Crossover Anime: Starting with Bankai from Demon Slayer

Chapter 349 God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!

These words resonated deeply.

Kurosaki Isshin and Shiba Kaien were taken aback when they heard this.

Immediately, a relieved smile appeared on both of their faces.

"yes....

Yi Xin shook his head with a bitter smile, his eyes completely red, yet he smiled very happily.

That smile was like watching a carefully nurtured seedling finally grow into a towering tree that could shelter you from the wind and rain.

"You're right, Captain Hitsugaya! The 10th Division no longer needs this old geezer who only causes trouble."

He looked at Toshiro with admiration and pride in his eyes.

"You are calmer, more responsible, and more dependable than I am! Under your leadership, the 10th Division will surely become the sharpest sword among the Gotei 13."

"Entrusting the 10th Division to you... is the best decision I've ever made in my life."

Kaien also looked up at Toshiro, the gloom on her face vanishing, replaced by her usual cheerful demeanor.

"I'm sorry, Captain Hitsugaya... Although I've been a terrible captain, I'm really glad that you were the one who took over the 10th Division."

Kaien said earnestly, "You did better than any of us! You are the one who is truly suited to lead the 10th Division, and you truly deserve that captain's haori."

Faced with such candid affirmation and praise from the two former captains.

Toshiro, who was used to showing a cold demeanor, surprisingly felt a little uncomfortable.

He turned his head slightly to avoid their overly eager gazes, a faint blush creeping up his ears.

"Stop arguing! I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do!"

Toshiro snorted coldly, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Since you've both put it that way, let's get straight to the point. What are your plans for the future?"

Toshiro turned his head: "The Soul Society is currently in its most chaotic period, and the future situation remains unclear. This is precisely the time when the Soul Reich needs fighting power."

He looked at Haiyan: "Now that you're back and have regained your spiritual power, do you intend to rejoin the Gotei 13?"

When this was mentioned, Haiyan's expression turned serious.

He answered without hesitation, "Of course! Although I don't want to get involved in the power struggles between those nobles, Soul Society is my home, and I can't just watch it be destroyed by that bastard Aizen."

"but....

Kaiyan changed the subject, grinning at Toshiro.

"I have no intention of going back to the 10th Division to take your place. The 10th Division has you and Rangiku, which is enough."

"I plan to return to the 13th Division."

A hint of nostalgia for the past and a firm belief in the future flashed in Haiyan's eyes.

"Captain Ukitake's health has always been poor. In the years I've been away, he must have had a very tough time managing on his own... The 13th Division is in dire need of manpower right now."

"I am the vice-captain of the 13th Division, and my position has always been there."

Toshiro was not surprised when he heard Kaien's decision.

He knew that the bond between Kaien and Jushiro Ukitake was deep, and that Kaien's personality was indeed more suited to the relatively relaxed atmosphere of the 13th Division.

"Understood, I will convey your wishes to Captain Kyoraku."

"Given the current situation, the 13th Division really needs the return of such a powerful force as you."

Toshiro nodded, then turned his gaze to Isshin Kurosaki.

"And what about you?"

Toshiro's eyes became somewhat complicated.

He looked at the man he once regarded as an elder and an idol, who was now dressed in worldly clothes, his body reeking of cooking oil and medicine.

Now that you've revealed your identity to Ichigo and your daughters, do you plan to take them back to Soul Society?

"With your strength and the Shiba family bloodline, if you are willing to return, even without serving as captain, the Soul Society would welcome you very much."

However, Kurosaki Isshin gently shook his head.

The heaviness on his face had vanished, replaced by a peaceful contentment and a wistful smile.

He looked at the sliding door of the tea room, and through the thin shoji paper, he could faintly hear sounds coming from the main hall outside.

There was Ichigo's loud complaints, Yuzu's clear and sweet laughter, Karin's cool witty remarks, and Kukaku's boisterous toasting.

It was a vivid depiction of the everyday life of humanity, the most precious treasure he had protected with all his might over the years.

"Returning to the Gotei 13 is out of the question. That kind of life is no longer suitable for me."

Isshin chuckled lightly, his tone revealing a hint of nonchalance: "Isshin Shiba, the Grim Reaper, has disappeared."

"The person sitting in front of you right now is just a stupid father who always makes his child worry, Kurosaki Isshin."

He stretched out his hands, which had become somewhat rough with the passage of time, and gently patted his thigh.

"Of course, given the current state of Soul Society, I will not stand idly by."

"I'll stay at Shiba's house for a while and see if there's anything I can do to help."

"No matter what, I am the head of the Shiba branch family. I can still lend you some support and offer some advice."

He turned to look at the door, his gaze softening: "As for Yuuki and Xia Li, let's just consider this their summer vacation trip... After all, Soul Society is such an interesting place, it's not something you can come to anytime."

"Once the situation stabilizes, I will take the children back to the real world and continue my life at my small clinic."

"I just want to watch my children grow up peacefully, to see what kind of wife Ichigo will find, and to see Yuuki and Karin get married..."

As he spoke, Yixin's eyes welled up with tears again, but his smile was brighter than ever before.

"This is my dream now, and it is also the most sacred mission that Masaki left me."

Looking at the happy face in front of him, Kurosaki Isshin exuded a fatherly aura.

Toshiro Hitsugaya remained silent for a long time.

Deep down, he felt that although this man's appearance had changed...

But deep down, he still has that sense of responsibility to protect his family and companions, willing to take on anything.

It's somewhat of a waste of his powerful death god abilities and noble bloodline.

But looking at Isshin's relieved and satisfied smile, Toshiro couldn't bring himself to say a single word of reproach.

Zhibo chose to give up his power in order to embrace the ordinary love and family.

Shiba Kaien chose to reclaim his responsibilities and return to the original bond to fight.

Everyone has their own path and choices.

And he is Hitsugaya Toshiro.

His choice was to don the heavy captain's haori and protect the Soul Society, a world that, though riddled with wounds, was still cherished by many.

"...What a worthless, stinking old man."

Toshiro simply snorted in annoyance, "Whatever. If you need any help, just ask Matsumoto."

"No matter what happens to the Tenth Division, you'll still get your tea."

Although he was saying some harsh words, Toshiro's tightly clenched lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

He stood up, his back to the two men, and prepared to open the door to the tea room.

"Live well, you two uncles..."

These words were spoken by the young captain to his two former captains...

The most awkward, yet most sincere blessing.

*Whoosh!* "Oh! Captain Hitsugaya is out!"

Shiba Kukaku, who was drinking with Hirako Shinji, saw Toshiro and immediately raised his sake cup with great gusto.

"How was it? You taught those two bastards who abandoned you a good lesson, didn't you!"

"Haha! Come on, come on, let's have a drink to celebrate your revenge!"

"I don't drink alcohol."

Toshiro calmly declined Kukaku's invitation, his gaze sweeping around the hall.

"Where's Matsumoto?"

"Rangiku-nee?" Rukia pointed outside the door. "She just said the sake here isn't strong enough, so she went to an izakaya in Rukongai to buy some better sake. She'll probably be back in a bit."

"That drunkard who only causes trouble..." Toshiro rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Just then, Kurosaki Isshin and Shiba Kaien also came out of the tea room.

The gloom on their faces had completely vanished, especially for Kurosaki Isshin, who had returned to his carefree and silly self.

"My dear child! Xia Li! Daddy's out! Did you miss Daddy?"

With his arms outstretched, he pounced on his two daughters like a big, clumsy bear.

"Get away from me! You old stinker! You smell like sweat!" Xia Li dodged his hug with a look of disgust, and even threw him over her shoulder.

"Daddy's silly~" Youzi giggled beside him, covering her mouth and chuckling to herself.

Watching the family resume their usual bickering, Haiyan shook her head helplessly.

Kisuke Urahara and Rojuro Ootori sat in a corner, sipping tea and watching the chaotic scene unfold.

"Oh my, although it's a bit rough, the atmosphere in the Shiba family is really enviable," Kisuke Urahara remarked.

"Yes, it's full of vibrant life, like a joyful rhapsody." Rojuro Fengqiao nodded elegantly.

Toshiro Hitsugaya stood at the edge of the hall, looking at the group of people who were noisy and troublesome, yet incredibly vibrant, and sighed softly.

"No matter how big the storms may be in the future..."

He silently said to himself, "At least for now, everyone is still safely gathered here."

"No matter what, we must protect all of this..."

Facing the setting sun streaming through the crack in the door, Toshiro strode out of the Shiba family's gate.

He still had a lot to do. The Tenth Division had many official documents waiting for his approval, and Captain-Commander Kyoraku also needed his assistance.

As the captain of the 10th Division, he didn't have time to waste with these idiots.

However, before leaving, his cold voice still drifted gently into the hall on the evening breeze.

"If Rangiku comes back with the sake, tell her to report to the barracks on time tomorrow morning."

"If you're even one minute late..."

"I'll deduct one month's salary from her salary."