1 Reborn

You have been warned!!!

Slow-paced storytelling: The novel focuses on slice-of-life events, so you should be prepared for a leisurely narrative with a slower progression of major plot points.

Memory retrieval: Kazuki's memories from his past life(Gin Ichimaru) will gradually resurface over time. If you prefer a story with immediate recollection or rapid development, this may not be the right fit.

Harem elements: The novel incorporates a harem dynamic, with Kazuki attracting the romantic interest of multiple characters. While this adds to the romantic subplot, some readers may have personal preferences or find it off-putting. I am thinking of 10 or so Harem members and not Gotta Catch 'em All.

Limited action and battles in early chapters: While there will be battles and action sequences, the focus of the story lies more on character development and interpersonal relationships. Readers seeking intense combat scenarios or continuous action may need to adjust their expectations.

Romantic comedy elements: Kazuki's interactions with Yoruichi provide moments of humor and levity, but the novel also includes romantic comedy elements. If you are not a fan of romantic comedy or prefer a different genre, please take note.

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A rush of chilling wind kissed Kazuki's skin, snapping his eyes open to an alien sky of melancholic gray. His mind hummed with disorientation, an uncomfortable prickle crawling up his spine as he realized he was laid out on a threadbare straw mat in an unknown place.

Confusion seized him, his thoughts hazy and unformed. Where was he? His mind scrambled for a memory, any memory, that could anchor him to this reality, but all he met was a terrifying blankness. An emptiness that seemed to echo endlessly in his mind. A knot formed in his stomach, a rising sense of dread taking root.

A door creaked open, and Kazuki instinctively turned toward the sound. A middle-aged man in a simple kimono came in, a warm and welcoming smile on his face. His eyes, a soft shade of brown, held a compassionate understanding that slightly eased the panic clawing at Kazuki's insides.

"Young man, you're awake. Good to see. I feared you were caught in a nasty spell," the man said, carrying a bowl of rice in his hands. He set it down in front of Kazuki, the scent of cooked grains filling the small room and making his stomach churn with sudden hunger. He hadn't realized he was starving until that very moment.

The man noticed Kazuki's startled confusion. "Ah, my apologies. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm a servant here in the Shiba Clan house. Young Master Isshin found you unconscious outside and brought you here."

"Shiba Clan...?" Kazuki echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. The words sounded foreign, unfamiliar. And yet, something stirred within him, a faint whisper of a memory that refused to fully form. The emptiness within him twisted uncomfortably.

As if on autopilot, Kazuki reached out and took the bowl of rice, his hands shaking slightly. He ate mechanically, his mind racing with thousands of unanswered questions. With each bite, he felt a little strength return to his limbs.

The door slid open again, interrupting his spiraling thoughts. A tall teenager entered the room, his striking black hair and intense brown eyes instantly demanding attention. His appearance was young. The boy was lean but strong, his muscles visible under his loosely fitting kimono. He wore a self-assured smirk on his face, one that hinted at both mischievousness and a hidden depth of wisdom.

"Hey, you're finally up!" The teen's voice boomed across the room, startling Kazuki. He recognized the voice, but he couldn't place it, his memory frustratingly elusive.

Kazuki swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Who... who are you?"

The teen let out a hearty laugh, an infectious sound that filled the room with an inexplicable warmth. "Me? I'm Isshin, Isshin Shiba. And you are?"

"Kazuki…" he answered, the taste of his name felt strange and new on his tongue. And yet, it was his name. He knew it deep within his bones. Even though everything else was a blank slate, his identity held steadfast.

Isshin's eyebrows raised at Kazuki's words, his interest piqued. "Kazuki, huh? Nice to meet you," he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. He paused for a moment, studying Kazuki closely before his lips curled into a knowing smile.

"That hunger you're feeling, Kazuki, isn't just from physical exhaustion," Isshin began, his voice dropping into a serious tone. "It's a symptom of latent spiritual power. It's your body's way of telling you there's more to you than meets the eye. You... have the potential to awaken the power of a Shinigami."

Kazuki froze, the words striking a chord within him. They were familiar, but he couldn't recall why. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing the unknown he was diving into. He stared at Isshin, his ice-blue eyes wide and filled with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

"I... don't understand," Kazuki admitted, his voice shaky. His mind spun, unable to process the information. Shinigami? Spiritual power? None of it made sense, and yet... there was a thread of familiarity that twisted in his stomach, making him uncomfortably aware of an unsettling truth: this was not his first time hearing such words.

Isshin's smile widened, clearly amused. "Most people don't at first," he admitted, leaning against the door frame. His casual posture was a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation. "But the fact you're experiencing these symptoms already indicates that you have a strong potential."

Kazuki gulped, his heart thumping against his ribs. A flurry of emotions rushed through him: confusion, disbelief, curiosity, and a creeping sense of fear. He barely noticed the empty bowl of rice in his hands.

Seeing the shock etched onto Kazuki's face, Isshin took a deep breath and continued. "In other words, you're special, Kazuki," he explained, his voice gentle but filled with conviction. "And because of that, I think it'd be beneficial for you... to join our family. The Shiba clan."

Kazuki's breath hitched, his eyes widening at Isshin's words. The room seemed to spin around him, his mind unable to comprehend what was happening. Join their family? The idea was absurd, unfathomable, and yet... there was a spark of intrigue, a pull that tugged at his heartstrings.

"Why... why would you want me?" Kazuki asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He couldn't fathom why anyone, let alone a family as prestigious as the Shiba clan, would want him, a stranger with no memories.

Isshin laughed lightly, a soft and open sound that made the room feel brighter. His eyes were sparkling with genuine warmth, easing some of the tension out of Kazuki's stiffened muscles.

"Why not?" he echoed, his voice reverberating in the small space. There was a carefree cadence to his words, the sentence a light-hearted shrug encapsulated in sound.

Kazuki stared at him, at a loss for words. He glanced at his empty hands, still holding the rice bowl, and then back at Isshin.

"But, I'm... I don't even remember who I am," he finally confessed, the words escaping in a quiet whisper. There was a vulnerability in his voice, a plea for understanding.

Isshin's gaze softened, his earlier amusement fading into empathy. He walked over to Kazuki, closing the distance between them and crouched down to his level. His brown eyes met Kazuki's ice-blue ones, a silent promise of sincerity hanging in the air.

"I know it must be confusing," Isshin began, his voice gentle, understanding. "But sometimes, it's our actions that define us, not our past. And you... your spirit... it's strong. I could sense it the moment I found you."

The sincerity in Isshin's words caught Kazuki off guard. He hadn't expected this kind of empathy, this understanding from someone who was essentially a stranger to him. But the honest warmth radiating from Isshin was comforting in a way Kazuki didn't fully understand.

"Joining us, joining the Shiba clan, it would give you a chance to start anew," Isshin continued. "We'll help you find your path. And in return, if you can grow strong, our clan would be honored to count you among us."

Kazuki looked down, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. There was so much he didn't know, so much he didn't understand. But amid the chaos, a small flame flickered inside him. A tiny beacon of hope, a whisper of possibility that came to life with Isshin's words.

He took a deep breath, his mind trying to piece together the fragments of his reality. He was lost, adrift in a sea of unknowns. But here was Isshin, offering him a lifeline. The thought was as terrifying as it was comforting.

He finally looked up, meeting Isshin's patient gaze. "And if I can't become strong?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.

Isshin's smile was gentle, his eyes reflecting a genuine kindness that warmed Kazuki's cold uncertainties. "Well," he started, his voice carrying a lighthearted undertone, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, you're part of the family."

Before Kazuki could say anything else, Isshin extended his hand, offering a physical manifestation of the verbal contract they had just established. His grip was firm, yet warm - a solid reassurance that this was real.

Kazuki stared at the hand, then back at Isshin. This man, who had found him and offered him food, was now offering him a family. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in the quiet room. Slowly, he reached out and took Isshin's hand, his own grip shaky but determined.

Isshin's smile widened, and he clapped Kazuki on the shoulder with his free hand. "Welcome to the family, Kazuki," he declared, his voice ringing with unmistakable joy.