[Daily check-in complete. Distributing task reward…]
[Congratulations, Host. You've gained Spiritual Pressure Amplification!]
Just as Shimo stepped out of the assembly hall, the sound of the system's voice echoed in his ears.
As the message ended, a warm sensation surged from deep within his body, rushing upward like a tidal wave.
His spiritual pressure surged violently—like crashing waves battering his soul.
Only now did Shimo fully understand what this reward truly meant.
It wasn't just any boost—it amplified his already Captain-class spiritual pressure, making it even more powerful.
If his previous spiritual pressure was a "1," then now it had grown to 2, 3… perhaps even more.
Once the amplification ended, Shimo took a moment to assess the change in his own energy levels.
"I'm probably on par with that foolish uncle of mine now."
"Although… in terms of raw combat power, there's still a clear gap."
He furrowed his brow, pondering how to strengthen himself even further.
With certain schemers lurking in the shadows, lacking power made him deeply uneasy.
As Kyoraku Shunsui had once said, Soul Society was far from as peaceful as it appeared on the surface.
Beneath the calm, chaos stirred.
The news of a recent graduate from the Shin'ō Academy becoming a Liutenant on only his second day in a division spread like wildfire.
The Seireitei Communications Division, ever diligent, quickly disseminated the news across Soul Society.
Eight Division Barracks.
Captain Kyoraku Shunsui was sitting unusually upright, seriously reading through an official report—his face unusually focused.
Such a sight was rare in the Eight Division.
To see their famously lazy captain actually engaged in paperwork? It was enough to bring a tear to Nanao's eye.
Maybe… he really does have a sense of responsibility after all.
"Shimo, that kid… actually became the Fourth Division's Liutenant?!"
Kyoraku put the document down, a look of genuine astonishment on his face.
"This doesn't follow the Kyoraku family tradition at all!"
Hearing his muttering, Nanao tilted her head in confusion.
"Captain, don't you have any faith in him?"
"Personally, I think this result is only natural."
Shunsui stroked the stubble on his chin, still visibly surprised.
"You have to understand—when I became a captain, it was because old man Yamamoto forced me into it."
"He pointed Ryūjin Jakka at my neck—barely an inch away."
Only then did Nanao fully understand the underlying meaning in his words.
She let out a helpless sigh, massaging her temple.
"Where does that effortless sense of superiority even come from?"
"And is it really okay to dump all your responsibilities onto your lieutenant?"
Shunsui smiled cheerfully.
"Oya oya, little Nanao-chan~ try to understand how hard it is for your captain to focus on his creative pursuits."
Adjusting her glasses coldly, Nanao retorted:
"You mean that romance serial unfit for minors?"
Fifth Division Barracks.
Aizen Sōsuke stood by the window, quietly reading through the same report, his gaze focused and contemplative.
After a long silence, he gently set the file down and looked out toward a quiet corner of the Division compound.
A faint, unreadable smile curled on his lips.
His gaze was deep—like a bottomless abyss.
"Kyoraku Shimo, hmm?"
"An unexpected variable."
Shin'ō Academy – Swordsmanship (Zanjutsu) Class.
Instructor Miyano Kaede gathered his students—who were still diligently practicing sword techniques.
Normally calm and composed, his face now showed rare excitement.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make."
"Just yesterday, my former student—your classmate—Shimo-kun won his Seat Challenge Duel and has officially become the Fourth Division Liutenant!"
Even someone like Miyano, whose entire life was devoted to Zanjutsu, couldn't help but feel thrilled.
Even if… in truth, he had barely taught Shimo anything at all.
He continued his enthusiastic speech from the podium, entirely unaware of the complex emotions playing out in the room below.
Rukia sat at her desk, resting her cheeks in her hands, her gaze unfocused in the morning sun.
"Shimo's already a Liutenant…"
"The gap between us just keeps getting wider."
Nearby, Renji Abarai clenched his fists so tightly the veins stood out. His eyes burned with a frustrated mix of admiration and anger.
"What he said back then—it really came true, huh?"
Ever since being defeated by Shimo in Zanjutsu, Renji had regarded him as a rival—a target to surpass no matter what.
Yet despite his relentless training, Shimo's back only grew farther and farther out of reach.
Fourth Division – Sixth Relief Unit's Quarters.
Shimo continued his early morning sword training as usual.
After that clash with Unohana, he felt he'd gained a new understanding of the sword.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
Shimo opened it, and was mildly surprised by who stood outside.
"Captain Unohana. Isane."
"What brings you two here?"
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