〈 Character Check-in: Retsu Unohana! 〉
〈 Obtained Zanjutsu Level +3! 〉
〈 Zanjutsu Level increased! Currently at Level 63! 〉
〈 Obtained Reiatsu Level +3! 〉
〈 Reiatsu Level increased! Currently at Level 49! 〉
〈 Obtained Exclusive Trait: Merciful Death Blade! 〉
〈 Merciful Death Blade: Seeking life in death, finding a sliver of mercy within the deadly sword. Zanjutsu speed and power both increase by 100%! [Hidden Effect: ???] 〉
Akira's expression was slightly twisted, a mix of exaggeration masking undisguisable joy. His previously aching arms and body had miraculously recovered.
What he had thought was a pointless beating turned out to be an unexpected boon.
Unohana's trust level had reached the threshold, completing the character check-in. The increase in Reiatsu and Zanjutsu was merely a bonus. After all, with his current talent, it wouldn't take long to reach those levels anyway.
But the exclusive Trait was different. Until now, he had completed countless check-ins — Daily, Monthly, Yearly, Location, Character — all accumulating to only six Traits. Yet, each one's effect was enough to cause a leap in his strength.
Even the somewhat inadequate Miraculous Healing had brought Unohana to her trust threshold, thus granting him the Merciful Death Blade Trait.
The boost in Zanjutsu speed and power alone made the beating worthwhile.
This round: a massive profit!
The only downside was the Trait's mention of an unknown hidden effect. At this stage, its true nature remained a mystery.
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As the morning Zanjutsu class ended, Akira welcomed the long-awaited Kuchiki family butler — a young man named Gin Ginjirō.
He brought the ₭1,000,000 that Sōjun had promised.
Observing the miserly-looking youth before him, Gin furrowed his brows deeply, increasingly feeling that his Young Master Sōjun lacked business acumen.
Though this amount meant little to the Kuchiki family, their wealth wasn't infinite. Giving it to someone like this seemed no different from throwing it away.
Gin shook his head and sighed, feeling a sense of misplaced trust.
Fortunately, Akira remained oblivious to Gin's thoughts. Otherwise, he might have demonstrated the true meaning of a merciful death blade.
"Sir Kisaragi, the money and accounts are now settled." Gin collected himself, perfectly concealing his emotions.
As a Kuchiki vassal, he'd learned not to question his masters' affairs — even when they seemed utterly unreasonable.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." He stood to depart but was suddenly pushed back down.
"Not so fast." Akira leaned in close, his expression serious, "Rich folks like Mr. Sō — no, I mean loaded toffs — no, that's not right either... um, wealthy young masters, that's better. They're a rare breed. Regarding the talisman, please remind him not to rely on it too much when you return. The only one who can truly protect oneself is oneself."
Hearing the first half of his statement, Gin's gaze held a hint of displeasure. What kind of talk was this?! Insulting the master in front of his lackey?
But upon hearing the latter half, his mood eased slightly. This miserly youth, though lacking in virtues, at least possessed a shred of conscience.
"I understand." Gin replied with a slight bow, "I will report these words verbatim to Young Master Sōjun."
After seeing him off, Akira wordlessly dragged along Aizen, who had been training intensely nearby, and left the temporary dormitory.
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Teacher's office.
Uruoi Kaoru, eyeing the stack of high-value banknotes before the smug Akira, suddenly broke into a cold sweat.
After a moment's hesitation, he leaned in and whispered, "Akira, I know that although you're often mischievous, you're not bad at heart. While nothing has happened yet, you should escape early. I'm acquainted with Jidanbō Ikkanzaka, who guards the Hakutōmon, so use a mission proof to reach the White Road Gate, then escape to West Rukongai. Even the Gotei 13 won't bother—"
Bang!
Akira slammed the table, cutting off Uruoi mid-sentence.
"Uruoi-sensei, how dare you falsely accuse me! This money is clean — that sucker Kuchiki Sōjun..."
Uruoi's eyes widened in disbelief, his parched lips quivering as he croaked, "You... you robbed Young Master Sōjun?"
Aizen watched this theatrical scene unfold, shaking his head helplessly. He couldn't fathom Akira's ways.
He was like a contagious virus. Spend too much time with him, and your thinking inevitably warps to match his.
Their teacher Uruoi was a prime example.
"What are you on about?" Akira snapped, "That sucker couldn't scrape together ₭10,000. The Kuchiki family's butler, Gin Ginjirō, brought this."
"Then you kidnapped Young Master Sō—"
"No!" Akira roared, "It was a business deal — all legitimate!"
People always seemed to misjudge him.
Uruoi looked doubtful. Knowing Akira, this money shouldn't have come easily. But faced with such vehement insistence, he couldn't press further.
As long as his student hadn't committed any grave offense, he'd be lenient.
"If you've done no wrong, that's good." He sighed, relieved, "Your debt to Shin'ō Academy is settled. Now, since you're here, I have news about upcoming course changes."
Akira's face creased in confusion.
"Remember what I told you before." Uruoi sipped water to wet his throat before continuing, "With Headmaster Genshirō Okikiba away on a mission, the Captain-Commander is acting head of Shin'ō Academy."
"His Excellency has noted the widening gap between elite and ordinary students, so he's implementing a new teaching method. Conventional lessons no longer benefit geniuses like you. It's time for real combat experience."
His expression turned grave, his tone uncharacteristically serious.
"In East Rukongai's 32nd District, there's been a horrific civilian massacre. Your mission: investigate, then capture or kill the culprit. You'll act as true Shinigami, in the name of academy students!"
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