Seiya, Welcome Back

Having completed his training in Shunkō and successfully raising his power to Third-Class Reiatsu, Seiya chose not to leave the Second Division immediately.

He needed time to solidify what he had learned, refining and mastering the techniques before moving forward.

—Haste makes waste.

Seiya understood this principle well.

Thus, he dedicated himself entirely to training, determined to fully internalize every bit of knowledge he had acquired.

Yūshirō assisted him frequently, offering guidance and support.

When Yoruichi finally returned, she was thoroughly impressed with Seiya's progress.

And how did she express her approval?

By hosting yet another grand feast for the Second Division, of course.

Though Seiya felt somewhat guilty about being the cause of yet another extravagant celebration, Ōmaeda seemed completely unconcerned about the cost.

"If it makes Lady Yoruichi happy, money isn't an issue!"

Seiya couldn't help but wonder—just how rich was this guy?

More than that, he was once again struck by Yoruichi's charisma.

"She's not just respected—she's revered. The entire Second Division, the Onmitsukidō, and the Shihōin family all follow her lead."

It was no wonder that after her departure, all three organizations underwent massive shifts.

She was the soul that held them together.

During the feast, Seiya ran into Ōmaeda Marechiyo's son, Ōmaeda Kichiyo.

The boy seemed much more respectful this time—perhaps due to a harsh lesson from his father?

Seiya wasn't sure, but at least now they were properly acquainted.

One person noticeably absent from the festivities was Sui-Feng.

According to the other Onmitsukidō members, she had thrown herself into training ever since their last encounter.

Hearing this, Seiya couldn't help but sigh.

"She's got the energy, but is she heading in the right direction?"

After all, picking the wrong goal could lead to nothing but frustration.

Following the banquet, Seiya stayed another week to ensure his techniques were polished and worthy of bearing the Shihōin name.

Finally, Yoruichi declared his training complete.

"Man, you're something else. Even Yūshirō took over six months to learn this, and you mastered it in half the time!"

Yūshirō, now completely exposed, groaned in embarrassment.

"Lady Yoruichi…"

After formally thanking both the Shihōin family and the Second Division for their hospitality, Seiya prepared to depart on a bright, sunny afternoon.

Carrying only a small bag of belongings, he made his way down the mountain path.

Yūshirō wept uncontrollably, clinging to Seiya until the very last moment.

It was clear that, despite his talent, he still had a long way to go before becoming a true pillar of the Shihōin family.

Perhaps Yoruichi's exile in the future would be the catalyst that forced him to mature.

But who knew?

"Make sure you keep training," Yoruichi called out. "I'm looking forward to seeing you at a future Captains' Meeting!"

The surrounding members of the Onmitsukidō looked visibly uncomfortable.

Clearly, they didn't believe Seiya had the potential to reach such a level.

And, to be fair, becoming one of Soul Society's thirteen most powerful Shinigami was no small feat.

But rather than argue, Seiya simply chuckled and looked up toward the sky.

"Well, I suppose you'll just have to wait and see."

Even an unreachable dream had moments where it felt within grasp.

And Seiya had a feeling that his time was approaching.

Yoruichi smirked, crossing her arms over her chest as the wind caught her haori and long hair.

"Hah! That's the spirit!"

As he made his final descent, Seiya spotted a familiar figure lurking beneath the shade of a tree.

Sweat clung to her forehead, her bangs plastered against her flushed face.

She was panting heavily, having clearly sprinted all the way here.

Sui-Feng.

She stood alone, separate from the others, silently watching him.

"This… is her way of saying goodbye?"

It was odd, but Seiya understood.

From a distance, he waved at her.

She didn't respond.

But she also didn't look away.

With a final glance back, Seiya turned forward and walked on.

For the first time, he had truly stepped onto the path of the strong.

"Wow… So, that's what Brother-in-Law has been up to all this time?"

Kotetsu Kiyone slurped up a mouthful of udon, her tone filled with admiration.

"The Second Division is crazy strict, but their benefits are top-tier! If you can land an administrative role there, you're basically set for life!"

Seiya chuckled.

After returning to the Academy, he had taken a short break before resuming training.

Kiyone had sought him out, eager to hear about his experiences.

And she had zero hesitation about calling him "Brother-in-Law."

Which, honestly, flattered him.

"So, are you planning to take it easy in life, Kiyone?"

The short-haired girl grinned.

"Obviously! Unlike my sister, I'm not gonna stress myself out trying to be something I'm not."

"There are plenty of talented people out there. A regular person like me should know her limits."

"Of course, someone like you should be aiming high, Brother-in-Law!"

Seiya raised an eyebrow.

Kiyone was much slicker with her words than Isane.

But she wasn't entirely wrong.

Effort and luck both played a part in success.

And, in the future, Kiyone would eventually become a Vice-Captain herself.

"She's got the right mindset. As long as she follows her own path, she'll be fine."

"Well, just make sure to stay focused in class."

Seiya ruffled her hair before standing up.

"I've got some things to take care of, so I'll see you later."

Kiyone's face turned red, and she nodded quickly.

"I-I got it!"

Leaving the cafeteria, Seiya returned to his quarters.

A quick shower later, he changed into fresh robes and tied his long hair back.

Admiring himself in the mirror, he exhaled.

"Damn, I look good."

With that, he left the dormitory and set off for the Fifth Division.

His presence there was already well-established, thanks to Aizen's arrangements.

Unless Shinji Hirako himself was around, there was little risk of drawing suspicion.

Sure enough, upon arriving at the Vice-Captain's office, he found Aizen and Tōsen already inside.

Aizen sat behind his desk, fingers interlocked, his glasses catching the moonlight from the nearby window.

Tōsen stood to the side, as silent and composed as ever.

As Seiya stepped into the room, Aizen's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"Seiya, welcome back."

The moonlight poured into the office, casting a serene glow over the three figures.

Without hesitation, Seiya stepped forward.

"I'm back, Aizen-sensei."

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Powerstones?

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