Kiyone Kotetsu tilted her head, her dark blond hair swaying as she studied the woman standing in front of her.
"Captain Soi-Fon… wow, long time. Didn't think you'd be leading a soul burial drill in person."
Soi-Fon, the sharp-eyed captain of the 2nd Division, stood stiffly. Her gaze swept over the group of Shinigami Academy students gathered nearby. It was a routine drill—hardly something that usually demanded a captain's attention.
"I was bored," she said simply.
Kiyone blinked. bored? She? The same woman who probably considered napping a form of treason?
Still, it wasn't wise to question a captain, especially not this one. Kiyone moved and waved toward a younger girl beside her. "Shino, go get tea for everyone."
Shino Madarame gave a quick nod and dashed off.
Soi-Fon's eyes tracked her. "Madarame Ikkaku's sister?"
"Yep. Solid recruit. A lot less punch-happy than her brother, thankfully."
"And the other one posted here? Kaito Shiba?"
Kiyone scratched at her cheek, looking a little sheepish. "Oh. Him. He's… a bit of a lone wolf. Doesn't interact with the squad. Keeps to himself."
Soi-Fon's gaze narrowed slightly. "Convenient."
"You want me to call him over?"
"No need," Soi-Fon replied flatly.
Outwardly calm, she gave nothing away. But truthfully, this trip wasn't just about a drill. Soul Society had recently noticed something strange—an abnormal spike in purified souls showing up from the Human World. Not just a small bump, either. Something big was stirring, and all signs pointed directly to Karakura Town.
Captain Yamamoto had assigned Soi-Fon to investigate, and the drill was just a cover. Before arriving, she'd looked into who was currently stationed in the area. Three names: Kiyone Kotetsu, Shino Madarame, and Kaito Shiba—all from the 13th Division.
After speaking with Kiyone, Soi-Fon had her eye on Kaito. Something didn't add up.
According to his files, Kaito's abilities were… fine. His swordwork, hand-to-hand, flash step, and kido were all perfectly average. His spiritual pressure wasn't anything special either. In the Soul Society, reiatsu was everything. Without it, you weren't impressive.
So how was it that unusual soul readings were happening exactly where this "ordinary" Shinigami was posted? She remembered the photo in his file—white hair, a striking face, the type that probably caused women to trip over themselves.
I need to meet this guy, Soi-Fon thought, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
Back in the Human World, Kaito Shiba was just walking into the Kurosaki Clinic as the sun came up.
The Kurosaki family had just sat down for breakfast when the door opened. Isshin Kurosaki, wearing his usual doctor's coat and a goofy grin, looked up.
"You're back already? Out all night again?" he asked, mock-scolding.
"I was working," Kaito replied, pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose like he was in a spy movie.
"Working, huh? What kind of 'serious work' makes you look like a club DJ at sunrise?" Isshin grumbled, not buying it for a second.
"Alright, alright," Masaki Kurosaki said gently."Let him eat. He's probably exhausted."
Unlike the others, she knew the truth. Kaito wasn't some freeloader; he'd been out all night purifying souls.
"Thanks, Ms. Kurosaki," Kaito said with a small, grateful smile.
Technically, he should call her "Oba-san," but it felt too formal. "Ms. Kurosaki" just sounded smoother, and she always smiled when he used it, so he stuck with it.
"Go wash up," she told him warmly. "Then come eat."
He obeyed without protest. When he returned to the table, he ruffled the head of the spiky-haired boy sitting next to him.
"Morning, Ichigo."
Ichigo scowled, swatting his hand away. "Stop touching my head! I won't grow taller!"
"That's just a myth. You'll be fine," Kaito said with a grin.
"I'm not a kid!"
"Oh yeah? Then how about this—you become my student, and I won't call you a brat anymore."
Ichigo blinked at him. "You're not even that much older than me! Who do you think you are?!"
Kaito leaned in, lowering his voice like he was sharing top-secret intel. "I can teach you how to talk to girls."
Ichigo's cheeks turned tomato red. Kaito almost laughed.
[ Fusion Progress: Gojō Satoru +0.1% ]
He grinned to himself. His system still surprised him. Actively mimicking Gojo's personality—playing the cool, shameless sensei—actually boosted the integration rate. Though, he had to admit, that line did sound a bit more like something Jiraiya would say.
Shaking the thought off, he crashed into bed right after breakfast and slept straight through the day.
Evening came, and a knock tapped gently on his bedroom door.
Still lying there, Kaito didn't move. He didn't need to. His Six Eyes allowed him to perceive everything perfectly, even through his black eye mask.
Ichigo peeked in. "Dinner's ready."
Kaito sat up. "Got it."
Ichigo lingered by the doorway. "…Hey. That thing you said earlier. About being your student."
Kaito raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"You said you'd teach me stuff. Cool stuff."
"Oh, that?" Kaito shrugged. "I was joking. You're way too young to be worrying about girls."
Ichigo looked like someone had popped his balloon.
"…But," Kaito added, "I could teach you something cooler."
Ichigo eyed him suspiciously. "You're messing with me."
"Then don't ask."
Ichigo hesitated, his fists clenching as he grumbled out the words. "…Fine. What is it?"
"Call me sensei first."
"…Sensei."
[ Fusion Progress: Gojō Satoru +1.0% ]
[ New Ability Unlocked. ]
Kaito blinked. Just from that? he muttered internally.
The notification screen materialised in his mind's eye.
[ New Technique: Singularity Step ]
· Type: Spatial / Mobility
· Effect: Generates a gravitational pull centered on the user. At full power, can create a localized black hole.
· Incantation: None
· Use Limit: None
· Derived Skills: Instant Teleportation, High-Speed Movement, Long-Distance Travel
Kaito exhaled, completely stunned.
"…So I just got stronger because a kid called me 'Sensei'?"
He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, the realization sinking in.
"…No way. Don't tell me this is one of those systems."