Shunkō

Shadow taught Yoruichi Shihōin the method behind the Monster Strength Fist, along with various other hand-to-hand techniques.

The days passed like this. Yoruichi Shihōin mastered every physical technique with ease and even improved them to some extent, making them better suited to her own fighting style.

Her Monster Strength Fist training was flawless, whether it involved using, controlling, compressing, or unleashing Reiatsu. It had to be said that Yoruichi Shihōin's talent for Hakuda was not inferior to her talent for Shunpo in the slightest.

Yoruichi Shihōin's progress was equally obvious. In her battles with Shihōin Shanqing, when it came to Hakuda and Shunpo alone, she no longer lost to any captain and even surpassed them, leaving Shihōin Shanqing smiling all day long.

Until one day, two months later.

That night, Shadow sat on the rooftop with Yoruichi Shihōin, transformed into a black cat, in his arms.

They quietly watched the bright moon in the sky, gazing at that enviable color.

"Shadow!" Black Cat Yoruichi suddenly raised her head and asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, Lady Yoruichi." Shadow shook his head.

"Is that so?"

Seeing Black Cat Yoruichi fall silent again, Shadow spoke up. "But Lady Yoruichi seems a little distracted."

"You noticed?"

Black Cat Yoruichi was slightly startled, then lazily shifted around in Shadow's arms.

"Yes." Shadow nodded. "I noticed from the beginning, but I thought that if it was Lady Yoruichi, then whatever you did would be fine."

"Why do you say that?" Black Cat Yoruichi asked curiously.

"Because you're Lady Yoruichi." Shadow answered as though it were only natural. "Besides, I can tell that Lady Yoruichi has returned to normal today."

Black Cat Yoruichi curled her lips, exposing her sharp teeth. "What a surprising sense of perception. Don't you want to know what I'm thinking about?"

"Ah, well..." Shadow rubbed his head. "If Lady Yoruichi wants to say it, I'll listen. If you don't want to say it, then I won't."

"You really are..." Black Cat Yoruichi lowered her head weakly once more, curling her lips as she explained, "It's about the Monster Strength Fist."

"The Monster Strength Fist?" Shadow was visibly stunned. "What is it, Lady Yoruichi?"

"I was thinking, since Reiatsu can cover the hands and feet to enhance the power of Hakuda, could Kido be fused with Hakuda to form an entirely new combat technique?" Black Cat Yoruichi said thoughtfully. "It could be used for close combat as well as long-range attacks."

"Fusing Kido with Hakuda..." Shadow frowned. "You mean injecting Kido into your hands and feet? No, Lady Yoruichi, that's too dangerous..."

"Shadow!" Black Cat Yoruichi said gravely. "I've already made my decision."

"Is that so?" Shadow fell silent for a long while before speaking. "Lady Yoruichi... Just do whatever you want to do."

"You won't ask what my decision is?" Black Cat Yoruichi raised her face and said softly. "Perhaps it isn't what you think."

"There's no need." Shadow tilted his head, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Lady Yoruichi isn't someone who would give up because of a few words. Although it's dangerous, I... should trust Lady Yoruichi."

"Aren't you worried... that I'll fail?" Black Cat Yoruichi asked.

"Worried? Of course I'm worried." Shadow's tone was somewhat helpless. "I'm worried enough that I don't want Lady Yoruichi to develop such a dangerous move."

"Then why do you support me so much? Why do you believe in me?" Black Cat Yoruichi said. "Honestly, I don't really believe in myself either."

"Lady Yoruichi's will is my will," Shadow said softly. "How should I put it? If Lady Yoruichi succeeds, that would be best. But if you accidentally fail..."

"As long as Lady Yoruichi isn't dead, I'm confident that I can definitely save you again, no matter what price I have to pay."

"But if... it truly is too late, Lady Yoruichi..." Shadow paused before continuing. "Then there'll be nothing I can do. But I'll immediately go down to be with Lady Yoruichi. I absolutely won't let you be alone. Never."

Black Cat Yoruichi smiled, gradually closing her eyes as she nestled closer into Shadow's arms.

"It's because you're by my side that... I'm not afraid. Shadow, thank you."

"Lady Yoruichi!" After a moment of silence, Shadow asked, "Has that move been named?"

"Mhm." Black Cat Yoruichi nodded and lazily said, "It has. I call it Shunkō."

"Shunkō." Shadow smiled. "It really suits Lady Yoruichi's style."

"What do you mean by that?" Black Cat Yoruichi opened her eyes, revealing a seemingly fierce glare. "Shadow, tell me honestly. Are you looking down on this young lady's naming ability?"

"No." Shadow shook his head. "You're overthinking it, Lady Yoruichi."

"Is that so?"

Black Cat Yoruichi shot Shadow, whose expression remained cold and indifferent, a suspicious glance. After her amber-like pupils spun a few times, she revealed a silent, mischievous grin.

Sadly, the target of her prank, Shadow, did not notice in the slightest. And so...

"Shadow..."

"What is it, Lady Yoruichi? You..."

The moment Shadow lowered his head, he froze. The next second, two streams of blood shot from his nose.

"Lady Yoruichi, put your clothes on! Put them on! How can you do this..."

"Hahaha..."

Lying in Shadow's arms, Yoruichi Shihōin had already returned to human form, her body completely bare. She clutched her stomach and laughed so hard she nearly toppled over.

In truth, life had always been about finding happiness in simplicity...