REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!
Chapter 77: Reunion
After the two settled into their seats.
"Oh right, I almost forgot about hosting my guest."
Shiba Isshin suddenly slapped his forehead, rising to head toward the wooden cabinet against the wall.
His captain's office hadn't had outside visitors in decades. After sitting down and seeing the empty tea table, he remembered his hosting duties.
Opening the cabinet door, he pulled out a box of sweets.
"I only have this box of sweet buns. Help yourself."
"And tea, I need to make tea—where are the teapot and cups?"
Placing the sweet box before Suoh, his movements didn't stop. He turned back to the long table piled with documents, retrieving a tea set.
"Found them! Tsukasa, wait a bit more. Let me find where the tea leaves are!"
"I'll make the tea. I happen to have brought some tea leaves with me."
Watching Shiba Isshin's busy searching figure, Suoh stood.
Making his first visit, he naturally wouldn't neglect proper etiquette. He retrieved an elegantly packaged, exquisite tea packet from his clothes.
The greeting gift he hadn't yet presented now came in handy at the perfect moment.
"Great, I'll leave it to you then. Water's over there!"
Shiba Isshin, seeing this, laughed heartily, handing over the tea set in his hands while pointing toward the water's location.
Before long, the two sat face to face over clear tea and sweet buns, the atmosphere relaxed, completely without the distance of a first meeting.
Shiba Isshin chewed and swallowed a bun, his gaze sweeping past the wooden box beside their seats as he smiled.
"Your visit this time probably isn't specifically to see me, but for the newly joined Hitsugaya Toshiro."
"Yes, we're friends who haven't seen each other in quite a while."
"I came today to congratulate him on graduating and becoming a Shinigami."
Suoh patted the wooden box beside him, his tone carrying a smile. Because Suoh frequently went on missions, their brief holidays never aligned. Since graduation, they hadn't seen each other for half a year.
"I'll wait for you in the Gotei 13"—this wasn't merely a farewell, but their promise to each other.
"Friends, huh? How nice!"
Shiba Isshin spoke with envious admiration.
As a Shinoreijutsuin graduate himself, he'd once had classmates with decent relationships.
Early graduation's separation, the distance of belonging to different divisions, increasingly disparate strength and status.
Various factors leading to lost contact—time and distance had worn away those bits of former classmate bonds until nothing remained.
Suddenly, Shiba Isshin raised his eyebrows, speaking joyfully.
"That Hitsugaya kid is quite excellent. Not only Fifth Class spiritual power, but his Zanpakuto successfully achieved Shikai during his academy days."
"I'm planning to make him 3rd Seat. Him as 3rd Seat, you also 3rd Seat—perfect match!"
"Come visit the Tenth Division more often!"
"He achieved Shikai? Looks like I need to work harder!"
Suoh smiled and nodded, a smile spreading at the corners of his lips.
At the Shinoreijutsuin, his abilities had comprehensively led Toshiro in all aspects. He hadn't expected to be overtaken on the curves here.
Suoh had never underestimated Toshiro's talent. Even so, he still felt a small competitive spirit.
His palm lightly gripped his Asauchi's hilt, a trace of eagerness kindling in his heart.
"Your Zanpakuto still can't achieve Shikai? I thought you'd already—?"
Hearing this, Shiba Isshin looked at Suoh with slight surprise.
Though Suoh controlled his spiritual pressure fluctuations well, Shiba Isshin could still roughly sense his spiritual power class.
He'd assumed that since Suoh had graduated even earlier than Toshiro, their situations should be similar.
Realizing his words were somewhat inappropriate, his conversation shifted as he patted the Zanpakuto at his waist, smiling.
"My Engetsu was the same way. It took a very long time before he'd acknowledge me."
"Shikai training is strange. It's not enough that your spiritual pressure reaches the level. What might be missing is just a trigger moment. Take it slowly."
"Mm, I know."
He'd already deeply experienced this truth through countless attempts.
After joining the division, he'd consulted everyone, and the answer was always patience.
The relationship between Zanpakuto and master was inherently mysterious. Some resembled mirror reflections, while others were as different as light and shadow.
Like how Toshiro's temperament was cold outside but warm inside, not particularly skilled at interacting with people, yet his Hyorinmaru in Suoh's memories was unexpectedly gentle and courteous, quite thoughtful in dealing with others.
Stay calm!
Don't rush!
Shikai isn't that easy!
These were the reminders Suoh gave himself each time he attempted conversing with his sword.
Recently, he'd already peacefully accepted the reality that his Zanpakuto didn't want to acknowledge him yet. He maintained daily communication, quietly awaiting that natural day of success.
"That's good then."
"My lieutenant went to pick him up earlier. I still have work to handle, so make yourself comfortable."
"Wait a bit more—they should be back soon."
Shiba Isshin nodded with relief, casually placing his teacup on the table as he stood.
"Alright."
On the other side, beneath brilliant daylight.
Matsumoto Rangiku and Toshiro's figures rapidly advanced toward the Tenth Division barracks.
Toshiro carried a cloth pack, his silver short hair fluttering and gleaming in the sunlight. His shunpo steps didn't cease as he urged without turning his head.
"Matsumoto-san, could you go a bit faster? Your speed is somewhat slow."
"Hey! Toshiro, at least I'm your lieutenant. Show some respect in your tone!"
A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair moved alongside Toshiro—none other than Tenth Division Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku. She wore her black Shihakusho casually with a white scarf tied around her neck, responding with dissatisfaction in her voice.
While complaining, she still accelerated her shunpo speed.
"Fine, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
Toshiro quickened his pace to keep up, his mouth offering a perfunctory response.
"No sincerity!"
Only a dissatisfied complaint remained in the wind.
Captain's office.
Suoh sat in his chair drinking tea and tasting sweet buns. Shiba Isshin had buried himself in the document pile without raising his head for quite some time.
Time quietly flowed amid the tea's ripples and pages' turning.
About half an hour later.
A series of footsteps approached from far to near. A squad member's shout came from outside the door.
"Captain, Lieutenant Matsumoto has returned to the division."
"The new recruit has also been brought to the meeting room's side chamber. Should the induction ceremony begin shortly?"
"Hold the ceremony in half an hour. Go notify the others."
"Yes!"
Shiba Isshin's pen stopped at the sound as he raised his head in response.
Then he shook his sleeves in a stretch, stood, and came to Suoh's side, laughing heartily.
"They're here. Let's go."
"Mm."
The corner of Suoh's mouth lifted slightly.
Holding the wooden box beside him, he stood and followed.
Several minutes later.
Their steps didn't pause as they arrived before the meeting room's side chamber.
The paper door slid open.
"Captain!"
"Tsukasa, long time no see."
Inside the side chamber, Matsumoto Rangiku sat leisurely beside Hitsugaya Toshiro. Seeing her captain, she happily waved in greeting.
Toshiro's gaze passed beyond the tall Shiba Isshin's form toward Suoh behind him. He stood, smiling and nodding.
Suoh similarly returned the smile, responding in a relaxed tone: "Toshiro, long time no see."
Their gazes met.
The smile at Suoh's lips didn't diminish as he held the wooden box, walking forward several steps at an unhurried pace.
Hitsugaya Toshiro didn't remain in place either. He similarly took steps forward, steadily approaching.
Until they stood face to face, separated by several feet, Suoh looked over the silver-haired youth before him and spoke.
"You've filled out some."
"Have I? Unfortunately, my height hasn't grown much. You're still this tall."
Toshiro's voice carried regret as he replied helplessly.
No loud enthusiasm of long-separated reunion. What flowed between them was a familiarity accumulated over months that required no words.
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