The Commander nodded at Raizo’s remark on the plains. Their fight had taken a toll on the dimension: some of the groups of trees had been partially destroyed, while the rest had been wiped out completely, and there were no longer many clouds in the sky as most of them had been scattered away due to Shuren’s winds. As the Shinigami thanked him for the fight, the young man’s eyes opened widely for a short moment. His tone indicated his words held a deeper meaning than just being a simple manner of conveying gratitude. He didn’t reply to his friend, who was now lying on the ground and watching the sky. He set his gaze upon the sky as well but unlike Raizo, continued to stand. “I was thinking, Raizo.” he said and paused to allow the winds hit his naked skin. “And I realized. Before we came here, when we were at the Central Plaza, you said you’d never be able to repay my kindness for helping you out.” he continued. He knew his friend and although he was sure he didn’t mean everything he said literally, he could sense that this time something was different.
“You are not really the type to express the certainties in life. Even when you’re speaking figuratively.” he explained, still not looking at him. “Besides, it’s not difficult to feel the crushing weight behind your words.” Shuren knew this very well because he was, in a way, in the very same situation. Ever since he had witnessed his own death, his life had shaped around that one single event. It felt like everything he did, no matter how irrelevant it was, worked towards the same goal: leading him to his end. And that of course would naturally put some pressure on him and his actions. Just like the one on Raizo’s thanks. Before concluding what he had to say, Shuren slowly turned his head and faced his friend. “Whatever this favor of yours is, it’s the end of the line for you, isn’t it?”