Bankai and Generous Rewards

In the latter half of the night, Shin walked Rukia home. Neither of them said a word the entire way. Rukia kept her head lowered, silently allowing Shin to hold her hand.

Even though the two had shared something beyond ordinary earlier that evening, they now moved like distant strangers.

Just before reaching the Kuchiki manor, Rukia finally stopped and told Shin this was far enough.

Shin gently caressed her cheek, then ruffled her hair.

"I'm heading back."

Rukia only murmured a soft reply before turning away.

The moonlight lay cold and silver like frost, silent over the stone path leading to the Kuchiki estate.

There were no trees along the streets of Seireitei—only a lingering chill in the wind. Shin stood alone under the pale moon, the shadows of two people cast behind him slowly diverging on the cold stones.

As he walked back, his thoughts were clouded. He had indeed fulfilled something he longed for tonight, yet it felt like he'd lost something too.

Maybe it wasn't worth mourning. Maybe this was simply who he was. Being sentimental would just make it all the more pathetic.

[Rukia]

[Affection: 90]

[Homerun Bonus: Reward Feedback Limit increased to 40%]

[Third Reward: Zanpakutō Additional Ability "Freezing" (Acquired)]

[Shinigami Keystone: Rukia]

[Keystone Slots Remaining: 1/2]

There were now four women in Shin's life whose affection levels had reached 90+: Kotetsu Isane, Unohana Retsu, Hinamori Momo, and Rukia.

The feedback rate of the "Homerun Bonus" had increased from the initial 10% to a current 40%.

He had only ever tested that feature with Isane.

Shin opened his profile screen again.

[Reiatsu Level: Lv62]

[Zanpakutō Unlock Progress: 60%]

[This Shore, That Shore (Incomplete Bankai)]

He wasn't surprised. Back when the unlock progress reached 10%, he'd already experienced a semi-release state.

Now that it had just crossed 60%, it made sense that he wouldn't unlock the full Bankai immediately. If he did, what would there be left to reveal?

He focused on his Zanpakutō's changes, and his expression grew heavier.

His Bankai seemed even more unbelievable than he had imagined.

Red Blade: That Shore — Shikai Ability: Stasis

White Blade: This Shore — Shikai Ability: Reversal

And this so-called "Incomplete Bankai" was only the Bankai of the Red Blade—which meant his Zanpakutō truly consisted of two distinct swords. Not just dual forms like Kyoraku Shunsui or Ukitake Jūshirō.

Shin had two Bankai.

After the initial thrill, he calmed quickly.

With the system, no amount of power seemed truly unreachable. He could already crush most enemies with just his Shikai.

Just like Aizen—who, in the original timeline, never revealed a Bankai. The power of Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai alone had left all of Seireitei powerless.

Settling himself, Shin issued the next set of commands to the system.

[Hinamori Momo]

[Affection: 95]

[Shinigami Keystone: Bond Established]

[Third Reward: Zanpakutō Additional Ability "Flame" (Acquired)]

Afterward, he inhaled deeply, sensing the subtle changes in his Zanpakutō again.

Then he looked toward the next name.

[Kotetsu Isane]

[Affection: 90]

Dropped back to 90, huh…

Shin sighed inwardly.

[Shinigami Keystone: Bond Established]

[Third Reward: Zanpakutō Additional Ability "Heavenly Phenomenon" (Acquired)]

Shin blinked in surprise.

He knew what Heavenly Phenomenon meant. The ability to control the weather—to manipulate the skies themselves. Just like Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru, Yamamoto's Ryūjin Jakka, or Sasakibe's Gonryōmaru.

All Zanpakutō that could command elemental forces.

Who would've thought Isane's Reikaku Un belonged in that category too? She'd never mentioned it, and he'd never asked.

An unexpected gain.

Then Shin turned his attention to the final name.

[Unohana Retsu]

[Affection: 90]

[Shinigami Keystone: Bond Established]

[Third Reward: Zanpakutō Additional Ability "Extreme Healing" (Acquired)]

This one made more immediate sense—granting Shin high-level healing capabilities.

Until now, Shin had relied solely on his Zanpakutō for healing—efficient, yes, but an enormous drain on his reiatsu.

He hadn't spent long in Squad 4 and never truly trained in Kaidō. Some senior Squad 4 medics likely outclassed him. But with his Zanpakutō covering his flaws, he had always appeared to others as a Kaido expert.

Now that everything was done, Shin exhaled long and slow.

His Zanpakutō wasn't just a rule-type blade anymore—it now held Ice, Fire, Healing, and Weather-based abilities.

Still, all of that felt like icing on the cake compared to the magnitude of the Bankai he'd just gained.

Tonight's system rewards had been plentiful. All the product of long-term accumulation.

If he hadn't bound his first Shinigami Keystone to Rukia, he might've received these rewards long ago.

But perhaps, without that bond, he and Rukia would've grown too far apart.

[Keystone Slots Available: 4/5]

One more slot had opened—but Shin no longer felt in any rush. He'd simply wait and see which woman in his life would next reach 90 affection.

Organizing his thoughts, he chose not to return home.

Instead, he detoured toward the 10th Division barracks.

It was early morning. Only the lights in the duty room were still on. Shin didn't disturb the on-duty officers—he silently slipped into the training hall.

Using his Zanpakutō's ability to suppress reiatsu fluctuations, he began testing his new powers.

After hours of experimentation, the sky began to lighten. Shin, having damaged the training hall significantly, spent a large portion of his spiritual power using Reversal to restore it.

Some squad members had already arrived to begin their shift. Shin returned to his office, stretched out in his chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

The first person to open the door that morning… was Hinamori.

After separating from Shin last night at the festival, she and Hitsugaya had searched the Academy for him but found nothing. They assumed he'd gone home. When the fireworks ended, they each left as well.

Hinamori had gone to his house—empty.

She waited all night, thoughts spiraling endlessly.

When she saw Shin resting in his chair, her heart finally settled.

Maybe he'd just gone off alone, still grieving for Hoshino. Maybe she'd been too clingy lately. Maybe she needed to give him space.

She crept to his side, heart aching as she watched him sleep.

She gently brushed the hair from his forehead. But as she leaned closer… a scent hit her.

Faint, but unmistakable.

Her expression changed.

Shin stirred and awoke. Seeing Hinamori, he sat up and stretched.

"You're here. What time is it?"

The chair wasn't exactly comfortable. Maybe he needed a proper bed here—but that would only invite Matsumoto's teasing.

Hinamori said nothing. She simply stared at him.

"…What's wrong?"

After a long silence, she asked, "Where did you go after we separated last night?"

Shin answered casually, "I went to see Professor Nandera. We talked for a while. I wasn't sleepy, so I came to the barracks and handled some backlog work until late. Ended up crashing here."

It sounded plausible.

But that was exactly what made it suspicious. Like he'd rehearsed it.

She didn't bother to hide her suspicions.

"You went to see Rukia, didn't you?"

Shin froze.

She must've smelled Rukia's scent on him—strong, lingering. With how close the two of them were, Hinamori would know it well.

"…I ran into her," Shin said.

"And?"

"We talked for a bit."

"That's all?"

Hinamori's voice rose slightly. "You're lying to me!"

Shin frowned. "What are you implying?"

There was annoyance in his tone.

Hinamori, feeling wronged, snapped back, "What else is there to talk about with her?"

If it had just been a talk, why was his body still carrying her scent? She didn't believe nothing had happened.

Shin snapped, "Are we enemies now, Rukia and I? Can't even talk anymore?"

"Just talk? Really?!" Her voice cracked. "You lied to me!"

Shin didn't respond. Just looked at her, his gaze unreadable.

Being looked at like that unsettled her.

She bit her lip, refusing to back down.

"I don't want to fight with you here," Shin finally said. "This is the barracks."

Hinamori's eyes widened.

Then turned red.

She glared at him, then turned and fled the room.

Hitsugaya had just arrived. Seeing Hinamori rush past, red-eyed and shaken, he froze.

"...Hinamori?"

She didn't speak. Just looked at him once and walked past.

He almost called after her—but she was already gone.

What the hell happened…?

Hitsugaya hesitated, then knocked and entered the office.

He had come for official business, but the first words out of his mouth were:

"Captain… what happened to Hinamori?"

"It's nothing. Doesn't concern you," Shin said curtly, clearly irritated.

Doesn't concern me…

Hitsugaya lowered his gaze, chest tight.

But he composed himself quickly and moved on to his report.

Meanwhile, Hinamori had left the 10th Division in a hurry, heading straight for Shin'ō Academy.

It was still early morning. Classes hadn't started yet. Students milled about the plaza, cleaning up after the festival.

She entered the student council headquarters.

Rukia was inside, speaking to some students.

The moment Hinamori entered, every eye turned to her.

"Hinamori-senpai?"

"Vice-President Hinamori? You're back?"

Though she'd only been gone a year, most of the room recognized her.

Some rushed forward, eager to chat—until they saw her expression.

Rukia's gaze shifted slightly. She set her files aside and walked over.

"Let's talk somewhere else."

Without another word, she left the office. Hinamori followed in silence.

Everyone in the room was left bewildered.

"What happened?"

"Hinamori-senpai looked upset."

"Did she fight with the President?"

"No way. Weren't they super close?"

Rukia and Hinamori reached the rooftop.

The view was clear. No railing. But for Shinigami-in-training, that wasn't an issue.

Scorch marks still lingered from last night's fireworks.

Rukia walked calmly to the edge, gazing down at the plaza.

It was just the two of them.

Hinamori couldn't hold back anymore. She demanded:

"What did you do with the President last night?"

Rukia didn't flinch. "Didn't he tell you?"

She hadn't slept all night either. She'd thought long and hard—especially about this moment.

Yes. She was ready.

Her response made Hinamori tremble with rage.

"Rukia… you—?!"

Rukia asked calmly, "Momo, what did you come here to do? What purpose? What resolve?"

The high wind whipped their uniforms.

"You said you gave up," Hinamori accused.

"I did say that," Rukia replied softly. "But… I couldn't do it."

Hinamori's face darkened. "So you still want to fight me?"

"Fight?" Rukia gave a quiet laugh.

"Momo, haven't you learned anything from last time? Do you think your 'fighting' will sway his heart? You still don't understand him."

She turned to face her fully.

"I won't fight anyone," she said. "Let's keep some dignity, Momo."

Behind her, the rooftop door closed with a heavy thunk.

Two women. Two worlds. Sealed away in silence.