Ye Yang's First Class

When Ye Yang said that, everyone below was shocked! In their minds, Spiritual Pressure was what determined everything. As long as their Spiritual Pressure was strong, that was enough. But Ye Yang's words had overturned their beliefs!

A student suddenly asked, "But sir, isn't Spiritual Pressure the most important thing?"

"I never said Spiritual Pressure wasn't important. On the contrary, it's the most fundamental thing for a Soul Reaper. Without Spiritual Pressure, how could there be Soul Reapers?"

"Then what you just said..."

"I was only emphasizing the importance of physical stamina. But just as you said, Spiritual Pressure is the most important thing. At the same time, it's also the hardest thing to cultivate. First, it depends on talent, and even with talent, it takes a long time to build up. You can't rush it. Physical stamina, on the other hand, can be strengthened through training! And as long as you keep at it every day, your stamina will improve significantly. Since we can't rush Spiritual Pressure, we'll start with stamina! Understand?" Ye Yang shouted the last word to fire up the students' fighting spirit.

"Yes, Teacher Ye Yang!" the students shouted back, their fighting spirit high.

"First, run ten laps around Shin'ō. I want to see you back here in one hour! And no using Spiritual Pressure, okay? Off you go."

The students grimaced. They all knew how big Shin'ō was. Ten laps? And they had to finish within an hour without using Spiritual Pressure? That was asking a bit too much. One student spoke up. "Teacher Ye Yang, isn't ten laps a little..." He trailed off, afraid Ye Yang would kick him out.

A faint smile curled Ye Yang's lips. "Oh? You think ten laps is too few too? How about adding five more? Everyone! Fifteen laps! This was your classmate Ueno's suggestion."

Countless murderous gazes immediately shot toward Ueno. If looks could kill, he would have been sliced to death by a thousand cuts.

Ye Yang looked at them. "Instead of talking here, you'd be better off starting your run, just like them." He pointed at two figures heading away. One was Gin Ichimaru, and the other was Rangiku.

Once all the students had left, Ye Yang spoke to an empty corner. "Come on out, sis, and you too, Shaoling. I knew you'd come."

Sure enough, two people gradually appeared in the previously empty corner. They were Yoruichi and Soi Fon. Ye Yang put a hand to his forehead. "It's one thing for you to come, sis, but why did you bring Shaoling too?"

Yoruichi's lips curled slightly. "Little brother, you're being unfair to me. Your Shaoling insisted on coming along."

Ye Yang looked at her, and a suspicious blush immediately spread across Soi Fon's face. "I'm Lady Yoruichi's bodyguard. Of course I have to follow her to protect her."

Clearly, Soi Fon wasn't good at lying. Not only did her eyes dart around, but her tone was extremely unnatural. Ye Yang didn't dwell on it, though. After all, she had come to see him.

Seeing Soi Fon's face grow redder and redder, Ye Yang hurriedly changed the subject. "Why aren't you staying with your squad? What did you come here for?"

Yoruichi said with a strange expression, "Of course I came to see how my little brother teaches his students. You're doing pretty well, but will they really be all right running fifteen laps?"

"They'll be fine. I think someone will even come back early. Believe me?" Ye Yang said confidently.

Yoruichi clearly didn't know about Gin Ichimaru. Her face filled with disbelief. "How is that possible? Those students might not even be able to finish fifteen laps, and only a handful could finish within an hour. How could anyone come back early?"

"How about a bet?"

Yoruichi grew suspicious. As a rule, her little brother wouldn't do anything he wasn't sure of, but she was confident about this too. So she asked, "What are we betting?"

After thinking for a moment, Ye Yang said, "How about this month's food and drinks? If I lose, I'll reimburse you for everything you spend on food and drinks this month, and vice versa. How about it?"

"It's a deal!"

Ye Yang flashed a sly smile that made Yoruichi's heart prickle. Why do I keep feeling like this brat tricked me?

The three then chatted about some inconsequential things. About half an hour later, a young voice called out, "Sir, I'm back."

The smile froze on Yoruichi's face. She had never expected anyone to finish the task in half an hour. Even when she had first entered Shin'ō, she had only been able to do about that well. Were there really so many geniuses these days?

Ye Yang gave Yoruichi a look. Sis, you lost again.

Yoruichi shot Ye Yang a fierce glare. Hmph! You tricked me again, brat.

While the siblings exchanged looks, Gin Ichimaru came in. Yoruichi was still wearing her captain's haori, making her recognizable at a glance. Gin bowed to her. "Captain Shihoin."

Yoruichi gave a huff, said nothing more, and turned away. Gin was puzzled. Had I offended her somehow?

Ye Yang smiled and said, "I'm surprised you managed to finish half an hour early, Ichimaru. Should I say that's a genius for you?"

Gin wore the same ever-present smile. "Not at all. It's because you taught me well, Teacher Ye Yang."

"Ichimaru, there's a reward for being the first one back."

"Oh? Is there? What is it?"

"You get more time to rest. A whole half hour, Ichimaru."

The smile on Gin's face didn't freeze as Ye Yang had imagined. Instead, it grew even brighter. "You really like teasing people, Mr. Ye Yang. You're just waiting for the others to get back, aren't you?"

"You saw through me. But Ichimaru, where's Matsumoto, the one who's always with you? Why isn't she here?"

"Her? She's behind me. She should be here soon," Gin said calmly.

No sooner had he spoken than a voice came from the doorway. "Gin, sir, I'm back."

A blond girl stood in the doorway, bracing herself against the door. She looked exhausted and was about to collapse when Yoruichi appeared at her side in an instant and caught her. "How can a girl neglect her health like that?"

Rangiku looked up at Yoruichi and greeted her. "Captain Shihoin."

Perhaps it was because the girl's hair was the same color as her own eyes, both a dazzling, striking gold, but Yoruichi was very interested in her. She asked, "What's your name?"

Rangiku forced herself upright and managed a bow. "Rangiku Matsumoto, first year at Shin'ō."

Yoruichi nodded and brought her inside to rest.

Although Rangiku was exhausted, Ye Yang noticed that her gaze never left Gin. He didn't know what to say, so he kept quiet and waited for the other students to return.

Another half hour passed, and the hour Ye Yang had given them was up. Fewer than ten students in the class had returned. Ye Yang clapped his hands. "Everyone, on your feet. You did well to finish the task on time. Next, you'll swing your swords five hundred times! Don't worry about the other students. Start now!"

"But..." One student started to speak, but when he saw Ye Yang's expression, he abruptly stopped. He said nothing more and began practicing his swings with the other students.

Just three minutes into the practice, three students came through the door. Ye Yang glanced at them and said, "Three minutes late. Go practice your swings with them. Eight hundred times."

"Huh?"

"A hundred swings for every minute you're late. Any objections?" Ye Yang asked, looking at them.

Seeing Ye Yang's fierce expression, they swallowed whatever objections they might have had, obediently picked up wooden swords, and began practicing.

Over the next ten minutes, the students returned one after another, and Ye Yang punished them. The last one back was made to swing his sword fifteen hundred times!

Even the first few to arrive could barely handle five hundred swings. After all, they had just finished running and expended a great deal of stamina, only to follow it up with five hundred sword swings. Even an ordinary Soul Reaper in a squad would have been exhausted. Sure enough, some of them collapsed onto the floor as soon as they finished.

Fortunately, Ye Yang didn't tell them to get up, or they would all have coughed up blood.

After finishing, Gin Ichimaru was the only one still standing, though even he could barely stay on his feet. After all, he was just a child who had only recently entered Shin'ō. Getting this far had been no easy feat.

Some students were already close to giving up, so Ye Yang spoke. "Hang in there, everyone. This is the last training for today. Anyone who finishes can leave first."

Those words instantly filled them with motivation, and some students who had nearly given up did their best to keep going. Although several students finished, very few could actually get up. Only Gin Ichimaru stood and bowed. "Sir, I'll be going now."

"Mm."

The boy headed for the door without looking back. Then a girl's voice made him pause. "Gin, will you wait for me?"

The silver-haired boy looked back. "Hey, Rangiku, if you can stand up, then follow me." With that, all he left her was a view of his back.

The girl struggled to stand, but her body was too heavy for her to manage. She could only watch him walk away and murmur, "Gin, is your back all I'll ever be able to see?"

Ye Yang said nothing about the scene. Yoruichi, however, spoke quietly in his ear. "I'm starting to dislike this Gin Ichimaru more and more."

Ye Yang continued watching them swing their swords. After about another hour, all the students had finished their practice, but the price was that not a single one was left standing.

"Training from now on will only be more exhausting than this! It'll take longer too! So all of you had better be ready," Ye Yang declared firmly, looking at the students lying on the floor.

At that, a trace of hatred appeared in some students' eyes, but Ye Yang saw it all. "I know some of you might be cursing me right now, but let me tell you, I don't care whether you're nobles or commoners. As long as you're in my class, what I say goes! I'm sure you know who I am too. If you think you can't take it, apply to transfer to another class. I have no use for trash here! That's all. You're dismissed!" With that, he left the training room with Yoruichi and Soi Fon...

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