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Chapter 10: Hisagi’s Black Sun

  While walking past a small tavern, Haruki paused abruptly.

  He had just sensed a familiar soul ability: Big Supplement Pill.

  "Isn't that Rangiku's ability?" Haruki thought, recalling their earlier versation about grabbing drinks together. He hadn't expected to run into her so soon.

  Curious, he stepped inside and, sure enough, found Rangiku Matsumoto drinking at a table. To his surprise, Hisagi Shūhei was there too—the very person he'd been hoping to find.

  Haruki's gaze flickered toward Hisagi's soul ability, and his eyes widened in amazement.

  "Bck Sun: Stores spiritual pressure over time and releases it as a bck sun to unleash a powerful attack when needed."

  What an iing ability.

  Haruki immediately ected the ability to Hisagi's future Bankai, Kazeshini's Strangling Rope. His Bankai linked Hisagi and his oppo, binding their states together so that damage to one could restore the other. The visual maion of this power included a massive bck sun suspended above, which absorbed the spiritual pressure of both parties to establish a "shared life."

  However, the Bck Sun soul ability was simpler—a pure offensive skill. It allowed the user to store spiritual pressure over time and release it all at on the form of a devastating attack.

  This ability is incredible. Another offensive skill to add to my arsenal!

  Having reached a favorability of 60 with Hisagi, Haruki had already unlocked a oime use of Bck Sun. Feelied, he approached the two and greeted them warmly.

  "Rangiku-san, Hisagi, what a ce! You're drinkioo?"

  Rangiku looked up and smiled brightly. "Haruki! Weren't you saying you didn't have time for drinks this week?"

  Haruki casually joihem at the table and expined, "I've been busy with patrols, so I didn't have time. But I couldn't sleep tonight and thought I'd grab a drink to rex."

  Hisagi, surprised by their familiarity, asked, "You kniku-san?"

  Rangiku immediately knocked on Hisagi's head. "What, only you're allowed to know him? By the way, how do you two know each other?"

  While Hisagi winced, Haruki replied, "Hisagi and I are old cssmates. We graduated in the same cohort."

  "Ah, so you're both from the 2061 css? You're both youhan me," Rangiku remarked with mild surprise.

  Hisagi shot her a look. "Why would he be older than you? And what makes you think he looks older?"

  "Because Haruki seems way more dependable than you," Rangiku teased.

  "That hurts, Rangiku-san," Hisagi muttered, lookied. Then, turning to Haruki, he added, "You're with Squad Five nht?"

  "That's right," Haruki said with a wry smile. "Just a lowly grunt in Squad Five, unlike you, a seated officer in Squad Nine."

  "Don't sweat it. With your skills, it's only a matter of time before you bee a seated officer," Hisagi reassured him.

  While Haruki knew Hisagi's words were well-meaning, he couldn't help but think that pared to true prodigies, his ces were slim. Still, he appreciated the encement.

  ...

  "By the way," Rangiku chimed in, snatg the bottle from Haruki's hand to pour herself a drink. "Are you taking that kid to the academy tomorrow?"

  "Yes," Haruki firmed. "He didn't ht agree, but I'm sure he'll be waiting for me at the White Way Gate in the m."

  "Iing," Rangiku mused, rubbing her mischievously. "What if I get there first and bring him to Squad Ten? I've got my eye on him for our squad."

  "Hey, don't steal my thunder," Haruki protested. "Even if he joins Squad Ten, he should at least spend some time in Squad Five first!"

  Hisagi, who had been listening in fusion, finally interjected. "Wait a minute. What are you two even talking about?"

  "High-level secrets," Rangiku teased, before pointing acgly at Haruki. "Haruki found a prodigy and wants to hog him all to himself!"

  She then turo Hisagi. "Let's get Haruki drunk tonight. Tomorrow, I'll bring the kid to Seireitei and have him spend some time in Squad Nine before he es to Squad Ten."

  "Don't drag me into this!" Hisagi said, waving his hands. "And I've seey ies."

  Haruki smiled knowingly. Hitsugaya wasn't just any prodigy, but there was o eborate.

  Initially pnning to leave after catg up with Hisagi, Haruki decided to stay when he saw Rangiku and Hisagi drinking together. The three shared drinks and stories te into the night.

  ...

  As the evening wore iku's mischievous side revealed itself. After drinking her fill, she excused herself to use the restroom and never returned.

  When it became clear she wasn't ing back, Hisagi sighed in exasperation. "Damn it! Rangiku-san skipped out on the bill again!"

  Haruki grimaced. Rangiku, a lieutenant with a sary nearly triple his and Hisagi's bined, had fled without paying. Haruki made a mental o avoid letting her hahe che the future.

  With a monthly sary of less than 200,000 kan, Haruki could fortably support himself but couldn't afford extravagant spending. Thankfully, he came from a minor noble family with some savings, so he wasn't strapped for cash.

  Meanwhile, Rangiku earned 700,000 kan a month as a lieutenant. Yet between drinking and possibly splurging on clothes, she still mao run short on funds.

  "Fet it," Haruki said, standing up. "I crashed this little gathering, so this one's on me."

  Hisagi's eyes widened in gratitude. "Haruki… you're the best!"

  Hisagi, who had only retly joihe Gotei 13, was still adjusting to the financial realities of his new position. Much of his sary went toward hobbies like guitars and motorcycles, leaving him perpetually short on cash.

  Haruki simply waved it off with a smile aled the bill. It was all in the name of friendship—and future opportunities.

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