Chapter 165 - Am I a Seireitei Succubus? I Never Thought You Were Like This, Sister Hua!
Pirate Renji: [Haven't you been holding back for a long time?]
Among Shinigami, what matters most is spiritual pressure. Is Kyoka Suigetsu powerful?
The truth is, it is Aizen who is powerful. If an ordinary Shinigami possessed Kyoka Suigetsu, it would not be enough to affect so many captains.
In the end, it is because Aizen's spiritual pressure is overwhelmingly strong.
Most abilities in the Shinigami world are supportive. One's own strength is the most important.
But if memory serves, hasn't he not even learned his Zanpakuto's true name yet?
Wasn't it said that once an Asauchi is entrusted to a Shinigami, they would then come to know its true name?
Shinigami Renji: [Yes, I have been holding back, but as a Shinigami I still haven't even achieved Shikai. I'm honestly very nervous right now.]
After practicing the way of lying low for so many years,
Even though he now possessed considerable strength, he still felt it was not enough.
At the very least, he still did not know his Zanpakuto's ability.
A Shinigami without a Shikai Zanpakuto is no different from having a wife dressed seductively, yet being completely powerless.
It always feels uncomfortable.
Naruto Renji: [Then why not follow Kenpachi's path?]
Though easier said than done, if one's raw strength is overwhelming like Kenpachi, then there is no problem.
Stacking raw strength works fine. Raising spiritual pressure is the hard truth.
Most of the shared abilities also require support from one's own strength.
Even without a Zanpakuto, he still had many abilities.
Daily Renji: [It's different though, isn't it? Later in the Shinigami world, many abilities are rule-based.]
Their abilities seem less involved with rules,
But in the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, the Quincy all had abilities tied to rules, and then there were the Zero Division members, not to mention the nonsense like stealing Bankai.
Shinigami Renji: [Exactly, that's what I'm worried about. And those old schemers in the Zero Division, I don't want to become one of their candidates!]
In the Thousand-Year Blood War, guided by the Soul King, Ichigo and Yhwach fought in the Soul King's Palace, which was arranged by others.
The Zero Division didn't care whether Ichigo or Yhwach won.
In the end, one of them would be made into the new Soul King. If Yhwach hadn't destroyed himself, Ichigo might very well have become the Soul King.
For the monk, it was like wanting to be the mayor's wife; who the mayor was did not matter.
The truth is, the Shinigami world runs very deep. The Soul Society cannot even be considered righteous.
Beyond this, there are the Five Great Noble Houses and Hell.
Without absolute strength, he would never reveal himself.
But his outburst of spiritual pressure had once shocked countless people, allowing Renji to graduate exceptionally and be appointed directly as a vice-captain.
The sensation he caused back then was so great that even now, many students in the academy still aspired to become the second him.
At that time, he had been given great expectations. All squad barracks were opened to him, free for him to choose.
But to everyone's surprise, Renji chose the Fourth Division, where he began a life like retirement.
At first, no one minded, but as time passed, a rumor spread that he was just a hollow reputation.
Renji knew this was likely one of Aizen's little tests.
Still, at that time he truly was nothing but a hollow reputation. Since survival was his priority, face did not matter. He chose to bury himself in the Fourth Division.
His talent in Kido was quite good, so while many doubted him, they also thought perhaps Renji simply disliked battle. So no one pursued it further.
Pirate Renji: [To be made into the Soul King, you need Shinigami power, Hollow power, Quincy power, and Fullbring. You only lack Quincy and Fullbring now.]
Last time in a draw, he had gained Hollow power.
So now it seemed he was only two steps away from becoming the Soul King.
If the Soul King could no longer hold on, the Zero Division would not show mercy. They only needed a Soul King, whoever it was.
Although guarded by the Zero Division and given a very long life, who would want to be a specimen?
Daily Renji: [One of the Five Great Noble Houses is supposed to be hidden, right? Now there are only four. Plus they control the Central Forty-Six. Shouldn't I just rebel like the Naruto-world Renji?]
After all, Soul Society itself is not a place of justice; it also harbors darkness.
Everything now serves the Four Noble Houses.
Shinigami Renji: [Not for now. Soul Society may indeed have darkness, but there are still many people with good hearts.]
Even he himself was not wholly good.
Renji was no Ichigo; he had his own schemes.
If they tried to make him into the Soul King, he would absolutely refuse. Yet he also felt he might eventually qualify for that role.
Since he wanted to become stronger, he would need to try all methods.
Integrating these powers was necessary, and it would give him the qualification to become the new Soul King.
Renji thought of two ways to escape fate. One was to continue hiding.
But that was unrealistic. In the Thousand-Year Blood War, countless Shinigami died. If he only wanted to hide, he might still die, perhaps even at Aizen's hand during his plan, just to test him.
The other way was to find a means to grow stronger.
But that would inevitably touch the unavoidable issue.
Naruto Renji: [So, should I test out sensory manipulation first?]
Sensory manipulation existed in the Naruto world too, a kekkei genkai of the Kurama clan.
He was curious whether Aizen's sensory manipulation was stronger than the Kurama clan's.
But Kurama illusions were nothing in the Naruto world. The strongest illusion was naturally Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Shinigami Renji: [You can try, but don't you need a lottery chance for that? I think drawing that would be a waste. You still need Rinnegan variants, the Tenseigan, the Pure Eye, and many others.]
There were still many powers in the Naruto world he had not drawn.
For him, sensory manipulation was useful but not necessary.
Besides, he was not without counters. The Uzumaki clan's sensing and Observation Haki both surpassed the five senses.
So drawing sensory manipulation seemed unnecessary.
As long as he improved his spiritual pressure, even if he could not counter it, if his pressure surpassed Aizen's, Kyoka Suigetsu would not affect him.
Of course, the anime itself probably collapsed in logic; spiritual pressure reasoning did not always hold. But overall, raising spiritual pressure was the most direct way to strengthen oneself—cheats aside.
"Vice-captain Renji, Captain Unohana is looking for you."
"Ah, Isane!"
Renji withdrew his thoughts, left the chat group after a short reply, and looked at the person before him with a gentle smile.
Because of his arrival, this former Fourth Division vice-captain had been reduced to third seat.
"The vice-captain is as gentle as always."
Kotetsu Isane's face flushed slightly. Her eyes unconsciously lingered on Renji's handsome face. No wonder so many Shinigami sought his treatment even though his healing Kido was weaker than the captain's.
If it were her, she too would choose Renji.
After all, when a gentle, handsome doctor treated you, even the pain seemed less.
Coming back to her senses, Kotetsu Isane scolded herself inwardly. How could she entertain such thoughts? Yet she also noticed that Renji seemed different from before.
"Isane?"
"Ah?!"
Kotetsu Isane snapped back, staring blankly at Renji. Renji tapped her forehead with his finger and asked, "Wasn't the captain looking for me?"
"Oh, yes."
Kotetsu Isane came back to herself, embarrassed at her earlier behavior. She cursed herself inwardly for being so useless, yet soon realized there was no need to blame herself.
After all, was she any different from everyone else?
There was no reason to dwell on it.
Watching Renji's back, Kotetsu Isane quickly followed.
"Speaking of which, Vice-captain Renji, you haven't attended any of the flower arrangement gatherings lately."
Flower arrangement gatherings, huh?
Renji's eyes filled with emotion. Back when he had first joined the Fourth Division, he often attended the flower arrangement gatherings. Later, as he grew to dislike them, he went less and less, until eventually he stopped going altogether.
But after being away for so long, why would Kotetsu Isane suddenly bring it up now?
"It's been quite a while, hasn't it? Did something interesting happen at this flower arrangement meeting?" Renji asked curiously.
Flower arranging was Unohana Retsu's favorite pastime. She held one gathering every month. Those who enjoyed it came, and those who did not were never forced.
"Vice-captain Renji, don't you know?"
"Know what?"
Renji was a little surprised. Could his absence have made Unohana angry?
No, that couldn't be right. Sister Hua wasn't that kind of person.
"Of course it's because you stopped attending, Vice-captain Renji. That made fewer and fewer people come. Captain Unohana even sighed about it once."
"I'm just one person…" Renji muttered. He was only one man, so how could this black pot be dumped on him? No wonder he felt his back heavy lately—such a massive black pot, who could carry it?
"Vice-captain Renji, don't you know that back then many female Shinigami from other divisions came too? This even caused dissatisfaction among several squads. Coming over every day, whether busy or not, they only wanted to see you. Now that you no longer attend, naturally they've stopped coming as well."
Kotetsu Isane hurriedly explained. She felt it wasn't fair to blame Renji, but the truth was his absence had directly caused the decline.
Hearing her words, Renji suddenly realized.
So he was the succubus of the Shinigami world?
Or perhaps his Zanpakuto had already reached Shikai, and its ability was tied to charm—something he had never noticed?
"So, Vice-captain Renji, will you go again?"
"I don't know. We'll see. But Isane, don't you also seem to have some little thoughts yourself?"
"Ah? Do I?"
A flicker of panic crossed Kotetsu Isane's face. In truth, she was one of those girls as well. But such words could never leave her mouth.
"Mm."
Just "mm"? Kotetsu Isane couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
And so, with her secret thoughts hidden in her heart, the two of them finally arrived before Unohana Retsu.
"Little Renji, it's been a long time. How has your training been?"
"Training has gone well, Sister Hua. But could you stop putting 'little' in front of my name?"
Though he had corrected her countless times, from her tone it seemed Renji would never persuade her.
Last time, he had used training as an excuse to shut himself away, and indeed he had truly been cultivating, needing to adjust to his many abilities.
But now, just after coming out, Unohana had immediately sent Kotetsu Isane to fetch him. This puzzled Renji.
"Don't mind it, Little Renji. Isn't it a good way to address you? I think it's affectionate."
"Then why is it that when I called you Little Sister Hua, your eyes nearly killed me?"
Renji grumbled. Maybe it was fine if she called him that, but for him to say it back was clearly unacceptable.
Back then, he had replied in kind, thinking it fair. But the smiling eyes Unohana had turned on him were filled with murderous intent—something he would never forget.
"Vice-captain Renji, you're truly brave…"
To dare repeat it after that? Kotetsu Isane glanced between them, sensing an atmosphere she couldn't change. Hopefully the two wouldn't start fighting.
"So, Little Renji, is this time because you feel stronger after training and wish to spar with me?"
Though Unohana always wore a smile, calm and gentle in manner, every time she heard him call her "Little Hua," something deep inside bristled.
Perhaps, as the original Kenpachi who once killed countless, only such things could make her feel like cutting Renji down.
In the entire Soul Society, the only one who could stir her emotions now was him.
"Better not. You know I dislike combat."
Who in Soul Society didn't know he avoided battle? That rumor had circulated long ago, and since Renji never denied it, everyone had simply accepted it.
And truthfully, the rumor had helped him. It gave him a perfect excuse.
"But Vice-captain Renji, your spiritual pressure seems stronger than before."
Kotetsu Isane murmured. She could feel it—his power was rising.
If he disliked fighting, why train so hard?
Others had asked him before, but Renji always brushed it off with a joke. She thought he would do the same this time, but instead he admitted it.
"Haha, I may dislike battle, but I can't neglect training. Even though we are the medical division, we are still Shinigami of the Gotei 13."
"True. Don't push yourself too hard, though."
Unohana nodded. She knew Renji had always trained diligently, though he had never fought.
Whether he liked battle or not didn't matter. His diligence was admirable to her.
She never set special requirements for recruits; anyone could join. Still, she appreciated those with Kido skill.
Even as captain, her essence as Kenpachi had never changed.
"It's no pressure. Sister Hua, what is it you wanted to see me about?"
Renji knew she hadn't summoned him just for small talk.
Unohana was kind to everyone. Even to him, there was nothing special.
As captain, her days were busy. If she made time for him, there had to be a reason.
Injured? But there was no war in Soul Society recently.
"Actually, I want to gather some herbs and need someone with me. Since you've just come out of seclusion, I thought it would be nice to go together. It's been a long time since we acted side by side, and there's also something else I want to tell you."
"Just the two of us?" Renji was surprised, but he nodded.
Unohana enjoyed climbing mountains, though only to gather herbs.
"Isane, if anyone comes looking, say I'm out gathering."
"Yes, Captain!"
Kotetsu Isane responded.
"Then let's go, Little Renji. We'll talk on the way."
"Alright, Sister Hua. And please, stop calling me Little Renji."
"I understand, Little Renji!"
"…"
As expected.
So this was Unohana's twisted little amusement? She seemed to know he disliked the name, yet insisted on it, enjoying his reaction.
The gentler the woman, the darker her humor.
Renji even wondered if he should do something to rattle her in return.
But he gave up. That wasn't the way of survival. He would stay cautious.
"Little Renji, I already sensed your malice."
Walking ahead, Unohana turned back with a warm smile, her words in sharp contrast.
"Sister Hua, now I see why you've been single so long."
"Too bad that doesn't affect me. I thought you might come up with something better."
Unohana sounded disappointed. Had he only managed that? Single?
In Soul Society, countless Shinigami were single. With such long lifespans, most didn't care.
Couldn't he find something harsher?
"But speaking of which, Little Renji, why are you still single when so many girls like you? Is it because of… different preferences? If so, I could help treat it. It might just be psychological."
Unohana ignored his jab and casually threw out the suggestion.
Was this still the same Unohana he knew?
Her persona was collapsing!
Renji cursed inwardly. Could it be that after spending so much time with him, she was being influenced?
(End of Chapter)
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