Transcendent Flame

Viktor gave a subtle nod. "Good. This will be a true test of both her power and her resolve."

An hour later, the treatment room was ready. The space was meticulously prepared under Chōjirō's supervision, every detail attended to with the precision expected of the First Division. The room's serene atmosphere, bathed in soft light, belied the significance of what was to occur.

Viktor sat at the edge of the treatment bed, his hands resting on his knees as he waited. The door slid open, and Unohana entered, walking with her usual calm poise. Beside her, Orihime followed, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. Though she moved with confidence, her wide eyes betrayed a hint of uncertainty as they darted around the room.

Unohana's serene voice broke the silence. "Inoue-san, this task is no different from what you accomplished with Captain Ukitake. You've already proven your ability to heal even the most dire conditions. This time, I will guide you closer than before. Trust in your power. You can do this."

Orihime glanced at Unohana, then at Viktor. She swallowed hard, her determination slowly overtaking her nerves. "Yes, Captain Unohana," she said softly. "I'll do my best."

Viktor observed her closely, his sharp eyes assessing every nuance of her posture, her expression, and the resolve flickering in her eyes. Though her nervousness was evident, so too was the spark of courage that had carried her this far. He inclined his head slightly, his gravelly voice carrying a note of encouragement.

"Inoue-san," he said, "your power is unlike anything we have ever seen. You've already achieved what many thought impossible. I trust in your ability to help me now. Proceed with confidence. You are more than capable."

Orihime's cheeks flushed faintly at the words, her hands relaxing slightly as she nodded. "Thank you, Sōtaichō. I won't let you down."

Unohana placed a gentle hand on Orihime's shoulder, her presence a steadying force. "Remember, Inoue-san," she said quietly, "you are not alone in this. We are here to guide and support you."

At their unwavering belief in her and their encouraging words, Orihime's thoughts turned to her training. The past four days had been a whirlwind of intense preparation. From the moment Unohana introduced her to the principles of kidō and their connection to her unique abilities, Orihime had thrown herself wholeheartedly into learning, determined to master what was needed.

Unohana had been a meticulous teacher, guiding Orihime through the fundamentals of kaidō—the healing branch of kidō. Orihime had practiced tirelessly, focusing on understanding the flow of spiritual energy and the way it interacted with injuries, both physical and spiritual. Unohana had supplemented this with lessons on the essence of a soul, explaining how the threads of reishi and reiatsu intertwined to form the core of existence.

Orihime's practical training had included sessions with injured personnel from the Fourth Division, her abilities carefully monitored and guided by Unohana herself. Under Unohana's supervision, Orihime had applied her powers to stabilize severe wounds, repair damaged organs, and even mend the fractured soul threads of a grievously injured shinigami. While her abilities often defied conventional kaidō logic, Unohana had helped Orihime align her unique techniques with established healing principles, enhancing her precision and understanding.

On the third day, Orihime had been introduced to practical trials involving small animals, many of which had been gravely injured in the Rukongai. These trials tested her ability to manage emotional pressure while refining her technique. Though the sight of suffering had initially shaken her, Orihime had steeled herself, drawing strength from Unohana's calm encouragement. By the fourth day, she had gained a newfound confidence in her abilities.

Unohana had pushed Orihime just enough, striking a balance between rigorous training and nurturing guidance. The result was a young woman who, though still nervous, carried a quiet determination that had only grown stronger with each passing day.

At Viktor's subtle nod, he reclined on the treatment bed, his movements calm and deliberate. He exhaled deeply, allowing himself to relax as much as his state would permit. Though he outwardly projected composure, his thoughts churned with anticipation.

'This is the culmination of everything—her training, her resolve, her power. If this succeeds, it could be the key to not only my recovery but to unlocking new paths for Soul Society.'

The room fell into an anticipatory silence, the air charged with the weight of the moment. Orihime stepped forward, her resolve strengthening with each step, and Unohana moved beside her, ready to guide her through the delicate process. Viktor closed his eyes, centering himself for what was to come.

The treatment began with a stillness that filled the room, a silence heavy with anticipation. Orihime stood near Viktor's side, her fingers trembling slightly as her Sōten Kisshun formed—a shimmering golden shield of intricate light that encased Yamamoto's body. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she extended her spiritual awareness into the sphere, seeking the source of what she was meant to heal.

But this was unlike anything Orihime had attempted before. This wasn't a wound, nor an illness, nor even the lingering effects of a curse. It was something far more elusive—a disruption of balance within the soul itself, a culmination of age, fatigue, and time's relentless erosion. The abstract nature of what she faced left her momentarily adrift, unable to find a tangible starting point. She probed deeper, but the sheer complexity of what needed to be reversed seemed infinite, a delicate web of interwoven concepts resisting her every attempt to unravel them.

She hesitated, her confidence wavering as frustration crept in. "I… I can't find where to start," she murmured, her voice tinged with panic.

From her position at Orihime's side, Unohana placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Breathe, Inoue-san," she said gently, her voice a balm against the growing tension. "You are not alone in this. Allow me to guide you."

The experienced captain extended her own spiritual energy into the shield, her mastery of kaidō blending seamlessly with Orihime's power. Unohana's presence was calm, focused, and unwavering, a guiding light in the labyrinth of the Sōtaichō's fragmented balance. "We begin with the body," Unohana instructed softly. "Let us heal what time has worn down."

Under Unohana's precise guidance, Orihime directed the shield's energy outward, focusing on Yamamoto's physical form. Bit by bit, the frailties etched into his body began to reverse. The wear on his muscles disappeared, the aches born of centuries faded, and the cracks that age had etched into his bones smoothed away. The process was slow, meticulous, and exacting, every fragment of his body restored to its peak.

Once the physical restoration was complete, Unohana guided Orihime to shift her focus inward. "Now, the internal functions," she said, her voice steady. "The organs must regain their full vitality, each system working as it once did."

Orihime closed her eyes, her hands trembling slightly as she channeled her energy deeper. The shield's light grew brighter, its golden glow suffusing Yamamoto's form. The slowing functions of his internal organs began to quicken, the lethargy of time giving way to the vibrant rhythm of renewal. His heart, his lungs, and every vital system surged with newfound vigor, their functions snapping back to their prime.

Finally, they turned their attention to the most abstract of all—his mind. Under Unohana's quiet yet firm direction, Orihime wove the shield's energy into Yamamoto's spiritual essence, targeting the dulling effects of time on his mind. The lethargy, the slowed reflexes, the creeping haze that even the sharpest intellect could not escape—all of it was reversed. His thoughts became clear, his responses instantaneous, his very presence once again as sharp and unyielding as a blade.

As the process neared completion, Orihime poured the last of her focus into stabilizing the restored balance. The golden glow of the shield began to fade, its work done. A faint pulse of reiatsu rippled outward from Viktor's resting form, subtle yet powerful, like the first breath of a reawakened flame. For those attuned to such nuances, the pulse seemed to resonate not just from Viktor himself but from the zanpakutō lying innocently at his side.

Ryuujin Jakka, sheathed in its cane-like form, suddenly began to change. A thin crack formed along the scabbard, splintering outward in a network of glowing fissures. With a sound like smoldering embers igniting, the cane shattered, revealing the full glory of the weapon within—a polished black blade, its hilt wrapped in crimson, and faint wisps of fire curling from the edges as though alive. The zanpakutō seemed to hum softly, resonating with its wielder's renewed vitality.

[SYSTEM ALERT]

Name: Genryūsai Shigekuni Viktor Yamamoto

Status: Stable (Revitalized)

Vitality: Restored (+500 Years Equivalent)

Power Level: 43% — Above Captain-Class (+25%)

"Congratulations, Viktor! Truly an extraordinary performance. Your resolve has ignited a revolution. Keep forging ahead—Soul Society's destiny depends on it!" The system chimed in.

Viktor opened his eyes slowly, his body humming with an energy he hadn't felt in centuries. He moved deliberately, testing each muscle as he sat up, his every movement fluid and unrestrained. He felt younger, sharper, as though the weight of time had been lifted from his very soul. His connection to Ryuujin Jakka burned brightly within him, a constant presence as vivid as the flame it embodied.

Orihime stepped back, her Sōten Kisshun fading completely, leaving faint golden sparks that dissipated into the air. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her, her wide eyes flickering nervously between the Sōtaichō and the remnants of her shield. "S-Sōtaichō, are you—?" she began hesitantly.

Viktor, maintaining Yamamoto's composed exterior, regarded her with a piercing gaze. For a moment, he said nothing, letting the weight of the moment settle. Then, in a deep, gravelly tone, he spoke.

"Your power is extraordinary," he said, each word deliberate and laden with approval. "It is no exaggeration to say you are a cornerstone of Soul Society's future."

Orihime flushed deeply, her nervousness giving way to a shy but grateful smile. She bowed quickly. "Thank you, Sōtaichō! I'm so glad I could help."

Unohana stepped forward, her calm authority filling the room like a steady tide. "We have made great progress," she said softly, her tone warm yet firm, "but this is only the beginning. Recovery, as I've said before, is not a destination—it is a path."

Viktor inclined his head slightly. "Then we will walk it carefully."

As the golden light faded entirely, Viktor allowed himself a moment of inward reflection, his thoughts a blend of satisfaction, relief and determination. The renewal of his strength and vitality was not an end but a beginning. And the future of Soul Society demanded nothing less than his absolute best.

Flashback End

And Cut!

That's it for this chapter folks.

AN:

Here we go, the full scene of how and what actually happened for Viktor gaining his Youth. And of course, more changes for the Soul Society. What would Aizen do to counter this, that is of course if he actually cares to give a fuck for anything they do, unless Viktor makes him ;).

Aside from that, I'm not gonna cover the Bount arc, the coming chapters will mostly be about the changes in actions, like squads training, Visoreds pov, Captains and Lieutenents making the necessary changes. I have this idea: what if I integrate the Bounts in Soul Society instead of whatever happened in Canon? Let me know your thoughts on it.

As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!

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