"Hmm…"

  Haruki offered a mysterious smile. "Maybe I'm just naturally gifted in this area," he said, his tone humble but vague.

  "Who knows? If I ever tire of being in the squad, I might sider being a teacher at the Spiritual Arts Academy."

  Hitsugaya gave him a long, thoughtful look. There was something about Haruki that felt enigmatic. Despite his cims of being an ordinary Shinigami, Hitsugaya sensed a hiddeh—somethiraordinary about him.

  While Hitsugaya didn't have much experieh Shinigami, Haruki stood out as someone unique. Whatever the truth, Haruki had guided him to the path of being a Shinigami, so Hitsugaya chose to trust him. Perhaps Haruki simply preferred to remain low-profile.

  ...

  Hitsugaya wasn't there for training that evening but rather to thank Haruki. However, during the impromptu "evening css," he was astoo discover that under Haruki's guidance, he made incredible progress. Every lesson clicked instantly.

  This man… is terrifying.

  The realization strengthened Hitsugaya's suspi: Haruki was far from ordinary.

  Meanwhile, the other three—Renji, Kira, and Hinamori—focused oraining without overthinking Haruki's mysterious nature. Haruki hat Renji's favorability was steadily increasing. Soon, he might permaly acquire Star Chaser.

  However, the special teag buff from Stern Master-Apprentice Bond was about to expire. Without it, Haruki knew he wouldn't be as effective at teag, and his improvised lessons would have to stop.

  ...

  That night, Haruki bid farewell to the four of them. The following day, he wouldn't o patrol Rukongai, leaving him with time to focus on his training. He also pthen his retionship with Tanimoto Tetsu. Destructive Death Beam was a formidable ability, and Haruki had already experies effectiveness against Metastacia.

  ...

  The m, Haruki arrived early at the Squad Five barracks, eager to begin training.

  With Prodigy active, Haruki felt his spiritual energy absorption rate soar. Though it had only been three days since he transmigrated, he already felt himself nearing the level of a seated officer. By his estimation, his bat strength was equivalent to that of ah or ninth seat Shinigami.

  ...

  As he trained, a familiar voiterrupted him. "You're quite diligent, Haruki-kun."

  Startled, Haruki turo see Aizen Sōsuke approag with a gentle smile.

  "Captain Aizen!" Haruki immediately straightened and bowed respectfully. "It's nothing special. I'm just trying to make up for my ck of talent by w harder than others."

  "An admirable mi," Aizen said warmly. "If every Shinigami iei 13 shared Haruki-kun's resolve, Seireitei would be truly invincible."

  "You ftter me, Captain," Haruki replied modestly. "I only wish to restore my family's honor. My aspirations are modest."

  Aizen studied him for a moment, then asked uedly, "Would you be ied in being a seated officer?"

  Haruki blinked in surprise. "A seated officer? But… doesn't the squad already have a full roster?"

  "Southfield-san, our Ninth Seat, was attacked by a Hollow yesterday," Aizen expined with a faint sigh ret. "His position is now vat."

  An attack by a Hollow? Haruki thought skeptically. This has Aizen's fingerprints all over it.

  Still, he masked his suspi, instead smiling brightly. "I'd be honored, Captain Aizen! But… is my current strength adequate for the role?"

  "Don't worry," Aizen assured him. "I have faith that Haruki-kun will rise to the occasion."

  "I'll do my best!" Haruki said with vi, his voice eg across the training grounds.

  ...

  After Aize, several squad members gathered around Haruki, gratuting him on his promotion.

  "gratutions, Haruki! You're our new Ninth Seat!"

  Among the lower-ranking Shinigami, few possessed soul abilities, but Haruki believed it was wise to maintain good retions with everyone. Who knew who might grow stronger iure?

  With a friendly smile, he decred, "This is all thanks to Captain Aizen's support. To celebrate, drinks are oonight!"

  A cheer erupted from the crowd. "Oh yeah! Haruki's treating us!"

  ...

  Even the seated officers who overheard the news were pleasantly surprised. Haruki had always been well-liked in the squad for his friendly demeanor, and his promotio well-deserved.

  anizing a gathering to celebrate his promotion wasn't cheap, though. With Squad Five sisting of over 400 members, even ating for absentees due to missions, at least 100 people were likely to attend. C their food and drinks would cost a small fortune.

  Fortunately, Haruki's background as a minor h some savings made this possible. He viewed the expense as an iment in building camaraderie and goodwill.

  ...

  By the end of the day, Haruki's efforts were already paying off. Many squad members' favorability toward him had risen signifitly, and he couldn't help but feel satisfied.

  "Making friends and avoiding ehat's the way to live in Seireitei," he thought. And now, I've taken aep forward.