Bleach: I Love Making Friends

White was created too recently. If it had more time to grow, it would definitely become even stronger; I can't even imagine its upper limit.

He glanced at Ukitake and saw that his face was grim.

Setting aside the fact that it was his subordinate currently fighting White, the appearance of such a powerful Hollow in the Soul Society alone was enough to command the full attention of the Gotei 13.

Which meant he had to think of a way to draw Jūshirō Ukitake away.

Haruki shot Ukitake a subtle look.

With him around, whatever I do will be difficult. I'm not even sure I can fool him.

Despite how he's always depicted as a gentle, sickly character in the manga, this guy has been a captain for a hundred years. Although he doesn't always look impressive, he's on the same level as Kyōraku Shunsui, so there's no way he's weak.

It's just that his body will eventually fail him.

Haruki narrowed his eyes. Ukitake's biggest issue is his poor health. Usually it's manageable, but if he gets sick in the middle of a fight, it could be fatal.

If that happens, forget White—he wouldn't even be able to beat Metastacia.

So as soon as he has an attack, I can make my move.

Haruki looked at White. He could only hope it would understand his intentions.

After all, White had been completed using a fragment of Haruki's soul, so it naturally had some connection to him. That also explained its innate favorable impression of him. Without Haruki doing a thing, White already had a favorability of 60 toward him.

Haruki likewise felt a faint sense of that bond. Right now, he tried to convey his intentions to White.

White had already overwhelmed Kaien Shiba; it likely wouldn't be long before it finished him off.

But at that moment, in response to Haruki's strong will, White suddenly turned its gaze in Haruki's direction.

Haruki breathed a sigh of relief. That meant White could sense his intentions.

Attack Jūshirō Ukitake,

Attack this captain in the haori next to me!

Once more, Haruki sent that message mentally, and indeed, White indicated it was about to strike.

"Be careful!"

Ukitake, sensing the killing intent, placed his hand on his Zanpakutō. If White attacked, he would counter immediately.

In the blink of an eye, White abandoned Kaien Shiba and charged straight at—

Rukia Kuchiki!

The sudden change astonished Kaien, who had been fighting it, as well as Ukitake, who was already on guard. Even Haruki—who was trying to direct White—and Aizen, who was watching from the shadows, were caught off-guard.

The only one who wasn't shocked was Rukia, the target of its attack, because she hadn't even realized what was happening!

Haruki hurriedly swung his blade to intercept. Ukitake had also stepped in front of Rukia, but White simply circled around him and continued its attack on Rukia!

It wasn't until White was right in front of her that Rukia finally reacted. She stared in horror at the black figure, whose arms were like blades about to slice off her head.

This is bad!

Just in time, Haruki's blade managed to block White's attack. The immense force slammed Haruki's sword against Rukia, sending her flying backward.

"Damn it!"

Haruki growled, and Ukitake was already rushing over.

Seeing that it couldn't continue after Rukia, White turned to clash with Ukitake instead.

"Captain!"

Down below, Kaien was frantic. From his vantage point, he couldn't see how Rukia was faring. Though he could still sense her spiritual pressure, it was very faint.

He tried to leap up but, still badly wounded, he clutched his abdomen and sank to one knee.

"Capt…ain… Rukia…"

He panted, calling out to them.

Haruki seized the moment to hurry over to Rukia's side, grabbed her, and used Shunpo to bring her down to where Kaien was.

"Hold on, I'll heal both of you."

Haruki's face was solemn. He never expected White would suddenly lose it and lunge at Rukia so recklessly. Given Rukia's level of skill, even a glancing blow from White would be crippling or fatal.

His own healing wasn't especially advanced, but that didn't matter. Recently, he had raised Hanatarō Yamada's favorability toward him above 60, so he had a one-time use of "Healing Wave."

Rukia was in bad shape. Even though Haruki had managed to soften the impact, she was still seriously hurt, breathing with difficulty—just like Kaien.

"Lie down, both of you."

Haruki's tone was firm.

Kaien wanted to get up and help Ukitake, so Haruki simply pushed him back down.

In the next second, a green light glowed in Haruki's palm—just a basic healing Kidō. Immediately after, he activated "Healing Wave!"

A golden light spread from his palm, flowed into Rukia's soul, then transferred from her soul to Kaien's, cycling repeatedly between the two. Their injuries rapidly mended.

Kaien, surprised, said, "I didn't know your healing skills were this good!"

He had intended to help Ukitake because he assumed Haruki's healing wouldn't do much.

In his mind, Haruki was a new graduate from the Shin'ō Academy who'd only become a lieutenant under special circumstances. If his spiritual pressure was already high, that was impressive enough—no one imagined he would also excel in healing.

Yet now, Haruki had shown extraordinary Kaidō expertise, practically healing both of them in mere moments.

"Go help Captain Ukitake."

Haruki's expression was serious. "Fight for your wife, your subordinates, and your captain."

Kaien froze for a second, then gave a firm nod.

"Absolutely!"

With that, he launched himself upward in a burst of Shunpo.

In that moment, Kaien's favorability toward Haruki broke past 60, reaching 69. This granted Haruki a one-time use of the "Resemblance" ability.

Moreover, given Kaien's personality, raising his favorability to 80 would now be within easy reach.