"Let me try."
Arata took Rangiku's hand and carefully guided a trace of the Spirit King's power into her body.
However, although it was called the Spirit King's power, in essence it was simply spiritual pressure that had undergone a slight change after fusing with the Heart.
Not long after, the once violent vortex of spirit particles immediately became gentle, and the golden light in her lower abdomen gradually receded.
Rangiku finally relaxed her brows, and her breathing stabilized.
"Excellent, it's working!" Isane exclaimed in surprise as she recorded the instrument readings. "The fluctuations of spiritual pressure have returned to normal ranges!"
Unohana Retsu, however, did not relax. She stared at Arata's hand, on which a faint golden trace of spiritual pressure still lingered.
Even after a thousand years of life and vast knowledge, she could not fully discern the nature of that power.
This meant that the power Arata had just used was fundamentally different from any known power system in the Soul Society.
"Isane, take Hinamori to the pharmacy for calming incense, leave this to me." Unohana Retsu suddenly issued the order.
"Understood, Captain."
Although both were slightly confused, they obeyed without question.
When only the three of them remained in the room, Unohana Retsu directly set up a triple-layered soundproof barrier.
"Now then, explain to me exactly what has changed in you, Arata." Her voice was still gentle, but carried an irresistible pressure.
"Isane and the others may not have noticed the power you used just now, but as your teacher, I cannot pretend I didn't see it."
At that moment, Arata knew there was no point in hiding anything.
He took a deep breath and briefly recounted what had happened to his power.
Of course, he omitted the parts related to the system, he only explained the abnormalities in his body as fragments supposedly found by accident in his ancestral family's domain.
"Interesting, so the Saito family had such an inheritance as well?" A flash of doubt and nostalgia passed through Unohana Retsu's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
That man had never told her anything like that.
Perhaps she had despised using such power, or perhaps one of her descendants had found this strength?
Unohana Retsu did not pursue it further. She unconsciously let her fingers gently touch the hilt of her Zanpakutō at her waist. Whatever the source, one thing was certain—her disciple's power had stepped into an entirely new realm.
Arata knew this small habit of hers far too well. Every time they trained kendo, Unohana Retsu would wear exactly this expression, meaning he was in serious trouble.
"Teacher, the most urgent thing right now—"
"I know." Unohana Retsu forced herself to suppress the rising urge to battle that was swelling in her chest. "The action plan for tomorrow night remains unchanged, but…"
She suddenly leaned close to his ear, her breath, soft like the scent of orchids, brushing his skin.
"When this is all over," her whisper was soft, yet chillingly serious, "your teacher will personally verify your progress."
The hidden meaning in her words sent cold sweat sliding down Arata's spine.
He had no doubt that what awaited him afterward would be special training more brutal than pure hell.
But at least now, after fusing with the Spirit King's Heart, she shouldn't be able to "squeeze him dry" and defeat him so easily anymore.
Perhaps he could even…
"Arata…" Rangiku weakly called from the bed, "what's happening? Am I alright?"
He immediately approached her and held her hand. "Don't worry, you and the little one are completely fine. The baby was just being a little mischievous."
Rangiku breathed a sigh of relief, but then suddenly noticed the strange atmosphere between the two of them. "What were you two… talking about?"
"Ah, we were just discussing how to make sure the pregnant woman gets enough rest." Unohana Retsu smiled. "Arata-kun, you're staying here tonight to keep watch. Remember that before tomorrow's operation you must get your condition to its best state."
She gave a meaningful glance toward his chest, and as she turned to leave, the Zanpakutō at her waist shifted slightly, catching the light with a brief cold gleam.
Late at night, Arata sat on a chair beside the bed, keeping watch.
After taking her medicine, Rangiku had fallen into a deep sleep. The moonlight illuminated her delicate facial features, making her look soft and serene.
He leaned closer, placed his right hand over her abdomen, and allowed his Reiatsu to gently flow through his palm.
Through their blood connection, he could clearly feel the tiny, newly forming life—strong heartbeats, lively spiritual pressure, and a mysterious, sacred aura.
"This child will definitely cause a lot of trouble in the future…"
Suddenly, a soft tapping came from the window.
Arata raised his head, instinctively alert, and saw Shiba Kūkaku crouching on the window sill, dressed in black that blended with the night.
"Kūkaku-nee?" He discreetly glanced at the sleeping Rangiku, then quietly slipped over to the window. "What are you—"
"It's urgent." Kūkaku lowered her voice and handed him a scroll. "Kasumiōji Kumoi had a secret meeting with an envoy of the Tsunayashiro family just moments ago. These are the recordings that Onmitsukidō agents captured."
Arata swiftly raised a soundproof barrier, then unrolled the scroll in his hands. On the paper, using special ink, several blurred images had been developed.
In one, Kumoi was clearly seen bowing deeply before a masked man, and the weapon at the man's waist was the same type as the Bakkōtō "Demon Flower."
"Looks like tomorrow's banquet is a trap." Kūkaku said while nervously biting her nail. "They plan to poison all the captains at the banquet, then control them using the Bakkōtō…"
Her voice suddenly stopped.
Rangiku turned over in her sleep and unconsciously murmured Arata's name.
Kūkaku's face instantly turned pale, and she reflexively stepped half a step back.
"Is Rangiku-nee sick?"
"Yes." Arata didn't want to explain more than necessary. "She's pregnant."
Kūkaku's pupils abruptly contracted; her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something.
Pregnant?!
After a long silence, Kūkaku didn't utter another word. She simply returned to the topic stiffly. "Anyway… tomorrow at eight in the evening, wait for me under the cherry trees on the west side of Noble Street."
Without giving him a chance to respond, Kūkaku immediately turned and disappeared into the night, becoming a shadow gliding across rooftops.
Trouble.
Arata covered his face with his hand and let out a deep sigh, feeling a headache rise along his temples.
…
The next morning, he learned from Unohana Retsu that the kendo tournament, which had been paused for one day, was resuming.
"Just make sure you come back early." Rangiku leaned against the headboard, holding warm milk that Isane had just brought. "If you lose to those kids, don't you dare come back to my bed tonight."
Arata leaned in and kissed her forehead, then lightly tapped her stomach with his fingers. "How could I lose? Even just for this little one, I have to win."
When he stepped out of the 4th Division barracks, the morning mist had not yet fully lifted.
He took a deep breath, feeling the new power granted by the Heart of the Soul King flowing smoothly through his body.
The information Kūkaku brought last night forced him to fundamentally revise tonight's operation plan. If Kasumiōji Kumoi truly intended to attack the captains at the banquet, then today's matches were likely their final test before the grand finale.
The Shinō Spiritual Arts Academy arena was already bustling with people.
As soon as Arata pushed through the crowd and appeared in the audience's sight, a deafening cheer erupted from the stands.
"Arata-sama! Over here, look over here!"
"Ahhh, it's him! He's even more handsome than the rumors say!"
"He's not just handsome, he's ultra strong! He's absolutely my idol!"
Arata ignored all the shouting completely and scanned for the participants' rest area.
Since the tournament had been interrupted right after his match with Hatake Hayato, today's matches resumed from the 43rd pair.
He glanced at the notice board in the middle of the arena. The 68th match had just finished and one of the participants was someone he knew very well: Abarai Renji.