Bleach: The Captain of the Fifth Division Becomes Stronger Through Training.

Chapter 358, Section 367: Your Training

Captain Arima's memory is malfunctioning.

Even without being reminded by others, Momo Hinamori could clearly perceive the problem in this regard.

Not only himself, but also Captain Arima, Kotetsu-senpai, and everyone in the Fifth Division had completely forgotten about them...

Although she felt unwilling to accept the result, and even when she saw Arima Shizuya's somewhat bewildered face, Hinamori Momo felt a slight pang of sadness and an urge to burst into tears.

I feel a little wronged.

But more often it's a similar kind of standing up for what's right.

The facts have proven Arima Shizuya's innocence, so all that's left is to clear his name... Captain Arima should be able to return to Soul Society, right?!
It doesn't matter if you lose your memory.

After all, the people who care about Arima Shizuya are right here. All we need to do is imitate the way we did before and recreate these things.

There will definitely be enough time.

Just thinking about this made Hinamori Momo's steps become much lighter involuntarily.

A smile involuntarily appeared on her face, and she hummed a calming tune as she quickened her pace.

—Because they had spent some time together before, she naturally knew exactly where Ma Jingye was now.

The girl carefully considered her words at that moment.

I constantly reflect on and reconstruct my language, trying to make the best impression when I meet the other person again.

But all these expectations came to an abrupt end at a certain moment.

Hinamori Momo saw the two people embracing tightly in the distance.

"..."

It's hard to say what the girl's state of mind was at that moment.

Is it sadness, grief, or that inexplicable sense of loss?
There was some, more or less, but for Hinamori Momo at this moment, it was more of a strange sense of loss.

Even the person involved couldn't explain this emotional shift.

She simply pursed her lips, stood at the edge, and pressed her hand slightly against her chest so as not to bother the other person...

What exactly is causing this feeling?

Even Hinamori Momo herself found it difficult to explain.

Only when he heard rustling behind him did the vice-captain of the Fifth Division take the time to tidy up his appearance.

He turned and walked out, just in time to meet Arima Shizuya and the other person who had returned.

"...?"

Jadis looked at Hinamori Momo, her eyes revealing more of a scrutinizing gaze than disdain.

But this process did not last long.

She glanced at him briefly before turning her gaze to Arima Shizuya behind her.

"I'll head back now... Don't forget to come over soon!"

"Ah."

Jadis turned and walked away quickly, leaving only the two of them.

Arima Shizuka and Hinamori Momo exchanged a brief glance; the former's indifference and the latter's confusion presented a strange interplay, yet they parted ways in an instant.

"There's a place I'd like to visit... Could you please show me the way?"

Since there is a request, there is no reason not to respond.

Momo Hinamori hurriedly wiped away the faint tear stains on her face and nodded vigorously at that moment.

"No, no problem!"

Let's go.

—Although that's not what I said.

But Shizuka Arima walked silently ahead, brushing past Momo Hinamori at that moment.

Just for a moment.

It was only after this brief, dazed pause that...

The girl fully understood just how naive and childish her thoughts could be.

this person……

It's not Captain Arima.

If it were the gentle yet strong Captain Arima, he wouldn't ignore other people's tears and show such a cold expression.

In the end, it was just that I was being too naive.

The dead cannot be brought back to life, and no matter how similar they are, this is definitely not the 'Arima Shizuya' she knows.

These are different souls housed in the same body.

He had his own goals and his own ideas, but he was completely different from the Captain Arima she remembered...

No wonder.

Kotetsu-senpai didn't come looking for him, and even the former Captain Kuchiki had lost all contact with him.

Everyone understood... this was just a 'substitute' that resembled him in appearance but not in spirit, and not the gentle man they remembered.

So in the final analysis.

Was it still Hinamori Momo herself that I couldn't see clearly...?

A bittersweet feeling welled up inside her, and her eyes burned slightly, prompting the girl to raise her right hand and gently stroke her eyelids.

I don't want to cry.

But the body had already reacted involuntarily.

She was clearly the one who shouldn't have been wronged, since it was Shizuya Arima who had given everything, and she was just a simple 'beneficiary' in the end.

But even at this moment, Hinamori Momo still couldn't suppress the turmoil in her heart.

I really want to say sorry.

We shouldn't have been forced by circumstances at that time to merely lobby among the captains without taking any real action, as Captain Hirako suggested.

No one understood what happened when Shizuka Arima also died...

He must be very lonely.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Hinamori Momo began to cry silently.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

As weak as I am, I shouldn't be showing such an expression right now. But just thinking about it makes my emotions surge to an uncontrollable level.

Although there was no sobbing, her steps became somewhat unsteady, and Arima Shizuka, who was originally in front, stopped.

He turned halfway around.

Upon seeing the disheveled Fifth Division Lieutenant, who was hurriedly wiping away tears from his face, they noticed...

"..."

I don't understand the emotional fluctuations the other person is experiencing at this moment.

However, out of politeness, Ma Jing would still selectively ask questions at this moment.

"need any help?"

Hinamori Momo shook her head repeatedly.

As if apologizing for her lapse in composure, she bowed deeply, took two steps back, and forcefully…

He wiped the marks off his face with such force.

The sleeve rubbed heavily against his cheek, leaving behind marks of intense wiping on one side of his face, with a striking bright red mark from the pressure.

"It's okay, it's okay!"

After a brief pause, and a forced smile, Hinamori Momo deliberately put on a slightly strained, yet deliberately high-pitched tone.

"I'm sorry you had to see this!"

Shizuka Arima did not respond immediately.

He simply looked calmly at the other person, whose eyes were beginning to harden, and then thoughtfully took a few steps back.

Nod slightly.

"I was overthinking it... I'm sorry."

"How could that be? I just felt that you had seen some things that were not presentable, I'm sorry."

Hinamori Momo jogged over, landing about three steps behind Arima Shizuya, and followed at a leisurely pace.

The two walked for more than ten meters.

Then, Shizuka Arima whispered, "Was the old me... close to you?"

"Yes, you were my former captain. My current achievements and personality are all thanks to your guidance."

"……Yeah."

"That's it."

"The old me raised you very well."

After a brief pause, Arima Shizuka spoke softly without turning her head.

"You are a strong and independent warrior. Although you look weak... you are already better than many people."

Hinamori Momo couldn't help but purse her lips.

A sharp, throbbing pain in her heart caused her tear ducts to contract again.

However, this time, more than bitterness... it gave her the courage to stand tall.

Shizuka Arima is right.

Captain Arima in the past truly mentored her a great deal.

That's why I'm standing here today.

It's not about finding traces of the past, but about proving that the other party's efforts were not in vain.

Tears mingled with faint red marks, making Hinamori Momo's resolute expression appear even more earnest.

Her lips trembled slightly, and at that moment she finally uttered a heartfelt sentiment.

"Yes, that's why I will become even stronger!"

Arima Shizuka, who was standing nearby, paused slightly before smiling and saying something.

"I believe you can do it."

……

"There's only one day left. Although there's no time for special training, we still need to discuss the tactics, right?"

Kyoraku Shunsui's suggestion is not without merit.

After all, with limited combat power, the strength of one's own group is equivalent to the cards one plays. Playing the right cards at the right time maximizes the use of one's own combat power...

This is indeed a quality and ability that a mature strategist needs to possess.

Even the silent old man in the mountains agreed with this point.

But things didn't go as planned.

Looking at the few people who had come to the meeting, the captain was already starting to get a headache.

He raised his hand and pressed his nose, looking like he was about to faint from anger.

"Nanao-chan, could you explain this a little...? What's going on with the number of attendees?"

Before Ise Nanao could speak, Hitsugaya Toshiro, with his arms crossed, spoke first.

"You can understand that kind of thing without having your subordinates report it, right? Everyone just has their own things to deal with."

After a brief pause, Toshiro's tone softened slightly.

"After all, no one can predict what will happen to Soul Society after tomorrow."

You can't blame this guy for saying discouraging things.

Indeed, the facts show that Yhwach's first invasion nearly wiped out the high-ranking forces of Soul Society.

After undergoing an unprecedented and unparalleled holy separation, to what extent will his power increase?
It's no exaggeration to say that many people chose to stand here prepared to sacrifice themselves tomorrow.

"I want to confide in someone and take the time to see my long-lost relatives and friends."

"Someone who simply wants to pursue power on their own, rather than acting with us..."

“There are even those who have their own agendas, thinking that talking to us is like casting pearls before swine.”

Toshiro recited these words as if they were his own treasures, and finally spread his hands, making a helpless gesture.

"No matter which perspective I take, I find it very difficult to communicate with these people."

Just as the other party said.

Now that things have come to this, even someone as glib as Kyoraku Shunsui can't find a suitable excuse.

The atmosphere became a little awkward.

But it's okay.

Kisuke Urahara said with a grin.

"Well, everyone has their own strengths, right? Rather than forcing everyone to act together, I think this level of freedom is still very necessary."

after all……

"Isn't this an unprecedented joint force, one that has never been done before?"

Shinigami, Hollow, Quincy.

Under Ichigo Kurosaki's leadership, some Fullbring users born among humans have even appeared in Soul Society.

"At this moment, it can be said that... almost all the beings in the Three Realms with combat abilities have gathered here."

“I have reason to believe that this is the response to our choice of the right path.”

"We, as the world, are launching the resistance that Yhwach deserves."

Kisuke Urahara's tone remained unchanged; even under the gaze of everyone, he maintained the most indifferent attitude.

"While I may not be good at spouting grand theories, I believe our approach is absolutely correct... so rather than planning or troop deployment..."

"It would be better to just go all out and let everyone use the methods they are best at."

"What do you think, Captain-General?"

Did they only kick the ball back after they'd already said everything nice?
This is basically equivalent to leaving Kyoraku Shunsui no room for maneuver... Seriously, even though he's been away from Soul Society for so many years, his damp and sinister aura hasn't diminished at all.

but……

Well, since we're kindred spirits, I don't dislike Kyoraku Shunsui.

With a faint, helpless smile, Kyoraku Shunsui scratched the corner of his mouth and said softly.

“Mr. Urahara makes a lot of sense.”

The meeting is still ongoing.

Compared to the previous stiff and rigid topics, the atmosphere was now noticeably more relaxed.

Kyoraku Shunsui even took the opportunity to pull out his long-treasured sake.

Ise Nanao naturally began to fly into a rage.

She looked around as if seeking help, but couldn't find the old man anywhere... The old man had already sneaked away after Urahara Kisuke finished speaking.

Right now, I've found Unohana Retsu and am starting to savor her tea.

Use actions to imply indulgence.

In the end, the then vice-captain of the First Division had completely abandoned his 'principles'.

Go ahead and cause trouble, who can stop you?

However, Ise Nanao was not spared either, as she was caught red-handed by Matsumoto Rangiku as soon as she stepped out of the conference room.

"The women's gathering is in a little while... Arrancars and Quincy will be there, you can't miss it!"

So when exactly is it?
Have these people already become one big family?
Amidst the bustling atmosphere, Kisuke Urahara quietly left the crowd.

He retreated to the deserted corridor beside him, then took out his phone... It showed several missed calls; now was the time to call them back.

"Sorry, although the new phone can be used across different devices, it is still somewhat unstable."

"So, how's work going on your end? I know it's a hassle to find people in the real world, but at a time like this, I can only ask you for help..."

"Oh? Good news? Is that so..."

Kisuke Urahara couldn't help but smile.

"With this, our chances of winning... no, I shouldn't say that."

After carefully considering his words, Kisuke Urahara quickly conjured up scenarios that might happen tomorrow, as well as many predictable outcomes.

Similar images churned in his mind, until finally, like quicksand, they converged towards the sunken exit.

"If we had this..."

"Then we have a real chance to turn things around."

"Of course... if possible, it's best not to go."

(End of this chapter)