Chapter 139
Isane joined the Fourth Division.
The Kotetsu Clan are all veteran members of the Fourth Division. Retsu Unohana's special trip here is actually to show her high regard for Isane.
Kiyone also joined the Fourth Division, following her sister.
Upon realizing this, Haruto knew that the history of Soul Society that he knew was ultimately beginning to change subtly because of his appearance.
At last...
All the intense gazes were focused on Haruto, who had not yet made a choice.
Volume 1: Chapter 85, Joining the Team
In the past, it was the squads that selected the members.
Although the profession of Soul Reaper is dangerous, in the century before Quincy and Hollows were not active, the casualty rate was not actually that high.
Each squad is basically at full strength, so naturally they will be selective.
However, in the last ten years or so.
The Soul Society is in dire need of manpower everywhere, not to mention the emergence of a promising newcomer like Haruto.
His talent can be demonstrated by just one fact: Haruto defeated an Adjuchas- class Menos Grande without using his Bankai —a clear example of a vice-captain's peak strength, making him a future captain in the near future.
So.
That's why there are so many upper- and middle-ranking Gotei 13 in the Shin'yō Grand Auditorium today.
Faced with a scene resembling a meeting of the Espada, Haruto first secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then slowly walked towards the First Division.
Thump!
The iron staff fell to the ground.
"Ring~"
The crisp sound of metal rings clashing rang in my ears.
A man wearing a luxurious purple cloak, sporting a mustache and square-framed glasses, and carrying a cane suddenly appeared in front of Haruto:
The Great Kidō Master of the Kidō Corps, Tessai Tsukabishi.
"..."
"Great Kidō Daoist Priest?"
Haruto was startled by Tessai Tsukabishi's sudden appearance.
The other person was sitting very leisurely in the chair just a moment ago.
If Haruto hadn't known that spatial teleportation was a forbidden technique that couldn't be used in public, he would have completely misjudged this astonishingly fast Shunpo.
With just this simple instantaneous movement, he demonstrated combat power that was at least at the Second-Class Spiritual Pressure.
"Your Haruto."
Tessai Tsukabishi's voice was firm yet calm.
Moreover, as a high- Kidō priest whose status was similar to that of the Captain-Commander, he directly addressed Haruto as "Your Excellency," demonstrating the utmost courtesy.
"Your talent will surely shine brightly among the Kidō Corps."
"If you are willing to join the Kidō Corps..."
The voice of Tessai Tsukabishi vanished from his ears in an instant, and the next sound appeared directly in Haruto's mind—not a transmission like Tenteikūra, but a "pouring" style more akin to the Kidō Orb!
This means...
If the two sides are enemies, Tessai Tsukabishi can even suppress or control Haruto without shedding a drop of blood by using mental attacks!
Mind manipulation Kidō...
This thing, like spatial teleportation and time stop, is probably a forbidden technique that only a great Kidō master can access.
Haruto's surprise wasn't over yet.
Because Tessai Tsukabishi needed to avoid the crowd to tell him the message...
"Kidō No. 99."
"Whether it's the Five Dragon Destruction or the Bankin Taihō, I can teach you both."
"!!!"
The only word to describe Tessai Tsukabishi's generosity is "generous".
The Ninety-Nine Hadō and the Bakudō #99, two abilities ranking at the pinnacle of Kidō, were actually promised to be taught to me by this person right to my face?
This is beyond what the word "happiness" can describe.
Furthermore, Tessai Tsukabishi clearly stated that the final form of "Bankin" (Manji Kindness) is "Bankin Taihō" (Tessai Tsukabishi Sealing) – the Bakudō #99. "Bankin" has three forms, which can almost be considered three different levels of Kidō. Tetsuzai's straightforward statement is enough to prove his sincerity.
"..."
But.
Even under such immense temptation, Haruto managed to control his agitated state of mind.
Kidō No. 99?
Not everyone can pull this off.
Without Second-Class Spiritual Pressure, one can't even learn a hair's breadth of the ninety-ninth Kidō; but once Haruto advances...
By the time one reaches the Second-Class Spiritual Pressure, the position of Grand Kidō Master is not exactly within one's grasp, but at least the position of Deputy Kidō Hachigen Ushōda, has long been relinquished.
Back then...
Aside from forbidden techniques, all the numbered Kidō are already Haruto's, so there's no question of him teaching them.
The scene depicted by Tessai Tsukabishi was beautiful.
But Haruto wasn't a naive young man, and he wouldn't be so easily devoured—the Great Kidō Master hadn't offered him any chicken soup; he was just telling the truth, and from the perspective of the Kidō Corps, his sincerity was truly remarkable.
Unfortunately, Haruto knows a tiny bit more than that.
"I'm very sorry, Great Kidō Priest."
Haruto clearly declined Tessai Tsukabishi's invitation.
The reason is simple:
The current Kidō Corps are practically on the fringes of Seireitei's power, almost like appendages of the Gotei 13...
It's only slightly better than the Stealth Force.
"I still hope to join the Gotei 13."
This is also why Tessai Tsukabishi was so eager to find talented people: apart from himself and Hachigen Ushōda, the Kidō Corps had almost no other capable fighters.
In recent centuries, anyone with even a little talent has joined the Gotei 13.
It's rare to find someone as passionate about the Kidō Haruto; even the great Kidō master himself is getting restless.
Otherwise, given his status, he wouldn't be here.
"..."
Tessai Tsukabishi remained silent for a moment.
He wasn't the type to use eloquent words, nor was he particularly politically astute; he rose to this position simply because of his sheer power.
After seeing Haruto reject her--
"Then you can take this."
Instead of persisting, Tessai Tsukabishi took out a stone from his pocket and handed it to Haruto.
"This is?"
Haruto recognized the Kidō Orb in his hand at a glance.
"I heard from Captain Kyōshiba that you are very skilled in lightning-based Kidō."
"This is Kidō Orb I made myself, the 88th Hadō of the 'Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō'. I hope it will be helpful to you in the future."
"... This is far too valuable."
Haruto instinctively wanted to return the Kidō Orb to Tessai Tsukabishi.
Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō.
This technique is recognized Soul Society as having the strongest destructive power below the high-ranking Hadō, and it is Kidō that Tessai Tsukabishi created, developed, and recorded in his designation.
Dankū? Kyōmon?
For Haruto, who already had a fondness for lightning-themed items, the value of this Kidō Orb far exceeded...
The sum of the first two.
But!
As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit.
If Haruto accepts such a generous gift from the Kidō Corps for no reason, what will happen if they ever need his help in the future...?
"Haruto, there's no need for you to decline."
Haruto's mind was still reeling from Tessai Tsukabishi's voice, but the latter had already Shunpo returned to his seat, watching him from afar.
They didn't give Haruto a chance to refuse at all.
"..."
Haruto thought about it for a moment.
"Then I shall accept."
If Aizen had given him this Kidō, Haruto would have definitely found a safe made of Sekkiseki to store it properly.
But if you switch to Tessai Tsukabishi...
He had no grudges or entanglements with the Kidō Corps, and this Great Kidō Master was considered a righteous and loyal character.
Haruto felt he could accept this favor, as it would open up more avenues for future connections.
Haruto continued walking forward.
Although it looks a lot like a talent show, this is actually how the team usually joins in previous years. It just looks a bit strange this time because Haruto is the only one left.
As they passed the First Division, Genshirō Okikiba gave Haruto a very slight nod.
However, Marechiyo Ōmaeda of the Second Division—
"Brother Haruto!"
After defeating Adjuchas, Haruto's backup also grew considerably.
"Brother Marechiyo Ōmaeda."
Haruto, naturally, followed suit.
Whether it's the Second Division or the Shihoin Clan, they are all the most loyal allies, so it's always a good idea to maintain a good relationship.
Not to mention, Marechiyo Ōmaeda helped Haruto so much... Haruto owes him at least a good drink.
The Ōmaeda Clan is very wealthy.
But they remain keen on making money.
They would never refuse such a good opportunity—in the words of a future Second Division Captain, they were only thinking about their business back home.
"What good things did the Great Kidō Priest give you?"
Marechiyo Ōmaeda asked with a smile.
"It's nothing, just the number eighty-eighth Hadō of the Kidō Orb."
Haruto opened his palm to indicate.
"Oh?"