Chapter 78 - CHAPTER 78:Whose Heart is Pounding

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Gazing at the smooth, clean body of his Zanpakutō, Su Li let out a soft sigh, a little helpless in the face of the faint sense of resistance still lingering within it. Last night alone, he had purified no fewer than ten thousand Hollows, all for the sake of winning over Dandan's favor—hoping to hear that sweet, resonant hum again. Yet, despite having turned Karakura Town into a blood-slicked battlefield, he couldn't recapture that initial thrill of connection.

Had the Hollows he destroyed known his motivations, they'd have howled in disbelief. So this was what they were sacrificed for? A few slashes to help some guy flirt with his own sword spirit?

But now, most of them had already passed on to the Soul Society. A few—tainted beyond redemption in life—had been dragged screaming to Hell. Today, Karakura Town stood strangely peaceful, void of any Hollow chatter, a calm like none before. It made Su Li's mood noticeably better.

He wasn't worried about consequences. People die every day. Hollows regenerate. Shinigami work is endless. Today's massacre would only mean one thing: the new recruits arriving for practical training would find nothing to do for a while. That was all.

Casting one last glance at his Zanpakutō, Su Li sighed again, then sheathed the blade. No reaction, not even a twitch. So much purification, yet the sword had remained quiet. That only confirmed what he suspected: purification was the trigger that had activated Dandan, but it wasn't the key to awakening. If he wanted the gates of dialogue with his Zanpakutō to open wide, it would have to come from true resonance—real communication. He just had to wait for Eggy to accept him.

Looking at the brightening sky, Su Li realized it was time to return. He pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Hey, Miss Rangiku, I'm heading back today. I'll leave the rest here to you."

The line was silent.

"Hello? Miss Rangiku? You there?"

On the other end came a deep, exasperated sigh. "Okay, Captain Su Li... I got it."

"Alright, that's it then. 886." Su Li closed the call with a grin, cracked open three bottles of Fat House Water for good measure, and stepped into the gate back to the Soul Society.

---

Chief's Office, Soul Society

"You brat, you stirred up way too much trouble this time." Yamamoto stared at the smiling young man before him, rubbing his temples. "Kurotsuchi Mayuri came to my door in the middle of the night demanding to know if I personally approved your mission. I didn't sleep a wink…"

But the complaint melted into a tired smile.

"That said, seeing you finally willing to use your Zanpakutō… that truly comforts this old man. The sword is the very soul of a Shinigami. No other technique—no amount of Shunpo or Hakuda—can replace it."

"Don't worry, Teacher. I'd never abandon my Zanpakutō."

Su Li smiled innocently, though the thought lingered: it's not that I didn't want to use it—I couldn't. But things were different now. I have Eggs. No, wait... my Zanpakutō has balls… That's not right either… Anyway, there are eggs. Zanpakutō is usable!

"Hahaha! Good! That's good!" Yamamoto laughed heartily, nodding in approval. "Go and do what you must. I've informed everyone already."

Su Li bowed respectfully. "Thank you, sir."

---

Yuanzi School, Front Gate

"…You're not bringing anything? What have you eaten for the last forty years?" Rangiku teased with her usual lazy tone. "Someone brought you food, huh? You carried a bug box into seclusion—so gross… Ugh, I hate that I won't see my cute little nephew for so long. Come on, give your aunt a farewell hug!"

Su Li fell instantly into the pit of despair.

At the school gate, Sui-Feng stood behind him, her eyes cold, expression unreadable. Her hands clenched at her sleeves, white-knuckled, as if wringing cloth. She opened her lips once, then again, only to shut them each time.

"Sui-Feng, I'm entrusting the Second Division to you during my absence," Su Li said gently. "Yamamoto-sensei should've already spoken with you. This is just a formality."

"…Yes," she replied faintly, her voice barely audible, her head buried in her collar.

"The training of the Onmitsukidō needs to continue as well. I'll check progress once I return."

"…Understood." Her fingers tightened until her knuckles turned pale.

"What's wrong with you today? Why are you only saying half-sentences?" Su Li blinked, genuinely confused.

Her lips moved but only the breath of a sound escaped. Then silence again. After a long hesitation, she finally closed her mouth, saying nothing. The air between them turned awkward and uncertain. Su Li had no idea what was going on.

She'd been sulky ever since she came back.

Did she... find out about the egg?

Su Li sighed. Forget it.

He shifted focus. "Going forward, I'll need you to report to me regularly on the situation in Seireitei. Yamamoto said no one should disturb my seclusion—except you. As my adjutant, you must bring me word of anything major happening in the Court of Pure Souls."

At that, Sui-Feng's head shot up.

A flicker of light sparked in her eyes. The cold, pale color of her face flushed into warmth, her cheeks turning red. Her breathing quickened—Su Li could even hear her heart thudding.

"…Okay!!"

Her voice rang out bright and clear. Her eyes glowed like sunrise, and on her cheeks bloomed a smile like the first flower of summer.

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