Deep-Night Infiltration

Yuko rolled her eyes and spread both hands. "What else could I do? After cramming for just one night... no, just two hours, reaching this level is already pretty impressive. You want to take down a captain too? Isn't that a little too arrogant?"

"Which captain of the Gotei 13 hasn't trained for decades or even centuries? If one could be killed by a fake Soul Reaper who only took up the profession halfway through life and had been at it for just a few months, they might as well stop calling themselves captains and call themselves weaklings."

The corner of Ichigo's mouth twitched violently. Although seeing Aunt Yuko like this made him feel nostalgic, she was indeed still asking to be punched.

Yoruichi leaped down from the corridor and approached Yuko with an elegant catlike gait. "His growth rate is truly astonishing. After only one night of guidance, his control over spiritual power has undergone a qualitative leap."

As she said this, Yoruichi couldn't help glancing up at Yuko. "You're quite venomous, but you really know how to teach people."

"Of course. I'm a professional, after all." Yuko withdrew her gaze, looking perfectly justified. "If I hadn't changed careers back then, Karakura Town's college acceptance rate would be at least ten percentage points lower today."

You're bragging way too much, Auntie.

The corner of Ichigo's eye twitched as he listened. He simply slumped onto the ground and panted heavily, sweat dripping from the tips of his orange hair and soaking into the dirt beneath his feet.

He felt as though every bone in his body was about to fall apart, but the spiritual power surging through him had never felt so exhilarating.

It felt unbelievably good, reminding him of the time he had fought side by side with Chad