Rukia stood to the side, watching carefully. The burst of blue flame released from Su Xiuyu's palm lit up the surroundings in a brilliant arc. The area affected by his Blue Fire was far larger than what she remembered from the original No. 33 Kidō.
"Mr. Su, did you… modify the spell yourself?" she asked, a soft smile gracing her lips. It was a rare, girlish expression—though Su Xiuyu knew she was much older than she looked.
After all, most Shinigami in Soul Society had lifespans that far exceeded his own. Some, like Yamamoto Genryūsai, were practically immortal relics.
"Yes," Su Xiuyu replied frankly. "I made a few adjustments. The original range was too narrow to be of practical use."
He wasn't lying. In Su Xiuyu's mind, Kidō was akin to ninjutsu—useful, but only when adapted properly. Below the 90s, most Kidō spells were too weak or slow to use efficiently in battle. Sure, the chanted versions had more power, but the casting time made them liabilities in fast-paced combat.
No wonder most Shinigami relied on their Zanpakutō over Kidō techniques.
Rukia, however, was stunned by his nonchalance. That same kind of casual brilliance... she'd seen it before—in her brother. The way Su Xiuyu carried himself reminded her of Byakuya: composed, aristocratic, and effortlessly powerful. Though Byakuya's calm was rooted in nobility, Su Xiuyu's seemed born from experience.
Off to the side, Ishida Uryuu gave a stiff bow and walked away without another word. Whether it was shame or something else, no one could say. But with the incident resolved, everyone slowly dispersed.
Rukia left alongside an "invisible" Kurosaki Ichigo, while Orihime Inoue and Arisawa Tatsuki—no, Ryuki, Su Xiuyu corrected himself—chose to follow him instead.
"Why are you two tailing me?" Su Xiuyu asked, stopping mid-step and turning around. "If I recall correctly, your homes are in the opposite direction."
Orihime smiled sheepishly. "Actually, we were wondering if... if you could help us get stronger. We know it's sudden—and kind of selfish—but after everything that's happened…"
Her voice trailed off, and she tried to look pitiful. Arisawa Ryuki followed suit, though Orihime's attempt was so exaggerated that Su Xiuyu nearly laughed out loud.
"Cut it out with the dramatics. Strength doesn't come overnight. We'll start with the basics—physical training. If you're that determined, then keep up."
The moment he turned away, both girls grinned triumphantly behind his back. They thought they'd tricked him, but Su Xiuyu had already sensed the shift in their aura and intent. He simply let it slide.
After a short walk through the quiet streets of Karakura Town, they arrived at an open dojo.
"This place is huge!" Ryuki exclaimed, looking around in disbelief. "I didn't think there were buildings this big in a town like this—especially not ones this well-kept."
The dojo wasn't new, but the floors were polished and freshly restored. In Karakura, where most buildings were modest and tightly packed, having a place like this was almost unheard of.
Su Xiuyu remained indifferent to her awe. Money wasn't something he lacked.
As a founder of the Uchiha Clan, a key player behind Konoha's curtain, the unseen mastermind of the Marvel Earth timeline, and the next Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj, wealth was the least of his concerns.
Besides, worst case? He could always build another house with Wood Release.
Inside, Orihime and Ryuki were just admiring the dojo when a figure stepped out to greet them.
"Welcome home," Harribel said calmly.
The girls froze.
Standing in front of them was a tall, blonde bombshell with a body straight out of a swimsuit magazine. Her golden hair flowed like silk, and her aura screamed danger and allure all at once.
"H-Hello… N-nice to meet you," Orihime stammered, red in the face. "We're… um… we're Su Xiuyu's friends…"
It felt like walking in on someone's wife. Even her voice trembled with awkwardness.
Ryuki, by contrast, narrowed her eyes and quickly analyzed Harribel's strange attire. No wedding ring. No couple-like interaction. Despite her looks, they didn't act like lovers—much less husband and wife.
"Relax," Harribel said with her usual icy tone. "I'm just a friend of Su Xiuyu."
Her voice was calm, but her presence was anything but warm.
"S-Sorry, Mr. Su! We didn't know your… um… wife was home." Orihime immediately bowed, dragging Ryuki with her. "She looks angry…"
"She's not my wife," Su Xiuyu clarified bluntly. "Harribel's just staying here for now. My wife… isn't in this world anymore."
The girls went quiet. His voice was calm, but those words carried weight.
Still, the tension didn't last long. Curiosity replaced awkwardness.
"Wait… she's not human?" Ryuki asked suddenly.
Su Xiuyu nodded. "She's a Hollow. A Vasto Lorde, to be exact."
"WHAT?!"
Both girls stepped back instinctively. It was one thing to meet a beautiful foreigner, and another to realize that she was a Hollow—one of the most dangerous spiritual entities around.
"Don't worry. Harribel is my friend. She won't hurt you."
"But… Hollows are—aren't they supposed to be monsters?"
"Harribel's different," Su Xiuyu said. "She's more human than some actual humans I've met. And in case you're wondering—yes, the boobs are real."
Orihime nearly choked on her own breath, while Ryuki just rolled her eyes.
"So, uh… about training…" Orihime began, changing the subject as fast as she could.
"Come here after school every day," Su Xiuyu instructed. "We'll start with physical conditioning. Once your spiritual power awakens, the effects will multiply."
"Knew it!" Orihime pumped her fist excitedly, and Ryuki gave a determined nod.
As the two walked home, chattering about training plans and Hollow boobs, Su Xiuyu stood at the entrance to the dojo and smiled faintly, shaking his head.
They're full of energy. Good. They'll need it.
Meanwhile, in the quiet corridors of the Seireitei, the Kuchiki Clan had already begun mobilizing in secret. Though Rukia was technically adopted, the Kuchiki name carried weight—and her sudden disappearance had not gone unnoticed.
----------------
In Soul Society, the Kuchiki Clan stood tall as one of the four great noble houses. Their influence extended through the Gotei 13, their prestige untouchable, their name synonymous with elegance, discipline, and power.
As the current head of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya Kuchiki had once stirred considerable controversy by marrying a commoner—a scandal among nobles. But he endured the backlash with unwavering resolve. Sadly, the woman he loved so deeply, Hisana, passed away from illness after only five short years together.
For Hisana, those five years were the happiest of her life. And even on her deathbed, she had one final wish: for Byakuya to find and care for the younger sister she had abandoned in the Rukongai—Rukia.
Now, in the inner chambers of the Kuchiki estate, Byakuya stood before his grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrin. The old noble was stiff and austere, the very image of traditional values.
"Byakuya," Ginrin began, his tone formal but heavy with implication, "do you know how long it's been since your sister graduated and was sent to the human world for her internship? By now, it should have concluded. Yet she remains absent, and her mission incomplete."
He paused, his gaze narrowing.
"I've also heard troubling rumors. I hope, for her sake and yours, that they remain only that—rumors."
It wasn't a rebuke, not exactly. But for a man like Ginrin, even a hint of disapproval carried weight.
"I understand," Byakuya said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Afterward, he summoned his lieutenant.
"Abarai Renji."
Renji appeared quickly, stiffening under his captain's sharp gaze.
"Do you know what's going on with Rukia? Why hasn't she returned to Soul Society?"
Renji scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable.
"I'm not sure, Captain. Rukia hasn't contacted me lately. I figured she was still handling things in the human world, but... I don't know why she's been gone so long."
Byakuya was silent for a beat.
"I see. That will be all."
Renji bowed and took his leave, leaving Byakuya standing alone in thought.
---
Meanwhile, in the human world, Rukia Kuchiki was completely unaware of the unrest her absence had caused.
It wasn't that she didn't want to return to Soul Society—she couldn't. Her spiritual power had yet to fully recover. Without it, returning would be too risky. She couldn't even activate a Senkaimon on her own.
"Kurosaki Ichigo," Rukia said, arms crossed as she glared at him from atop a streetlamp. "Haven't you learned your lesson? We still need more training. That man—Su Xiuyu—is on a completely different level. If you get a chance, try to make contact with him."
Ichigo looked up, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. But I don't even know how to reach him. I'll ask Orihime and Ryuki if they've got his number or something."
Over the weekend, Ichigo had hardly been home. He'd spent his time patrolling with Rukia, hunting Hollows, and throwing himself into combat.
In contrast, Inoue Orihime and Arisawa Ryuki had been staying at Su Xiuyu's house for the past two days, undergoing basic training and—more importantly—learning to withstand spiritual pressure.
Their spiritual awareness had grown rapidly. They could now see Hollows, and though still novices, they'd managed to engage weaker ones directly using only physical attacks.
To help them progress, Su Xiuyu had captured an unusually small and feeble Hollow—about the size of a soccer ball—and dropped it in front of the two girls.
"This little guy's your opponent," he said flatly.
The Hollow looked pitiful, with stubby tentacles and oversized teeth. By all accounts, it was a defective Hollow—barely able to fight, yet somehow still alive. Su Xiuyu found its survival oddly impressive.
At first, the Hollow didn't even resist. But the moment Orihime and Ryuki launched their attacks, it lashed out in defense.
"Don't hesitate," Su Xiuyu instructed coolly. "The first step to strength is courage. You must choose to fight."
Ryuki stepped in first, throwing a punch at the Hollow—only for it to bite down on her fist.
"Dammit!" she hissed, pulling back. The bite stung like hell, but it wasn't deep.
"You'll be fine," Su Xiuyu said. "It's painful, not fatal. Don't let fear paralyze you."
Motivated by his words, the girls redoubled their efforts. Orihime struck from the side while Ryuki kicked and punched relentlessly. Their attacks weren't elegant—but they were determined.
After half an hour of struggling, the Hollow let out a weak cry and finally dissolved into spirit particles.
Both girls slumped to the ground, breathing heavily. Orihime's knuckles were swollen and bruised. Ryuki's bitten arm was bleeding freely.
"Come here," Su Xiuyu said, waving them over.
He knelt beside them and placed his glowing green palm over their injuries. A gentle warmth radiated from his hand, like a soothing breeze in spring.
As the light spread, the wounds faded—healed cleanly, without a trace of scar tissue.
"Whoa… That's amazing," Orihime whispered. "Is this... part of your Shinigami powers?"
Su Xiuyu shook his head. "No. This is the Palm Immortal Technique—a method I created. It has nothing to do with being a Shinigami."
"But… don't Shinigami have healing techniques too?" Ryuki asked.
"They do. But those are limited to spirits and souls. You two are alive. Standard Kidō won't heal your kind."
"Ah, I see…" Orihime looked thoughtful, then added, "But that blue fire move you used before—that's from the Shinigami, right?"
"Yes," Su Xiuyu confirmed. "That's a modified version of a Kidō spell. You both really don't know much about the world you've stepped into, do you?"
Seeing their curious faces, he sighed and motioned for them to sit.
"Alright. Let's go over the basics."
He began explaining the three main realms: the Human World, the Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo. He outlined the roles of Shinigami, the nature of Hollows, and the balance of souls that kept the worlds from collapsing into chaos.
Both Orihime and Ryuki listened intently, absorbing the knowledge with wide eyes.
Truthfully, Su Xiuyu hadn't planned to invest much in these two. Their spiritual foundations were weak, and their potential seemed average.
But then he remembered something.
Orihime's ability—"Shun Shun Rikka: Sōten Kisshun." Or more accurately, her innate power: Rejection of All Events.
A power that didn't heal wounds—it reversed their occurrence. A severed limb didn't just get stitched back together. It was as if it had never been severed in the first place.
Not even his Palm Immortal Technique or the Shinigami's Healing Kidō could achieve that. If the arm was destroyed, those techniques could do nothing. But Orihime's ability ignored such limitations—it bent the rules of causality.
Of course, that didn't make her powerful in combat. She was a support type, a healer. But the sheer conceptual weight of her power made her a wildcard—one that could change everything.
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