Although the grandmother had an ability, Haruki respectfully chose not to pursue it. He had no iion of marrying or having children anytime soon, and even if he did, he wouldn't rely on an ability to force his children to be filial. If they weren't, it would be his failure as a parent.

  Following the grandmother inside, Haruki sat down, and she kindly poured him a cup of tea.

  "You must be here to see Tōshirō," she said gently. "He went out to buy some sweet natto and should be back soon."

  Sweet natto? Haruki froze for a moment. Could it really be such a ce? Was he about to stumble upon a pivotal moment ioryline?

  "As you guessed, I'm indeed here to see Tōshirō," Haruki admitted holy. "He… should bee a Shinigami."

  He tinued, "To be frank, Tōshirō's talent is exceptionally rare, perhaps unparalleled in the history of Seireitei."

  Hitsugaya truly rodigy. Even though he wasn't present, his spiritual pressure lingered in the room, creating a faint chill in the air.

  And then there was the remarkable fact that his Zanpakutō spirit sought him out even before he wielded an Asauchi. It was almost as if the universe itself was bending the rules in his favor. No wonder he'd bee a captain within the forty years—his talent was truly extraordinary.

  The grandmother's expression grew wistful but also proud. "Tōshirō, he…"

  "Grandma!" a young voiterrupted from outside, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.

  The grandmother softly said, "He's back. Please don't pressure him too much about this."

  "I uand," Haruki nodded. "I won't force him to bee a Shinigami."

  The door opened, revealing a young Tōshirō Hitsugaya. He froze at the sight of Haruki. "A Sh-Shinigami?"

  Haruki observed him closely. Hitsugaya was indeed very short, likely only about 130 cm tall. His silver-white hair and bright greeood out even in the Soul Society, and he clutched a bag of sweet natto in his hands as he hesitated at the doorway.

  "Hello," Haruki said warmly. "My name is Haruki. I'm a friend of Hinamori from Seireitei."

  At the mention of Hinamori's name, Hitsugaya visibly rexed. "Oh, you're Momo's friend. I thought you were with the other Shinigami I met earlier."

  "Another Shinigami?" Haruki feigned fusion, though he k must have been Rangiku Matsumoto.

  Hitsugaya seemed to want to say more but g his grandmother and decided to stay silent.

  Haruki stood up. "Hitsugaya-kun, I came specifically to see you. Could we speak privately?"

  Hitsugaya looked at his grandmother, who nodded encingly. "Fine," he said. "If you have something to say, let's talk outside."

  ...

  Hitsugaya led Haruki outside. At 180 cm tall, Haruki towered over the boy, who barely reached his chest, making Haruki feel as though he was looking after a child.

  As they walked, Haruki used his ability to examisugaya's spiritual core.

  "Prodigy: You will possess unparalleled talent in any endeavor."

  A true genius! This talent wasn't limited to bat or training—it applied to all aspects, including research. In a world where stists like Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi pyed pivotal roles, such a gift was invaluable.

  Haruki's heart raced. If he could acquire this ability, reag captain level within forty years, like Hitsugaya, would be entirely feasible. The potential for innovation and growth was staggering.

  Determined, Haruki decided he must befriend Hitsugaya.

  "Tōshirō Hitsugaya," Haruki said softly, "you should bee a Shinigami."

  Hitsugaya stopped, narrowing his eyes. "If that's why you're here, you leave. I'm not being a Shinigami."

  "Don't be so quick to refuse," Haruki replied calmly. "Your hasty reje could further harm yrandmother's health."

  "What did you say?!" Hitsugaya's eyes widened, and his voice rose in arm.

  "You've noticed it, haven't you?" Haruki said. "As your spiritual pressure grows, her health deteriorates. She's being weaker because of the untrolled cold emanating from your spiritual energy."

  "My spiritual pressure…?" Hitsugaya looked down at his hands in disbelief.

  "I suspected this after hearing your story from Hinamori, which is why I came here today," Haruki expined. "I don't want one of Hinamori's friends to uionally harm their loved ohat's why I'm telling you this."

  He pced a hand on Hitsugaya's head. Still uhe effect of his Stern Master-Apprentice Bond, Haruki could clearly observe the flow of Hitsugaya's spiritual energy.

  Using his own spiritual power, Haruki adjusted Hitsugaya's energy flow. The cold, oppressive spiritual pressure that had been leaking out began to subside.

  "Do you feel any different?" Haruki asked.

  "It's… hot," Hitsugaya said unfortably.

  "It's not heat," Haruki corrected. "That's the absence of your freezing spiritual pressure. Yrandmother has been enduring this cold every night. What you feel now is what she feels when she sleeps."

  "Now, do you still think you shouldn't bee a Shinigami?"

  Hitsugaya's eyes widened in shock.

  Haruki k and pced a hand on Hitsugaya's chest. "You hear it, 't you? The voice. Even among Shinigami, only a few hear such a voice. It means you're destio bee one."

  "If you don't, you'll never learn to trol your power. Without trol, you'll tio harm those around you."

  "I'll say this only once more, Hitsugaya-kun. e with me to the Shin'ō Academy. Learn to trol your strength. Once you bee a Shinigami, you'll uand that everything I've said is true."

  Standing up, Haruki added, "The choice is yours. If you decide, meet me at the White Way Gate tomorrow m. I'll be waiting."

  With that, he waved and walked away.

  He was fident Hitsugaya would make the right decision.