Chapter 144
Ukitake's background may be related to him, but the things left behind by the First Generation Gotei 13 have probably already been taken away by Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
"If there's really nothing else, you could also give some pointers to the team members who rotated back from the World of the Living; they'd probably love to hear them."
"... good."
Haruto nodded.
"However, Captain Ukitake, I might not be very free for a while. I'll likely be in seclusion researching Kidō. If there are any missions to assign..."
"Just let me know using the Hell Butterfly."
"No problem."
Haruto's first appearance in the Thirteenth Division ended just like that.
However, he didn't need to worry that the team members wouldn't recognize him—the team flower "Tessula" on his shoulder, which symbolized "hope," and the clear number "four" on the flower were enough to prove Haruto's identity.
"Call."
Haruto was the first to walk out of the council hall.
"I am now officially Soul Reaper itself."
"But..."
Haruto had been to the Thirteenth Division for both his fifth and sixth year Konsō practice sessions, so he was somewhat familiar with the place; in addition, the Thirteenth Division's barracks were located on the edge of the Seireitei, and its area was much larger than that of the other divisions.
I don't know anyone in the Thirteenth Division.
"As for the Seated Officer... it's not convenient to talk to him casually in this position. It seems less relaxed than when I was at the Shin'ō Academy."
At least the Shin'ō Academy has a training ground that can defend against attacks from Captain-level, but the Thirteenth Division obviously doesn't have that kind of treatment.
Haruto doesn't plan to use Kuchiki Clan's services for the time being.
"..."
"Never mind."
Behind the Thirteenth Division barracks, there is a large open space that is used as a training ground.
"Go practice your new Kidō."
Volume 1: Chapter 088, Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō
"Whoosh."
Haruto randomly picked up two Soul Reaper on the road, intending to ask them where the Hollows imprisoned by the Thirteenth Division were kept.
Even if it's Hadō, that's one thing.
Since the goal is to practice advanced Bakudō, it's essential to find several living targets.
Unexpectedly...
"You two--"
Haruto had barely begun speaking when the two people who greeted him recognized him.
"Fourth Seat Haruto?"
"... Do you know me?"
Haruto had used Shunpo to get there, so the two of them didn't have time to observe him properly; they could only see his face.
They were able to determine Haruto's identity.
By the way...
Because of the Bone Strike- strengthening effect on his body, Haruto's consumption of energy when using Shunpo is much lower than that of a normal Soul Reaper, to the point that he can hardly walk normally anymore.
"When we rotated back to Soul Society six months ago, we had the privilege of witnessing Fourth Seat Haruto's brilliance at the Shin'ō Academy."
Six months ago?
The Shin'ō Academy isn't always open; I witnessed his battle within its grounds.
That must have been during the class representative competition.
The fight between Haruto and Munechika when they Shikai.
"I see."
"That makes things easier... What are your names?"
Haruto had no Seated Officer.
Haruto didn't disrupt the relaxed atmosphere that Kaien Shiba had cultivated in the Thirteenth Division.
Although the lax environment led to a lower casualty rate for the Thirteenth Division compared to other divisions, it still resulted in a relatively low casualty rate among the Gotei 13.
They were among the top performers; but as the saying goes, "eat well and sleep well," one has to choose one, and it's an adult's choice, so Haruto wouldn't say much.
"Kanemitsu."
"Gonshida."
The two immediately replied loudly.
"Good."
Haruto noted down the two men's names: for members of the squad, having such "plump" figures meant they were doing quite well.
"Thank you both for making this trip."
"I need a few virtual robots for experiments. Take me to see places like prison cells."
The Thirteenth Division, an open area.
This is the closest point between the inner Seireitei and Rukongai.
Originally, it was assigned to the Thirteenth Division for the purpose of building new barracks... but the expansion plan was shelved because the personnel of the Thirteenth Division had not increased for a long time, and it ended up as the training ground we see now.
There aren't many facilities anyway, so you can do whatever you want.
Thump.
Haruto casually waved his hand.
The spherical metal mesh containing the Giant Hollow landed on the ground with a dull thud—this method, similar to telekinesis, is actually a soft modification application of hedging... It's very useful for moving heavy objects.
"Call out."
The metal mesh transformed into a silver-gray marble in Haruto's hands.
"Um..."
Haruto observed carefully for a while.
"It can be hard or soft, and it can stretch and retract freely."
"This magical artifact is quite practical. Using it to imprison Hollows is a bit of a waste. Selling it in a women's goods store would be a much better way to make money."
Kuchiki Sōjun was wrong to judge Haruto as "a bit lewd." After his Zanpakuto was released, some of Haruto's true nature, which had been Shibari since leaving Rukongai, seemed to have begun to grow vigorously.
"Tsk."
Haruto casually tossed the small ball into the Kukai Box.
"You're not going to run away?"
Haruto looked at the Giant Hollow before him, which was motionless after being released—no, it should be said that it was trembling continuously—and spoke.
This guy's Reii is only Seventh Class, but he's already the strongest Giant Hollow imprisoned by the Thirteenth Division: those stronger ones are either beyond the capabilities of ordinary squad members and Seated Officers to capture, or are too difficult to capture and are directly killed by the lieutenant...
After all, their expertise doesn't match their skills, and they don't have the technical prowess of the Twelfth Division.
"Looks like you do have some good judgment."
Haruto walked up and patted the Giant Hollow that resembled a bear.
"Rest assured."
"If you behave, I'll give you a quick and painless death."
When the word "death" is mentioned...
Haruto's pupils contracted slightly, and he released a tiny bit of killing intent towards the Giant Hollow.
Then--
"Aww!!"
Under Giant Hollow fear, Juxu instinctively raised his bear paw and slammed it down hard on Haruto's head!
"Kuyō Shibari"
"Buzz."
And that was the end of it.
Xiong Xu's body froze in mid-air.
"Oh~"
Haruto carefully examined the nine jet-black beads surrounding Xiong Xu—although they weren't in direct contact, the spatial power emanating from them had already bound him tightly like a large net.
"Its range is larger than that of the Rikujōkōrō."
"If the former is used to deal with humanoid creatures, then the Kuyō Shibari is a specialized Bakudō specifically designed for Void research."
"... Small-scale group control seems to work well; it should also be useful for escorting prisoners."
Haruto has just come into contact with the Kuyō Shibari.
However, with his current level of Kidō cultivation, he could learn the advanced Bakudō of the seventy-something level in at least half an hour, if not learn them in a single glance.
Certainly.
Mastering it will take longer.
--It's not some profound, high-level Kidō; it'll definitely need to be modified and combined by Haruto before it's used for fun.
"Next..."
Haruto released the Kuyō Shibari from its control.
But after what had just happened, Xiong Xu refused to move again.
Haruto patted Xiongxu's thick and ferocious arm.
"Snap."
I sensed the change in the other person's aura.
You can leave now.
"..."
I said you can leave now.
"..."
"If you keep standing still—"
Kind advice is useless.
Haruto simply extended his index finger towards its Visored, and the Byakurai immediately made Xiong Xu feel his seriousness.
"Aww!!"
With a roar even louder than when he attacked, Xiong Xu used all his strength to stomp hard on the ground!
The enormous body hurtled towards Rukongai like a cannonball...
"Call."
It was burned to ashes.
"Um."