The reason Jūshirō's body had always been weak was an illness inherited within his family. It had plagued him since birth, and as he aged, the disease worsened, leaving him sickly every few days.
Shiraha's Shikai, though capable of reversing only a hundred years of time, was enough to slightly restore Jūshirō's body.
"Huh? You're offering to use your Zanpakutō on Jūshirō? Shiraha, that's quite thoughtful of you."
Kyōraku Shunsui sounded surprised. The Jūshirō of a hundred years ago had been far stronger than the frail man before them now. Back then, he didn't need to spend every few days confined to bed, struggling against exhaustion.
"However," Shiraha said calmly, "as I mentioned, Captain Jūshirō, reversing your body by a hundred years will also return your strength to that level."
Even if Shiraha's Shikai truly could reverse Jūshirō's condition, his power would regress just as far back.
"No, Shiraha. I understand my own body well enough. Still, thank you."
Jūshirō smiled gently, his refusal as composed as ever. It was the same quiet resolve he had once shown when rejecting Inoue Orihime's offer to heal him. He knew Shiraha's Shikai was formidable, but the illness rooted within him was something far deeper—something even greater powers might not undo.
"Captain Jūshirō, just give it a try. If it doesn't work, you lose nothing."
Shiraha's tone remained light, though curiosity glinted behind his calm eyes. He wanted to know whether his Zanpakutō could truly reverse Jūshirō's condition.
"Jūshirō, let him try," Shunsui said, smiling with his usual ease.
"Well, I'll trouble you then, Shiraha," Jūshirō replied, his tone soft but resigned. Though he didn't expect much, he couldn't bring himself to refuse the kindness of his longtime friend—or Shiraha's earnestness.
Kyōraku Shunsui, Nanao Ise, and Tetsuzaemon Iba all turned their eyes toward Jūshirō.
"Reverse everything—Baiyue."
Shiraha drew his Zanpakutō from his waist, its pale blade humming with faint light as it touched Jūshirō's shoulder. A dazzling white glow spread outward, filling the room in a wave of spiritual brilliance.
Jūshirō's reiryoku shifted, his power dimming slightly as his body began to transform. His skin regained color, the pallor fading from his cheeks. His hair and face subtly smoothed, the marks of age softening.
"Captain Shiraha's Shikai… it actually reversed Captain Jūshirō's time by a hundred years?"
Tetsuzaemon's eyes widened in disbelief. He had heard Renji speak of Shiraha's Shikai before—how it had even gravely wounded Kurotsuchi Mayuri—but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
"How do you feel, Captain Jūshirō?" Shiraha asked, sheathing his Zanpakutō.
Since the day Shiraha entered the Gotei 13, Jūshirō had always treated him with warmth and respect. If he could return even a fraction of that care, Shiraha would do so without hesitation.
"Shiraha… thank you."
Jūshirō flexed his fingers slightly, surprise flickering in his eyes. His body truly felt as it had a hundred years ago—steady, strong, alive. Only his strength had diminished, drawn back to that same youthful state.
"Captain Jūshirō, you're too kind," Shiraha replied with a calm smile. "You've looked after me since I joined Seireitei. This is nothing."
"Well then, Jūshirō," Shunsui said with a grin, "now that you're feeling better, you can't refuse the next time I invite you for a drink."
Jūshirō could only smile helplessly, accustomed to his friend's unchanging nature.
"Ah, Shiraha," Shunsui added playfully, pointing at himself, "why don't you use that Zanpakutō on me too? I'd love to look as handsome as I did a hundred years ago."
"The difference between you now and a hundred years ago isn't much, Captain," Nanao said dryly, adjusting her glasses.
"Ah, Nanao-chan, you wound me," Shunsui sighed theatrically.
Jūshirō turned serious once more. "Shiraha, be careful in the World of the Living. You might encounter Aizen."
Although Aizen was known to reside in Hueco Mundo, if he learned that Shiraha had entered the Human World, he might act personally.
"I understand," Shiraha replied with his usual calm.
Captains and vice-captains deployed to the Human World bore a limited spiritual seal, restricting their reiatsu. Yet Yamamoto Genryūsai had already granted Shiraha an exemption. Even if he carried the seal, it would hardly weaken him.
"Well then, Shiraha," Shunsui said cheerfully, "since you're leaving tomorrow, why not come drink with us tonight?"
"No," Shiraha said with a small wave of his hand, "I need to return to the family estate."
He had other matters to attend to—specifically, to visit Kuchiki Ginrei and use his Zanpakutō's Shikai once more. He had long sensed the faint decline in Ginrei's life force. In a few short decades, the old noble would fade entirely.
"What a pity," Shunsui sighed, slinging an arm over Jūshirō's shoulder. "Looks like it's just the two of us, then."
"Sorry, Shiraha," Jūshirō said apologetically.
"Hey, Nanao-chan, we're off!" Shunsui called over his shoulder.
"Captain Shiraha, please take care," Nanao said softly, pausing before she turned to follow.
"Thank you, Vice-Captain Nanao." Shiraha's smile was faint but genuine.
After the trio departed, Shiraha turned toward Tetsuzaemon. "Iba, while I'm in the Human World, you and Kira will handle the Seventh Division's affairs."
"Yes, Captain Shiraha. We'll manage everything and await your return," Tetsuzaemon replied firmly.
Shiraha nodded slightly, murmured a short incantation, and vanished with the spell Seki.
Moments later, a clear tone echoed in his mind.
Sign-in Task: Become a teacher at Karakura High School, Class 3-1, for seven days.
Reward: Dior Template progress increased by 10%.
"Karakura High School?" Shiraha thought, eyes narrowing. "Isn't that Kurosaki Ichigo's school? And they want me to be a teacher?"
His expression grew wry.
"Well… teaching isn't so bad. It'll be like reliving academy life again."
With a faint shake of his head, Shiraha stepped through the gate of the Kuchiki estate, the twilight glow reflecting off his white haori as he disappeared into the courtyard.
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