Bleach: I Love Making Friends

"Hey... Renji."

Haruki sighed, looking at the anxious Renji and couldn't help but say, "Can't you just go see her yourself?"

"I..." Renji hesitated, then his face turned slightly red. "I... I'm still just an ordinary Shinigami. Rukia is from a great noble family. Until I can stand on equal footing with her, until I become strong enough, I should let Rukia live her life with her family."

Renji knew that while Rukia might seem carefree on the surface, she deeply cared about her family. Now that she finally had a family, he absolutely couldn't disrupt her life.

Haruki found Renji's mindset somewhat frustrating. He had tried to convince Renji that the Kuchiki family wasn't as intimidating as he thought. Who said an ordinary Shinigami couldn't interact with the Kuchiki family?

But...

Renji insisted on facing Rukia as an equal, meaning he wouldn't approach her until he at least became a vice-captain.

So Haruki stopped trying to persuade him. Everyone had their own way of thinking, after all.

All he could say was, "Rukia didn't suffer any physical injuries. She might have been mentally shaken, which is why she hasn't woken up yet."

"But after treatment from the 4th Division, she should recover soon."

"That's good to hear." Renji let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Vice-Captain Haruki. I heard you were the one who carried Rukia and the others back."

"It's my shame, really. I couldn't do anything about that Hollow in the end."

"Vice-Captain Haruki, I heard there's going to be a squad sent to Hueco Mundo, is that true?" Renji suddenly asked.

"..." Haruki was momentarily stunned, then smiled. "You're really well-informed. Even I just found out about it not long ago."

"I heard it from Momo," Renji said. "So it's true, then?"

Haruki nodded.

"Can I..." Renji's gaze grew determined as he said firmly, "join that squad?!"

"Huh?" Haruki frowned, puzzled. "Why do you want to do that?"

"I... I want to become stronger. Fighting in Hueco Mundo will help me grow faster," Renji explained. "And I also want to avenge Rukia!"

"Do you know how difficult and dangerous it is to find a specific Hollow in Hueco Mundo?"

Haruki couldn't help but say, "You could search for a hundred years and still not find that Hollow. And Hueco Mundo is filled with dangers. You might get killed by other Menos before you even find the one you're looking for."

"I know, but even so, I want to try."

Seeing Renji's unwavering determination, Haruki knew he couldn't stop him from this reckless plan.

Fine, fine...

"I can bring this up with Captain Aizen. Whether it happens or not will depend on his decision."

"Thank you!" Renji said with a look of relief. "Just having you mention it to Captain Aizen is enough."

"Alright, you can go now. I'll head over to Captain Aizen's office later."

"Thank you..." Renji bowed slightly to Haruki before leaving.

Haruki didn't think much of the matter.

After all, he had already obtained Renji's soul ability.

He first finished updating the next chapter of The Thousand-Year Blood War during work hours. The Soul Society Bulletin was a weekly publication, so Haruki only needed to update one chapter per week.

He brought the completed draft to Aizen, who needed to review it first.

Haruki had initially thought Aizen only liked obscure, hard-to-understand "academic papers," but surprisingly, Aizen seemed interested in his novel.

He sat across from Aizen, one arm resting on the table, his hand propping up his head.

Aizen had been reading for a while, and Haruki couldn't help but yawn.

"Is this all there is?"

Aizen sounded somewhat disappointed.

The latest chapter ended with the Straw Hat crew successfully defeating the werewolf Arlong and setting sail with their companions.

To fit the Soul Society's style, Haruki couldn't completely copy One Piece, as it might not pass censorship.

First, he had to replace the names with ones more fitting for the Soul Society, which was why he named the protagonist "Kehokugama." Second, the story wasn't entirely set at sea.

At least up to this point, the story took place in the Rukongai, and after passing through the 80th District of East Rukongai, they would head eastward into the sea.

Haruki had named this sea the "Quincy Sea," where the Quincy, defeated by the Shinigami a thousand years ago, were hiding.

"My dear Captain Aizen, do you think writing a novel is easy?" Haruki said with a pained expression. "It's incredibly draining on the brain, you know?"

"By the way, do you know who will be part of the Hueco Mundo expedition team, Captain Aizen?"

"Haven't you already heard from Kyōraku?"

"As expected of Captain Aizen, nothing escapes you." Haruki flattered him, then added, "So, I assume you already know about Renji's request?"

"Abarai-kun..."

Aizen's glasses seemed to glint as he spoke softly, "I was already considering transferring him to the 11th Division."

"Right, Renji isn't like Kira or Momo. He's not someone easy to control."

"Alright, I'll let him know it's fine. We'll transfer him to the 11th Division and send him to Hueco Mundo with those brutes as part of the expedition team."

Haruki chuckled. "After all, even if they search for a thousand years in Hueco Mundo, they won't find their target."

He walked out, and Renji, who had apparently noticed Haruki entering the captain's office, was already waiting outside.

Haruki gave him a thumbs-up. "Don't worry, I've already spoken to Captain Aizen. The only thing is, you'll need to transfer to the 11th Division."

"After that, we'll be in different divisions."

"Huh?" Momo, who was nearby, looked surprised. "Renji is transferring?"

"I..."

Renji hesitated for a moment, but soon his eyes filled with determination.

"I can transfer!"

"Good. I think the expedition team will be formed soon." Haruki walked over and patted Renji on the shoulder. "I hope you can find that Hollow in Hueco Mundo and then..."

"Return victorious."

"Don't worry, Vice-Captain Haruki." Renji smiled. "When I come back, I'll definitely make you see me in a new light!"

...

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