Chapter 68
Encountering such situations always leads to trouble.
"Soul Gold to be split equally?"
Haruto picked up the heavy, golden harvest from the ground—even using Soul Gold, such a valuable currency, the quantity was still ridiculously large.
"Good!"
Four corpses.
Including the bids at the auction, the two of them earned a total of over three thousand gold coins.
Most of them came from room number 30, from that unknown Soul Reaper, while the majority were generously provided by the Tsunayashiro Clan.
That's equivalent to each of them receiving 1,500 gold coins—a truly enormous sum. Just look at the price of that Zanpakuto at the auction; most nobles in Soul Society couldn't afford that much money.
"Senju Kōten Taihō..."
Next, I discovered a secret technique from Uji.
Even though his body had been cut into such a state by the Senbonzakura, the book containing the secrets of the Kidō remained unharmed. The materials used to make this thing were probably even more precious than Soul Gold.
"Take the secret recipe; we don't need any more of it."
"Good."
Haruto accepted Byakuya's kindness.
Certainly.
He hasn't even started learning Hyōga Seiran yet, let alone Senju Kōten Taihō; as a Hadō with a number of 90 or higher, it's basically impossible for him to master it before reaching the Third-Class Reii, that is, before becoming Captain-level.
Even Kidō like Haruto, with Byakuya's help in translating the coded messages, would probably only dare to attempt it after reaching the Fourth-Class Spiritual Pressure.
Give me both of those Zanpakuto.
"No problem."
Uji's Kaleidoscope was torn to pieces by Senbonzakura, but his other Zanpakuto was preserved intact.
As for the Zanpakuto of Tsunayashiro Mamoru and Senju Shinran, they have already turned into Reishi and disappeared: this is the proper fate for Zanpakuto that have been released after the death of Soul Reaper Zanpakuto. Those that can be preserved intact are inseparable from the special characteristics of the Soul Reaper or the Zanpakuto.
Byakuya wanted the two Zanpakuto not to take advantage of Haruto, but as evidence to report the events of the night to Ginrei Kuchiki; after all, the Tsunayashiro Clan was involved, and Byakuya himself dared not make the decision—
He is already prepared to accept criticism.
This is also a way to protect Haruto; it's difficult for a noble family like the Kuchiki Clan to have the means to confront the Tsunayashiro Clan.
Haruto must remember this favor.
"..."
Seeing Byakuya's somewhat silent demeanor, Haruto casually asked:
"What's wrong."
"Dividing the spoils... no, I mean, acquiring the loot, shouldn't that be even more exciting?"
Byakuya didn't seem very satisfied.
Where did you learn all this from?
"In the book."
"You're starting at the very end, where's the excitement in that?"
"... That seems to make sense too."
Today's harvest is certainly very satisfying for Haruto.
But neither Soul Gold, Zanpakuto, nor Kidō Secret Techniques mean much to Byakuya... at most, they give him a temporary surplus of pocket money.
But compared to the scolding I got when I got home, I didn't seem to be that happy.
"Okay."
Haruto gently patted Byakuya's shoulder.
"Exciting things happening in Soul Society..."
"There will be plenty more in the future."
――――
Volume 1: Chapter 44, Please Begin Your Performance
Six months later.
Shin'ō Academy, Shin'ō Grand Training Ground.
"Hadō #54"
"Haien!"
The familiar short man swung his arm forcefully, and a purple fireball the size of his head hurtled towards him like a volleyball being slapped away.
"Rush"
"Bang!"
With a gentle stroke of his calloused fingers, the Reiatsu condensed from the Haien instantly dissipated.
"――"
The noisy audience fell silent instantly.
"That's fine."
Haruto clapped his hands together.
"Your Kidō have improved; there should be no one among the five students who can rival you."
The one who sang the Haien was Gyōkaku Kumoi.
Haruto served as a "teaching assistant" in Class 5-1 for half a year, and the boy, who was initially unruly, gradually became less arrogant.
The first batch of wounded soldiers from the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force returned to Soul Society two weeks ago to recuperate.
Progress on the Forest of Menos has not been as smooth as expected, and the personnel shortage remains enormous.
So these six-year graduates still have to keep doing this job.
"Is there any progress...?"
Gyōkaku Kumoi was not very satisfied with this evaluation.
For some noble children, enrolling in the Shin'ō Academy can indeed help them quickly improve their strength.
Whether it's the environment or one's mindset, change can often play a significant role.
In just six months.
Not only has Gyōkaku Kumoi become more proficient in the art of using the Haien —a secret Kidō of the Kasumioji Clan —but his Rei'i Grade has also recently been raised.
Such progress is something that could never be achieved by staying at the Kasumioji Clan.
However.
Gyōkaku Kumoi glanced silently at Haruto's fingers.
Although his Reiatsu was not as strong as Haruto's, he had at least broken through to the Eighth-Class Reii. His most proficient Hadō, was actually deflected by Haruto with just two fingers...
The gap in strength is too vast.
Moreover, Haruto was only their teacher in name; to put it bluntly, he was just an upperclassman who wasn't even a formal Soul Reaper.
Thank you for your guidance, Teacher!
Gyōkaku Kumoi bowed deeply, then quickly retreated back to the audience seats.
"..."
"This younger generation has changed a lot."
Isane, also wearing a sixth-grade uniform, walked up from behind.
"That is, if I can keep him under control."
Haruto turned his head and said with a smile.
"High-ranking nobles are not lacking in patience; he just hasn't found an opportunity to surpass me yet, otherwise he would only be more arrogant."
Haruto has learned quite a bit about this brat from the Kumoi Clan over the past six months.
"Oh, right."
"You came all this way, what did you find?"
The Shin'ō Grand Training Ground was opened to the public without time restrictions three months ago, and there are more than just Class 5-1 people gathered here.
Isane's class is also here.
"Um..."
"The biggest takeaway is that I'm probably out of luck for this quarterly exam."
Although Isane sounded disappointed, her tone was quite cheerful... It seems there aren't any troublesome rebellious students in her class.
"The best student in Class Three is only somewhat proficient with the Shakkahō; he's probably out of the running for the competition."
Isane brought the fifth-year students to the training ground, mainly to let them see the difference in skill level:
Based on Gyōkaku Kumoi's "Haien" move just now, many sixth-grade students of their grade wouldn't be able to withstand it, let alone fifth-grade students.
"... That's true."
If it weren't for the Shin'ō Academy's transfer system, which has a minimum time limit for enrollment, Gyōkaku Kumoi could have directly entered the sixth year with his abilities.
"Wrong!"
Suddenly remembering something, Isane interrupted Haruto somewhat anxiously.
"What's wrong?"
"Quarterly exams!"
"Uh... I didn't go last quarter either."
The Four Seasons Exams, which required a class representative to participate, saw Haruto's overwhelming performance at the entrance ceremony prevent anyone from challenging him.
When Haruto went there at the end of last quarter, he stayed in the audience with his eyes closed, resting for the entire morning.
"No, this time someone wants to challenge you."
"Who?"
With the combination of the Raikōhō and the Tōzanshō, Seated Officer of the Gotei 13 would be scratching his head in the face of such an offensive and defensive Kidō combination.
Haruto couldn't imagine anyone being so foolish as to think about this.
"Mikazuki- kun."
Isane's voice was never loud, but her manners were always impeccable.
"... Goodness, Munechika hasn't given up yet."
Haruto was truly shocked this time.
"Hasn't he been busy dating Juzu these past few months?"
Haruto hasn't paid attention to Munechika for a long time, but when Ayaka occasionally chats with him about gossip, she mentions interesting anecdotes from other classes, including the love story between Munechika Juzu.
Whether it's self-abandonment or biding their time, these two have been frequently seen using Solar Flare to bully the Cave Goblin in the sixth-grade activity area lately.
"That's hard to say."
A playful voice came from behind.
As if on cue, a woman with a ponytail tied into a long, smooth spiky shape and adorned with Ayaka and a natural makeup-like appearance suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Ayaka first greeted Isane:
Good morning, Isane!
If it weren't for Haruto, Isane and Ayaka wouldn't actually be very close in private.
However, since there are two students Kotetsu in the class, they use the more intimate way of calling each other by their given names to distinguish between them.