Chapter 3: Tobirama Shiba is a Good Person
Back in his residence on the outskirts of the Seireitei, Tobirama stood before a small mirror.
For a moment, he simply looked at his reflection.
Then—
He opened his mouth slightly.
On the underside of his tongue—
A mark.
Dark.
Intricate.
Unmistakable.
"…So it's still there."
Unlike the crude curse seals of shinobi, this one was far more refined—woven directly into his spiritual body.
A binding placed by the Onmitsukidō.
A seal designed for silence.
If he attempted to speak about certain classified matters—
His body would lock.
Completely.
Paralysis.
Total.
Absolute.
Tobirama clicked his tongue lightly.
"Figures they'd think this far ahead."
Information control.
Loyalty enforcement.
Disposable agents.
It wasn't just a restriction.
It was a leash.
And worse—
There was a high probability the seal could be manually triggered.
"…So I'm basically carrying a remote kill switch."
That part?
He didn't like.
Not one bit.
He searched through both his inherited memories and his own knowledge of the Bleach world.
Kido.
Sealing techniques.
Forbidden arts.
Nothing.
"At least… nothing I can access right now."
Breaking something like this would require one of three things:
Overwhelming spiritual power
Specialized Kido knowledge
The one who cast it… removing it
Tobirama exhaled slowly.
"…So either I outgrow it…"
"…or I outlive the one who placed it."
Neither was easy.
Still—
He didn't dwell on it.
Not yet.
Because—
His sensory field had just picked something up.
A familiar presence.
Light.
Controlled.
Slippery.
"Right on time."
Tobirama stepped out into the yard.
As he walked, a thought crossed his mind.
Strangely—
No one had been watching him.
Despite being tied to the Onmitsukidō, he hadn't detected surveillance since arriving.
Either—
They trusted him.
Or—
They didn't think he was worth watching.
"…I'll take that as an advantage."
Then—
He moved.
Reiryoku surged.
A single step forward—
One hand raised—
And flames erupted.
A massive wave of fire roared outward, spiraling and compressing into a controlled inferno that surged across the yard.
Not chaotic.
Not explosive.
Precise.
The flames curved mid-air, tightening into a focused arc before slamming into the training post.
The result?
A scorched field.
Blackened earth.
And at the center—
The post remained.
Untouched.
Perfectly intact.
At that exact moment—
Footsteps stopped at the entrance.
Gin Ichimaru stood there.
Silent.
Watching.
"…Sensei," Gin said after a pause, his usual smile returning just slightly, "sorry for interrupting."
Tobirama let the flames dissipate naturally.
"It's fine."
He turned, expression relaxed.
"I was just finishing."
Gin stepped in.
But this time—
His gaze lingered on the ground.
On the precision.
On the control.
Different from earlier.
More cautious.
Tobirama gestured inside.
"Come in."
The room was simple.
Minimal.
Clean.
Tobirama poured two cups of water and placed one in front of Gin.
Then—
He sat.
"You wanted to know why some souls matter more than others."
Gin didn't speak.
But he listened.
Tobirama's voice was calm.
Measured.
"The structure of Soul Society…"
"…isn't as balanced as it appears."
He tapped the table lightly.
"The Gotei 13 maintains order."
"But order… doesn't mean equality."
Gin's eyes sharpened—just slightly.
"The noble houses…"
"…stand above that order."
Tobirama didn't elaborate too much.
Didn't name names.
Didn't cross the line his seal might react to.
But he said enough.
"The system protects itself first."
Silence followed.
Gin leaned back slightly.
"…So it's not wrong."
Tobirama met his gaze.
"No system is completely wrong."
"Or completely right."
Gin smiled again.
But this time—
It didn't feel as light.
"…I see."
Tobirama watched him carefully.
Then—
Changed the subject.
"There were those who tried to bridge that gap."
Gin tilted his head.
"The Shiba Clan… used to be one of them."
Past tense.
Deliberate.
"We weren't the strongest."
"But we stood… between worlds."
Between nobles.
Between districts.
Between order and chaos.
Gin didn't interrupt.
"…And now?" he asked.
Tobirama smiled faintly.
"Now we survive."
The conversation shifted naturally after that.
Lighter.
Less dangerous.
Then—
Tobirama leaned forward slightly.
"Gin."
A pause.
"Do you want to become stronger?"
Gin blinked.
"…That depends."
"On what?"
"On what it costs."
Tobirama chuckled softly.
"Fair."
Then—
He spoke plainly.
"Become my disciple."
Silence.
Gin studied him.
Long.
Careful.
This wasn't a joke.
"…Why me?" Gin asked.
"Because you're talented."
Simple.
Direct.
No lies.
Gin smiled again.
But this time—
There was thought behind it.
"…Alright."
A beat.
"Sensei."
[Do you wish to establish a Master-Disciple Relationship with Gin Ichimaru?]
Tobirama didn't hesitate.
Accept.
[Master-Disciple Relationship Established.]
[Current Trust Level: 2]
[Unlocked: Disciple Training Feedback]
[Unlocked: Disciple Gifting Return]
Tobirama skimmed the system details quickly.
So—
If Gin grew stronger—
He would gain twice the benefit.
And—
Gifts could trigger rewards.
"…Interesting."
Without hesitation, Tobirama reached into a drawer and pulled out a small booklet.
He placed it in front of Gin.
"This is a Fire-type reiryoku control guide."
"I wrote it today."
Gin's eyes flickered.
"…Today?"
"Yes."
Tobirama's tone sharpened slightly.
"If you're my disciple…"
"I won't go easy on you."
Gin picked up the booklet.
For once—
No immediate joke.
No casual remark.
"…Understood."
[You have gifted your disciple a Fire-Type Training Manual.]
[High Gratitude Detected — Reward Amplified.]
[Reward Acquired: Hadō #33 — Sōkatsui (Proficient)]
A surge of knowledge flooded Tobirama's mind.
Blue flames.
Explosive force.
Compression and release.
Perfect execution.
"…Not bad."
He looked at Gin again.
This time—
Differently.
Not just a student.
An investment.
A catalyst.
Night had fully fallen.
As Gin stood to leave—
Tobirama spoke.
"It's late."
"I'll walk you back."
Gin waved casually.
"No need."
Then—
After a pause—
"…I'm used to being alone."
Tobirama didn't press.
"…Alright."
As Gin walked away—
He flipped open the booklet.
His eyes moved quickly across the pages.
Precise.
Efficient.
Then—
He stopped.
"…This level…"
His smile returned.
Wider this time.
"…Sensei really is interesting."
Back at the door—
Tobirama watched him leave.
"…SS potential."
"…And that personality."
He exhaled slowly.
"…This is going to be fun."
His gaze shifted upward—
Toward the night sky above the Seireitei.
Tomorrow—
More classes.
More students.
And more rewards.
Especially—
The ones who stood out.
Because now—
He understood something clearly.
In this world—
Talent…
Was everything.
(End of Chapter 3)
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