"Uchiha Hiko..." Isshin Kurosaki said worriedly. He could sense the power behind Uchiha Hiko's casual slash. If he had been the target, it would have been extremely difficult to dodge.
Ichigo Kurosaki was startled. While still running, he hastily twisted sideways, and a strip of his Shinigami uniform was sliced off and fluttered to the ground.
"Not bad. You could still dodge that slash."
Uchiha Hiko nodded approvingly. Although Ichigo's current strength was still below that of an ordinary captain, he could reliably serve as a vice-captain without any problem.
With his current strength, he was not far from the strength of that Ichigo Kurosaki from the original story. He might even be slightly stronger.
As expected of someone with the Protagonist Halo. In the Bleach World, aside from the absurdly overpowered Uchiha Hiko, who had been a monster from the very beginning, no one could match Ichigo Kurosaki's rate of growth.
"Teacher Uchiha Hiko, that was close." Although Ichigo Kurosaki had been trying to control his expression, he could not stop himself from grinning.
Whoosh!
Ichigo Kurosaki vanished from where he stood. Isshin Kurosaki's heart jolted again. He had become this proficient with his footwork already.
Uchiha Hiko lightly swung Ryujin Jakka through the air, forcing Ichigo Kurosaki to reveal himself. "I'm not in the mood to spar with you right now. Go find your father."
Isshin Kurosaki chuckled sheepishly and scratched his head. His originally fierce face somehow carried an honest, simple-minded air.
Uchiha Hiko turned around and slowly walked back toward the Kurosaki home beneath the setting sun.
Everything was proceeding exceptionally smoothly. Ichigo Kurosaki had already unlocked his Shikai, and there were still more than half a month left before the two-month deadline. That was enough time for him to adjust to his suddenly increased power.