Boom—
A violent surge of air exploded upward, shaking the sky as spiritual pressure roared and spiraled toward the heavens. Sunlight cut through the haze and fell upon the young man standing at the center of the storm. His hair and brows had turned a pure, shimmering white, his pupils glowing with silvery light that reflected the brilliance above.
Under that radiance, Su Li's entire body seemed to emit a faint divine glow. His feet slowly left the ground, suspended in the air as his Reiatsu began to rise again—no longer the cold intensity of a Shinigami's power, but something purer, something sacred.
The atmosphere changed. A solemn stillness enveloped the world. Holy. Inviolable.
That pressure pressed down on everyone present, flooding their senses with reverence so deep that even hardened Captains felt their hearts tremble. For a fleeting instant, the impulse to kneel came unbidden to their minds.
Every gaze turned toward the young man who floated within that divine light. No one could look away. In that moment, Su Li was not merely a Shinigami, nor a man. He was an existence beyond—something like the son of divinity itself. No… not like. He was divine. Only a true god could bear such radiance, such absolute stillness in motion, such overwhelming sanctity.
A murmur rippled through the assembled ranks. Even Aizen, whose composure seldom wavered, was momentarily distracted by the sight before him.
"Captain Su Li…" Kotetsu Isane whispered, her voice dazed and reverent. "So handsome…"
Her eyes shone like one gazing upon a holy relic.
"Hmm?"
Sui-Feng turned sharply toward the sound, eyes narrowing as she caught a faint, traitorous click—
"Crack."
The shutter of a small camera snapped.
Tōshirō blinked, then looked toward the culprit. Sally stood there, face flushed pink, clutching her notepad like sacred scripture.
"The lead for the next Seireitei Weekly cover story…" she breathed.
Tōshirō frowned, realization dawning with weary dread. "Don't tell me…"
"The white-haired boy versus the great demon butterfly," Sally whispered fervently, scribbling with feverish energy. "Two men… clashing with all their hearts…"
Her hand flew across the page as Tōshirō doubled over against the wall, gagging. "I swear," he groaned, "I'm going to open her skull one day just to see what's inside…"
"Vice-Captain Sui-Feng," came a gentle voice, smooth and lilting like a flowing stream.
Sui-Feng turned. "What is it, Captain Unohana?"
Unohana Retsu's smile curved softly. "Do you like Captain Su Li?"
The words dropped like a stone into still water.
"W–what?" Sui-Feng's face flushed scarlet, her composure cracking. "Why would you ask that out of nowhere?"
Unohana's eyes curved into crescents, teasing and warm. "Because, if you don't, I should remind you that quite a few girls in my division are very interested in Captain Su Li."
Sui-Feng's expression shifted instantly, from flustered to lethal. "Tell them to die. I've already established a relationship with him."
The courtyard froze.
"…Nani?" Omaeda rose from where he'd been sprawling on the ground, jaw slack. Unohana blinked in visible surprise. Every head turned toward Sui-Feng. Even Yamamoto Genryūsai's gaze flicked in her direction.
"Remarkable," Kyoraku Shunsui murmured, grinning beneath his straw hat. "Captain Sui-Feng, truly ahead of your time."
Unohana hid a small laugh behind her hand. "My, my. I always thought you were the traditional sort, Sui-Feng."
Kyoraku nodded sagely. "Turns out you're full of surprises."
Yamamoto stroked his beard, frowning thoughtfully. "A fitting match, perhaps…"
"When?!" Omaeda howled. "When did this happen?! Miss, how could you and Captain Su Li start sneaking around without telling me?"
The man jumped like a startled ape, scandalized beyond reason.
"What do you mean 'sneaking'? You were there!" Sui-Feng snapped.
"Nani?!"
The collective gasp that followed was audible across the barracks. Su Li. Sui-Feng. And Omaeda.
Everyone stared as though reality itself had buckled.
"Did this relationship crash through the Soul King's Palace on its way here?" someone muttered in disbelief.
"Hot damn," Kyoraku cackled. "This is incredible. The kid really is busy with big things."
Sally, ever the opportunist, stopped scribbling. Her mirror-like eyes glinted, already drafting tomorrow's headline in her mind.
Tōshirō looked as though he'd rather vanish. "Too much… mental pollution…" he muttered.
"Wait, I was there?!" Omaeda shouted, face blank with confusion.
All eyes swung back to Sui-Feng. Under the combined scrutiny of every Captain, her face burned crimson.
"I–it was that day," she stammered, "the day he returned from Hueco Mundo… in the office. You were there too…"
Her voice dropped to a mortified whisper.
The collective reaction was immediate and unanimous.
A chorus of shocked gasps echoed through the air.
"The office?!" Yamamoto's eyes widened. "Absurd! Is that the proper place for such conduct?!"
"Wait," Omaeda blinked, "didn't Captain Su Li just… kiss you that day?"
"Then isn't that enough?!" Sui-Feng barked, cheeks glowing. "Doesn't that count as a relationship?!"
Silence.
Then, slowly, Kyoraku raised two thumbs with a grin. "So… you two just kissed?"
Sui-Feng groaned and buried her face in her hands.
A collective sigh of disappointment swept through the ranks.
Sally's pen flicked once more, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Unohana, smiling serenely, exhaled. "Vice-Captain Sui-Feng, if you've only reached that stage, I wouldn't call it confirmed yet. Captain Su Li could still be stolen away."
Sui-Feng's head shot up. "We'll see who dares! I'll kill anyone who tries."
"Ah, fiery as always," Unohana laughed, eyes sparkling.
Tōshirō rubbed his temples, utterly defeated. "All that noise… for a kiss."
But no one paid him any mind.
Across the battlefield, Su Li slowly turned his gaze away from the commotion. A faint crease formed between his brows.
"What are they even talking about…" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Forget it. Focus later."
His attention drifted toward the distant figure ahead, and the air around him grew sharp with renewed resolve. His Reiatsu began to rise again, heavier this time, carrying the cold promise of a true confrontation.
At the far end of the clearing, Aizen finally stirred. The faint smile that had slipped from his face returned, serene and knowing. He could feel the shift in Su Li's aura—the clear, unwavering will of one who stands above.
Reiatsu clashed invisibly between them, the weight of it cracking the sky.
The battle was inevitable now.
This fight would decide who truly stood apart from heaven itself.
Who would be recognized as the only god.
{🥳 The Fanfic is now fully completed! 🎉
You can access 300+ advance chapters right now on Patreon—available for subscription or purchase! ✨
👉 patreon.com/Oreski
🥰 Your support keeps me motivated and eager to create even more amazing stories!}