Chapter 124: Fish: I'm Back Again

Haruto’s Reiatsu, supercharged by the Soul King’s flesh, had soared. High-level Hadō spells like #90 Kurohitsugi, once weakened when cast instantly, now retained full power.

“Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi!” A black orb burst from Haruto’s hand, forming a massive coffin around Unohana. Countless blades pierced it. As it collapsed, Unohana, riddled with wounds, leaned on Minazuki, panting. They’d sparred like this before, diving into Kirinji Tenjirō’s hot springs to heal instantly.

“Your Kidō and Kaido are incredible,” Unohana said. “Teach me?”

“Of course,” Haruto replied. As Gotei 13’s jack-of-all-trades, he mastered Kidō and Kaido. He’d teach Unohana eagerly.

Despite their all-night spar, Haruto uncovered no new Shikai powers from Reversal, Silver Angel. Was the Sword Spirit lying to dodge Bankai? Unohana, however, progressed fast, mastering basic Kaido for minor wounds in one night, her Reiatsu control already elite.

To test her Kaido, Haruto nabbed a fish—rumored to have a seven-second memory. The poor creature died, revived, died again, all night, only to end as fish hotpot for breakfast. Unohana loved spicy food; Haruto preferred light. He cooked both, as always.

At Shin’ō Academy, Haruto barked, “Train hard! Slackers get broken legs!” The students groaned under his Kenpachi-like glare.

“Teacher Yamabuki’s unhinged—dumped again?” one whispered.

“He’s always a pervert,” another muttered.

Heard that, Haruto thought. Not training hard enough.

The Quincy war loomed in six months. These students, soon to be Shinigami, would face battle. How many would survive? He couldn’t babysit them, especially not himself. War demanded blood. He kept the invasion secret, letting them savor their final carefree days.

To boost their survival odds, Haruto planned brutal training. “This afternoon, practical combat in Rukongai or the Human World. Hunt Hollows,” he said coldly, ignoring their wails.

“Is Teacher Yamabuki’s condition worse? Needs more meds?” a student grumbled.

“He’s the best doctor,” another sighed. “Prescribes his own.”

Hachiuma Chiyo frowned, sensing trouble. Why send weaklings to fight Hollows? She approached Haruto, clutching her stomach. “Teacher, I’m sick. Can I skip?”

“No,” Haruto said.

“My period—stomachache,” she pleaded.

“Even if you’re nine months pregnant, you’re fighting,” Haruto snapped. “Back in line.”

Sadistic much? Chiyo thought. Yamabuki’s shift from slacker to taskmaster screamed crisis. She guessed Soul Society needed fighters fast but kept quiet. Asking more risked exposing secrets—or her life.

That afternoon, the students departed to hunt Hollows, tasked with returning a corpse. Haruto stayed behind. They had to learn independence.

“You can’t bear losing them, huh?” Shihōin Chihiro said, appearing with a grin.

“Humans aren’t heartless,” Haruto replied. “What’s up?”

“New moves,” Chihiro said. “Test them with me?”

“Let’s go,” Haruto agreed, gripping Reversal, Silver Angel.