Chapter 106
Unfortunately, Haruto's talent and skill were lacking, and the Reiatsu conversion ratio of nearly 1:100 really exhausted him.
Fortunately.
Haruto has some experience in wilderness survival; the first aid techniques he uses in the World of the Living are equally reliable when it comes to dealing with Soul Reaper.
Unfortunately, the bandages made from the Tsuriboshi weren't very handy to use; otherwise, Haruto felt they could have been even more useful.
That's all.
Thanks to the efforts of a few people, two-thirds of the more than 150 survivors after the Quincy out successfully returned to Soul Society.
"A-Qing."
Haruto looked at the quiet, empty space in front of him.
Although their spirits were low, compared to the widespread wailing in the World of the Living, the students were noticeably less devastated now; after this battle, perhaps a hundred years from now, many capable Grim Soul Reapers will emerge from among them.
"What's wrong?"
Haruto turned to look at Nanao.
Kiyone, who had been trying to keep her eyes wide open when crossing the Dangai, was now fast asleep; thankfully, she wasn't the same size as Isane, otherwise even if Nanao had used the sack-carrying posture, she might not have been able to avoid hitting her head on the ground.
"Help me practice in real combat."
"You have something to do with Zanpakuto..."
Haruto hesitated for a moment.
Nanao wasn't unable to unleash her Zanpakuto; rather, her Zanpakuto wasn't even in her own possession.
"No."
Nanao shook her head.
"I still can't hold a knife, but as a Soul Reaper, I shouldn't have so many things to fear... Please help me overcome my fear of Hollows first."
"Good!"
Haruto smiled with the satisfaction of a proud father.
With that statement just made, Nanao's journey into the World of the Living was not in vain.
"And me."
No sooner had Nanao finished speaking than she heard Ayaka's weak voice coming from behind her.
"Ayaka?"
Unlike Ayaka, Nanao has neither shadows nor lack of courage.
"There are still Nanao with her special training, A-Qing, could you take me with you?"
Despite her tired appearance, Ayaka's eyes were full of seriousness.
"Whether it's the release of your Zanpakuto, actual combat with Hollows... or the kind of missions you and Byakuya went on."
"As long as it's not the kind that would leak information, and you don't mind me getting in the way, please be sure to take me with you."
"The feeling of being at the bottom of the class..."
"I've had enough."
Ayaka would be an absolute top student in sixth grade, but in the small group centered around Haruto, she was definitely the least likely to be hit.
"Good."
Haruto nodded.
"I can't say for sure about other things, but I can still help with this little thing."
"Besides..."
Even though Isane's eyelids were drooping, she still seized the opportunity to express her stance.
I won't forget you.
"Isane, close your eyes for a bit, Kiyone is already asleep."
Isane's height, only Haruto could help her. Because of the immense exertion, Haruto hadn't let Isane find a place to rest yet—through their close physical contact, Haruto was able to use the newly learned Kaidō on Isane.
Although his Reiatsu was also almost depleted, his recovery speed was far superior to that of Isane and the others, and he was currently helping her slowly replenish her Reiatsu.
"..."
After hearing Haruto's assurance, Isane leaned on his shoulder and fell into a deep sleep, even letting out soft moans...
Okay, the snoring is coming from Kiyone's side.
Their chat had just ended.
Haruto sensed the Reiatsu rushing towards him at an incredible speed—an undisguised, super-fast Shunpo that Haruto couldn't catch up to even if he rode a horse.
"Whoosh!"
Two figures stopped with exceptional precision two meters in front of Kaien Shiba.
"Lieutenant Kaien."
We received your message...
A familiar face.
The one who took the initiative to walk towards Kaien Shiba was Kiyōnosuke Yamada, the Fourth Division vice-captain who had helped Haruto heal his "Shiren" injury.
And not far to his side and behind --
Her hands were crossed and hidden in her closed sleeves, her long, loose hair was simply tied back, and her hook-shaped Zanpakuto hung on her shoulder like a shoulder bag.
Fourth Division Captain, Retsu Unohana.
"Captain Unohana rushed over from the general medical center immediately after hearing the news."
"Thank you for your help, Captain Unohana."
Kaien Shiba bowed deeply to Unohana —he had always held this gentle and kind Fourth Division Captain in high esteem.
"Although Mutsuki- kun just said everything was fine, judging from the students' condition... I'm afraid we'll still have to trouble you."
Don't worry.
Unohana picked up where the two left off.
Perhaps because of the "mouth substitute" Kiyōnosuke Yamada, Captain Unohana at this stage rarely spoke much outside of the Fourth Division.
"Could you please ask Lieutenant Kaien to have the students line up a little closer together? It won't take too long."
Unohana drew her Zanpakuto.
"Minazuki."
The next moment.
The pale green, one-eyed manta ray cast a huge shadow over the group.
Unohana's Shikai is a Biological type, which allows her Zanpakuto to transform into this strange creature. Its bodily fluids have extremely powerful healing effects: for Reiatsu at the student level, Minazuki doesn't even need to swallow them; spitting a little saliva is enough to heal them quickly.
This is also why Unohana came in person: it would be too much of a waste of time and energy for the other members of the Fourth Division to use the Kaidō for treatment.
The ability to complete the Shikai of Zanpakuto without needing a release phrase is a level that can only be reached by those who have Bankai.
As Unohana released her Zanpakuto, three other figures arrived right after her from the Thirteenth Division's barracks.
Aside from Mutsuki- sensei, who went to find the person herself, and Principal Mitarai, who was brought along, the identity of the last person is self-evident without much description.
A gentle smile, shoulder-length white hair, and those thick, dark, sword-like eyebrows—
Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Jūshirō Ukitake.
"..."
"That's impressive."
Haruto, who witnessed this scene while mingling in the crowd, exclaimed inwardly, "Wow!"
Haruto had lived in Soul Society for so long, and this was the first time he had ever seen the captain of the Gotei 13 Seireitei, especially a captain who was at the level of (8) hundred years old.
To put it more precisely, it's Second-Class Spiritual Pressure.
That's right.
Although Haruto couldn't understand the Reiatsu of the two, the oppressive feeling they exuded was far beyond what he could match from the pressure he had seen in Rukongai, Seigen Kyōshiba.
After all...
There are differences even among team captains.
Haruto sighed.
"Neither Kiyōnosuke Yamada nor Kaien Shiba gives me the impression that they are much weaker than Captain Seigen."
The fact that even the vice-captain is only at the Third-Class Reii is enough to illustrate just how outrageous their captain is.
"A captain who can win their hearts and minds..."
"As expected, nothing beats being a pervert."
Volume 1: Chapter 67, It's Hard to Persuade a Deadly Ghost with Kind Words
Shin'ō Academy, Dormitory.
"Despair."
The bottom of the ceramic cup gently touched the table.
Couldn't you have made some better tea?
Byakuya clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
You should be grateful that you have something to drink.
Haruto also put down his teacup.
Three days have passed since the end of the Konsō internship, and the changes in Soul Society and the Shin'ō Academy are happening every day.
First.
As expected, Mitarai stepped down from his position as dean. Given the magnitude of the incident, he was naturally held responsible.
Following a decision by the Central 46 Chambers, Ms. Mutsuki will temporarily assume the duties of dean, effectively swapping the two positions.
But.
Changing the dean won't immediately change the environment of the Shin'ō Academy. While the number of students has been drastically reduced, there are suddenly enough teachers, but it will probably take some time to recover from the current situation.
Secondly.
Because of the issues surrounding the Konsō training and Quincy, Lieutenant Kaien was held accountable. Although he was spared severe punishment thanks to Jūshirō Ukitake's efforts, he was still ordered to self-isolate at home, and the work of the Thirteenth Division had to be temporarily suspended.
"Has the Tsunayashiro Clan made a move?"
Haruto picked up the teapot and poured himself another cup.
The Tsunayashiro Clan played a pivotal role in the Shiba Clan's expulsion from the Five Great Noble Clans, and there is no doubt that they harbored malice towards the Shiba surname.
"No."
Byakuya shook his head while gesturing for Haruto to pour him some too.
"Captain Ukitake is Captain-Commander Yamamoto's prized student."
"Regardless of his strength, popularity, or status, even within the entire Seireitei, he holds considerable power and influence."
"Furthermore, Captain Ukitake's noble status... the Tsunayashiro Clan has no reason to offend him over something like this."
Haruto glanced at Byakuya, and after the latter's repeated gesturing, he finally filled his cup with "inferior" tea.
"They're dealing with someone else entirely."
Upon hearing Byakuya's words, Haruto immediately understood why he had returned to the dormitory.
"I?"