Chapter 59

Nanao's words silenced everyone.

Don't forget, Nanao is also Sixth-Class Spiritual Pressure, just like Haruto, and is also a genius in the field of Kidō.

Even while still a student, she had already found the path she wanted to take—unlike Haruto's strategy of jumping to intermediate levels, Nanao was prepared to abandon advanced Kidō and choose to build her own Kidō system based on intermediate Kidō.

After all.

Nanao is quite different from Haruto; at least she doesn't need to train her Zanpakuto abilities, she can focus on studying Kidō.

"A very good idea."

After the initial surprise...

Haruto smiled and gently patted Nanao's head to ease her tension.

This was the first time Nanao had expressed her attitude so clearly, so she was a little worried that Haruto would be angry.

"We don't need to follow the same path; this way, we can verify each other's shortcomings and find the better ones."

"Maybe..."

"On the path of creating your own Kidō, you can go further than I can."

Haruto praised sincerely.

"The rest--"

Haruto had just looked at Ayaka when the latter grabbed Nanao's shoulder... Given the height difference between them, this action was more like a hug than an embrace.

"Of course I'll stay with Little Nanao!"

Ayaka's idea was quite simple.

She lacked the talent for either the Kaidō or the advanced Kidō; instead, she excelled at the common intermediate Kidō.

Judging from Haruto and Byakuya's expressions, they were definitely planning to continue their in-depth study of advanced Kidō, and even if she tried to get involved, she wouldn't understand.

Then I might as well just latch onto Nanao's coattails:

Haruto also said that there was nothing wrong with Nanao's path... Following the advice of the strong, or rather, heeding the advice of the powerful, has always been the survival strategy of the Kurumadani Clan.

"All right."

After confirming that Nanao did not object, Haruto looked at the group, who had already been divided into pairs, and announced decisively:

Since everyone has their own goals.

"Then--"

Meeting adjourned!

Shin'ō Academy, Underground Martial Arts Arena.

"They slipped in so easily?"

Haruto glanced at the tightly closed door.

"I can accept its sturdiness and durability, but the hidden attributes of the Kidō... the Kyokkō added to the walls is amazing."

Although the dean's office isn't exactly a secret location, there's still a lot of foot traffic around it. It would be fine during holidays, but now that school has officially started, it's quite remarkable that someone can still walk in so openly.

"No, that's not it."

Byakuya placed the backpack containing water and a towel aside.

"Apart from the defenses against Kidō, the other parts had long been in disrepair and broken. It was only when I came here last year that my family specially sent someone to reinforce them."

"What a waste."

Haruto touched the gold coins in his pocket and said.

Thanks to Isane, the newly made clothes finally have usable pockets... By the way, this gold coin was still picked up by Haruto from the training ground.

Byakuya's time studying at the Shin'ō Academy was at most two years.

Adding Kidō effect to an item is much more troublesome than simply casting Kidō. Having to "enchant" it again for such a short duration shows how extravagant the actions of the nobility are.

"Alright."

Byakuya ignored Haruto's sarcastic remarks.

After putting everything down, it nimbly jumped twice on the spot... almost hitting the ceiling.

What's the plan?

Haruto didn't have much to prepare; he could just take a shower if he got dirty.

"You probably don't plan to learn the Zanka no Tachi, do you?"

"Right."

Ise Kami did not forbid Haruto from publishing the spin-off of Zanka no Tachi.

Unfortunately, Byakuya's Zanpakuto is not suitable for this move, and controlling Senbonzakura's blades requires the use of his arm for assistance. Even the future upgraded version, Zanka no Tachi, would be useless for Byakuya.

"Then Tōzanshō."

"That move you used during the fight just now?"

Haruto nodded.

"Right."

"The original Tōzanshō was too wasteful of Reiatsu, and its original purpose wasn't for close-range defense, but for establishing a medical defense barrier."

"The improved version... to be honest, it's basically a replacement used before the ability to break through incantations was Dankū."

"However, you haven't learned the Dankū yet. Familiarity with it later should help you master Dankū."

"Can."

Kidō like the Dankū are basically mandatory for Byakuya.

Ginrei Kuchiki's training of Byakuya followed a methodical path of steady growth, but after witnessing Haruto's meteoric rise, Byakuya couldn't contain himself any longer... He felt he could become even stronger.

Certainly.

The main reason is that Dankū was originally on Byakuya's evolutionary path.

Even if Haruto had fully mastered other functional Bakudō or offensive destructive Hadō, Byakuya wouldn't easily resort to them.

"As for my side..."

"Although I've discussed it with the Cat Demon, the Shihoin Secret Techniques definitely can't be passed on casually, and besides, you haven't fully understood and mastered the Shunpo."

Even if you wanted to learn, you couldn't.

"Once you've fully mastered Shunpo, I'll go ask the Cat Demon for you."

The Cat Demon Byakuya mentioned could only be Yoruichi Shihōin.

To master two Shunpo techniques so quickly, it certainly wasn't through the Kuchiki Clan's instruction; Byakuya probably spent his entire vacation being "tortured" by Yoruichi at the Yoruichi Shihoin Clan.

"... good."

Haruto understands Byakuya's predicament.

Although Byakuya initially brought up the Utsusemi with him without much thought, wasn't he certain that neither of them could learn it?

The situation is naturally different now.

Moreover, Byakuya always keeps his word. Although the timing is uncertain, it can be considered as providing Haruto with an opportunity to contact the Shihoin Clan in the future.

"Then all that's left is the Rikujōkōrō."

A platinum-gold halo lit up as Byakuya raised his fingertip.

"You mentioned before that you learned the Sajō Sabaku first because you weren't very good at controlling your spatial sense. Did things improve after advancing to the Sixth-Class Spiritual Pressure?"

Byakuya asked curiously.

Although Haruto has only been practicing the Sajō Sabaku for half a month, judging from Haruto description of his battle with the Giant Hollow, he is already very proficient in using Sajō Sabaku.

Or rather...

The Kidō, numbered in the sixties, was no longer a challenge for Haruto.

"Rather than saying that the improvement in Reii brought about the changes, it's more accurate to say that the improved physical condition naturally restored my sense of space considerably."

"That's good."

Byakuya secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he spoke casually, Byakuya's pride as a nobleman made it difficult for him to get used to Haruto's constant use of the word "freeloader."

Whenever I feel that Haruto might be at a disadvantage...

It gave me the illusion that he had become Haruto's little brother.

Do you want to learn?

"Is that even a question?"

The Rikujōkōrō is almost the most advanced Bakudō the Kuchiki Clan excels at, and its fame is comparable to that of Byakurai and Sōkatsui.

There was nothing he could do about not being able to master it before, but now that he has the opportunity to learn the secrets of the Rikujōkōrō, Haruto certainly won't hold back.

"Okay, let's start then..."

"I almost forgot!"

Before Byakuya could finish speaking, he suddenly slammed his fist into his palm.

Why are you making such a fuss?

Haruto couldn't help but give Byakuya a blank look.

The auction arrangements are settled.

Byakuya, caught up in the moment, completely ignored Haruto's "resentful" expression.

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Upon hearing Byakuya's words, Haruto's interest was piqued.

Unlike Byakuya, who had someone at home to supervise him, he did this openly and honestly, and it had absolutely nothing to do with petty theft.

"Tonight, Rukongai in the North District 2."

"So fast?"

Haruto was a little taken aback by Byakuya's efficiency.

"It's better to be early than late!"

"But why isn't the location inside Seireitei?"

"Rukongai... isn't that even more exciting?"

Byakuya seemed completely unconcerned about Haruto's safety concerns.

Aren't you afraid of losing both your money and your partner?

"Isn't that what I'm here for?"

Seeing that Byakuya was a bit too confident, Haruto couldn't help but give him a heads-up:

"The Rukongai is not like the Seireitei. There are far more things separated by a wall than you can imagine; although they come into contact with many nobles, not everyone has heard of the name of the eldest son of the Kuchiki Clan."

"Besides, it's a place where people can't really be seen."

Haruto has never been to an auction, but when it comes to gangs and Rukongai, Haruto's experience far surpasses that of Byakuya, who is still a novice.

All I can say is...

"The vice-captain is not weak, but over the years in Soul Society, quite a few captains have died in Rukongai."

After all that was said, Byakuya didn't refute it, which means he really listened.

But...

"Peace of mind and peace of mind!"

"I have plenty of good stuff on me. If something like that really happens... at most I'll just get a lecture from Grandpa when I get home."

Byakuya's attitude remained unchanged.