NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: CHAPTER 1
"Huff... huff..."
In the courtyard of the 6th Division, a shirtless teenager was drenched in sweat, his muscles burning from exertion.
His name was Renjiro Kurozawa, and it had been nearly a century since he arrived in the Soul Society.
"The training for today is complete... but my physical progress is still too slow."
Sitting down, Renjiro wiped the sweat from his brow, gazing up at the darkened sky with a sigh. Despite decades of relentless training, he remained one of the weakest members of his squad.
In a world where power reigned supreme, he was nothing more than fodder.
Even after graduating from the Shin'ō Academy and securing a position in the 6th Division, his lack of progress left him dangerously close to irrelevance.
"Oi, Renjiro! Done with training already? How about a drink?"
A familiar voice called out, and Renjiro turned to see Rukia Kuchiki approaching.
"Rukia? Shouldn't you be with the 13th Division? What brings you here today?"
"I'm heading to the Human World for a mission tomorrow. Figured I'd meet up with you before I leave."
The moment he heard this, Renjiro's expression shifted slightly.
The Human World…
A sense of unease crept into his mind. This was it—the mission that would change everything.
"Rukia, be careful while you're out there," Renjiro said after a brief pause. "You never know what could happen."
Rukia blinked in surprise. "Come on, it's a simple mission. Nothing to worry about."
But Renjiro knew better. He knew that by the end of this mission, Kurosaki Ichigo would inherit the powers of a Shinigami, triggering a chain of events that would reshape the Soul Society forever.
He could stay silent and allow fate to take its course... but watching a friend walk into danger without warning felt wrong.
Rukia, however, waved off his concern with a small laugh. "You're worrying too much. You're the one who should be concerned—your squad's seat ranking exam is tomorrow, right? If you end up at the bottom again..."
Her words trailed off, unspoken but clear: Failing too many times could mean expulsion from the Gotei 13.
Renjiro sighed. "I know… but without a Shikai, I don't stand a chance."
"You'll be fine," Rukia reassured him. "Your Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō aren't bad. If you're really struggling, I could talk to my brother—"
"Thanks, but no," Renjiro cut in, shaking his head. He refused to survive on favors alone.
Before Rukia could reply, an arrogant voice rang out from outside the courtyard.
"Lady Rukia, your status is far too noble to associate with Rukongai commoners. You're embarrassing the Kuchiki Clan by mingling with trash."
Two men stood at the entrance—Takuto Kuchiki and Guan Saburō Kuchiki, minor members of the noble family.
Rukia's gaze hardened. "Takuto, Saburō, mind your own business."
"We're just concerned," Takuto sneered. "The head of the Kuchiki Clan wouldn't approve of you wasting time with nobodies."
"If Byakuya-sama has an issue, he'll tell me himself," Rukia shot back. "I don't need your opinion."
Renjiro exhaled, already used to this treatment. The 6th Division, led by Byakuya Kuchiki, was filled with nobles who looked down on commoners.
"Let them talk," Renjiro said coolly. "They wouldn't last a day without their family name propping them up."
"You—!" Takuto's face twisted with rage, but with Rukia present, he held back. Instead, he smirked.
"Enjoy today, commoner. Tomorrow's seat exam will decide your fate."
With a final glare, the two noble Shinigami turned and left.
"I'm sorry," Rukia muttered. "Some members of my family are arrogant beyond reason."
"It's fine," Renjiro shrugged. "A noble squad like the 6th Division is full of guys like that. You get used to it."
The two chatted until midnight before Renjiro walked Rukia out of the courtyard.
Just as he was about to head to his quarters, a notification flashed before his eyes.
[Congratulations! You have survived 100 years in the Soul Society! The Survival System is now officially unlocked!]
Renjiro froze.
"The… Survival System?"
A flood of information entered his mind, and a translucent panel appeared before him:
---
[Survival System Interface]
Host: Renjiro Kurozawa
Weapon: [Sealed]
Skills: Mediocre Zanjutsu, Mediocre Hakuda, Mediocre Shunpo, Mediocre Kidō
---
Renjiro's mind raced. "System… what does surviving 100 years mean?"
[The Survival System activates only after the Host has lived in the Soul Society for a full century. From now on, each day survived will grant a random reward.]
His heart pounded. "And the reward for lasting 100 years?"
[Since the Host has accumulated 100 survival days, the reward has been condensed into a single high-tier prize. Would you like to claim it now?]
Renjiro's breath hitched. "A high-tier reward…?"
He clenched his fists. This was his chance.
"Yes. Start the draw!"
The system panel shifted into a spinning wheel of fate, its options blurring together. The anticipation was unbearable as the wheel spun faster and faster—until it finally stopped.
A single notification flashed:
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Noble Phantasm—"Excalibur: Sword of Promised Victory!"]
A surge of golden light erupted before Renjiro, and suddenly, a holy sword materialized in his hands.
It radiated overwhelming power, its blade shimmering with divine energy.
Renjiro's hands trembled as he gripped the legendary weapon.
For the first time in a century, he felt hope.
His true ascent had finally begun.
---
Author's Note:
Renjiro will awaken his own Zanpakutō later. Don't worry!
The power system will align with Bleach, but with a unique twist!