Bleach: Reborn — Chapter 161 - Squad Regulations — The Conversation
Originally, three years after Momo entered the Shin'ō Academy, Toshiro would be discovered by Rangiku and brought to the academy to study. One year later, he would graduate directly into Squad 10. But by that point, Granny had already wasted away to a frightening degree, and not long after Shiro-chan joined Squad 10, she passed away from illness. Keep in mind that right now, Granny's health was still quite strong. Three years of slow erosion from Shiro-chan's Reiatsu had been all it took to kill her.
This lifetime was different. Because Wayne had arrived, Shiro-chan's physical condition had improved far beyond what the original story ever allowed. The Hollow incident that awakened his Reiatsu. The hearty meals of meat and fish he'd shared with Wayne afterward. The two melon fields sustaining him now.
All of it added up. Shiro-chan's Reiatsu was now considerably greater than it had been in the original timeline, which meant that if Wayne wanted Granny to survive, he had to cut her off from its influence entirely.
The earliest set of clothes was already failing to suppress the cold Reiatsu bleeding off Shiro-chan at all times. Hyōrinmaru was the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō in existence. That wasn't going to change.
To fix Granny's situation for good, Wayne had three options.
Option one: take Shiro-chan to the Seireitei right now for proper training, so he could learn to control his Reiatsu as fast as possible. Wayne had even considered handling it himself, but honestly assessed, that wasn't realistic. Wayne was a formidable fighter and knew exactly how to make himself stronger, but teaching was a different skill entirely. Beyond practical combat experience, he had no idea how to help someone else master Reiatsu control. He certainly didn't know how to stop Hyōrinmaru's Reiatsu from leaking out of Shiro-chan's body. If anything, the solution probably wasn't any particular teacher, it was the moment Shiro-chan obtained Hyōrinmaru and awakened it himself. Only then would he be able to control it properly. The problem was that the next Shin'ō Academy enrollment was still three years out, and Granny wasn't willing to let Shiro-chan leave just yet.
Option two: get stronger Reiatsu-blocking clothing for both Granny and Shiro-chan, and suppress Shiro-chan's growth at the same time. That would only hold for so long. And Wayne had no intention of letting Shiro-chan stagnate, the faster the boy grew, the sooner Wayne could stop worrying about him.
Option three: have Shiro-chan and Granny live apart.
All three options solved the same core problem: Granny's life force being slowly consumed by Shiro-chan's leaking Reiatsu. But after weighing them carefully, only option three managed everything at once. It wouldn't hold back Shiro-chan's growth. It wouldn't force him into the Seireitei before he was ready. And it wouldn't separate him from Granny, not really. The cost was that Granny and Shiro-chan would have to relocate together to Wayne's property in the Seireitei. In plain terms: they were moving.
The property Wayne had purchased came with two side wings and two side rooms, the specifications he'd asked Mizusue for when they'd discussed what kind of residence he needed. Behind the main hall sat a side hall and a lounge. Beyond that was the master bedroom. And at the back, Wayne's large private courtyard. All of it already came with the estate.
Which meant that when Granny and Shiro-chan each took their own side wing, the courtyard would sit between them, enough separation to matter. In that courtyard, Wayne planned to plant Shiro-chan's watermelons. Rooted in Reishi-rich soil, they'd absorb the ambient particles as they grew, forming a living buffer that would effectively block the Reiatsu constantly drifting off Shiro-chan. During the day, the two could still share the courtyard freely. Wayne also had enough saved to support them both without hardship, there was no reason for either of them to keep living in poverty.
As for actually living in the Seireitei, that normally required being a Soul Reaper. But with the Shiba Family's backing, that restriction no longer applied to Granny and Shiro-chan. All they had to do was accept the Shiba Family Crest and pledge themselves to the Shiba Family for the next five years.
Every problem, solved in one move. This was the optimal path.
Wayne decided to discuss it with Granny first. Whether they ultimately moved or not would need Shiro-chan's input too, but before the boy got home, Wayne wanted to lay everything out for Granny clearly.
"Granny, I did well in the Shin'ō Academy's Ranking Tournament and met a number of senior figures through it. With their help, I've saved up a considerable amount and I'll be purchasing a residence in the Seireitei soon. It'll be large enough for both you and Shiro-chan. I've thought it through — if things continue the way they are, your health is going to suffer from Shiro-chan's influence. But if you both move into my residence, the distance between your rooms at night will be enough to protect you. And during the day, you can still spend time together in the same courtyard. The environment there is good. I think you'll both be more comfortable."
"Eh?" A look of gentle confusion crossed Granny's face.
Wayne walked her through everything that had happened recently. By the time he finished, Granny sat quietly for a moment, genuinely surprised that he had managed to accomplish so much in such a short time. She hadn't seen it coming.
"So, Granny — I hope you and Shiro-chan will accept the Shiba Family Crest. Once you do, you can move in and live with us. Whether it's me or Momo, as long as we're in the Seireitei, we'll be able to visit during our free time. You and Shiro-chan won't be lonely. And the Reishi in the Seireitei is stronger — Shiro-chan will grow faster there. Three years from now, he can enter the Shin'ō Academy without any complications and start laying the groundwork to become a Soul Reaper. By then, we'll all be living there together."
"Is that so." Granny's eyes had already gone distant. The four of them, together, a family, it was exactly the life she'd been longing for. And it had all become possible because of this young man. This young man named Tsukishiro Hinamori.
"Little Tsukishiro," she said softly. "Granny is truly grateful for everything you've done." Just thinking about having more time with her children warmed her from the inside out.
"Since you're on board, Granny, I'll talk to Shiro-chan once he's home and get his agreement too. And I won't bring up the Reiatsu issue."
"Ah. Then I'll leave that to you, Little Tsukishiro."
It wasn't long before Shiro-chan and Momo came hurrying back. Shiro-chan blinked at the pile of things Wayne had carried home in a single trip. Out at the melon field earlier, Momo had already filled him in on the past month's events, and when he heard that Wayne, as a first-year student, had taken second place against sixth-years, Shiro-chan had nearly vibrated out of his skin with excitement. That kind of strength, that proud, effortless dominance, it was everything he dreamed of. He'd always told himself that when he was older, he'd enter the Shin'ō Academy too, climb fast, and eventually catch up to Momo. Catch up to Big Brother Tsukishiro. One day.
He hadn't counted on Wayne leaving him so far behind after a single month.
"Big Brother Tsukishiro." Shiro-chan stepped inside carrying an enormous watermelon.
"You're back." Wayne glanced over. "Good work today. How's the melon field?"
"Mm. Everything's fine." Shiro-chan smiled. Since Wayne and Momo had left, he'd barely spoken to anyone but Granny.
"Good. Set the watermelon down — we're eating soon." Wayne waved the two of them over.
What followed was exactly what a homecoming meal should feel like. The four of them ate and talked, and Momo enthusiastically recounted every one of Wayne's recent exploits to anyone who'd listen. Shiro-chan hung on every word, the admiration plain on his face, and quietly resolved that he was going to become a Soul Reaper someday.
After dinner, the family of four lingered at the table with slices of watermelon, trading small talk in no particular hurry.
"Shiro-chan. There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Sure, Big Brother Tsukishiro. Go ahead." Shiro-chan swallowed his bite and straightened up.
"Sometime in the next month, I'll be getting a residence in the Seireitei. I want you and Granny to move in."
"Eh?" Shiro-chan went still. He looked at Granny. She nodded. He turned back. "Why move? What's wrong with here?"
"Before, we didn't have the means to live anywhere better. That's changed. Thanks to the Ranking Tournament, I have a property in the Seireitei and enough savings to support all of us. You have real talent, living in the Seireitei will give you room to grow that you just don't have out here. The price is that we'll need to join the Shiba Family and serve as their retainers for the next five years. I've also made a promise to Captain Shiba, that within five years, I'll train you into a capable Soul Reaper and have you join Squad 10. That does limit your choices somewhat. But Captain Isshin Shiba is a good man. He won't hold you back."
"What about you, Big Brother?" Shiro-chan asked. "Aren't you joining Squad 10?"
"Seventh Seat Mizusue of Squad 4 has done a lot for me, so I'll most likely end up there. Captain Shiba is offering me protection, not a leash, our arrangement is more of an exchange. Besides," Wayne said, "Squad 4 handles medical relief. Squad 10 handles security and law enforcement, most of the Seireitei's patrol and emergency response work runs through them. I think that suits you better. Partly because of the work itself, and partly because..." The corner of his mouth curved. "You can slip away on your days off and come see Granny."
"Eh?!" Shiro-chan choked on absolutely nothing.
Wayne pressed on, running through the squads one by one.
"Squad 1 is the Captain-Commander's division, the administrative unit. Every elite ends up there eventually."
"Squad 2 is the Stealth Force. Covert operations, things that can't be handled in the open."
"Squad 3 is the support squad, replenishing casualties in other divisions. Think of them as the reserves."
"Squad 4 is medical and relief. Entry is restricted to those with healing ability."
"Squad 5 is rescue, deployed after other squads take casualties. They have minimum requirements for overall combat strength."
"Squad 6 is the noble-led division. Every member is from a noble house, focused on protecting aristocratic interests. Not for you."
"Squad 7 is the Inner Court Guard — handling traitors and overseeing Rukongai governance."
"Squad 8 is intelligence, tracking movements across every region of the Soul Society and monitoring each squad's activities."
"Squad 9 handles the prisons. Detaining criminals, maintaining Seireitei order, relaying information up and down the chain."
"Squad 10 is patrol and guard — Seireitei security and rapid response to emergencies."
"Squad 11 is the combat division. Every last member is a battle fanatic. They fight Hollows."
"Squad 12 is the Technological Development Department, monitoring Reiatsu fluctuations and maintaining balance across the Three Worlds, alongside developing advanced equipment."
"Squad 13 is the World of the Living Purification Force. They deploy to the living world on rotation and fight Hollows there."
Wayne laid out the full picture of the Gotei 13, enough for Shiro-chan to get a solid read on all of it.
"So, Squad 10 is my recommendation for you. That said, it's not as though you could never move elsewhere later. It's just that for the next few years, I need you serving in Squad 10, to repay what Captain Shiba has done for us."
"Mm..." Young Shiro-chan propped his chin in his hand and went quiet. Wayne's string of information had clearly overloaded his circuits. He needed a moment.
About three minutes passed.
Shiro-chan looked up. "I don't really know how things are going to turn out. But it's obvious we've received the Shiba Family's help, that's why we even have the chance to move into the Seireitei. And I..." He hesitated. "I've always wanted to give Granny a better life. I'm too young to do it myself. Big Brother Tsukishiro just took the first step for me. I think the least I can do is aim for that too and keep working toward it." He paused once more. "So. I accept the Shiba Family Crest. For the next five years, I'll join Squad 10."
Granny nodded with quiet satisfaction. Wayne smiled and reached out to ruffle Shiro-chan's hair. Momo broke into a wide grin beside them.
Finally. The family could be together again.
They spent the night at home. The next morning, Wayne, Momo, and Granny sat down together and worked out the details of the move. Once the property was ready and Wayne had everything set up on his end, Granny and Shiro-chan would come over, and they'd bring the watermelon plants and the soil with them. The contract with the Kira family still needed honoring, after all, and that meant keeping the melons growing.
On the third day, Wayne and Momo returned to the Shin'ō Academy. Momo headed straight for the dormitory. Wayne went to Mizusue's quarters.
"Lady Mizusue, my family grows these." Wayne set two watermelons down as he stepped inside. "Brought them back for you. Want to try one?"
"Oh?" Mizusue tucked a strand of hair back from her face and looked up. "Your family farms these things?"
"Back in the Rukongai, it was how we got by. I stopped in to see everyone on the way back and figured I'd bring some along, a small thanks for everything you've done for me."
"Cut it out." Mizusue clicked her tongue, clearly unmoved by the formal tone. "You're not here to ask me for something?"
"Ha. Nothing like that, my lady." Wayne raised a hand. "Everything's moving along smoothly right now. I just need to keep studying and get stronger."
"Good. Winning the Ranking Tournament has put you well ahead of where most people start, but don't let it go to your head. There are still plenty of people in the Seireitei whose Reiatsu outclasses yours, and the captains exist. I believe you'll grow toward that level eventually, but if you start drawing the wrong kind of attention to yourself before you're ready, it won't end well. I'd rather not see you get yourself killed through overconfidence."
"Understood. You have my word." Wayne dipped his head.
"Good." Mizusue's expression softened slightly. "One more thing, the first year ends with an Awakening Trial. I've already registered you."
"Awakening Trial?" Wayne tilted his head. "What is that?"
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