Teaching Bajiquan

"What?" Retsu Unohana reacted with remarkable composure lost. At least, Ye Yang had never seen Unohana lose her composure like this. He asked cautiously, "What's wrong, Captain Unohana?"

Worthy of a Captain-level fighter, she quickly regained her usual expression. "It's nothing. I was just amazed he could fight you to a draw without even using Shikai."

Ye Yang didn't ask any more questions. If he did, he might end up dying in the line of duty in the Fourth Division.

In fact, thanks to Unohana's treatment, Ye Yang's injuries had mostly healed, and his Spiritual Pressure had recovered to more than half. He lay in bed until noon, but he had to leave that afternoon, because he had promised to teach Little Shaoling Bajiquan.

That afternoon, Ye Yang put on a Shihakushō and prepared to leave. Just as he reached the door, a figure suddenly stepped in front of him.

"Well! Ye Yang, shouldn't you be lying in your hospital bed? Where are you planning to go? Yoruichi specifically told me not to let you leave the Fourth Division for three days."

Ye Yang didn't need to look to know who it was. Nobody in the Fourth Division except Captain Unohana would talk like that.

"Captain Unohana, I'm only stepping out for a bit. I'll be back soon," Ye Yang said with an ingratiating smile.

"But what am I supposed to do about Yoruichi? I'm not very good at lying," Unohana said, once again putting on her saintly smile.

Who are you trying to fool? Ye Yang thought, but he said, "If neither of us says anything, who will know? Besides, I think Zaraki said yesterday that he was coming to Seireien." Though he didn't know why Unohana was interested in Kenpachi Zaraki, Ye Yang decided to give it a try.

Sure enough, Unohana paused when she heard that, then said, "Remember to come back early."

"Of course, Captain Unohana!" With that, he used Shunpo to leave the Fourth Division.

After leaving the Fourth Division, Ye Yang headed straight for a maple grove north of Seireien. It was autumn, and maple leaves fluttered in the breeze. Beneath the trees, a little girl was looking around, apparently searching for something.

Ye Yang used Shunpo to appear directly behind her. He tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Sorry for the wait."

His sudden appearance startled Little Shaoling, but she relaxed when she saw it was him. "No, I just got here too," she said shyly.

Seeing how shy Little Shaoling looked, Ye Yang knew she must have been waiting for a long time. He crouched down, patted her head, and said, "Sorry, something came up and made me late. It won't happen again."

Little Shaoling nodded and asked, "Then, Brother Ye Yang, shall we start?" The thought of joining the Punishment Force and seeing Yoruichi filled her with excitement.

Ye Yang smiled. "Sure. What I'm going to teach you today is a special form of Hakuda called Bajiquan. It's famous for its fierce, explosive style. Bursting forward, striking hard, forcing open an opponent's guard, and pressing the attack without pause are its greatest distinguishing features in combat. 'The best defense is a good offense' describes it perfectly."

Little Shaoling listened in bewilderment, and Ye Yang continued, "I know you don't understand what I'm telling you now, but you will in time. Let's start with the essentials. The eight forms of Bajiquan are its core, the small frame is its foundation, and the six great openings are its secret techniques. Beyond those, there are the eight great moves of Bajiquan, every one of them lethal!"

Ye Yang paused, then continued, "The eight forms are also called the eight vajra forms. They are: propping fist, swift as an arrow loosed from a bow; dragon subduing, a skyward awl beneath the five peaks; tiger subduing, the six directions spread across the earth; mountain-splitting palm, a mountain-splitting axe reinforced with steel; scouting horse palm, sure as a scout climbing a mountain; tiger embrace, a swift circling block and embrace; bear squat, pressing in with a hard lean; and crane-step push, steady as a crane pushing a mountain."

"The Bajiquan frame is its foundation and an important part of Bajiquan. The six great openings are the six basic methods: thrusting, embracing, shouldering, lifting, hooking, and entwining. They are the parent techniques of its various movements. The eight great moves are: King of Hell's three-point strike, fierce tiger climbs the mountain, three fearless advances through the gate, the overlord snaps the reins, palm toward the rising sun against the wind, forcing open the doors left and right, oriole's double-claw embrace, and standing cannon to the heavens."

After giving her an overview of Bajiquan, Ye Yang continued, "Today we'll start with its basic exercise, the Bajiquan frame."

With that, Ye Yang began teaching Little Shaoling the essentials of the Bajiquan frame, guiding her movements by hand. As expected of Yoruichi's future successor, her talent was extraordinary. After Ye Yang demonstrated it just once, she was already performing it fairly well. Under his guidance, Little Shaoling gradually got the hang of it and began practicing on her own.

Once Little Shaoling was practicing by herself, Ye Yang sat cross-legged and recovered his Spiritual Pressure. By the end of the afternoon, it had recovered to around seventy percent, while Little Shaoling had gradually learned how to practice Bajiquan. All she lacked was time and accumulated practice.

At sunset, Ye Yang said to Little Shaoling, "Very good. Starting tomorrow, practice as you just did. Come back here a week from today, and I'll teach you the next stage of training."

She asked in confusion, "Can't you come every day, Brother Ye Yang?"

Ye Yang said helplessly, "I can't help it. There's quite a lot to do in the division. I promise I'll come see you whenever I have time."

Little Shaoling could no longer hide the joy on her face. "All right, all right! Make sure you come see me when you have time, okay? I'll be going now, Brother Ye Yang."

After they said goodbye, Little Shaoling left, and Ye Yang hurried back to the Fourth Division.

After his return, he stayed in the Fourth Division for a full three days. When he left on the fourth day, Yoruichi came to pick him up and told him that Captain-Commander Yamamoto wanted to see them both.

Ye Yang merely gave an ordinary "Mm" in response. He had long expected Yamamoto to summon him. After all, he had wiped out so many nobles, and as Captain-Commander, Yamamoto had to demand an explanation.

The two walked side by side to the First Division. It was as heavily guarded as ever, inspiring a sense of awe. When they entered the captain's office, they saw only an old man wearing a white Captain's Haori. Both knew that this was Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai, renowned as the strongest Soul Reaper in a thousand years!

There was only one person in the office, and not even a guard nearby. But come to think of it, with the strongest Soul Reaper stationed there, wasn't that the best security of all?

The old man turned and slammed his cane against the floor. Thud! The sound echoed through the spacious office. "Ye Yang Shihoin, I demand an explanation!"

Ye Yang pretended not to understand. "An explanation? For what?"

"Hmph!" With a cold snort, the temperature of the surrounding air began to rise. Scorching waves of heat radiated from his body, and even with their strength, the two felt an astonishing pressure.

"You once promised me you wouldn't let things get too out of hand." His tone grew much graver.

Ye Yang did not deny it. "Yes, I said I wouldn't take any extreme action."

"Then why..."

"Captain-Commander." Before Yamamoto could finish, Ye Yang interrupted him. "I don't think what I did was excessive. Since they wanted me dead, I certainly wasn't going to leave trouble behind!"

Yamamoto flew into a rage. "Insolence! Those were over a thousand lives!"

"I only killed the heads of their clans. The others had nothing to do with me."

"You..."

Ye Yang looked Yamamoto in the eye. "How about this, Captain-Commander Yamamoto? You want an explanation, don't you? What if I give you a promise?"

"Let's hear it."

"As long as the Shihoin Clan exists, I will never do anything to harm Soul Society, and I will remain loyal to the Shihoin Clan forever. How's that?"

A grave look appeared on Yamamoto's face. "Do you mean that?" Ye Yang's words were equivalent to placing shackles on himself. As a model noble clan, the Shihoin Clan would never step out of line.

"I do!" Ye Yang answered firmly.

A rare hint of a smile appeared on Yamamoto's previously furious face. "Then we'll let the matter rest. I also called you both here because there is another matter for you to discuss."

He had said "you both," not "you," which meant Yoruichi was involved too. How could she fail to understand his meaning? She immediately asked, "What is it?"

"Yoruichi Shihōin, you are now head of the Shihoin Clan, but you must not neglect division affairs. Therefore, I, Fourth Division Captain Retsu Unohana, Sixth Division Captain Ginrei Kuchiki, and Eighth Division Captain Shunsui Kyōraku recommend that you, Yoruichi Shihōin, take the captain's test in three days. Upon passing, you will succeed to the posts of Second Division Captain and commander-in-chief of the Stealth Force. See that it is done!"

"Yes!" Yoruichi looked as though she had expected it. It came as no surprise to her; every head of the Shihoin Clan had also been Second Division Captain and commander-in-chief of the Stealth Force.

Yamamoto nodded. "I am also appointing Ye Yang Shihoin as a consulting instructor at Shin'ō. You will teach there every Wednesday!"

"Huh?" Ye Yang was surprised. What was going on?

"What is it? Do you have a problem with that?" Yamamoto looked at Ye Yang as if he would immediately attack if Ye Yang refused.

"No, but what about my assignments in the division?" Ye Yang quickly asked.

"That's fine. I'll instruct the division to grant you leave every Wednesday," Yamamoto replied.

Ye Yang agreed helplessly. Though he didn't know what Old Man Yama was up to, he agreed anyway. Teaching at Shin'ō wouldn't be bad.

As the two left the First Division, Ye Yang grinned at Yoruichi. "Congratulations! I'll have to call you Captain Yoruichi from now on, won't I? How impressive!"

Yoruichi rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder. "Oh, please. Would you actually call me that? But I should congratulate you too, shouldn't I, Teacher Ye Yang? Hahaha..." She once again burst out laughing without a care for her image.

"Tch, what's so funny? Being a teacher isn't bad. I can do what I want every Wednesday. Once I check in at the school, whether I teach a class or not is up to me."

"Yes, yes, Teacher Ye Yang. I wonder how that guy Kisuke will react when he finds out. Haha..."