Chapter 85: Celebration
Leaving behind that package of candies that could be called "toll money."
After Suoh turned and departed, that oppressively forceful spiritual pressure grew increasingly distant.
The earlier episode of encountering Zaraki Kenpachi's group was merely a brief interlude interrupting his daily commute to work.
His journey had been delayed for a period.
After parting with the quartet, Suoh had to accelerate his shunpo speed.
Thirteenth Division barracks gate.
The familiar wooden doors appeared before him. Suoh's steps didn't pause. His figure passed through the gate and headed directly toward the duty office.
Sliding open the duty office door, a hearty voice came over.
"Tsukasa, morning. You look in good spirits today."
"There's quite a lot of document reports today. Come help out!"
Shiba Kaien, buried in paperwork behind his desk, looked up with a greeting, his face carrying that signature energetic smile as he waved a stack of documents in gesture.
"Morning, Kaien-niisan!"
Suoh called out a greeting, directly raising his hand to accept the document stack.
This was part of daily duties. Every month had those few days when various reports piled up like mountains as if by agreement.
He'd long grown accustomed to it. Moreover, assisting the lieutenant in handling division affairs was precisely this 3rd Seat's responsibility.
Suoh took the documents and returned to his own desk to sit, greeting Shiba Miyako and Kuchiki Rukia nearby.
"Miyako-neesan, Rukia, morning."
"Morning."
Both nodded in response together.
"Tsukasa, today you look somewhat different."
The one voicing a quiet question was Shiba Miyako.
She'd originally been gripping her pen, patiently teaching Kuchiki Rukia beside her the details of handling documents.
Now turning her head, her gentle yet perceptive gaze fell on Suoh, immediately detecting that ineffable subtle change.
Suoh before her still wore that gentle expression, his features carrying their usual peacefulness.
But the spiritual pressure around him somehow felt different—no longer merely steadily restrained as before.
His entire being seemed naturally veiled in an extremely faint, delicate soft glow.
"Mm, last night I achieved Shikai."
Suoh answered with a smile.
He himself had already clearly perceived changes in his own spiritual pressure fluctuations.
Shinigami and Zanpakuto were inherently unified souls, inseparable.
Just as after Hitsugaya Toshiro's Hyorinmaru awakened, his spiritual pressure fluctuations naturally changed, taking on a trace of ice's chill.
Suoh had long anticipated his own spiritual pressure would be dyed with corresponding qualities due to Kikou.
After successfully achieving Shikai, without performing Shikai release, he could still use some of Kikou's basic abilities—just not as easily as when coordinating with his Zanpakuto.
Moreover, he'd never intended to hide the fact of successfully achieving Shikai from these trustworthy people around him.
"Wonderful, Tsukasa, congratulations!"
Hearing this, Shiba Miyako's face bloomed with a genuinely joyful smile.
"Shikai—! Congratulations, Suoh 3rd Seat!"
Kuchiki Rukia beside them let out a soft exclamation, immediately standing from her seat, very solemnly and sincerely bowing to him in congratulation, her large eyes written full of admiration.
"Alright, Rukia, don't be so formal. Sit down."
Suoh replied somewhat helplessly.
He'd long considered Kuchiki Rukia a friend in his heart. Ordinary greetings with her during usual times were fine.
But whenever occasions grew slightly formal, she still unconsciously adopted the strict etiquette cultivated at the Kuchiki household.
"Oh—!?"
Shiba Kaien, originally buried in the document pile, suddenly raised his head. His eyes instantly brightened, his face full of undisguised delight.
He set down his brush with a clack, circling around the desk in two or three strides.
His solid palm forcefully clapped Suoh's shoulder. Booming laughter immediately filled the entire duty office.
"Haha, I knew when you arrived today looking so happy there was something!"
"Such huge good news, and you only mention it now! This is tremendous—we absolutely must celebrate properly tonight!"
His large hand draped across Suoh's shoulder, enthusiasm filled with proud satisfaction.
His voice so loud the entire office could hear clearly.
"Nice going, Tsukasa! I said you'd master Shikai quickly. Called it, didn't I!"
"Quick, tell us—what's your Zanpakuto's ability?"
Mitaka Hiko from across the desk also leaned over with great interest, asking curiously.
"Yeah, I'm really curious too."
Kotsubaki Sentaro never missed joining excitement. Too bad Kotetsu Kiyone had gone on World of the Living duty, or the entire duty office could be even livelier.
For a moment, everyone's gazes focused on Suoh and the Asauchi at his waist, anticipating the answer's reveal.
"The Zanpakuto's name is Kikou. As the name suggests, it possesses light-based abilities."
"The basic ability is manipulating light rays. I'll need to find an opportunity to demonstrate the Shikai abilities."
Suoh smiled and raised his hand. A spirit particle light orb leaped into his palm.
No longer the pure light blue of before, but glowing with warm yellow as if dyed by morning glow, flowing while emanating a gentle seven-colored halo.
The light orb resembled miniaturized dawn—not only radiating reassuring light, but seemingly carrying a tranquility that could soothe the soul.
"So beautiful—!"
Kuchiki Rukia unconsciously widened her eyes slightly, gazing at this never-before-seen beautiful radiance.
Longing and anticipation for her own future Zanpakuto quietly rose in her heart.
"Very warm power, Tsukasa. It suits you well."
Shiba Miyako gently observed the glow at Suoh's fingertip, sensing the peacefulness it contained, speaking softly.
"Alright, alright, we can see abilities next time during outdoor training!"
"First think about how to celebrate Tsukasa's successful Shikai!"
Shiba Kaien clapped his hands forcefully. His hearty laughter pulled everyone's attention back.
He surveyed everyone in the duty office, his face overflowing with unquestionable excited smiles, pausing before continuing.
"I've decided. Tonight, 'Hakuben' in the shopping district—my treat! No one's allowed to be absent!"
"Yay, yay!"
"Long live Kaien-sama!"
Kotsubaki Sentaro and Mitaka Hiko immediately raised both hands in cheer, their excitement overflowing.
Shiba Miyako's gaze gently regarded her high-spirited husband, the corners of her mouth holding a shallow smile, obviously completely supporting this decision.
However, Kuchiki Rukia behind everyone showed some hesitation on her face.
At the same time, the other main character offered an opinion.
"Kaien-niisan, you're forgetting my main profession is cook."
"Just buy some ingredients and alcohol at the shopping district later. Let's hold the banquet at my courtyard."
Suoh looked at Shiba Kaien beside him who seemed more excited than the actual guest of honor, reminding him.
He had all the kitchen basics. Just supplementing some other things would suffice.
"Haha, when Kiyone comes back, she'll definitely cry."
"Not only missing a drinking session, but also missing a meal personally made by Tsukasa."
Hearing this, Kotsubaki Sentaro immediately clapped and laughed, as if already seeing that amusing scene.
In his heart, he anticipated the coming evening banquet immensely, wishing he could jump to the sky right now and kick the sun down, then pull the moon up.