Chapter 134: Secret Technique
Another ten-plus days passed.
Everything progressed steadily through quiet daily routines.
The underground space had developed its own unique rhythm of life and training.
Rangiku's arrival simply added a slightly different color to that rhythm.
She'd gotten her own cottage now.
But her vibe differed from Suoh and Hitsugaya's focused, disciplined training style.
She seemed more attracted to the novelty of life here itself.
She showed little interest in high-intensity repetitive training. Mostly she just watched, occasionally mustering some effort.
But when it came to helping out, she proved surprisingly diligent.
Not only did she help process medicinal herbs, she'd also started a flower garden beside the bamboo forest.
All with seeds she'd collected from various spots around Seireitei.
She'd even copied Suoh's style, setting up wooden markers by the flower beds, carefully labeling each species and planting date.
Tenth Division office.
The long table usually used for entertaining guests was now covered with ceramic bottles.
"Whoa, this many!"
Isshin stood at the table's edge, hands on hips, surveying the impressive sight with delighted amazement.
He casually picked up a bottle, pulling the cork and sniffing. The fresh, slightly sweet medicinal scent perked him up.
Turning toward Suoh standing nearby, his eyes filled with appreciation.
"Your efficiency is incredible, Tsukasa. This only took you a few days?"
"Glad you're satisfied, Isshin-ojisan."
Suoh stood aside, smiling.
"Satisfied? I'm thrilled!"
"These Qi-Restoring Pills are even better quality than the samples you gave us. The guys in my division are lucky!"
Isshin laughed heartily, clapping Suoh's shoulder affectionately.
He turned toward Hitsugaya.
"Hitsugaya, store these properly. Draft a distribution plan later."
"Prioritize advance teams and squad members stationed in the Living World. The rest can be rewards for top performers in evaluations."
"Yes, Captain."
Hitsugaya nodded, organizing the bottles six at a time into the specially purchased medicine cabinet.
Rangiku helped nearby. The tall and short pair worked smoothly together.
Isshin watched them collaborate, arms crossed, feeling moved.
Since Suoh's relationship with Tenth Division had grown closer, changes had been quietly happening.
Hitsugaya, needless to say—under Suoh's influence, not only had his strength grown alarmingly fast, he'd also become increasingly steady and reliable.
No matter how tedious the tasks, he handled them methodically, offering suggestions that often hit the mark.
And what pleased Isshin was that Rangiku... though still somewhat scattered...
She'd still occasionally slack off or sneakily push paperwork onto him and Hitsugaya.
But compared to before, her attitude had become more serious.
Isshin saw all these changes.
He sipped tea from the captain's desk, gaze settling on Suoh again.
Thoughtful, thorough, genuinely warm in dealing with people—hard not to like him.
This kind of talent—good thing Kaien snatched him for Thirteenth Division, and that he got along well with Isshin too.
"Tsukasa, come here."
Isshin suddenly spoke up, beckoning.
"What's up?"
Suoh turned and approached.
"The payment for these pills—I'll have our finance people prepare it."
"But beyond the agreed amount, I've prepared something extra for you."
Isshin pulled something from a drawer and handed it over.
"Take a look."
Suoh accepted it.
In his hands sat an old thread-bound book.
Deep brown leather cover, edges worn. No text on the front, just simple cloud patterns.
The texture felt warm, the paper's material old and special, carrying a strong sense of age.
Opening the first page revealed densely written handwriting and detailed diagrams.
Ink darkness varied—clearly different people from different eras had added to it by hand.
It detailed secret techniques for enhancing spirit particle density. The diagrams showed human forms labeled with complex spiritual pathway routes and spiritual pressure circulation patterns.
The text described how to maximize spiritual pressure density enhancement while accepting certain costs.
Not ordinary spiritual pressure accumulation, but compression and explosive release—a technique for temporarily breaking through strength limits.
Suoh flipped through page by page, growing increasingly excited.
With his current understanding of spiritual pressure, he could grasp the profound principles contained within.
Closing the pages.
"This gift is too valuable, Isshin-ojisan."
Suoh spoke seriously.
He'd immediately recognized the technique's core nature.
A Shiba family secret technique. As one of the Five Great Noble Houses capable of sending people to the Spirit King Palace with its ultra-high spirit particle density, they relied on more than just bloodline.
This ability to significantly enhance spiritual pressure density—that was their true foundation.
This book recorded a core inheritance from an ancient noble family.
Even if not the absolute core portion, it remained extremely precious.
"Too valuable? Hardly."
"Just some somewhat special techniques, that's all."
Isshin waved dismissively, acting casual.
As branch family head, he didn't know most of the Shiba family's generationally transmitted techniques. He only had fragments.
What he gave Suoh was far from the branch's core techniques.
After all, many secret techniques linked to bloodline. He'd specifically found this one.
"Don't blame Kaien for keeping secrets. Main family rules—proper inheritance order."
"My line's thin. By my generation, I'm the only one left. Not so many rules."
"You're like my nephew. No problem giving this to you. When Hitsugaya meets the requirements, I'll give it to him too."
He paused, looking at Suoh seriously.
"With your current spiritual pressure and soul strength, you can't yet handle the excessive spiritual pressure density from activating these techniques. So unless absolutely necessary, use with caution."
"But just studying the theory, understanding spiritual pressure compression and refinement principles—that'll benefit you now, help your daily training considerably."
"So I'm giving this for you to comprehend, not to practice immediately. If you don't understand something, come ask me anytime."
"Thank you for your kindness, Isshin-ojisan. I will."
Suoh tucked the book safely against his chest, expressing gratitude.
This wasn't just gifting a secret technique. It represented recognition based on trust and emotional bonds, second only to blood kinship.
"That's more like it."
"Remember to return it when finished. I only have this one copy."
Isshin smiled with satisfaction, suddenly remembering something, adding casually.
"What's right or returning what?"
Having finished her small tasks, Rangiku watched the two's odd expressions and conversation, unable to resist joining in.
Curiosity on her face, gaze sweeping between them.
Isshin laughed heartily.
"Nothing much. Just gave Tsukasa a little gift to take home and study. Good for training."
Looking at Rangiku, he teased.
"What, jealous?"
"If you also trained seriously, I could give you one too."
"Ah? Then I'll pass..."
Rangiku blinked, hands raised in front of her chest in rejection, firmly declining.
Having her train like Suoh? Just thinking about it felt unbearable.
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