Satou Kazuma, an overworked salaryman trapped in a modern black company, grew up watching tokusatsu shows and samurai dramas.
He resolved to become an ally of justice who protects the weak when he grew up.
(Of course, that was mere wishful thinking. Playing hero in modern society would just land you in jail!)
After graduating from university, Kazuma's life became a monotonous commute between his tiny apartment and the office.
In his spare time, he enjoyed watching anime, playing games, and praying at every Shinto shrine he visited on vacation, hoping to strike it rich.
If nothing unexpected happened, the trajectory of his life would be to find someone to love, start a family, and work as a corporate beast of burden until retirement.
His life would pass by just like that.
But the unexpected happened.
"I'm rich! I'm rich! To think a lottery ticket I bought on a whim actually won! And it's the grand prize! Could this be the legendary overnight fortune?" Kazuma stared at the ticket in his hand.
Joy and excitement surged in his chest.
This was a full five hundred million yen! With this money, his life would turn upside down.
"Thank you, Kami-sama. The eight million gods are real. It wasn't in vain that I offered those five-yen coins at every shrine. I'll have to donate a new torii gate someday," Kazuma muttered, his eyes twinkling with fervor.
Yet amidst his joy, a thought flashed through his mind: Could the announcer have been drunk yesterday and read the winning numbers wrong? It wasn't impossible.
The idea of gods answering prayers was too absurd.
What happened to modern logic?
Regardless, this ticket had changed his destiny. The next step was to plan how to use this money to bring himself happiness and satisfaction.
He had to learn to cherish this rare stroke of luck, remember his roots, and continue striving forward.
...
The next day, Kazuma arrived at the bank headquarters to claim his prize.
He gripped the deposit certificate, his heart filled with anticipation.
Walking out of the building, Kazuma took a deep breath, feeling the warm sun on his skin. He walked toward the train station, lost in beautiful daydreams about his future.
When he checked his mobile banking app and saw the credited amount, his joy was beyond words.
This huge sum meant he could realize his past dreams—he could travel, learn new skills, or invest in a business.
Walking down the street, Kazuma wore a blissful smile.
He knew this lottery ticket had changed his fate, but more importantly, it was up to him to use this opportunity to create a wonderful life.
Kazuma began to plan his future.
He decided to take a break and enjoy life. Then he would consider investing in promising projects or pursuing his hobbies.
Whether he chose to continue working or start his own business, Kazuma believed that as long as he maintained a positive attitude, he could live the life he wanted.
It all stemmed from that small piece of paper, which brought him endless hope and possibilities.
But the most important thing right now was to go have fun. Now that he had money, shouldn't he enjoy it? Kazuma stood on the sidewalk, chuckling to himself.
People around him looked at him as if he were an idiot.
A scream pierced the air.
"Help! Someone's being robbed!" The shout shattered Kazuma's fantasies.
He remembered the kendo classes he took in college, a petty street thug should be a piece of cake.
After all, he was a man who wanted to be a hero!
Besides, as an upstanding Japanese citizen, he should step in to protect the peace.
Kazuma rushed toward the robber, thinking today was his lucky day. Not only did he get rich, but he might earn a police commendation.
How wonderful.
As he charged, Kazuma let out a righteous roar. "Hey buddy, robbing someone in broad daylight, are you nuts? Hands on your head and get down! You're surrounded!"
The robber pulled out a handgun.
Without another word, he fired.
Kazuma's vision went black.
"Crap, you don't play by the rules! Bro, you can't take a joke, can you? It's just a robbery, you really had to shoot? Damn you, I haven't spent any of my prize money! My Kyabakura hostesses and gravure idols! I'm still a virgin damnit!"
Kazuma collapsed in a pool of blood, his consciousness fading.
...
When he woke up, he found himself in a strange place.
"Didn't I die? This should be the afterlife, but shouldn't it be gloomy and terrifying? What's with the blue sky, white clouds, and green grass? And that glaring sun. What is going on? Where is King Enma? I don't see any oni from Hell either. I just wanted to do a good deed, and that robber sent me packing. If I'd known, I wouldn't have been so reckless."
"In my next life, I should lay low. The more reckless you are, the faster you die. Ugh! I don't want to think about it. This must be the afterlife. The gloomy stuff is just nonsense from myths. I've been a law-abiding citizen my whole life, never committed a crime, and I always gave up my seat on the train. I should get a good reincarnation this time." Kazuma stared blankly at the sky, lost in thought.
"Hey, brat, is there something interesting up there?" a female voice came from beside him.
Kazuma looked toward the source of the voice.
"Whoa, what a beautiful girl."
The person was a young woman wearing a black kimono with a white haori that had a suō-colored lining. Her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she wore glasses.
She was petite but had a full bust, a calm expression, and a katana at her waist.
Kazuma stared, dumbfounded.
His brain short-circuited!
'Wait a minute, isn't this supposed to be the afterlife? This art style is wrong.'
If his memory served him right, that black outfit wasn't a standard kimono, it was a Shihakusho.
This attire belonged to a Shinigami, and a Captain-level one at that.
Not every Shinigami was qualified to wear a haori; it was an exclusive garment for Captains. A suō-colored lining... that was the color of the 8th Division's haori in the Gotei 13.
Coming back to his senses, Kazuma looked at the woman's face. 'A woman, Captain of the 8th Division, wearing glasses... is she Yadomaru Lisa?'
'Why does she look different from the anime? Or maybe I'm mistaken. But a female 8th Division Captain who wears glasses and has a large chest, that has to be her.' Kazuma's face turned beet red. My god.
Kazuma tried to sort through the plot of Bleach in his mind.
Yadomaru Lisa's promotion to Captain of the 8th Division happened after the Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
The previous Captain of the 8th Division was Shunsui Kyōraku.
During the Thousand-Year Blood War, the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 and Captain of the First Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni, was killed by the Quincy King, Yhwach.
Afterward, Shunsui Kyōraku accepted the order from the Central 46 Chambers and succeeded him as the Captain of the First Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13.
Shunsui Kyōraku had two Vice-Captains.
One was Nanao Ise, who transferred with him to become the Vice-Captain of the First Division. The other was the current Captain of the 8th Division, Yadomaru Lisa.
This woman's appearance was different from his memory, perhaps due to the passage of time. He had no idea what the current timeline was.
Even knowing the plot was useless now, since the manga only went up to the end of the Thousand-Year Blood War, and the author hadn't drawn anything after that.
At this moment, Kazuma felt his vision go dark.
Other people who transmigrate usually end up within the plot's timeline.
How could he be so unlucky? He transmigrated into the anime world he was familiar with, only to find himself after the story ended.
He had no idea what would happen in the future. He was screwed!
The woman who was possibly Yadomaru Lisa spoke.
"Brat, what's with that expression? Do you know me? Also, welcome to the final resting place of Souls, the Soul Society!"