Swordsmanship Training

The next day, Soul Society, Seireitei, Kuchiki residence's rear courtyard.

"Byakuya! You must seize this opportunity and properly learn Swordsmanship and Shunpo!" Ginrei Kuchiki said solemnly.

"Yes, Grandfather. Byakuya understands!" Byakuya Kuchiki said, gripping his Asauchi and nodding seriously.

"Good! Determination is what matters! But, Byakuya, there are a few things you must remember..."

Just as Ginrei Kuchiki was explaining some taboos concerning Shadow to Byakuya Kuchiki, a crisp and cheerful voice suddenly rang out.

"Yo! Little Byakuya, looks like you're all prepared!"

Following the voice, two figures appeared atop the wall of the Kuchiki residence's rear courtyard: the grinning Yoruichi Shihōin and the expressionless Shadow.

"You're here!" Ginrei Kuchiki nodded. "Then I'll be heading to the Sixth Division. Byakuya is in your hands, Yoruichi!"

"Got it, got it!"

Yoruichi Shihōin jumped down from the wall and waved her hand. Seeing this, Ginrei Kuchiki said no more and turned to leave.

Once Ginrei Kuchiki had left, Yoruichi Shihōin clapped her hands, sat down beside the stone table, picked up a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. She nodded at Shadow, signaling that they could begin.

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!" Shadow replied respectfully, then turned to Byakuya Kuchiki. "Let me see your Swordsmanship!"

"Yes!"

Byakuya Kuchiki answered, tightening his grip on the Asauchi and taking his stance. Every movement was exceptionally standard, and he practiced with great seriousness.

"Stop!"

After only a short while, Shadow called out to Byakuya Kuchiki. His cold face revealed no expression.

Byakuya Kuchiki lowered his Asauchi and looked at Shadow in confusion.

"All form and no substance. Flashy but useless!" Shadow delivered his final verdict. "Completely worthless!"

"What gives you the right to say that?!" Byakuya Kuchiki jumped up in anger.

Shadow remained expressionless. He casually picked up the sheathed Asauchi lying on the ground nearby. The instant his hand touched its hilt, a chilling killing intent burst from him. Shadow himself seemed to transform into a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, carrying an unparalleled sense of oppression.

Without a sound or even the slightest sensation, Byakuya Kuchiki only heard two loud BANGS behind him. When he came to his senses and wanted to turn around to see what had happened, his pupils suddenly constricted, and cold sweat streamed down his face.

Because at some point, an Asauchi had been placed against his neck. The icy blade made every hair on his body stand on end.

"What gives me the right? Because I'm stronger than you!"

Shadow said coldly as he withdrew the Asauchi, returning to his usual state.

Byakuya Kuchiki collapsed onto the ground, his eyes filled with shock, fear, and a trace of excitement. Too amazing... too terrifying... I have to learn that move!

Ignoring what Byakuya Kuchiki was thinking, Shadow spoke coldly. "In battle, techniques must be adapted to the situation. Who would give you time to perform moves one after another?"

"And Swordsmanship, when all is said and done, doesn't need so-called moves at all. Empty, impractical techniques will only harm their user. True Swordsmanship is about analyzing an enemy's weaknesses through strength and angles, then striking them dead!"

"The two most important aspects of Swordsmanship training are speed and presence!" Shadow explained. "Speed refers to the speed of drawing the blade, striking with it, and sheathing it. Presence refers to aura, killing intent, one's gaze, will, and so on!"

"And mastering both requires exceptional observation, solid fundamentals, and relentless training!" As he spoke, Shadow tossed the Asauchi in his hand to Byakuya Kuchiki. "Right now, all you need to do is build your foundation!"

"Only after your foundation is solid can you proceed to the next stage of training!" Shadow paused before continuing. "What I used just now was the most basic Sword-Draw Technique, also known as the Quick-Draw Technique!"

"The Sword-Draw Technique and Quick-Draw Technique are only the basics?!" Byakuya Kuchiki was stunned, then excitedly rose to his feet. "Yes, Teacher!"

"I told you not to call me Teacher!" Shadow frowned. "Take your sword now and practice the most basic swings. If you don't swing it three hundred times, you don't get lunch!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Byakuya Kuchiki obediently answered while holding his sword. Only when he turned around did he discover that the two trees that had once stood there had both been cleanly severed at the waist.

"Don't call me Teacher!" Shadow's tone darkened.

However, Byakuya Kuchiki clearly hadn't heard him. Even if he had, he wouldn't have cared, because he had been thoroughly fired up.

"Come on, don't sweat the small stuff, Shadow!" Yoruichi Shihōin swallowed the last pastry and called out, "Go get some more snacks from the Kuchiki kitchen, and bring the finest sake too!"

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

"Two hundred fifteen, two hundred sixteen, two hundred seventeen..."

Byakuya Kuchiki clenched his teeth and tirelessly swung his Asauchi. The muscles in his arms ached, and nearly every swing made them go numb. The feeling was unbearably painful, but Byakuya Kuchiki persisted.

"How's little Byakuya doing?" Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly asked Shadow beside her as she drank sake.

"His perseverance isn't bad," Shadow answered.

"Mm." Yoruichi Shihōin nodded. After waiting for a long time without hearing anything else, she raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

"That's it," Shadow answered extremely quickly.

"..." Yoruichi Shihōin twitched the corner of her mouth, utterly speechless.

"Two hundred ninety-six, two hundred ninety-seven... three hundred..."

Byakuya Kuchiki finally reached his limit. Fortunately, he had finished. The Asauchi in his hand fell to the ground with a clang, and he dropped onto the ground, panting heavily. Sweat covered his head, and he didn't even have the strength to wipe it away.

"Get up!" Shadow said coldly. "You can't endure even this much?"

Looking at Shadow's impassive face, the unwilling-to-lose Byakuya Kuchiki gritted his teeth, stubbornly shook his head, and struggled to his feet.

"Eat lunch once you've rested enough. There's another task this afternoon, so don't be late!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Don't call me Teacher!"

"..."

"Hey! Isn't he impressive, Shadow?" Yoruichi Shihōin said with a grin.

"If he can't endure even this little hardship, then he isn't worthy of learning my Swordsmanship!" Shadow said proudly.

"Fine, do as you like!" Yoruichi Shihōin stood up, narrowing her golden eyes slightly and curling her lips into a smile. "Leave the afternoon to me!"

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

After resting and mooching another meal off the Kuchiki residence, Yoruichi Shihōin patted her stomach and stretched lazily.

"Ah! Time to begin. Little Byakuya, are you ready?"

"I'm ready!"

Byakuya Kuchiki answered seriously, but what he had in mind was clearly not the same thing Yoruichi Shihōin had in mind.

"Good!" As expected, Yoruichi Shihōin smiled brightly. "Since you're ready, let's start the competition!"

"Wait!" Byakuya Kuchiki finally realized what was happening. "A competition? What kind of competition?"

"Of course, a race!" Yoruichi Shihōin raised her brows and said eagerly. "I'll run and you chase me. How about it? If you catch me, there's a reward!"

"No!" Byakuya Kuchiki shouted. "I want to learn Swordsmanship! I don't have time to race you!"

"That's not up to you!"

Yoruichi Shihōin used Shunpo, appearing behind Byakuya Kuchiki. She yanked the hair ribbon from his head, then used Shunpo again to reach the top of the wall.

Waving the ribbon in her hand, Yoruichi Shihōin grinned provocatively. "Catch up, and I'll give it back! Little Byakuya!"

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

After shouting three times, Byakuya Kuchiki was so angry that he lost his composure. Without thinking, he used Shunpo to chase after her while roaring, "Stop right there, you Cat Demon! Give me back my hair ribbon!"

"Cat... Cat Demon?" Shadow's mouth twitched sharply several times, and his entire face darkened.

Byakuya Kuchiki, who had rushed out after her, had no idea that his casual remark, prompted by certain rumors, had successfully ignited Shadow's fury.

"Byakuya Kuchiki, you're dead!"

Ah, poor child. Let us observe a moment of silence for him!

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