Restricted Death

Chapter 185 Bankai and Generous Rewards

In the middle of the night, Shin took Rukia back. On the way back, the two of them didn't say a word to each other in a strange way. Rukia kept her head down the whole time and let Shin hold her hand.

Even though the two had already engaged in an extraordinary relationship in the first half of the night, they now acted like complete strangers.

Rukia stopped when she was near the Kuchiki family mansion, deciding that the letter could be delivered there.

Xin reached out and gently stroked her cheek, then rubbed her head.

"I'm going back."

Rukia said something in a low voice, then turned and left.

The moonlight, cool and clear, fell silently on the stone path leading to the dilapidated mansion, like a thin layer of silver frost.

There were no trees along the streets of Seireitei, only a cool breeze blowing. Shin stood alone under the cold moonlight, his two shadows, elongated by the moonlight, quietly separating on the cold stone slabs.

On the way back, Xin felt a little melancholy. He had indeed gotten what he wanted tonight, but he also felt that he had lost something.

There doesn't seem to be anything to regret. Maybe that's just who I am. Being too dramatic would only make me look ridiculous.

Rukia

【Favourability: 90】

[Home Run Bonus: Unlocks reward feedback cap of 40%]

[Third Reward: Zanpakuto's additional ability "Freeze" (Already Acquired)]

Bleach: Rukia

[Currently available to bind Death's Wedge 1/2]

Of the women Shin knows now, four have a favorability rating of over 90: Kotetsu Isane, Unohana Retsu, Hinamori Momo, and Rukia.

The reward for home run has also increased from 10% to 40%.

However, this function has only been tested on Yuu-on.

Then Xin looked at his information page.

[Reiatsu Level: Lv62]

[Zanpakutō unlock progress: 60%]

【This Shore, The Other Shore (Incomplete Bankai)】

This didn't surprise Shin too much, as the Zanpakuto had already reached 10% unlocking progress and was already more than halfway through its initial release.

Currently, the Zanpakuto unlocking progress is only over 60%. If one directly masters Bankai, what will be unlocked next?

Shin carefully sensed the changes in his Zanpakuto, and his expression became increasingly solemn.

His own Bankai ability seemed to be more incredible than he had imagined.

Red Blade Beyond the Shore, its initial ability is "Stagnation".

White Blade on This Shore, its initial ability is "Retreat".

This so-called incomplete Bankai is actually just the Bankai of the Crimson Blade Beyond!
In other words, his Zanpakuto is truly two swords! Unlike Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro, whose dual swords are merely a special style of Zanpakuto.

The letter has two bankai!

After a brief emotional rollercoaster, Xin quickly calmed down again.

With the system in place, it seems that anything, no matter how powerful, is predictable and understandable. Shin, relying solely on the power of his initial release, is enough to crush countless people.

Just like Aizen, he never used his Bankai ability in the original work, but the power of Kyoka Suigetsu Shikai left the Soul Reapers of Seireitei helpless.

After calming down, Xin began issuing further instructions through the system.

【Hinamori Momo】

【Favourability: 95】

[Can form the Death Wedge]

[The Wedge of Death has been concluded]

[Third Reward: Zanpakuto's additional ability "Flame" (Already Acquired)]

After finishing, Shin took a deep breath and continued to feel the changes coming from the Zanpakuto.

Then he looked at the next name.

【Kotetsu Yuuyin】

【Favourability: 90】

It's already dropped back to 90...

There was a touch of melancholy in my heart.

[The Wedge of Death has been concluded]

[Third Reward: Zanpakuto's additional ability "Celestial Phenomenon" (Already Acquired)]

Upon seeing this ability, Xin was slightly taken aback.

He knew what kind of power this celestial phenomenon was, the power that could control the celestial phenomena and change the weather at will. People like Hitsugaya's Hyōrinmaru, Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's Ryūjin Jakka, and First Division Lieutenant Sasakibe Jōjirō's Genryūmaru all possessed this power.

What these Zanpakuto have in common is that they are all Kido-type Zanpakuto that can control a certain element.

Unexpectedly, Kotetsu Isane's Frozen Cloud was also this type of Zanpakuto. He had never heard Isane mention it, nor had he asked about it.

This was an unexpected surprise.

The letter then turned its attention to the next name.

【Unohana Retsu】

【Favourability: 90】

[The Wedge of Death has been concluded]

[Third Reward: Zanpakuto's additional ability "Extreme Healing" (Already Acquired)]

This ability is easier to understand now. It adds the power of the Dao to Shin. Originally, Shin always used the power of his Zanpakuto to save people, which was efficient but also extremely taxing on his spiritual pressure.

He had only been in the Fourth Division for a short time and had been in the medical ward the whole time, so his progress in the Zanpakuto was very limited. Some of the more experienced members of the Fourth Division were probably better than him. He had just been using the power of his Zanpakuto to cover up his shortcomings. To outsiders, he was also a "Zanpakuto master".

Having done everything he needed to do, Shin let out a long sigh of relief. His Zanpakuto was no longer just a rule-based ability; it also possessed the abilities of ice, fire, and return.

However, these powers were merely icing on the cake for him, and were nothing compared to his newly acquired Bankai power.

He reaped a bountiful harvest of system rewards tonight, all of which were accumulated over time.

If I hadn't bound the first Death Wedge to Rukia back then, I probably would have obtained these rewards much earlier.

But it's also possible that he and Rukia will drift apart from then on.

[Currently available to bind Death's Wedge 4/5]

Another spot for binding with Death's Wedge has become available, but Xin isn't in a hurry now. He'll just see which of the women he knows first reaches a 90% favorability rating.

While sorting out his thoughts, Shin didn't go home, but instead went to the 10th Division barracks.

It was already past midnight, and the barracks were empty except for the duty room which was lit. Without disturbing the team members on duty, Shin quietly entered the training ground, used the power of his Zanpakuto to conceal the spiritual pressure fluctuations in the area, and began to experiment with his newly acquired power.

After several hours of fussing, as dawn broke, Xin used up a significant portion of his spiritual power to restore the severely damaged dojo to its original state using "Rewind."

Some team members had already come to the team dormitory to change shifts, and Xin also returned to his office, stretched, lay down on the chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

Today, after the letter, Hinamori was the first to push open the door to the captain's office.

After parting ways with Shin at the Spirit Arts Academy last night, she and Hitsugaya searched for Shin for a long time at the academy but couldn't find him. They assumed Shin had gone back, so they waited until the fireworks festival ended before leaving as well.

Hinamori went to Shin's house, only to find no one there. She waited all night, her mind racing with unfounded thoughts.

When she saw Xin resting in the armchair, her heart instantly relaxed.

Could it be because of Hoshino-senpai again?
The president was unhappy and went to find a quiet place by himself. Had she been too clingy with him these past few days? She should give him some personal space.

Hinamori tiptoed to Shin's side, and looking at the sleeping Shin, a pang of heartache welled up in her heart. She couldn't help but reach out to brush the stray strands of hair from Shin's forehead to the side, but as she got closer, she suddenly noticed something, lowered her head and carefully sniffed Shin's body, her expression changing slightly.

Shin was also awakened at this time. When he saw that it was Hinamori, he sat up and stretched.

"You've arrived. What time is it?"

He wasn't feeling very comfortable sleeping in the armchair, so he thought he might put a bed in his office for his own rest. But if he did that, he would inevitably be met with another round of sarcastic remarks from Matsumoto Rangiku.

Hinamori didn't speak, but stared intently at the letter.

"what happened?"

Hinamori was silent for a moment before asking, "Where did you go after you parted ways with us last night?"

Xin casually said, "I went to chat with Teacher Nantian until very late. I wasn't sleepy, so I came to the team dormitory and took care of some work that had piled up during the day. It was late at night, so I decided to rest here."

His answer seemed fine at first glance, but to Hinamori it sounded like he had prepared a pre-arranged excuse.

She stopped trying to probe and instead asked directly, "Did you go see Rukia?"

Shin paused, recalling that when he opened his eyes just now, he saw Hinamori sniffing something on him. Was it Rukia's scent that had clung to him?

Given their relationship, it's quite normal for Hinamori to be familiar with Rukia's scent.

“Yes, we ran into each other,” Xin said.

"And then?" Hinamori continued to question.

"Then we chatted for a while."

"Did you just chat for a while?"

Looking at the aggressive Hinamori, Shin frowned. "What do you mean?"

His voice carried a hint of displeasure at being questioned.

Hinamori felt very aggrieved when she saw him like this: "What's there to talk about between you two?"

If they were just chatting, how could such a strong scent of the other person still linger on her body after a whole night? Hinamori didn't believe that there hadn't been any intimate interaction between them.

Shin frowned and retorted, "Are Rukia and I enemies? Can't we even chat when we meet?"

"You two are really just chatting?!" Hinamori raised her voice slightly. "You're lying to me!"

Xin didn't say anything more, nor did he try to defend himself; he just looked at her calmly.

Being stared at like that made Hinamori feel a little flustered.

She bit her lower lip and stubbornly met his gaze again.

The letter said, "This is the barracks, I don't want to argue with you."

Hinamori's pupils dilated slightly as she stared blankly at Shin. Her eyes instantly reddened, and after glaring at Shin resentfully, she turned around and quickly left the office.

Hitsugaya had just arrived at the barracks and was about to see the captain when he ran into Hinamori, who rushed out of there.

"Hinsen you..."

He was puzzled by Hinamori's haste, but he was taken aback when he saw Hinamori's red eyes.

Hinamori didn't say anything to him, glanced at him, and then walked past him and left.

Hitsugaya tried to call her back, but Hinamori moved swiftly and quickly walked out of the courtyard.

What's going on here……

Hitsugaya hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door and entered the office.

He came on official business, but the first thing he asked after seeing the letter was, "Captain, what happened to Hinamori?"

"It's nothing, none of your business," Xin replied, sounding somewhat annoyed.

It's none of my business...

Hitsugaya's heart tightened, and he lowered his eyes.

But he quickly composed himself and told Tongxin the purpose of his visit.

Hinamori walked out of the 10th Division barracks and headed straight for the Spirit Arts Academy.

It was still early morning, and the students of the Spirit Arts Academy had not yet started classes. There were still quite a few people cleaning the square.

Hinamori walked into the student council headquarters office inside the office building.

Rukia was talking to some classmates inside when Hinamori's sudden intrusion immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Hinamori-senpai?"

"Chief Hinamori, what brings you back?"

Hinamori had only been away from the Spirit Arts Academy for less than a year. Apart from the new recruits, everyone in the office knew Hinamori and exclaimed in surprise and joy upon seeing her.

Many members gathered around, wanting to continue talking to Hinamori, but seeing Hinamori's somewhat gloomy expression, they all stopped themselves from saying what they were about to say.

Rukia's gaze flickered slightly upon seeing Hinamori, but she remained calm, put down the documents in her hand, and got up to walk over.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

With a casual remark, Rukia had already walked out of the office, and Hinamori followed without a word.

The student council members in the office looked at each other in bewilderment.

"What's going on?"

"Hinamori-senpai seems a bit unhappy."

"Did you have a fight with the president?"

"That can't be right, aren't they best friends?"

The crowd began to discuss it animatedly.

Rukia and Hinamori arrived at the office rooftop, where the view was excellent and there were no railings along the edges. After all, everyone here was a Shinigami trainee, so even if they fell, it wouldn't matter.

Some areas still bear traces of charring, caused by fireworks set off on it yesterday, and haven't been completely cleaned up yet.

Rukia walked calmly to the edge of the rooftop and looked down at the students sweeping the square below.

With only the two of them present, Hinamori could no longer contain herself and blurted out, "What did you and the president do last night?"

Rukia, upon hearing this, calmly replied, "Didn't he tell you?"

She didn't sleep a wink last night after she got home. During that time, she thought about a lot of things, including how to face Hinamori later.

Yes, she has already made up her mind.

Rukia's answer contained too much meaning, which immediately made Hinamori feel shocked and angry.

"Rukia, you?!"

Rukia asked slowly, "Momo, what is your purpose and determination in coming to see me?"

The wind was a bit strong up there, causing the hems of their school uniforms and death knight outfits to flutter.

Hinamori pressed, "Didn't you say you had given up?!"

"Ah, I did say that." Rukia's voice was flat. "Unfortunately, I couldn't do it."

Hinamori's face darkened, and she said in an icy voice, "Are you still going to compete with me?"

"Compete?" Rukia chuckled.

"Peach, haven't you learned anything from what happened last time? Do you really think your so-called struggle can sway the president's mind? You still don't understand him enough."

Rukia turned to look at her again and said, "I won't compete with anyone, Momo. Let's be dignified between us."

The rooftop door closed gently behind her, making a dull sound that separated the two worlds.

(End of this chapter)