Help! I am bound to Aizen!

Chapter 163

Chapter 163

“Foolish noble, the day of revolution has come!!”

In the spacious courtyard, Kaelith shouted, raising his blade to strike.

Kuchiki S?jun wore a grave expression, holding his sword with both hands as he constantly adjusted his angle to meet Kaelith’s attacks.

At the start, he could occasionally attempt a counterstrike.

But soon, he realized the man before him was like a perpetual motion machine.

From beginning to end, Kaelith’s blade never felt a bit lighter.

That onslaught of strikes didn’t even feel like Zanpakut? slashes—it felt more like being hammered.

Kaelith wielded his blade in one hand, while his other hand looked on as if spectating.

Meanwhile, S?jun gripped his sword with both hands the entire time.

Even so, under Kaelith’s frenzied offensive, S?jun’s arms began to go numb.

Finally, after an upward slash from Kaelith, S?jun could no longer hold on. His Zanpakut? spun out of his grip and planted itself in the ground not far away.

Staring at his sword stuck in the earth, Kuchiki S?jun couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Now that he relaxed, he noticed both his arms trembling uncontrollably, clearly spent.

He looked at Kaelith.

Although Kaelith’s Shihakush? made him appear not particularly muscular, just a tall, upright young man, his strength far surpassed the hulking brutes of the Sixth Division.

This guy must be some sort of monster.

Kuchiki S?jun shook his head helplessly.

“You’ve grown even stronger, Kaelith.”

“With just half your strength, you’ve completely overwhelmed me… Now I’m beginning to suspect that from the very day you enrolled, you’ve been hiding your true power.”

Kaelith casually sheathed his blade and crossed his arms proudly.

“Exactly! From the moment I was born, I, Kaelith, have been a master swordsman of unparalleled prowess.”

“I refrained from showing it before only to avoid discouraging you noble weaklings of the Seireitei!”

Kuchiki S?jun: “…”

Seeing Kaelith’s smug grin, S?jun suddenly felt he might be overthinking things.

“Oh right, there’s one more thing.”

Kaelith grinned. “At first, I planned to use half my strength, but after a few probing strikes, I realized that at half strength I’d finish you too quickly. So when I seriously attacked, I only used forty percent.”

“?”

Kaelith didn’t look like he was joking, and S?jun couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

He took back what he’d thought earlier: Kaelith wasn’t just a monster.

Even monsters would bow to him.

Besides, Kaelith was using swordsmanship, a discipline he didn’t even favor. If they compared Hakuda, Kaelith might only need ten or twenty percent of his strength to defeat him.

As that thought passed through his mind, Kaelith approached, lifting S?jun’s arm and giving it a squeeze.

Then he reached out and patted S?jun’s rear.

Finally, he nudged S?jun’s calf with his foot.

Kuchiki S?jun: “?”

Confused, S?jun had no idea what Kaelith was doing.

Kaelith sighed and shook his head.

“S?jun-sensei, this won’t do.”

“These past few months, the time you’ve spent training in the dojo is probably far less than the time you’ve spent ‘training’ in your room, right?”

“As I said, with your skill, you shouldn’t have lost so easily. Now I understand—you’ve been weakened by indulgence!”

Kuchiki S?jun paused. “I rarely dri—”

Before he could finish, he stopped and blushed.

Kaelith had only mentioned two things. He’d denied one, so the reason for his stagnant progress was now quite obvious.

Though it was embarrassing, Kaelith was right: he should exercise some restraint.

After a bath, the two went to the main hall of the Kuchiki estate.

Inside sat Kuchiki Ginrei, reading a book.

Seeing the two enter, he showed a somewhat complicated expression.

Earlier, while they sparred in the courtyard, he hadn’t watched personally, but his Spirit Pressure sensing told him enough.

Though he had prepared himself mentally for Kaelith’s prowess, comparing it directly to his own genius son still made him sigh.

Words failed him when it came to describing Kaelith.

In deference to that strength, he decided not to pursue the slanderous remarks about nobles that Kaelith had shouted during the fight.

Kaelith took a seat.

A Shih?in elder had already been waiting beside him.

Kuchiki S?jun also sat down on Kaelith’s side.

Kuchiki Ginrei rolled his eyes internally.

Today, they gathered to discuss the marketing of the gaming consoles in the Soul Society.

Under the competitive pressure between Urahara and Mayuri, the first-generation gaming console from the Kaelith Technology Bureau—LSP1—had finally been developed.

Hearing this news, Kaelith was overjoyed.

He immediately sought out the Shih?in family to sign a joint manufacturing agreement.

Playing this device alone was too dull. The joy came from having a large community of players.

As for networking… While the Soul Society lacked the internet of the Living World, Kido could achieve a similar effect.

Such trifles could be left to Doraemon—Aizen—to handle.

The Shih?in family itself had little interest in the console.

The old-timers couldn’t feel its appeal. The younger generation was intrigued, but they had no say and couldn’t help even if they wanted to.

In the end, Yoruichi took charge, ordering the elders to cooperate fully, thus securing the contract.

With the Tsunayashiro household’s downfall, Yoruichi’s position in the Shih?in family had grown ever more secure.

She was inherently strong and confident.

Even without other’s help, she would eventually fully control the Shih?in family.

What’s more, Kaelith was by her side.

If any elder thought they could bully her due to her youth, Kaelith’s fists would greet them instead.

But while manufacturing was settled, sales required negotiation with the Kuchiki family.

Whether in the Seireitei or Rukongai, the markets were set by the nobles. Anyone who tried to bypass the established rules and intervene in another’s territory was the same as a declaration of war.

What Kaelith had done to the Tsunayashiro before was essentially tearing the mask off.

Under normal circumstances, no one would do that.

So to spread the consoles quickly, they needed Kuchiki support.

Before coming here, the Shih?in elder had received strict orders from the family head:

Either secure the Kuchiki family’s cooperation agreement or don’t bother coming back.

The elder felt like weeping.

Fortunately, he specialized in trade and had extensive experience in business cooperation.

Even though he personally found the “gaming console” unappealing, as a merchant, selling something he himself found worthless as an item was a basic skill.

He had prepared notes overnight, anticipating every possible question, ready to unleash his unyielding rhetoric to convince the Kuchiki family.

Taking a deep breath, he stood and began:

“Now that everyone is here, let me briefly explain this collaboration—”

“No need,” Kuchiki Ginrei interrupted. “I agree.”

“?”

The Shih?in elder froze, mouth agape, as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Whatever Kaelith’s product may be, I’ll inform all the shops under the Kuchiki name to sell it.” “We’ll take only half a portion of the profit.”

“???”

The Shih?in elder’s eyes nearly popped out.

Was his presence today unnecessary?

He almost wanted to ask Kuchiki Ginrei if he was in his right mind.

Before he could speak, Kaelith grinned.

“Thank you, old man!”

Kuchiki Ginrei nodded.

He lifted his teacup and took a small sip.

Seeing this action, Kaelith paused.

They hadn’t discussed anything yet, and already he was being sent off?

Just then, he noticed a weary look in Kuchiki Ginrei’s eyes.

Kaelith narrowed his gaze, carefully observing Ginrei.

At a glance, there was nothing wrong, but on closer inspection, a sense of aging hung over him.

Yamamoto was also old, far older than Ginrei, yet he never exuded this kind of decay.

Sometimes Kaelith suspected Yamamoto could live another thousand or two thousand years.

He opened his mouth to speak but found he had nothing to say.

Glancing at Kuchiki S?jun, Kaelith fell silent for two seconds, then rose to take his leave.

…

Later…

“S?suke, tell me, is there a way to achieve immortality in this world?”

“?”

Aizen wore polarized goggles, focusing intently on the machinery before him.

Within it, several souls twisted and churned.

From time to time, their spiritual energies clashed, emitting flashes of light.

Thanks to the goggles, the flashes didn’t bother him much.

He’d received these goggles from Kaelith shortly after starting these experiments, which pleased Aizen.

Not because the goggles were expensive, but because Kaelith had finally learned to understand the nature of his experiments.

By the way, glasses in the Soul Society were outrageously priced.

Even the Living World’s glasses, which were already expensive, paled in comparison.

Kaelith spent three months’ salary on these goggles.

For a long while after, he survived by freeloading meals from Yoruichi to avoid starving. (t/N: ... doesn't he already do that?)

Hearing Kaelith’s question, Aizen paused his work and looked over quizzically.

“Why ask this out of the blue? You still have plenty of lifespan left.”

Then he frowned slightly.

“Don’t tell me you want some method to achieve infinite life so you can abuse Enra Ky?ten indefinitely?”

“If that’s your plan, give it up. Enra Ky?ten consumes souls, our very existence—it’s irreversible. Even if you had infinite life, reckless use of that blade would eventually erase your existence.”

Kaelith was displeased.

“Do I look like someone who acts recklessly?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Seeing Aizen’s instant reply, Kaelith felt a sense of exasperation.

Ignoring Aizen’s slander, he recounted his observations at the Kuchiki household.

After listening, Aizen shook his head lightly.

“When Kuchiki Ginrei was young, the conflict between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo was at its most intense.”

“He was injured many times in war, severely damaging his soul.”

“The fact that he’s still alive is amazing. Whether he passes sooner or later is no surprise.”

“Even if you tried to repair his soul now, it wouldn’t change much… If you’re worried about the Kuchiki family, just look after Kuchiki S?jun when Ginrei passes.”

Aizen had a decent impression of Kuchiki S?jun.

Though a noble who knew little of hardship, he was at least sincere.

When they were students, Aizen ate at his place more than once.

Though forced by Kaelith, the food still did end up in his stomach.

Kaelith nodded. “All right, I understand.”

Fortunately, most of the people Kaelith cared about were young.

The only old one was still quite robust.

Thinking of these random things, Kaelith sidled over to Aizen and looked at the machine he was operating.

“What are you studying now?”

“Don’t look directly.”

Aizen waved him away like a pesky fly.

Then he continued:

“This is a joint project commissioned by Urahara Kisuke. I’m handling one part, and he’s handling another.”

“When both parts are done and combined, we’ll have a finished product.”

Kaelith was a bit surprised.

Urahara Kisuke and Aizen collaborating…

For a transmigrator like Kaelith, this was quite shocking.

If they were developing that Kido barrier frame that would one day seal Aizen, that would be quite ironic.

Sensing Kaelith’s malicious thoughts, Aizen narrowed his eyes.

“Sorry, I was wrong!”

“…”

A moment ago, Aizen had only suspected Kaelith was thinking ill of him. Now, after Kaelith’s sudden apology, he was certain of it.

His blood pressure rose.

…

That morning, Kaelith arrived at the First Division barracks.

He’d come so many times that now he could find Yamamoto’s study with his eyes closed.

Sliding the door open, he raised his hand:

“Good morning, old— Uh.. I meant Sensei!”

Bright morning energy, and respect for teachers—he was a model youth.

Normally, Yamamoto would have tossed his cane at him.

But today, the study was unusually quiet.

Yamamoto stood behind his desk, expression stern.

Across the room stood Kirio Hikifune, wearing a similar serious expression.

Seeing Kaelith, Yamamoto frowned and spoke gruffly:

“Close the door.”

“Oh.”

Kaelith stepped inside and slid the door shut.

Yamamoto: “…”

He had meant for Kaelith to close the door and remain outside, but now that Kaelith was already in, he couldn’t be bothered to kick him out. (t/n; Hahaha I love these interactions)

“…Captain Hikifune, please continue.”

Kirio Hikifune glanced at Kaelith, then turned back and spoke gravely:

“Over the past fifty years, more than two hundred thousand souls in the Living World have vanished, leaving the cycle of the three realms.”

“Compared to the previous fifty years, the rate has nearly doubled.”

“As a result, the Living World—serving as a buffer zone between the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo—is growing increasingly fragile.”

“If this continues, one day either the Soul Society or Hueco Mundo may crush the Living World’s boundaries and invade directly!”

“That would spell the apocalypse.”

Yamamoto remained silent, brows knit tightly.

Kaelith looked at the two in confusion.

Souls disappearing?

After death, human souls either entered the Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, Hell, or became earthbound spirits. What did it mean to vanish?

Suddenly, he realized something.

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