"What's with that weakness? What's with those tears?!"
On the spacious platform within the first level of Shino Prison, the Hell of Reviving, several criminals trembled as they stared at the figure across from them, refusing to budge a single inch forward.
Looking at their pathetic display, Naraku Sora felt a surge of irritation.
"Come on, charge at me!"
"Whoever manages to wound me gets double rations this week. Whoever defeats me gets a sentence reduction!"
Despite Naraku Sora offering such generous conditions, the guards—turned-combatants—remained rooted to the spot, unwilling to move. No matter how good the reward was, one had to be alive to claim it.
The kid across from them was a complete monster. His Reiatsu was clearly only slightly higher than theirs, yet his practical combat strength was absurdly high. Even when using a wooden training sword, he could swing it with the roar of crashing thunder; when his fists struck out, they stirred up gusts of scorching wind.
By any metric, he had already strayed far from the common definition of a Soul Reaper.
Naraku Sora let his arms hang at his sides, calmly watching the criminals who were huddled together. He couldn't quite understand how these beings, who treated the lives of others as worthless, could be so terrified of a little physical pain.
"If you won't come to me, then I shall come to you."
His steady footsteps seemed to stomp directly on the hearts of the criminals. Every step fell like a heavy drumbeat, the pressure growing more intense with each stride.
*Snap!*
It was unclear whose mental thread snapped first, but one of the criminals let out a hysterical roar to mask his deep-seated fear. In the next instant, they charged toward Naraku Sora like wild beasts.
"I don't get it."
One of the spectating jailers spoke up curiously. "Why does Sixth Seat Naraku choose this kind of cultivation method?"
"Did you just get back from an outside mission?"
"Yes, Senior Nishikawa! I just returned from the 28th District of South Rukongai!"
"Then it's normal that you don't understand," Nishikawa scratched his head and explained. "As the Soul Reaper with the fastest promotion in the history of Shino Prison, some outsiders might think Naraku climbed the ranks because he's a favorite of the Prison Warden.
"But in reality, since he joined, the criminals held in Shino Prison have changed from rebel Soul Reapers and Ronin from Rukongai to high-ranking nobles, even members of the Five Great Noble Houses.
"Most importantly, aside from his usual training time, Naraku comes to the underground prison to help. Whether it's escorting criminals or carrying out punishments, he never refuses. To maintain stability within Shino Prison, he even invented 'Hope Therapy.'
"It's about giving those criminals a glimmer of seemingly reachable hope in the midst of despair. Just like now—anyone who can injure or defeat Naraku can get various rewards, even a shortened sentence. A sliver of dawn seen in the darkness, no matter how tiny, will make criminals work for it.
"They no longer curse, shout, or fight each other like they used to. Instead, they put all their energy into accumulating strength, striving to defeat Naraku."
At this point, Nishikawa's expression turned a bit strange. He hesitated before adding, "Though, it's not without its downsides. When the criminals realize they can't wound that guy no matter what they do, they become resistant to fighting, just like they are now."
A look of realization dawned on the jailer's face.
So that was it.
He hadn't expected Sixth Seat Naraku to be such a person. As a jailer, he not only handled the tedious daily chores himself but also contributed significantly to the stability of Shino Prison. No wonder the other jailers looked at Lord Naraku with such admiration.
A Soul Reaper who was both approachable and naturally powerful was exactly the kind of figure they should look up to!
On the platform, Naraku Sora held Araki Shin by the neck with one hand, a hint of boredom flashing in his eyes. This intruder, who used to be able to trade a few blows with him, had now fallen to the point where he could barely withstand the pressure. He was the last one to charge, yet he was the first to fall.
There wasn't even a hint of a challenge.
Perhaps it was time to try the criminals from the Black Rope Hell.
Immersed in combat, Naraku Sora didn't care about the strange looks from the others. In truth, he wasn't as noble as Nishikawa made him out to be. The reason he did this was entirely because he had discovered a new use for [Justice].
Just like how executing someone with a Guilt Value over a thousand yielded rewards, this was another rule not written in the manual. By making those criminals realize their own sins, he could gain a certain level of Participation, thereby obtaining corresponding rewards—such as Reiatsu intensity and basic combat skills like Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Flash Step, and Kidō.
Though the gains were small, it was a fine way to pass the time during his leisure hours outside of training. Naraku Sora wasn't as skilled at verbal sparring as Aizen, nor was he suited for inflicting various cruel tortures. After much thought, he had simply invented "Hope Therapy."
The results were surprisingly good.
However, if Nishikawa and the others knew the truth, they would probably complain about being ashamed to associate with such a "grindset" maniac.
Of course, the reason he worked so hard was entirely due to the immense pressure brought by a certain genuine cheater. Even utilizing every second of his time, Naraku Sora still couldn't see Aizen's back. Leaving aside that exaggerated talent for Reiatsu, just the fact that Aizen could use Dankū and Kidō at the level of a six-fold incantation abandonment was enough to make anyone chasing him feel deep despair.
Moreover, besides his supreme Kidō abilities, Aizen's other fundamental skills were terrifyingly strong. If it weren't for his short training time, he might have already stood at the pinnacle of the Soul Reaper species. With such a best friend, how could one not feel pressure?
Naraku Sora looked down at the fierce-looking criminal pinned to the ground and offered a kind smile. "So, do you really realize your mistakes?"
The criminal, who had been beaten God-knows-how-many times, nodded frantically, looking as if he wanted to shake his brains out. Between fighting this monster and undergoing regular prison torture, he'd choose the torture.
[Successfully suppressed criminal, Guilt Value 114, Participation 50%]
[Your Reiatsu has increased. Current Spiritual Power Level: 5!]
After these days of intense "grinding," Naraku Sora had finally raised his Reiatsu realm to the average level of a Lieutenant, giving him a precarious foothold in this crisis-ridden Soul Society.
A breeze stirred, and ripples like water spread out as a screen visible only to him appeared.
[Name: Naraku Sora]
[Reiatsu: Grade 5]
[Zanjutsu: LV51]
[Hakuda: LV48]
[Flash Step: LV47]
[Kidō: LV52]
[Hollow Power: 10%]
The stats!
Compared to his panel when he first entered the prison, Naraku Sora's strength had increased several times over—a true all-around improvement.
In addition to the rewards from suppressing criminals, becoming a "grinder" was a necessary path to power. For example, he went to the Squad 1 barracks at fixed times to trade blows with Yamamoto, visited Unohana Retsu from time to time to discuss the future of Zanjutsu, and occasionally participated in some new technology developed by that "bad woman."
Life was exceptionally full.
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the prison. Before anyone could go to investigate, a figure walked down the stairs.
Blue short hair, strange white pigment painted on his face, and ornaments of unknown purpose hanging near his ears—the entire person radiated a decadent aura, as if he had just crawled out of a shut-in's nest.
Yet, despite this...
The moment they saw this person, the jailers' voices stopped abruptly, and faces involuntarily twisted into expressions of fear.
Naraku Sora also recognized this person's identity. Although he looked a bit different from his memory, he was certain—
Kurotsuchi Mayuri had returned.