Chapter 57 ⥤ You Think a Few Words Will Make Me Pledge My Life?
Akira's response was dismissive, focused only on discussing the Death Sword Style and his status as a rare genius. Even Unohana's endless praise and attempts to recruit him into 4th Division to inherit her legacy didn't interest Sōjun.
Seeing the young man's insatiable appetite for gossip, Akira deflected with one last suggestion to ask Unohana for details before turning over to sleep. He had good reason to rest — his energy was depleted.
He had eliminated regular Hollows, wiped out Rebel assassins, faced off against an Adjuchas, undergone Unohana's intensive medical treatment, and trained rigorously in the Death Sword Style until late at night.
{T/N: Just to be clear, the MC's own 'Death Slayer Style' is based on the style above. They are similar, but improved.}
In terms of hardship, even Aizen couldn't compare.
'I'm incredibly diligent. If everyone had even a third of my dedication, Soul Society would flourish.'
With that self-satisfied thought, he drifted peacefully to sleep.
Sōjun lay awake, staring at Akira's back. The tantalizing gossip just beyond his reach felt like ants crawling under his skin — he couldn't sleep, couldn't even find peace.
Yet his noble upbringing and good character prevented him from disturbing someone's rest. And so the frail Kuchiki, dark circles forming under his eyes, remained sleepless through the night.
The night passed without incident.
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The next morning, Unohana came to the ward to check on both patients.
"Not following doctor's orders? Insufficient rest will affect your recovery." After a brief examination, she frowned, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval.
Being a doctor, she particularly disliked patients who ignored medical advice.
Sōjun, with dark circles under his eyes, glanced wearily at her, then at the energetic person beside him, and sighed deeply without saying a word. He remained as he had always been — constitutionally weak from birth, healing extremely slowly, and needing more time to recuperate.
Akira, however, was quite the opposite.
Thanks to his unusual Spiritual Body, his recovery power was astounding. Even the severe penetrating wound from the Adjuchas had healed seventy to eighty percent in a short time.
Of course, Unohana's medical skills and Kaidō techniques played a major role in this.
Although he possessed the enhancement of 'Miraculous Healing' (Trait) in healing techniques, when it came to true medical skill, he couldn't compare to her. In fact, few, if anyone, in all of Soul Society could.
After giving some precautions, Unohana hurriedly left — being Captain of 4th Division kept her quite busy.
"I really envy you." Sōjun watched as Akira moved about the ward, letting out a heavy sigh, his handsome face full of melancholy, "Such serious injuries, yet you can already move around. You'll probably leave the hospital in a few days, right?"
Akira, checking his body's flexibility, replied without turning around.
"That depends on Captain Unohana's opinion. Though personally, I feel I could leave today if needed."
At these words, Sōjun's expression grew even more dejected.
His recovery speed was worse than ordinary Shinigami, let alone a monster like this priest. They were in completely different leagues.
"If only I could be like you." He said, envy plain in his eyes, "Sigh..."
Akira suddenly turned around.
"I almost forgot — you set me up this time. Shouldn't Young Master Kuchiki offer some compensation?"
Sōjun looked completely puzzled, not understanding his meaning.
Seeing this, Akira sighed, "You used the talisman, right?"
The much more rich guy nodded.
"The tide of war was turned, wasn't it?"
Sōjun's pupils contracted.
Regarding the war between the Kuchiki family, 6th Division, and the Rebels, only a few Captains in the Gotei 13 knew about it.
It was absolutely confidential — how did this guy know? Could there be a traitor among them?!
His heart clenched with worry for his father and other relatives still on the battlefield.
However, Akira's next words immediately dispelled these concerns.
"The Rebel assassins appeared because a traitor in the Shin'ō Academy revealed the source of the talisman — meaning me. Even though they were just small fry, you, Young Master Kuchiki, should offer some explanation, right?" He stared intently, waiting for a response.
For just one talisman, this young super blaster rich noble could produce ₭100,000. Surely such a serious incident deserved compensation?
Sōjun deeply furrowed his brow. He hadn't anticipated the Rebels would target the priest who sold him the talisman. And its effectiveness had been truly astonishing.
From this perspective, Akira wasn't just his savior, but the savior of the entire Kuchiki family.
After lengthy consideration, he raised his head, met Akira's expectant gaze, and said seriously.
"How about... You join the Kuchiki clan!"
Akira: "???"
"The Rebel forces in Soul Society aren't rebels in the literal sense — they're more accurately conflicts of interest between various factions." Sōjun explained, "They dare to assassinate so recklessly because you lack background. If you join the Kuchiki clan, those people would be more cautious."
Akira snorted, "And then get dragged into your nobles' dirty power struggles? Become a blade to deal with other factions?"
Sōjun was stunned, never expecting such insight from this seemingly carefree young man.
"Don't misunderstand — I would never let you get involved in any of that." He explained earnestly, "Just one talisman has helped me immensely, even saving my life multiple times. I swear on the Kuchiki name, I would never let a benefactor—"
Akira raised his hand, cutting off the words with a sigh.
"You sucker—ahem, I mean, Young Master Kuchiki, I know you're a good person. But consider this: if even your father, Ginrei Kuchiki, can't fully control the clan, how could you, merely an heir, guarantee anything?"
Sōjun fell silent.
Though bluntly put, the seemingly carefree Akira understood these matters even more deeply than him.
"Besides, this concerns my future career and prospects." Akira patted Sōjun's shoulder, rubbed his fingers together, and lowered his voice, "Do you know what the Shihōin clan offered to recruit me? Two petite and cute girls, one dark and one fair! And you think these few words will make me pledge my life to the Kuchiki clan?"
{T/N:… MC's a menace!}
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