Bleach: I Love Making Friends

Though the idea felt a bit self-serving, Haruki mused that if restoring Rangiku's soul could win Gin Ichimaru's favor, it might be worth sacrificing a fragment of his own soul. After all, Ichimaru's "Venomous Serpent" ability was something he greatly desired.

Maybe later, he thought. For now, I don't even know Gin that well, and more importantly, I'm too weak. At the very least, he'd need to achieve Bankai before taking on such risks.

...

By the time the gathering ended, it was well past 11 PM. When Haruki settled the bill, he found that the feast had cost him a whopping 520,000 kan.

What the hell?! That was nearly two months' salary—post-promotion! In modern currency, this would equate to over 30,000 yuan. He sighed but consoled himself. It's an investment in goodwill and strength. Totally worth it.

One by one, the squad members left, until it was just him and a tipsy Rangiku left at the tavern. Her face was flushed red, and the scent of alcohol surrounded her. She clapped him hard on the shoulder.

"Good… good job, kid," she slurred, her speech slightly incoherent.

Haruki winced. "You're drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" Rangiku declared with a loud laugh, giving him another hearty slap. "From now on, you've got my protection! If you need anything, just come find me in Squad Ten!"

"Yeah, yeah, you've said that a hundred times already," Haruki retorted, waving her off as he watched her leave.

He turned to head home himself but froze when he noticed a man standing before him.

...

"Are you… a Squad Five member?" the man asked.

Haruki immediately recognized the figure: a man dressed in an extravagant kimono and wearing a conical hat. Few people in the Seireitei could afford such attire, which Haruki knew cost a staggering 3.3 million kan. Only nobles or high-ranking officials could wear something like this.

"You're… Captain Kyoraku?!" Haruki exclaimed in surprise.

Indeed, standing before him was none other than Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of Squad Eight. Haruki's eyes briefly flickered with interest as he assessed Kyoraku's soul ability:

"Contradictions"

When performing actions contrary to your outward demeanor, your spiritual power increases dramatically.

Fitting, Haruki thought. Kyoraku's relaxed, lazy façade belied his ruthlessness in combat. During the battle with Starrk, Kyoraku's feigned camaraderie had lulled his opponent into a false sense of security before a swift and merciless ambush.

Haruki didn't fault him for such tactics—it was war, after all. But still, this ability was a tempting prize.

...

Kyoraku gave an apologetic smile. "Ah, you've caught me. Well, now that we're acquainted, how about inviting me next time you host something like this?"

"...Huh?" Haruki's face turned into a classic anime-style expression of disbelief. "Captain Kyoraku, are you seriously—"

"You're embarrassing yourself!" a sharp voice interrupted. A young woman in Shinigami attire appeared out of nowhere and smacked Kyoraku on the head.

"How could you, a captain, make such an undignified request to a member of another squad?!" she scolded.

Haruki recognized her immediately: Nanao Ise, Kyoraku's lieutenant. Her soul ability caught his eye:

"Mirror Reflection"

Generates a mirror at the fingertips capable of reflecting an opponent's attack.

Ah, this must tie into her family's legacy weapon, the Eight Mirrors Sword, Haruki thought. The ability to reflect attacks sounded immensely useful. These two are definitely worth befriending.

"I… see. Captain Kyoraku, Lieutenant Ise, what exactly is going on here?" Haruki asked, suppressing a laugh.

Nanao coughed awkwardly. "It's nothing. We have other matters to attend to. Let's go, Captain."

As she dragged Kyoraku away, the captain shot Haruki a playful look, clearly indicating that he meant what he said about future invitations. Haruki shook his head with a chuckle and started heading home.

...

The night left Haruki pondering the dynamics within the Gotei 13. Traditionally, squads interacted minimally with one another. Members rarely crossed paths unless absolutely necessary, and even captains were often unknown to one another's subordinates.

Haruki, however, had a different vision. I'm going to unite the Gotei 13—become a social bridge, a "player" in this world. Whether male or female, ally or potential foe, anyone with a soul ability was a potential connection to cultivate.

Even better, he dreamed of befriending Arrancars and Quincies. Why limit himself to Shinigami? To Haruki, every ability was an opportunity.

Humming a cheerful tune, he returned home and activated his Safe Haven ability, designating his house as the sanctuary. Immediately, a wave of relief washed over him.

For the first time, Haruki felt truly at ease. Knowing that the constant surveillance of Seireitei no longer extended into his private space, he could finally relax.

...

Back at home, Haruki retrieved his Zanpakutō—or rather, his Asauchi, as it had yet to awaken. Normally, it would take years of nurturing one's spiritual connection to the Asauchi before achieving Shikai. Most students began this process upon entering the Shino Academy, and the timeline for reaching Shikai varied greatly—anywhere from graduation to decades later.

Under normal circumstances, Haruki's progress would have been just as slow, but with "Child Prodigy" (thanks to Hitsugaya's ability), everything was accelerating. Even the process of infusing his soul essence into the Asauchi was happening at an astonishing pace.

Combined with the foundation he had built over ten years, Haruki could already faintly hear the voice of his Zanpakutō calling out to him.

Smiling to himself, he thought, It won't be long now.