Kaien Shiba

The grand graduation ceremony came to a close, and a fresh chapter of the future slowly unfolded before the gates of their respective division barracks.

Liu Hao, along with several other graduates assigned to the Fourth Division at the same time, followed Captain Unohana—whose demeanor was as calm as a deep pool yet carried a reassuring strength—through the neat and solemn streets of the Seireitei, finally arriving at the Fourth Division Barracks.

Unlike the atmosphere of the combat division quarters, which was filled with a lethal and razor-sharp training aura, the Fourth Division Barracks presented a completely different style. The buildings were dominated by white and pale green tones, staggered in an orderly fashion, with a tranquil and clean environment; the air was permeated with a faint, soothing fragrance of herbal medicine and the scent of Reishi purifiers. Although the passing Soul Reapers walked quickly, their expressions were focused and calm, with little commotion. This place resembled a hall of knowledge and life rather than a gladiatorial arena for pure power.

Standing before the barracks gates and looking at the quaint "Four" division emblem on the lintel, Liu Hao felt an indescribable sense of emotion and groundedness surge in his heart. Finally... no longer a cadet, no longer a reserve. Liu Hao, from this moment on, you are an official Soul Reaper of the Fourth Division of the Gotei 13. This identity meant not only the recognition of power, but even more, a heavy responsibility and a starting point where he could truly take root and unleash his ambitions.

Upon entering the barracks, after a simple personnel registration and housing arrangement, Liu Hao was assigned to an elite medical squad directly under the jurisdiction of Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, responsible for critical emergency care and special case treatment. This assignment was undoubtedly the best proof of his outstanding performance during the internship period and the recognition of Captain Unohana.

In the days that followed, Liu Hao's life entered a different kind of tense and fulfilling rhythm. He no longer needed to attend those basic theoretical classes; instead, he followed Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu and the experienced senior members of the squad, plunging into real diagnosis and treatment work.

From identifying complex injuries caused by various reasons such as Hollow power erosion, Kidō backlash, and Zanpakuto wounds, to learning how to precisely adjust Kaidō intensity and technique based on the patient's constitution, Reiatsu attributes, and injury location, and then to participating in assisting emergency surgeries and post-operative rehabilitation care... every day, he encountered new cases, learned new knowledge, and accumulated valuable practical experience. The medical system of the Fourth Division was vast and exquisite, and Liu Hao was like a dried sponge, greedily absorbing the nutrients of this ocean.

On this afternoon, Liu Hao had just finished assisting in the stable treatment of a Squad Six member who had suffered severe Reiatsu tremors after executing a high-risk mission, and was organizing medical records. Suddenly, he heard a familiar, boisterous shouting voice coming from outside the treatment station.

"Liu Hao! Liu Hao! Where is your brat?! Come out quickly! Me and Rukia came to see you!"

It was the voice of Renji Abarai!

Liu Hao put down the clipboard in his hand, a smile appearing unconsciously on his face, and walked quickly toward the door. Just outside the open space of the treatment station stood two familiar figures, one red and one purple.

Renji Abarai wore a brand-new Shihakushō, his signature red hair still flamboyant and full of spirit, looking as though his life in the 11th Division was like a fish in water.

Beside him stood Rukia, whom he had not seen for a long time. She had also changed into a standard Shihakushō, covered on the outside with a light purple haori embroidered with the Kuchiki Clan crest; her demeanor was calmer than it had been at Shin'ō, and her purplish-gray eyes lit up with joyful radiance when she saw Liu Hao.

"Renji! Rukia!" Liu Hao went up to greet them, his tone carrying the joy of reunion. "How do you two have the time to come over together?"

Renji Abarai came up and slapped Liu Hao hard on the shoulder, grinning as he said, "What do you mean 'come together'? We come to see you all the time, okay! It's you, brat, who holes up in this 'sterile room' of the Fourth Division all day, deaf to the world outside!"

Rukia cast a sidelong glance at Renji, gently pushed him, and explained to Liu Hao, "Liu Hao, it's like this. I've officially joined the Thirteenth Division. After gradually getting used to the affairs in the division, I've had a bit more free time. Thinking that the three of us haven't gathered in a long time, I asked Renji to come and see you together." Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of a young maiden's cheerfulness.

"I see! Congratulations, Rukia, on officially becoming a Thirteenth Division member." Liu Hao congratulated her sincerely, and then said somewhat apologetically, "However... you guys might need to wait a little while. My shift isn't over yet, and I still have a bit of finishing work on hand."

"It's fine, we're not in a hurry." Rukia nodded understandingly. "It just so happens that Renji and I can chat about his recent 'heroic deeds' in the 11th Division." She cast a teasing look at Renji.

"Hey! Rukia!" Renji's old face turned red, and he hurriedly changed the subject, pulling Rukia to sit on a shaded bench near the treatment station, beginning to "accuse" Captain Zaraki of how "inhumanly" he drilled them new recruits.

About half a shichen later, Liu Hao finished the tasks on hand, reported to Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu, and got off work a little early. He changed out of the medical team's white outer robe, wore his regular Shihakushō, and walked out of the treatment station.

"Liu Hao! Over here!" Renji Abarai had sharp eyes and immediately waved, shouting.

Liu Hao walked over with a smile. "Sorry for the wait. Let's go, the usual spot?"

"Of course! I've been missing the taste of that skewered grill place for a long time!" Renji responded immediately.

"Mm, okay." Rukia nodded in agreement as well.

The three of them walked together, familiar with the route as they passed through a few streets and came to a small skewered grill shop located in a relatively working-class neighborhood that they used to frequent while still at Shin'ō. The shop was not big, but the owner's culinary skills were authentic, the prices were affordable, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Sitting in a window-side corner inside the shop, ordering their usual grilled skewers and green tea (tea of Soul Society), the three long-separated friends opened the floodgates of conversation. The aroma of the grilled skewers and the rising steam quickly dispelled the slight unfamiliarity of their initial meeting.

Rukia enthusiastically recounted her life in the Thirteenth Division to her two good friends: how she adapted to the new environment, learned to handle division affairs, participated in patrols and purification missions, and... the care shown to her by the seniors in the division.

"Especially our lieutenant, Kaien Shiba-sama." When Rukia mentioned this name, her eyes clearly lit up, and her tone carried undisguised closeness and respect. "He really takes great care of me. Knowing that I came from Rukongai and am a newly joined member who doesn't understand many things, he always teaches me patiently and leads me to familiarize myself with the division's rules and mission procedures. Moreover, he doesn't have any of the airs of the nobility; his personality is particularly bright and enthusiastic, and everyone in the division likes him. He also frequently invites me to his home as a guest, and Dō-nee (Shiba Miyako) is also particularly nice and very gentle..."

Listening to Rukia's happy recounting, the smile on Liu Hao's face stiffened imperceptibly.

Kaien Shiba... Thirteenth Division Lieutenant...

This name, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up towering waves in Liu Hao's heart! Countless memory fragments regarding the original plot rushed over—that sunny, loyal, and deeply loved young lieutenant; the tragic figure who was parasitized by the monster "Metastacia" created by Aizen through the "Hollowfication Experiment", ultimately losing his sanity and having to be "ended" with her own hands by Rukia, who was present at the time; and furthermore, the heavy shadow and trauma left in Rukia's heart by this incident, which accompanied her almost throughout her life, ultimately indirectly leading to her passing her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo Kurosaki in the World of the Living, triggering a series of subsequent magnificent yet painful stories...

Liu Hao's heart shrank violently, and the fingers holding the teacup tightened involuntarily. He had not expected that the bond between Rukia and Kaien Shiba had already begun so deeply and so quickly. He even less expected that this hidden, immense crisis and tragedy might not be far from reality.

[No... absolutely must not let it happen!] An extremely clear thought exploded in Liu Hao's mind. [Not to change some 'plot', but... Rukia is our companion, she finally found family in the Kuchiki Clan, and found belonging and a senior-like superior whom she respects in the Thirteenth Division... I cannot let her experience that heart-tearing pain of killing a cherished person with her own hands again! Kaien Shiba... such an outstanding person should not end in that way either! Something must be done! This established tragedy must be changed!]

"...Liu Hao? Liu Hao!" Renji Abarai's voice pulled Liu Hao back from his churning thoughts.

"Ah?" Liu Hao snapped back to his senses, finding that both Renji Abarai and Rukia were looking at him strangely.

"What's wrong with you? Why did you suddenly zone out while talking? Your complexion is also a bit ugly." Renji Abarai leaned closer and asked with concern, "What are you thinking about? So engrossed?"

"N—nothing." Liu Hao quickly adjusted his expression, squeezed out a smile, and concealed the surging waves in his heart. "Maybe I'm just a bit tired today. Rukia, continue, Vice-Captain Shiba really sounds like a very good senior."

Rukia looked at Liu Hao, seemingly sensing that he was somewhat absent-minded, but still nodded and continued talking.

Liu Hao, however, could no longer listen as relaxedly as before. While dealing with the conversation, his brain spun at high speed, pondering countermeasures. Tell Rukia and Renji directly about what would happen in the future? No, the source of the information could not be explained, and they might not believe it, which could also alert the enemy. Secretly investigate the appearance patterns of Metastacia and Aizen's movements? With his current identity and strength, the difficulty was extremely high, and it would easily arouse Aizen's vigilance...

A relatively feasible thought gradually emerged. He needed to observe and contact Kaien Shiba at closer range, understand his movement patterns, and at the same time, he also needed a reasonable excuse to intervene in or warn against a potential crisis to a certain extent.

"Rukia," Liu Hao took advantage of a pause in Rukia's narrative to interject appropriately, his tone carrying just the right amount of curiosity and yearning. "Hearing you say that, Vice-Captain Shiba really is an admirable senior. I wonder... if it's convenient, find some time to introduce me and Renji to him as well? We also want to thank him in person for taking care of you, and by the way... if we could get some pointers from such an outstanding senior, that would be even better."

Hearing this, Renji Abarai's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated somewhat. "Ah? This... Liu Hao, why did you suddenly want to get to know Vice-Captain Shiba? People are lieutenants after all, and we're just newly joined junior members..."

Liu Hao had already prepared his rationale and calmly explained, "No special reason, just that hearing Rukia talk about him so much makes me feel that a lieutenant without airs, who is enthusiastic in helping others and strong in ability, is definitely worth making friends with. Besides, I've always trusted Rukia's judgment."

"Me too!" Renji Abarai immediately echoed, but then frowned again. "However... Liu Hao, you also know that many among the nobility... are polite on the surface to people like us who come from Rukongai, but behind the scenes... Although the Shiba Clan seems to have declined now, I heard they were also one of the Four Great Noble Clans in the past. Will the lieutenant..."

"The people of the Shiba Clan seem to have always lived in Rukongai." Liu Hao said slowly, a trace of reminiscence in his gaze. "I remember when we were waiting to enroll in Rukongai back then, we heard that West Rukongai District 1, Junrinan, was home to a very famous firework maker named Kūkaku Shiba, who seemed to belong to the Shiba Clan. A family that would rather live in Rukongai and mingle with commoners—the breadth of mind of its members shouldn't be too narrow. Besides, if they really cared about background, how could they take such good care of Rukia, who also comes from Rukongai?"

Hearing this, Renji Abarai felt it made sense and nodded.

"No way!" Rukia immediately affirmed, her tone firm. "Vice-Captain Kaien and Dō-nee, they are really good and never look down on anyone because of their background! What they value is a person's character and hard work!"

Liu Hao looked at Rukia with a smile. "I believe your judgment, Rukia. So, if there's a chance, I really want to meet him."

"Mm! No problem!" Rukia agreed happily. "Vice-Captain Kaien also likes making friends in his usual time! He will definitely be very happy to meet you guys!"

Renji Abarai was also persuaded, scratched his head, and laughed, "Then... if they don't look down on us, getting to know each other is of course good! More friends mean more paths, right? However, Liu Hao is right, we have to work harder to become stronger! Only when we are strong yourself will others not dare to look down on us! By then, let those who gossip behind our backs talk all they want, it can't hurt us anyway!"

"Precisely so." Liu Hao nodded, a trace of firmness flashing in his eyes. Becoming stronger was not only to protect himself, but even more to have the ability to guard the people and things he wanted to protect, and to reverse those heartbreaking "inevitabilities."

Afterward, the three chatted more about the amusing anecdotes and cultivation insights of their respective divisions, and the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant again. After the gathering ended, Liu Hao and Renji Abarai first escorted Rukia safely near the Thirteenth Division quarters, and then each returned to their own division.

Returning to that quiet and neat single dormitory of the Fourth Division, Liu Hao had no sleep at all. He sat by the window, gazing at the eternal moonlight of the Seireitei, and repeatedly pondered matters concerning Kaien Shiba in his mind. How to warn? How to intervene? How to maximize the chances of changing that tragic ending without exposing his own secrets? This required a careful plan, the right timing, and... sufficient strength and luck.

In the months that followed, the three maintained the habit of regular gatherings. Once, under Rukia's active arrangement, Kaien Shiba readily accepted the invitation and joined their small gathering.

That was a gathering at a quite famous izakaya in Junrinan. When Kaien Shiba appeared, Liu Hao met this legendary lieutenant at close range for the first time. He had short dark blue hair, a bright and sunny smile, clear and vibrant eyes, and his speech and mannerisms were filled with unconstrained boldness and sincere concern. He chatted with Liu Hao and Renji without any airs, asked about their adaptation situation in the new divisions, shared some embarrassing stories and experiences from when he had just joined the division, and occasionally gave some incisive pointers on combat techniques and Reiatsu usage.

In just a single contact, Liu Hao developed a great liking for Kaien Shiba. This person, just as Rukia described and the original plot displayed, was an outstanding Soul Reaper who truly possessed a pure heart, loyalty, and personal charm. And his wife Shiba Miyako, that gentle, quiet female Soul Reaper who also originated from Rukongai, likewise gave a feeling of a gentle breeze. Both husband and wife showed meticulous care toward Rukia, and also expressed a sincere welcome to Liu Hao and Renji as two "Rukongai juniors."

After this meeting, Liu Hao and Renji Abarai went to the Thirteenth Division to find Rukia even more frequently. Sometimes when Kaien Shiba was not busy with official duties and happened to run into them, he would enthusiastically drag them to the training ground to "give pointers."

His guidance style differed from the meticulous instruction of Captain Unohana or Fourth Division seated officers; it focused more on combat intuition, spirit cultivation, and adaptability, often allowing Liu Hao and Renji to suddenly see the light and benefit immensely from just a few words and a few demonstrations.

Renji Abarai was almost immediately completely "captured" by Kaien Shiba's pure and powerful combat style and unrestrained, bold personality. Every time he saw Kaien, he was as excited as a star-struck younger brother, and his admiration was beyond words. Needless to say about Rukia, she had long regarded the Kaien couple as trustworthy and reliable elder brothers and sisters.

Watching the two of them display heartfelt reverence and closeness in front of Kaien Shiba each time, Liu Hao felt both gratified (that they had met a truly good senior) and filled with indescribable anxiety and heaviness. The deeper this bond, the more terrifying the pain that might come in the future. He could only enjoy this hard-earned friendship and guidance with them while cultivating even harder, and at the same time quietly keep an eye on any information that might be related to "Metastacia" or abnormal Hollow incidents.

However, beneath the calm, undercurrents were already surging.

One day, Liu Hao had just finished a round of emergency treatment on several team members who had encountered a Hollow herd attack during patrol, and was washing his hands, preparing to go to the archives room to consult some volumes on rare Hollow poison cases. A Fourth Division member ran over hurriedly and told him someone was looking for him outside the barracks, saying they were from the Thirteenth Division.

Liu Hao was somewhat puzzled, wiped his hands, and walked out. Under the cherry blossom trees outside the barracks, the person standing there impressively was—Kaien Shiba.

He was not wearing a Shihakushō today, but rather casual clothes convenient for movement. His expression looked as bright as usual, but Liu Hao acutely sensed that deep within his eyes, there seemed to be a trace of imperceptible... probing and solemnity.

"Vice-Captain Shiba?" Liu Hao was somewhat surprised. "Why did you come? Is something the matter with Rukia?"

"No, Rukia is doing fine." Kaien Shiba smiled, walked up, and patted Liu Hao on the shoulder. "Liu Hao, I have something I want to talk to you about alone, is it convenient? Shall we go walk over there?"

Liu Hao's heart tightened slightly, but outwardly he remained unperturbed. "Of course you can, Vice-Captain."

The two left the Fourth Division barracks area and walked slowly along a relatively secluded mountain path leading to a slope overlooking parts of the Rukongai scenery. The early spring wind carried a chill, brushing against the grass and sporadic wildflowers along the road.

After walking for a stretch, Kaien Shiba broke the silence first. He did not beat around the bush, looking directly at Liu Hao with eyes that were always full of sunshine, appearing exceptionally earnest at this moment:

"Liu Hao, I've noticed... lately during these past few meetings, you seem to... always intentionally or unintentionally avoid me. Or rather, not avoid 'me', but... rather reluctant to let Rukia and Renji and them have excessive contact with me, right?"

Liu Hao's footsteps paused slightly. He had not expected Kaien Shiba's observation skills to be so sharp, nor had he expected him to ask so straightforwardly.

Kaien Shiba continued, "Your avoidance is very clever, without malice, and even carries a sort of... protective desire? But I can sense that it does not stem from aversion or alienation toward me. So, I am quite curious and care about it. Is it because... there is something about me that makes you feel uneasy, or might bring... bad influences to Rukia and the others?"

His tone was sincere, carrying concern rather than interrogation.

Liu Hao was silent for a moment, raised his head to look at the low houses and rising wisps of cooking smoke in the Rukongai distance, and then looked at the magnanimous and sharp lieutenant beside him. Some of the psychological defenses that had been tangled in his heart seemed to loosen somewhat at this moment.

He slowly spoke, his voice low: "I didn't expect... to be noticed by you. Vice-Captain Shiba, your observation skills are truly sharp."

He paused, choosing an entry point that was relatively safe and could partially explain his abnormal attitude.

"Actually... I am very willing and deeply honored to spend time and learn with an outstanding senior like you. Your guidance and character have both benefited me immensely and made me admire you sincerely." Liu Hao's tone was sincere. "It's just... every time I see Rukia, Renji, and the others looking at you with that unreserved reverence, trust, and happiness..."

His gaze became somewhat distant, as if piercing through space and time to see certain images deeply buried at the bottom of his heart.

"...it makes me unconsciously think of... those companions of mine who left forever when I was still in Rukongai."

Hearing this, Kaien Shiba's gaze shifted slightly, revealing a hint of understanding and sympathy. Regarding the past where Liu Hao, Renji, Rukia, and others had depended on each other for survival in Rukongai and suffered the painful loss of companions, he had heard more or less from Rukia.

"Is it because... you are afraid of losing important companions again, and thus produced a protective sense of detachment?" Kaien Shiba asked softly, his tone full of understanding.

Liu Hao, however, slowly shook his head, his gaze refocusing to look at Kaien Shiba. The complex emotions contained in that gaze made even this knowledgeable lieutenant feel a slight tremor in his heart.

"It's not as simple as being afraid of 'losing again', Vice-Captain." Liu Hao's voice was very soft, yet carried a texture of bone-deep pain. "I am afraid... that in the future, Rukia will experience that kind of...'heart-tearing' pain that I once felt."

He took a deep breath, as if gathering the courage to say the words that followed.

"That kind of pain... I used to only see the term 'heart-tearing' in books, and always thought it was an exaggerated description of the spirit, an illusion brought by extreme sadness."

His fingers curled unconsciously.

"Until... I watched with my own eyes as Kosuke dissolved in my arms, watched Kenta smile at me at the end and then turn into light dust... At that moment I knew, 'heart-tearing' is actually a real physical sensation."

Liu Hao raised his hand, pressing it gently against the position of his left chest, his eyes hollow as if he were dragged back to that desperate dusk once more.

"It is not a metaphor, not an exaggeration. It is truly... feeling like the heart is grabbed by an invisible hand, and then... bit by bit, forcefully, slowly... torn open. You can clearly 'hear' that tooth-aching 'sound' of flesh and blood being separated (even though it might be an illusion), can 'feel' the warm 'blood' instantly freeze, and then rush counter-current up to the throat... breathing is taken away, the strength in all limbs is instantly drained, and the sound and color of the whole world fade away, leaving only the continuous, extremely sharp, pure physical pain at the position of the heart."

His voice trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat even seeped from his temples, as if that terrifying pain had descended once more.

"Spiritual sadness, remorse, despair... those emotions certainly exist, surging fiercely. But compared to that physical agony of the heart being plucked apart alive... they are even briefly masked. What you feel first is the 'pain', the unbearable, near-collapse 'pain' of the body. And only then comes the boundless darkness and cold that follow."

Liu Hao lowered his hand, slowly exhaled a breath, and looked at Kaien Shiba, who was completely silent with shock and emotional turmoil in his eyes.

"That feeling... really makes one unforgettable for a lifetime, and... dares not recall it. Every time I think of it, my heart will reflexively twitch in pain."

He paused, his voice growing deeper, carrying a meaning close to a plea.

"Therefore, Vice-Captain, please understand. When I see Rukia, Renji, and the others being so close to you, so dependent on you, treating you as an important senior and elder brother... on the one hand, I am happy for them, feeling fortunate that they can meet such a good guide like you.

But on the other hand... deep in my heart, there is always a voice fearing and warning. I am afraid... afraid that someday in the future, if... if for any reason, this bond is forced to break in the most cruel way... will Rukia... also experience that kind of... 'heart-tearing' pain that I have experienced and never want any cherished person to experience again?"

"I don't hold any distrust or malice toward you, Vice-Captain. Quite the contrary, precisely because I see that you are such an outstanding and trustworthy person, and see that the bond built between Rukia and you is so sincere and beautiful... I am all the more afraid of the devastating blow that losing it might bring. My 'avoidance' is perhaps just a clumsy... stress response stemming from excessive overprotection."

The wind on the mountain slope blew gently. The faint noise of Rukongai in the distance drifted over, making the silence here all the more pronounced.

Kaien Shiba stared at Liu Hao for a long time. The unfeigned, deep pain and fear on the red-haired boy's face, as well as the near-obsessive desire to protect his companions in his words, deeply touched him.

He suddenly understood somewhat why Captain Unohana valued this boy so much, and why he could stand out in an environment like the Fourth Division that required extreme calmness and meticulousness. This deep understanding and reverence for "loss" and "pain" were perhaps the other side of his benevolent heart and resilience.

After a long time, Kaien Shiba reached out, forcefully and consolingly patted Liu Hao's shoulder, a bright and reassuring smile returning to his face, but with a few more parts of unprecedented solemnity and promise in his eyes.

"Liu Hao, I understand. Thank you for being willing to tell me this." His voice was firm and powerful. "I cannot guarantee that the future will be all smooth sailing; the path of a Soul Reaper is inherently full of unknowns and dangers. But—"

He straightened his body, looking at Liu Hao with burning eyes, and also seemingly seeing Rukia and Renji through him.

"I can promise you, and them as well. As long as I am still Kaien Shiba, the lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division, as long as I still have the ability to wield the Nejibana in my hand, I will definitely do my utmost to protect my team members, to protect these juniors who trust me and regard me as an elder brother.

I will be more cautious, stronger, and not let myself easily fall into dangerous situations, and even less... let that kind of 'heart-tearing' tragedy you mentioned happen to the companions I cherish."

"Rukia, Renji, and you, Liu Hao... you are all outstanding juniors approved by me, and the future hope of Soul Society. Watching you grow and become stronger is my pleasure and responsibility as a senior. So, rest assured. And please... have a little more confidence in me."

Liu Hao looked into Kaien Shiba's clear and firm eyes, listening to this solemn promise, and felt the anxiety and heaviness in his heart seemingly driven away somewhat by this warm and powerful sunshine.

He knew that verbal promises could not counter established plots and accidents, but at least he had successfully conveyed a strong "warning" signal to this key figure, stimulating his stronger self-protection and sense of responsibility. This perhaps was the first step of change.

"I understand, Vice-Captain." Liu Hao also revealed a relieved and sincere smile. "It was just me worrying over nothing. In the future... it won't be like that anymore. And please... take good care of yourself."

"Haha, naturally!" Kaien Shiba laughed, pulling Liu Hao into a strong embrace by the shoulder. "Let's go! Since you rarely come to find me, take me to see the famous herb garden of your Fourth Division? I heard you grow quite a few rare spirit herbs; I've wanted to see them for a long time!"

"Alright, Vice-Captain, this way please."

The two walked side by side toward the direction of the Fourth Division, the sunlight casting their shadows long. The crisis remained hidden beneath the calm water surface, but at least at this moment, the bridge of trust had been built, and the seeds of change had quietly been buried. What the future would hold, no one could know, but the determination to fight against fate and guard cherished things had become increasingly clear and firm in the young Soul Reapers' hearts.