"On the day Aizen defected, I had a very strange dream."
In the cafeteria, Isane's expression was quite odd: "I dreamed that the Soul Society became the Lamp Soul Society, and the Gotei 13 became the Gotei 13 Lamps.
Then, Rukia became a Lamp Soul who could grant wishes, and she was executed for violating Soul Society rules by granting the wishes of Ichigo and others.
Ichigo and his group came to the Lamp Soul Society to save Rukia…"
"…In the dream, Vice-Captain Kuchiki was also wearing a poop-shaped wakame seaweed suit…"
"Finally, Ichigo, who saved Rukia, made his last wish, but what he got was fish cakes… After seeing the fish cakes, I was scared awake."
"..." Ishikawa's eyelids twitched slightly.
What was so scary about that dream?
Ishikawa awkwardly laughed twice, a hint of apology on his face: "Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately and haven't had time to apologize for what happened last time."
"Last time?"
Kotetsu Isane paused slightly in her eating, then said with sudden realization: "Are you referring to the incident where you forced your way into the women's dormitory?"
Upon hearing this, Ishikawa's expression immediately became a bit strange.
Why did that sound so awkward?
Anyone who didn't know the details might think he was a pervert…
"Hehe~"
Looking at Ishikawa's embarrassment, Isane couldn't help but smile: "Captain Unohana has already told me about you following her to learn Zanjutsu.
It seems your challenge back then wasn't in vain."
Ishikawa smiled, not explaining that Captain Commander had actually suggested the guidance.
"Actually, ever since you came to the Comprehensive Relief Station, I've vaguely felt that you seemed to be here for Captain Unohana, but…"
Kotetsu Isane paused, then continued:
"That you came to the Comprehensive Relief Station to learn Zanjutsu from Captain Unohana, that really surprised me.
I originally thought you wanted to learn Kaido from Captain Unohana, or for some other reason."
"However, Captain Unohana is indeed very suitable to teach you, after all, you two are so similar."
"Ah?"
Ishikawa was startled.
He and Captain Unohana were similar?
"Originally, I didn't think so, until I saw you drunk that night, I realized… you are so similar to Captain Unohana."
At this point, a complex look flashed across Isane's face: "Regarding Captain Unohana's identity, and what she has always hoped for, I actually understand a little."
"If you were to inherit…"
Kotetsu Isane paused, shook her head slightly, and smiled: "Never mind, pretend I didn't say anything."
Ishikawa's gaze became a bit strange, but not because of Isane's words, but because…
He suddenly realized that it seemed that the higher-ranking women in the Gotei 13 all had some issues with their preferences, more or less.
Soi Fon's favorability towards him surged because of Yoruichi, and Kotetsu Isane's perception of him changed because he resembled Captain Unohana.
Was the Shinigami Women's Association established for internal consumption?
Although he found the reason for Isane's change in perception of him, this factor was a bit of a headache for Ishikawa.
Isane had a special affection for Captain Unohana, deeply respecting the sometimes gentle, sometimes strong Unohana Retsu.
There was simply no way for him to approach that.
Forget it.
Shaking his head inwardly, Ishikawa gave up on the idea of increasing Isane's romantic affection for him.
Because…
He really didn't know how to imitate Captain Unohana.
Although Isane said he was very similar to Captain Unohana, Ishikawa didn't feel that way at all.
However, Ishikawa finally understood why Isane would inadvertently show repulsion when facing Eleventh Division Squad Members.
Unfortunately, he couldn't help her with this.
Although with Ishikawa's current strength, it wouldn't be difficult to defeat the current Zaraki, the Zaraki that Unohana hoped for was not the current Zaraki.
And he was still a long way from the Zaraki that Unohana hoped for, so he was not qualified to squeeze in between the two and become the 'inheritor' Isane spoke of.
Besides, that wouldn't be guidance, but a true battle to the death.
A battle to the death where both sides would go all out, use every means, and one would inevitably die!
What Captain Unohana had always hoped for was precisely this point, which could also be called a legacy.
Of course, Ishikawa wasn't unable to try and deceive Isane, saying empty words like 'go all out, make progress, save Captain Unohana,' but that would truly go against the bottom line Ishikawa had always maintained.
Just as he had once said, Ishikawa simply didn't know what friends were.
His attitude towards everyone was determined by the favorability in the system interface.
After a long time together, the only feeling he had was that it was easy to get along with the other person, and he didn't need to worry about anything.
In short, it was based on the quantified favorability, which could be seen at a glance, thereby gradually eliminating the guard and vigilance in his heart towards the other person.
Until he completely trusted, and even was willing to help the other person with all his might!
He was good to those who were good to him.
Ishikawa didn't know if this was the right attitude towards friends.
Because…
The former Ishikawa had no friends.
"But then again."
Isane seemed to think of something and asked with some confusion: "If you're going to train with Captain Unohana, what about the support work for the dispatched Squad?"
"Captain Commander has already handed over the support mission to other Squads."
Ishikawa said: "Because Aizen has acted against me several times, the Captain Commander judged that I am not suitable to continue going to the Human World, which is why he allowed me to receive Captain Unohana's guidance to prepare for the upcoming decisive battle."
Kotetsu Isane nodded, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes as she looked at Ishikawa.
Although she hadn't participated in Aizen's several actions targeting Ishikawa, as a Vice-Captain, she naturally understood what had happened.
From this point of view, Ishikawa was indeed no longer suitable to continue going to the Human World.
If Ishikawa were to fall into Aizen's trap again because of support…
Kotetsu Isane quickly shook her head, dispelling the thoughts in her mind, and said with some dissatisfaction: "It should have been handed over to other Squads a long time ago.
After the Espada attacked you in the Soul Society last time, Captain Commander shouldn't have let you go to the Human World for support anymore."
Ishikawa smiled slightly, not offering further explanation.
"You're not even an official member of the Gotei 13, there's no need for you to take such risks."
After saying that, Kotetsu Isane thought about Ishikawa on a normal day, and then about Ishikawa she saw the other night, and couldn't help but say:
"You just act too kind normally.
If you showed your drunk self, there wouldn't be so many problems, and Aizen and his group wouldn't have targeted you."
If Kotetsu Isane's words were heard by the villains in Ishikawa's tavern, they would probably be dumbfounded.
And Ishikawa, who was eating, also paused in his movements.
[Kotetsu Isane's Affection +1, gained 51200 experience points, current Affection: 63]
What the hell?
I didn't say anything?
Ishikawa 'looked' at the system prompt in his mind, utterly baffled, accompanied by a strange sense of joy and… a sense of crisis.
The joy was because of this unexpected gain in experience points.
The sense of crisis was because…
If it kept increasing so inexplicably, would it suddenly break through 65 points one day?
"What's wrong?"
Isane looked at Ishikawa's dazed expression and asked with some confusion.
"Uh… nothing?"
Ishikawa carefully observed Isane and only breathed a slight sigh of relief when he found no change in her attitude.
Alright, anyway, according to his rich experience, after a period of cold treatment, it would naturally drop back to 60.
After quickly finishing the food on his plate, Ishikawa declined Isane's invitation for him to rest overnight in the Fourth Division Barracks… well, the male Squad barracks, and left the Comprehensive Relief Station.
By the time he walked out of the Comprehensive Relief Station, it was already completely dark.
Current Experience: 90124
This much experience should be enough for simple sparring guidance.
Anyway, for general injuries, with his recovery ability, there was no need to use physique points for treatment.
Injuries that Ishikawa couldn't recover from by self-healing were basically vital points of the spiritual body, such as damage to the Spirit Core, Binding Threads, Soul Sleep, and other acupoints, as well as damage to human vital organs like the heart.
As long as he ensured that these areas were not severely damaged during training, that would be enough.
But Ishikawa still wanted to use this night to work harder and see if he could gain some extra experience points.
However…
Ishikawa looked up at the sky.
It was so late, he felt that no matter who he went to see, it would give off a feeling of ill intent.
As for Captain Soi Fon, she should have returned to the Hachi Family by now.
Matsumoto Rangiku was in the Human World…
Kuchiki Rukia's favorability was already maxed out.
Ise Nanao should have returned to her home as well.
Kusajishi Yachiru's favorability towards him had already maxed out.
Ishikawa walked along, pondering over who might bring him more favorability.
The result…
After thinking for a long time, Ishikawa realized that in the vast Soul Society, he couldn't find anyone who might let him gain some experience points.
Should he visit the Thirteenth Division under the pretext of seeing Orihime, and try to increase Kotetsu Kiyone's favorability towards him?
But going to chat with her younger sister right after leaving her older sister felt like a strange sense of guilt.
As for Nemu Kurotsuchi, Ishikawa really didn't know how to increase her favorability, and he also didn't want to interact with that madman, Kurotsuchi Mayuri.
Ishikawa walked aimlessly through the streets of Seireitei.
Under the night sky, the streets weren't deserted; many Squad Members from the Tenth Division and Patrol Corps were conducting their routine night patrols.
After wandering aimlessly for half an hour, Ishikawa finally gave up on the idea of a chance encounter on the street.
Forget it, I'll just go back to the Maggot's Nest and get some sleep, recharge my spirit, and await the month-long guidance that begins tomorrow.
Having made up his mind, Ishikawa prepared to return to the Second Division.
Just then, a figure appeared at the end of the road, and when Ishikawa saw that figure, he was slightly startled.
That was…
Hinamori Momo?
Since Aizen and others defected, Ishikawa had not seen Hinamori Momo again; she had not attended any Captains' meetings or Vice-Captains' meetings.
According to Hisagi Shuuhei, Hinamori Momo, unable to accept reality, had been cooped up in her room, unwilling to interact with anyone.
"Ishikawa?"
Hinamori Momo also noticed Ishikawa, and a complex look immediately appeared in her eyes.
[Hinamori Momo Current Favorability: 38]
Ishikawa glanced at the system interface and realized that Hinamori Momo's favorability towards him had unknowingly recovered a bit.
However, since re-gaining favorability that had dropped doesn't yield experience points, Ishikawa hadn't noticed it.
Before Aizen's defection, Hinamori Momo's favorability towards him was 42 points, but after Aizen's defection…
Perhaps she believed she had wronged her Captain Aizen, so her favorability plummeted by 10 points, returning to 32 points.
It seemed that after this period, she had come to terms with it, otherwise, without any contact, her favorability wouldn't have returned to 38 points again.
"Long time no see."
Ishikawa habitually showed his… trademark gentle smile.
However…
This smile had the opposite effect; Hinamori Momo looked at Ishikawa's smile, and her expression suddenly became somewhat dazed.
Vaguely, the Ishikawa in front of her seemed to overlap with Lord Aizen.
This made her already slightly sickly face grow even paler.
Seeing this, Ishikawa quickly reined in his smile, hurried forward, and asked with concern, "Miss Hinamori, are you alright?"
He should have just left earlier.
Looking at the pale-faced Hinamori Momo, whose eyes were filled with pain and conflict, Ishikawa immediately regretted not having left directly.
He was really not good at dealing with someone who… was pathologically in love with Aizen.
"I'm fine."
Hinamori Momo shook her head, then hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't help but ask, "Ishikawa-sama, you were the last person to interact with Captain Aizen before he left… I know… Captain Aizen hurt you, but I think Captain Aizen must have been coerced by Ichimaru Gin and Tosen Kaname…"
"Did you notice anything unusual about Captain Aizen at the time?"
Upon hearing this, the smile on Ishikawa's face gradually faded, and he frowned slightly.
Hinamori Momo didn't notice the change in Ishikawa's expression and said excitedly, "You and Captain Aizen have such similar personalities, you must be able to understand Captain Aizen, right? You must also believe that Captain Aizen is innocent, right?"
"Sorry."
Ishikawa shook his head: "I cannot understand Captain Aizen's actions, nor do I believe he is innocent. He didn't just hurt me; he also hurt Captain Hitsugaya, Captain Kuchiki, and moreover… as far as I know, countless residents of Rukongai lost their lives because of his experiments."
Other things could be discussed, but after being targeted by Aizen so many times, asking him to say Aizen was innocent was simply impossible!
Does she really think I have no temper at all?
Ishikawa's somewhat cold words were like a basin of cold water, causing the faint spark of life that had just appeared in Hinamori Momo's eyes to dim once more.
After a while.
Hinamori Momo showed a sad smile on her face: "I'm sorry, I overreacted."
"Captain Aizen betrayed the Soul Society… and hurt many people. Although my mind understands this, my heart can't keep up with this fact…"
Perhaps it was because she thought Ishikawa resembled Aizen, Hinamori Momo didn't leave in anger. Instead, she spoke with some sadness:
"You might not know, but during my time at the Shin'ō Academy, Captain Aizen was someone I admired; graduating from the Academy and entering my dream Fifth Division, I was truly happy then… Before becoming Vice-Captain, I always looked up to Captain Aizen as my goal."
"The advice Captain Aizen gave me, I always kept in mind. I never expected… such an incident to suddenly happen. This has made me, who has always looked to Captain Aizen as my guide… truly not know how to continue moving forward…"
"After being promoted to Vice-Captain, I was always with Captain Aizen like a shadow. In the Soul Society, everywhere is filled with memories related to Captain Aizen. All of this…"
"I simply cannot forget, and I even dare not leave my room."
Ishikawa didn't interrupt, but instead acted as a listener, mainly because…
Hinamori Momo's current state, where she desperately needed to confide in someone, made it difficult for Ishikawa to suggest leaving.
"It's okay if you can't forget."
Ishikawa hesitated for a moment, then advised: "Beautiful memories won't turn into bad memories just because of his defection. Why must you force yourself to forget them?"
Hinamori Momo heard this, her expression slightly startled, and she stared blankly at Ishikawa.
"It's not like you can't even mention Aizen just because he defected."
Ishikawa smiled slightly at Hinamori Momo: "You know, right? I've always tutored students at the Shin'ō Academy; ever since Aizen defected, students often come to ask me why that special instructor who taught calligraphy hasn't been to the Academy to hold calligraphy classes for a long time."
"Even now, countless students in the Academy are still practicing the calligraphy that Aizen taught them."
"And Kido is the same; in the Shin'ō Academy's textbooks, there are still Kido practice methods that Aizen studied. That method is very efficient and hasn't been banned just because Aizen proposed it, so why do you have to force yourself to forget?"
Although…
The Kido practice method recorded by Aizen in the textbooks has now been gradually replaced by the Kido practice method I created.
Of course, Ishikawa only felt a sense of pride about this last sentence in his heart and didn't say it out loud.
However, aside from the Kido practice method, what he said wasn't just to comfort Hinamori Momo; it was the truth.
Aizen had indeed made many contributions during his years in the Soul Society, and even his defection couldn't erase that fact.
[Hinamori Momo Favorability +1, gained 2560 favorability points, current favorability: 43]
[...]
[Hinamori Momo Favorability +1, gained 5120 favorability points, current favorability: 50]
[...]
[Hinamori Momo Favorability +1, gained 5120 favorability points, current favorability: 58]
The system prompt that suddenly appeared in Ishikawa's mind startled him slightly. He then realized that in these few short sentences, Hinamori Momo's favorability towards him had actually risen again and was rapidly increasing.
Until…
[Hinamori Momo Favorability +1, gained 5120 favorability points, current favorability: 60]
It stopped increasing at 60 favorability points.
"Thank you, Ishikawa."
"Uh…"
Ishikawa's mouth twitched slightly, and he forced a smile, meeting Hinamori Momo's eyes, which seemed to have suddenly come alive.
For some reason…
He felt a little panicked!