Bleach: I Love Making Friends

"You think I'm like you?" Haruki retorted without hesitation. "You just dump your work on the captain and run off every day. I, on the other hand, am very responsible. I've been swamped with work lately."

"!" Rangiku's eyes widened, as if she had never seen someone so shameless.

"How can you even say that about me?!" Rangiku exclaimed in disbelief. "I heard from Hitsugaya that you even assign tasks to Hinamori, who just joined the team!"

"Wait, wait!" Haruki was momentarily stunned. "Forget how Hitsugaya knows about this, why are you even listening to Hitsugaya?"

"Of course, it's because I haven't given up on my plan to lure Hitsugaya to the 10th Division~" Rangiku chuckled mischievously.

"Hitsugaya," Kyōraku Shunsui interjected at this point. "Ah, that prodigy kid. Are you all close with him?"

"Of course we are, Captain Kyōraku. Didn't you know? Hitsugaya was brought into the Soul Society by Haruki."

"Is that so? I really didn't know that," Kyōraku said, sounding genuinely surprised.

Hitsugaya Tōshirō, the most famous child prodigy recently, was someone many divisions were hoping to recruit in the future.

But now, it seemed they didn't need to fight over him. He was definitely going to end up in the 5th Division.

"Actually, I'm not saying he has to come to the 5th Division," Haruki sighed. "To be honest, with Hitsugaya's talent, he's destined to become a captain someday."

"That means he'll inevitably leave the 5th Division. Who knows, he might even become your superior in the 10th Division, Rangiku."

"Ugh!" Rangiku spat, looking indignant. "Who wants to be that kid's subordinate? Besides, my captain just took office not long ago. He's far from retiring."

"If anyone's retiring, it should be me," Kyōraku said with a hint of melancholy. "I'm probably one of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13."

"Not at all," Haruki smiled. "Captain Kyōraku, you're Yamamoto-Commander's prized disciple. If Yamamoto ever retires, you'll be the next Captain-Commander."

"Spare me," Kyōraku chuckled wryly.

He had no desire to become the Captain-Commander.

And besides...

"Old man Yamamoto is far from retiring."

Despite his aged appearance, Yamamoto wouldn't change much even a thousand years from now.

A thousand years from now, who knows what the Soul Society will look like?

Haruki and the others didn't dwell on the topic any longer. After all, they had come here to drink and have a good time. Talking about retirement was a bit too gloomy.

When you're drinking, you chat about happy things, brag a little, and have fun. There's no need to bring up topics that sound dreary.

By around 9 p.m., the three of them were ready to leave, having eaten and drunk their fill.

The bill was paid by Kyōraku, as he was the senior among them. When there's an adult present, it's only natural for them to handle the bill, not the "kids."

As they stepped out of Daruma-ya, they noticed a group of people walking by.

Haruki was momentarily stunned because the person leading the group was wearing an obviously expensive kimono and had a "Kenseikan" hairpin, something only high-ranking nobles could wear. Combined with his soul ability, "The Noble's Self-Cultivation," Haruki immediately recognized him.

Captain of the 6th Division, Kuchiki Byakuya.

'Elegance of Battle: When used in combat, allows the user to fight with grace and elegance.'

Hah, the description was that short.

It sounded utterly useless, and in practice, it probably was just as useless?

But one thing Haruki was sure of.

This ability would definitely make him look cool when using it.

And then he remembered something.

What exactly was "elegant combat"?

Would getting injured in battle affect one's elegance?

If so, then using this ability would mean he wouldn't get hurt?

Would getting beaten up in a fight affect one's elegance?

If so, then using this ability would mean he wouldn't get beaten up?

Although it seemed like the ability didn't have much practical use, Haruki could see some potential in it.

Well, forget it. He'd have to test it out properly later. For all he knew, it might just give him a bit of noble flair and nothing else.

"No wonder we ran into Captain Kuchiki. This area is near the Kuchiki family's shrine," Kyōraku mused, rubbing his chin. "Is today the Kuchiki family's day of worship?"

"So impressive," Rangiku said, watching Byakuya's commanding presence as he walked by. "That's what you'd expect from a great noble."

"Yeah, totally different from us commoners. So much grandeur," Haruki added.

"Now, now, that's a bit much," Kyōraku chuckled. "Haruki, you're not a commoner anymore. If you're a commoner, then who in the Soul Society isn't?"

"Haha..."

Haruki didn't respond. In the eyes of those with power and influence, he was still just a commoner.

"Let's call it a night," Haruki said. "We've got work tomorrow."

The three of them parted ways, and after returning home, Haruki's slightly drunken eyes quickly regained their clarity.

He was eager to start training with his newfound Hollow powers.

Well, it wasn't exactly training. The "Hollowfication" ability he had acquired was more about breaking the boundaries of his soul and accepting Hollow powers to achieve Hollowfication.

It wasn't like the systematic training of a Quincy.

After acquiring the Quincy lineage, Haruki had genuinely gained the Quincy's training system. He not only obtained the ability to form a spirit bow but also acquired some of the Quincy's knowledge.

It was foreseeable that he could eventually master the Quincy's power system, including techniques like Heilig Pfeil, Ransōtengai, shadow powers, blood powers, and even the Quincy's final form.

Hollowfication, on the other hand, was different.

The Quincy lineage provided him with a complete system, and he had to slowly cultivate his power.

Hollowfication, however, directly granted him Hollow powers, but how he mastered them was up to him.

Still, since this was a soul ability, Hollowfication wouldn't cause him to lose control like the Visored.

The greatest advantage of Hollowfication was that once he used it, the boundary between his Shinigami and Hollow souls would be permanently broken.

Although he couldn't freely transform into a Hollow without permanently acquiring the soul ability, as he gradually mastered this power, he would eventually be able to achieve Hollowfication independently.

With this in mind, he entered his safe room.

After adjusting the room's appearance to simulate him returning home, washing up, and going to bed, he stood in the center of the room and placed a hand on his face.

"Hollowfication..."

Haruki whispered softly.

...

[Check Out My Patreon for 30+ Extra Chapters!!!]

[p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/rosewhisky]

[+150 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]