the room. From the hallways the voices of two people could be heard shouting "I'm sorry!" and "You've got it wrong!"
"Curious how it ends up like this from playing hard to get…"
Without even a hint of shame, Yoruichi left through the window in the same fashion as when she arrived.
The next day rumours of a "forbidden relationship between Shihoin Sensei and Lieutenant Kira" went around the academy. For some time after that, it is said that every time Izuru would come face to face with Soifon the captain of Squad 2 who adores and respects Yoruichi, she would glare at him to the point where it seemed she was putting a deadly curse on him.