Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 60: Aizen’s Next Probe

"Internship?"

Shin looked at Hisagi with a touch of surprise.

"Yeah, this time it's for Class B." Hisagi nodded.

It had been quite a while since their last field internship in the World of the Living. Due to Class A's accelerated curriculum, it was only now that Class B's rotation was scheduled.

"You're leading the squad again?" Shin asked.

"Our class is pairing with some of Class B's students as supervisors for this round. If you don't go, then yeah—I'm the team leader," Hisagi replied.

Shin frowned slightly. "There won't be any accidents this time, right...?"

Hisagi looked hesitant. "There shouldn't be. Last time was a special case. The investigation's already wrapped up, and the barrier and seal teams have been reinforced."

After a moment of silence, Shin asked, "Kaizawa and Aoshika are going too?"

"Yeah." Hisagi suddenly remembered something and added, "I checked Class B's roster. Rukia's been temporarily assigned to this mission since she missed the Class A internship."

That made sense.

Shin's eyes narrowed faintly.

Field internships were standard enough, but after what happened last time, Shin couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"You sure you're up for leading?" he asked, tone dubious.

Hisagi rolled his eyes. "You make it sound like you're hoping for something to go wrong."

Shin let out a sigh. "Fine. I'll go too."

Hisagi shrugged. "Even better. If you're leading, my job's easy."

Shin immediately went to inform Professor Nandō Hidezawa. The instructor readily approved. With Shin joining, there was even more assurance that the trip would be smooth.

After all, field internships were meant to be safe. The space was sealed off, and only low-level Hollows were introduced. What happened last time had been an anomaly.

A small coastal town in the World of the Living.

Shin stood atop the highest building, his gaze scanning the townscape below.

The internship had been running for a full day and night. So far, everything was quiet. No unusual spiritual pressure detected.

Maybe I'm just on edge after last time...

There weren't any students this round who Aizen would be interested in testing. It was unlikely he'd orchestrate another incident so soon—if he did, it might prompt a deeper investigation into the last incident's real cause. Aizen wouldn't risk that.

Rukia's squad was doing decently. But being composed mostly of Class B students, their performance lacked the precision and discipline of Class A. As a result, upperclassmen like Shin had to intervene more often than they had during the Class A mission.

Still, no incidents was good news.

The barriers had been reinforced. Response teams stood ready. Everything had been doubled this time.

Another day and night passed. The final Hollow inside the sealed zone was eliminated. The students regrouped at the rendezvous point.

"All clear," Hisagi said with a relieved exhale.

Last time had left some scars on everyone.

"Good. Let's prep for return," Shin nodded with a smile.

Among the students, Rukia waved at him. Shin smiled and waved back.

She hurried up to him. "President, how'd I do?"

"Not bad," Shin praised. "You've improved a lot."

Rukia smiled modestly. After transferring to Class A, the tempo had been intense—but the four instructors from the Kuchiki clan had ensured she kept pace through constant training.

"But your teammates this time were underwhelming. You'll be paired with your real class next time—it'll go better."

"They tried their best," Rukia defended her group.

Shin chuckled. "Alright, let's go."

Hisagi used his Denreishinki to contact the Kido Corps and notify them the exercise was complete.

Soon after, a Senkaimon opened before them.

"Thanks for your hard work. You can head back now."

Students began filing through the gate in order.

Suddenly, Shin's expression shifted. He glanced sharply toward the edge of the field.

"Shin?" Hisagi noticed.

"...Nothing. Might be my imagination."

But Shin's voice had a tension to it.

Then, louder: "Speed it up!"

The students began moving faster. But as the number of those still outside dwindled, Shin's gaze sharpened.

It's not my imagination.

There was a spiritual pressure—very faint, but approaching fast.

Hisagi felt it too. "What is that...?"

"Forget it. Just go. Get back to Soul Society—NOW," Shin barked.

The students, oblivious to the looming threat, continued entering the Senkaimon in an orderly fashion.

Shin remained to cover the rear. Just as he stepped up to follow Hisagi through the gate, an enormous surge of reiryoku slammed into them.

"Shin!"

He'd seen it coming—an immense fireball streaking from the sky, aimed straight at the Senkaimon!

If it struck while they were passing through, they'd be trapped in the Dangai, lost forever!

"Go!"

Shin stopped in his tracks, spun around, and raised his hand.

"Bakudō #39: Enkōsen!"

BOOM!

The fireball's force was far greater than anticipated. The reishi shield shattered almost instantly. Flames erupted upward like a volcanic geyser, but the gate behind him had closed—safe.

From the heart of the flames, a voice rang out:

"Kidō... that means it's a Shinigami this time."

Shin stepped forward, completely untouched. Not a single burn marked his uniform.

Across from him, on a distant rooftop, a figure stood—shrouded in a black cloak, face hidden. Only a faint spiritual pressure leaked from beneath the heavy fabric.

A hilt peeked from beneath the cloak.

He's here for me.

It was clear now. Shin was the target.

He should've seen it sooner. The last time wasn't a test for Rukia or the others—it had been for him.

He'd been too focused on protecting Hisagi, Kaizawa, and the rest.

This man hadn't expected Shin to survive unscathed. There was hesitation in the figure's posture.

Shin's mind raced.

This had Aizen's fingerprints all over it.

But... who? It couldn't be Gin. Or Tōsen.

This guy had no standout traits. The cloak concealed everything—identity, posture, even intent.

Shin took out his Denreishinki. "Can anyone hear me?"

No reply.

He shut it off, his expression hardening.

This wasn't over.