Soul Society: Love and Bonds [2]

Damn it!

When Makoto first saw the white haori, he’d thought she was someone from the Gotei 13, recruiting cannon fodder. He’d believed he could finally escape this damned place.

But it turns out, she's another killer from Zaraki?

Fujimiya Makoto narrowed his eyes, his thin frame bending forward. His right hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, like a cat bristling with hostility, locked in confrontation with the long-haired woman before him.

He’d been reincarnated into Soul Society for some time now. But Zaraki had no day or night, and he’d long since lost track of how many days had passed. The only certainty was that he'd already cut down dozens—perhaps hundreds—of people who’d tried to kill him.

Aside from fighting, his life was nothing but endless wandering. With only his two legs and no landmarks, it was impossible to escape this barren land.

If it weren't for his somewhat deranged cheat system keeping him alive, Makoto would likely have long since become food for someone else.

Only now did he truly grasp the cruelty of this place called Soul Society.

It was precisely because of this endless torment, both physical and mental, that when he spotted someone in a white haori—seemingly from the Gotei 13—he immediately stopped and asked the woman who she was.

Now, though, it seemed his hopeful teenage heart had been betrayed once again.

As this thought crossed his mind, his system panel flashed before his eyes.

[The true meaning of love between two people lies in the intense collision of passion and tenderness!]

[Don’t stop!]

[Zanjutsu +3]

This shameless system was his exclusive cheat.

Its dialogue was cringeworthy, bordering on yandere at times, but at least it had a normal-sounding name—the "Love and Bonds System."

Makoto had managed to survive until now solely because of it.

——PI——

Name: Fujimiya Makoto

Spiritual Power: Rank 7 – Upper Level

Four Skills:

• Zanjutsu: Rank 4 (53/100)

• Hakuda: Rank 2 (29/100)

• Kidō: Rank 1 (35/100)

• Hohō: Rank 6 (20/100) [Talent Limited]

Zanpakutō: Unreleased

Talent Points: 0

Bond Traits: None

Love Traits: None

Note: Current world's highest individual skill is [Kidō: Rank 21], possessed by [Ichibē Hyōsube].

Spiritual power, four skills, Zanpakutō release, bond/love traits are all constrained by talent limits. Limits can be exceeded by using [Talent Points].

——END——

Isn't this too absurd?!

Seeing the sudden jump in his Zanjutsu, Makoto’s heart pounded violently.

He’d fought more than a hundred battles already. Apart from his [Shunpo], honed to its maximum at the beginning for survival, his highest attribute was Zanjutsu.

To raise it merely to Rank Four, he had slaughtered nearly a hundred people. Yet, each person he killed typically yielded no more than five points—often only one or two.

But this woman…

He’d gained three points from just a single clash?!

Given that stronger opponents yielded more points, Makoto had a sinking feeling that today would be extremely unlucky.

“You're not attacking?”

While he was deeply "gazing" at her, Unohana Yachiru was calmly observing him as well.

Her graceful features slowly broke into a serene smile.

“Then, I’ll come to you.”

In an instant, overwhelming terror surged in Makoto’s heart. Her intense killing intent pierced him like a tangible blade, forcing him to choose between fighting or dying immediately.

Clang!

Instant step. Thrust.

Makoto's sword streaked through the air like a flash of lightning, driven purely by instinct into the woman's domain.

It was fast.

Yet Unohana simply raised the tiny dagger in her hand.

With a slight tap forward—

Makoto’s strike was effortlessly blocked.

No matter how many times he swung his sword, the result remained the same.

Meanwhile, the system panel flashed continuously before his eyes.

[When you can’t resist the urge to penetrate deeper into big sister, only experienced big sisters know how essential teasing is for boys~!]

[Zanjutsu +4]

[No! Don’t! Don't stop now~!!]

[Zanjutsu +3]

Makoto had no time for such embarrassing nonsense. Only by focusing completely could he barely resist the deadly intent radiating from the woman in front of him.

His entire attention was locked onto the small dagger in Unohana’s hand.

It was like staring at the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head.

His blade movements grew faster and faster, guided almost purely by instinct.

[Zanjutsu +2], [Zanjutsu +3], [Zanjutsu +4]…

Unohana Yachiru appeared to merely be playing, flicking her dagger effortlessly like chopsticks, blocking Makoto’s every move without mercy, never counterattacking.

However, as time passed, she seemed to notice something strange, furrowing her brows slightly in puzzlement.

Abruptly, she twisted the dagger, suddenly thrusting it toward Makoto's chest.

A movement fluid and spontaneous.

The strike carried neither killing intent nor warning, almost whimsical.

Yet Makoto reacted as if anticipating it. Twisting his body, he deliberately took the strike on his shoulder, simultaneously stabbing forward with his longer blade.

Ting!

Unohana pivoted her wrist, easily deflecting Makoto’s attack, her brows now deeply furrowed.

Was he holding back earlier?

Testing my strength?

No… It didn’t feel like testing. Rather…

As if having discovered something intriguing, Unohana’s eyes flashed brightly. Her dagger movements suddenly doubled in speed.

Shhh!

Makoto’s shoulder was slashed open, the sharp dagger tearing through his clothing. Though he’d evaded fatal injury, blood still spilled freely.

[Deeper! Go deeper! Only when she pierces deeply into your body can you truly understand the depth of her love~!]

[Zanjutsu +8]

[Ding!]

[Zanjutsu: Rank 5↑]

At that moment, when his skill broke through, Makoto felt his body and consciousness transcend.

The dagger, previously a blur, became crystal clear in his vision.

He could distinctly feel the loose reishi in his frail body and the searing pain from his muscles tearing—his wrist, arm, shoulder, torso, even his legs—while pushing himself to the limit.

And he realized this graceful woman hadn't even changed her breathing during this intense fight.

Escape meant certain death.

She was simply playing with him.

His only path was to entertain her completely!

Under the crushing weight of her murderous aura, his mind no longer had room for thought.

He could do only one thing—

Swing his sword!

Unohana seemed to ignore his movements, calmly thrusting once again toward him.

Spiritual pressure exploded outward.

Wind whipped up sand beneath their feet. Makoto shot forward like an arrow, his blade grazing past Unohana’s dagger.

Clang!

A strike identical in strength and speed to the one that had wounded him earlier was directly deflected by Makoto’s sword.

At the same time, his blade tip pointed straight at her heart.

In that instant, reflected in Makoto’s eyes was the stunning, beautiful face of a woman now filled with an unnatural yet intoxicatingly deadly joy.

After two exchanges, Unohana Yachiru finally understood.

This child wasn’t hiding his strength.

Rather…

He was improving.

Improving at an incredible rate!

She narrowed her eyes, carefully observing the youth before her.

Slowly, on Unohana Yachiru’s pale face appeared a radiant and captivating smile.

---

This is a fan translation of 人在尸魂界，从恋与羁绊开始 by 纸刻 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!