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Inside the Captain's Office of the Second Division.
Ishikawa Katori and Ōmaeda both stood uneasily beside the tea table, while the petite Soi Fon stood before them.
Soi Fon looked at the Zanpakuto wrapped in bandages on the tea table, a contemplative look flashing across her cold face, and she looked up at Ishikawa Katori, asking, "Are you sure you didn't inject any Reishi into it?"
"No."
Ishikawa Katori shook his head. To be honest, he didn't even know how the system managed it. After all, generally, the gestation of a Zanpakuto takes an extremely long time, but the system shortened this time to just a few seconds.
However, he also had a vague guess.
Rather than the system shortening the time, it was more like…
The system forcibly integrated a 'part' that had been gestating in the depths of his soul at some unknown time!
Otherwise, without injecting Reishi, Ishikawa Katori would not have been able to feel his soul merging with the Zanpakuto, nor would the Zanpakuto have been able to autonomously absorb surrounding Reishi and begin its transformation as soon as it was born.
"Captain, I can vouch for that." Ōmaeda didn't stay out of it either, saying earnestly, "I was watching him the whole time. I can say with certainty that Ishikawa Katori absolutely did not inject any Reishi into the Asauchi."
Soi Fon nodded upon hearing this, and after a moment, she said, "Then you can keep it."
"Hmm?"
At these words, not only Ōmaeda but even Ishikawa Katori couldn't help but be startled. He subconsciously glanced at the favorability rating on his system panel, and when he saw that Soi Fon's favorability towards him was still '1', his confusion deepened.
Issuing a Zanpakuto without authorization was no small matter, especially to him, a non-Shinigami who had always been considered an 'unstable factor'.
And most importantly…
Even though their time together wasn't long, through their interactions over this period, Ishikawa Katori had gained some understanding of Soi Fon's personality. She could be described as a 'workaholic,' a woman who took pride and responsibility in obeying regulations… although she looked more like a little girl.
Let alone a favorability of just '1'; even if her favorability was as high as 40 or 50, she might not necessarily violate regulations for him.
"Are you really just giving it to me?"
Ishikawa Katori asked tentatively. If he had known it would be so easy to obtain a Zanpakuto, he would have directly asked Soi Fon for it back then. Why would he have secretly pondered how to acquire an Asauchi…
"What else?"
Soi Fon turned and sat back in the visibly raised chair behind her desk, her voice calm and indifferent: "With the intensity of your Reishi, it's almost impossible to strip you of your Zanpakuto. Even if it were to miraculously succeed, as a Zanpakuto fused with your soul, if it were forcibly stripped, even if you didn't die, your Spirit Body would suffer some damage."
After speaking, Soi Fon glanced at Ishikawa Katori: "If you want to try, I don't mind at all."
Ishikawa Katori's mouth twitched slightly: "Uh… I'll pass."
"Of course, taking the Zanpakuto with you isn't that simple either."
Soi Fon changed the subject: "Regarding this matter, I will go to the First Division later to discuss it with Captain-Commander Yamamoto. As long as I get the Captain-Commander's permission, there will be no problem, but to get the Captain-Commander's permission, you will need to pay a certain price."
"What price?"
Ishikawa Katori didn't feel uneasy upon hearing this; instead, he let out a sigh of relief. If no price was required, he would feel uneasy instead.
Who knew if she would immediately report to Central 46 that he had taken advantage of the situation to steal an Asauchi, and then use that as an excuse to throw him into the Maggot's Nest after he left with the Zanpakuto.
"Two choices."
Soi Fon paused, then said: "The first choice is to become a Shinigami, and take on the position of Supervisory Team Captain and Third Seat of the Second Division." After saying this, she observed Ishikawa Katori's reaction.
To be honest…
This black-haired young man was indeed very satisfactory in his management of the Maggot's Nest, and his work attitude also suited her perfectly. If Ishikawa was willing to join the Onmitsukidō now, it would not be a bad thing.
Ishikawa Katori frowned and asked, "What's the second choice?"
Soi Fon glanced at Ishikawa Katori, shook her head, and said, "You can take the Zanpakuto with you, but it can only be a sealed Zanpakuto. Simply put, you can continue to nurture the Zanpakuto, and you can use it in combat, but you will never be able to allow the Zanpakuto to release its Shikai."
"This is the only way you can obtain Captain-Commander Yamamoto's permission if you don't become a Shinigami. Moreover, even if Captain-Commander Yamamoto allows you to take an unsealed Zanpakuto, the Central 46 will not allow it. At that time, even if they don't arrest you, they will forcibly seal your Zanpakuto completely somewhere in the Seireitei."
"To reassure them, you must accept the sealing."
Soi Fon paused, then continued: "As for whether it can be unsealed in the future, that will depend on your own efforts. Although in my personal opinion, if you don't become a Shinigami, you will forever only be able to hold a sealed Zanpakuto, unless…"
"Something happens to Central 46."
Soi Fon showed a sneer, because this possibility was basically zero. She then asked, "Which do you choose?"
"The second one!"
Ishikawa Katori said without hesitation. On one hand, he didn't want to become a Shinigami and be controlled by Central 46. On the other hand, it was because…
Central 46 really would undergo a change, just as Soi Fon said, and from a temporal perspective, that day was not far off.
Although obtaining the Zanpakuto this time was an accident, the current development was actually quite satisfying to Ishikawa Katori.
"Ōmaeda, unwrap the bandages." Soi Fon nodded, looking at Ōmaeda and saying, "Once it completes its transformation, send it to the Heavenly Garment Brigade for sealing."
"Yes."
Ōmaeda quickly responded.
The matter being resolved so simply truly made him breathe a sigh of relief.
"Also…"
Soi Fon stood up and walked out of the office: "As punishment, all your holidays for the next three years are canceled."
"…"
Ōmaeda sighed resignedly. Anyway, two years without holidays and three years without holidays were pretty much the same, although… the reason for the punishment was all because of Ishikawa Katori, which made Ōmaeda feel a bit wronged.
With Soi Fon's departure, only Ōmaeda and Ishikawa remained in the Captain's Office.
After exchanging glances, both of them plopped down onto the sofa in front of the tea table, slumping onto it like dead dogs.
The satisfactory resolution of the matter allowed Ishikawa Katori's constantly tense nerves to relax. If he had a choice, he truly didn't want to stand against the Gotei 13. After all, with his current strength, if the Gotei 13 wanted to kill him, he wouldn't even have the right to resist.
"Vice-Captain Ōmaeda, I've decided."
Ishikawa Katori said with a serious expression: "From now on, I will repay Captain Soi Fon with even more perfect work results!!"
"…The Captain's gone, you don't have to act anymore."
Ōmaeda rolled his eyes, stood up, picked up the Zanpakuto from the tea table, and slowly unwrapped the bandages from it.
Seeing this, Ishikawa Katori also sat up, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Previously, he had been too nervous to even observe what his Zanpakuto looked like.
As the bandages were unwrapped, the Reishi in the Captain's Office instantly became incredibly dense, and the Zanpakuto became restless, autonomously beginning to absorb the surrounding Reishi.
"Here, take it."
Seeing this, Ōmaeda directly handed the slowly transforming Zanpakuto in his hand to Ishikawa Katori: "I've been a Shinigami for so many years, and I've never seen a Zanpakuto transform so quickly. Try injecting Reishi into it and see if you can make it complete its transformation faster."
Ishikawa Katori nodded and took the Zanpakuto.
Almost the moment he took the Zanpakuto, Ishikawa Katori felt the Reishi within his body begin to stir uncontrollably, incredibly active, as if cheering.
Ishikawa Katori injected the cheering Reishi from his body into the Zanpakuto in his hand.
Buzz—
Almost the instant the Reishi was injected into the Zanpakuto, an incredibly ominous aura emanated from the depths of Ishikawa Katori's soul, causing Ōmaeda's expression to change. He quickly stood up from the sofa, retreated to the side, and looked at Ishikawa Katori with a wary expression.
Ishikawa Katori, sitting on the sofa, was radiating an incredibly ominous aura, as if he had walked out of hell.
Having spent a long time together, coupled with Ishikawa Katori's usually good temper, he had unknowingly forgotten…
This black-haired young man, in essence, was an extremely dangerous monster.
And the Zanpakuto in Ishikawa Katori's hand rapidly transformed as Reishi was injected into it. The blade, which originally had a very large curve, became only slightly curved, closer to a straight blade.
As the blade's shape changed, its length also changed, continuously growing from its original 75cm… 80, 90… 100… stopping its growth after reaching 1.21 meters; the hilt extended accordingly, becoming more suitable for alternating single and double-handed use.
After a complete transformation, the Zanpakuto's handle and blade merged, making the entire sword nearly 1.6 meters long. The black grip was thick, and the gleaming blade was slender, resembling a rice seedling.
"A longsword?"
Ōmaeda's eyes flickered with surprise. Although a Zanpakuto's Shikai could take various forms, a longsword as its base form was extremely rare. Kenpachi Zaraki of the Eleventh Division was one such case, though some said Kenpachi Zaraki's Zanpakuto was always in its released state.
As the Zanpakuto's transformation completed, Ishikawa's chilling aura instantly vanished, as if it had never existed.
Sure enough…
Ishikawa Katori looked at the longsword in his hand. The moment he merged his Spirit Core with the Zanpakuto, Ishikawa Katori once again experienced the feeling he had when fighting Ikkaku with a wooden sword.
Unrestrained and joyful!
At that time, he already possessed the conditions to activate his Zanpakuto, but he had always lacked a suitable opportunity.
Recalling this, Ishikawa Katori's gaze became somewhat strange.
Although that feeling made Ishikawa Katori feel comfortable from the bottom of his heart, it…
He was somewhat resistant.
Because in that state, he was too much like a mischievous child—lawless, unreasonable, annoying… and completely disregarded consequences.
—Extremely difficult to control!
Temporarily sealing it might not be a bad thing.
Ōmaeda looked at the calmed Ishikawa Katori and didn't approach immediately. Instead, he tentatively asked, "Finished?"
"Mm."
"…You should put the sword down first."
Ishikawa Katori couldn't help but roll his eyes, then sheathed his Zanpakuto and placed it back on the coffee table.
Seeing this, Ōmaeda finally breathed a sigh of relief, returned to the sofa, and picked up the Zanpakuto.
"I'll send the Zanpakuto for sealing. You can pick it up tomorrow."
Ishikawa Katori nodded, glanced at the Zanpakuto in his hand, then stood up without reluctance and left the Captain's Office.
After leaving the Second Division, Ishikawa Katori looked at the sky; it was already nearing dusk.
After a moment of thought, he didn't leave Seireitei but walked towards the Comprehensive Relief Station.
Today's experiences had left Ishikawa feeling physically and mentally exhausted, and now he just wanted to find a place to rest properly.
Moreover, he had to go to the Elder in West 1 District for work early tomorrow. Compared to West 38th District, going to West 1 District from Seireitei was obviously much closer.
…
"Sir Ishikawa."
"Good evening, Sir Ishikawa."
"Coming to the Relief Station so late, are you going to join us for night duty?"
"…"
Facing the greetings from the Fourth Division Squad Members in the Relief Station, Ishikawa Katori smiled and responded to each one.
As for the title "Sir Ishikawa," it could be said to be a respectful address.
Because Ishikawa Katori was not a Fourth Division Squad Member, he held no substantial position in the Comprehensive Relief Station, and most Squad Members addressed each other by name.
However, whether before coming to work at the Comprehensive Relief Station or after arriving, many Fourth Division Squad Members had received his guidance. To express their gratitude and respect, no one addressed him by his given name.
They either called him "Mister," "Senior," or even "Teacher Ishikawa." Finally, at Nao's suggestion, everyone unified their address and started calling him "Sir Ishikawa."
On one hand, it expressed respect, and on the other, it promoted his Everything Store to patients.
Ishikawa Katori checked the duty roster and found that the person in charge of managing the wards tonight was Sugishita Hanami, the first person he had helped after arriving at the Comprehensive Relief Station.
After searching around, he finally found her on the third floor: "Are there any empty wards?"
"Are you going to rest at the Comprehensive Relief Station tonight?" Sugishita Hanami's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Yes," Ishikawa Katori nodded, "I've been busy all day, and I'm quite tired."
"I understand!"
Sugishita Hanami nodded vigorously. While chatting with other Squad Members, she had heard from them about Ishikawa Katori accompanying the Fourth Division to the Human World. She quickly said, "Although many people were admitted today, the third ward on the south side is unoccupied. If you want to rest, you can go there."
"Thank you."
Sugishita Hanami's pretty face flushed slightly as she looked at Ishikawa's warm, sun-like smile: "You're too kind. If you need anything, you can always come find me."
[Sugishita Hanami's favorability +1, gained 320 experience points, current favorability: 41]
Bidding farewell to Sugishita Hanami, Ishikawa Katori walked in the direction she indicated.
But just as he arrived at the south ward area, he heard a commotion from ahead. Looking up, he saw several Fourth Division Squad Members rushing towards a ward.
Ishikawa Katori stopped a young man who was running out of the ward and asked, "Has something happened?"
Suddenly stopped, the anxious young man's face was filled with annoyance, but when he saw who had stopped him, his eyes lit up, and he grabbed Ishikawa: "Sir Ishikawa, quick… you… quick, come with me."
"Huh?"
Ishikawa Katori was startled but didn't resist, allowing himself to be pulled into the ward.
Inside the small ward, several Fourth Division Squad Members were gathered. When they saw the young man enter, the face of a very large Squad Member, who didn't look like a Fourth Division Squad Member at all, changed, and he shouted, "Hitori, didn't I tell you to go to the Squad barracks and invite Vice-Captain Kotetsu? How are you back so soon… Hmm? Sir Ishikawa."
Ishikawa Katori immediately understood what had happened and quickly walked forward, looking at the person on the bed.
"I don't know why, but he suddenly started coughing blood, and his Spirit Core was in disarray. I checked the Soul Sleep and Soul Binding and other acupoints that produce Spirit Core, and found no problems," the large man explained the situation to Ishikawa quickly while making way.
Ishikawa Katori nodded and carefully observed the patient on the bed.
The patient was a Third Division Squad Member who had been sent back from the Human World earlier today. At this moment, even with just a naked eye, one could see that his internal Spirit Core was incredibly chaotic, as if it had gone berserk, causing him to continuously cough up fresh blood.
This is?
Ishikawa Katori frowned upon seeing this. Indeed, as the large man beside him said, this patient's Soul Sleep and Soul Binding were fine.
And besides these two acupoints, situations that would cause one's Spirit Core to go berserk…
Ishikawa Katori's face darkened, and he roughly tore open the bandage on the patient's chest. What met his eyes was a massive sword wound extending from the left shoulder to the right waist and abdomen, almost cutting his upper body in half.
Although the sword wound had stopped bleeding and been stitched, Spirit Core continuously surged from the wound, and in this short time, there were already faint signs of it tearing open.
"Is it really the Spirit Core that's the problem?"
Spirit Core!?
At these words, everyone in the ward couldn't help but gasp.
"Help him up."
Ishikawa Katori's eyes flickered with a strange light. Generally speaking, if the Spirit Core was damaged, this person should have died long ago. However, he only showed the current symptoms after nearly half a day; this indicated that either there was no such problem in the Human World, or some other change had occurred.
The former meant a mistake in treatment, while the latter…
A bright light flashed in Ishikawa Katori's eyes. With his perception fully open, he carefully observed the changes within the patient's body.
Not the former!
Just as Ishikawa Katori suspected, it was due to a change in environment.
Ishikawa Katori could clearly sense that this person's Spirit Core was absorbing Reishi from the surroundings at an extremely abnormal rate, but it wasn't converting it into spiritual power; instead, it was continuously accumulating. If one were to use breathing as an analogy, he was constantly inhaling but unable to exhale.
The reason it wasn't discovered in the Human World was entirely due to the sparse Reishi there; even if the Spirit Core absorbed it, it wouldn't burden the body, otherwise he would have died in the Human World.
During the past half-month at the Comprehensive Relief Station, Ishikawa Katori had been researching the Spirit Core under the guise of treatment, and some of the results that were deemed safe had even been tested on prisoners in the Maggot's Nest.
Although the gains were minimal, he was no longer as clueless about the Spirit Core as he was when he first arrived.
Because it was discovered in time, healing him wouldn't be difficult!
However, Ishikawa Katori didn't immediately begin treatment but observed him with extreme seriousness and meticulousness.
The Spirit Core was damaged, yet he didn't die, and he could still rapidly absorb surrounding Reishi… To be injured to this extent was extremely rare.
No! It had almost never happened!
Even if it had, very few people would be so coincidentally injured in the Reishi-sparse Human World, receive treatment, be sent back to Soul Society, not die immediately, and be discovered at the first possible moment.
This was simply a miraculous…
Observation subject!!
If he could figure out the changes within this person's body, then the new Kido prototype Ishikawa envisioned for enhancing internal Spirit Core might truly succeed.
The surrounding Fourth Division Squad Members, seeing Ishikawa Katori's extremely serious expression, couldn't help but hold their breath, fearing they might disturb Ishikawa Katori.
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