Bleach : I Need To Rizz To Become Stronger ?!-Chapter 62: The Kuchiki Family’s Gesture of Thanks

Squad 1 Barracks.

After being escorted back by members of Squad 3, Tachikawa Shin was brought here to assist the Seireitei in recording the incident.

He didn't bother to conceal anything, recounting the battle in rough detail—he knew full well the Barrier Corps had likely recorded it all. They had the last time, after all.

When his statement concluded, the Shinigami taking notes asked,

"Do you have any personal enemies?"

Enemies?

The question made Shin pause in genuine thought. Back in his days in District 80 of Rukongai, sure, he'd made plenty—but ever since enrolling in the Shin'ō Academy, he hadn't stepped foot back there.

"No," Shin answered. "The man wore a black cloak that concealed both his reiatsu and his face. It was strange... I never once got a clear look at his features."

"We've already narrowed down the list of suspects."

"Who?" Shin asked, slightly surprised.

"We'll inform you once it's been confirmed."

The Shinigami packed up and stood. "Thanks for your cooperation, and more importantly—for stepping in once again when your fellow students were in danger."

"I only did what anyone should've done."

—

Back at the Shin'ō Academy, the Student Council office was packed.

Some had been waiting since returning from the World of the Living. Others had heard the news and rushed in.

As soon as Shin entered, they swarmed him.

"Shin!"

"President!"

He raised a brow, chuckling. "Didn't I already see most of you at the Senkaimon? It's not like anything serious happened."

Everyone chimed in with anxious voices. Rukia even stepped forward to personally thank him for saving them.

He responded to each one calmly, gently encouraging them to head back and rest.

Soon, only Shin and Hisagi Shūhei remained in the room.

Hisagi looked at him, brow furrowed. "Sometimes I wonder, Shin... do you have some kind of sixth sense? You never join World of the Living internships—but both times there's been trouble, you've just happened to be there."

Shin laughed. "I'm just glad you didn't call me a walking curse."

Hisagi sighed. "Either way, it was you again. If that Senkaimon had been destroyed back there, we'd all be drifting through the Dangai right now... until we were torn apart by the Kōtotsu."

Shin said quietly, "You would've done the same."

"...So, any idea who was behind it this time? Did Squad 1 give you anything?"

Shin's eyes narrowed. "Not yet. Investigation's ongoing."

He still felt uneasy. Aizen had already engineered one incident—what new lie would he fabricate to cover this up?

Still, they had told him they'd identified a suspect. Was it someone Aizen had planted in advance?

Not that dwelling on it helped much. Shin had no means to confront Aizen directly yet.

Thankfully, despite everything, he'd made it through again.

As for the enemy... even if he survived, wounds like that wouldn't heal easily.

"How strong was the guy you fought?" Hisagi asked.

Shin considered for a moment. "The strongest I've ever faced."

He suspected the man had been under a Gentei Reiin, suppressing 80% of his reiatsu. And he hadn't even released his Zanpakutō. Meaning Shin hadn't seen the full extent of his power.

Even so, the opponent had exhibited strength far above lieutenant level.

Shin's own spiritual pressure was still just Fourth Grade Reiatsu. Squad Captains sat comfortably in the Third Grade.

And that man... at only 20% of his power, still surpassed most vice-captains.

Even accounting for experience, the gap between Fourth Grade and Third Grade was immense.

Shin's spiritual pressure stat sat at Level 35. He didn't even know how far that still was from qualifying as a Captain-tier.

Later that afternoon.

While class was still in session, someone knocked on the Student Council office door.

"Come in."

The man who entered caught Shin by surprise—he recognized him.

The elderly gentleman had been present the last time the Kuchiki Clan came for Rukia. Dressed in white, hair and beard snowy, round spectacles perched on his nose.

But today, that stern face wore a wide, pleasant smile.

Shin didn't rise—just smirked. "You're looking for Rukia? She's in class."

The old man beamed. "We're not here for the young lady. We came to see you."

"Me?"

"We heard about your actions during the recent internship. You risked yourself to protect the young lady. We've come to offer our thanks."

Shin raised an eyebrow and finally stood, motioning toward a chair.

"Have a seat."

He poured a cup of water and placed it before the elder.

"I was the team leader. I was doing my job. Besides, it wasn't just Rukia I was protecting."

The Kuchiki elder said calmly, "Regardless, you saved the young lady's life. The Kuchiki Clan owes you a debt."

Shin leaned back with a sly grin. "Now that you've said that, I've got to ask... how exactly does the Kuchiki family plan to thank me?"

The old man chuckled. "A youth as talented as yourself, I imagine, would have little need for coin or other worldly things—"

"Who said I didn't like money?"

The old man froze.

Shin beamed. "Money's a great thing. I come from the Rukongai. I've always been broke."

"...Understood." The elder sighed. "In that case, we'll prepare a proper gift. Please allow us until tomorrow."

He truly hadn't expected Shin to say something so... mercenary.

"Looking forward to it."

—

That evening, at the Kuchiki Estate.

Byakuya Kuchiki returned and was promptly informed of the visit to Shin.

"He asked for... money?" Byakuya said calmly.

"Yes," the old man replied. "When I said he might not care for such things, he smiled like a greedy merchant. I fear the young lady's continued closeness with someone like that could..."

Byakuya's expression remained unreadable. "Then give him the money."

The elder hesitated but bowed. "Understood."

Byakuya stayed in place for a while, then quietly left the room.

He made his way toward the residence where Rukia lived.

Though night was falling, two figures still moved through the courtyard, sparring in silence.

Servants bowed as he passed, but he lifted a hand—signaling for silence.

One servant whispered, "Lady Rukia trains like this every day after returning from the Academy. She hasn't rested once."

Byakuya said nothing. His face, ever composed, revealed nothing—no praise, no disapproval.

He watched silently, then turned and walked away.

—

In the courtyard, Rukia's sparring had pushed her to the brink.

Her limbs were heavy. Breathing ragged.

Mid-dash, her knees gave out—she collapsed to the ground.

Her hakuda instructor stepped in immediately. "Lady Rukia, that's enough for today. Any more would be counterproductive."

Panting, Rukia slowly pushed herself up. "Understood. Thank you, Furukawa-sensei."

"It's my duty, Lady Rukia. Please rest well."

Though she called him teacher, the man bowed deeply, treating her with the respect of a noble's servant before departing.

A maid stepped in with a towel and tea.

Rukia wiped the sweat from her brow, heart still pounding.

She hated how weak she felt.

Even in Class A, she wasn't particularly exceptional.

She only stayed in the top third because of the four personal instructors assigned to her by the Kuchiki family.

She still lagged behind Renji, Hinamori, and Kira.

She remembered her Student Council trial, her entrance test.

She remembered last night.

She wanted so badly to stay—to fight beside Shin.

But she knew she'd have only held him back.

If only I were stronger, she thought. Just a little more...