Rukia's affection score had been fluctuating for several days.
Eventually, it settled at 80.
[Reiatsu Level: Lv33]
[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 29%]
During this period, Nobu's own cultivation had brought only minimal improvement—once again reminding him just how grueling training could be.
Still, compared to the slow growth of Reiatsu, progress with his Zanpakutō had been more promising.
At Lv33, he was still within the range of fourth-tier spiritual power.
Rukia and Momo's affection had both reached relatively high levels now. Getting significant increases from this point forward would be difficult.
If only I could meet a new system-linked girl right now...
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than—just two days later—Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane of the Fourth Division appeared again!
Nobu welcomed her visit wholeheartedly.
This time, she'd come entirely of her own volition, and Nobu, eager to deepen his knowledge of Kaidō, engaged her in another round of in-depth discussion.
He was proactive throughout, which delighted Isane. To her, guiding such a curious and earnest junior felt truly meaningful.
Her affection score rose, just as he hoped—to 50.
After she left, Nobu left the student council office in a rush.
...
Kendo Dojo.
He tossed aside the Asauchi he had brought with him and sat cross-legged in the center of the room, a thin barrier of spirit particles forming around him.
As his Reiatsu surged, the spirit barrier expanded outward, soon enveloping the entire dojo.
And then—his spiritual pressure began climbing steadily.
In front of him, two blades slowly materialized—one long, one short.
The long blade, Higan, was a classic katana, wrapped in red cords over a black lacquered sheath.
The short blade, Shigan, was a tantō with a pale white sheath, more refined in form than its longer counterpart.
Both had guards shaped like red spider lilies—higanbana.
[Shigan, Higan – Full Shikai Unlocked]
[Type: Rule-based]
Previously, when he had only partial access to his Zanpakutō's power, Nobu could only wield the abilities of Higan. Now, with full Shikai unlocked, he was finally beginning to grasp the true nature of his weapon.
He'd been deliberately hiding its true form—because it was a dual-blade Zanpakutō.
In all of Soul Society, only two known shinigami wielded dual blades: Captain Kyōraku Shunsui of Squad Eight with Katen Kyōkotsu, and Captain Ukitake Jūshirō of Squad Thirteen with Sōgyo no Kotowari.
But in truth, Soul Society might not even recognize the concept of dual Zanpakutō.
What made Nobu's different from those two wasn't just the dual form—it was that the two swords represented entirely different types of power.
To the outside world, a dual-blade zanpakutō was far rarer than a Kaidō-type Zanpakutō. If word got out, it could lead to endless trouble. They'd want to dissect and fully analyze his abilities.
At least until his strength reached a certain threshold, posing as a Kaidō-type user gave him the cover he needed.
He stayed in the dojo the entire night, practicing and studying his Zanpakutō's full Shikai.
Not until dawn did he begin drawing in the Reiatsu around him, shrinking the spirit barrier from the dojo-wide field back to a shell surrounding only his body.
...
On his way back to the dorms, he ran into Shūhei stepping out.
"Where the hell were you all night?"
"Training," Nobu replied, then face-planted onto his bed without another word.
Shūhei sighed but didn't press further and left the room.
Nobu slept straight through until afternoon before finally dragging himself out of bed.
The school was quiet—it was still class time. From the dorms to the main teaching hall, he didn't see a single soul.
It made him feel, oddly, like he was the only person left in the world.
Only the occasional boom from not far off—probably a Kaidō practical class—reassured him that life outside his head still existed.
"You know," a voice suddenly called out as Nobu headed toward the student council office, "I think I finally get why you don't want to graduate early."
Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien of Squad Thirteen stood in the middle of the path behind him, appearing out of nowhere.
"Vice-Captain Shiba?"
Nobu blinked in surprise, wondering if he was here again for him.
If Shiba was subbing at the Academy, he should have been in class right now.
Shiba gave him a look of exaggerated envy. "You really live like a free soul, huh? Sleep however long you want—what a life."
Nobu, straight-faced: "I'm not slacking. I stayed up all night working, so I slept in. Just this once."
Shiba gave him a yeah right kind of look as he approached.
"I need a favor."
Nobu chuckled. "You seem awfully free yourself, Vice-Captain. Always dropping by the Academy for no reason?"
Shiba slung an arm over his shoulders with mock camaraderie. "Momo Hinamori and Izuru Kira—those two are in Class A, right? Student council members?"
Ah. So that's why he's here.
Nobu laughed. "What's your plan, Vice-Captain?"
Shiba grinned. "They're promising kids. Squad Thirteen could really use people like that. Help me out, yeah?"
He'd noticed their potential during his previous guest lecture and realized that by the time they graduated, other divisions would be fighting over them. So he figured—strike early.
"They're still just first-years," Nobu said. "Isn't this a bit premature?"
"Five years'll fly by," Shiba said.
"Fair point." Nobu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But I'm only their president. If they have their own plans, I can't exactly force them."
Shiba narrowed his eyes. "What, are you trying to shake me down? You forget all the help I gave you before?"
The memory made him visibly annoyed. He'd originally planned to recruit Nobu into Squad Ten under his uncle, but then the brat awakened a Kaidō-type Zanpakutō and ruined the plan.
Nobu said solemnly, "You're mistaken, Vice-Captain. I haven't forgotten. I'd help you even if you didn't ask."
That seemed to appease him. Shiba grinned again. "Now that's more like it. Still, favors are favors. I won't forget this one either."
Nobu gave him a long, scrutinizing look and smiled until his eyes curved into little crescents.
Shiba suddenly shivered, feeling a chill run down his spine. He let go of Nobu and took a cautious step back.
Nobu said, "It'd feel wrong to let you owe me. Just treat me to a meal sometime."
Shiba blinked. "That's it? That's all you want?"
Maybe the kid does have a conscience after all...
He clapped Nobu on the back. "Sure! I even brought money this time. Pick the place."
Nobu smiled. "Your place."
"...What?"
"Let's go to your house."
---
T/N:
"Looks like this is the last day you'll be hearing from me—for now, at least."
"Bonus chapters will be released tomorrow, so if you've been hoarding your patience, you won't have to for much longer."
"If you want to support the translator, there's still Patreon: patreon.com/wisetl. It's optional support—early access is just a side benefit, not an obligation."
"And don't forget the Powerstone deal: every 100 Powerstones = 1 bonus chapter (100ps = 1 chp, 200ps = 2 chp, 300ps = 3 chp, and so on). If you want more chapters after tomorrow… you know what to do."
"If you'd rather talk than throw stones, the Discord is open: discord.gg/wisetl. Go scream, speculate, or bully the translator about cliffhangers there instead of in your heart."
say bye bye and thank you to maomao!!