Bang. Bang. Bang.
Kurotsuki Renya's fists clashed repeatedly with Mashiro Kuna's. Each impact cracked the air, the explosive fist wind whipping across the training field as shockwaves scattered dust like smoke. Their silhouettes blurred into overlapping streaks of light, fists weaving a web of raw energy.
BOOM.
Their knuckles collided once more. Renya was forced back several steps before steadying himself, his body trembling slightly. The Hollow mask covering his face finally cracked and shattered into fragments of light.
Half an hour this time… Renya exhaled deeply. His control over Hollowfication had improved — thirty minutes of sustained combat under intense pressure. Not bad at all.
From the sidelines, Yadōmaru Lisa adjusted her glasses. She had become Renya's appointed mentor, fully responsible for overseeing his daily training schedule under Captain Hirako's orders.
Mashiro tilted her head, hands on her hips, her bright green hair swaying as she wrinkled her nose.
"Renya's still not my match. He's got a long way to go before he catches up!"
Renya gave a faint, tired smile.
"There aren't many who can hold their own against Vice-Captain Mashiro Kuna using only Hakuda."
Mashiro's mastery of Hakuda — White Combat — was at the peak of lieutenant-level strength, amplified further by her perfect Hollowfication. She was a blur of instinct and explosive power.
Renya, however, had far more techniques to draw upon — Kido, Shunko, Zanpakutō release, and advanced Shunpo.
If he fought seriously — combining Shunko and Kido — he could easily overpower Mashiro. If he unleashed his Shikai, it would be a one-sided battle.
And if he layered these abilities together, his true combat potential would rival even low-tier captains.
Lisa finally raised her voice.
"Alright, that's enough for the morning. Take a break."
She tapped her notebook lightly. "This afternoon, you're training Kido with Hachigen."
From behind them, the tall, imposing figure of Hachigen Ushōda appeared, blocking the sunlight. Standing over two and a half meters tall, his presence dominated the space, though his expression was gentle and warm.
"Kurotsuki-kun," Hachigen said in his calm, deep voice. "We'll start after lunch. I've prepared a new application of high-level Bakudō for you."
Renya smiled, bowing slightly. "I'm really looking forward to it, Ushōda-senpai. Two o'clock works perfectly."
Hachigen nodded, pleased. "Good. Let's all get something to eat then."
Lisa walked ahead, climbing the stone steps out of the underground training hall. Renya followed closely — but kept his eyes pointed firmly downward.
It wasn't shyness… it was survival instinct.
Lisa's uniform — a gray-and-white sailor outfit with a pink scarf — was notorious for being dangerously short. Every step she took up the stairs risked a glimpse of forbidden scenery. Renya decided firmly to watch the floor.
Only after Lisa disappeared from sight did he exhale in relief.
"How'd training go today, kid?"
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around his shoulders, and Renya looked up to see the familiar five-pointed star tattoo — Love Aikawa grinning widely at him.
Renya straightened immediately. "Pretty well, Aikawa-senpai. I can now maintain Hollowfication for half an hour in combat — and nearly ten hours outside of battle."
Aikawa nodded, impressed — but waved it off casually.
"Not bad, not bad. That's plenty for fighting regular Hollows… but that's not the important part today."
Renya blinked. "Not important?"
Aikawa grinned wider. "Nope! Because today's the Jump release day! I got the new issue — two copies, actually!"
Renya's eyes lit up instantly. "You mean it?!"
He loved Jump. Even in this hidden Visored settlement, the serialized Bleach manga still reached them through specialized spiritual print shops.
"Of course!" Aikawa proudly pulled a wrapped magazine from his jacket, handing one copy to Renya. "Here — one for you, one for me."
Renya took it reverently. "Thank you, Aikawa-senpai!"
Aikawa smirked. "Don't forget — Jump discussion night this Friday at my place. Be there!"
Renya clenched his fists, laughing. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Aikawa chuckled loudly, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he strolled away humming.
A moment later, Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi appeared beside Renya, arms folded and expression sharp.
"He's in a good mood today. Let me guess — found someone else who loves comics?"
Before Renya could answer, Rose's eyes landed on the magazine and he sighed dramatically.
"Figures. Meanwhile, I'm surrounded by people who don't appreciate music. Such a tragedy."
Renya chuckled softly. "Doesn't Captain Hirako like music too?"
Rose turned sharply, hair flicking. "He likes jazz. That's not music, that's chaos with a saxophone. Classical and opera — that is music!"
His voice rose indignantly. Renya tried not to laugh as Rose turned away in frustration, muttering about "a world without taste."
Lisa approached, shaking her head. "Ignore him. He gets that way every time someone mentions music."
Renya nodded politely. "I don't mind. It's… entertaining."
He glanced around. "Speaking of Captain Hirako — where did he go?"
"Mako?" Lisa replied, tucking her magazine under one arm. "Hair treatment. Again."
Renya blinked. "Hair… treatment? But he's a spirit! Why does he need that?"
Lisa smirked. "There are special salons that cater to souls, you know. Not everything in the Living World is for humans alone."
Renya's eyes widened. "You mean there are shops… for spirits?"
"Of course," Lisa said. "Barbershops, restaurants, clothing stores, hotels, even bookstores — all spiritually attuned. The Living World has plenty of spiritually aware humans, Quincy remnants, and souls who never crossed over. Many of them are powerful enough that the Gotei 13 avoids purifying them unless absolutely necessary."
Renya listened intently, fascinated.
She continued, "When strong souls die and choose not to pass on, they form their own communities — soul colonies hidden across the world. Most stay far from human cities or Shinigami patrols."
Renya nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "That explains why Aikawa-senpai can buy Jump magazines… and you can get your, uh, special reading material."
Lisa shot him a sidelong glare but smirked anyway. "You catch on quick."
Renya laughed. His mind was buzzing — the more he learned, the more he realized the Living World wasn't simple. Hidden within it were countless spiritual factions — rogue Shinigami, Quincy descendants, Fullbringers, psychics, and the Visoreds themselves.
He gazed toward the city skyline, feeling a pulse of invisible energy ripple through the air.
"The Living World… it's more alive than I thought."
Lisa adjusted her glasses and gave him a knowing smile.
"Exactly. Once you master hiding your Reiatsu, I'll take you to see it for yourself."
Renya's eyes brightened with anticipation. There was so much to discover — and so many powers quietly shaping the world behind the curtain.
For the first time since his arrival among the Visoreds, he felt a deep, thrilling sense of purpose.
Life — or unlife — in this world was anything but boring.