Natsuki was a man of action.
When he had something in mind, he rarely hesitated. He would get right to it.
So after hearing Unohana Retsu's suggestion,
he quickly went to Captain-Commander Yamamoto and asked to study Hakuda under him.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto was somewhat surprised by the request.
However, he didn't refuse.
Before the Gotei 13 was established, he had opened a dojo in Soul Society and taught disciples.
After the Gotei 13 was established and Shino Academy was founded, he became its first headmaster and taught many students.
Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and even some nobles who had never served in the Gotei 13 had all studied under him. Even now, he still occasionally gave pointers to the members of the 1st Division.
Beneath his stern, icy exterior, Captain-Commander Yamamoto hid a heart that loved to teach.
And so, Natsuki gained another daily training task.
He practiced Shunpo alongside Yoruichi.
He studied Zanjutsu with Unohana Retsu.
And now, he was learning Hakuda under Captain-Commander Yamamoto.
It could be said that all three of Natsuki's "masters" were absolute experts in their respective fields.
Yoruichi hadn't yet become a captain or the head of the Shihoin Clan, but in the original story, she was known as the Flash Goddess. Her mastery of Shunpo was absolutely unrivaled.
Unohana Retsu had once been known as "Yachiru" and claimed to have mastered every Zanjutsu technique.
Captain-Commander Yamamoto was formidable in both swordsmanship and Hakuda.
Beneath his clothes, his scarred body silently spoke of the countless bloody battles he had endured.
It seemed that the so-called beginning of the story was still many, many years away. Natsuki didn't really need to work so hard or push himself so much.
But it was precisely because he knew how many powerful enemies awaited in the story's future