Chapter 113
Byakuya's expression wasn't good; he had clearly been there for quite some time.
"..."
Haruto immediately thought of that Menos Grande.
It seems we're thinking the same thing.
Byakuya spoke up for Haruto.
Who is helping you?
"How would I know... Besides, that's not accurate at all. You might as well ask who the murderer is. If my Shunpo had been even two beats slower back then, I might not even be back in this state."
Haruto lied.
Although he didn't have concrete evidence, there were still suspects; the problem was that Haruto didn't dare to reveal this person's existence prematurely... Even a behemoth like the Kuchiki Clan wasn't considered reliable by Haruto.
After all...
That man's name is Aizen.
That being said...
When that Gillian appeared, Haruto did indeed sense something different from what he remembered.
Location: Menos Grande's Visored looks very "neat," and the shackle-like spikes on his body do not have the cracks that are common in Gillian.
... Oh, right!
The most crucial thing is the Hollow Hole!
Haruto was in a bad state at the time and didn't pay much attention to observe. Now that he thinks about it... the Gillian's Hollow Hole seemed to be covered by its "black robe," which was completely different from what Haruto remembered about the Menos Grande.
On the contrary...
It looks remarkably similar to the Giant Hollow that Haruto fought in District 66!
Thinking about this, Haruto was truly terrified—it meant he was very likely to...
They might have been targeted by Aizen!
Regardless of the purpose or the degree, being targeted by Aizen will never end well.
Next.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing that Haruto's expression was rather unpleasant, Byakuya unusually showed concern.
"... nothing."
Haruto raised his sleeve and wiped his forehead.
"I'm quite exhausted; I haven't recovered even after a night's sleep."
"Shall I go to your house and find a few experts in the Dao of Kaidō the Dao for you?"
"No need, no need. If it's really that simple, I'll just ask Isane for help."
Haruto declined Byakuya's offer.
"..."
"Alright."
Byakuya stood up from the tatami mat.
You don't look like you're seriously injured.
Having chatted for so long in the dorm, Byakuya has essentially achieved his goal for this trip.
"I'll go home first and tell my father about what happened here... By the way, although you were 70% lucky to beat Satō Tsunayashiro, you still helped our family solve a problem that wasn't insignificant."
Haruto didn't feel anything amiss being all alone.
However, for large families with many members, Satō Tsunayashiro's threat is sometimes no less than that of Captain-level expert.
"What would you like to have?"
This time, when Byakuya brought it up again, it wasn't a gift or favor from the Kuchiki Clan... it was a real reward.
"... Do you still have those two items from last time?"
"..."
Haruto's question left Byakuya momentarily speechless.
"Are you having difficulties?"
"No, the cat transformation spell is fake."
Well, it seems Byakuya has personally verified the "Cat Demon's" deception. As for the specifics...
Haruto decided not to reopen Byakuya's wounds, lest the boy become enraged.
"Then let's use the Kurohitsugi."
When Haruto mentions the infamous No. 90 Hadō, he talks about it as casually as if it were a cheap snack sold in the market.
"Didn't you say that the Senju Kōten Taihō was enough?"
"Indeed, this idea hasn't changed."
Haruto nodded.
"So what are you planning to do, Kidō techniques...? Our family's secret techniques are definitely not to be passed on to outsiders."
"No, it's just that I had a new inspiration today while using the Dankū's technique."
"... How come I remember you used a similar phrase when you first modified Byakurai?"
"Maybe I have more inspiration?"
"Roll!"
Byakuya remarks have transcended the ordinary; a single word is enough to express the complex emotions deep within his heart.
"You're just jealous of my quick wit... Anyway, I think it's best not to modify Dankū casually, since it's already a very mature Hadō."
Haruto's method of using the tight-fitting technique of Satō Tsunayashiro the Dankū Void Gate was learned from the self-created Bakudō of the Four-Beast Saimon by Vice Kidō Master Hachigen Ushōda; however, the method of stuffing Senju Kōten Taihō inside was clearly a reference to the Kurohitsugi.
Learning a new high-level Hadō is certainly very energy-consuming, but after experiencing the benefits of using related experience...
Haruto thinks the saying "it's always good to have more skills" is actually quite true.
Anyway, let's get our hands on the stuff first; there's no rush to learn it yet.
"Good."
Byakuya nodded first, then casually pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and tossed it to Haruto.
"Ah?"
Haruto hadn't expected Byakuya to be so decisive.
"This thing was originally mine; the only difference is whether it can be shared with others... You can keep it for now."
"Until I reach the Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure, my father and grandfather probably won't let me come into contact with the Kurohitsugi before then. You learn first, and then they'll tell me the techniques later."
"..."
Haruto has always been the one getting freebies from Byakuya; when did this kid learn his trick?
"If there are any problems with Father, I'll send you another message via Hell Butterfly."
After saying this, Byakuya turned to leave.
"..."
"I almost forgot!"
Then Byakuya, who had paused for a moment in front of the sliding door, suddenly clapped his hands and shouted.
Why are you making such a fuss?
"This--"
Byakuya pointed to the bundles piled up by the door... Haruto hadn't noticed them when he came in; he thought they were Byakuya's deluxe bento boxes.
What is that?
Haruto, also somewhat curious, got up and went over.
"Shortly after you left this morning, Captain Kyōshiba of the Fifth Division came to visit. These were left for you by name."
"Captain Kyōshiba?"
"Yes, he just returned from a mission in Rukongai."
When they met in District 66, Seigen Kyōshiba said he was going back to his hometown to visit... The two accounts differed slightly.
According to him, these were agreed upon beforehand...
"Tips and experiences on Lightning-based Kidō techniques."
"..."
With Soul Society in such a chaotic state lately, Captain Seigen must be incredibly busy since he just returned to Seireitei. It's amazing that he still remembers something he casually mentioned half a year ago.
"It seems..."
I need to find a good time to visit him.
Indeed, the hardest debts to repay are those owed to people who act out of pure goodwill.
Volume 1: Chapter 71, Slashing Fist
Shin'ō Academy, Zanjutsu Training Ground.
"Drink!"
"Drink!"
Second-grade students are practicing their swings in perfect unison.
As a first-year student at the Shin'ō Academy, all I'm assigned to is cleaning... and learning how to maintain my Zanpakuto under the guidance of my teachers.
"Whoosh."
Haruto pushed the door open from the back and walked in, waving to the teacher in the front row.
"?"
"Continue with this movement, do it another two hundred times!"
The teacher, facing the back door, clearly saw Haruto. While using his wooden sword to correct the student beside him who was trying to turn around, he walked towards the back of the room.
"Don't look back!"
"..."
A short while later.
"Teacher Nagaki."
Outside the training ground for Zanjutsu.
The square-faced man with a small mustache is Nagaki Sōshū Tetsu instructor of Zanjutsu at the Shin'ō Academy.
"Haruto."
The two clearly knew each other.
What are you doing here?
I can't believe it Nagaki asked curiously.
Since the disaster of the Konsō Internship in the World of the Living, the number of fifth and sixth-year students at the Shin'ō Academy has plummeted. Nagaki Sōshū Tetsu has not seen them here for a long time. Apart from a very few who lost their fighting spirit and chose to drop out, most of the students who remained could be considered to have experienced life and death compared to their former classmates.
After Mutsuki Shōkaku became the principal, he gave these people a great deal of autonomy.
Basic courses like Zanjutsu practice are almost deserted now, while the Kidō Martial Arts Arena is packed every day...
Haruto deserves some credit for this.