The second day of training

After being tormented by his Zanpakuto in his Inner World all night, Hu was now on his way to his dojo, where Cilian was already waiting.

As Hu passed through the courtyard, he saw Shimizu, who had changed out of his attendant's uniform and was wearing a dark blue kimono with the Fon Clan Crest hanging at his waist.

"Hey, Shimizu! You're dressed so sharp today. Got a date during these three days off? You even brought the Fon Clan crest to boost your worth," Hu teased.

"No, I'm just going back to where I used to live to see how the family we formed is doing."

"A family you formed? Don't tell me you're already married?"

"Not yet. After being guided to the Soul Society, most souls form temporary families to get by. It's not what you think," Shimizu explained, blushing. "But today I'm planning to give it a try..."

Hu pulled a comical face when he heard that. "Give it a try, huh? Who's the lucky girl?"

"She's a girl from the family we formed. She always looked after me before I joined the Fon Clan. The Fon Clan treats us well, and I've saved a little money lately, so I want to see if I can start a real family with her instead of a temporary one."

Shimizu spoke so earnestly that Hu couldn't keep teasing him. "I see. Well, good luck."

Hu then continued toward the dojo. Before long, the sound of clashing swords rang out from inside...

That afternoon, Hu had thought that since he had passed the "fist" test, he could take it easy until his "movement" training at three. But Sakiro thought otherwise. At one, she came to the dining hall, grabbed Hu, and took him to the dojo.

In the dojo.

"Shunpo is a high-speed movement technique in which a Soul Reaper controls their own Reiatsu and concentrates Reishi in their legs. Four main factors affect its speed and distance: Reiatsu, the nature of one's Reishi, Reishi control, and footwork." Sakiro wore a form-fitting bodysuit and held the test photos and data from the Reishi Doll. She looked through them as she explained Shunpo to Hu. "Cases like yours are actually fairly common, though they're usually not so extreme. The nature of your Reishi makes you exceptionally suited to ultra-high-speed movement. In the Reishi Doll simulation, powered by your Reishi, its top speed exceeded that of most full-fledged Soul Reapers, and even some Seated Officers who aren't good at Shunpo. They achieved those results through years of footwork training and Reiatsu cultivation."

Sakiro tapped the papers and said to Hu, "Ye Xing, there's no question about your talent. The nature of your Reishi also shows that you have a gift for ultra-high-speed combat. The extremely short distance shown in the Reishi Doll test is a matter of habit. Some of the movements you make unconsciously have a considerable effect on long-distance movement."

Although Hu couldn't understand what she was saying, he nodded anyway.

"First, try it your usual way. Concentrate Reishi in your legs, then take a step."

Hu followed her instructions, concentrating Reishi in his legs before stepping forward. The dojo floorboards cracked, and Hu appeared twenty meters away, leaving a sunken footprint where he had stood.

Sakiro nodded. "Your explosive power in that instant was strong, but you lacked control. Your posture was a little stiff, and your stride was very short." As she spoke, she looked at Hu's legs. "Are your legs short?"

Sakiro made as if to roll up Hu's pant leg and feel it. Hu immediately went on alert. "What are you doing? That's not necessary, is it?" Holding up his pants, he backed straight away.

Sakiro found his reaction a little funny. "Then walk around the dojo a few times as you normally would. Let me have a look."

Hu agreed and began walking around the dojo. He hadn't even made it halfway around before he heard Sakiro click her tongue.

"Stop! What a waste of those looks. Why do you walk like such a slouch? The ball of your foot hits the ground first when you step, and your thighs barely move. Are you some sheltered young lady who never leaves her room?"

Sakiro picked out a wooden stick in the dojo and walked over to Hu. "Land on your heel first. Take longer strides and walk with confidence. Don't drag your back foot along the ground, or you won't have enough follow-through. Keep your back straight, and let your thighs drive your lower legs!" With every instruction, Sakiro struck the corresponding part of Hu's body with the stick.

Almost every joint in Hu's legs got a whack.

"Keep the points I just mentioned in mind and start walking again. If we don't correct your posture, there's no point talking about the rest of your training."

Hu had no choice but to walk around and around, one step at a time. Whenever his posture slipped, Sakiro gave him another whack.

"Now start picking up speed slowly. Work this posture into your body and make it a habit."

Smack.

"Your stride's too short!"

Smack.

"Lift your back leg higher!"

Smack!

"Land on your heel! Your heel! Can't you understand me?"

Three hours later, Hu's legs were covered in bruises. Sakiro had worked up a sweat from all the striking, too. She felt that teaching Hu to walk was more tiring than going on a mission herself.

"All right, that's enough gait correction. Try Shunpo again. It should be much better."

Despite the "battered state" of his legs, Hu used Shunpo. This time, he still left a footprint behind, but he appeared nearly eighty meters away and almost crashed into the dojo wall.

"That's enough for today. One o'clock tomorrow afternoon, same as today. I'll take you to a training ground for Shunpo. Dismissed." Sakiro vanished from the dojo in a flash.

Hu, meanwhile, dragged his slightly weary body to the dining hall.

In Fon Shaoling's office, the three instructors were kneeling before her desk, reporting on the progress of the training.

"His Zanjutsu improved considerably today. It seems that after yesterday's Zanjutsu meditation and his fight with his Zanpakuto after falling asleep, he gained a deeper understanding of his own Zanjutsu and fighting style. However, he still doesn't know his Zanpakuto's True Name. The most likely reason is that his conviction isn't strong enough." This was Cilian.

"Now that he has passed the 'fist' test, I've put together some insights on Hakuda. I'll give them to Ye Xing tomorrow. They should help him improve his Hakuda further." This was Tessai.

"The main problems with Yexing Hu's Shunpo are his rough Reishi control and his own gait. Today we conducted intensive gait correction. Tomorrow I plan to set up a Shunpo training ground in the courtyard and work toward getting him to master precise control over his own Reishi." This was Sakiro.

"Regarding Yexing Hu's gait, notify the attendants currently on duty and the Onmitsukidō stationed here. Have them all take part in correcting it. A matter of habit requires constant reminders and attention. As for passing on those Hakuda insights, it won't be too late to give them to him after he passes all the tests. Not enough conviction for the 'sword' test? A steadfast will isn't something one can develop casually. That makes sense, too. He's only been in the Soul Society a few days, and I'm asking him to have firm convictions. It seems I misjudged him. If he still hasn't learned the True Name by tomorrow night, I'll relax the requirements a little." Fon Shaoling responded to her three subordinates' reports as she worked on paperwork.

At that moment, an Onmitsukidō member knocked on the door, entered, and handed over a letter. "Commander, an urgent report has come from Sizhuzhai, a settlement in the northwestern part of Bamboo Creek Plain. Several Hollows are causing trouble and are now fighting one another. They may devour one another and give rise to a Menos Grande, a 'Gillian.'

"All the Pluses have now taken shelter. The number and strength of the Hollows are beyond what the Soul Reapers stationed there can handle, and they're asking us for help."

Fon Shaoling glanced at the report. "This urgent report came at just the right time. Let's give Yexing Hu some practical experience. Cilian, take a squad of Onmitsukidō and send Yexing Hu onto the battlefield to experience Hollows up close. Make sure a Gillian isn't born."

"Understood." Cilian accepted the order, left the office, and headed for Hu's room.