REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 78: That's It
Who is this person?
Matsumoto Rangiku felt puzzled.
When had such an unfamiliar, handsome Shinigami appeared in the division? He was truly eye-catching.
"Shh—!"
Just as her red lips parted slightly, about to ask, Shiba Isshin had already stridden quietly to her side with large steps.
He first raised a finger to his own lips, softly shushing to signal her silence, then squeezed his eyebrows and made several meaningful glances, his expression carrying urgency mixed with mystery.
"?"
Matsumoto Rangiku completely failed to comprehend his complex eye-signal code, but that clear silencing gesture—she understood that.
She blinked, temporarily swallowing back the question at her lips, her face written full of unfulfilled curiosity.
She smiled and crossed her arms, watching the two nearby.
Suoh presented the wooden box from his arms, congratulating.
"Toshiro, congratulations on your graduation and becoming a Shinigami."
"Mm, thank you."
Toshiro raised his hands to accept it.
Shiba Isshin beside them watched this scene of one tall and one short young Shinigami exchanging gifts.
"Mm, this is so moving—"
Emotionally developed as he was, his eyes couldn't help trembling slightly as he spoke softly.
Lightly covering his mouth, afraid of disturbing this touching reunion between the two.
"Captain, what's the situation?"
Unable to understand where the touching part was.
Matsumoto Rangiku covered her mouth and leaned close to his ear, asking quietly.
First, an unfamiliar handsome guy appeared in the division. Second, this unfamiliar handsome guy seemed quite familiar with her captain. Third, the unfamiliar handsome guy also had a very close relationship with the newly joined Toshiro. It confused her somewhat.
Was this some relative-recognition ceremony before the induction ceremony? But they didn't look alike at all!
Men's reunions were simpler than imagined. Before Shiba Isshin could open his mouth to explain here.
Over there, Suoh and Toshiro's "moving" reunion after long separation had already concluded.
Toshiro held the wooden box in his arms, standing with Suoh as they looked at the two whispering beside them.
"Hm? It's over already?"
Coming back to his senses to continue watching the two before him, Shiba Isshin also realized something was wrong, turning toward them puzzled.
Toshiro didn't react in time. Suoh instantly understood his thinking, his expression calm as he nodded in response.
"Mm, it's over."
"That's it!"
Shiba Isshin looked at Suoh in disbelief, blurting out stunned.
Remembering a friend's graduation date, specifically requesting leave from the division, carefully selecting a gift, personally visiting—and the result was just this?
Just this!?
Where was the embrace!?
Where were the tears!?
Give back his sincere emotions!
This isn't right!
His inner enthusiasm and expectations burned out. Shiba Isshin's expression turned somewhat ashen.
Without acknowledging her captain's dejected emotions.
Matsumoto Rangiku smiled and stepped forward, approaching close to Suoh, curiously scrutinizing the visitor before her.
She tilted her head slightly, her pair of lively large eyes blinking curiously as she smiled.
"I'm Tenth Division Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku. And you are?"
"Hello, Lieutenant Matsumoto. I'm Thirteenth Division 3rd Seat Suoh Tsukasa. Pleased to meet you. Please take care of me."
Suoh calmly met the gaze of the female Shinigami before him, bowing slightly, returning a gentle smile.
The world's women were like flowers, each with their own beauty.
The Matsumoto Rangiku before him had a completely different style from this morning's Kuchiki Rukia.
Like a bright, vibrant Persian daisy.
Radiant features, graceful figure, plus that perfectly placed beauty mark at the corner of her lips made her smile even more dazzlingly brilliant.
However, perhaps the mature and alluring Matsumoto Rangiku decades from now could stir his heart. The one before him still carried full youthful energy and fell far short.
And he naturally had no need to avoid her presence by averting his gaze.
"Oh—pleased to meet you."
Matsumoto Rangiku drew out her tone, understanding dawning.
She'd indeed heard this name before.
However, not from Shiba Isshin or Toshiro, but from several companions in the Shinigami Women's Association.
This person's appearance matched up with those rumors.
Matsumoto Rangiku's eyes turned, her gaze falling on the wooden box in Hitsugaya's arms.
Her lips curved, carrying undisguised curiosity as she smiled toward Suoh.
From Rukongai to the Seireitei, she'd never received such a formal gift, nor had she seen anyone express their sentiments so seriously.
She asked directly, her body unconsciously leaning forward slightly, speaking with bright cheerfulness.
"By the way, what gift did you give? Can I see?"
Hearing this, Suoh chuckled lightly, his gaze turning toward Toshiro holding the wooden box, his tone carrying some casualness.
"Of course."
"Toshiro, why don't you open it for her to see? You can also check if you like it."
"If you don't like it, I still have time to exchange it."
Toshiro glanced at Suoh, said nothing more, and directly opened the box.
He lifted the silk cloth, removing a black ebony scabbard identical to the one at Suoh's waist.
Without half a moment's hesitation, he immediately reached behind to unfasten his Zanpakuto.
Efficiently removing the somewhat plain original scabbard, he then steadily placed the new black ebony sheath in his hand.
The blade sliding into the new sheath produced a steady, soft sound—a perfect fit.
"Oh, from Seikōdō. That's very expensive, you know."
Shopping expert Matsumoto Rangiku recognized it at a glance, her eyes brightening as she exclaimed in surprise.
"Tsukasa, this—"
Hearing her exclaim like this, Toshiro's hands holding his Zanpakuto paused slightly, his eyes full of appreciation and joy as he turned hesitantly toward Suoh.
"Don't listen to her. After you become a seated officer, your salary can easily buy this."
"It's not as exaggerated as she says."
"The style's a bit old-fashioned, but I've found it quite good. What do you think?"
Suoh gently shook his head.
He'd just glanced at her carefully drawn eyebrows and lip color, then at the silk scarf and silver necklace around her neck, understanding quite clearly.
This lieutenant's aesthetic and consumption level—he saw it plainly.
The base salary difference between 3rd Seat and lieutenant was more than one tier. Even adding in Suoh's constant Hollow threat mission bonuses only reached a lieutenant's base salary.
Given her refined tastes, ordinary-priced items became "very expensive" in her mouth.
"That's right. From today, you're a seated officer. How could you not afford this?"
"Just accept it with peace of mind. Don't listen to Rangiku. When she calls things expensive, it's her own issue."
Shiba Isshin patted Toshiro's shoulder consolingly, while contemptuously glancing at Matsumoto Rangiku beside them.
"Think more about whether expensive is because you're not working hard enough!"
"Hmph, girls have many places that require spending money!"
"Of course I can't afford such an expensive scabbard."
"If you're so capable, Captain, you give me one too, and I'll admit it's not expensive!"
Matsumoto Rangiku retorted dissatisfied, hands on her hips, perfectly justified.
"Ah, this—"
Shiba Isshin was outmaneuvered by her, immediately at a loss for words, only able to awkwardly rub his nose.
Though a captain's salary was considerably higher than a lieutenant's, he frequently treated squad members to meals and had no restraint in daily spending.
He could afford to give one. No need to lose money over momentary pride.
If he set this precedent, without needing to think carefully, he could already see a future of this lieutenant finding various ways to request all kinds of gifts.
"Ahem—"
This train of thought flew rapidly through his mind. Shiba Isshin coughed lightly, pretending composure as he averted his gaze.