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Aoto did not push Toshiro too hard; after all, this was merely a sparring session.

After letting Red Oni enter the fray, Aoto stood to the side and watched.

However, Toshiro still kept a portion of his attention on Aoto, unable to focus his full strength on dealing with Red Oni.

Under such circumstances, the moment Red Oni struggled free and leaped entirely out of the molten lava, Toshiro lost instantly.

Because... Red Oni could also use Flash Step.

Or perhaps, Sonido?

Red Oni still retained some characteristics of a Hollow, so when it moved, it utilized the movement technique of a Menos.

Toshiro was already struggling to go all out against a stationary Red Oni; it was impossible for him to handle one that could move freely!

With a single slap, it sent Toshiro crashing into the ground!

Alright, the winner has been decided!

Aoto had Red Oni move its hand away, and Toshiro, soaked to the bone, flew out in a sorry state.

The ice on his body had completely melted, yet Red Oni's scorching fist had not caused any further harm to him, proving that Red Oni's control was even superior to Toshiro's.

This was truly...

However, Toshiro was still feeling rather puzzled.

Because he had seen Red Oni before!

The previous Red Oni had only allowed Aoto's Zanpakuto to fire off streaks of searing blade light, much like Ganjuro's Zanpakuto.

But how had it transformed into an independent Red Oni now?

"This is its original form!"

Aoto explained with a smile, "The thirty demons within my blade originally possessed identical power. But after being trained by me, they gradually developed their own independent strengths. To make them easier to control, I had them wrap their power around the Zanpakuto, while their true forms remained hidden."

"Now, I have simply let Red Oni out!"

Simply? He called this simple?

Toshiro felt like rolling his eyes into the back of his head.

To think his master could play around with Shikai to such an extent... aside from not increasing his master's Reiatsu five or six-fold, how was this any different from Bankai?

The more he saw in the 10th Division, the more Toshiro could feel how extraordinary his master was.

Other Shinigami were grateful just to achieve Shikai and struggled immensely to master even one variation, yet his master seemed to be obsessed with challenging the limits of Shikai!

He had spent over a hundred years tempering various Shikai forms.

Didn't his master know Bankai? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to spend this time training his Bankai instead?

Toshiro truly could not fathom it.

The subsequent training became a practice match between Toshiro and Red Oni.

Aoto turned his attention to Rukia.

Rukia's biggest problem right now was her lack of self-confidence.

The primary cause stemmed from Byakuya Kuchiki.

Although she knew her sister had married him, Rukia still could not view Byakuya Kuchiki as family; she only felt fear toward him.

Furthermore, despite the fact that Rukia had already learned Shikai, she still hadn't managed to become a seated officer.

This was precisely because Byakuya Kuchiki had exerted a bit of the Five Great Noble Families' influence in the matter.

Rukia was aware of this, but it only served to lower her confidence even further.

However, in Aoto's view, this was actually a good thing.

Otherwise, Rukia would surely be busy with the numerous official duties between the Soul Society and the human world, rather than having the time to continue her training as she did now.

Being able to use Shikai and being able to fully control Shikai were two completely different states.

The gap in strength was immense.

Aoto believed Byakuya Kuchiki was doing this for Rukia's own good, but that cold-faced tsundere would certainly never say it out loud.

And Aoto wouldn't steal his thunder... he hadn't learned how to be an older brother himself, so there was still plenty for him to learn!

Come to think of it, when he read the manga in his past life, Aoto had always assumed Byakuya Kuchiki intended to groom Rukia only to have her become his second wife. It was quite a surprise later on when he so easily let her marry Abarai.

Byakuya Kuchiki, could he actually be a sister-complex?

Training lasted until dawn before Aoto finally sent Rukia back to the 13th Division.

She had pushed herself so hard that after unleashing one final attack on Aoto with all her might, she was completely drained of energy... and was then carried back to the 13th Division by Aoto like a sack of sand.

The moment he hoisted Rukia onto his back, Aoto couldn't help but lament... this little girl really had nothing to her!

Just as they returned to the 13th Division barracks, they saw Shiba Kaien seeing off Shiba Miyako, who was leading one woman and two men—three squad members—out on a mission.

It seemed they were about to carry out some sort of assignment.

Aoto waited until they had left before stepping out with Rukia. "Aren't you two sick of each other yet? You're so clingy every time you go on a mission; aren't you afraid the squad members will laugh at you?"

"You're just jealous!" Kaien retorted out of habit before noticing Rukia and quickly walking over. "What happened to Kuchiki?"

"She exhausted herself from overtraining!" Aoto set down the struggling Rukia. "This little girl really idolizes Lady Miyako; she treats her as a role model for everything."

Rukia had recovered enough strength to stand steadily now, and upon hearing Aoto's words, a suspicious blush crept onto her face.

Kaien placed a hand on Rukia's shoulder. "Kuchiki, well done! Hard work never lies."

"Yes!" Rukia replied with great earnestness.

"However," Kaien's gaze then shifted to Aoto's face, "Miyako has been married to me for so many days now; why do you still call her Lady Miyako? It's time to change how you address her!"

If he continued to use that title, outsiders might very well think that Aoto still harbored feelings for Shiba Miyako!

"Oh, right!" Aoto looked as if he had just realized it. "Then next time, I'll call her Madam Shiba!"

"That's too formal!" Although Kaien was pleased, he wasn't entirely satisfied with that title.

"Then how about Ms. Miyako?" Aoto laughed. "As long as it doesn't make her sound like she's just an appendage to you, right?"

Kaien was satisfied. "That's acceptable!"

He really does respect women, this guy Kaien.

However... Aoto looked in the direction Shiba Miyako had departed, feeling that the current situation was somewhat off.

It seems Aizen has already begun his move!

Is it really this fast? Rukia hasn't even learned Tsugi no Mai: Hakuren yet!

Aoto then looked up at the sky.

Main body, can you really not let me participate in this incident?

Looking down at the happily smiling Shiba Kaien, a thought gradually took shape in Aoto's mind.

Meanwhile, far away in Las Noches in Hueco Mundo, the King of Hueco Mundo remained seated upon the Throne of White Bones, tilting his head to look in a certain direction, as if he were watching yet another good show.

The World of the Living.

Passing through the Senkaimon, Shiba Miyako arrived at the location where the 15th Seat had last shown signs of life.

Leading her subordinates, Shiba Miyako flew toward a certain direction.

There was a nesting-type Hollow there, and according to projections, it was the one that had killed the two Soul Reapers who were on the mission.

Shiba Miyako had already readied her Zanpakuto, intending to slay the Hollow first before conducting an investigation.

But just at that moment, a seven-colored light appeared before Shiba Miyako.

And then... there was only darkness!