"Kaname, what's wrong?" Ren's voice drifted over.
Tosen Kaname looked up, his expression gradually regaining its composure. "It's nothing. Let's continue."
He spoke no further unnecessary words. Throughout the remaining experiments, he did his best to assist Ren, doing what he could and standing to the side to watch what he couldn't. He no longer pushed himself, nor did he try to comprehend the things beyond his reach. Some gaps simply couldn't be bridged by mere effort.
It wasn't that he was giving up; he was genuinely out of options.
During a break in the experimentation, Aizen walked in. "How is it?"
Ren handed over the experimental results. "Progress is good. The formula structure has been optimized considerably. For the next step, we can attempt to expand the scale and stability of the Garganta."
Aizen flipped through the report and nodded. "Excellent." He looked at Kaname. "Kaname, what are your thoughts?"
Kaname fell silent for a moment. "Hasumi Ren's progress is far quicker than I anticipated. My abilities are limited; I cannot offer much help regarding spatial formulas."
Aizen looked at him, his gaze serene. "There is no need to blame yourself. Spatial formulas are not your domain; just focus on doing what you excel at."
Kaname bowed his head. "Understood."
Having reassured Kaname, Aizen turned to Ren. "Continue to push forward with the Garganta project. When you have time, guide Kaname along."
Ren nodded. "Understood."
Aizen smiled with satisfaction.
After Aizen left, Kaname sat silently in place. He sensed Ren busying himself back and forth at the laboratory table, remaining speechless for a long time.
...
A few days later, at Squad 4.
Ren overheard the surrounding squad members gossiping. They were discussing a newly recruited Soul Reaper. The man had been appointed as a high-ranking seated officer immediately upon joining, and was currently serving under Captain Ukitake in Squad 13.
When he caught the man's name from their conversation, Ren set down what he was holding.
Kaien had joined the squads.
'I should find some time to visit him.' Checking his schedule, Ren made his decision.
A few days later, Ren arrived at the entrance of the Squad 13 barracks. After being announced, he entered the quarters, and before long, Shiba Kaien came out to greet him.
Shiba Kaien was dressed in his shihakusho, his Zanpakuto hanging at his waist, a characteristically bright smile on his face. "Senior, I didn't expect you to visit!"
Seeing Kaien, a smile played at the corner of Ren's lips. "Appointed as a seated officer the moment you joined. Not bad."
Recalling his previous spar with Ren, Kaien scratched his head awkwardly. "Senior, please don't tease me. I still have a long way to go."
Ren nodded.
Kaien excelled with a couple of laughs, then looked Ren up and down. "Come on, let me show you around the Squad 13 barracks."
Kaien led Ren on a tour through the quarters, detailing every single corner, from the training grounds to the offices, and the cafeteria to the dormitories.
Ren followed behind him, his eyes sweeping across the buildings and facilities as he nodded occasionally. Every so often, tiny specks of light drifted through his field of vision and were absorbed into his body—spiritual power fragments.
Ren felt a brief pang of emotion. With his current spiritual pressure rank, this tiny amount of experience wasn't even enough to count as a snack. Times had certainly changed.
"Senior, what are you looking at?" Kaien's voice called out from ahead.
Ren retracted his gaze. "Nothing. The training atmosphere in your squad is quite good."
Kaien smiled. "That's for sure. Captain Ukitake says that although Squad 13 isn't as battle-hungry as Squad 11, we can't afford to lack any combat capability when it counts."
Before long, a figure approached them from the opposite end of the corridor. Long, snow-white hair draped over his shoulders, and though his face looked rather pale, his eyes were exceptionally gentle.
Catching sight of the newcomer, both Kaien and Ren bowed in greeting. "Captain Ukitake."
"Ah, Kaien. And this is..."
"This is 4th Seat Hasumi Ren of Squad 4. He's my senior from the Shin'o Academy."
Ukitake scrutinized Ren, a trace of contemplation flashing through his eyes. He seemed to have some impression of this man. "Oh, I recognize you. When I went to Squad 4 for a check-up before, I saw you by Captain Unohana's side."
Ren bowed slightly. "Captain Ukitake has an excellent memory."
Ukitake waved his hand dismissively. "It's not that my memory is good; it's just that Captain Unohana rarely keeps anyone by her side. For you to be with her shows how highly she estimates you." Ukitake looked at Ren, a flicker of approval passing through his eyes. "A promising young man."
Ren shook his head. "You overpraise me, Captain Ukitake."
The three chatted for a bit, but right then, Ukitake suddenly began to cough softly. Leaning forward slightly, he covered his mouth with his hand, his coughs ringing out with distinct clarity through the empty corridor.
Kaien hurriedly stepped forward to support him. "Captain, are you all right?"
Ukitake waved his hand, signaling he was fine. He pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, wiped the corner of his mouth, and took a deep breath to steady his respiration. "Just an old ailment. It's nothing."
Ren stood in place, his gaze locked onto Ukitake. Right as Ukitake was coughing, Ren noticed something.
Deep within Ukitake's body, a certain luminous substance was shimmering. Along with his coughing fits, several shards gleaming with an exotic luster drifted off from his form. These fragments were highly peculiar. They weren't ordinary shards, but bore a unique radiance Ren had never witnessed before. They drifted slowly through the air, gravitating toward Ren's direction before surging directly into his body.
[SYSTEM: Unknown fragment detected. Analyzing... Complete] [SYSTEM: Homologous substance discovered. Automatically categorized] [SYSTEM: Hogyoku awakening rate +1%] [SYSTEM: Current Hogyoku awakening rate: 2.8%]
Ren's pupils dilated slightly. 'This is...' In the next instant, the realization struck him.
Inside Ukitake Jushiro resided the Right Arm of the Soul King.
Yet, Ren had never expected that the stray energy fragments dissipating from the Right Arm of the Soul King could actually be absorbed by the system and converted into Hogyoku awakening progression.
Ren stared at Ukitake, an unsuppressible glint flashing through his eyes.
Sensing something, Ukitake raised his head to look at Ren. "Is something the matter?"
Ren snapped out of it and shook his head. "It's nothing. I was just a bit concerned seeing you unwell, Captain Ukitake."
Ukitake smiled. "Just an old ailment, don't worry about it. I still have some squad duties to attend to, so I shall take my leave now. Kaien, look after Ren well. Do not neglect our guest."
Ukitake nodded to Ren, and Ren bowed in return.
After parting ways with Ukitake Jushiro, Ren spent a bit more time walking around Squad 13 with Kaien. Sensing that it was getting late, he offered his farewells.
Kaien escorted him to the entrance of the quarters. "Come by whenever you're free," Kaien said.
Ren nodded. "I will."
He turned around, and from behind him, Kaien's voice called out, "Senior, I'll work hard to catch up to you!" "The next time we meet, I'll show you how much I've improved!"
Ren didn't turn back, merely raising a hand to give a loose wave.
As he walked down the stone-paved path, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The Right Arm of the Soul King inside Captain Ukitake had given him quite a pleasant surprise. This seemed to be the only source he had encountered so far that could reliably increase the Hogyoku's awakening rate. If he could absorb a few fragments every time he visited Squad 13, his Hogyoku awakening rate would steadily climb.
Ren quickened his pace, heading in the direction of the Squad 4 barracks as he made a firm resolution in his mind. 'I'll definitely have to visit Squad 13 more often from now on.'