"Lord Shuuichi!"
Just as Higashi Shuuichi stepped foot into the Second Division's special training grounds prepared for the Onmitsukidō, a tiny figure leapt from the stands with radiant joy in her voice, rushing straight at him.
"So it's you, Shōrin."
Higashi opened his arms and caught young Soi Fon in a gentle embrace, his hand instinctively ruffling her short dark hair like one would a beloved younger sibling.
But deep inside, something felt... off.
Had he somehow replaced the position Yoruichi Shihōin held in Soi Fon's heart in the original timeline?
Holding the blushing, slightly trembling girl in his arms, Higashi couldn't help but think—yeah, that might actually be the case.
Not that it was a bad outcome. In fact, it might even be better than his original plan, which had merely been to establish a favorable relationship with her. But this change could have ripple effects.
For example—would Soi Fon still ascend to become the Captain of the Second Division after Yoruichi's defection, as she did in the canon timeline?
Higashi couldn't say. In fact, he wasn't even sure he believed in the "original timeline" anymore. He was the butterfly, after all, and his wings had been flapping long before this point.
Still, whatever happened in Soul Society, it likely wouldn't reach the World of the Living—not the remnants of the Quincy, not the shadow of Yhwach. As long as he ensured Isshin Kurosaki ended up in the Human World at the right time, there would be someone to face it all. Probably.
He was lost in thought when the soft voice of Soi Fon brought him back to the present.
"Lord Shuuichi, you can let me go now... Lady Yoruichi is still waiting for you."
Said in the tiniest whisper, almost inaudible.
"Ah—sorry, Shōrin!"
Higashi quickly set her down, sheepish.
Still, he had to admit—holding her like that had a kind of pleasant, soft texture. Different from Yoruichi's firm, athletic build… but not inferior.
"It's fine, Lord Shuuichi," Soi Fon said, ducking her head. Then she took a deep breath, lifted her face, and looked up at him with those bright, earnest eyes."I'll become a Shinigami as strong as you one day!"
Higashi was tempted to ask, "And what about your precious Lady Yoruichi?"
But when he opened his mouth, all that came out was a warm hum. "Mm~."
Across the field, seemingly having had enough of this "fluffy display," Yoruichi tossed a set of training armor his way.
"Catch!"
He snatched it with one hand. Behind him, Soi Fon took the cue and zipped back up to the stands like a disciplined little shadow.
At the same time, all the Onmitsukidō operatives who had been training with hakuda drills cleared the field, taking to the benches. Clearly, Yoruichi had made sure the sparring ground was cleared in advance.
She was serious.
"So before we begin, Captain Shihōin, may I ask what the rules are?"
Higashi asked while equipping the armor.
"No Zanpakutō. Anything else goes."
Yoruichi was finishing her stretches as she replied.
"...No Zanpakutō, huh?"
Higashi's hand lingered on his sword hilt for a second, fingers stroking its edge in thought.
He pondered what that restriction meant. Why that specific rule?
Because he didn't believe for a second that Yoruichi—or Unohana, or Aizen—did anything without purpose.
On its own, a spar with him had no meaning. But if it wasn't about the sparring… what then?
An evaluation?
And Yoruichi just so happened to possess an ability—one that could rival even a Bankai.
More importantly, it required mastery of hakuda, shunpo, and kidō to even learn.
If this is about that… well now I'm wide awake.
The spark of excitement ignited in him.
In a world like this, where personal strength could bend fate itself, Higashi didn't need a desire to destroy the world—but it would be nice to have the power to do so. Just in case.
His innate talent might not be enough to replicate Yoruichi's signature technique. But to taste it, to aim for it—why not dream big?
Maybe, just maybe, he could reach it.
That flame in his chest roared to life. His posture straightened. His lazy air vanished, replaced by something sharp and crackling.
"Then, Captain Shihōin—don't mind if I go first!"
He unbuckled his Zanpakutō from his hip and tossed it to Soi Fon in the stands, vanishing in a burst of shunpo.
"Kotsukon!"
His fist surged forward, only to be met halfway by Yoruichi's. Their knuckles collided with a crack, sending a wave of force rippling through the air. She was pushed back several paces.
Higashi didn't stop.
No time to breathe—that was his combat mantra.
His fist twisted to a flat palm, then into two fingers lit with static.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai!"
"A low-tier spell?"Yoruichi smiled slightly at the choice.
It meant Higashi understood. Higher-tier kidō weren't always better in real fights. Low-level spells, when amplified by a user's own reiatsu and deployed at the right time, could be just as effective.
By using Byakurai—a fast, lightweight spell—he could seamlessly chain it after an attack, leaving no gap in pressure.
And since Yoruichi had taken his initial strike head-on, she would have to suffer the follow-up spell—unless she had layered her body with spiritual barriers in advance.
She hadn't.
Sparks leapt across her frame as Byakurai's arc struck her directly.
Paralysis. That was the secondary effect of Byakurai.
It didn't last long. The gap in their reiatsu wasn't wide enough to bind her completely. But it was just enough.
"You didn't cast that to paralyze me," Yoruichi murmured. "You just wanted to slow my shunpo… to your level."
"Shunko. Byakurai!"
Higashi's reply came through action.
Yoruichi deflected it—again. But more lightning danced across her skin.
"So that's it… you're trying to wear down my mobility. Matching my speed by stacking small disruptions."
She said it aloud this time.
But Higashi Shuuichi said nothing. He didn't need to.
His answer burned in his eyes.
If you like the story, please support me by leaving a review and gifting stones ! Thank you !