Ten Declines of the Celestial Realm

Ten Declines of the Celestial Realm.

Gin scratched his cheek in confusion.

"What's that?"

"It's normal that you haven't heard of it. After all, this isn't something they teach at the academy..."

Simply put, it's a Buddhist term.

As it spread throughout the world, different branches of Buddhism reinterpreted the original concept, giving it unique characteristics depending on the region.

But in this case, Seiya was referring to the most fundamental and unaltered definition of Ten Declines of the Celestial Realm.

In Buddhist doctrine, all things are impermanent.

Even those with the longest lifespans—the Tenbu—are still bound to the cycle of reincarnation.

It is said that when the celestial beings near the end of their lifespan, they experience five signs of decay:

Their garments become dirty.

The flowers adorning their hair wither.

Their once-pure bodies emit a foul stench.

Sweat begins to form beneath their arms.

They no longer find joy in their celestial throne.

These signs mark their inevitable decline, heralding their fall back into the cycle of rebirth.

And in this moment—

Seiya was experiencing something eerily similar.

After giving a brief lecture, Seiya seemed to enjoy the momentary role of a teacher.

"Like I said before, from what I can tell..."

"The abilities of Eight Aspects of the Heavenly Dragon aren't something I can use freely. There are limitations..."

"Cough... cough!"

Seiya's complexion had turned deathly pale.

His voice had weakened, his entire presence exuding an air of exhaustion.

Kaname Tōsen, seated in the corner, frowned.

"If it's so uncertain, Seiya, why did you use it?"

"What's with that accusing tone?"

Seiya wiped his lips and gave a feeble smile.

"Shouldn't the first warrior to taste a wild mushroom be praised for his bravery?"

After all, it might be poisonous.

"I just don't support reckless behavior."

Tōsen's perspective was clearly different. Realizing they weren't on the same page, he changed the topic.

"Also, you don't seem fully aware of your own condition. If that's the case, how are you so sure about its name?"

"Cough... because my Zanpakutō told me."

Sāgara Ryū wasn't particularly malicious, and since this involved Seiya's own body, he had no reason to doubt it.

Between coughs, he recalled the conversation in his inner world.

"This ability shouldn't be used too often..."

"Your body won't be able to handle it. No... more than your body—"

"Your mind might collapse first! That's the real danger—you can't ignore this."

The explanation was vague.

But it wasn't Sāgara Ryū's fault. It knew the ability but not its underlying mechanism.

In truth, Seiya and his Zanpakutō had the same level of understanding—

Both were still figuring things out.

Aizen furrowed his brows slightly.

Seiya had warned them about this before.

But seeing the effects firsthand—

Even someone as composed as Aizen felt an unsettling ripple in his thoughts.

"So, what exactly is happening?"

Seiya lowered his gaze, deep in thought.

After a brief pause, he spoke.

"From what I can feel... it's similar to extreme fatigue."

Tōsen cut in impatiently.

"Then you just need rest?"

Seiya smiled weakly and shook his head.

"It's not that simple. I feel like... something inside me is missing."

Emotions?

Thoughts?

Something more abstract?

Seiya couldn't put it into words.

He hesitated before lifting his right hand, gesturing vaguely in front of his chest.

"It's hard to describe. You know that feeling when you choke on food, and a grain of rice gets stuck between your nasal cavity and throat?"

Gin grimaced.

"Ugh, way too vivid. Now my head hurts."

Aizen, on the other hand, was more action-oriented.

He stepped forward, reaching for Seiya's outstretched hand.

"Pardon me, Seiya."

Aizen gently pressed two fingers against Seiya's wrist.

That gesture—

Wait, did Aizen know traditional medicine?

"I see..."

Seiya's eyes brightened with a flicker of hope.

Could Aizen actually diagnose something?

"Your heart rate is significantly higher than normal."

"Huh? Really?"

Aizen hummed in affirmation, rubbing his chin in thought.

"I've done some research in this area, though not extensively. I can only make an educated guess."

"Seiya, you mentioned Ten Declines of the Celestial Realm."

"According to your definition, it describes the gradual decay of a celestial being before death."

"Following that logic, doesn't it suggest that your ability consumes your lifespan as a price?"

Silence.

Everyone turned to look at Seiya.

And Seiya himself—

Was scowling.

It sounded a bit alarmist…

But it also made sense.

Strictly speaking, his Bankai wasn't just about simulation anymore—

It was already manipulating time itself.

Past, present, and future—linked together by Tenbu, forming a continuous loop.

It was thanks to this ability that Seiya had walked out of Jakuhō Raikōben unharmed.

"Seiya, think carefully."

Aizen's voice carried a calm intensity.

"There is no such thing as an invincible ability."

"Everything follows a set of rules. Finding and utilizing them is the key to control."

"But your power... allows you, a third-class spiritual pressure wielder, to easily overpower opponents at the same level."

"Doesn't that seem... unbalanced?"

Seiya mulled over Aizen's words before giving a complicated expression.

It was a lot to take in.

But if he thought about it—it made sense.

As Aizen himself once said—

"A battle between Soul Reapers is ultimately a contest of spiritual pressure."

Yes, some matchups had natural advantages or disadvantages.

But it shouldn't be this one-sided.

The Thousand-Year Blood War hadn't even happened yet. By current standards, raw spiritual pressure was still the most important factor.

Seiya tried to summarize.

"So what you're saying is... my current power level isn't enough to support my own ability?"

Aizen smiled in approval.

"Exactly. You understand quickly, Seiya."

Zanpakutō abilities vary based on the wielder's soul and perception.

"Without a doubt, your Zanpakutō is an anomaly. It doesn't fit into any standard category."

"But if you wish to control the surrounding environment with your spiritual pressure..."

"Then wouldn't it be laughable if you lack the power to sustain it?"

The theory was flawless.

And paired with Sāgara Ryū's warning, Seiya had to admit—

Aizen was probably right.

So, in other words—

"Until I grow strong enough, I need to stop using this ability?"

It was frustrating.

But it made sense.

That left just one question.

Seiya gave a bitter smile and pointed at his own face.

"So… what do I do about my current condition?"

Aizen chuckled lightly, his voice carrying amusement.

"I'm no medical expert, so I can't say for sure. If you want a proper diagnosis… perhaps you should visit the Fourth Division?"

That being said—

Aizen already had a theory.

"However, in my opinion, Seiya, you likely overdrew your soul's energy. While I can't confirm it, such things usually recover with time."

In other words—

Rest was the only cure.

Seiya sighed.

There were still things he wanted to discuss, but seeing Aizen already rising to leave, he chose silence.

"That's all for today."

"For now... we are all captains of the Gotei 13."

"Until the time is right—"

"Forget your true mission."

"For now… we are soldiers of the Gotei 13."

Seiya's pale face lowered slightly.

As he closed his eyes, he murmured—

"As you wish."

That night, after Aizen and Tōsen had left the office, only Seiya and Gin remained.

Seiya coughed lightly, then leaned back into his chair, exhaling a tired breath.

"Sorry. Even though the paperwork isn't done yet, I'm already giving you orders as my lieutenant."

Gin tilted his head.

"Oh? That's quite an arrogant thing for a captain to do."

"Don't act like you're just now figuring that out about me."

"Heh, true enough~ Captain Arrogant."

"Do me a favor—grab a futon from the storage room. The division members already organized everything, so don't mess it up."

Gin didn't move. Instead, he paused for a moment, contemplating.

"You're not going back to the barracks to rest?"

Seiya waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't feel like walking. And I'm already exhausted… I'm counting on you."

Gin's expression stiffened slightly.

"I'm counting on you."

A phrase so simple—yet filled with a certain weight.

Normally, such words carried an undertone of apology or helplessness, spoken only when one lacked the means to act alone.

In daily life, it was a common phrase.

But coming from Seiya—it was rare.

And beyond that—

Gin had never seen Seiya look this weak before.

So pale. So drained.

Could this really be the same person who once terrified him?

Like a coiled serpent, Gin quietly absorbed Seiya's vulnerability, his heart inexplicably beating faster.

Indeed, as Seiya himself once put it—

"My heart is that of a snake."

Cold and decisive.

And if the situation called for it—Gin would not hesitate to end Seiya's life to achieve his own goals.

"Hey, you—"

He wanted to say something.

But before the words left his lips—

Seiya's eyes had already drifted shut, his expression dazed and unfocused.

His lips barely moved, voice as faint as a whisper.

"Sorry… I really am tired. Don't worry about me. You should… go back and rest."

There was no deception in his tone.

Because the moment those words left his mouth—Seiya's eyelids fully closed.

He had already fallen asleep.

—No way.

Gin hesitated, stepping forward and giving Seiya's shoulder a light push.

No response.

The boy had completely shut down, slumping sideways in his chair.

…Was this for real?

Gin stood there for a while, silently observing him.

No one knew what he was thinking.

Finally, after a few seconds, Gin turned away and muttered to himself—

"What a troublesome guy."

After all—

A futon wouldn't be enough.

He needed to find a pillow too.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates