Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!

Hinamori was a highly adaptable girl.

She could sync perfectly with Shin—something Isane Kotetsu could never manage.

Isane was far too shy, making it difficult for Shin to fully engage himself. Hinamori, on the other hand, seemed to have mastered every nuance of Shin's preferences and habits. Sometimes, a single glance between them was all it took for her to know what to do, how to do it, and exactly how to satisfy him.

Her tolerance was actually quite low, yet she was still willing to go the extra mile for Shin even after she'd reached her limit.

That alone made her utterly irresistible in Shin's eyes.

He'd gotten used to her pestering him at the squad barracks every day. After all, with a girl so accommodating, it felt cruel to respond with indifference or annoyance.

So Shin began keeping her by his side more often—even when going out for routine patrols.

Squad 1 Barracks, Captain's Meeting

As Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni declared, "This meeting is adjourned," the various captains filtered out of the room one after another.

Shiba Kaien came over in a familiar way, throwing an arm around Shin's shoulder.

"How about a drink somewhere?"

"Hey now, Captain Shiba, our captain still has work to do this afternoon," Matsumoto Rangiku cut in before Shin could answer. "Unlike you, he's not lazing around all day."

Kaien was well aware of Rangiku's nature. He didn't believe for a second she was being dutiful for the squad's sake.

He turned to her with a grin. "Why don't you come too?"

Rangiku's face lit up immediately. "Sounds great!"

Shin: "…"

Even Shiba Kūkaku couldn't help but smirk.

"I know a good izakaya nearby," Rangiku offered cheerfully. "I go there all the time."

Kaien raised a brow. "Didn't you just say you had urgent work to do?"

Rangiku replied without missing a beat, "I just remembered—those tasks can totally wait till tonight."

As the four of them were preparing to leave together, two more figures blocked their path.

Shin blinked in surprise. "Captain Aizen?"

It was Aizen Sōsuke, accompanied by Ichimaru Gin.

The moment Rangiku saw them, her smile vanished. Her eyes locked onto Gin's silver-haired figure, but he simply kept his ever-present fox-like grin, ignoring her stare entirely.

"Captain Tachikawa, Captain Shiba," Aizen greeted politely, "Sorry to interrupt. I have a request for Captain Tachikawa."

"Of course," Shin replied.

"Do you recall the Hollow outbreak in Kusajishi District of the Rukongai several months ago?"

Shin thought for a moment, then nodded. "I remember."

Aizen continued, "That incident left a member of Squad 11 seriously injured. My squad went to assist, but the Hollow managed to escape. It seems to have reappeared recently. I was hoping, Captain Tachikawa, that while you're out on patrol, you might keep an eye on the outer districts. That Hollow is quite formidable—ordinary seated officers wouldn't stand a chance."

Shin looked at the calm and earnest man before him. Though they hadn't interacted much before, it was surprising that Aizen would come personally—even under the pretext of work.

"I understand," Shin said. "I'll keep an eye out."

Aizen smiled with relief. "Thank you, Captain Tachikawa."

He then took his leave, Gin trailing after him.

"What a responsible captain," Kaien said as he watched them go. "A model leader."

It wasn't an exaggeration. Among all captains, Aizen Sōsuke's reputation for diligence and leadership was rivaled only by Captain Ukitake. He was beloved and admired across the Gotei 13.

Though Kaien wasn't especially close to him, he held Aizen in high regard.

The Hollow incident in the outskirts of the 79th district wasn't even within Aizen's formal jurisdiction. As captain of Squad 5—the reinforcement division—he didn't have to concern himself with patrols. Even Shin, who was in charge of patrolling, wouldn't be blamed for ignoring it.

Diligent indeed...

Shin chuckled lightly. "Shall we go? Rangiku, which way's the izakaya?"

Rangiku snapped out of her daze. "Oh, right. This way!"

Kaien frowned. "What were you staring at?"

"None of your business," Rangiku snapped back.

Kaien was outraged. "Hey hey hey! Show some respect! Shin, can't you rein in your lieutenant a little? I'm a squad captain, damn it! A captain!"

He kept repeating the word as Kūkaku giggled, pushing him forward.

Once seated at the izakaya, Rangiku, who had seemed distracted, grew even more distant, resting her chin in her hand and spacing out.

But after a few drinks, her gloom lifted. Hugging Kūkaku, she began to rant about how unreliable men were.

Kaien groaned. "You realize there are two men sitting here right now? And don't say stuff like that to my wife!"

Rangiku glanced between him and Shin, then sneered.

Both men were speechless.

She added, "You get a pass, I guess. You're married and technically my senior. But our dear Captain here—hic—he's still just a little brat."

Shin's face darkened.

You haven't even tried me, he thought. How would you know if I'm "little"?

Rangiku giggled. "Kūkaku, you didn't see what he was like a few years ago in the Academy. Such a sweet little boy. Always so polite."

Kaien looked nostalgic. "Yeah… back then, Shin really was different."

"I don't think I've changed that much," Shin said.

Kaien disagreed. "It's more about the feel of your reiatsu. Back then, you felt like a kid. Now… I can't read you at all."

In terms of age, Kaien could easily be Shin's elder. Many of the other captains could practically be his ancestors.

"There aren't many captains in Seireitei whose reiatsu gives me that kind of pressure," Kaien continued. "I wouldn't be surprised if yours has reached Second-Class Reiatsu."

Shin just smiled.

Kaien raised a brow. "If that's true, it's strange. Your Academy entrance test scores weren't that high."

"They weren't," Rangiku agreed. "Seventh class? Maybe eighth?"

Kaien said, "That's the odd part. I was called a genius too—graduated in a year and started as 3rd seat—but even I was a Sixth-Class Reiatsu when I entered. Hitsugaya from your squad was the same. Gin from Squad 5 too."

Shin laughed. "True genius stands apart from the rest. You're just regular geniuses. I'm the once-in-a-millennium type. Naturally, you wouldn't understand."

Kaien scoffed. "Humble as ever."

They clinked cups.

"Any progress on your Bankai?" Kaien asked.

Shin paused, then shook his head.

He'd met Hiyori and Lisa in the Human World, but their affection levels were still in the single digits.

The only real progress had come from Hinamori, whose affection score had recently climbed to 95.

[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 59%]

So close… yet not quite.

Kaien chuckled. "Well, even the heavens are fair. You can't have everything. You've only been a Shinigami for a few years. Some take decades to master Bankai. Nothing unusual about that."

Shin's eyes drifted to Rangiku.

She caught the look and snapped, "What are you staring at me for? Gross."

"If you were a bit nicer to me," Shin sighed, "I might already have my Bankai."

"Why should I be nicer? I already treat you well enough! Ever think it's your fault? Maybe you should treat me better!"

Affection scores didn't rise just from saying sweet nothings.

Shin shifted the topic. "How's Kira doing in your squad?"

"Good kid," Kaien said. "Works hard, smart too. He'll make a fine lieutenant one day."

High praise.

Becoming a vice-captain was no small feat. Becoming a captain required even more—talent, timing, opportunity.

The captains of the Gotei 13 were long-lived. With the Soul Society so peaceful now, it wasn't unusual for squads to go hundreds of years without a change. The odds for newcomers were slim.

"Be grateful to Squad 10," Rangiku chimed in. "If not for us, you wouldn't have gotten that top student."

Kaien rolled his eyes. "Already said thanks."

Given Shin and Kira's relationship, it was strange Kira hadn't ended up in Squad 10. Kaien knew immediately it was Shin's doing when he heard Kira had chosen Squad 3.

"He's worth grooming," Kaien said. "I plan to have him take over for Kūkaku. Squad 3's had a vacant captain's seat for decades. We need strong new blood."

Shin smiled. "Then you'd better put in some effort yourselves."

He caught the implication: the couple planned to have a child.

Kaien laughed. Kūkaku looked a little shy.

Rangiku blinked. "What effort? What are you guys talking about?"

Kūkaku leaned in and whispered.

Rangiku gasped. "Really?!"

Then she looked at Kaien suspiciously. "Can you even do it?"

Kaien exploded. "What the hell?!"

By the time they left, the sun was dipping low. Rangiku had had too much to drink and staggered as she walked.

"You okay?" Shin asked, seeing her weave from side to side.

She turned and said pitifully, "I can't. Captain, gimme a few days off…"

"Not a chance."

"Heartless man."

Shin raised a brow. "Didn't you just say I was a little brat? Now I'm a man?"

Rangiku spun, walking backward, peering at him. "I take it back. You are a man now—just a boring, low-grade one!"

Shin scowled. "I am your captain!"

She didn't flinch. "So? I'm still your senior. You used to treat me so sweetly. Now look at you—just another bloodsucker squeezing your subordinates dry."

She sighed dramatically. "I guess I just have bad luck. Never met a man I could truly depend on. What? Why're you staring? You gonna hit me? Go ahead. Hit me!"

Smack!

Rangiku froze. Her hands flew to her backside as she turned wide, stunned eyes on Shin. The alcohol haze vanished in an instant.

He raised his palm. "You asked for it. I've never heard a more unreasonable request."

Her face twisted. She glared daggers.

"You pervert! You scumbag! You damn freak!"

Shin wasn't even mad. He just grinned. "I fulfilled your wish. Why do you look so upset, big sis?"

"Ew!" Rangiku recoiled. "I'm telling Hinamori everything!"

"Go ahead," Shin shrugged. "Tell the whole squad. I'll explain, we'll all discuss, and in the end, we'll let everyone decide who was in the wrong."

"You…"

She fumed. "Stay away from me! Don't follow me!"

"I'm going back to the barracks. If I don't, all the work falls to you."

Shin turned to walk away.

"...Wait!"

He turned back, grinning. "Knew you couldn't leave me, big sis."