Chapter 119: The Amazing Shutara
"Guh—!!"
For a moment, Satoru wondered if he'd been thrown into the depths of the sea.
The thick, viscous spiritual pressure in the air pressed in from all directions like heavy water.
Ever since synchronizing with Aizen's spiritual pressure, this was the first time he'd ever felt suppressed in terms of reiatsu!
Damn it, did she think she was the only one with spiritual pressure?!
Satoru gritted his teeth with a creak.
The spiritual pressure within him rapidly condensed.
In the next second, he would unleash it all, using the explosive force to break free from her suppression!
Sensing the change in Satoru, the kimono couldn't help but feel stunned.
This self-destructive fighting style—no ordinary person could've conceived of it in such an instant.
This boy's combat instincts were terrifying.
Just what had happened in the Soul Society over the past hundred years?
For someone so young to have attained such power…
And with strength like this, he was just an ordinary Shinigami?!
So shocked was she that she even forgot to retract her spiritual pressure.
Just as Satoru was about to erupt, a figure suddenly cut in, appearing before him.
Long pink-purple hair, a devilish figure.
A white haori with the number "12" emblazoned on it.
Glaring at the kimono releasing spiritual pressure, she wore an irritated expression.
Under Satoru's gaze, Kirio let out a sharp shout.
She raised her hand high and brought it down with force.
A massive surge of dense soul energy erupted from her, forming a giant net that enveloped all the spiritual pressure the "kimono" had released.
Instantly, the pressure weighing down on Satoru vanished.
Facing the kimono, Kirio said angrily:
"Captain Shutara, what are you doing to my teacher?!"
"S-sorry, I was just… Huh?"
The kimono started to explain but suddenly froze in shock.
She stammered, "W-what did you just call him?"
Kirio smirked. "My teacher, of course."
"Satoru has given me countless teachings on my path of self-discovery—he's the greatest instructor in all of Soul Society!"
Kimono: "?????"
Though she had no head, her completely stiff posture made it clear just how shaken she was.
This young Shinigami was actually Kirio Hikifune's master?
One must know that Kirio was already an internal candidate for the Royal Guard.
Within a hundred years, she would be promoted.
Though currently just an ordinary captain, there were practically no individuals left in the entire Seireitei qualified to stand above her.
Yet someone of such status willingly addressed this youth as "master"?
Meanwhile, Satoru was also somewhat stunned.
Captain... Shutara?
Among the Gotei 13, was there a captain with this surname?
Shutara... the term vaguely rang a bell.
After a brief recollection, it suddenly came to him.
Shutara Level... a numerical designation used during sudden public emergencies to indicate danger or disaster levels.
Could this Captain Shutara be related to that term?
...
...
Shortly after, the three settled in the study.
Kirio let out an undignified sigh.
Just moments ago, multiple Onmitsukidō squads had rushed over to investigate the disturbance.
The spiritual pressure released by Shutara had been terrifyingly potent.
Though Kirio suppressed it in time, the residual waves still caused significant ripples throughout Seireitei.
Were it not for her special status and sufficient authority to vouch for them, the 12th Division would likely be undergoing inspections right now.
Glancing at the kimono-clad figure kneeling obediently nearby, she snapped:
"Captain, there are limits to causing trouble for others!"
"Your spiritual pressure isn't something to casually unleash in Seireitei!"
"The one who'll have to file explanatory reports is poor little Kirio!"
"Mmm... my apologies."
The kneeling kimono figure bowed slightly in contrition.
Yet even while apologizing, her "gaze" remained fixed on Satoru.
"Say, young man, what's your name?"
She inquired curiously as Satoru silently sipped his tea.
"Fukada Nagashi."
Satoru answered impassively.
"Fukada... this humble one shall remember."
The kimono figure nodded gently.
Kirio opened her mouth to speak, but before she could intervene, Satoru asked first:
"Captain Hikifune addressed you as Captain Shutara earlier... what's your connection to the Shutara Level system?"
Hearing this, the kimono figure chuckled lightly.
"Though unworthy, this humble one happens to be the creator of the 'Shutara Level' system."
Just as I thought...
Satoru took another sip of tea.
Today, he'd likely encountered a truly formidable figure.
Kirio smiled and explained: "Master, allow me to introduce—this is Shutara Senjumaru... or rather, one of her controlled 'Heavenly Garments'."
"Previously, she served as captain of our 12th Division. Later, for inventing the 'Shihakushō', she became a Royal Guard."
As Kirio spoke, Shutara subtly straightened her posture, anticipating Satoru's awestruck admiration.
Instead, Satoru frowned.
Under her expectant gaze, he looked directly at her.
"Inventing the Shihakushō... what exactly constitutes this achievement?"
"I've seen historical records of Shinigami from eight hundred years ago—they wore Shihakushō too."
"Moreover, I've studied the Shihakushō issued to me."
"Beyond standard clothing functions, I've found nothing exceptional—no defensive enhancements, no air purification or corrosion resistance."
"Isn't this achievement somewhat... forcibly credited?"
Shutara Senjumaru's breathing grew slightly ragged at Satoru's words.
"You... you insolent brat!"
"My invention of the shihakushō is no simple matter!"
Though her voice carried displeasure, her seated posture remained elegant and proper—a stark contrast to the carefree Yoruichi.
Under Satoru's gaze, she spoke rapidly: "When I created the shihakushō, it wasn't merely about producing finished garments!"
"Before my time, all shihakushō could only be patched up or replaced with new ones if damaged in battle."
"But using my abilities, I endowed every shihakushō with self-repair functions!"
"If damaged in combat, they can fully restore themselves by absorbing spiritual pressure afterward!"
"Not only that, I successfully bound the very concept of 'shihakushō' to 'Shinigami.'"
"Even an ordinary soul, upon awakening Shinigami powers, will instantly obtain a 'shihakushō' at the moment of awakening."
"This process works whether it occurs in Hueco Mundo or the living world!"
She prattled on, listing her great achievements one by one.
After finishing, she looked at Satoru with pride, awaiting his evaluation.
Satoru frowned slightly, stroking his chin in prolonged contemplation.
Then he nodded and said:
"I see."
"To summarize—completely useless."
"...I'll kill you!!"