Katori Nanatsuki stood beneath the waterfall.
He had removed his upper garments, revealing a strong, lean body.
Spiritual pressure surged within him, as densely compressed Kidō rapidly gathered across his back and shoulders.
"Shunkō!"
In the next moment, the Zanpakutō in his hand sparked with arcs of thunder.
"Raikiri!"
With an upward slash, the waterfall exploded outward in a burst of force.
"Wow—Sensei, you're amazing!!!"
Azashiro Kana clapped enthusiastically from the riverbank.
Aizen Sōsuke, however, sighed inwardly. He suspected the outcome hadn't met their teacher's expectations.
Nanatsuki took a deep breath, steadying the turbulent Reiatsu within him.
He was attempting to combine Shunkō with Raikiri, but the results weren't satisfactory.
Still, he had pinpointed the reason. While in the Shunkō state, his spiritual pressure became wildly volatile and difficult to control—
And Raikiri required incredibly precise control over Reiatsu.
The two techniques seemed fundamentally incompatible.
He had tried using Raikiri first as well, but the result was the same—no synergistic effect.
'Maybe I need a much higher level of control to use Raikiri during Shunkō…'
Suddenly, Shihōin Yoruichi jumped to her feet, clenching her fists. "I got it!"
Azashiro Kana blinked in confusion. "Got what?"
"I figured out Shunkō!" Yoruichi shouted excitedly.
She had been training in Shunkō recently, and after watching her teacher's demonstration, a flash of inspiration struck.
Reiatsu surged within her, Kidō condensed rapidly on her shoulders and back.
Thankfully, she'd already switched to a sleeveless, backless top for Shunkō training—otherwise, she probably would've blown through her clothes!
"I feel so full of power right now!"
Yoruichi hurled a punch toward the water, unleashing a thunderous boom.
BOOM—
The pond erupted violently.
"Hey hey hey, really now?!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Get back here!"
"Hahaha! With that speed? You think you can catch me?"
Everyone on the riverbank was drenched by the splash.
Nanatsuki had already flash-stepped to the top of the waterfall before the impact—his reaction speed far surpassed Yoruichi's.
A notification appeared on his Status Interface:
[Disciple Shihōin Yoruichi has learned: Shunkō. Reward settled.]
[Reward obtained: 5000 General Ability EXP]
[Reward obtained: Finger Sword (Entry Level)]
Nanatsuki noted that Finger Sword was a skill that blended Hakuda and swordsmanship.
He extended his index and middle fingers, then thrust forward—instantly, a Reiatsu Blade shot out, piercing a large tree by the riverbank.
So Finger Sword could be used for ranged attacks!
At close to mid-range, its power even surpassed Hadō #4: Byakurai.
Elsewhere, at the veranda of the Katori-ryu Dojo, Katori Batsu'unsai sat sipping tea at ease.
Two empty teacups sat on the table beside her.
Her expression shifted slightly as she sensed another presence—one belonging to a woman clad in a white haori and white cloak.
"Did you take care of it?" Batsu'unsai asked calmly, pouring tea into the empty cups.
"No."
A golden skeletal arm picked up the cup and brought it to crimson lips.
"Kuyashiki Kenpachi refused?" Batsu'unsai was surprised. This matter was a great honor for any Shinigami.
"He said guarding the Soul King Palace is boring. He'd rather enjoy himself in Soul Society." The woman sipped tea slowly as she spoke.
"Well… that does sound just like him," Batsu'unsai chuckled.
"What about Kirinji?"
"He said he wanted to wander Seireitei a bit."
If Nanatsuki had been there, he would've recognized this white-robed woman with six golden skeletal arms—Shutara Senjumaru, the very same who had appeared in his dreams.
"So, have you made up your mind?" Shutara asked, taking a seat across the tea table. "The Reishi Shell has grown strong. The Spiritual Pressure Core can now support your Reishi-based body."
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you've grown attached and can't go through with it?"
Seeing Batsu'unsai stay silent, Shutara continued:
"The Reishi Shell technology still has flaws. Most of the ones we've made are emotionally unstable, and their Reiatsu doesn't grow naturally. But this one… this one is different. It's evolving."
"Even if you could remake a Reishi Shell, you don't have ten more years to spare."
"Kirinji just said it himself—you've only got a few months left."
Batsu'unsai lowered her gaze, staring at the tea leaves floating in her cup. "There's no other way?"
Shutara shook her head. "No. The plan to replace your Spiritual Pressure Core was something Kirinji and I came up with together. Given the current state of technology, it's the only path forward."
"This Reishi Shell shares the same source of spirit particles as you. Replacing your core with his could not only heal your wounds, but potentially restore your strength to its former peak."
At that moment, a new figure appeared in the courtyard—a man with a slick pompadour, chewing on a blade of grass with a laid-back demeanor.
This was none other than Royal Guard member—Tenjirō Kirinji.
"Yo, you're already back. Didn't work out, huh?" he said casually.
"Kuyashiki Kenpachi turned it down," Shutara replied. "What took you so long?"
"I dropped by Kirio's place to see if she had anything new and interesting," Kirinji grinned. "Her Temporary Soul tech might be promising, but it's not fully developed yet. And Batsu'unsai doesn't have that kind of time."
"But I ran into a fun little brat over there today. Taught him a thing or two, haha!"
Suddenly, Kirinji's expression shifted. He looked toward the rear mountain. "Things getting lively over there?"
Batsu'unsai frowned. She had sensed Nanatsuki's Reiatsu. If this was just training, it shouldn't be this intense.
There was a fierce battle taking place in the rear mountains!
"That's the Reishi Shell's Reiatsu, isn't it?" Shutara's skeletal arm pulled out two needles and, in a flash, wove them into a life-like cloth bird.
It flapped its wings and flew off toward the rear mountain.
At the same time, a blue screen of spirit particles formed before Shutara, displaying everything the cloth bird saw.
Perched on a tree, the bird had a clear view of the battlefield below.
The trio's senses were right—Katori Nanatsuki was locked in combat with an enemy.
"Kazumioji Shin?"
Batsu'unsai's brow lifted. She recognized one of the fighters—it was Kasumioji Shin, who had previously visited the dojo. She hadn't expected the exiled Kasumioji to return causing trouble.