"Stop worrying about irrelevant matters."
Yamamoto's tone shifted abruptly. "Regarding the Shirogane Clan investigation—if you have nothing to hide, there's no need for concern. Just cooperate."
"Your immediate priority is to train properly, to become one of the pillars of the Soul Realm."
"I had originally planned to have you train once or twice a week, but since you're here today, why not continue where you left off yesterday?"
Kisaragi Akira blinked in surprise, then grinned broadly.
"Couldn't ask for more!"
"I've already thought of several counter-strategies. Captain, you'd better watch your step—don't end up capsizing in a gutter," he said, then jumped up from his seat and jogged out of the tea room in a hurry.
Yamamoto extinguished the fire in the kettle, removed his captain's haori, and followed at a measured pace.
Inside the dojo, two figures faced each other.
Akira couldn't contain his eagerness and assumed a stance first, radiating an imposing aura that pressed down on the room like a storm.
Yamamoto studied him, and a flicker of surprise crossed his aged face before he nodded slightly.
"Standard Shinken-ryu opening stance… learned from Captain Uno?"
Akira nodded, showing no intention to hide anything.
"You have talent. I didn't expect that in such a vast Soul Realm, there would be a second person mastering the Shinken-ryu."
"That makes you strong, then?"
"Decent," Yamamoto replied. "But she hasn't sparred with anyone in a long time. Her Shinken-ryu, while drawing from multiple schools, has fallen slightly behind."
He let out a heavy sigh, as if recalling the past, then removed his upper deathplate armor, casually tying it around his waist.
As his frame stretched, the joints of his body rubbed together, emitting a terrifying, string-snapping sound. His already exaggerated muscles swelled further, the scars across his body prominent. The sheer oppressive presence of a collapsing mountain seemed to descend upon the dojo.
"Akira, now I will teach you the first principle of life."
"Styles, worlds… they are all constantly evolving!"
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted as a fist sliced through the air!
Outside the Eleventh Division barracks, a young man limped down the street, humming an unknown tune.
Though his movements were ragged, his mood was clearly upbeat.
Not only had he improved slightly since yesterday, but today's sign-in reward had boosted his White Fist skill by two levels.
His White Fist had jumped from level 38 to 40.
Learning directly from a master like Yamamoto made progress feel explosive.
After taking a few hits and learning some of the transmitted White Fist techniques, he had vaulted multiple levels in quick succession. Now, White Fist rivaled his spiritual pressure and swordsmanship as his highest-ranked skill.
Akira opened his personal panel:
[Name: Kisaragi Akira]
[Status: Reversal Priest of the Divine Shrine, Rukon Street Civilian, First-Year at Mao Spiritual Arts Academy, Genryu Disciple]
[Spiritual Pressure: lv60]
[Swordsmanship: lv70]
[White Fist: lv40]
[Shunpo: lv30]
[Kido: lv35]
[Exclusive Traits: Spirit Affinity, Danger Instinct, Divine Heart, Miraculous Healing, Light as a Swallow, Shinken Compassion, Kido Mastery, Unique Ingenuity, Absolute Justice]
Compared to his humble initial stats, this was nothing short of luxurious.
Even ignoring his inherent advantages, the numbers alone allowed Akira to rival most vice-captains, and with his techniques, he could hold his own.
Add in his spiritual body, Kido markings, and exclusive traits, and he could even contend with certain captains—despite his Spiritual Pressure ranking only nine.
Some rules of the Soul Realm no longer applied to him.
A swell of pride rose within him.
At that moment, spiritual particles flowed irregularly through the air, quickly coalescing into a faint white glow along his path.
Through the misty light emerged a figure in simple white—Shirogane Sōya, captain of the Eleventh Division.
"Long time no see, Kisaragi-kun."
Unlike his usual distant demeanor toward others, Sōya's tone toward Akira was unusually gentle, and a rare smile flickered across his pale face.
"Captain Shirogane, long time no see," Akira replied, waving in casual acknowledgment. Familiarity removed the need for formality.
"Thank you for what you did with the bell," Sōya said, bowing deeply. The sincerity in his gesture, rare for a high-ranking captain of the Gotei Thirteen, left no doubt of his gratitude.
"It was nothing," Akira waved it off. Stabilizing Sōya's sister's spirit had cost only a little spiritual pressure—it was trivial.
Meanwhile, Sōya had given Akira years' worth of the Shirogane family fortune after that day. Though it caused some minor trouble now, his intentions had been genuine.
"I came to give you a warning," Sōya said calmly. "The turmoil in the Shirogane branch may involve multiple factions and interests. This is serious."
"Since you now possess the Shirogane fortune, you are at high risk of being drawn into it. Be careful."
Akira nodded, gaining respect for Sōya's character. Rather than fleeing, he had come to warn him personally.
"As for myself… due to the Shirogane branch's betrayal and other circumstances…" Sōya paused briefly, "…I may no longer be able to serve as Eleventh Division captain."
Akira's eyes widened. Had the situation really escalated to this degree?
He recalled how Sōya had once slaughtered countless nobles without consequence—yet this branch betrayal now threatened him?
Seeming to sense Akira's thoughts, Sōya continued:
"It's not just about the branch's rebellion. Other factors are at play. Do you remember the plan I once mentioned to you?"
Akira frowned. "To transform all the residents of Rukon Street, grant them the power to annihilate hollows, and then strike into the Hollow Realm?"
Sōya nodded slightly, but a faint, subtle trace of uncertainty flickered across his pale face.
"In fact, very few know about this plan, including you and Aoyama Sosuke. I can be certain they haven't spoken of it, yet somehow the Mao Forty-Sixth Bureau became aware and recently, around the same time the Shirogane branch's rebellion came to light, issued a secret summon for me to attend the underground council."
"I've come… partly to say goodbye…"