Chapter 270
What Soi Fon used was not Shunpo, but Shunkan Idō, the instantaneous movement that Yuta had perfected, which surpassed the limits of Shunpo itself.
Soi Fon had been training that day, running from the foot of the mountain to its peak and back down again, repeating the route over and over.
Her body moved through the forest like lightning cutting through clouds.
For the Onmitsukidō, practicing Shunpo was not only about speed, but also silence and subtlety-moving fast enough to evade sight while keeping one's presence hidden from the enemy. It required motion that struck like thunder but sounded no louder than one's breath.
From the bottom of the mountain to the top, she hopped from branch to branch without disturbing even the smallest leaf.
When she came to rest again, her breathing was uneven. She worked to calm her heartbeat and looked at her hands. Three leaves lay upon her sweaty palms, damp and trembling from exertion. The sheen of sweat across her pale fingers made her hands seem even softer to the eye.
On her determined face rested the kind of resolve only hardened training could produce. It was difficult to imagine what kind of grueling regimen she had endured to reach that level of self-discipline.
"It's not enough," she said under her breath.
She dropped the three leaves, watching as they spun gently to the earth.
Once, twice, ten times-
Soi Fon continued to practice her Shunpo relentlessly.
However, the harder she worked, the less progress she seemed to make. Physical fatigue dulled her precision, and with each attempt, another fallen leaf appeared in her palm. Her frustration and self-disdain grew heavier with every passing moment-mirroring the increasing number of those fallen leaves.
Her enemies were growing stronger, and she could feel her power lagging behind.
Sweat rolled freely down her skin, soaking through even the ends of her hair until dark locks clung to her cheeks. Despite the exhaustion, there was grace in the way she moved-tense but fluid, each breath measured.
She had kept her captain's haori draped over her shoulders while wearing the standard Onmitsukidō combat uniform beneath it. The uniform was form-fitting and designed for mobility; its fabric clung to her with just enough looseness to allow freedom of motion while leaving parts of her limbs exposed for speed. The cut around her thighs showcased skin pale as polished marble-an unavoidable product of functionality rather than style.
Just as she was preparing to dash forward again, she sensed someone approaching.
Her expression tightened slightly.
And then she saw him.
Hideki Yuta-standing not far ahead of her, as casual as ever, eating honey-glazed grilled fish right there in the open.
Soi Fon frowned deeply.
As the Captain of the Twelfth Division, he was supposed to work on research and combat development-but instead, he seemed to spend half his time creating snacks and experimental food. It was absurd. Worse, his latest creation smelled delicious-sweet honey with the faintest trace of spice.
He knew that she disliked spicy food and that it made her face flush, but he had probably made it spicy on purpose.
Her annoyance flared instinctively. "Hate, hate, hate…" she grumbled to herself under her breath as she tried to focus again on her training. Yet the aroma tempted her at every breath, making her steps falter slightly in her waraji. The smell was almost cruel in its pull.
"It's noon," Yuta said from across the clearing, his tone light. "Don't you want to take a break?"
Soi Fon shot him a glare, wrinkling her small nose. "I'm not stopping because of you," she replied in irritation, "I'm taking a break to regulate my state."
Yuta's lips curved faintly. "Hai hai, Captain Soi Fon. Would you like some dried grilled fish? It's sweet-honey flavor this time."
Soi Fon leapt down from the tree but turned her head away quickly, unable to meet his eyes.
A faint blush colored her cheeks as she snatched the small bag from his hand without a word, retreating behind the closest tree.
She crouched down low, almost catlike, and tore the bag open before beginning to eat in small bites.
Her expression softened briefly as she chewed-the sweetness melting on her tongue-but almost immediately her smile froze.
"Why is it spicy…? Extra spicy?"
Her eyes widened at the realization.
Her teeth clenched as she called out furiously in her head, Yuta, you bastard!
She stepped out from behind the tree, pressing her hand against her burning lips, and glared at him with visible fury.
"I forgot to mention," Yuta said, scratching his cheek with mock innocence, "that one was mine. You took it before I could warn you. This one here was supposed to be yours."
Reaching out, he tapped her nose lightly with one finger, his teasing smile clear as ever.
Soi Fon's anger reached its limit. "Baka! Baka! Baka!" she shouted under her breath.
He'd made her eat the spicy fish on purpose-and even had the nerve to pinch her nose.
Before she even realized it herself, she moved on impulse.
She stepped forward abruptly, grabbed him by the collar, and pressed her lips hard against his, biting down with genuine force. Her teeth caught his lower lip sharply.
"Hey, hey, hey-how is that supposed to count as a kiss? That's closer to being bitten by a dog," Yuta protested with amusement. "Also, your mouth smells like spicy dried fish."
"Let go already!"
Soi Fon's lips curved faintly as she pulled back-part pride and part satisfaction.
Even if I couldn't win against you in combat, she thought, I at least made you uncomfortable.
For several long seconds, they stared at each other silently until embarrassment crept into her cheeks again.
She pushed him away abruptly, her face now flushed crimson.
"I'm practicing," she said curtly. "Go back."
"Practicing Shunpo again?"
"Yes." She turned away, stretching her arms lightly before resuming position. The sun caught along her frame for just a moment, outlining the fluid shape of her posture.
"Want to compare speeds?" Yuta asked casually.
"You?" Soi Fon gave him a skeptical look. "As far as I know, your Shunpo isn't exactly impressive."
"What's wrong? You scared?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why would I be afraid? Fine-let's compete."
"The loser owes the winner one favor."
"No ridiculous bets!" she said sharply, though her expression betrayed faint embarrassment.
When they were both ready, the challenge began. Soi Fon blurred forward first, taking off in a burst of motion that cracked the air behind her.
Yuta, however, simply stood where he was and yawned. He made no move to chase immediately.
Soi Fon smiled faintly to herself as she darted between the trees. She wouldn't waste that advantage-if victory gave her the chance to command Yuta, she would take it fully.
Just thinking about it spurred her forward faster. Perhaps she could have him cook for her or tend to her daily routines. She grinned faintly at the idea of making him run small errands-just retribution for his teasing earlier.
Her movements grew smoother as the rhythm of speed took over, each obstacle dodged by instinct alone. She glided between branches with the grace of water slipping through narrow channels.
Confidence built with every stride; the finish was near at hand.
Just then, she felt it-a sudden gust of wind passing her side.
Her eyes widened slightly.
An illusion? It had to be. No one could have moved that fast-not even someone from the Onmitsukidō.
Their reputation was built on mobility and precision; even Yoruichi-taichō, the Flash Goddess herself, had earned her title through decades of cultivation.
Soi Fon knew her speed was second only to hers.
Yet as the trees parted and the path cleared, she lifted her gaze to the top of the mountain-and froze.
Yuta was already standing there, sunlight falling against his shoulders as he waited calmly for her arrival.
Her expression faltered. She rubbed her eyes once as though refusing to believe it.
"How... is this possible?" she whispered.
CHECK OUT MY NEW STORY!
TITLE: Bleach: i can't believe i'm not the laziest person here...
[Synopsis: We're having a meal in the Soul King's palace. The spoils were spread across Yhwach's table, Ichigo passed by the window in front of the door, and Aizen stood calmly beside him with his usual composed demeanor.
Tone Kazuki, who had reincarnated into the world of Bleach, once thought he could spend his days in peace and leisure. However, when he looked back on his journey, the world seemed filled with legends that revolved around his name.
Such a conversation once took place in the laboratory of Aizen himself, the renowned schemer of the Soul Society.
"Kazuki, what do you think the purpose of life is?"
"Fishing."
"You misunderstand," Aizen replied evenly. "What I'm asking is this, in this vast world, at the end of everything, what do you believe is the true purpose of living?"
"Didn't I already tell you?" Kazuki said, leaning back in his chair with disinterest. "Just to stay home and fish."]
Chapter 001
Soul Society - Rukongai, West District 23.
When the float on the water suddenly sank, Tone Kazuki tightened his grip on the line, focused his gaze, and pulled in one smooth motion. Within seconds, he tossed a plump river fish into the basket beside him.
Before he could appreciate nature's bounty, the familiar sound of his system echoed in his ears, bringing with it another small sense of accomplishment.
[Daily Task: Fishing]
[Completed]
[Reward: Reiatsu +2 Issued]
Kazuki closed his eyes and focused inward. If his spiritual power were likened to a lake, then its water level had just risen again - slight but perceptible.
"Thanks for the gift, system…" he said softly, picking up a snack from the small bowl beside him and popping it into his mouth. Looking up at the sky, he sighed. "There's about a hundred years left before the plot begins… I guess I've gotta keep working hard…"
Tone Kazuki was a reincarnator.
There was nothing particularly special about it - the same old setup. A car accident, one moment of darkness, and then awakening in the world of Bleach. It had been over twenty years since then.
Originally, Tone Kazuki was just another orphan from Rukongai's West 23rd District - timid by nature, with some latent spiritual talent that he had no idea how to utilize. He died one bitter winter day from illness, and when his eyes opened again, the consciousness within his body had changed entirely.
After realizing what had happened, Kazuki slowly worked through his new circumstances and eventually enrolled in the Shin'ō Spiritual Arts Academy.
Upon graduating, he joined the 8th Division of the Gotei 13, climbing the ranks through diligence and patience until he reached the position of 5th Seat - finally earning the right to spend his time fishing at leisure.
It wasn't much, but it was peaceful… for now.
Peace in Soul Society, however, was always temporary.
There had been Aizen's rebellion before, and later, the invasion of the Wandenreich. The former wasn't too bad - at least Aizen's ambitions were lofty - but the latter had been catastrophic. The Quincy stormed the Seireitei without hesitation, cutting down anyone in their path. There was no surviving that kind of war through simple fishing and patience.
Kazuki had some talent, but not enough to compare with prodigies like Hitsugaya Tōshirō or Ichimaru Gin. If he relied purely on training, his future would likely end with him crushed beneath some nameless, large-scale attack. No matter how he looked at it, the road forward seemed grim.
Fortunately… Kazuki wasn't entirely alone in this world.
Though cliché, he had brought along a system when he reincarnated.
[Life Player System]
It allowed him to gain small rewards for ordinary activities - walking dogs, feeding cats, fishing, cooking, and the like. Each completed task granted subtle bonuses, ranging from +1 Reiatsu to minor boosts in his Kidō proficiency.
Individually, the rewards were minor, but accumulated over decades, they became formidable.
After twenty years of effort, Tone Kazuki had built enough power to stand firmly on his own. He wasn't on the level of captains or lieutenants, but with the main events of the story a century away, time was on his side. If he kept pushing forward, perhaps someday he could even face Yhwach himself.
...Probably.
Promotion, however, was out of the question. The position of 5th Seat was comfortable and stable - not too high to drown in paperwork, not too low to lack authority. Moving up would only invite stress and endless responsibility, neither of which appealed to him.
Fishing every day wasn't exactly glorious, but it wasn't miserable either.
---
Yadomaru Lisa approached the riverside carrying a small package in her arms.
From afar, she spotted the familiar figure - the one with long, dark hair - sitting by the water's edge, idly eating snacks as he fished. Her temper flared immediately. Clenching her fists, she quickened her steps, her Shunpo leaving faint afterimages along the riverbank.
In the next breath, she appeared beside him. Her glasses glinted sharply in the sunlight as she glared at the seated man - the very image of indolence. Kazuki sat there in his usual relaxed posture, his features refined enough to rival those of the Kuchiki family's heir, his demeanor lazy but approachable. It was easy to see why the younger division members adored him.
None of that saved him from Lisa's wrath.
"Tone-Kazuki-!" she hissed through gritted teeth, her tone dangerously calm. "Do you know how hard you've been to find?"
"...Ah." Kazuki froze for half a second before forcing out two awkward laughs. "Ahaha… Lisa-san! What brings you here? I caught two pretty big fish today - how about I share one with-"
Before he could finish, Lisa threw the black cloth bag she had been carrying straight at him. It dropped at his feet and spilled open, revealing neatly stacked bundles of paperwork inside.
"What's this?" Her tone was ice-cold.
"A-ahaha… about that…" Kazuki rubbed the back of his neck, beads of sweat gathering at his temple. "I-I was just about to bring those to the 1st Division… really…"
He knew exactly what it was. Those were official documents the 8th Division had submitted earlier that week - forms that he was supposed to process and deliver to Captain Kyōraku's office personally. He'd gotten most of it done too… until his system had announced a limited-time "Fishing Celebration" event the night before. Double rewards for each catch had been far too tempting to ignore.
Totally unrelated to his obsession with fishing, of course. Entirely for the sake of self-improvement.
"No explanations," Lisa cut in sharply. "Do you realize the vice-captain of the 1st Division came down personally to ask for these? If I hadn't helped cover for you, it wouldn't be me standing here right now - it'd be them dragging you away!"
"Ehh… is that so…" Kazuki stalled, mind racing frantically for any excuse that might defuse her anger. Within seconds, he calculated several possible approaches before committing to one with exaggerated sincerity.
"Lisa-san," he said suddenly, pressing his hand to his chest. "You've always been so kind to me. So how about this - I've, uh… collected a few magazines from the World of the Living during my last mission. All high-quality editions, very tasteful. I'll give you one later as thanks for your hard work. How does that sound?"
Lisa's lips parted slightly - her expression hard to read behind the reflective glare of her glasses - but Kazuki could swear he caught the faintest tinge of red across her cheeks.
"...Really?"
"Really," he said without hesitation, nodding vigorously.
Lisa looked away quickly, clearing her throat. "...Fine. Ahem. The captain's looking for you too. Let's go back to the division together."
Kazuki hesitated, glancing back at his fishing rod. "How about… one last catch?"
Her tone dropped in warning. "Kazuki."
He sighed in defeat and began packing up his gear..