Reincarnated As Shiba Clan’s Heir! (Bleach-Gin)

A silence fell between them as Kazuki absorbed this new information. The words were foreign, the concepts complex, but an inexplicable familiarity tugged at the edges of his consciousness. His heart pounded with an anticipation he didn't fully understand.

Isshin looked at Kazuki, his eyes full of compassion. "Kazuki, this is your legacy now, too. Your energy, your spirit... it's powerful. It resonates with the essence of a Shinigami. When I found you, even in your lost state, your reiatsu was strong. It’s something you carry within you, even if you can't remember."

Kazuki stared at his hands, his mind swirling with thoughts and questions. He could feel something within him, something warm, powerful... and familiar. Could this be what Isshin was referring to as his reiatsu? The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Kazuki closed his eyes, trying to still his racing thoughts. He focused on the warmth, the power that swirled inside him, as elusive as a summer breeze. It felt oddly familiar, a distant memory whispering through the corridors of his mind. A nostalgic tug of longing reverberated within him, coaxing the energy to respond.

Slowly, he extended his arm, pointing his index finger towards the sky, the expanse of black velvet speckled with the glitter of stars. The power within him stirred, responding to the silent call.

A soft gasp escaped Kazuki’s lips as a current of energy began to surge through his veins, pooling in his fingertip. The sensation was so overpowering, so right, that he couldn't help but let it flow.

And then, with a small jolt, an iridescent blast of energy burst forth from the tip of his finger, shooting into the sky, breaking through the peaceful silence of the courtyard. It lit up the night like a comet, the bright streak of light casting long shadows around them.

"Isshin," Kazuki breathed, his voice barely a whisper. He lowered his hand, the lingering traces of energy still buzzing under his skin. He looked over at his companion, his eyes wide with awe and a tinge of fear. "What... was that?"

Isshin was staring at him, his eyes wide with shock, mouth agape. The typically composed man seemed absolutely stunned, his usual confident poise replaced by an expression of sheer disbelief.

"That was...that was Hado 1, Sho," Isshin said, his voice filled with awe. He rubbed the back of his neck, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "You...you just used Kido."

Kazuki blinked at him, still trying to process what had happened. "Kido?" he echoed, the term sounding foreign on his tongue.

"Yes, Kido," Isshin nodded, regaining his composure. "It's a form of Shinigami combat, based on advanced spells split into two categories: Hado for direct attacks, and Bakudo for battle support. It takes most Shinigami years to master even the basic spells, and yet...you just effortlessly used one."

The words washed over Kazuki, each one carving a deeper understanding of the strange, new world he had become a part of. He looked down at his hands, still trembling from the rush of energy, feeling a new sense of awe for the power he held.

"But...how? I don't remember learning this," he murmured, his voice a quiet whisper against the night's tranquility.

Isshin turned to Kazuki, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and surprise. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, his voice echoing softly in the silent courtyard.

"Kazuki, what you just did is a manifestation of your soul's energy, your Reiatsu," he began, his gaze piercing into Kazuki's. "Even though you're new to all this, you managed to project that energy without any formal training. That alone speaks volumes about your potential."

Kazuki remained silent, staring at his hand as if it held the answers to all his questions. His heart pounded in his chest, the reality of his newfound abilities slowly sinking in. He could feel the residual traces of energy in his fingertips, the faint tingling sensation an echo of the blast that had shot into the night sky.

"Hado and Kido, they're not just techniques or spells," Isshin continued, his voice carrying a soft undertone of excitement. "They're an extension of one's soul, an outward projection of the energy that lies within us. It's our spirit, our Reiatsu, that powers these techniques."

Kazuki looked up at Isshin, his eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and confusion. "But I've never done this before," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't even remember learning about... any of this."

Isshin gave him a thoughtful look, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, that's the fascinating part, Kazuki," he said, a warm smile playing on his lips. "It's not always about learning, sometimes it's about instinct. It's about tapping into the energy that exists within you and channeling it in the right direction."

He leaned back on the bench, his gaze drifting towards the sky where the bright trail of Kazuki's Hado was slowly fading. "What you just did, Kazuki, it's called Hado 1, Sho. It's one of the basic spells in Kido, the art of demon way, but it takes most Shinigami quite some time to master even this. But you, you just did it instinctively."

Isshin’s words hung in the air, the implications of his ability settling around Kazuki like a heavy cloak. He was a part of something far greater than he could've imagined, a world where spirits and energies were not just concepts but tangible elements that one could touch and wield. A sense of thrill ran through him, mingled with a tinge of fear. He was standing on the precipice of a vast, unknown realm, one step away from plunging into the depths of a new reality.

The following morning found Kazuki stirring awake to the sound of persistent knocking. Blinking his eyes open, he found himself still in the guest room that he had been shown the night before. Sunlight filtered through the shoji screen, casting a warm glow on the tatami floor.

"Kazuki, breakfast is ready," called a voice, it was Kukaku Shiba, the outspoken woman with a fiery spirit. Her words were punctuated by another firm rap on the door.

Pushing himself up from the futon, Kazuki took a moment to orient himself. "Coming!" he called out, quickly folding up his futon and donning the traditional Shinigami uniform that had been left out for him. The black shihakusho felt foreign yet oddly comfortable, the fabric light and breathable against his skin.

When he emerged from the room, Kukaku was waiting for him in the hallway, leaning against the wall with a patient smile. "Took you long enough," she teased. "We were about to start without you."

"Sorry for the delay," Kazuki apologized, offering her a sheepish smile.

"Don't sweat it," Kukaku waved off his apology with a laugh. "Come on, let's get you fed. You have a big day ahead."