Chapter 66 – 66 ⥤ Have You Been Beaten by a Hollow?

When Genryūsai’s words registered, Akira’s eyes lit up immediately.

What better way to get business and spread his reputation!

He leaned back, took a small sip of the consecrated tea, and — after striking just the right pose — cleared his throat with purpose.

“Fair dealings for all, no charge if it’s not true!”

“What can you divine?”

“Love, fortune, health, future prospects, family…” Akira listed more than a dozen items as if his divination powers were limitless.

“I do indeed have something I wish to divine.” Genryūsai’s gaze softened, his imposing presence diminishing until he seemed like nothing more than an ordinary elderly man, “About the future fate of Soul Society and the Gotei 13. Can you divine that?”

Akira nodded confidently, “Of course.”

As he finished speaking, under the old man’s puzzled gaze, he produced divination tortoise shells and copper coins from his empty sleeves and pockets.

As a Head Priest, he wasn’t merely a deceiver — he possessed legitimate scholarly knowledge. Since Genryūsai had presented this new request, performing a reading seemed worthwhile.

Tortoise shell divination was an ancient method from the time of the Sakahone Shrine. Taught by Nanao herself, Akira had made it famous throughout the Sakahone district and beyond into Rukongai.

Now, it had even spread to the Seireitei.

A low-level Shakkahō ignited in his palm, bringing warmth to the recently cooled teahouse.

Seeing this, a flash of surprise crossed Genryūsai’s half-closed eyes.

Intelligence reports had often mentioned Akira’s genius, but this was his first time witnessing it firsthand. The last time he’d seen him in action was at the Shin’ō Academy, where he had defeated an elite sixth-year student with his bare hands.

That technique he called “Tenrin Gessō” remained fresh in his memory. Few Shinigami would name their techniques so distinctively.

Neither beautiful nor imposing.

Yet after conversing with Akira, Genryūsai realized these bizarre names suited the boy perfectly, without any discord.

Now, watching him display multiple exceptional talents in such a short time, he couldn’t help but appreciate the youth’s abilities.

The last Shinigami this talented was that fellow called Shunsui Kyōraku.

Akira controlled the Shakkahō’s temperature and began heating the tortoise shell while chanting incantations. The ritual words inherited from the Sakahone Shrine filled the small teahouse with an otherworldly atmosphere.

The crackling of burning continued steadily.

Akira furrowed his brow as he interpreted the cracks forming on the tortoise shell and their rhythmic sounds. After careful consideration, he gave his assessment.

“Strange.” Before the old man could question him, he continued, “In all my years of divination, this is the first time I’ve encountered such peculiar omens. The past is crystal clear, but the future lies shrouded in thick fog, completely obscured.”

Genryūsai’s expression turned puzzled, “What did you see about the past?”

“A young man who looks remarkably like you, Captain-Commander, with a receding hairline, getting thoroughly thrashed by a massive albino creature. He was utterly helpless — it was brutal!”

Genryūsai fell silent.

Akira marveled, stating he had never seen such an enormous creature. While it had all the characteristics of a Hollow, neither in his past life nor his current one had he encountered anything so massive.

Compared to it, even an Adjuchas as tall as a skyscraper seemed like nothing more than a child’s toy — they simply weren’t in the same league.

While describing these details, he failed to notice the throbbing veins that had appeared on Genryūsai’s forehead, particularly visible on his smooth scalp.

“Damn it, I asked about the future of Soul Society and the Gotei 13, not the past!”

Akira sheepishly extinguished the Shakkahō and put away the tortoise shell, “Well, I couldn’t see anything. Though this situation isn’t normal, I really couldn’t divine a thing. Would you like to try a different reading?”

Genryūsai took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

The boy before him increasingly reminded him of someone from his memory — they were definitely in the same league when it came to being irritating.

“That’s enough. The contents of today’s conversation must remain confidential.” He said, no longer wanting to see this priest, “Also, regarding the matter of rituals, you should know your limits. I won’t place any further restrictions. Now, get out.”

Akira’s face showed hesitation.

“Although I couldn’t divine anything, considering the tortoise shell is now ruined, perhaps you could reimburse me?”

Genryūsai spoke gravely and concisely, “Get out.”

“Right away!” Akira drained his tea and quickly fled from the teahouse.

Although he hadn’t earned any money from the old man, he had obtained the ‘Absolute Justice’ Trait and a +3 bonus to all levels — this was a total win.

After his departure, Genryūsai sat in place, staring absently at the bubbling teapot.

“Divination, exorcism, blessings, rituals, Mimihagi’s trust… A path completely unforeseen by those who came before — this boy doesn’t understand. His very existence is the most serious affront to Soul Society. We must guide him onto the correct path, otherwise, I will have no choice but to…”

As if recalling the past, his eyelids drooped, and his presence gradually calmed.

In the teahouse, the fragrance of tea permeated the air.

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After escaping from the 1st Division headquarters, Akira pondered deeply on his way back.

Something was off about that divination.

In an effort to build trust and rapport with Genryūsai, he had performed a genuine reading using the sacred methods passed down from the Sakahone Shrine — no deception involved.

Just as he’d told the Captain-Commander, the divination had revealed only the past, leaving the future obscured.

Such a result should have been impossible.

Given his knowledge of Soul Society’s future from his past life, how could the divination show something entirely different from what he knew would happen?

There could be only one explanation: his very existence had made the future impossible to predict.

“I really am a genius.” Akira said, feeling rather pleased with himself.

Yet another thought crossed his mind — if he were to end his life now, would that set the future back on its original path?

Finding no answer, he dismissed the whole train of thought.

Let Aizen wrestle with such mind-bending problems. He had grander ambitions to pursue.

For instance, creating true art with his own hands!

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