Bleach: I Love Making Friends

"Oh?"

Daioh Naharasu Yanakurō furrowed his brows. He doubted Haruki could have truly discovered a prodigy. After all, while he knew Haruki as a hardworking individual, his talent was average at best. How could someone like him uncover a genius?

Haruki, unfazed, gestured for Tōshirō Hitsugaya to step forward.

"This child?" Yanakurō asked, eyeing Hitsugaya skeptically. He didn't notice anything remarkable at first glance.

Without a word, Haruki reached out and touched Hitsugaya's Gyokudō and Tenshu acupoints—key spiritual pressure nodes for Shinigami. Since Hitsugaya had trouble controlling his immense power, Haruki had sealed his spiritual pressure earlier. Now, he unsealed it.

The moment the seal was lifted, Hitsugaya's spiritual pressure burst forth.

Yanakurō's eyes widened in shock.

This…

Such immense spiritual pressure, from someone who had never undergone Shinigami training? It was almost inconceivable. A soul born with this level of power was truly extraordinary.

Yanakurō became visibly excited. "Unbelievable! Have you truly never trained before?"

Hitsugaya replied quietly, "I didn't know I had spiritual power until recently."

"That can't be," Yanakurō said. "Those with spiritual power experience hunger, unlike ordinary Rukongai souls who only require water and air to survive."

Hitsugaya hesitated before responding, "My grandmother told me that hunger was something only children felt."

"Ah, I see," Yanakurō nodded, understanding now. He turned to Haruki. "You've done well, Haruki."

Looking back at Hitsugaya, Yanakurō said, "Come with me, Hitsugaya-kun. Let's conduct your entrance evaluation."

...

Watching Yanakurō treat Hitsugaya with such enthusiasm, Haruki couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. He'd been "just Haruki" for years, but Hitsugaya was already "Hitsugaya-kun" after just one meeting.

The perks of talent, huh? Haruki mused, shaking his head.

Just as he was about to leave, he noticed something extraordinary: Hitsugaya's favorability toward him had shot up to 80.

Haruki's heart raced. This meant he could now permanently acquire Hitsugaya's Prodigy ability!

...

Haruki suppressed his excitement as he left the Shin'ō Academy. Hitsugaya's favorability jump was a testament to his genuine character. Though he often appeared cold and stoic, Hitsugaya valued those he respected deeply, even if he didn't show it outwardly.

To Hitsugaya, Haruki had become a trusted ally.

Watching Yanakurō take Hitsugaya for further testing, Haruki walked out of the academy, his mind buzzing with possibilities. As soon as he stepped outside, he activated Prodigy.

To his surprise, the ability wasn't passive but an active skill. When activated, it made him a genius in whatever he focused on. Though it consumed spiritual energy, the benefits far outweighed the cost.

He immediately noticed the difference. The energy he had funneled into Black Sun the previous night was already replenished. With this ability, rising through the ranks to seated officer, lieutenant, or even captain felt like an inevitability.

...

After his patrol duties, Haruki decided to relax. He sat at the gates of the White Way Gate, striking up a conversation with Jidanbō. It was a peaceful, uneventful day.

As evening fell, Haruki returned home, only to find Renji, Kira, Hinamori, and Hitsugaya waiting for him.

"Little Shiro, how was it? Did you pass the entrance exam?" Haruki teased.

Standing beside Hinamori, Hitsugaya nodded coolly. Before he could reply, Kira spoke up in awe.

"It's incredible! Hitsugaya scored a sixth-class spiritual pressure rating during the entrance test. That's unbelievable!"

Renji added, "The last person with sixth-class spiritual pressure at admission was Lieutenant Kaien Shiba of Squad 13—and he's from one of the Five Great Noble Clans!"

The room buzzed with excitement. Nobles like the Kuchiki or Shiba clans often produced Shinigami with exceptional spiritual pressure due to their lineage. Hitsugaya's achievement, coming from an ordinary background, was astonishing.

Haruki chuckled. "I told you, Hitsugaya's talent is exceptional. But remember, raw spiritual pressure isn't everything. You still need to master Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō."

He explained, "Think of spiritual pressure as inner energy. The techniques—Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō—are the foundations for using that energy effectively. A strong energy reserve is great, but without proper technique, it's like having untapped potential."

Haruki's words left the group deep in thought. Even Hitsugaya, despite his prodigious talent, paid close attention.

...

After a brief training session with the group, Haruki addressed them seriously. "This is my last lesson for now. I'll be busy in the coming days."

"Focus on your studies at the academy and work hard to become seated officers after graduation. Don't end up like me—still just an ordinary Shinigami."

"Are you really just an ordinary Shinigami, Haruki-senpai?" Kira asked, unable to hide his curiosity. "You seem more skilled than most of the instructors I've met."

Haruki simply smiled. "Ordinary?" That was no longer the case. With Prodigy at his disposal, his rise was only just beginning.