"Sorry! That's not what I meant!"
The blond youth hurried forward and bowed deeply. In the dim forest light, Sombravida could not see his face clearly through the blindfold — but he could sense it.
Gentle reiatsu.
Steady.
No hostility.
"I was just surprised to see someone here at this hour… especially someone blind. Are you lost?"
Sombravida's expression darkened slightly.
"You're not listening. I said your shouting and blade practice scared away my prey."
"Ah— I'm terribly sorry!"
The young man bowed again, posture straight and disciplined despite the embarrassment. The refinement in his movements was unmistakable.
Sombravida narrowed his eyes behind the cloth.
Noble upbringing.
Without doubt.
"Who are you?" Sombravida asked flatly. "And why are you practicing swordsmanship in the forest at night? Hollows occasionally appear here."
The youth hesitated before answering.
"My name is Kira Izuru. My family resides in Seireitei… we are of minor nobility."
Sombravida felt a flicker of recognition.
Kira Izuru.
Future vice-captain of the Third Division.
Classmate of Hinamori Momo, Abarai Renji, and Kuchiki Rukia at the Shin'ō Academy.
Which meant—
He would be taking the entrance examination in three months.
Just like Momo.
Just like himself.
Sombravida suppressed the slight surprise in his breathing.
"So, a noble's son," he said with mild disdain. "Sneaking into Rukongai forests to wave a blade?"
Kira's shoulders drooped slightly.
"I snuck out," he admitted quietly. "My family expects me to enter the Shin'ō Academy and become a Shinigami. Every generation before mine has produced at least one. After my grandfather passed away, and my father fell ill… our standing declined. The responsibility to restore our name rests on me."
His grip tightened around the katana.
"My reiryoku is above average, they say. But… I lack confidence. So I practice."
Sombravida listened carefully.
Self-doubt.
Pressure.
That aligned with canon Izuru — earnest, insecure, sincere.
"You confide easily," Sombravida remarked. "Is it wise to tell a stranger your family's weakness?"
Kira gave a faint, tired smile.
"Perhaps I needed to say it aloud."
He hurried to retrieve a cloth-wrapped box from beside the stump. Opening it revealed three rice balls, a slice of pork cutlet, and two pieces of tempura — far richer fare than common Rukongai meals.
"Please accept this as compensation for disturbing your hunt."
Sombravida took the box after a brief pause.
"Very well."
He turned slightly as if to leave, then added in a measured tone:
"Return home soon. Hollows do not announce themselves before attacking. And your stance is unstable."
Kira blinked.
"…You can tell?"
"Your weight shifts too high during downward cuts. Your rear foot lifts slightly. Your shoulders tense before impact. Anyone with experience would read you easily."
Kira's eyes widened.
"Could you… guide me?"
Sombravida gestured toward the watermelon knife at his waist.
"I don't even have a proper blade."
Then he added calmly:
"If you wish to improve, forget the sword for now. Strengthen your lower body. Root your stance. Train your arms for endurance and control. A blade only amplifies what the body already understands."
Kira listened intently.
"Long weapons are governed by structure," Sombravida continued casually, drawing from old martial principles. "Short weapons rely on footwork and balance. Without foundation, technique collapses under pressure."
Kira repeated the words softly, trying to internalize them.
Sombravida waved a dismissive hand.
"That advice covers the meal. Don't return tomorrow — I still need to hunt."
With that, he disappeared back into the trees.
Behind him, Kira stood silently for several seconds before grabbing his belongings and running toward Seireitei with renewed determination.
Once the youth was gone, Sombravida stepped fully from the shadows.
"That should be enough bait."
He had made one point very clear:
He lacked a proper sword.
If Kira returned seeking instruction again, he would not come empty-handed.
Sombravida allowed himself a faint smirk before opening the bento and eating.
The food was excellent.
Reiryoku density noticeably higher than Rukongai provisions.
He finished hunting with modest results — two squirrels and a salmon — but combined with the noble meal, the night's gain was more than satisfactory.
He returned before dawn with another cartload of reishi-rich soil and two uprooted wild carrots for transplantation experiments.
By sunrise, the carrots were replanted and watered.
Momo awoke to the quiet sounds of work.
"Good morning, Big Brother."
"Morning."
He washed his hands at the water vat.
He would need to dig a well soon. If groundwater could be accessed, irrigation would become stable. Hitsugaya's field nearby suggested viable underground flow.
After giving Momo instructions regarding food preparation and planting, Sombravida finally lay down.
As expected, noble food condensed into denser spiritual energy within him. The compression process took time — but the yield was significant.
"…Perhaps there are more efficient ways to acquire resources," he murmured dryly.
Kira's appearance had opened an unexpected avenue.
Noble access meant better food.
Better food meant accelerated reiryoku growth.
In exchange, Sombravida could offer guidance — refined combat understanding far beyond his apparent level.
He drifted into sleep.
In his dream, white sand stretched endlessly beneath a moonlit sky.
Hueco Mundo.
Nel.
Jecain.
Timd.
Harribel.
They stood in the distance.
Before he could approach, the world shattered like glass.
A blade pierced his chest again.
Aizen's cold gaze filled his vision.
Sombravida jolted awake, breath ragged.
"…A dream."
He checked the water clock. Midday.
Momo was gone — likely at Hitsugaya's.
He rose and walked outside.
The squirrels had been processed efficiently; only pelts remained drying.
Momo's diligence was impressive.
He changed clothes and headed toward Hitsugaya's house.
"Brother Yuecheng!"
Tōshirō sat near the entrance, staring intently at a watermelon.
Inside, Momo and Grandma were adjusting clothing — likely resizing the garments from the merchant.
Sombravida declined food politely, remarking that souls did not require strict human meal schedules.
The children resumed teasing each other.
Grandma's voice lowered slightly.
"Tsukishiro… I heard troubling news this morning. Souls have been disappearing from the Sixtieth District. Entirely gone — only clothing remains. The Gotei 13 has begun investigating."
Sombravida's expression sharpened subtly.
Disappearing souls.
Clothes left behind.
Investigation ongoing.
He felt a cold thread of familiarity.
Could it be Aizen again?
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