"Hmph! Since you're so sincere, I'll give you a chance — but only if you agree to one condition first."
Liu Huo shoved Kurozawa Ren away slightly, raised a finger, and said this with conviction.
"Please go ahead." Kurozawa Ren sat upright instantly, fully focused on listening to Liu Huo's demand.
"I want you to achieve Bankai-level synchronization quickly so I can manifest in the physical world. And once that happens, you must take me to try all the delicacies in this world!" Liu Huo declared seriously.
Kurozawa Ren: (゜ロ゜)
Sharpshooter: (゜ロ゜)
Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, Liu Huo frowned. "What's wrong? Is this condition that hard? Even if it is, you still have to agree. Otherwise, I won't let you succeed in mastering Bankai."
Kurozawa Ren recovered quickly and said without hesitation, "I agree! I swear!"
Immediately, he raised three fingers, but strangely began counting from four, clearly panicking to make his point.
"I, Kurozawa Ren, swear upon my soul that I will train relentlessly to achieve the conditions necessary for Liu Huo to manifest in the physical world, and take her to experience all the world's cuisines! If I break this vow, may my soul fall into the lowest depths of Hell, forever condemned!" he declared with utmost solemnity.
Liu Huo's eyes softened visibly. The fiery spirit inside her seemed genuinely touched by his earnest vow.
"You... you're actually obedient when it counts. Since you've sworn such an oath, then as your Zanpakutō spirit, I can't treat you badly. Once you meet the requirements for Bankai, I'll let you pass without making things hard. From now on, I've got your back!" Liu Huo grinned, patting Ren on the shoulder, having already forgotten her earlier annoyance.
Sweat appeared on Sharpshooter's brow. This spirit's way too easy to please...
"Alright! Since you've accepted my condition, go back and train hard. I'll be waiting for the day you bring me into the real world." With a wave of her hand, Liu Huo sent Ren's spiritual form flying backward as his consciousness returned to his body.
Kurozawa Ren's vision dimmed. The moment his mind re-entered the physical realm, a wave of pain and exhaustion swept through his body. His earlier excitement from connecting with both Liu Huo and Sharpshooter was drowned by sheer fatigue.
So tired... I can't even lift my eyelids…
Ren couldn't resist the pull of unconsciousness. This marked only the second time since arriving in this world that he'd truly slept. Ever since obtaining the spiritual energy cultivation method, he had relied solely on meditation — which restored stamina and grew spirit power. But today, his body had reached its absolute limit.
---
The Next Morning
After a solid night of rest, Kurozawa Ren felt completely refreshed. His body was no longer aching, and the rare sleep had left him in unusually high spirits.
"Itachi-kun, you should go rest for a bit. I'll watch Sasuke for now. Aunt Mikoto said you've been up all night." A soft, sweet voice sounded beside him. Ren immediately recognized it as Izumi's.
He slowly opened his eyes to find Itachi sitting at his bedside. His brother's eyes were red and clearly bloodshot — evidence of a sleepless night. Izumi knelt nearby, her expression full of concern. Fugaku and Mikoto didn't appear to be home.
"No, I—" Itachi started, but stopped when he noticed that his younger brother was awake and looking directly at him.
"Sasuke! You're awake! How are you feeling? Are you in any pain? Are you hungry? I'll cook for you right now!" Itachi suddenly stood from his chair, his voice filled with urgency and care.
"Ahhh—Little Lord Sasuke is finally up! I was so worried! If you hadn't woken up, I think Itachi might've collapsed from exhaustion," Izumi joked light-heartedly, trying to lift the tension.
She had sensed the heavy mood ever since arriving at the Uchiha residence. Now that Sasuke — or rather, Kurozawa Ren — was awake, she offered a cheerful comment to lighten the mood.
Kurozawa Ren was quietly moved. Having once been an abandoned orphan in his past life, he now experienced something he had long yearned for — a true home filled with people who cared.
I will protect everyone who loves me. Ren made a silent vow.
"Nii-san, I'm okay now. I was probably just exhausted. I'm sorry for making you worry," he said with a warm smile while sitting up slowly.
Itachi rushed over and gently helped him up, propping a pillow behind his back.
"You don't need to apologize. You're my little brother — of course I'll worry. That's what family does," Itachi said softly, patting his head.
Izumi watched the touching scene with a smile, but when Itachi used the phrase "my little brother", her face turned bright red. She immediately covered her cheeks with her hands and looked away, flustered.
Itachi-kun just said 'our little brother'! Does that mean he acknowledges me?! Aaaaah! What should I do? So embarrassing!
Ren noticed Izumi's flustered movements and smiled. He gently said, "Thank you, Sister Izumi, for visiting me. You and Nii-san look really good together, by the way."
"Eh? R-Really? Do we really look like a couple?" Izumi turned toward him excitedly, her face glowing red.
Ren's words sent her mood sky-high, and her thoughts began spiraling joyfully.
Itachi, however, remained completely oblivious, focused only on checking on his little brother's well-being.
"Of course you do," Ren said with a firm nod.
At 11 years old, Itachi was already taller than Izumi, and both wore the Uchiha clan's standard black, high-collared attire. They looked like they were dressed in matching outfits.
Itachi, with his innate poise and outstanding looks, was a standout among the Uchiha. And Izumi, with her glossy black hair and the small mole beneath her right eye, gave off an elegant charm. When the two stood together, they truly looked compatible — albeit still quite young.
After Ren's comment, Izumi was practically radiating joy, hearts metaphorically floating around her head as she continued to sneak glances at Itachi.
"Nii-san… the clan…" Ren's tone shifted to something serious. He was already speculating that internal tensions must've escalated.
Uchiha Setsuna's attempt to kill him and pin it on Danzō had failed. That incident could no longer be swept under the rug. No matter how much Fugaku prioritized unity, this would surely spark deeper conflict between the hawks and doves within the Uchiha.
Itachi's smile gradually faded. With his intellect and sensitivity, he was well aware that the situation was far more dire than Ren could guess.
"You don't need to worry about that. Father and I are handling it. You should focus on your training. No matter what happens… your brother will shield you," Itachi replied, deliberately avoiding the details.
"But—"
Before Ren could continue, Itachi leaned forward and gently rested his forehead against his brother's, quieting him.
"Don't worry. I'm here."