BLEACH: Blade of Purification

"How about now?"

Finally, someone had pointed it out to Ling Qing directly. He instantly understood why people had been acting so strangely around him. Since no one had ever mentioned the issue, how could Ling Qing have possibly guessed that he was emitting some kind of "aura of the strong" that was so overwhelming it left others almost speechless?

Honestly, wouldn't it be better if people just spoke up? If you don't say anything, how am I supposed to know you're uncomfortable?

This time, if Yuishinryu hadn't been in unbearable pain from the pressure, he probably wouldn't have said anything either.

Ling Qing wasn't entirely sure how to rein in such immense power. It was different from simply controlling the output of his strength. He could only say he would try his best.

As it turned out, his attempt was successful.

Yuishinryu, who had been on the verge of collapsing, finally managed to stand up straight again. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and let out a long sigh of relief before he had the presence of mind to answer Ling Qing's question.

"I feel much better now. It's about the same as before."

"About the same as before" meant before Ling Qing had left for Zaraki. This implied that Ling Qing still couldn't perfectly suppress his power.

Fortunately, he was aware of the problem now. Sometimes, the difficulty isn't in solving a problem, but in realizing a problem exists in the first place. Knowing there's an issue and being able to solve it are two different things. But if you don't know there's a problem, you'll never even think to solve it.

"It's good that it's working," Ling Qing said, also breathing a sigh of relief. He had no intention of bullying a child. Those who aspire to be strong should raise their swords against the stronger, not exert pressure on the weaker.

This made Ling Qing reflect on the fundamental difference between souls with the potential to become Shinigami and ordinary souls. He had only trained for a short period, yet ordinary souls couldn't even withstand the power he unconsciously radiated. No wonder the Shinigami gathered together to live. It wasn't just for the concentration of military power, but likely also to prevent situations like this from harming ordinary people.

"I'll have to figure out a way to completely suppress my power later. For now, this is the best I can do."

Ling Qing made way for Yuishinryu. Yuishinryu hesitated for a moment but eventually walked tentatively towards the "Odd Jobs" shop. He kept a wary eye on Ling Qing as he walked, as if worried that Ling Qing, having just discovered this problem and improvised a solution, might suddenly lose control of his power. If that happened, being so close to Ling Qing could be too much for him to handle.

Fortunately, that didn't happen.

Just like before Ling Qing left for Zaraki, Yuishinryu only fully relaxed after they were seated in roughly the same spots.

"Brother Ling Qing, you're getting stronger and stronger. I'm afraid there's no one left who can defeat you," Yuishinryu said with a sigh of admiration. Although he knew Ling Qing was strong from their first meeting, Ling Qing's rate of improvement still astonished him.

"So, did you gain anything from your trip to Zaraki this time, Brother Ling Qing?"

"Gain anything? The gains were enormous."

Having just returned, Ling Qing had nothing to eat or drink, so he could only pour Yuishinryu some water. "But I wouldn't recommend you go there for a look. You might have the life to get there, but not the life to come back."

"...Brother Ling Qing, you really overestimate me," Yuishinryu said with a helpless, wry smile. "Let's not even talk about whether I would go. Even if I wanted to, I probably wouldn't even make it to Zaraki before I was done for."

"I appreciate people like you who know their own limits. I have high hopes for you, kid!"

Yuishinryu didn't pick up the cup of water in front of him. Instead, Ling Qing took it and downed several gulps. The frustration of not understanding why he was being inexplicably ostracized on his way back had almost gotten him worked up.

"But even though I gained a lot, someone like me is just getting started. At the end of the day, I'm only considered strong here in the Rukongai. In the Seireitei, there are probably countless Shinigami who are stronger than me."

Speaking of which, Ling Qing remembered that after a short rest and some preparation, he would be leaving for the Seireitei. The main reason he had stayed was to fight Hollows, and a minor reason was to help out Yuishinryu's family. Now, the former was completely useless to him, and Yuishinryu's family was already back on track. His trip to Zaraki had brought an unexpected boon, but that was the limit. There was no point in staying in the Rukongai any longer.

The Rukongai was a small pond, and you can't raise a whale in a small pond. To see a whale, you must go to the vast, boundless ocean.

As he thought this, Ling Qing considered whether to tell Yuishinryu his decision now or wait until he was about to leave. Although Yuishinryu was much younger, he was truly Ling Qing's first and, so far, only friend in Soul Society. It wasn't that Ling Qing was so aloof that no one wanted to be his friend, but rather that his mind wasn't focused on it at this stage, making him rather passive. Only Yuishinryu had frequently and actively sought him out. Just like now, upon his return, it was Yuishinryu who had immediately come to find him.

However, to Ling Qing's surprise, before he could speak, Yuishinryu spoke up hesitantly. "Um... Brother Ling Qing, there's something I want to tell you."

Yuishinryu's hesitant manner caught Ling Qing's attention. He couldn't help but sit up straighter, his demeanor turning more serious. "What is it? Did something happen? Do you need my help with anything?"

"Huh?" Yuishinryu's eyes widened slightly. Realizing Ling Qing had misunderstood, he immediately waved his hands. "No, no. It's just... I'm glad you're back now, Brother Ling Qing. Otherwise, I might have missed my chance. After that incident... I've been thinking about this constantly. I don't want what happened to me to happen to others. I want to be as strong as you, Brother Ling Qing. I want to help those I can help."

He was hesitant at first, but as he spoke, Yuishinryu's eyes became firm, and the uncertainty vanished from his voice. He looked at Ling Qing seriously.

"Brother Ling Qing, I want to become a Shinigami!"

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