New Year

"So? This is a very simple matter for you, right? There's no need to hide it or be coy about it," Yamamoto, looking at Ye Yang.

Ye Yang chuckled, "Of course, no problem. Actually, the issue is quite simple. The training volume of my students seems large, but in reality, it's not that much."

"Oh? What is it like?" Yamamoto asked curiously.

"The training plans I gave them were all measured. I carefully observed each of their abilities in all aspects before I specially designed training plans for them. All of them were designed to push them to their limits. The training volume on the second day was also less than that on the first day. I waited for them to get used to it before increasing the training volume. And it would definitely be within their capacity. No one could handle it if you rashly made them accept such high-intensity training," Ye Yang said thoughtfully.

"Hmm, anything else?"

Ye Yang asked in surprise, "What else?"

"Don't tell me that's all. Do you think we haven't tried this method? But the results were still not good. It's not like everyone in Class One has extraordinary talent, right?"

"Did you really understand? It's about reaching the limit, not just reaching the limit. Does the Captain-Commander understand the difference between the two?" Ye Yang lowered his head, took a sip of tea, and said slowly.

Yamamoto muttered, "Beyond the limit? You mean surpassing the limit? But wouldn't surpassing the limit be even more tiring? How can we train the next day then?"

"No, no, no, that's not it at all. They're all young people. Every time they surpass their limits, they have a special feeling. It's like someone's limit for running is 10,000 meters. But once they've pushed past 10,000 meters, they might be able to run 15,000 meters or even more."

Ye Yang continued, "Of course, this method is only suitable for young people like them, since they have a lot of potential. My method is designed to help them tap into that potential more quickly. However, everyone's potential is limited. The students in Class One simply have more potential, which is why they are so strong. I can only say that this batch of students is quite good."

"I see. I will treat this matter carefully. Your plan will be implemented in the Shin'ō soon, however..."

"But what?"

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes and said, "By the way, what's the deal with that little disciple? I don't recall you ever having a disciple before, so why are you suddenly taking one?"

Ye Yang laughed heartily, "I didn't accept anyone before because there weren't any suitable candidates. My criteria for accepting disciples are very strict; I don't accept anyone who isn't a genius."

"You mean he's a genius?"

"Well, he's going to enter the Shin'ō soon anyway, so you can just wait and see, right?" Ye Yang didn't boast; everyone would know when the time came.

Yamamoto sighed softly, "I'm getting old. It's your turn now, young people. Since you've said so, then I'll be watching closely. You, Ye Yang Shihoin!"

His tone carried a sense of a hero in his twilight years, after all, he had lived for two thousand years, and his physical condition was no longer at its peak. Sometimes he even felt that he had the will but not the strength.

Yamamoto turned around and said slowly, "You should go back now."

Ye Yang watched the old man's retreating figure without speaking, and slowly left the room. Ye Yang truly admired this Captain-Commander. Even now, his top priority was still Soul Society and Seireien. He asked Ye Yang to reveal the training methods simply to increase Soul Society 'Soul Society strength and ensure its safety.

On the surface Soul Society and Hueco Mundo seem to be coexisting peacefully, with no major conflicts. However, no one can guarantee that war won't break out between them in the future. It's all for the sake of Soul Society...

After the sixth graduating class, the students naturally await a holiday. The nearly two-month break allows them to relax. With the new year approaching, another batch of freshmen will soon embark on a new journey at the Shin'ō.

The New Year was no different from usual. It happened to be Ye Yang's birthday, but since it was the first day of the new year, he usually couldn't celebrate. So, since they were little, Ye Yang and Yoruichi would wait until midnight on New Year's Eve to wish each other a happy birthday. Later, Urahara joined them. I wonder how you two are doing now?

Back in the World of the Living Yoruichi and Urahara were also drinking under the starry sky. Yoruichi suddenly sneezed and muttered to herself, "Who's thinking of me? Hmph, it must be that brat Ye Yang. Sigh! Another day gone by. I wonder how he's doing in Soul Society. But with Soi Fon keeping him company, he shouldn't be lonely..."

Urahara, of course, heard Yoruichi's words and said softly, "Ye Yang's life is much more comfortable than ours. I heard he's already the vice principal of the Shin'ō."

"Vice Principal Shin'ō? When did this happen? Why haven't you mentioned it before?" Yoruichi raised her fist, as if to say, "Don't even think about going back until you explain yourself."

Urahara raised both hands. "No, no, I only got the news this morning. I was going to tell you, but as soon as you got back, you dragged me along to prepare for tonight's New Year's festival, so I didn't have a chance to say it."

"Hmph, I won't hold it against you today. Speaking of which, my little brother is really something, isn't he? He's the vice principal of Shin'ō, hehe." Yoruichi chuckled as she gazed at the starry sky.

"Yoruichi, there's a shooting star!" Urahara's voice came through the phone.

A dazzling shooting star streaked across the night sky. Yoruichi clasped her hands together, slowly closed her eyes, and silently made a wish. "Please bless my loved ones in Soul Society with health and happiness, especially my younger brother Ye Yang. I hope he will be safe and sound..."

Ye Yang was gazing blankly at the starry sky when a voice suddenly broke his thoughts, "Brother Ye Yang, we're setting off! The New Year's Festival is about to begin!"

Soi Fon slowly walked up behind Ye Yang. Ye Yang smiled and then habitually took Soi Fon's soft, boneless little hand. The two walked out of the backyard side by side, where Tōshirō was already waiting.

In previous years Tōshirō go home to celebrate the New Year with his grandmother, but this year he will go back with Ye Yang tomorrow, the first day of the new year, because it is time to take Tōshirō out to meet other people.

"Master, Mistress," Tōshirō greeted. Although he rarely called Ye Yang" Master" and usually called him "Demon Master," tonight was the New Year's Festival, and Ye Yang had said that he would introduce many people to him today, most of whom were Captain-level. Tōshirō was not an ignorant child, and he knew how to behave in formal situations.

Ye Yang said, "Let's go."

Then Tōshirō walked to Ye Yang's left, and the three of them walked out of the Shihoin Clan. Things on the street were still the same as before, and people came to the street in droves, with fireworks and singing and dancing in an endless stream.

"Hey! Ye Yang, over here!" Kaien called out in front of Ye Yang, with Kūkaku and the young Ganju beside him, who looked only a little smaller Tōshirō.

Ye Yang led them over with a smile and greeted them, "Happy New Year, Kaien, Kūkaku, and little Ganju!"

Kaien responded with a smile, "Yes, Ye Yang, Soi Fon, oh, and this is..." Kaien looked at Tōshirō next to Ye Yang with a puzzled expression, then said, "It's not your and Soi Fon's son, is it? Ah! That's too much! You actually kept such a big thing from us. I've always considered you a friend, you're really not being fair."

Ye Yang's smile froze on his face, while Soi Fon's cheeks flushed red, and Tōshirō's forehead bulged with veins. Even though they had agreed to remain quiet today, how could he accept being referred to as Ye Yang's son?

"Who are you calling his son?! I'm not his son at all!" Tōshirō couldn't hold back any longer and exploded.

Ye Yang laughed. Although he often saw Tōshirō get angry, this was the first time he had ever heard him call his son. But when you think about it, it really does seem like the case. Ye Yang was holding Soi Fon's hand, with a small child on his left. Anyone who saw this would probably misunderstand. They looked just like a happy family of three.

Seeing Tōshirō say this, and Ye Yang laughing heartily, Kaien realized she had made a mistake. "Sorry, it's just too similar. So, who is this...?"

Ye Yang patted Tōshirō's head and said, "This is my disciple, his name is Tōshirō Hitsugaya."

"Disciple?" Kaien looked at Tōshirō and smiled, then squatted down, stroked his hair, and said, "Hey, I'm sorry, I misunderstood before. You're not angry, are you?"

"No, no way," Tōshirō paused for a moment, ignoring even Kaien touching his hair. Normally, he would have jumped up and said, "Don't touch my hair!"

It can only be said that Kaien's sunny smile is too infectious. Ye Yang also likes to smile, but Kaien's smile is different. Ye Yang's smile makes people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze, very gentle, while Kaien's smile is like a little sun infecting everyone around him. Sunshine and positivity are the first impressions he gives people.

So for a moment Tōshirō couldn't refuse his apology and stared blankly at Kaien. "Wow, so cute!" Seeing Tōshirō's bewildered Kūkaku, Kukaku couldn't help but rush forward and hug Tōshirō's small body.

"Waaaah..." Tōshirō's head was positioned between Kūkaku's two magnificent mounds, his smiling face flushed red, something he probably had never experienced before.

Kaien shouted, "Kūkaku, this is outrageous! Put down Tōshirō's little brother right now!"

Kūkaku also sensed that this wasn't a good idea, and reluctantly put Tōshirō down. Tōshirō's face was flushed, and he gasped for breath, then said, "You want to murder me!"