"I knew what they were most interested in, so to get rid of them, I racked my brains, summarized some 'insights', and then pleaded with my teacher to record a few segments to increase their credibility. It just so happened that my teacher also appreciated my literary talent, so he readily agreed."
"After that, as expected, those girls revered them as timeless warnings. It's said that they even spread to the Gotei 13 and were known by my teacher's fans. Someone plans to compile them into an article and submit it to the Seireitei Bulletin."
"Now, not only does no one bother me, but they also consciously protect me from others bothering me, allowing me to focus on summarizing more 'insights.' Occasionally, they even provide me with the latest information… It gives me a déjà vu feeling that a cult would appear if I just raised my arm."
"Nowadays, I can't hear any gossip from the noble children anymore, and I'm a little unaccustomed to it."
"…"
Suì-Fēng's expression was stiff.
"Honestly, I feel like you're doing something incredible. Perhaps one day I'll really have to invite you over as an Onmitsukidō member for a good chat."
"No matter, it's not the first time anyway."
Shimiya Takeru looked incredibly free and open-minded.
Seeing him like this, Suì-Fēng had a headache.
"Forget it, let's get back to the point… Are you taking out this recording to dismiss me like you dismissed those academy students?"
"Putting aside its origin, Lieutenant Suì-Fēng, don't you think these words can explain your situation very well?"
"Hmph, although it sounds very convincing, it's only 'sounds' convincing. When I interrogate criminals, they are full of similar platitudes, only emphasizing their correctness to get away. I'm tired of hearing it… And ultimately, you don't understand the actual situation, yet you want to convince me with such frivolous words. It's simply too ridiculous."
Suì-Fēng sneered, the curve of her lips revealing a hint of mockery.
It was like watching a child try to reason with an adult.
It was completely a playful attitude.
However, the next moment, her smile vanished.
Because Shimiya Takeru, with an unchanging expression, pressed the play button again.
"Don't easily speak arrogant words, that will only reveal your weakness."
"…"
Hearing Aizen's voice again, Suì-Fēng's breathing became heavier, and she looked at Shimiya Takeru with considerable embarrassment.
"The Central 46 should really transfer Aizen to be the Headmaster of the Spirit Arts Academy. Even just dubbing lines, he sounds so convincing. If he gave a speech on stage, it would definitely be even more inspiring!"
"I thank Lieutenant Suì-Fēng for the compliment on behalf of my teacher."
Shimiya Takeru politely bowed slightly, choking the rest of Suì-Fēng's sarcasm, so she had to pick up her wine glass, angrily drain it in one gulp, and then stiffly changed the subject.
"So… did you gain anything?"
"?"
"Don't play dumb, I don't have much patience right now."
"Gains, you ask… After listening to Lieutenant Suì-Fēng's shared experience, especially the sentence at the end of her first half of life, I was quite moved."
"Oh?"
"It was only a touch of emotion, I haven't remembered the specifics yet."
Shimiya Takeru changed the subject.
"Is that so…!"
Curiosity was met with disappointment, and Suì-Fēng's gaze at him was full of ill will.
"Then starting tomorrow, come to the Second Division… until you remember."
"…"
"Dissatisfied?"
"No… Because the Bankai special training is over, there's no need to go to my teacher's place every day, so it doesn't matter."
Shimiya Takeru shook his head slightly.
If not for that, he wouldn't be idly strolling around.
"Then it's settled. Report to the Second Division tomorrow."
Suì-Fēng suddenly stood up, her slender and petite figure exuding an undeniable authority. The cold frost between her brows and the faint smile at her lips complemented each other, making her seem somewhat dazzling.
She was indeed not overly arrogant; the radiance she emitted in this position was no less than that of the person she once had to treat with respect.
"Special training, huh… Perfect, I've also been practicing a technique recently, and it's almost complete. It's a good chance to show you what unimaginable power is… Hey! Stop that!"
Under Suì-Fēng's reprimand, Shimiya Takeru reluctantly put down the Spirit Communicator.
He didn't play the third recording.
"Tomorrow, then… I understand."
"That's right."
Suì-Fēng nodded with satisfaction, feeling one step closer to bringing this talent into the Second Division.
Although mastering Bankai means having the qualifications to be a Captain.
But there are no vacancies right now.
Ukitake of the Thirteenth Division prefers that blond brat.
The Kido Corps has also been in decline for many years, so there's no need to restore its glory for the position of a Great Kido Chief… although there wasn't much glory to speak of in the first place.
…
Early the next morning.
Shimiya Takeru ran into an old acquaintance right after leaving the Spirit Arts Academy gate.
"Ōmaeda?"
"Although we're well acquainted, I'm still a Lieutenant, so remember to call me by my title when we're working!"
Ōmaeda didn't dwell on the topic, pointing his thumb and saying impatiently, "Let's go, the Captain sent me to pick you up."
"Then let's go."
"…Aren't you going to ask why?"
"Although I know how to get there, the Second Division headquarters strictly prohibits outsiders, and I'm not familiar with the internal structure. It's best to have someone lead the way, and you… aren't you just about to patrol? It's just leading the way incidentally. You wouldn't still want to earn a favor from me, would you?"
Shimiya Takeru looked at him in confusion.
"You, you're incredibly clever, no wonder the Captain was so strange after she came back last night."
Ōmaeda subconsciously put some distance between himself and Shimiya Takeru, his expression full of vigilance, as if he also feared following in his Captain's footsteps.
"No, she was quite normal when we parted after dinner. Do you not trust my judgment?"
"That's one way to put it… but I was clearly slacking off, and she just glanced at me, she didn't even scold me!"
"…That is indeed not quite right."
"So I volunteered to lead the way for you, wanting to ask you what happened, so I don't accidentally cause trouble later… I've never seen the Captain in this state before. If she gets angry, she might really chop me down."
"Don't worry, if she didn't bother with your mistake, it means her mind isn't on you. At this point, as long as you don't constantly hover in front of her, you'll be fine."
Shimiya Takeru habitually analyzed.
"Is that so… Then I'm relieved, hehe… Shigong, why do you look a little unhappy?"
Ōmaeda breathed a sigh of relief, patting his chest with some relief, and inadvertently noticed Shimiya Takeru's mouth twitching, his expression not quite natural.
"What do you think I'm about to do now?"
"You're going to see the Captain… Uh… Sorry, let's skip this topic."
He should have laughed, but because the subject was his own Captain, instead of gloating, Ōmaeda felt more of a sense of shared sorrow for his former partner.
The Second Division barracks were built on a high mountain, with a tranquil atmosphere akin to temples and shrines, but in reality, the first impression it gave was more easily associated with the headquarters of a martial arts school.
And after passing through the labyrinthine corridors and courtyards and arriving at the back mountain, seeing the rugged stone forest that strongly resembled a place where reclusive masters would cultivate, this impression was not only not weakened but strengthened.
Especially when Suì-Fēng stood proudly on a sharp rock pillar, exuding the demeanor of a reclusive master. If one were to say she wasn't skilled in martial arts, wasn't a master, and that this wasn't a secret realm of some school, no one would likely believe it.
"You arrived quite quickly… But what are those expressions? Especially you, Ōmaeda, you look like you're watching a comrade bravely go to their death."
"Ah? No, that… Captain! If there's nothing else, I'll go to work now!"
Ōmaeda's hasty retreat made Suì-Fēng even more suspicious that something was wrong.
"Shigong, did that guy talk bad about me behind my back again?"
"No, he said you seemed off, that you didn't even scold him when he was slacking off yesterday… But I think that's nothing. You wouldn't get angry over such a small matter; it's a manifestation of a strong inner self."
Shimiya Takeru looked Suì-Fēng up and down.
"…Ah, yes, that's right… That guy is always making a fuss over nothing."
Suì-Fēng was a little unnatural, as if afraid of being seen through, and quickly changed the subject.
"My matters aside… How is your Bankai progress? If you haven't figured it out yet, I happen to have a method…"
"It's complete."
"Although it's a bit dangerous, Bankai training is difficult, so… What?"
"I said, it's complete."
Shimiya Takeru looked relaxed.
Not just his face, but his entire body, including his posture, breathing… everything carried an indescribable sense of ease.
But Suì-Fēng would not underestimate him because of this, thinking he was full of flaws.
Because behind that sense of ease was an incredibly strong confidence, the super explosive power possessed by soft yet resilient elasticity.
It was a powerful Reiatsu, even higher than yesterday's, firmly at Captain-level, which was hard to notice without careful observation…
"…What happened? What happened after you went back?"
"Nothing special happened. I just slept, and then…"
Shimiya Takeru slightly raised his chin, admiring the natural scenery of the rugged stone forest.
"Perhaps I've been saying too many arrogant things recently, so I finally got a good night's sleep and had a good dream… I dreamt of my former, not-so-arrogant self, and that's how I remembered it."
"They say what you think about during the day, you dream about at night. It really makes sense."
"…I don't think it has anything to do with that."
Suì-Fēng's eyes were quite complex.
"It's because your inner self is too strong. You seem obsessed, but in reality, you just treat it as a guessing game, thinking about it with an interesting mindset. Otherwise, normally… you wouldn't be able to sleep at all."
Her confident tone was as if she held ironclad proof.
Shimiya Takeru's peripheral vision quickly swept over the charming young woman in front of him. Although he saw slightly darkened eye bags, he remained silent, pretending not to know anything.
"Mainly, Lieutenant Suì-Fēng's words had an effect."
"Perhaps… By the way, what's the answer?"
"What answer?"
"…"
Seeing Suì-Fēng narrow her eyes, her expression unfriendly.
Shimiya Takeru sighed, saying helplessly, "The most terrifying thing to date? To be honest, it's not something complex or philosophical. It's even a bit hard to say when conscious."
"Oh? Not complex, not philosophical… Can it be understood as something simple yet childish? I'm getting more and more curious. Could a man like you also give answers like snakes or insects to this question?"
Suì-Fēng was intrigued.
"Let's talk about it next time we drink. Don't worry, I won't lie."
"I don't mind if you lie, that might be even more interesting."
"…By the way, Lieutenant Suì-Fēng mentioned earlier… a method that's a bit dangerous… What was that?"
Shimiya Takeru looked at Suì-Fēng, who was full of enthusiasm, as if she planned to visit the tavern again tonight, and asked calmly.
"You mean that…?"
This way of changing the subject was quite clever.