Bleach: Gazing Mirage

Chapter 37

After the class returned and the other students had left, Yuichi, Kira, Mei, and Hanatarō remained in the classroom. They exchanged glances, the anticipation evident in their expressions. Taking the lead, Yuichi approached their instructor, Kensei Muguruma, with a polite yet serious tone.

"Sensei, we were wondering if it would be possible for our two groups to team up on future practical lessons," Yuichi inquired.

Kensei regarded them with his characteristic sternness, considering their request. He crossed his arms and leaned against a desk. "All I've told you is that you need to eliminate a certain number of hollows using teamwork. I haven't placed any specific restrictions on how you go about it. Whether you choose to team up or not is up to your own discretion."

Yuichi exchanged a glance with Kira, Mei, and Hanatarō, a silent agreement passing between them. With a nod, he turned back to Kensei and said, "Thank you, Sensei. We appreciate your flexibility."

Kensei offered a small nod in response. "Just remember, teamwork isn't about numbers. It's about learning to work together effectively."

As Kensei left the classroom, Mei and Kira also excused themselves, mentioning that they had matters to attend to. After they left, Hanatarō began to follow suit, but Yuichi's voice stopped him.

"Hanatarō, can you come with me to my dorm for a moment?" Yuichi's tone held a note of urgency.

Hanatarō blinked in surprise but then smiled and nodded. "Sure, Yuichi. I don't mind."

Once they arrived at Yuichi's dorm, Yuichi turned to Hanatarō with an apologetic expression. "Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you. Could you use your healing Kido on me?"

Hanatarō's concern was immediate. "Are you injured? Did something happen during the lesson?"

Yuichi shook his head. "No, it's not from the lesson. I might have overexerted myself during training earlier, and I ended up with a few injuries."

Hanatarō's worry shifted to a mixture of relief and exasperation. "You should be more careful, Yuichi. Let me take a look."

As Yuichi revealed his injuries, Hanatarō's skilled hands glowed with healing energy. The injuries gradually mended under his Kido, the discomfort fading away. Once the healing was complete, Hanatarō gave Yuichi a gentle smile. "There, all better. These injuries were not too bad but you should have come to see me before today. Just make sure to take it easy next time, okay?"

Yuichi chuckled. "Thanks, Hanatarō. I'll try to remember that."

As Hanatarō prepared to leave, Yuichi offered him a sincere expression of gratitude. "I'm glad we're friends, Hanatarō. Thanks for always looking out for me."

Hanatarō's smile was warm and genuine. "You're welcome, Yuichi. Friends take care of each other, after all."

With Hanatarō gone Yuichi decided he would follow his advice and take it easy. He began passing his reiryoku into his zanpakuto and then retrieving it back into the body. He continued repeating it for 30 minutes until he started having symptoms of nausea meaning he had reached the limit of what he could currently do.

With Hanatarō gone, Yuichi was left to his own thoughts. Taking his friend's advice to heart, he decided it was time to listen to his body and take it easy. He sat down in his room, focusing on his zanpakuto. Channeling his reiryoku into the blade and then withdrawing it back into his body, he repeated the process methodically.

For about 30 minutes, Yuichi engaged in this practice, his reiryoku flowing in a gentle rhythm between his zanpakuto and himself. However, as time passed, he began to feel the telltale signs of overexertion. Nausea started to set in, a clear indication that he had reached his current limit.

Realizing that he had pushed himself too far, Yuichi immediately stopped the exercise and took a deep breath, focusing on steadying his reiryoku. He leaned back, closing his eyes and letting the sensations of nausea gradually subside.

As night began to settle in, Yuichi prepared himself for bed. He reflected on the events of both the practical lesson and his own training. With his wounds fully healed thanks to Hanatarō's skills, he couldn't help but appreciate the value of having someone with healing abilities in their ranks.

As he changed into his sleeping attire, Yuichi's thoughts shifted to the upcoming day. He needed to wake up early to visit Urahara's place and discuss Kira's request with him. He wondered if he could get some information about forbidden kido from Urahara. It was an interesting thing kido so powerful that the use of them was banned for all with the exception the the Zero Division.

The following morning, Yuichi's sleep was disrupted by a haunting nightmare, the details of which remained just out of his conscious grasp. Shaken and covered in sweat, he quickly got out of bed, his heart racing and breath uneven. Determined not to let the nightmare affect him, he took a soothing bath, dressed, and set out for the training ground.

There, he spotted Mei engrossed in her morning training routine. Approaching her, he was met with her inquisitive gaze.

"Yuichi, are you here for a morning spar?" Mei inquired.

Shaking his head, Yuichi replied, "No, not today. I actually have some business at Captain Urahara's place this morning. I wanted to invite you along because you need to hear about what I want to discuss. It's important so I want you to inform Lady Yoruichi."

Mei's expression shifted to a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Of course, I'll come with you. Let's head over to Captain Urahara's residence quickly. I hear he's been busy as of late, so we should hurry to catch him." Together, they headed towards Urahara's place.

As they left the training ground, little did they know that a young boy with sharp features, giving him a somewhat skeletal appearance, and bearing unusual silver hair had appeared not too far from where they had been standing. His eyes were perpetually narrowed to slits, and if Yuichi had seen him, he would have instantly recognized the young boy as Gin Ichimaru – a figure who would become a future captain and a co-conspirator of Aizen.