"I merely wish to remind you not to abuse Mimihagi's power." Genryūsai said in a deep, authoritative voice, fixing him with a stern look, "Since you know it is the Right Arm of the Soul King, you should understand Mimihagi's importance to Soul Society and the three worlds. Such an existence should not be used carelessly."
Akira nodded in agreement, "Of course, as a shrine priest, I deeply respect Lord Mimihagi. I just greet him once a day, occasionally ask about the situation at the Sakahone Shrine, stop the souls of the dead, have him help me analyze Jinzen, and inquire about ways to quickly pass final exams..."
At hearing this, Genryūsai's fist clenched automatically. This kid wasn't treating Mimihagi as a true deity at all!
Who greets their revered deity every single day? And constantly asking about the shrine's situation — was this a deity or a messenger?!
What's even more outrageous was that this kid relied on Mimihagi for Jinzen, the most basic Shinigami training, showing absolutely no respect.
Even more absurd was that while others might cheat on final exams, he directly consulted a deity — no wonder Jūshirō was having nightmares.
{T/N: The phrase 'For this paired test it's you and God' has never made more sense.}
"With such reckless behavior, aren't you afraid of incurring Mimihagi's wrath?" Genryūsai asked in a deep voice, suppressing the urge to strike this kid.
"Wrath?" Akira looked at the elder in bewilderment, "Why would the Captain-Commander have such a strange idea?"
"Hmm?" Genryūsai was confused.
Akira grinned, "Ah, I understand your thoughts now. Actually, Lord Mimihagi isn't as aloof as you all think, nor is he arrogant or looking down on others. He's actually very easy-going, just doesn't talk much."
He wasn't clear on what exactly the Right Arm of the Soul King meant, just as he had said before — many details of this world were unclear to him.
But having lived at the Sakahone Shrine for many years, he had figured out Mimihagi's true personality: quiet, easy-going, and believing in the principle of equivalent exchange.
Like how he often spread His name around the Sakahone area, spreading his faith throughout the districts of Rukongai. This alone was enough for Mimihagi to unconditionally forgive his seemingly disrespectful behavior.
To Akira, He wasn't so much a deity as a friend worth confiding in.
After hearing this, Genryūsai felt his worldview being somewhat shaken.
Long ago when he learned that the deity enshrined at the Sakahone Shrine was actually the Soul King's Right Arm, he had been extremely cautious about it.
Such thoughts had never crossed his mind before.
Befriending the Soul King's Right Arm? Only someone with extraordinary nerve would dare to ignore such status and communicate as an equal.
Genryūsai watched the chatting youth, remaining silent as thoughts churned behind his contemplative gaze.
According to intelligence from his subordinate Shinigami, this guy had already received recruitment offers from Yoruichi Shihōin, Sōjun Kuchiki, Retsu Unohana, and Tessai Tsukabishi.
Yet he was still just a first-year student who hadn't even graduated.
What kind of charm did this Akira possess? Was it merely natural talent?
"I understand." Genryūsai said, nodding slightly as he reluctantly accepted this difficult revelation.
Seeing the elder's obvious hesitation, Akira frowned and set down his empty teacup.
"Captain-Commander, you needn't force yourself. I have a simple way to prove everything I've told you."
Without waiting for the old man's response, he shed his blue and white Shin'ō Academy uniform, revealing the intricate shrine priest garments underneath.
Teacup, ritual wand, bell, incense, and candles — all the ceremonial items lay ready.
Reiatsu surged and swirled around him as Akira, his expression now serious, began the ritual.
"In the name of Shrine Priest, Akira Kisaragi, I summon the One-Eyed God Mimihagi..."
As the ritual incantations fell from his lips, familiar waves emanated from East Rukongai, channeling through the ceremonial items.
Mimihagi's power descended upon the 1st Division!
Humm—
The air trembled as materialized Reiatsu flowed across the tea table, sketching out Mimihagi's black shadow and single eye.
"For the offering, hmm, this will do."
Under Genryūsai's puzzled gaze, Akira took out two sweet-smelling roasted sweet potatoes from his pocket and placed them on the tea table.
"Release the One-Eyed God's power hidden within the shrine."
Black shadows gurgled from the teacup, weaving into dense branches that formed a right hand with a single eye growing in its palm, emanating an aura of detachment.
As the pressure settled in the tea house, the old man's expression grew grave. His half-closed eyes slowly opened, dispersing sparks of heat.
The black shadow's single eye swept the room before finally settling on Genryūsai.
In an instant, two massive Reiatsu forces collided, unleashing powerful shockwaves!
Time seemed to freeze as their clashing auras created an otherworldly spectacle!
Genryūsai stared directly at the rising spectral hand, his aged eyes blazing with flames that threatened to incinerate the entire space.
After this tense confrontation, Mimihagi's gaze lowered to the slightly dazed Akira, and a detached, otherworldly voice echoed through the swaying tea house.
"Not... enough..."
Genryūsai looked at the priest across from him in surprise, his face filled with confusion.
What was this kid doing?
As the shrine priest familiar with Mimihagi, Akira immediately understood what the taciturn deity meant.
"Ahem, boss, there's a misunderstanding. I just wanted to introduce you — this is our Captain-Commander, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. I'm not trying to fight him..."
Mimihagi's single eye fell on Genryūsai and, after a moment's observation, nodded. Then it transformed into a mass of shadows, disintegrating and vanishing within the tea house.
Before departing, it didn't forget to sweep away the roasted sweet potatoes Akira had placed on the tea table.
Thus, the misunderstanding was resolved.
Genryūsai looked at the sheepishly smiling youth with an unsettled expression. After the explanation, he finally understood what had transpired.
"It's a misunderstanding, really." Akira explained, "Since I had already performed a ritual before coming here, Lord Mimihagi thought I was in danger this time. It was completely accidental."
The old man fell silent, his gaze sweeping across the ritual wand and incense that lay on the tea table.
Though it had been merely an accident, the previous display had made clear just how important this young man was to Mimihagi.
After a contemplative pause, while Akira shifted nervously, Genryūsai asked slowly.
"By the way... About that divination you mentioned earlier — can it truly predict anything?"
"???"
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