The Pixie in Ichigo's hand fluttered her long eyelashes slightly.
The next moment, a faint but already Reiatsu comparable to Captain-level emanated from the Pixie!
Then the game's voice rang out for everyone!
[Announcement: The first game event, Bount Hunt, is concluded!]
[Considering this event exceeded the coping range of most players, compensation is now being issued.]
[All players can choose one reward from the following: Kido, Shunpo, Zanjutsu, Reiatsu...]
[Simultaneously, based on the points ranking from this event, event rewards are being issued!]
Regarding the compensation, Ichigo glanced and chose the reward for proficiency in Hado/Bakudo below number 31.
However, regarding the event rewards for points ranking, Ichigo was somewhat surprised.
The reward wasn't given to him, but to his newly acquired Doll, Pixie!
A row of golden shining Bount talent abilities appeared before Ichigo!
After looking, Ichigo decisively chose the ability to fuse with one's own Doll!
Thus, Ichigo's strength ascended another level!
With the Bount Hunt over and all Bounts slain, Ichigo's matters in the Soul Society had now finished.
After spending a bit more time in the 13th Division, Ichigo began preparing to return to the Living World.
But before returning, there was one more thing to resolve.
13th Division, Female Shinigami's barracks.
"Ich... Lieutenant Kurosaki, why have you come?"
Seeing Ichigo suddenly call them out, Jing Bing and Xin Na were very surprised.
And as it was somewhat late, Jing Bing and Xin Na, who were preparing for bed, weren't wearing Shihakusho but pajamas.
Ichigo specifically sized up Xin Na for a couple of seconds.
Indeed, as Jing Bing had said, Xin Na usually tied them up.
Looking at Xin Na and Jing Bing like this, a bit of mischievous thought also arose in Ichigo's heart.
"What do you think about me helping you improve your strength?" Ichigo said nonchalantly. "I think the deal you mentioned earlier wasn't bad."
"Huh? Deal?" Hearing Ichigo's words, Jing Bing was stunned.
Then, she remembered, her pretty face turning bright red.
Jing Bing was joking.
Being able to, upon entering the game, rely on her own intelligence and talent and through diligent study reach the forefront of the player rankings, Jing Bing was of course a very proud person.
The so-called deal was the kind she most looked down upon, despised, and scorned.
Seeing Ichigo like this, the live stream bullet comments exploded.
"Wow, I never thought you were this kind of Ichigo!"
"Holy crap, true nature exposed! Unfollowed, unfollowed!"
"Ah, brothers, I don't think I can continue supporting Ichigo anymore!"
"This is the idol's image collapsing, right? It's collapsing!"
Because of Ichigo's words, many who regarded him as an idol were very angry.
However, there were still smart people among the audience.
"You people, are your mental faculties fully developed? This is clearly a joke!"
"Moreover, have you figured out one thing? Ichigo isn't your usual idol. He didn't use your money for vote-buying, and also can't possibly be constrained by so-called fans!"
"Whether in the game or after coming out, Ichigo is free!"
Some experienced viewers scolded the young viewers who couldn't get their heads straight.
Xin Na also amusedly tapped Jing Bing's forehead.
"Usually you love joking so much, now you're put on the spot, right?"
Xin Na looked at Ichigo. "So, you've decided to help us lower-level players improve our strength?"
"Yes!" Ichigo said seriously.
"I've seen that among players, aside from me, there aren't any exceptionally outstanding individuals."
"Which means if the game ended now and we went out, forming a division with all players, I wouldn't even be able to find a Lieutenant, let alone a 3rd Seat."
"So, might as well start cultivating from now!"
Ichigo's words were very clear and direct.
They also subtly hinted at Ichigo's plans.
With Ichigo's strength, after going out, he would obviously be the apex of players, even the apex of the world.
But he couldn't wait until going out. He planned to unify all players within the game itself.
Xin Na and Jing Bing were clearly the seeds Ichigo had his eyes on!
Realizing this, Xin Na was also very decisive: "I agree. Jing Bing also agrees. The problem is, how will you do it? You are long-term in the Living World, right?"
Ichigo nodded: "Yes, so you'll also have to come to the Living World with me!"
Jing Bing and Xin Na both had Seat Officer-level strength, just lacking in combat experience a bit.
As long as they were taken to the Living World, Ichigo wouldn't have to work so hard every day cutting things he could one-shot.
Mowing grass might be simple, but mowing grass for too long can also get boring!
Hearing Ichigo's words, Xin Na also understood clearly! "You're going to exercise your authority, right? So convenient! A Lieutenant..."
"I heard there was a player Lieutenant before who specifically caused trouble. I really don't understand what he was thinking. Clearly, by securing such a position, you can accomplish many things."
"Well... who knows?" Ichigo shrugged.
Thus, the Living World's workhorses and the future Player Division's 3rd Seat or rather Lieutenant were decided.
This was also one layer of meaning behind Ichigo specifically seeking out the two!
Compared to Xin Na and Jing Bing, there were of course others easier to cultivate, but who doesn't like cute, adorable, fragrant, soft girls?
The day after meeting Jing Bing and Xin Na, Ichigo took the two back to the Living World.
"So this is Karakura Town!"
Looking at the bustling metropolis before them, the two girls were amazed.
But having seen countless bustling metropolises before entering, the metropolis here was nothing special.
Jing Bing and Xin Na looked at Ichigo: "How will you train us?"
"This isn't urgent first. Go fight!" Ichigo tossed the two a signal flare.
While chatting and laughing, another Hollow, three stories tall, arrived from the gap between the Living World and Hueco Mundo!
Looking at this Hollow, Jing Bing exclaimed: "So big!"
In past Shin'o Academy's Hollow-extermination training, such large Hollows, two stories tall, were the kind left for an entire class to handle together.
"What's this?" Ichigo curled his lip. "In Karakura Town, such Hollows are just normal."
"Alright, go on. If there's danger and you can't hold on, fire the signal flare!"
After saying this, Ichigo waved his hand, and immediately turned to leave.
Only Xin Na and Jing Bing remained, beginning their bitter struggle with the Hollow!
"Xin Na, I feel deceived!" Jing Bing said loudly.
"Careful! Hado #33: Sokatsui!"
Xin Na fired a Hado, severely injuring the three-story Hollow.
Feeling the power of her Sokatsui break through another level under urgency, Xin Na shook her head. "No, we aren't deceived."
"Continuous battles are the best way to train people!"
"It's just that..."
A trace of confusion appeared on Xin Na's pretty face. "That person, from the moment he became a Shinigami, has always been fighting such monsters? No wonder he's so strong!"
"So, we also have to continue fighting!"
Xin Na and Jing Bing made up their minds.
However, what Ichigo faced as a Shinigami wasn't just this little!
Very quickly, they would experience what it meant to stay in Jureichi!
"Hado #31: Shakkaho!"
Again relying on Kido to take down a Hollow, Jing Bing was almost exhausted to the point of weakness.
She said despairingly: "Why, why are there still so many!!?"
Beside her, Xin Na gritted her teeth. "Jing Bing, the Hollows in Karakura Town exceed our expectations. We must use Zanjutsu to fight!"
"Alright!" Jing Bing drew her Zanpakuto.
The two's difficult battle continued.
Looking over from a distance, Ichigo nodded in satisfaction.