Chapter 85
Yoruichi then disappeared from the base, while Ichigo and the others waited anxiously inside. Ichigo didn't sleep all night, his eyes fixed on the direction Yoruichi had left.
By evening of the following day, Yoruichi arrived at the secret base with a humanoid object and then introduced it:
"Kid, this is my secret weapon. It can quickly help you achieve Bankai, but the process is extremely dangerous. However, I've also prepared an insurance policy to ensure you don't hurt anyone else."
As the words fell, a woman wearing a straw hat and carrying two swords at her waist stepped forward and said to Ichigo and the others, "Are you ready to face hell?"
Chapter 85
Upon hearing this, Ichigo and the others eagerly gathered around, their minds filled with questions as they looked at the humanoid creature Yoruichi had brought.
Ichigo looked left and then right.
Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Yoruichi, can this thing really help me increase my strength quickly?"
Hearing Ichigo's question, Yoruichi nimbly jumped onto a nearby rock and said, "Of course, this is a treasure invented by Kisuke Urahara. With this, you can easily materialize your sword spirit, thus easily achieving Bankai."
Although Yoruichi said this, Ichigo was still somewhat puzzled, and then cautiously asked, "Then... has anyone used this thing before?"
"Of course someone has used it and succeeded. What, are you afraid I'll harm you?" Yoruichi suddenly revealed her claws.
"No, no, it's good that someone has used it. My facial injury hasn't healed yet," Ichigo quickly waved his hand and said.
Seeing Ichigo's sensible expression, Yoruichi nodded and said, "Come on, let's begin! This professional 'coach' I invited is very busy." As she finished speaking, the pendant around Yoruichi's neck flashed a few times.
At this moment, the man removed his straw hat, revealing a handsome face, and then said, "Greetings everyone, you can call me Musashi. Alright, time is running out, let's begin!"
At this moment, Orihime and the others looked at Yoruichi, since they didn't have Zanpakuto, so how could they improve their strength?
Noticing the looks in Orihime's and the others' eyes, Yoruichi said, "As for you guys, if you want to improve your strength, then of course you need real combat experience. Musashi isn't just there to protect that kid in crucial moments, you know~"
Upon hearing Yoruichi's words, Musashi smiled and said, "There's even a raising simulation game? I'm very satisfied, Yoruichi."
Yoruichi then waved her hand, signaling Musashi to hurry up and begin. Seeing this, Musashi stopped slacking off and walked to the center of the arena, waving to everyone and signaling them to surround and attack.
Ichigo Yoruichi to a deeper training ground, and Yoruichi nodded in satisfaction as she looked at the training ground.
[It seems Xuanxin still listens to me. I just mentioned that it was a bit small before, and it's been expanded up like this.]
Subsequently, under Yoruichi's guidance, Ichigo inserted the sword into the Tenshintai, successfully summoning a sword spirit that resembled an older man.
However, the battle that followed was different from Yoruichi's expectations. The sword spirit did not attack Ichigo the moment it saw Ichigo.
Instead, with a wave of the sword spirit's hand, hundreds upon hundreds of identical Zanpakuto appeared on the field, leaving behind a test. "Find the real Zanpakuto and defeat it."
Then, before Ichigo could speak, they began Ichigo attack. Ichigo quickly dodged and repeatedly pulled his Zanpakuto from the ground to defend and counterattack.
However, those fake Zanpakuto shatter the moment they come into contact with the sword spirits. Ichigo not only cannot launch any effective attacks, but is also attacked by the sword spirits.
Watching the small mushroom clouds rising continuously in the training field, and Ichigo Ichigo's pitiful screams, Yoruichi yawned and thought to herself, "[This is perfect]," before lying down and closing her eyes to rest.
Those on the upper level weren't having an easy time either. Although Orihime and the others weren't the main targets of this training, Musashi didn't slack off on their training.
Furthermore, Musashi gradually saw through the source of everyone's power during the battle.
Musashi then bluntly told everyone that, given the source of their power, it would be difficult to increase their strength as quickly as Ichigo, since their power levels were not the same.
Among them, the power with the most potential, in Musashi's opinion, was actually Orihime's power. Upon hearing Musashi's words, not only Chad, Uryū, and the others were somewhat shocked, but even Orihime herself was quite surprised.
"Miss Musashi, are you joking? How could my power have the most potential? I might even..."
Before Orihime could finish speaking, Musashi walked over and said:
"You have to trust my judgment, Orihime. Your power even has the potential to reach a realm that even that kid below can't touch. However, if you want to reach that realm, there's one more thing you need to do."
Upon hearing this, Orihime's eyes flashed with surprise. Orihime had always believed that her power was useless in battle and might even be a burden to the others.
This was the first time she had heard someone other than Ichigo and the others praise her power, which made her quite excited.
Musashi, of course, noticed Orihime's expression, then gently stroked Orihime hair and said:
"Orihime, what you need to do is very simple, just one sentence: Hold firm to your beliefs and believe in yourself. Only when you hold firm to your beliefs can you unleash your true power."
"Hold firm to your beliefs, believe in yourself?" Orihime murmured to herself.
Musashi then turned his attention to the others and offered his comments, but his main focus was on Chad. After all, Uryū's strength clearly indicated that he had undergone systematic training, so all Uryū needed was practical experience.
But Chad was different. Musashi clearly didn't see any signs of training on Chad; all he saw was ordinary physical exercise.
Musashi immediately shared her suggestion with Chad, but at the same time she also explained that she felt Chad's power was completely different from the others', even leaning towards the power of 'Reishi', so if he had the opportunity to go to Hueco Mundo, he might have a great improvement.
At this moment, the Ganju standing nearby shouted, "What about me? How can I improve myself?"
Musashi picked at his ear and said, "You? Since you refuse to use your Zanpakuto, you should master your family's secret techniques first. You can't even throw sand accurately, yet you want to learn how to save people?"
Upon hearing this, Ganju blushed and said nothing more, obediently walking to the corner to practice the Shiba Clan's secret techniques.
Musashi nodded at the thoughtful group and then quietly left, leaving them space to ponder.
When Musashi appeared underground, the once flat ground had been turned into a bumpy mess by Ichigo and Zangetsu.
Musashi stood at the entrance, arms crossed, looking thoughtfully at the so-called Ichigo's sword spirit standing high up.
Immediately, Musashi seemed to have discovered some secret, but Musashi didn't reveal it. Instead, a curious smile appeared on his face.
Then, Musashi crept up behind Yoruichi, who was taking a nap, slowly reached out his sinister hands, and then suddenly pulled Yoruichi into his arms and began to grope her.
Meow!!
Faced with Musashi's sudden "groping," Yoruichi clearly felt some resistance, or rather, she felt uncomfortable with being touched by anyone except Xuanxin.
Then Yoruichi struggled free, jumped to the side, and, bristling with anger, shouted at Musashi:
"Hey! What are you doing! If you keep doing that, I'm going to tell Xuanxin!!"
"Sigh~ Why are you two so stingy, not even letting me touch you? Oh well, never mind." Musashi said, clutching his chest and feigning sadness.
Seeing this, Yoruichi didn't respond, but silently turned her head away, no longer looking at Musashi's affected expression.
She has now figured out Musashi's temperament. Her personality is completely different from Xuanxin's; Yoruichi can't even connect the two of them.
"However, Yoruichi, the kid you found is quite interesting, especially his Zanpakuto," Musashi said, looking at Ichigo who was running away with his head in his hands after being beaten.
Upon hearing this, Yoruichi nodded solemnly and said in a low voice:
"You're right, his power isn't pure, and he himself is a half-blood. Perhaps Aizen is proving something through him."
Thump!
Just as the two were talking, a muffled thud suddenly came from afar.
When the dust settled, Yoruichi and Ichigo looked over and saw Ichigo lying in a pool of blood, clutching a sword hilt and panting heavily, clearly exhausted.
Seeing this, Musashi walked over and voluntarily shut down his Tenshintai.
As the Tenshintai closed, the swords on the field also disappeared. Ichigo watched the Zanpakuto gradually vanish, a trace of unwillingness flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected this training to be so difficult.
Then, Ichigo struggled to his feet and shouted at Yoruichi, "Yoruichi- san, why did you turn it off? I can continue! I..."
"You're talking nonsense! You can't even hold a sword properly, there's no way you can keep going!" Yoruichi mercilessly exposed Ichigo's bravado.
"..."
Ichigo remained silent, simply sitting down and panting heavily.
Seeing this, Musashi walked up to Ichigo and said:
"Kid, you need to understand that a balance between intensity and relaxation is the right training approach. Instead of agonizing over this failure alone, you should analyze the lessons learned. You know, even a famous guy in Soul Society took a long time to master his Shikai."
Upon hearing Ichigo said, "Mr. Musashi is referring to that guy, Shihoin Genshin, right?"
Musashi nodded and said, "Remember, Bankai is not just about pursuing power, but also about understanding yourself, and knowing that the sword has always been in your own hand; it's just waiting for you to discover it."
Seeing Ichigo's thoughtful expression, Musashi continued:
"While I can't help you Bankai, I can teach you some combat techniques. The first one you must remember: always use both hands..."
As Yoruichi watched Ichigo teaching Musashi, she realized that Xuanxin and Musashi shared a slight resemblance.
Over the next two days, Ichigo and the others worked hard to improve their strength.
Although everyone's face was etched with exhaustion, their progress was remarkable, especially for Orihime, whose determination was further strengthened after receiving Musashi's approval, leading to a significant increase in her strength.
However, just when everyone was celebrating their progress, an unexpected incident suddenly occurred.
On this day, a major event occurred in Seireitei!
Aizen is dead!
Aizen died in this 'unexplained' way, and his body was even nailed to the eastern wall of Seireitei.
Aizen's death instantly stirred up a storm in the already tense Seireitei. The members of the Thirteenth Division all missed their honest and kind captain.
Some believe it was the work of Ryoka, others believe it was the work of Menos Grande, and still others say it was the work of Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly reappeared, to take revenge on Soul Society.
With these voices emerging, some even began to question Xuanxin and Shunsui Kyōraku's leadership abilities.
As more and more doubts arose within the Seireitei, the Stealth Force, managed with Soi Fon's assistance, began to operate, but they were always one step behind.
Whenever the Executive Militia arrived at the homes of those spreading rumors, they were always met with empty rooms.
However, these voices were quickly suppressed by the team leaders.
After all, the captains had seen what Xuanxin had done over the years, and they naturally knew that those comments were just being fueled by certain forces.
However, the Central 46 took this opportunity to issue a document demanding that Xuanxin intensify the search for the Ryoka and to bring forward Rukia's execution date.
Looking at the familiar handwriting in his hand, Xuanxin knew that the Central 46 had probably fallen completely, Xuanxin this document was nothing more than Aizen's declaration of war against him.
When the news reached Yoruichi relaxed expression instantly tightened.
Yoruichi walked up to Musashi and said to Musashi:
"Musashi, you should go back. Leave this to me. Xuanxin needs you more right now. Xuanxin is in the open, while Aizen is in the shadows. Perhaps you can help him at some point."
Upon hearing this, Musashi nodded, and then his entire body began to flicker. In the astonished gazes of the crowd, he transformed into a burst of Reishi and vanished from the spot.
Meanwhile, Ichigo looked in the direction Musashi had disappeared and muttered to himself, "This disappearance... it feels so much like that guy's."
Before Ichigo, Yoruichi solemnly gathered everyone together and told them the news that Rukia's sentence had been moved up.
Hearing Ichigo, Ichigo became even more anxious. Seeing Ichigo's anxious expression, Yoruichi said:
"Calm down, Ichigo. For now, Orihime, you two listen to my instructions. I have some helpers in Seireitei; I've already notified them to come and assist. In a bit, you'll follow them and infiltrate Seireitei."
"As for you, you must complete your Bankai by tonight, understand?"
Upon hearing this, Ichigo frowned, as if he wanted to say something, when a sound of footsteps suddenly interrupted their conversation. Soon, a short girl completely covered in night clothes appeared.
The girl didn't say anything after that, but simply took out several Shinigami (death knight's armor) and placed them on the table.
Seeing this, Yoruichi nodded and told Orihime and the others to change their clothes and then leave with that person. After nodding to that person, he led Ichigo toward the training ground below.
"Mr. Yoruichi, where is Miss Musashi? Without her, we..."
Before Ichigo could finish speaking, Yoruichi, who was sitting on the ground, suddenly burst into a violent cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared, a purple-haired woman dressed in orange stood in the spot.
Seeing this incredible scene of someone suddenly appearing out of nowhere, Ichigo was too shocked to speak.
"You... you... you."