These were probably things he hadn't said to anyone else.
Not because he didn't want to, but because there was no one around him who could understand. These were things that didn't feel right even saying to his own mother.
Maybe, deep down, this young boy had already come to see Seff not just as a brother figure, but as someone who was both a mentor and a surrogate father.
And so, these thoughts, his hopes, his dreams, his ambitions, could only be shared here. Could only be spoken to Seff.
"I've been hesitating for a long time, unsure if I should go through with it. But after you left for Zaraki, I realized something. Just thinking about it… just hesitating… that doesn't change anything. So I finally tried talking to my mom about it."
"And?"
Seff raised an eyebrow.
This wasn't bad news. In fact, it was reassuring.
Because Seff already knew, Yui had the potential to become a Shinigami.
The simplest proof? He needed to eat.
Back then, that Hollow Seff had slain, the one that had toyed with Yui before trying to devour him, hadn't done so because of any strategic choice. It wasn't because of his father or his uncles putting up a fight. It was because Yui was the only one among them with Shinigami potential.
To a Hollow, that meant one thing: the tastiest soul.
That was why the Hollow saved him for last, to savor him.
"My mom… she arranged everything for me right away. She said that if I've truly decided, then there's no point dragging my feet. Whether I succeed or not, what matters is having the courage to try. So tomorrow… I'm leaving for Seireitei. I'm going to take the entrance exam for Shin'ō Academy."
As he said it, the expression on his face was still a little conflicted, like he hadn't fully processed that this was really happening.
That didn't sound like something his gentle, soft-spoken mother would say.
But Seff understood.
A mother's strength always comes when her child needs it most.
Now that Yui had lost his father, his mother was his only family, his only anchor. So she had to be strong.
Yui's mother, even with all the pain and worry in her heart, had chosen decisiveness, for his sake.
"…Isn't that a good thing?"
Seff stood up, gave Yui a firm pat on the shoulder, and offered him some genuine encouragement.
It was strange. In that moment, Seff felt something he hadn't expected, something like the feeling of watching a child grow up.
Which meant…
The decision he'd been debating internally, the timing, what to say, would have to change now.
"By the way, I forgot to mention something. I, your big bro… I'm also getting ready to head to Seireitei."
"…Huh?! Really?!"
Yui shot up from his seat in shock, eyes wide with joy.
He'd never expected Seff to say that, after all, Seff was clearly strong, but had never shown any interest in becoming a Shinigami.
And the reason Yui had been so nervous, so anxious, was precisely because this was the first time he'd ever be leaving home. The first time he'd face a strange, unfamiliar world… all alone.
But now everything was different.
Just knowing that Seff would be there too filled him with relief and confidence.
Whether or not Seff was a Shinigami didn't matter to Yui in the slightest.
If Seff was one? Well, of course he was. That was just natural.
If he wasn't? It didn't change how strong or dependable he was.
Seff simply wasn't the kind of person who'd fail an entrance exam, if he wanted to be a Shinigami, then nothing could stop him.
"Would I lie to you?"
Seff smirked as he sat back down.
Honestly, if he hadn't reacted in time, he might've gotten headbutted by Yui's sudden excitement.
Seff wasn't one for overthinking emotions. After years of working alone, he was used to handling things himself, without needing constant support from friends.
Sure, he had companions. But he never relied on anyone.
Still, knowing that Yui was going to Shin'ō Academy? That genuinely made Seff happy.
In the Soul Society, becoming a Shinigami wasn't just a job, it was a guaranteed livelihood. It could change your entire life.
"But… I'm not in a rush," Seff added. "I've still got a few commissions left to wrap up."
He tapped his chin in thought, mentally sorting through what still needed doing.
"Still… knowing how fast you guys move, I might get there before you do."
"Ah! That reminds me!"
Yui, after the initial joy, had calmed down significantly. After everything he'd been through, the trauma, the turning point, he had matured a lot.
Seff's words seemed to jog his memory.
"While you were gone in Zaraki, some guy I didn't recognize came by a few times asking about you. Looked like he had a job for you. Judging by his clothes, he was probably pretty rich."
Spoken like someone born in a merchant family, direct and unabashed.
Yui gave Seff a sly, knowing smile.
"You should totally hear him out, Seff-nii! You might be able to cash in big! I've heard things in Seireitei are expensive."
Despite the fact that Seff had saved Yui's life, he had never once asked for money. If he'd treated the whole thing as a business transaction, Yui's attitude toward him would've been entirely different.
The lodging the Yuikawa family provided had been more than enough compensation.
Besides, Seff had already been taking Hollow-slaying jobs to earn money.
Still…
"Well, we'll see."
Seff waved his hand dismissively.
"If I run into him before I leave, I'll hear him out. If not, then I guess it just wasn't meant to be."
Sure, money was important.
But Seff had never seen it as the most important thing.
When he realized he could use his strength to kill Hollows and get paid, he also understood something else,
In Soul Society, power was everything.
Money, status, politics, they were all just side effects of power.
So if the opportunity came along while he was tying up loose ends, fine, he'd take it.
But he wasn't about to delay his departure for Seireitei just to chase a few coins.
That'd be putting the cart before the horse.
<><>---------------------------------------
//[Bonus Chapter Later]//
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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🚨 TL/N 💥
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Naruto: Cooking Makes Me Stronger
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed