East Rukongai's District 62. A light rain fell.
Maybe the sky was trying to mourn with them.
By the time Shuuichi reached Rangiku with Gin, the ill-fated girl was barely breathing.
"Her injuries are severe. I may need to take her back to Fourth Division to heal her completely."
Shuuichi poured everything into Kaidō (Healing Way).
He wasn't lying to Gin—wounds like these shouldn't leave anyone alive. Only years of torment from that Soul King fingernail fragment had tempered Rangiku's frail body far beyond ordinary limits.
"Please, danna, save Rangiku!"
Without hesitation, Gin dropped to his knees before Shuuichi.
"I will. Don't worry—this is my duty."
Freeing one hand to lift Gin back up, Shuuichi gathered Rangiku in his arms.
"And you? Will you come with me? If you do, the moment she wakes, she'll see you."
His offered hand stayed outstretched.
Gin knew: one nod and he'd follow this saintlike vice-captain into the fabled Seireitei.
He shook his head.
Pale lips. Blood-shot eyes that couldn't wash out the hatred.
That bespectacled Shinigami—the one who almost stole Rangiku's life.
If Gin went to Seireitei at her side, that Shinigami might suspect something.
"Alright. I respect your choice."
Shuuichi didn't press. He was about to depart with Rangiku when Gin's voice rose behind him.
"Shuuichi-danna, may I ask… how does one become a Shinigami?"
Shuuichi paused, turned back, and found Gin's gaze steady as steel.
"If you have the aptitude, go to Districts 1–10 and pass the entrance exam of Shinō Reijutsuin (Spiritual Arts Academy). That gives you the right to become a Shinigami.
Do you wish to become one? Tell me your name—perhaps I can help~"
Gin pressed his lips tight, lowered his eyes, bowed his head.
This Shinigami treated him so kindly—something he'd never even dared to dream.
But he couldn't. He couldn't reveal his name to this well-meaning man; what if this danna, unaware of the truth, let it slip to that man with glasses?
He'd never been to Seireitei; he knew nothing of how Shinigami related to one another. He couldn't risk it.
He didn't even dare say, "A Shinigami hurt Rangiku."
Perhaps sensing his reluctance, Shuuichi stepped close and laid a gentle hand on his head.
"It's alright. I understand—everyone has their burdens. Rest easy. I will save your partner."
With that, Shuuichi wasted no time. He flashed away in Shunpo (Flash Step), carrying the unconscious Rangiku toward Seireitei.
After he left, Gin lifted his head, staring dumbly at the direction Shuuichi had vanished.
A long while later, he looked back at the wasteland where he and Rangiku had survived side by side.
That was the past. From now on, he would become a Shinigami and write the future himself.
"Wait for me, Rangiku."
The young Gin swore it, then stepped forward without looking back.
What Gin didn't know: far beyond his sight, Shuuichi hadn't gone far at all. Holding the unconscious Rangiku, he stood near the bespectacled Shinigami who haunted Gin's thoughts.
"You're going to save her?"
Sōsuke watched Gin's small figure recede.
"I can't go back on my word, can I, Sōsuke-danna? That wouldn't fit my persona," Shuuichi shrugged. "You said it yourself—if he hadn't rushed out to save her, or if he'd come running to tattle on me, we'd simply let him be.
As it stands, the odds of him becoming our colleague one day aren't low."
"Be confident. They're certain. His talent far outstrips yours."
Sōsuke didn't mince words.
That was why he'd bothered with this little detour.
The corner of Shuuichi's mouth twitched.
You get away with it because you're Sōsuke. Change the name and I might just go on strike.
"Heh… true, my strength is lagging behind you now. But with this Soul King fragment, that boy will still need time to catch up."
He only thought it; on the surface he matched Sōsuke's mood with two awkward laughs.
As for whether Sōsuke cared about such details?
Hardly. Even if he noticed, he wouldn't mind. Otherwise he wouldn't be Sōsuke.
"Per your plan, you'll use this fragment now, yes?"
Sōsuke's eyes left Gin. Given the temperament and wits the boy had shown, only one path remained: become a Shinigami, draw near, and one day stab Sōsuke in the dark.
With the talent coiled inside Gin—could he truly do it?
Sōsuke was curious.
"Yes, Sōsuke-danna. Fake records in the Daireishokairō (Great Spirit Book Corridor), Kenpachi's terrifying talent, and the pressure Genryūsai Shigekuni brought to bear might blind Masasuke, drunk on power—but they'll never fully lower Gyoukaku's guard.
If we want him to bet everything, he needs results he can see."
Shuuichi set Rangiku down gently and took from Sōsuke the Soul King fingernail fragment extracted from her.
"Without a doubt—I'm the best 'result.'"
"Hmph~"
A thin smile touched Sōsuke's lips.
He'd already guessed this was Shuuichi's aim. Seeing him thread every needle to reach this point was… satisfying.
In that case, don't disappoint me, Shuuichi.
Their eyes met, an unspoken accord passing between them.
Then Sōsuke produced the still-subdued, incomplete Hōgyoku (Breakdown Sphere).
The Soul King fingernail fragment—fused.
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