But ever since you came to Hueco Mundo, your strength had begun to advance by leaps and bounds. Especially after achieving Shikai... you could hear the "voice" of your Zanpakuto now, couldn't you? That was the sign of Bankai. Once you could clearly hear the name it called out, you would have stepped into the realm of Captains.
That kind of leap in strength was astonishing, even with the life-and-death pressure of Hueco Mundo driving you onward.
Back in the chaotic Soul Society of a thousand years ago, a place like a Shura Field, people like you were exceedingly rare. I'd probably only seen four or five."
There had been that many?
Iori was somewhat surprised, but upon thinking it over, it was not that strange. After all, in the world of Bleach, some people were simply born with extraordinarily powerful souls, or had fragments of the Soul King's power hidden within them.
They had been born at the finish line, so it was only natural for their growth rate to be absurd.
Someone like Yamamoto, who had no Soul King Fragment and had climbed his way up one slash at a time, relying purely on cultivating Shinigami power to reach the Transcendent level... that was what was truly rare!
"That is also thanks to your excellent teaching, Captain," Iori said sincerely. "These past days, not only Shunpo, but Hakuda, swordsmanship, Kido... without your guidance, there was no way I could have improved this quickly."
"Hmph, that's true!"
Saito accepted the flattery without hesitation. "You brat really lucked out, getting me to teach you hand in hand for this long!"
Iori smiled and nodded repeatedly.
That was absolutely true. Other than Old Man Yama, none of the Captains had a habit of taking students. At most, they would guide their