บท 57: Chapter 57 ⥤ You Think a Few Words Will Make Me Pledge My Life?
Akira's response was dismissive, focused only on discussing the Death Sword Style and his status as a rare genius. Even Unohana's endless praise and attempts to recruit him into 4th Division to inherit her legacy didn't interest Sōjun.
Seeing the young man's insatiable appetite for gossip, Akira deflected with one last suggestion to ask Unohana for details before turning over to sleep. He had good reason to rest — his energy was depleted.
He had eliminated regular Hollows, wiped out Rebel assassins, faced off against an Adjuchas, undergone Unohana's intensive medical treatment, and trained rigorously in the Death Sword Style until late at night.
{T/N: Just to be clear, the MC's own 'Death Slayer Style' is based on the style above. They are similar, but improved.}
In terms of hardship, even Aizen couldn't compare.
'I'm incredibly diligent. If everyone had even a third of my dedication, Soul Society would flourish.'
With that self-satisfied thought, he drifted peacefully to sleep.
Sōjun lay awake, staring at Akira's back. The tantalizing gossip just beyond his reach felt like ants crawling under his skin — he couldn't sleep, couldn't even find peace.
Yet his noble upbringing and good character prevented him from disturbing someone's rest. And so the frail Kuchiki, dark circles forming under his eyes, remained sleepless through the night.
The night passed without incident.
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The next morning, Unohana came to the ward to check on both patients.
"Not following doctor's orders? Insufficient rest will affect your recovery." After a brief examination, she frowned, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval.
Being a doctor, she particularly disliked patients who ignored medical advice.
Sōjun, with dark circles under his eyes, glanced wearily at her, then at the energetic person beside him, and sighed deeply without saying a word. He remained as he had always been — constitutionally weak from birth, healing extremely slowly, and needing more time to recuperate.
Akira, however, was quite the opposite.
Thanks to his unusual Spiritual Body, his recovery power was astounding. Even the severe penetrating wound from the Adjuchas had healed seventy to eighty percent in a short time.
Of course, Unohana's medical skills and Kaidō techniques played a major role in this.
Although he possessed the enhancement of 'Miraculous Healing' (Trait) in healing techniques, when it came to true medical skill, he couldn't compare to her. In fact, few, if anyone, in all of Soul Society could.
After giving some precautions, Unohana hurriedly left — being Captain of 4th Division kept her quite busy.
"I really envy you." Sōjun watched as Akira moved about the ward, letting out a heavy sigh, his handsome face full of melancholy, "Such serious injuries, yet you can already move around. You'll probably leave the hospital in a few days, right?"
Akira, checking his body's flexibility, replied without turning around.
"That depends on Captain Unohana's opinion. Though personally, I feel I could leave today if needed."
At these words, Sōjun's expression grew even more dejected.
His recovery speed was worse than ordinary Shinigami, let alone a monster like this priest. They were in completely different leagues.
"If only I could be like you." He said, envy plain in his eyes, "Sigh..."
Akira suddenly turned around.
"I almost forgot — you set me up this time. Shouldn't Young Master Kuchiki offer some compensation?"
Sōjun looked completely puzzled, not understanding his meaning.
Seeing this, Akira sighed, "You used the talisman, right?"
The much more rich guy nodded.
"The tide of war was turned, wasn't it?"
Sōjun's pupils contracted.
Regarding the war between the Kuchiki family, 6th Division, and the Rebels, only a few Captains in the Gotei 13 knew about it.
It was absolutely confidential — how did this guy know? Could there be a traitor among them?!
His heart clenched with worry for his father and other relatives still on the battlefield.
However, Akira's next words immediately dispelled these concerns.
"The Rebel assassins appeared because a traitor in the Shin'ō Academy revealed the source of the talisman — meaning me. Even though they were just small fry, you, Young Master Kuchiki, should offer some explanation, right?" He stared intently, waiting for a response.
For just one talisman, this young super blaster rich noble could produce ₭100,000. Surely such a serious incident deserved compensation?
Sōjun deeply furrowed his brow. He hadn't anticipated the Rebels would target the priest who sold him the talisman. And its effectiveness had been truly astonishing.
From this perspective, Akira wasn't just his savior, but the savior of the entire Kuchiki family.
After lengthy consideration, he raised his head, met Akira's expectant gaze, and said seriously.
"How about... You join the Kuchiki clan!"
Akira: "???"
"The Rebel forces in Soul Society aren't rebels in the literal sense — they're more accurately conflicts of interest between various factions." Sōjun explained, "They dare to assassinate so recklessly because you lack background. If you join the Kuchiki clan, those people would be more cautious."
Akira snorted, "And then get dragged into your nobles' dirty power struggles? Become a blade to deal with other factions?"
Sōjun was stunned, never expecting such insight from this seemingly carefree young man.
"Don't misunderstand — I would never let you get involved in any of that." He explained earnestly, "Just one talisman has helped me immensely, even saving my life multiple times. I swear on the Kuchiki name, I would never let a benefactor—"
Akira raised his hand, cutting off the words with a sigh.
"You sucker—ahem, I mean, Young Master Kuchiki, I know you're a good person. But consider this: if even your father, Ginrei Kuchiki, can't fully control the clan, how could you, merely an heir, guarantee anything?"
Sōjun fell silent.
Though bluntly put, the seemingly carefree Akira understood these matters even more deeply than him.
"Besides, this concerns my future career and prospects." Akira patted Sōjun's shoulder, rubbed his fingers together, and lowered his voice, "Do you know what the Shihōin clan offered to recruit me? Two petite and cute girls, one dark and one fair! And you think these few words will make me pledge my life to the Kuchiki clan?"
{T/N:… MC's a menace!}
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T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
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บท 58: Chapter 58 ⥤ Sometimes Life Can Have Its Ups… or Just a Series of Downs
He had initially thought Akira was carefree and thoughtless, but the man's perspective on matters proved far more astute than his own. Despite living in the Rukongai, he showed remarkable familiarity with the nobles' underhanded dealings.
Yet just when Sōjun thought they were having a serious discussion, one mention of the Shihōin family's offer completely shattered his defenses.
Raise the price?! How could he possibly do that?
The Shihōin clan had already offered their future Head as a candidate — and it was essentially a two-for-one deal!
He tried to consider every eligible woman in the entire clan, then glanced at Akira, who had begun training intensively, and immediately abandoned the futile idea. None of them could compare to having Yoruichi.
Even if they were all willing, Akira would certainly refuse.
Well, best to let things take their natural course. Now that they had backing, those troublemakers would likely show more restraint...
Having temporarily set aside Sōjun's worrisome thoughts, Akira focused on his self-training.
The battle with the Adjuchas had revealed major shortcomings in his abilities. While he possessed trump cards against strong enemies, they required preparation time.
Offering prayers to the deity wasn't as simple as speaking words. Without a proper medium for communication and his current level of faith in Mimihagi, he'd likely receive no response. Not every dangerous encounter would have Aizen nearby to assist and draw attention.
Currently, he had few options to become stronger, though they were all effective: inscribing the Kidō pattern for Shakkahō (Hadō #31) and training to increase Reiatsu.
The former offered quick results but carried risks, while the latter was safer but slower. Akira decided to pursue both approaches.
After bidding farewell to his wealthy roommate, he eagerly left the hospital room with a carefree attitude unbefitting a proper patient.
Watching this scene, Sōjun's mood grew even more melancholic.
Though his injuries were less severe than this guy's, his discharge date would likely be delayed considerably.
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Unohana's Private Training Ground.
Practice makes perfect — while Unohana was busy elsewhere, Akira had already made himself at home in her cottage. The spacious grounds and quiet environment were perfect for intensive solo training.
Drawing from his previous two attempts, inscribing the Shakkahō Kidō pattern went much more smoothly this time.
Scorching heat spread across his skin, turning it brilliant red as if painted with blood. The burning sensation erupted from within, coursing throughout his body like being roasted in a furnace, evaporating every drop of moisture.
As the inscription process continued, his body temperature rose rapidly, soon breaking through the limits that ordinary Shinigami could endure.
The surrounding air became distorted, making Akira, who sat cross-legged in the center, appear almost abstract.
The difficulty of inscribing the Shakkahō pattern was clearly several times higher than that of Byakurai.
Beyond the complex patterns, there was another crucial reason: as the Hadō #31 patterns were completed, they conflicted with the Hadō #4. Their incompatible properties would take time to polish for perfect integration.
Akira now seemed to be in the depths of hell's furnace. Flames surrounded him in a sphere, enveloping him completely, wildly burning everything around.
His strong will once again proved useful — compared to his childhood in the Sakahone District, this level of hardship remained bearable.
Time passed bit by bit.
In the distorted figure, black patterns mysteriously appeared, crawling and meandering across his skin, adding an eerie quality to his appearance.
Unaware of this, Akira kept his eyes tightly shut, focusing entirely on inscribing the Kidō pattern.
When the final stroke was complete, his eyes suddenly opened. A fiery mark flashed across his pupils and vanished, the intense flames around his body instantly receded, leaving a new mark on the ring finger of his left hand.
"Success!" Compared to before, Akira clearly sensed the changes in his Spiritual Body, his already robust constitution reaching new heights.
Now, even without using prayers, he could face the Adjuchas with more dignity.
His lack of Reiryoku meant he couldn't sustain a prolonged fight — he could battle, but only briefly.
To fight equally with this type of Menos Grande, or to defeat it directly, he would need to focus on strengthening his Reiatsu.
With this in mind, he shook the remaining ashes from his clothes and changed into a fresh Academy uniform.
While he didn't own much, clothes weren't a problem. His Daily Check-in rewards consistently provided Gotei 13 or Shin'ō Academy uniforms, sometimes even including women's styles.
Speaking of check-ins... Akira suddenly remembered that Sōjun's interruption had made him forget today's check-in.
He casually activated the daily draw.
Three seconds later, a blinding light forced his eyes shut, obscuring his vision completely.
"Wow, a golden legend!" A bold voice seemed to echo from all directions.
The dramatic display filled him with eager anticipation.
What would it be? Star Platinum? The World? Or perhaps the Ora Ora Rush?
No one can resist the temptation of ORA, no one!
The reward appeared.
〈 Obtained Hakuda Level +5! 〉
〈 Hakuda Level increased! Currently at Level 28! 〉
Having killed the Adjuchas bare-handed earlier, he had gained new insight into Hakuda, advancing from LV22 to LV23. These additional five levels pushed him straight to LV28.
New Hakuda knowledge flooded his mind like waves, seamlessly integrating into his being.
"Well, something is better than nothing." Akira sighed, his expectations deflating as he prepared for another training session.
The Hakuda improvement wasn't worthless. These occasional lucky draws were simply the universe balancing out his accumulated misfortune.
Someone once said that life is just a series of downs after downs after downs... after downs × n...
Fortunately, Akira's life wasn't quite that bleak. Though the Kidō pattern inscription had aggravated his injuries somewhat, it had also enhanced his Spiritual Body's quality.
Therefore — minor injuries weren't going to stop him. His training would continue at full intensity!
The thought of Aizen studying at the Shin'ō Academy while he recovered from his wounds made his chest tighten with urgency.
With this resolve burning in his mind, he dove straight into training.
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Meanwhile, in East Rukongai, District 32...
The wilderness forest lay ravaged from battle.
Research Institute personnel and the 2nd Division were conducting detailed investigations, trying to determine why the Hollow had managed to intrude into Soul Society.
To their south, several waves of light blurred with the air. Hidden within, watchful eyes observed the scene as Reiatsu steadily built.
And even further south, another figure shrouded in similar light waves stood watching, their calm brown eyes fixed on the blurred shapes ahead.
Killing intent saturated the air...
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T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing
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