The og author decided to take a break, so 1 chap a day from here on out
Chapter 145: Improvement
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The surveillance network's existence still brought considerable trouble to Suoh's life.
Not due to any substantial threat.
Those tiny biomimetic surveillance organisms possessed no attack capability. Rather, an omnipresent sense of being watched, like a web silently covering his daily routine.
This watched feeling proved more uncomfortable than imagined.
Low-intensity discomfort—for Suoh whose spiritual awareness grew increasingly keen, the sensation constantly amplified.
Perception continuously warned him "something is watching," yet his reason told him "no need to overreact to those tiny things."
During this period, Suoh began consciously fine-tuning his movement patterns, actively sensing those abnormal nodes' distribution.
Gradually, he locked onto several areas with denser surveillance in First, Fourth, Tenth, and Thirteenth Divisions.
A map of the incomplete surveillance network became clear in his mind.
Inside First Division barracks, surveillance density proved highest.
Those minute surveillance organisms existed almost everywhere.
In shadows beneath eaves, in crevices of garden stone lanterns, even on leaf backs of potted plants at corridor corners.
They maintained some regular distribution pattern, like precisely calculated grids, covering every corner the Captain-Commander might pass or act.
Quite reasonable. Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's movements were undoubtedly the intelligence Aizen cared most about.
Next came areas near each division's captain offices and duty rooms.
As for public areas he frequently visited like the library and commercial district, some surveillance also existed.
But more like wide-net background coverage, far from as dense and precise as each division's core areas.
Purpose seemed more like capturing occasionally occurring abnormal events or tracking certain specific figures' movements in public venues.
After several observations and deductions, Suoh also perceived Aizen's intent.
This recently born biomimetic surveillance network apparently aimed to monitor each division captain's core activity areas.
Designed to grasp their movements and meeting situations.
This way, matters became simpler.
Since Aizen's focus was on Gotei 13's upper echelons, he only needed maintaining certain limits of disguise and patience near captain-adjacent areas.
Most fortunately—
Suoh's group had always pursued a low-key, covert route. Daily routes to and from Sokyoku Hill didn't overlap with these surveillance areas.
All routes avoided every division's main thoroughfares.
Along the way only bare walls and floors—not places Aizen would waste surveillance resources.
'Spiritual awareness training—really chose the right path.'
Suoh thought internally, sitting in the duty office organizing documents on his desk.
Eyelids lowered, mind considering how to conduct next training steps after work.
The initial blind combat training—after just days, Suoh could hold his own against Hitsugaya in exchanges.
That feeling of judging attack trajectories by other senses in darkness—once grasped, never forgotten.
By now, the pressure Hitsugaya brought during training had become quite limited.
Not that Hitsugaya had weakened.
Quite the opposite. His progress never stopped.
But the problem was—Suoh progressed faster, and understood him too well.
This current Hitsugaya was someone he'd accompanied from Shin'ō Academy freshman to now-capable Tenth Division Third Seat.
Witnessed his every improvement.
More importantly, Hitsugaya's combat style had been considerably influenced by Suoh.
Combat techniques all carried some imprint of Suoh's battle philosophy.
Though after learning and absorbing, Hitsugaya formed his own style, the root ultimately remained there.
This wasn't his problem, but rather their excessive familiarity, making it inevitable they'd soon encounter new bottlenecks.
"Must introduce new variables, increase training intensity."
Suoh silently decided internally.
Just with his abilities, currently he could only seal vision. Methods for sealing other five senses—he still had no leads.
Hearing, touch, smell, taste—these senses weren't like vision, where he could directly use Kikou to create light film on eyeball surfaces for isolation, ensuring painless and harmless.
Suoh's thoughts stirred. Plans emerged in his mind one by one, then got rejected one by one.
Wanting to temporarily strip these senses without harming himself required more professional methods.
This thought emerged, and Suoh's eyes brightened slightly.
Right! Why not consult an expert?
Unohana Retsu's knowledge reserves in combat and medical aspects ran unfathomably deep. Perhaps he could gain inspiration from her.
Suoh pondered briefly. His thinking suddenly became clear.
With direction, what remained was execution.
Afternoon work ended peacefully.
Suoh organized everything, bid everyone farewell, then left the duty office.
"Taking temporary leave for business."
He pulled out his soul pager, messaging Hitsugaya, then took a detour to Fourth Division.
Arriving at Fourth Division barracks.
Suoh headed directly toward the duty room.
In the corridor, he happened to encounter Isane carrying a large stack of medical records.
The files stacked very high, nearly blocking her vision. She walked somewhat carefully.
"Isane-neesan."
"Let me help carry some."
Suoh called out while stepping forward to take half.
"Tsukasa? Thank you! Is something wrong at the cultivation room?"
The weight in her hands suddenly lightened. Her view also became clear again.
Isane recognized the visitor, stopping somewhat surprised, tone concerned.
Since that invitation to the underground space, participating in the lively dinner and starlit gathering, their relationship had indeed made substantial progress.
In Seireitei, people who could share secrets and enjoy relaxed, comfortable time together weren't many. That experience naturally drew them closer.
Just unlike other divisions, Fourth Division's duties proved too heavy. As vice-captain, her daily time was quite limited.
So far, she'd visited the underground space a countable number of times.
Last visit was several days ago when purple reishi cultivation entered the critical primordium formation period.
Suoh held the files, shaking his head.
"No, everything's normal there. Just have some professional questions to consult Captain Unohana about."
"I see."
Isane relaxed, subsequently showing an understanding smile.
"The captain might still be in her office now."
"Need me to take you over?"
Isane glanced toward the corridor's far end.
"No need. Not that urgent. Let's finish what's in our hands first together."
Seeing how busy she was now, even working overtime—
Suoh couldn't impose. He naturally proposed helping.
"Alright. The records room is just around the corner ahead. Thank you."
Hearing this, Isane's smile deepened as she nodded.
Subsequently the two walked side by side, carrying files toward the records room.
The following filing process—slow yet methodical.
Isane proved extremely familiar with procedures. Which files belonged in which areas—clearly organized.
Suoh only assisted with organizing and passing, lending a hand.
***
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