Renji's Feelings

"Get stronger?" Ye Yang looked at Renji: "Aren't I teaching you how to get stronger?"

Renji shook his head. "This isn't strong enough, I want to be stronger! Please teach me, teacher."

"Why? Why do you want to become stronger? Give me a reason!" Ye Yang's usual playful face vanished, replaced by a piercing gaze as he stared intently at Renji.

Although it was the first time he had seen Ye Yang with such an expression, he did not back down. He took a deep breath and said, "Because I want to protect her!"

"Who?"

Rukia!

"Her safety is guaranteed now that she's inside the Kuchiki Clan."

"So!" Renji bowed deeply. "I want enough power to protect her! I beg you, Teacher Ye Yang!" He bowed again and did not stand up.

"You get up first."

"But..."

"Get up! Look me in the eyes!" Ye Yang said, looking at him.

Ye Yang looked into Renji's eyes, and saw an undisguised, burning desire to become stronger—a yearning for power! Looking at Renji now was like seeing himself a hundred years ago, the only difference being that their beliefs were different.

"I can help you become stronger, but you must remember, this is not to take you as a disciple. I will help you develop a more rigorous training program, and if you have any questions, you can come to me anytime, is that alright?" Faced with Renji's request, Ye Yang gave his answer: he could help him, but he would not take him as a disciple.

Even so, Renji was very happy. He quickly said, "Thank you, Teacher Ye Yang. But why won't you take me as your disciple?" While happy, he was also a little puzzled. It wasn't like he could only take one disciple. Taking another disciple wouldn't hurt him. What was the difference between this approach and taking him as a disciple?

Ye Yang shook his head. "I have another principle when it comes to accepting disciples."

"What principle?" Renji couldn't help but ask.

"It has to be a prodigy, not a monster. It has to be a genius, understand?" Ye Yang wasn't looking down on ordinary people. Take Aizen, for example; wasn't he an unremarkable-looking boy back then? Now he's become a powerful figure. Of course, that's also because he hid himself very well.

It's undeniable that there are geniuses in this world, like Ye Yang himself, Yoruichi, and Urahara, especially Kisuke Urahara, who is a prodigy comparable to Ye Yang.

Those with mediocre talent will never be able to achieve Bankai in their entire lives. No matter how hard they try, they cannot break through that level. In his previous life, Ye Yang always believed in this saying: Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.

Actually, there's another sentence that follows: But that one percent inspiration is the most important, even more important than the ninety-nine percent perspiration.

No matter how hard a person works, they won't achieve much without talent. That's why Ye Yang only accepts prodigies as his disciples. If he's going to do something, he'll do it to the best of his ability!

So far, the only person Ye Yang has considered taking on as a disciple is Gin Ichimaru. However, Gin followed Aizen and embarked on a path of no return.

Renji, however, was somewhat unconvinced. "Then, Teacher Ye Yang, what kind of person qualifies as a prodigy?"

Ye Yang the corners of his mouth. "I suppose Gin Ichimaru from back then counts as one..."

Renji immediately shut up. Compared to Gin Ichimaru, who graduated in just one year, he was self-aware enough to know that such a prodigy was beyond his reach.

"Come with me," Ye Yang said, leading Renji out of the office.

Where to go?

"Zanjutsu Classroom!"

The two entered the classroom. All the students had already left. "Since I've already promised you, it wouldn't be right not to teach you something."

Renji asked excitedly, "What are you going to teach me, Teacher Ye Yang?"

"Zanjutsu!"

"Zanjutsu? But haven't we been learning that all along?" Renji asked curiously.

"Tch, you call that Zanjutsu? The so-called Zanjutsu you learn are just basic moves. True Zanjutsu is something you gradually discover in battle. Only when you find what suits you and bring out your strengths can it be considered Zanjutsu. Learning it is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. Today I'm going to teach you how to use these things!"

Ye Yang continued, "Pick up your wooden sword and fight me!"

Renji picked up a wooden sword from the side, and Ye Yang also picked up a wooden sword at the same time, and the two began to fight.

This time, Ye Yang deviated from his usual gentle training methods. He seized Renji's weakness and attacked without mercy. Ye Yang did not use Spiritual Power, but simply used his Zanjutsu techniques to fight Renji.

"This isn't practice, this is combat! Don't hold back!" Ye Yang said.

"Watch out, teacher!" Renji shouted. His wooden sword then rained down on Ye Yang like a storm, carrying an unstoppable momentum. Ye Yang parried the attacks while saying, "Very good momentum."

However, the seemingly ferocious attack failed to break through Ye Yang's defenses in an instant. "But that's not enough, Renji. Is this all your Zanjutsu is like? Full of flaws!" With that, Ye Yang, who had been on the defensive, thrust out his sword, directly piercing into the countless sword shadows, just like a small boat crashing into a raging sea.

However, the small boat was not capsized. The seemingly ordinary sword strike pierced Renji's chest. Although it was a wooden sword and had no lethal force, the immense force sent Renji flying backward.

Renji felt a sharp pain in his chest and his blood circulation was disrupted. "It looks fierce, but it's full of flaws. Is this your Zanjutsu, Renji?" Ye Yang looked at Renji lying on the ground.

Renji stood up, picked up his wooden sword again, and his eyes flashed with an indomitable light. "Again!" He then launched an attack...

Renji had lost count of how many times he'd fallen to the ground, but he resolutely stood up again. "Again!"

Ye Yang shook his head. "Renji, why are you swinging your sword? In other words, what do you think a sword is for?" Ye Yang sensed that Renji's attack was stronger than that of an average student, but it lacked any conviction or purpose. Why are you swinging your sword, Renji!

Renji stood frozen in place, motionless for a long time. Finally, a clear light appeared in his eyes, and he said firmly, "To protect! My sword is for protecting Rukia!" With that, he charged forward.

This time, Renji didn't hesitate at all, aiming straight for Ye Yang's chest. With a "clang," Renji's wooden sword was knocked away by Ye Yang, and Renji was sent flying backward once again.

Ye Yang said, "A sword! It's for defeating your opponent! It's a weapon for killing! Wielding a sword is simply to defeat the opponent before you, nothing more. You're overthinking it; the sword will only become dull!" With that, Ye Yang left, leaving Renji lying on the cold ground, to think things through...

Renji lay quietly on the floor, staring blankly at the ceiling. When did he begin to want to protect her? Was it when he knew she was about to enter the Kuchiki Clan? No! It was much earlier, only when he realized his true feelings.

Perhaps it was from the very first time he met Rukia. He was a child when he first met Rukia. He was being chased after being caught stealing, and just when he was at his wit's end, she appeared and helped him escape.

She led herself back to her place, where Renji found many of her companions. They had gathered together to survive in this chaotic place, and Rukia was their leader.

I quickly blended in with them. They all called Rukia" Big Sister," but I was the only one who called her Rukia. Who would call a little girl who wasn't even as tall as me "Big Sister"?

Rukia seems to possess a natural attraction, shining like the sun into our hearts. She often climbs to high places to daydream, has a unique aesthetic sense, and seems to have an obsessive love for rabbit-themed things. Even her paintings are all depicted with rabbits. I often criticize her paintings, and she often retaliates with my unique tattoos.

We used to work together to steal water and food; thinking back on it now, I really miss those days.

However, after spending some time together, Renji discovered that among them, only he and Rukia needed to eat, while the others only needed to drink water. In Soul Society, needing to eat meant having Spiritual Power, and having Spiritual Power meant being able to do more things. As a result, he and Rukia became the backbone of the group.

Later, two Shinigami came here. They discovered that Rukia and I possessed Spiritual Power. The two Shinigami were quite kind; they taught us some basic techniques for using Spiritual Power and suggested that we go to the Shin'ō to become Shinigami.

I could tell that Rukia had developed a slight interest in the Grim Reaper, but our companions were still here, and we couldn't abandon them. So I told Rukia that I wouldn't go, and Rukia agreed.

I often feel that Rukia doesn't seem to belong to our world. Although she is active and assertive, and speaks in a carefree manner, she can't hide her noble temperament.

When she's lost in thought, I can see another world in her eyes, a world I can't understand. I think maybe it's right to send her to Seireien, because her heart doesn't belong here.

Later, all my companions disappeared... Lacking Spiritual Power, they couldn't withstand the erosion of time and vanished one by one, leaving only Rukia and me. We built tombstones for them.

After paying respects to our friends, we went to Rukia's favorite spot, a cliff overlooking the entire city. Rukia said to me, "Renji, let's go to the Shin'ō, let's become Shinigami!"

I hadn't expected Rukia to bring this up, but thinking about it, it makes sense. Our friends have all left us, and there's nothing left to hold us back in this place. So I nodded to her, "Okay!"...