Chapter 80

Just as she'd suggested, we were now having tea. To my hormonal self's dismay, we weren't alone, I was sitting with others, members of the Shinigami Women's Association. Along with Yachiru, Isane, and Unohana, Matsumoto Rangiku, Suì-Fēng, and Isane's younger sister, Kotetsu Kiyone, were also present. Seated next to Unohana, I watched as the others chatted among themselves. Turning to her, I placed my cup down and asked. "Why am I here?"

She gave a hum that felt almost melodic. 'I really need to get myself under control.' Her soft smile was calming as she replied. "Why didn't you use Reiryoku?"

I tilted my head, confused. "What's Reiryoku?"

Setting her cup down, she explained. "Reiryoku is Spiritual Power." As I opened my mouth to respond, she raised a gentle hand, still smiling. "Reiryoku is the energy stored within one's body or soul, while Reiatsu is the energy released and sensed by others."

I blinked, trying to process it. 'So, Reiatsu might be like bloodlust, and cursed magic for body enhancement, while bloodlust radiates outward.' "So, Reiryoku is like wood, and Reiatsu is the fire?"

She took a sip of her tea before nodding. "Yes, that's one way of looking at it. Reiatsu is the expression of Reiryoku, and when uncontrolled or controlled, it can paralyze those with less Reiryoku or control."

I scratched my head thoughtfully. "So, could I use my Reiryoku without letting it release as Reiatsu?"

"If your control is strong enough, yes." she answered, taking another sip. "Captain Kenpachi, for instance, struggles to control his Reiatsu, so it constantly radiates out, as you saw earlier today. An example of more refined control wou—"

"Boring!~ Grumpy Grapes do something cool!" Yachiru suddenly jumped between us, flopping down with an exasperated expression.

I twitched, looking down at her. "Why do you call me Grumpy Grape?"

She laughed, which only made me twitch more. "Because you're always grumpy! And 'Grape' because your eye look like a grape!"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Alright, shorty. What do you want me to do?"

She froze, then lightly jabbed my knee. "I'm still growing!" She turned toward the box holding Eri. "Open the box!"

"No." I replied firmly, moving it closer to me.

Yachiru groaned as Isane, curious, leaned in. "If it's okay…what's in there that's so important?"

Yachiru perked up at that, while I sighed. "My daughter."

Frowns appeared across the women's faces, and Unohana spoke gently, cutting off further questions. "His daughter, sadly, passed away. He sacrificed part of his lifespan to keep her preserved until he returns home."

Kiyone's eyes filled with tears as she looked and approached me. "I-I'm so sorry! That must be incredibly difficult."

I awkwardly patted her head, giving a slight smile. "It has been, but I just keep moving forward—it's what she'd want."

Rangiku tilted her head, her eyes curious. "Aren't you a little young to be a dad?"

I raised an eyebrow, responding with a lighter tone. "You don't think I'm in my thirties?"

She snorted, shaking her head. "Nah, you've got the same youth look in your eyes as Ichigo."

I nodded. "She's not my biological daughter. I adopted her after helping her escape a hostile situation."

Kiyone looked at me, an intrigued smile on her face. "Are you single? And if so, what's your type?"

I looked down at my cup, considering my answer. "I am. Never really thought much about my type, but if I had to say…someone strong enough to keep up with me."

Satisfied, the others returned to their conversations. Unohana turned back to me with that soft, almost mesmerizing voice. "Would you like me to continue explaining?"

I nodded, feeling myself drawn into a trance as her calming voice carried on.

Aside from that, I spent time meditating to improve my control over cursed magic, bloodlust, Reiryoku, and Reiatsu. My first attempts at using Reiryoku were… eventful. I'd tried to channel it the same way as cursed magic, flowing it throughout my body to enhance myself. But the result was an overwhelming release of Reiatsu so powerful it briefly shook the Soul Society before I managed to pull it back in. When Unohana discovered I was the cause, not a Captain or Zaraki she decided to instruct me on control.

Starting her explanation with Reiryoku and Reiatsu, she outlined how Reiryoku flows as a spiritual power reserve, which can enhance physical abilities and produce various effects when released as Reiatsu. As I listened, I drew comparisons to cursed magic and how I channeled it through my body, using it for power and techniques. I noticed Reiryoku's passive strengthening felt similar to the enhancements my cursed magic and bloodlust could provide, but Reiryoku seemed calmer, more controlled. Unohana's lessons began helping me understand how to utilise this worlds power.

I let out a sigh while keeping my eyes closed in meditation. 'Yeah, screw all those explanations. I'll stick to the basics, cursed magic and Reiatsu are just energy sources, with Reiatsu having an external manifestation.' I wasn't the smartest when it came to complicated things. 'I was probably overcomplicating it anyway.'

As I opened my eyes and was greeted by the slowly rising moon, I sensed powerful presences approaching, and they didn't feel friendly. Explosions echoed in the distance. I was about to head in that direction when a figure with a red mohawk stepped into the street I started walking in.

"I take it you're part of the chaos?" I asked casually, summoning Muramasa and gently tapping it on my shoulder.

He snorted, baring his teeth. "You bet, fucker! I'll be the last thing you see."

I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Burner Finger: One!"

A narrow beam of fire shot from his pointer finger, racing toward me at high speed. I yawned, dodging the attack and using a cursed magic enhanced Shundō to blitz toward him. He didn't react in time as I cut him cleanly in half. Watching his two halves drop, I walked away toward the source of the explosions. 'I wonder what's happening.' I thought, cutting down anyone who tried to attack me on my way to the growing fight.

{Author has a question, should I add spicy scenes or just imply that spicy scenes have happened?}