Chapter 188

The official name of this thing is "Still Silver". Although Haruto's is not large in size, its Reiatsu density is extremely exaggerated.

After it was removed, the Reishi that Haruto absorbed from the outside world were no longer attracted and fused with the Still Silver, but were instead all transformed into part of his own Reiatsu.

In just this short time, the concentration of the original Reiatsu stored in the Hakusui through the Saketsu has already exceeded the upper limit of the Fifth-Class Reii.

In other words...

Even without compressing his Haruto through the Soul King Hakusui, Haruto's Rei'i Grade is still a solid fourth-tier.

But...

Haruto's feelings at this moment are somewhat similar to Byakuya's.

Since they're already fighting so fiercely with Captain-level combat power, the basic Rei'i Grade doesn't seem that important anymore.

Certainly.

There are actually some benefits: compressing Reiatsu from level four to level three takes significantly less time compared to before.

If Haruto focuses on absorbing and converting Reiatsu, he can accumulate enough Third-Class Reii to reach the level of an ordinary Captain-level in three days.

What's the situation over there?

Haruto nodded in the direction of Hiyori.

Besides them, two more figures dressed in Shihakushō appeared on the roof... they both looked like Soul Reaper from the Twelfth Division.

"Although your Thirteenth Division is the one actually carrying out the executor's orders, the Seireitei Research Institute also has the responsibility of monitoring the three realms; with such a major commotion occurring in the World of the Living Jūreichi, the Soul Reaper of the Gotei 13 should have arrived long ago."

"These are the subordinates Kirio Hikifune had already spoken to."

Byakuya glanced at the Soul Reaper of the Twelfth Division.

They were not from the Seireitei Research Institute, and judging from their Shihakushō, they did not have the status of Seated Officer, yet their attitude towards Hiyori was quite respectful.

--It is indeed a direct descendant of Kirio Hikifune.

"You've managed to get things done fairly well; they're here to inform you of the specific reporting time... You and your Quincy companion don't have much time left to operate."

"It doesn't matter."

Haruto shook his head.

"We're all done here."

Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Lily and Isane, who were huddled together whispering: Once they had exchanged identities, Lily would definitely be able to get a ton of juicy gossip... Just the surname Kotetsu alone could make quite a story out of it.

"We'll have to wait until we get back to Soul Society to discuss the rest."

"Sōken."

This was the first time Haruto had addressed Sōken Ishida directly by his given name.

"Give..."

Haruto tossed over some old flip phones—these were "Denreishinki" used by Soul Reaper when operating in the World of the Living. After all, the Reiatsu required by the Hell Butterfly was relatively fixed, and not every Soul Reaper could afford to use them.

"This Hell Butterfly that can contact me shouldn't be too difficult for you to modify a little, right?"

Being able to create silver clusters that are effective against Yhwach, Sōken Ishida is at least a senior researcher within the Quincy.

"..."

Sōken Ishida glanced at it and then tossed the Denreishinki back.

"Need not."

Also included was a Quincy Cross symbolizing the Ishida Family.

"Give me that Silver Cross Quincy Medallion you have; we can use it to communicate directly."

"Reiatsu exceeding two hundred li is calculated separately."

"... OK."

Haruto agreed.

Sōken Ishida wasn't worried about being tracked; he was simply handing over what he had promised Haruto: he had already taught him everything about condensing, maintaining, and releasing the Heilig Pfeil, and what remained was the spiritual tool used to "extend" the bow.

This thing is similar to the Soul Reaper's Asauchi.

While you can create Heilig Pfeil without the Quincy Cross, its assistance increases efficiency by more than double or triple.

Haruto glanced one last time at Sōken Ishida and Isumi Ishida, whom he had picked up in a princess carry.

"Bon Voyage."

"... Thanks."

The Still Silver has been handed over to Sōken Ishida; the rest is no longer Haruto's concern.

You're welcome. Just remember your two favors.

As a Reishi space, similar to the Anywhere Door, quietly opened behind them, the two Quincy quickly disappeared into it.

Only Haruto knew that the two of them hadn't gone far at all, but had settled down in Karakura Town, a Jūreichi.

This includes considerations such as the blind spot being right under one's nose.

However, the main reason is Karakura Town's advantageous location:

Without the support of Reishi from the Jūreichi, the two had no chance of becoming stronger or raising offspring: the Soul Society was under the absolute surveillance of the Seireitei, and Hueco Mundo was too dangerous for Quincy; they had very few options.

"You two."

After Sōken Ishida left, the two from the Twelfth Division also quietly slipped away from Haruto's nose—although they had received instructions from Kirio Hikifune beforehand, witnessing Soul Reaper and Quincy coexisting peacefully was still quite an experience...

As independent intelligence agents under Kirio Hikifune, they actually knew that this was probably a kind of tradition in the past Thirteenth Division.

In conclusion

To avoid being silenced by the ruthless Thirteenth Division, they relayed the message from Soul Society to Hiyori and then fled at top speed.

"Shall we go over each other's statements?"

"..."

Hiyori and Kanmuri Yasu exchanged a glance.

They certainly didn't want to get involved in the power struggle between the powerful nobles, Kuchiki and Tsunayashiro, especially since they had previously agreed to Haruto's suggestion.

Now we have no choice but to continue down this path; it's the best solution for everyone.

"Become!"

Kanmuri Yasu nodded emphatically.

"So... shall we go back to Soul Society?"

Haruto had already anticipated how long the report he would have to write would be, but with Isane there, things became much simpler.

"... Lily, do you want to come along?"

Lily was still whispering with Isane, and Haruto had almost forgotten about her.

Can I do it too?

Lily was clearly very interested.

"As long as the paperwork is complete, the Seireitei and the Gotei 13 do not refuse visits from their colleagues in Reverse London."

Isane answered the question on Haruto's behalf.

What if there isn't?

"Then when you go back, you'll have to travel overland through the West District 80 to Reverse London."

Lily, who was acting entirely on a whim, was instantly deflated by Haruto's interruption.

"... Then I won't go."

"Just kidding."

Haruto smiled and pointed to Byakuya beside him.

"Actually, this handsome young man has Senkaimon at home. You can just go back to the World of the Living and find a plane to fly back to London."

"... That's great!"

That's all.

Haruto's tumultuous three-day journey through the World of the Living has come to an end.

With his use of the Kaijō to open the portal to the Thirteenth Division, Byakuya and his vanguard team embarked once again on their journey back to Soul Society.

"... A-Qing?"

Isane, who was second to last, turned around and glanced at Haruto steps were a little slow.

"Coming right now!"

Haruto responded quickly, and Isane was completely unaware of anything amiss.

Just because...

Haruto glanced at his right hand, which was not holding a knife.

The Quincy Cross that Sōken had just given him briefly transformed into a blurry "Spirit Bow" in his hands; and the moment this Spirit Bow was formed, it immediately combined with the Fullbring that had only recently taken shape.

The Quincy Cross, which should have been the grip for a bow and arrow, was transformed into a tsuba (handguard) used to hold the scabbard in place.

That's right.

That was a...

A brand new, physical "Asauchi" technique.

Volume 1: 114, The Seireitei Report

One month later.

Seireitei, in front of the gate to the Kuchiki Clan's Senkaimon.

"You can leave it here!"

Lily, having enjoyed a pleasant vacation in Soul Society, is preparing to return to the World of the Living and take the London route back to her job.

As for why WB's public holidays are so long, Lily hesitated and refused to say.

"We weren't planning on going to the World of the Living with you anyway."

Haruto shrugged.

"Ouch~"

"How could such heartless words come out of a mouth that's 37 degrees?"

Lily rushed forward and poked Haruto hard with her elbow... The latter had been practicing with Blut recently, so instead of causing any effective damage, she ended up getting a red mark on Lily through her thick clothing.

"Where does a spirit get its temperature?"

Humans cannot touch Soul Reaper, so they cannot perceive temperature... Of course, this does not apply to witches.

"... Can't we just talk like this?"

Lily promptly rolled her eyes at Haruto.

"Bon Voyage?"

"Hehehe."

Lily stuck out her tongue forcefully, ignoring Haruto's lustful attitude, and immediately turned around to hug Isane tightly.

"Isane ~"

I'll miss you! You absolutely must come visit Reverse London if you have a vacation!

"Okay, okay!"

Faced with Lily burying her head in her chest, Isane responded helplessly.

What about me? What about me?

Ayaka teased from the side.