Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

First Division Barracks.

When Sasakibe Chōjirō pushed open the door to the quiet room, he found Shin alone inside, reclining under a low table, his upper body leaned back against its surface.

He looked exhausted.

Though his battle with Unohana Retsu had ended quickly and hadn't seemed to drain much energy, exhaustion didn't always come from the body.

Sasakibe watched him in silence for a moment before speaking.

"Captain Tachikawa."

At the sound of his voice, Shin stirred slightly and turned to look.

"Sasakibe-senpai."

"Captain Unohana has returned to the Fourth Division," Sasakibe said. "She said… she'll uphold her agreement with the Head-Captain."

"Mm."

"The Head-Captain… also expressed his understanding toward you."

"Mm."

Shin leaned his head back again, eyes on the ceiling.

Sasakibe paused, then said, "The Head-Captain says you may return."

"…"

He added, "You can understand his perspective, can't you?"

Shin gave a quiet chuckle. "That sounds like you're implying the Head-Captain did something wrong. Did he?"

Sasakibe sighed lightly. "I just think… if you'd trusted us more from the beginning, there wouldn't have been so many misunderstandings."

Shin smiled faintly, saying nothing in response.

There was truth to Sasakibe's words. If Shin had revealed his plan from the start, perhaps Yamamoto wouldn't have been so furious.

But that would've created new problems.

Shin could trust Yamamoto—but could Yamamoto offer him the same trust in return?

For Shin, some things had to be done first, explanations given later.

"The Head-Captain bears a heavy burden," Sasakibe added.

To speak frankly—many of Shin's actions bordered on arrogance.

He was a prodigy, after all. To possess captain-class strength at such a young age… perhaps the first in Soul Society's history.

Because of that, the Head-Captain gave him special attention, even leniency, tolerating behavior others would never get away with.

If it were someone else, Yamamoto likely wouldn't have even allowed these chances.

Mutual responsibility. Sasakibe hoped Shin could live up to that "special attention" and one day become a pillar of Soul Society.

He would, Sasakibe believed. In a few decades—or centuries—Shin would grow more stable, more mature.

Suddenly, Shin rose to his feet and brushed imaginary dust from his haori.

"Then I'll take my leave."

"…"

As he passed by, Sasakibe spoke again.

"Thank you."

Shin paused in his step, then turned with a cheerful smile.

"I didn't do it for a thank you."

"I know," Sasakibe replied. "And I didn't say it just for myself."

As Shin left the room, he glanced toward the Head-Captain's office. White walls, a wooden door—he couldn't see inside.

But perhaps someone on the other side was watching him, too.

He didn't return to the Tenth Division. Instead, he went home.

The reward from Unohana's sudden spike in affection had caused a breakthrough in his power.

In that instant, Shin had felt something inside himself change completely.

[Reiatsu Level: Lv61]

Second-Class Reiatsu.

His body had undergone a qualitative transformation.

Because of their dense reishi, captains of the Gotei 13 couldn't have their bodies return to Spirit Particles after death. Instead, a special soul funeral ritual was needed to send them to Hell.

Everything in Soul Society was made of reishi. Existing in such a space always felt surreal.

He had visited the World of the Living before. The difference in density was like air versus water.

Now, he could feel how weightless his body had become—nothing around him felt like an obstacle. He existed within the world and yet stood completely apart from it.

Second-class reiatsu was rare even among captains.

Still, Shin estimated that purely in terms of spiritual pressure, he was still a far cry from someone like Unohana.

She had lived for over a thousand years.

The gap between First-Class and Second-Class Reiatsu… who could even measure it?

But it wasn't a problem for Shin. With the system, he had no bottlenecks.

All he had to do was keep moving forward.

Beyond the reiatsu boost, his Zanpakutō's unlock progress had reached 58%.

He wasn't sure if 60% would be the threshold for Bankai. He'd already been able to use an incomplete Shikai at 10%.

The powers of This Shore and the Other were already excessive. With his reiatsu to support them, they were more than enough.

Unless Bankai granted something truly absurd, it might not offer much more improvement.

"Stasis" already made him virtually immune to external damage.

"Reversal" was also incredibly disruptive in battle, catching opponents completely off guard.

He had tested it on Soifon in the prison.

And again during the fight today—he'd moved, then suddenly reversed to a point in his own motion path, completely throwing Unohana's senses.

Using it on others consumed far more reiatsu—like healing.

What he hoped for was a new power in his Bankai.

The next day.

Shin arrived early at the Tenth Division, greeting Matsumoto Rangiku with a smile.

But she looked at him with feigned sorrow.

"Where's Hitsugaya?"

"He took leave to visit his home, didn't he?"

"He's been gone for days! He can't just abandon all the paperwork and hide at home forever!" Rangiku snapped.

Shin replied, "You know his grandmother's ill. Can't the vice-captain be a little more understanding? If you keep pushing him, he might burn out. I have high hopes for him, you know."

Rangiku protested, "So now it's my fault? Aren't you the one who dumped all this work on me? You were missing all day yesterday! That wasn't your day off—where did you even go?"

Shin walked into his office, replying casually, "I gave you the tasks appropriate for a third seat. And as vice-captain, Hitsugaya's responsibilities are naturally yours. As for my duties—I already finished them."

That shut Rangiku up.

Truthfully, things were easier now than before. She'd gotten used to overwork under Shiba Isshin's laziness. She'd always grumbled—but had unconsciously assumed Shin would be the same.

Back when Hitsugaya had just been appointed third seat, she had dumped everything on him.

Now with him gone, she was left to face it all again.

She considered, then smiled sweetly and sidled up.

"Captain~ can I take the afternoon off?"

Shin didn't look up. "Why? Didn't you just take leave the day before yesterday for a Women's Association event?"

Rangiku's voice dripped with charm. "I want to check on Hitsugaya's grandmother. He is my subordinate—it's only proper I show concern."

She didn't quite believe the story about the grandmother's illness—felt like an excuse. She wanted to go check in person. If he was lying, she'd drag him back. But if it was true, she'd have nothing to say.

Shin replied flatly, "You're just trying to drag him back. And who'll care for his grandmother then?"

Rangiku fumed, "Captain! How could you think that of me?! You're so petty!"

"Petty?" Shin raised an eyebrow with an odd smile. "Who's always badmouthing me around the squad?"

Rangiku flinched. "W-Who…?"

Shin continued, "I haven't been captain long, and I may not have many achievements yet. But I've handled every responsibility properly. Yet someone says I ignore my duties. Poor me, newly promoted, already facing suspicion."

Rangiku's eye twitched. Then she burst out angrily, "Who?! Who dares say such things! I'll find them and teach them a lesson! How dare they slander the captain!"

"She?" Shin smiled slyly. "So you know it's a she, huh?"

Rangiku looked sheepish. She knew she couldn't dodge anymore. She stepped closer, grabbed his arm, and pressed herself tightly against him.

"Caaaptaaain~"

Her voice dripped with syrup. Shin shivered. His arm was smothered in warmth and softness.

Holy hell.

Even through the haori and the shihakushō, the bounce and heat were unreal.

"Captain~ I'm doing this for you~ Just say yes~"

Yes… what was the question again?

Shin coughed and suddenly straightened, sitting upright.

"You've got work to finish this afternoon."

No way was he letting her slack again.

He knew Hitsugaya had likely taken leave just to escape her.

He'd visited Hitsugaya's home before—with Hinamori. Without Hitsugaya's reiatsu constantly around, his grandmother's health had improved.

And in Soul Society, people without spiritual pressure didn't even need to eat—just water. Illness was rare.

That was probably why Rangiku had her doubts.

But Shin couldn't let her go on shirking.

He was captain now—he couldn't keep covering for his vice-captain.

Rangiku scowled and slammed a rolled-up paper against his shoulder.

"Pervert!"

The softness vanished. Shin couldn't help but feel disappointed.

He glared. "Pervert? You're the one who came on to me!"

Rangiku stormed out of the office.

That damn woman.

Shin propped his chin on his hand, recalling the sensation with a sigh.

No matter if it was Isane, Rukia, or Hinamori—none of them could compare to Rangiku in that department.

A different figure crossed his mind.

Come to think of it, his sword… was probably with her.

Evening fell. Shadows deepened.

Shin left the office and encountered several squad members preparing to head out.

"Captain!"

"Mm." Shin waved casually. "By the way—any of you seen Matsumoto?"

They all shook their heads. No one had seen her since the afternoon.

Probably slipped off to the Rukongai.

Unbelievable.

Shin sighed.

He didn't go home. Instead, he headed for the Fourth Division.

The lights in the medical wing were still on, the air filled with familiar medicinal scents.

He still hadn't fully adjusted to being away from the Fourth. Being here always felt more natural.

The barracks were quiet now.

He walked slowly through the halls, reaching the innermost courtyard where only one room still glowed with light.

Unohana Retsu's tea room.

He looked through the open window—and saw her inside.

She sat serenely, arranging flowers, white haori slightly rumpled, her dark hair cascading neatly behind her.

She was breathtaking, her elegance edged with an allure impossible to ignore.

Beside her, his black asauchi lay.

She must've known he'd come. She didn't react to his footsteps. Just continued trimming the stems, placing them carefully into a vase.

Shin stood at the doorway for a while before she finally looked up.

Inside, not a word was spoken.

Outside, the wind rustled the trees like murmuring voices.

End of Volume.