1-4 -

I...

Don't put yourself down so much. Kisuke said something the day your interview request came in.

He said, "Shuhei Hisagi is a Soul Reaper with a long history of service, who has survived many bloody battles."

No matter how much you criticize yourself, you don't look dead on the inside to me.

That's just because I'm not dead.

He said I survived many bloody battles, but I was always on the verge of dying and barely made it out alive.

You're overestimating me if you think of me as some hero.

Yes, you are no Ichigo Kurosaki.

I know that more than anyone.

But don't take that the wrong way.

The way Ichigo fights is by trying to abandon his fear.

On the other hand, you never lose sight of your fear.

However, even as you hold that fear to your chest, you choose to fight. You choose to be a Soul Reaper.

That's because...

If you truly fear fighting from the bottom of your heart, you've already gained something irreplaceable as a soldier.

I thought I told you. Those who do not know fear have no right to fight.

You haven't changed at all.

Even as you stand there to confront me, your words don't have a shred of fear in them.

............

This isn't about whether you or Ichigo are right.

Ichigo Kurosaki is indeed a great hero who has saved the Soul Society and, possibly, the world, time and time again.

However, he hasn't even lived twenty years yet. He is still inexperienced.

But if he has all of that power at that age, that just goes to show how impressive he is. I would never consider him inexperienced.

Ichigo Kurosaki is an ally who possesses many great qualities.

However, he was not born a self-fulfilled, omnipotent hero, nor is he an unbreakable large tree.

As a result, he became strong.

Whenever Ichigo is filled with feelings of confusion, grief, or the occasional despair and fear, he can shake them off and turn them into strength.

It's the duty of those who have perpetually walked alongside fear to protect his vulnerable state the moment he does succumb to tears.

That is the power that you happen to have.

Me?

It's not that you are special. One of the sources of fear is death.

As guides of lost souls, Soul Reapers must protect others from fear.

Well, I'm sure Kisuke could have said all of that more concisely.

Perhaps someone thoughtless like me doesn't have much persuasive power.

Kido Commander Tessai Tsukabishi, thank you very much. You have opened my eyes.

Right now, I am nothing more than an employee at a humble candy shop. Feel free to ignore my nonsense.