"Things are just like that."
Shinji sat cross-legged on the chair, scratching his head as he said, "Before Shiba Isshin 'disappeared,' he asked me to look after you well."
"So, in the end... Uncle..." Shiba Kaien lowered his head slightly, his mood heavy.
"Yeah, the current state of the Shiba family is really not good…"
After a few seconds of silence, Shinji suggested, "I want to change the Shiba family's current situation. I have two suggestions, do you want to hear them?"
Shinji was being very reasonable.
Since he owed that old man, Shiba Isshin, a favor, then now was the time to repay it.
The Shiba family currently lacked any captain-level combat power, which had drawn the attention of the Tsunayashiro family and several mid- to lower-tier noble houses.
Without the strength of a captain to hold the foundation, the Shiba family would eventually be devoured.
Maybe once Shiba Kaien died from an 'accident,' the Shiba family would be Shinigami in name only, completely forced out of Soul Society's central power structure.
Shinji couldn't let that happen, it would make him look too useless.
But at that moment, upon hearing Shinji's words, Shiba Kaien respectfully responded:
"Captain Shinji, please speak."
Even though Shinji had emphasized more than once that there was no need for formalities, Shiba Kaien still had deep respect for him.
"Method one."
Shinji raised a finger and looked into Kaien's eyes.
"The Shiba family temporarily aligns under the Kuchiki family. Until the Shiba family gains its own captain-class Shinigami, the Kuchiki family won't interfere with internal affairs."
"Then... what about the second method?" Kaien hesitated for a moment before asking.
Unlike earlier when he faced Tokinada, Kaien now completely trusted Shinji, yet if possible, he still wanted to maintain the Shiba family's independence.
"Method two."
Shinji pointed at Kaien.
"You become a captain-level Shinigami, and fast."
As long as Kaien became captain-class, everything would naturally be resolved.
The moment a captain-level Shinigami held the Shiba name, no noble family would dare make a move against them again.
"Me?"
Kaien pointed at himself with a bitter smile.
"Captain Shinji, I really can't. As much as I hate to admit it, Tokinada was right... I'm a failure."
"I've had Shikai for over a hundred years, but I've never come close to even touching Bankai…"
Kaien's voice was full of self-doubt.
Talent? That kind of thing had nothing to do with him.
He wasn't even close to Shiba Isshin's level.
After all this time with no progress, how could he possibly unlock Bankai and become a captain?
"Hey, Shiba Kaien."
Shinji gave him a deep look, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The universe is uncertain, you and I have infinite possibilities. How can you be so sure you'll never master it?"
"Letting others define your limits... That's what real failure looks like."
Upon hearing that, Shiba Kaien's body trembled slightly.
The universe is uncertain, and you and I have infinite possibilities?
Do I... really have a chance?
Off to the side, Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes sparkled as she looked at Shinji.
Suddenly, she leaned her alluring figure close to his ear and whispered: "This heartless....., I didn't expect you to be such a smooth talker."
Shinji: "???"
How am I heartless?!
"I was just saying it to motivate this honest guy," Shinji whispered back.
Shiba Kaien: "…"
Could you two be any more obvious? I'm right here. I can hear everything, you jerks!
And just like that... his fighting spirit flickered again.
Kaien sighed.
No matter how you spin it, someone like me can't learn Bankai... right?
"Don't give up just yet. I'll set up a special training plan to help you learn Bankai fast."
Shinji cleared his throat, catching Kaien's attention.
"Wait... learning Bankai quickly, is that even possible?"
Kaien's eyes widened.
Are you joking? There's a shortcut to mastering something like Bankai?
Even captain-class Shinigami take decades, or centuries, to fully grasp Bankai.
How could someone possibly learn it fast?
—Meanwhile—
Karakura Town, Urahara Shop.
Urahara Kisuke, buried in a mess of random junk, muttered:
"Weird... I could've sworn it was right here..."
Adjusting the fisherman's hat on his head, he sat down in confusion.
After a moment, he turned and asked, "Yoruichi-san, have you seen my body?"
Shihouin Yoruichi shot him an annoyed glare.
"How should I know where you put your stuff?"
"Really weird… maybe I'm losing my memory? I've been taking too much of Tessai's medicine lately…"
Kisuke rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Just then,
"Manager, it's time for your medicine."
Tessai stood behind him, expressionless.
Kisuke froze and slowly turned around.
"Come on, Tessai! Don't do this just because I cut your salary!"
"Manager, you really need your medicine."
Tessai calmly pushed it forward.
"But yesterday's meds had me in the bathroom for three hours, I nearly died!"
"That was yesterday. Today's dose is different."
Tessai's glasses flashed ominously.
"Different how?!"
"Today's expires one day later."
"…You really are trying to kill me!"
Kisuke shouted and bolted, only to be dragged back again.
Completely ignoring the chaos, Yoruichi narrowed her eyes in thought.
"Shinji… He already has Bankai. Why would he need something like the Shinai Transformation Body… unless,"
"He's trying to help someone else achieve Bankai?"
—Back in Soul Society—
At the Shiba residence.
"This thing... it helps Kaien learn Bankai quickly?"
Matsumoto Rangiku stood beside Shinji, leaning in, her ample figure pressing close to him.
At the moment, she was poking the strange, white humanoid object in Shinji's hand.
It didn't inspire much confidence.
And she wasn't the only skeptic, Kaien also looked unsure.
"What kind of look is that?" Shinji grumbled.
"This thing's called the Shinai Transformation Body. Don't judge it by its appearance."
"It's a dangerous artifact developed by Urahara Kisuke, the former 12th Division captain. It forcefully brings out your Bankai into the physical world."
"As long as you defeat the materialized Bankai, you can gain control of it."
This was a miraculous item.
Normally, Shinigami trained by diving into their Zanpakutō's inner world through meditation, talking, fighting, or even playing with it until they became attuned.
But this tool skipped that whole process.
It forcefully dragged your Bankai into reality. If you beat it? You get your Bankai.
But,
"There's a big downside to using the Shinai Transformation Body."
Shinji's expression turned serious.
"You only have three days. That's the limit. If you can't defeat it within three days, stop immediately, continuing past that is extremely dangerous."
"You might die. I'm not exaggerating."
"Wounds you take during the fight are real. If you take a fatal blow, you'll die."
"Shiba Kaien, you understand what I'm saying?"
Shinji's voice was gentle but firm.
A long silence.
Then,
Kaien grinned, clear resolve in his eyes.
"Captain Shinji, unlike someone amazing like you, this is probably my only shot."
"To protect my family, to keep the Shiba clan from being swallowed whole, I have to become a captain-class Shinigami."
"So... thank you for this chance. Even if I die in the process, I won't regret it."
He met Shinji's eyes with unwavering determination.
This was his last chance.
And he wouldn't waste it.
"Shiba Kaien," Shinji smiled gently.
"Don't die. I'm still waiting to have drinks with you."
Then, he slowly began unwrapping the Shinai Transformation Body.
"Wait,"
Kaien suddenly stopped him. Shinji blinked in confusion.
"I have one selfish request before we start," Kaien said.
"If it's possible... can I spar with you first?"
"I want to know the gap between me and a real captain."
Maybe experiencing a captain's power would help him in mastering Bankai.
Hearing this, Shinji's expression turned... odd.
Even Matsumoto Rangiku chuckled.
"To be honest, you picked the worst possible person to spar with, Kaien."
My captain seems to be a monster.
In this world, he has shown a history that even surprised Shiba Isshin.
During the captain's qualification assessment, he defeated two captains by himself. Among them, Kaname Tōsen, the 9th Division captain, was instantly sealed with the high-level Bakudō No. 99 before he could even activate Bankai.
Even Kurotsuchi Mayuri, who released his Zanpakutō and used Bankai, was still overwhelmingly defeated by Shinji, and was even killed outright.
This kind of strength is obvious to all.
Kuchiki Shinji is no longer the unknown name of the past.
Now, he is Kuchiki Shinji, Captain of the 10th Division!
"But Captain Shinji, you're already the best option I can think of."
Shiba Kaien gave a wry smile.
Since Shiba Isshin disappeared, the only other captain-level Shinigami he was close to was Ukitake Jūshirō, the Captain of the 13th Division.
But Ukitake, constantly coughing blood and in poor health, wasn't someone Kaien could bring himself to ask for help.
So, his only choice was the man before him: Captain Kuchiki Shinji.
"Sorry for the trouble, Captain Shinji."
Shiba Kaien bowed deeply.
"Then let's begin. I won't go easy on you."
Shinji nodded calmly.
"I'm coming, Captain Shinji. Please be careful!"
With a flash, Kaien disappeared using Shunpo.
"Shunpo? Not bad." Matsumoto Rangiku remarked.
This level of Shunpo was already among the best of the vice-captain class. It was clear that Kaien's fundamentals in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō were solid.
"Got him!"
Kaien's Zanpakutō slashed down toward Shinji's neck.
But at the last moment, Kaien hesitated, subtly shifting the strike away from Shinji's face.
The next moment, his expression changed dramatically.
Shinji... had vanished.
The figure Kaien had slashed was only an afterimage, left behind by sheer speed!
Then, A ripple of deep blue-purple Reiatsu pulsed in the air behind him.
The overwhelming pressure immediately pinned Kaien in place. He was drenched in cold sweat as he turned to see Kuchiki Shinji behind him, calmly pointing two fingers at his heart.
Blue-purple spiritual energy danced like lightning at Shinji's fingertips. A single flick, and Kaien's heart would be gone.
Instant loss.
He couldn't even fight back.
Is this the power of a captain...?
Kaien's eyes widened in awe, and envy.
If he could just achieve Bankai… could he also wield such strength?
"You've felt it, haven't you? That absolute gap?"
Rangiku smiled knowingly and added,
"And you should know, Captain Shinji hasn't even used his Zanpakutō yet. If he does Bankai, he'll be at least fifty times stronger."
At those words, Kaien broke out in another cold sweat.
Right… He had almost forgotten about Kuchiki Shinji's Zanpakutō.
Once he activated Bankai, his Reiatsu would multiply fiftyfold or more.
What kind of power is that...? A god?
"Alright, Captain Shinji, let's begin."
Kaien straightened, eyes full of determination.
"I'll master Bankai in three days. I swear it!"
He had to protect the Shiba clan, He couldn't let down the expectations of Captain Shinji.
---
Meanwhile, deep within a secret underground lab in Soul Society…
With a loud slam, the door opened.
Tousen Kaname, dressed in a white haori, stepped in slowly. His arm was still bandaged from his defeat, clearly, the wounds hadn't healed.
"Yo, Tousen." Ichimaru Gin waved lazily and teased with a grin, "So, how does it feel getting smacked down by Kuchiki Shinji? Even Kaplow was surprised."
"Gin, you bastard..." Tousen's expression twitched in annoyance.
He had become nothing more than Shinji's stepping stone.
Wherever he walked in the Seireitei, people whispered and pointed behind his back.
He had underestimated Kuchiki Shinji, and paid the price.
Being crushed by him was a humiliation that burned deep.
"Stop teasing him, Gin."
Aizen, calmly adjusting his glasses, asked with interest, "So, Tousen, what did you think of Kuchiki Shinji, after fighting him personally?"
It was the fastest way to understand Shinji's limits.
Aizen had grown very intrigued.
"That kid from the Kuchiki clan… is terrifyingly strong."
Tousen slowly looked down at his bandaged arm.
"He's strong... like a monster."
He had been crushed from start to finish by overwhelming power.
Even now, the memory of Shinji casting Bakudō No. 99 instantly and pinning him down gave him chills.
"Well then, Tousen..."
Gin opened his squinting eyes and asked curiously, "If you had used your Bankai back then, what would your chances have been?"
A brief silence followed.
"At best... 30%." Tousen said quietly,
"That guy's Reiatsu is just on a whole different level. It's monstrous."
"30%, huh..."
Hearing that, Gin's smile deepened, Eyes narrowing once more with a glint of curiosity.