Though the idea felt a bit self-serving, Haruki mused that if rest Rangiku's soul could win Gin Ichimaru's favor, it might be worth sacrifig a fragment of his own soul. After all, Ichimaru's "Venomous Serpent" ability was something he greatly desired.

  Maybe ter, he thought. For now, I don't even know Gin that well, and more importantly, I'm too weak. At the very least, he'd o achieve Bankai before taking on such risks.

  ...

  By the time the gathering ended, it was well past 11 PM. When Haruki settled the bill, he found that the feast had cost him a whopping 520,000 kan.

  What the hell?! That was nearly two months' sary—post-promotion! In modern currency, this would equate to over 30,000 yuan. He sighed but soled himself. It's an iment in goodwill and strength. Totally worth it.

  One by ohe squad members left, until it was just him and a tipsy Rangiku left at the tavern. Her face was flushed red, and the st of alcohol surrounded her. She cpped him hard on the shoulder.

  "Good… good job, kid," she slurred, her speech slightly i.

  Haruki winced. "You're drunk."

  "I'm not drunk!" Rangiku decred with a loud ugh, giving him another hearty sp. "From now on, you've got my prote! If you need anything, just e find me in Squad Ten!"

  "Yeah, yeah, you've said that a huimes already," Haruki retorted, waving her off as he watched her leave.

  He turo head home himself but froze wheiced a man standing before him.

  ...

  "Are you… a Squad Five member?" the man asked.

  Haruki immediately reized the figure: a man dressed in aravagant kimono and wearing a ical hat. Few people in the Seireitei could afford such attire, which Haruki knew cost a staggering 3.3 million kan. Only nobles h-ranking officials could wear something like this.

  "You're… Captain Kyoraku?!" Haruki excimed in surprise.

  Indeed, standing before him was her than Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of Squad Eight. Haruki's eyes briefly flickered with i as he assessed Kyoraku's soul ability:

  "tradis"When perf as trary to your outward demeanor, your spiritual power increases dramatically.

  Fitting, Haruki thought. Kyoraku's rexed, zy fa?ade belied his ruthlessness in bat. During the battle with Starrk, Kyoraku's feigned camaraderie had lulled his oppo into a false sense of security before a swift and merciless ambush.

  Haruki didn't fault him for such tactics—it was war, after all. But still, this ability was a tempting prize.

  ...

  Kyoraku gave an apologetic smile. "Ah, you've caught me. Well, now that we're acquainted, how about inviting me ime you host something like this?"

  "...Huh?" Haruki's face turned into a cssiime-style expression of disbelief. "Captain Kyoraku, are you seriously—"

  "You're embarrassing yourself!" a sharp voiterrupted. A young woman in Shinigami attire appeared out of nowhere and smacked Kyoraku on the head.

  "How could you, a captain, make su undignified request to a member of another squad?!" she scolded.

  Haruki reized her immediately: Nanao Ise, Kyoraku's lieutenant. Her soul ability caught his eye:

  "Mirror Refle"Gees a mirror at the fiips capable of refleg an oppo's attack.

  Ah, this must tie into her family's legacy on, the Eight Mirrors Sword, Haruki thought. The ability to reflect attacks sounded immensely useful. These two are definitely worth befriending.

  "I… see. Captain Kyoraku, Lieutenant Ise, what exactly is going on here?" Haruki asked, suppressing a ugh.

  Nanao coughed awkwardly. "It's nothing. We have other matters to attend to. Let's go, Captain."

  As she dragged Kyoraku away, the captain shot Haruki a pyful look, clearly indig that he meant what he said about future invitations. Haruki shook his head with a chuckle and started heading home.

  ...

  The night left Haruki p the dynamics withiei 13. Traditionally, squads ied minimally with one another. Members rarely crossed paths unless absolutely necessary, and even captains were often unknown to one another's subordinates.

  Haruki, however, had a different vision. I'm going to uhe Gotei 13—bee a social bridge, a "pyer" in this world. Whether male or female, ally or potential foe, ah a soul ability otential e to cultivate.

  Eveer, he dreamed of befriending Arrancars and Quincies. Why limit himself to Shinigami? To Haruki, every ability portunity.

  Humming a cheerful tune, he returned home and activated his Safe Haven ability, designating his house as the sanctuary. Immediately, a wave of relief washed over him.

  For the first time, Haruki felt truly at ease. Knowing that the stant surveilnce of Seireitei no longer extended into his private space, he could finally rex.

  ...

  Back at home, Haruki retrieved his Zanpakutō—or rather, his Asauchi, as it had yet to awaken. Normally, it would take years of nurturing one's spiritual e to the Asauchi before achieving Shikai. Most students began this process upoering the Shino Academy, and the timeline for reag Shikai varied greatly—anywhere from graduation to decades ter.

  Under normal circumstances, Haruki's progress would have been just as slow, but with "Child Prodigy" (thanks to Hitsugaya's ability), everything was accelerating. Even the process of infusing his soul esseo the Asauchi was happening at an astonishing pace.

  bined with the foundation he had built over ten years, Haruki could already faintly hear the voice of his Zanpakutō calling out to him.

  Smiling to himself, he thought, It won't be long now.