Chapter 30
When Kaelith Yurei first watched the Bleach anime, he'd always been curious.
How exactly did Yoruichi transform into a cat?
Was it a Zanpakutō ability or some kind of secret technique?
Surely, it wasn't the work of some wandering wizard bringing Animagus transformation spells into this world by mistake?
Finally given the chance, he quickly voiced his question.
If it wasn't Yoruichi's Zanpakutō power and could actually be learned, he was eager to give it a try.
Yoruichi looked at him with a hint of surprise.
"You actually know about this… Sometimes I wonder if you're truly from Rukongai."
"Transforming into a cat is indeed a secret technique of the Shihōin family."
"But learning this ability is no simple task."
"In our family, it's considered an achievement if even one person in several decades can master it."
"Even with my talent, I started practicing from a young age and only became proficient in the last two years."
Yoruichi displayed a bit of pride as she spoke.
She was the first in Shihōin family history to master the transformation skill so early, proving her exceptional talent.
Hearing this, Kaelith scratched his head.
As for the difficulty, he wasn't too concerned.
With Aizen's system as an external support, he was confident he could learn even the most challenging techniques.
But based on Yoruichi's words, it seemed that only members of the Shihōin family could learn this skill.
With a curious smile, he asked, "So, is there any way for a non-member of the Shihōin family to learn this skill?"
Yoruichi hesitated, "You want to learn it?"
Kaelith nodded; there was no need to hide his interest.
Yoruichi folded her arms, closed her eyes, and tilted her head in contemplation.
The cat transformation technique, while impressive, wasn't overwhelmingly powerful.
Its real value lies in its exclusivity as a "secret technique."
The fact that no one outside the Shihōin family could learn it provided status, an identity.
Even though she was the current head of the Shihōin family, it wasn't an easy decision to teach such a family technique to an outsider.
"Well, why don't you marry into the family? Given our relationship, I could arrange something, and maybe the elders would allow you to learn both our secret techniques and our divine equipment."
Kaelith chuckled. "With my background, even if I married into your family, it'd be a miracle if the elders didn't tear me apart the moment I stepped through the door."
Yoruichi gave him a look of mild surprise.
"Kaelith, you're seriously underestimating yourself."
"Do you know who you are right now?"
"Currently, the higher-ups in the Seireitei are well aware that you are a formal disciple of Yamamoto Genryūsai."
"If not for him warning everyone not to disturb you, the doorstep to your house would be worn down by nobles."
"If I managed to bring you into the Shihōin family, the elders would be overjoyed."
At that, Yoruichi couldn't help but chuckle, as if picturing the scene.
Hearing this, Kaelith was genuinely surprised.
The hierarchy in Soul Society was heavily influenced by Japan's feudal structure.
To the nobles, even the powerful Gotei 13 was still their "samurai class."
No matter how skilled a samurai was, they were ultimately tools of the nobility; theoretically, nobles didn't need to give samurai any respect.
The haughty attitude of the Central 46, along with their often irrational decisions, stemmed from this.
But he didn't expect the old man Yamamoto to command such respect even among these "aristocratic beasts."(t/n I mean, he could literally insinerate them if they did something...)
Looking at Yoruichi, Kaelith put on a deep expression, "In that case, I can hardly refuse… So, when should we go file our marriage papers?"
"Alright, enough nonsense."
Yoruichi rolled her eyes at him, clearly unamused.
Kaelith laughed, "I was being serious!"
Yoruichi shot him a look of surprise, then smirked, "Giving up on your harem dreams?"
Kaelith was startled, "Ah, I forgot about that."
Yoruichi couldn't help but shake her head, laughing.
After a moment, she grew serious and said, "Alright, no more joking."
"Kaelith, do you truly want to learn the cat transformation technique? Even if it comes at a price?"
Kaelith nodded.
The ability to transform into a cat was far too tempting.
Unless the conditions were too harsh, he was determined to learn it.
"Alright, then here are the conditions."
Yoruichi raised a single finger, "First, if I become Captain of the Second Division, you have to join the Second Division."
"Second, you cannot leave the Second Division unless I step down as its Captain."
"Third, you are forbidden from teaching the cat transformation technique to anyone else."
With a serious expression, she added, "These are the most lenient conditions I can offer, Kaelith."
Kaelith was momentarily taken aback.
The first two conditions were fine by him.
Joining any particular division didn't matter much to him.
With his strength, he could hold a seated position in any squad and take life easy.
But…not being able to share the technique meant he couldn't rely on Aizen's help to practice it.
Even Yoruichi had said the technique was difficult. Could he learn it without Aizen's support?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he felt a jolt of realization.
Kaelith, have you truly fallen so far?
After gaining help from the system and hitching onto Aizen's power, had he completely given up on his own efforts?
Was he really so unsure of learning a skill without Aizen's help?
Taking a deep breath, he looked at Yoruichi with newfound determination. "I'll master it on my own!"
"I accept your conditions, Yoruichi!"
Noticing the shift in his demeanor, Yoruichi looked surprised and then gave him an approving smile.
Not bad for the one I've taken an interest in!
Kaelith tilted his head slightly, his gaze as if piercing through the ceiling to the distant stars.
The system's abilities were, after all, just tools. How could he rely entirely on Aizen and neglect his own efforts?
Aizen, you might just be my guiding light!
Just then, a voice sounded in his mind—
[Detecting new skill acquired by binding target "Aizen Sōsuke." Syncing automatically… Sync complete!]
[Your understanding of Bakudō has advanced, successfully mastering Bakudō #8: Seki, preset activation version!]
Kaelith: "…"
Forget all that talk of effort. The system really is amazing!
Aizen, you're an angel!
Yoruichi had no idea about the rollercoaster of emotions Kaelith had just gone through in those few seconds.
After Kaelith agreed, Yoruichi began explaining the principles of the cat transformation technique in great detail.
As he listened to Yoruichi's explanation, Kaelith finally understood why she had called it difficult.
A Shinigami's body was entirely composed of spiritual particles.
The principle of the cat transformation technique was to disassemble and rearrange the particles that made up the body.
For a human, it would be akin to breaking down and reconstructing all the cells in their body.
Disregarding the difficulty of disassembling cells… even if you could, each type of cell in the body has different properties, so how could they be rearranged so easily?
How could they be rearranged… hmm?
Lost in thought, Kaelith suddenly felt as if he understood something.
He raised one hand, furrowing his brow as he focused intently.
Then, before his eyes, his hand began to shift…
---
Here is your extra chapter hoped you enjoyed it!