The session with the trio proved immensely productive. Over three to four hours of instruction, not only did Renji, Kira, and Hinamori gain valuable insights, but Haruki himself felt that he had significantly improved.
As the saying goes, teaching others is one of the best ways to reinforce your own knowledge. For Haruki, it wasn't just reinforcement—it was as though he had advanced education using special means, benefiting himself in the process.
After their training session, Haruki invited the trio for a meal. Following their shared experience, their camaraderie deepened considerably.
When Haruki mentioned his patrol assignment to West Rukongai the next day, Hinamori remarked, "If you're heading to Junrin'an in District One, you might run into Little Shiro!"
"Little Shiro?" Haruki paused, puzzled. She must mean Tōshirō Hitsugaya.
Wait a second—at this point in time, hadn't Hitsugaya enrolled in the Shin'ō Academy yet?
Thinking it over, Haruki realized that was indeed the case. Hitsugaya joined the academy five years after Hinamori, following an encounter with Rangiku Matsumoto that led him to Seireitei.
So...this year?
If Hinamori was right, Hitsugaya hadn't yet entered the academy. This was a golden opportunity to befriend him!
Hitsugaya, as a key character in the original series, surely possessed a remarkable ability.
Excited, Haruki suppressed his enthusiasm and inquired further about Hitsugaya. Hinamori eagerly shared details about him.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya, with his silver hair and green eyes, had a distant personality and few friends in Rukongai. Although Hinamori and Hitsugaya both lived in Junrin'an, they weren't siblings, as Haruki had initially assumed.
"So, they're just neighbors in the same district," Haruki thought. "Interesting."
"I'll keep an eye out for him tomorrow," Haruki assured Hinamori with a smile. "If he has potential, maybe he could become a Shinigami someday."
"Little Shiro..." Hinamori replied with a touch of worry. "He could definitely be an outstanding Shinigami, but he seems to have some resistance to the idea."
"That's understandable," Haruki said. "People from Rukongai often have mixed feelings about Shinigami. But Junrin'an isn't like the outer districts—it's not as extreme."
Distrust toward Shinigami was common among Rukongai residents, likely stemming from a natural reluctance to interact with authority figures. Moreover, Rukongai's lawlessness, particularly in the outer districts, didn't help.
For instance, in the rougher districts where murder and robbery were rampant, people rarely viewed the police—or, in this case, Shinigami—favorably.
However, District One, Junrin'an, was the most well-maintained and closest to Seireitei, so Haruki wasn't too worried about its safety.
As the conversation shifted to life in Rukongai, Renji reminisced about his and Rukia's origins in District 78, Inuzuri, one of the roughest districts. That area was notorious for its scum, and survival often came at the cost of others' lives. Of the group of friends they once had, only he and Rukia survived after ten years.
Even Kira, though of noble descent like Haruki, had spent much of his time in Rukongai, so the three of them shared common ground in their experiences.
After finishing their meal and chatting for another half-hour, the trio finally left, heading back to the Shin'ō Academy dormitories.
...
Once the three had departed, Haruki returned to his home, still elated. He checked his skill slots and saw that he had successfully acquired Kira's Avian Slayer and Hinamori's Ultimate Defense.
Their friendships had grown exponentially that evening. Renji's favorability now stood at 75, while Hinamori and Kira both surpassed 60.
Favorability, Haruki noted, tended to rise quickly at first but slowed significantly over time. Reaching 80 or even 100 would likely take much more effort. He wondered if even deeply loving couples could consistently reach 100 favorability. Perhaps only exceptionally devoted relationships could achieve such a level.
Still, Haruki felt that having friends at 80 favorability was enough to fully trust them.
"Come to think of it, the original self had a few good friends too," Haruki mused. "I had a decent relationship with Hisagi Shūhei."
Shūhei likely possessed a unique ability as well. Though Haruki wasn't certain if their favorability had reached 60, it was probably close, given that they were peers.
"When I have time, I should visit Squad Nine," Haruki thought as he lay in bed, still dressed, with the lights on. Dreaming of future possibilities, he drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning, Haruki rose early to prepare for his patrol in West Rukongai. The journey from the Fifth Division to the White Way Gate was long, even for a Shinigami. He started at 5 a.m. but didn't reach Junrin'an until nearly 10 a.m.
As the district closest to Seireitei, Junrin'an boasted decent public order and a relatively prosperous economy, complete with shops and trade. This was in stark contrast to the more impoverished outer districts, where even basic necessities like straw sandals were a luxury.
Following Hinamori's directions, Haruki began searching for Hitsugaya's home. The layout of Junrin'an wasn't overly complicated, so it didn't take long for him to locate the house.
Hitsugaya's home bore a resemblance to Haruki's, though its value was vastly different—like comparing a rural courtyard to a prestigious urban estate.
Haruki knocked on the door, and an elderly woman's voice called from inside. "Coming."
This must be Hitsugaya's grandmother. When she opened the door and saw Haruki, she seemed momentarily startled before speaking in a frail voice.
"Shinigami-sama, what brings you here?"
Noticing her weakened state, Haruki realized it was likely caused by her sensitivity to external spiritual pressure.
"So it's true," he murmured to himself. "Hinamori wasn't exaggerating."
"Hinamori?" The grandmother's expression softened into a smile. "Are you a friend of Momo's from Seireitei? Please, come in."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Haruki replied, stepping inside.
As Haruki entered the modest home, he noticed something intriguing: the grandmother had her own unique ability.
"Kind Elder: If acquired, your children and grandchildren will become exceptionally filial."