"So, Nakamura, I've been meaning to ask you something." I began as I finished slurping up half the noodles in my bowl, my assistant giving me a curious look after he ate some of his while we ignored the people staring in awe at me as they walked past the restaurant.
"Yes, sir?"
"What exactly do you do with your salary? I mean, aside from rent if you do live in an apartment." I said with a wave of my chopsticks and raised an eyebrow as he gave an embarrassed smile and shook his head.
"N-Nothing much. I am a fan of…uh…magical girl figurines."
"Uh, what?" I asked, wanting to make sure I didn't mishear him as he sighed before speaking louder.
"I like to collect magical girl figurines."
"…Huh, did not expect that. So, like all kinds of magical girls or a specific fandom?" I asked while slurping up another few noodles, Nakamura blinking at my words as he looked surprised to see my interest.
"You're…you're not going to make fun of me?'
"Nakamura, I'm a guy in my thirties being paid to go around Japan and exorcise spirits. I don't think I have any right to make fun of anyone. So, figurines? Any specific franchise?"
"Uh, Sailor Witches." He answered and I frowned as that was not ringing any bells, which probably meant that it's a franchise that only exists in the Bleach world.
"Cool. Got an anime?"
"It has 148 episodes, sir."
"A manga?"
"Yes, sir." He answered and I hummed as I nodded before finishing off the noodles in my bowl in one gulp.
"Cool, I'll see if I can't read it some time soon."
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, I've been meaning to get something to do while we're travelling and this seems like something to do. So, do you have any anime or manga you like?" I asked and for the first time, I saw Nakamura smiling in excitement as he nodded rapidly.
"Yes, sir. Where would you like me to start?" He asked and I chuckled as I took out a notepad and a pen from my jacket.
"Start from the beginning and don't miss a single one."
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The sound of controlled and precise breathing echoed in my room as I slowly inhaled and exhaled, my eyes closed and my mind focused entirely on my spiritual energy as I slowly circulated it through my body.
It's been a couple of hours since I returned back to my room and Nakamura left for his room after I finished getting the list of anime/ manga from him and I had to admit that the man loved his anime since I found out he gave me a mixture of genres to watch/ read.
However, I have decided to leave that for tomorrow as I was focused on the experiments that I wanted to do before we leave for Karakura Town tomorrow, which is also probably going to be where I make my permanent residence.
'I think half an hour of meditation is enough.' I thought with a hum as I let out a final exhale before opening my eyes, staring at the container that I asked the hotel staff to bring up to my room.
They were probably confused to bring up an entire large tank filled with sand of a dozen different colours, but I had a neat way to figure out how to train my control over Reishi.
With a grunt, I reached for the Reishi in the air and focused on creating some kind of metaphysical 'hand', thankful for the fact that the tank was transparent as I reached in with my hand and grasped the sand.
Focusing my grip even more as I slowly began to lift out a handful of sand, I frowned in concentration as I began to separate the different colours of the sand into one of the twelve containers I had placed around the tank.
It was only as I finally let the final grain fall that I finally took a breath for air, feeling a bit lightheaded from concentrating that much on even the smallest grain inside the sand.
'Holy crap. That was only a handful…and I need to do an entire tank? Urgh, what did I get myself into?' I groaned as I realized just how stupid and impossible my idea was, but unfortunately, I was as stubborn as an ox so with a tired yet determined mind and spirit…
I sat down cross-legged in front of the tank and got to work.
"Become one with the Force, young Padawan~"
"Um, Sir?"
"Feel the power flowing through your veins~"
"Sir?"
"Fall to the Dark Side and let the power control you~"
"Mr. Kanonji?"
"Ah, Nakamura! Glad to see you made it!" I spoke with a smile as I turned to my assistant, large amounts of water slithering around like serpents while I floated on a platform of solid ice.
"What are you doing, sir?"
"You see, Nakamura, the training of an exorcist is never done, so I've taken my next step in my training: Elemental Manipulation."
'That and I want to see if I can learn to control Reishi to the point that I can alter the Reishi of any inorganic object to become whatever I want.' I thought with a smirk as I stood up from my ice seat and made the water envelop it, twisting my wrist and letting the ice change back into water before I guided it towards my bathroom and into the bathtub in there.
After all, if I can change the composition of anything around me, what's stopping me from attacking someone with water and shifting it into wind blades mid strike before ending that attack sequence with earth spires that transform into lightning bolt and turns into fire balls upon impact?
Yeah, that's a confusing attack sequence, but in a world of geniuses, powerhouses and the monsters that stood above them, being crafty and confusing is all I got to use.
'Unless…I know where a certain object of desires is right now so if I can take that and absorb it, I can safely and slowly awake it and get the ability to infinitely adapt and evolve as I grow stronger. The only problem is that it's sealed inside the Gigai of a Shinigami and there's only two ways to get it out. Although, even if I do get it out, would it work on me or does it not work on Shinigami and Hollows?'
"Sir, you're daydreaming again." Nakamura's voice knocked me from my thoughts and I looked up to see him giving me an amused smirk.
"Ignoring that, I assume you're here because we're finally ready to leave, yes?"
"You assume correct, sir. All of your luggage has been placed inside the car and all the necessary cancellations have been made." He spoke and I grinned as I patted him on the shoulder before nodding.
"Then what are we waiting for? Karakura Town awaits! Bwahahaha!"
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"Lights?"
"Check."
"Cameras?"
"Check?"
"Crowd?"
"Double-check?"
"Outfit?" I asked as I turned to Nakamura with a curious look, waiting as he scanned me over before smirking as he gave a nod and a thumbs-up.
"Looking good, sir."
"Wonderful! Everyone ready to start?!" I asked out loud to the studio crew that was hired by the mayor of Karakura Town, smiling as all of them nodded before I stepped onto the helicopter that was also being provided.
Why, I have no clue, but if it means I get to be flashy, I'll take it.
"Remember, sir! Wait for the…" I frowned as I saw Nakamura speaking and couldn't hear a single word, blinking a few times before putting on the headphones next to me & giving him a thumbs-up.
"Okay!" I shouted back, not sure what he said as I simply waited patiently while the helicopter began to rise up and above the abandoned hospital we were hiding behind.
As the pilot flew to the front of the building, I hummed as I saw the crowd of people gathered at the front, a pair of spotlights lighting up the night sky before I was thankful for my glasses as they were pointed directly at me.
"Ready?!" The pilot asked and I simply smirked as I took off the headphones and stood up, standing cheerfully in the open door before gasps and screams echoed below me as I fell head first out of the chopper.
However, I flipped around the next moment while creating a slide of Reishi below my feet, a happy burst of laughter escaping my lips as I slid down the spiral slide before leaping off of it just as I neared the end.
With a corkscrew & a backflip, I landed with a soft grunt in front of the crowd, relishing in their shocked looks before cheers erupted as I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
"Are you not entertained?!" I shouted, the cheers growing louder as I chuckled and tapped my cane on the floor.
"Glad to hear it! Welcome, Karakura Town, to the first live exhibition of an exorcism performed by yours truly, the Don Kanonji! Perhaps, there will be many that comes after this, but for now, let us enjoy this moment together as I put this spirit to rest." I spoke with a bow before turning around as I heard soft painful groans.
"H-Help me." The helpless man spoke with a smile as he carried a long chain in his grasp that was attached to his chest, his purple jersey not even looking torn from the hole in it as I walked closer.
The sound of my cane on stone drew his attention and I smiled at the hopeful look on his face, kneeling down a few meters away from him and gesturing for him to do so as well.
"Sit down, big guy. Let's have a chat."
"N-No! If I sit down, it…it accelerates." He said while pointing at his Chain of Fate and I looked at it before frowning slightly at the mouths that were busy gnawing at the metallic chain.
'I see.'
"Well, my good sir. I find that talking with someone of the living world helps keep a spirit's mind occupied from the negative things of the afterlife."
"Such as?" The spirit asked and I smiled before answering.
"Being dead for one."
"…Hehe~ Good one. So, what are you? Some kind of exorcist?" He asked and I looked surprised before smiling and nodding.
"Finally, someone gets it right! Yes, I am an exorcist. By the way, who are you exactly?"
"Uh, Yahiko Oba. I was a patient here before I died from organ failure."
"Hmm, Yahiko Oba, eh? Well, I'm Don Kanonji, exorcist extraordinaire. Pleased to meet you."
"Um, pleased to meet you too. S-So, what now?" He asked and I chuckled & shrugged as I stood back up.
"Well, omost of my exorcisms are battles against evil spirits, but since you're so calm, I have another solution. You simply have to accept your death."
"I…I can't. I still need to know if my wife passed on…or our baby." He answered and I frowned slightly before nodding as I turned around and looked at where the mayor was in the crowd.
"Mr. Mayor! May I ask if you have any records on one Yahiko Oba? More specifically, records that show whether or not his family is still alive?"
"Y-Yahiko Oba? Y-You sure…he said Yahiko Oba?" The mayor asked with a surprised look and I frowned slightly whilst nodding.
"That's correct."
"Wait, so it's his spirit that's been haunting the hospital?"
"That is correct. Did you know him, mayor?"
"He…he was my father." Gasps echoed in the crowd and even I was surprised as I turned to Yahiko, who stood frozen.
"…Was his mother's name Sakura?"
"Was your mother's name, Sakura, Mr. Mayor?"
"Sakura Oba, born and raised in Karakura. She had a freckle above her upper lip." He explained and I turned and smiled as I saw the tears flowing down Yahiko's face.
"It's actually him."
"I-Is…is he here?" He asked and I smiled and nodded before holding a hand out, Mr. Mayor taking it before his eyes widened as his irises lit up with a blue glow while staring in shock at the smiling spirit of his father.
"F-Father?"
"Hello, son. It's good to see you all grown."
"I-It's good to see you too. Mom…Mom told me so much about you." The mayor spoke with a tearful chuckle and I decided to stay silent as Yahiko walked forward and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"She would be proud to see the man you've become. I am too."
"Thank you." Mayor spoke and he nodded before turning to me with a smile.
"I think I'm ready."
"As you wish. Any last words, Mr. Mayor?"
"None at all." He said with a smile and I nodded before placing a hand on Yahiko's shoulder.
"May your soul pass on to the afterlife and rest in eternal paradise. Namu Amida Butsu." With a pleased smile, Yahiko's body began to glow brighter & brighter before fading like a mirage, the Mayor giving his father a final nod before letting out a shaky sigh as he wiped the tears away.
"Hah…thank you, Mr. Kanonji, for letting me witness his final moments."
"It was my pleasure to do so. As for you, Karakura Town, I thank you once more for granting me this opportunity to put a soul to rest."
"It was our pleasure~!"
"No, thank you!"
"It was amazing!" I chuckled at their cheers before turning to the mayor, who smiled as I shook his outstretched hand.
"However, I think you will be pleased to hear that I've been thinking of buying a permanent residence. Think there's any houses for sale here?"
"T-Truly? Of course, please come to my office tomorrow and I'll personally give you a display of the best houses in our beloved town." He spoke with an excited smile and I nodded with a chuckle before turning to the crowd and giving them one final bow.
"That will be all, Karakura Town! Thank you for the support & I hope you continue to do so! Until we meet again!"
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"That was so much better than I thought it would be." A tall orange-haired boy spoke with a smile as he and his family made their way back home, the short black-hared girl next to him humming in agreement before drawing his attention as she pulled him further back.
"I expected it to be nothing more than a fraud but it is impressive to see a shaman of that caliber, especially in modern times."
"Wait, shaman?"
"Humans that are born with powerful spiritual energy without there having been external help to boost their power. Most just call them High-Spec humans, but there are some of us that prefer the term 'Shaman' or 'Exorcist'."
"I…see. So, are they rare?" The young man asked and the girl snorted as she crossed her arms.
"Ichigo, I can count on one hand the amount of shaman I have seen in my life and still have fingers left over. Shaman are as rare as can be and it's been an enlightening experience to see one in action again. Although…"
"Although? Come on, you can't keep stuff to yourself." Ichigo spoke with a frown and huffed as Rukia rolled her eyes with a smirk.
"Oh, you can wait. As for what I meant, I mean that the few Shaman that I have seen exorcising a spirit usually do so with the help of a conduit and a ritual circle along with the fact that they seal the soul away in the conduit itself."
"And this one just…made them pass on?"
"Yes, and without the Konso ritual like a Shinigami would. He did it with a simple chant and his spiritual energy, which in itself is already quite the feat to do."
"So, what? He made them pass on to the Soul Society without a Zanpakuto? Sounds like he's got this spiritual thing under control then."
'That's the problem. I can' remember of any shaman that able to do that let alone any other being that isn't a Shinigami. Does that mean he's a Shinigami, one that was banished perhaps? No, even if he was in a gigai, his spiritual energy is purely that of a human. Urgh, why are there so many strange things happening lately?'
"Rukia, you good?" Ichigo asked and the girl blinked as she tuned back out from her thoughts, looking at her friend to see him giving her a slightly concerned look.
"I'm okay. I guess I'm just overthinking stuff."
"Eh, you're probably just anxious because you thought we'd have to fight a Hollow for the night." Ichigo said with a wave of his hand and Rukia grumbled and punched him in the arm.
"What the hell was that for?"
"For being a dumbass."
"What the hell did I say to be a dumbass?!"
"Ichigo! No shouting at our guest!"
"Oh, you can go to hell, goat-face!" Ichigo shouted at his dad, who grinned mischievously as he spun with a kick, which his son ducked under with a glare.
"And here we go again~" The older of the twin Kurosaki sisters spoke with a sigh, the younger one and Rukia giggling before the Shinigami smiled as she watched the father & son fighting each other.
'Maybe I'm just overthinking it. My spiritual energy not returning like it normally should is throwing me off even more.' Rukia thought with a sigh before shaking her head as she began to pull Karin and Yuzu while the fighting father-son duo followed after them.
"Think we can have a late-night snack without your dad knowing?" She asked the two girls, Yuzu simply nodding as Karin smirked.
"I like the way your mind works, Rukia."
"Same to you, Karin."
A/N:I was going to upload this yesterday night, but I fell asleep before I could so here I am uploading it now.
However, I am way too exhausted so I'm taking the day off~ Next chapter, is going to be his first actual battle and buying a house, but that's going to wait.
For now, tomorrow is Naruto story day so be prepared for that.
Also, the Reishi training is simply the Don wanting to make sure he gets enough control over his own Reiryoku & the Reishi around him before he tries to replicate more dangerous skills.
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next chapter,
Ba-Bye~!