Translator Note:
Hey everyone. I want to be completely honest with you all. For this chapter, I hired a proofreader to help polish the translation. I trusted them, but I later found out they used AI (like ChatGPT) without telling me.
As someone who takes real pride in personally translating every chapter by hand, this honestly really hurt. I never wanted to rely on AI or shortcuts, and I know that's not what you come here for either.
So, I went back and re-edited the entire chapter myself, line by line, to make sure it's 100% me. No compromises.
I'm sorry this happened. Transparency matters to me, and I want to make sure you're reading my real work, not something AI-generated or outsourced without oversight.
***
Kiyone Kotetsu tilted her head, dark blond hair swaying as she studied the woman 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 something that demanded a captain's attention.
"Boredom," she said simply.
Kiyone blinked.Boredom? From her? The same woman who probably considers napping a form of treason?
Still, it wasn't wise to question a captain, especially not this captain. Kiyone pivoted 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, a little sheepish. "Oh. Him. He's… a bit of a lone wolf. Doesn't bunk 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 to Karakura Town.
Captain Yamamoto had assigned Soi-Fon to investigate. 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 the files, Kaito's abilities were… fine. Middle-of-the-road. Swordwork, hand-to-hand, flash step, kido all average. His spiritual pressure wasn't anything special either. In Soul Society, reiatsu was everything. Without it, you weren't moving mountains.
So how was it that unusual soul readings were happening exactly where this "ordinary" Shinigami was posted?
She remembered his photo of white hair, and striking face, the type that probably caused teenage girls 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 goofy grin, looked up.
"You're back already? Out all night again?" he said, 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, stepping in with that motherly tone only she could manage. "Let him eat. He's probably exhausted."
She, unlike the others, 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, he ruffled the head of a spiky-haired boy sitting at the table.
"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 disciple, 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.
Ding! Fusion Progress: Gojo Satoru +0.1%…
He grinned to himself. This "Fusion System" of his still surprised him. Mimicking Gojo Satoru—cool guy behavior and all—seemed to boost it. Though… that line did sound more like something Jiraiya would say.
Shaking the thought off, he crashed into bed right after breakfast and slept through the day.
Evening came. A knock tapped gently on his door.
Still lying there, Kaito didn't move. He didn't need to. His [Six Eyes] allowed him to see everything, even through his black eye mask.
Ichigo peeked in.
"Dinner's ready," he said.
Kaito sat up. "Got it."
Ichigo lingered.
"…Hey. That thing you said earlier. About being your disciple."
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. "…Fine. What is it?"
"Call me sensei first."
Ichigo grumbled fists clenched. "…Sensei."
Ding! Fusion Progress: Gojo Satoru +1.0%Ding! New Ability Unlocked. Click to View.
Kaito blinked.
"Just from that?" he muttered.
The screen popped up 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, stunned.
"…So I just got stronger because a kid called me 'Sensei'?"He sat there for a moment, realization sinking in.
"…No way. Don't tell me this is one of those systems."