As Haruki separated from Renji Abarai and observed the eic students on campus, he had already grasped the essence of the Star Chaser ability.
Star Chaser was an ability that allowed one's status to asd. If Haruki used it, his rank would be elevated. For instance, as a regur squad member, he could bee a seated officer upon activation.
However, this wouldn't affect his actual strength. Even if he became a captain, his abilities would remain the same as they were now.
Of course, Star Chaser also had the potential to allow him to surpass limits, but such a feat was far beyond his reach at the moment.
Currently, he was just an ordinary, low-ranking Shinigami. Breaking limits wasn't something he o himself with yet.
To illustrate, both Yamamoto and Aizen had reached the ultimate limits of a Shinigami. Their strength could no longer improve, no matter how mauries passed.
This was why Aizen sought the Hōgyoku—it offered him the ce to trahe limits of a Shinigami and bee aence beyond.
But for Haruki, the Star Chaser ability meant that these limits no longer applied to him. As long as he tiraining, even if it took an incredibly long time, he could grow infinitely stronger, eventually surpassing even the Soul King.
Of course, achieving such pht take an unimaginably long time. Given his current talent, even reag captain-css strength seemed like a distant goal.
After arriving at the Shin'ō Academy, Haruki also made an important discovery: not everyone possessed unique abilities. In fact, the vast majority of people didn't have one!
Only individuals with distinct personalities and signifit spiritual energy maed uraits that gave rise to their own special abilities.
Characters with names and s time in the inal story naturally fell into this category. Even if their bat prowess was modest, their uraits grahem special abilities.
Meanwhile, ordinary background characters needed signifit spiritual energy to pensate for their ck of ialent.
With these thoughts in mind, Haruki ehe office of the first css.
Inside, he found a bald man wearing gsses. This was ōyunahara Yan Gorō, the css instructor.
This instructor was formerly a seated officer iei 13 and naturally had his own ability:
"Stern Master-Apprentice Bond: You will bee an excellent teacher, and your students will progress more quickly under yuidance."
It was a valuable ability, though Haruki couldn't access it yet, as Yan Gorō's favorability toward him hadn't reached 60.
Still, Haruki was surprised to see that it was already at 54.
During his academy days, Haruki had often sought this reeacher fuidance, despite not being one of his formal students. Their retionship had always been amicable.
Although Haruki cked exceptional talent, Yan Gorō admired his perseverance.
An idea sparked in Haruki's mind, and he smiled. "Teacher, Renji performed excellently on his internship task. It seems you've nurtured anenius student."
Hearing this, Yan Gorō leased. After all, teachers loved hearing praise about their students.
The instructors at the Shin'ō Academy were usually former seated officers who had left active duty due to personal reasons anizational needs. Though they had left the battlefield, they hoped their students would take their p defending the Soul Society.
Nodding, Yan Gorō asked, "Haruki, how far do you think Renji go?"
"Well…" Haruki answered humbly, "I'm just an ordinary Shinigami, so I'm not too familiar with captain-level matters. But I believe Renji could bee a high-rankied officer within forty years."
"And maybe even a vice-captain someday."
"You're being a bit overly optimistic," Yan Gorō said, shaking his head. "Reag captain-css strength isn't easy, especially within forty years."
"That said, since he's a talent noticed by Captain Aizen himself, being a high-rankied officer is certainly within reach."
"Holy, if not for Captain Aizen's reendation, I wouldn't have allowed one of my students to intern while still in the fifth year."
What could Haruki say? He could only nod and smile. "You're absolutely right, Teacher."
Under normal circumstances, academy students only joihe squads after graduation. During their first year, they would follow senior members for hands-on training and learn the responsibilities of a Shinigami.
Of course, rules were rules, and exceptions often arose—such as the current case.
After discussing Renji's situation, Haruki quickly took the opportunity to ask Yan Gorō for advi Kido, presenting himself as a humble and eager learner.
Yan Gorō, already favorably ined toward Haruki, saw this attitude and grew even more appreciative. His favorability rose to exactly 60.
With that, Haruki successfully acquired the ability Stern Master-Apprentice Bond.
After gaining this skill, Haruki exged a few more tips on Kido with Yan Gorō before leaving the office.
Instead of returning to Squad Five immediately, Haruki wahe academy to scout for others with unique abilities.
It wasn't long before he spotted Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo with Renji.
Naturally, these two also had abilities.
Kira's ability was "Avian Syer."
"Avian Syer: When fag winged enemies, your power receives a signifit boost."
"True to his niame as the 'Chi Syer,' Kira's ability is pretty handy," Haruki mused. "After all, many Hollows have wings, and Shinigami's primary e this stage are still Hollows."
Later, when Quincy attained Vollst?ndig, they also developed wings of light. It's unclear whether these light wings would t, but the gigantic bird forms in Vollst?ndig's sed stage definitely would.
e to think of it, Aizen also gained wings in his Hōgyoku-transformed state. Would that make him a 'bird'?
As for Hinamori, her ability was "Ultimate Defense."
"Ultimate Defense: When used, your defensive power is greatly enhanced."
"Impressive," Haruki thought. "Momo really lives up to her reputation as the ultimate tank."
Seeing this, Haruki knew he had to befriend these two.
While his favorability with Renji was already above 60, his retionships with Kira and Hinamori were far less developed.
Since he hadn't ied with them much, their favorability stood at a mere 20.
Time to make some new friends!
