Bleach: Reborn as Hinamori

"I don't know where I am."

Led by the light shining through my closed eyelids, I opened my eyes to find myself in a situation that would top my list of "things I've always wanted to say."

Shifting my gaze to the side, I saw a building resembling a Heian-period noble's residence, with corridors stretching endlessly into the distance. Before them spread a massive Japanese garden like something from a fairy tale.

"This isn't the 4th Squad barracks, is it?"

The place was perfectly deserted. Even the Shiba family had never owned property on such an endless scale.

...I had a vague idea of what was happening. This must be that famous place. The moment I'd been waiting for over the past six months.

But—

"...I wish it had come a little later."

Yes, right now I had just created the biggest black mark of my life. In fact, I wished I could have just gone with the flow instead of arriving here at this exact moment. I felt like crawling into a hole.

So I refrained from making a scene, humbly and sincerely sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor. Then I took another look at the Japanese garden before me.

A white sand garden with withered cherry trees and ancient pine trees.

And standing between them was a girl with the appearance of a celestial maiden.

—She looked exactly like a character I'd seen in anime and light novels.

I wanted to run up and talk to her, but I couldn't. I bowed deeply and first expressed my gratitude for being granted an audience despite being such a fool.

"—It is an honor to meet you for the first time. I am Hinamori Momo, an apprentice Soul Reaper. I am deeply honored to have been granted an audience with your sacred presence."

"Eh...!? Ah, no, wait, eh...!?"

Her voice was so cute. I'd introduced myself in fake samurai-style speech, but the sacred presence seemed startled, so I glanced up to check her reaction. But this felt like a second black mark was about to be added to my record.

However, for some reason, the girl was hiding behind an old pine tree trunk, staring at me with an expression as if she'd seen something unbelievable.

...Isn't this girl supposed to be the proud, clear-headed, cool, sharp-tongued, clumsy, reserved lady character from that certain romance strategy game? She's totally backing away.

"Um... Holy One?"

"Ugh, no..."

I already knew her name from the original work, but trust was important in situations like this, so I'd wait for her to introduce herself first. Her voice was reaching me, so communication and synchronization had already been established, and she'd been making an effort to connect from the start. This was a pattern not recorded in the Spirit Arts Academy's records or the original work. Wait, wasn't this too easy?

"Um..."

"Ah, yes. Please speak freely."

She hesitated. She made a very confused face every time I responded.

"...So my voice is reaching you after all."

"Eh? Ah, yes. I am truly grateful that you can hear my voice."

I was a little confused by her repeated gestures, as if she was trying to confirm something. In the original story, dialogue with the main body was one of the conditions for liberation, so I thought everything was going smoothly.

"...No, I'm sorry. I was just confused by reality. Please forgive my previous rudeness."

After a moment's hesitation, the celestial maiden quietly approached me and bowed.

I was so surprised that I raised my voice to make her look up. Seeing her attempt to activate the demonic art she had never learned before, relying solely on the live atmosphere and all her spiritual power, I thought, "Is this really my master?" It was only natural to be confused by reality, wasn't it?

But the words that followed from the Holy One made me gasp.

"—It is only natural to respect a master who, upon first meeting, has the talent to discern my true nature without even speaking."

The girl stared at me intently. Her eyes sparkled in a way I couldn't quite place.

I knew her name, but there was something about the way she understood it that felt deeply misunderstood.

"...Um, why do you think that?"

"Yes. The fact that you perceived not only my appearance but also my voice immediately after arriving here means that you knew my temporary name before even synchronizing with my Zanpakutō, there can be no other explanation!"

"Huh..."

She was hyped up, saying things like, "As expected of my master!" The same girl who casually disrespected her master as trash in the anime was now addressing me with honorifics, and I had no idea how to respond. Um, it's just from the original work, so don't praise me so much...

Actually, did this kid see my embarrassing moment earlier...?

Did she see that pathetic "Hadō 90: Black Coffin!! (Dyaaaahhh!!)" I just did...?

...Wait, really? Am I safe?

"By the way, you truly possess amazing spiritual pressure. With such power, I will soon be able to reveal my true name to you! Ah, I can't wait for the day when I can make you kneel before my master..."

"!"

Ah, she definitely didn't see that. I'd rather die than acknowledge such an idiot as my master.

Wait, but you're already booking a Bankai for our first meeting? My spiritual pressure has risen that much already? If it keeps rising with Shikai, I'll be at captain level, but then will Aizen-sama forgive me for the Black Coffin earlier?

What, show me Bankai? Don't be ridiculous...

— Oh, right, Aizen-sama! No, first take care of my body that was kicked by the Hollow!

"Um, well... Actually, I'm in a bit of a pinch outside, so if possible, I'd like to be on my way..."

As I desperately pleaded my case with both hands, the divine being, who had been dancing in a strange, twisting manner, suddenly snapped back to reality.

"Ah, I understand. I awoke because I sensed danger to you. While you're here, time outside won't progress, but I understand your feelings. I'll escort you immediately to where the Great Hollow's army is."

Ah, so she was born right after I was kicked by the Great Hollow, so she didn't see my embarrassing past. Phew.

No, wait, this was just like the "Room of Spirit and Time" where Ichigo and Zangetsu (Yhwach) were having that stylish conversation. When you return to reality, it looks like you've powered up in an instant.

Hmm, this could turn into a pretty stylish development. Maybe I can earn some interview points...

"Go now...! I am the power of a single swing, destined to shatter your enemies and protect those you love! The oath of courage we swore shall guide the reaper to the next dance hall alongside the words of our vows!"

Seeing my determination, the sacred body that is half of my soul is also getting into the spirit of things. Hey, stop it, you're embarrassing me.

My vision turned white, and the Zanpakutō in my right hand was charged with more spiritual power than ever before. I felt a mysterious sense of familiarity with her, thinking, "I'm going to be mortified later."

"My lord! Cherish my fragrance, and write down my red colors! If you blow, I will answer you as many times as you wish!

Stay! My name is──"

"Snap, Tobiume!"

The moment I spoke that name, an unimaginable surge of spiritual pressure erupted from my entire body.

My blurred vision cleared, and before me lay a scorched, barren landscape. Red sparks danced through the pitch-black sky, and I couldn't help but think they resembled plum blossoms—a poetic thought.

Shikai: Tobiume.

It wasn't as stylish or cool as the image suggested by the name "first release." But it was the culmination of a century of relentless training, where I had pushed my body to the brink of death countless times. The Zanpakutō in my hands was the most fitting form for me.

"──Oooooo..."

The army of Hollows, shrinking and retreating, having suffered devastating damage. To their eyes, the Soul Reaper apprentice who should have been struck down by a blow that drained their spiritual energy and left them unconscious must have appeared to rise again in a mysterious explosion amidst the sandstorm. And not just that, they had evolved into an even higher spiritual rank.

From my small frame, less than five feet tall, the enemies were a swarm of gigantic beings piercing the sky. But now, they felt nothing for those giants. They were just cowering there, powerless and hollow, like empty shells.

"...Show me, Tobiume. Show me what you can do."

Her voice, devoid of sound, echoes from the handle I grip tightly.

The power she knows and the power she doesn't know. As expected of someone who is said to be the other half of her soul, everything about her is different from the original Hinamori-chan. It's both joyful and confusing. But she can't let herself get carried away.

In BLEACH, the victor is not the one with the highest spiritual pressure or the most powerful Zanpakutō.

It is the one who accumulates the most style points.

"──Keh, Snap!"

First, the technique described in the original work. A dense crimson flame erupts along the blade, spreading outward with the centrifugal force of the swing. The large fireball that collides with the enemy explodes spectacularly, obliterating the large Hollows on the left flank of the army like ash. What kind of power does the "Red Fire Cannon" have?

The difference in spiritual pressure makes it almost completely different, but since Tobiume insists that this grenade-like fire weapon is her basic technique, let's just go with that. Cute.

Among the giants cowering in fear, several smaller Hollows scream as they charge toward us. Their spiritual pressure is stronger than the others. Are they special creations of Aizen-sama?

Either way, I don't feel the slightest bit afraid. A Soul Reaper who has unleashed their Zanpakutō changes this much? If this is just the Shikai, then no wonder they're treated like gods when they reach Bankai...

Following my partner's urging to try the next technique, I swung my blade and unleashed a burst of flame from the blade, spreading it out in a fan shape.

"Oh..."

The several small Hollows that had charged at us were reduced to burning flesh, like they'd been hit by a volley of machine gun fire. According to Tobiume, this technique is used to suppress enemies by creating a barrage of radial sparks. This is it, isn't it? It's worse than minced meat.

Abilities that seem like they'd be banned in military treaties fifty years from now keep appearing, but when I asked if there wasn't a technique that didn't spread unnecessary damage around, she just gave me a silent answer.

Hey, weren't you supposed to be a more ladylike girl? I don't want to be called a fraud for fighting like this in the Gotei.

And then the final move. Climbing up the spirit particles' platform, I unleash a massive spirit energy flame at the remaining Great Hollow beings who are about to release their final attacks.

The scene is like a carpet bombing with flame cluster bombs. After the blazing heat wind blows everything sky-high, what spreads below is a black desert of melted, charred glass.

...The difference in spiritual pressure is cruel.

There are no more spiritual entities detected. I want to reset the style points I earned from the failed Black Coffin attempt, but I'll hold back.

I still hope the real enemy will come.

Well. There's been so much happening that I'm starting to forget the initial excitement, but I'm still in the middle of my interview with Aizen-sama.

In this situation, where I feel like I've been ordered by that stylish master Aizen Sousuke to show everything, I think I've shown everything I can. I thought it was over for a moment because of that thing, but thanks to Tobiume's awakening, my spiritual pressure finally reached the captain level, and I think I managed to get back to around zero.

However, this is just a return to the starting point. The only remaining appeal points are my knowledge of the original work...

The Great Hollows have all been wiped out and are beginning to decay, so they'll probably make their move soon. This is bad, I don't have much time. For now, I'll keep my eyes wide open to appear unaware and earn points for looking cool. Come on, please make your move whenever you're ready!

Then.

"────Wonderful."

A voice with charisma floats into my ears.

"This is our first meeting, isn't it? First-year student of the Hinamori Magic Academy."

The dust of the Great Hollow's remains cleared away. My future superior, accompanied by his deputy with narrowed eyes, approached me with the aura of a giant wall, revealing his true form.

"──I am Aizen Sousuke."

Yay, Aizen-sama is here!!

***

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