The next day, not long after Tsugikuni Yoriichi brought Matsumoto Rangiku into the Ninth Division, Yoruichi Shihouin arrived with two others and joined them.
When Yoriichi saw the three, he thought for a few seconds before remembering what he had promised Yoruichi at Yushiro Shihouin's birthday party—to help train Soi Fon and Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
The former was fine.
But the latter…
"What did he say he wanted to learn?"
"Hammer techniques?"
"Do you think I know that?" Yoriichi frowned slightly, a hint of confusion on his face.
"I think you do." Yoruichi said with a serious and confident expression.
"I heard Rukia say that of all the weapons that exist, there's not one you don't know how to use."
"It's as if you were born for battle."
That… wasn't wrong.
The reason he practiced with a sword was simply because the first weapon he ever touched was a sword.
He had used other weapons later and found them all easy to wield, but they didn't give him the same feeling as the first time.
So, his preferred weapon was set, but that didn't mean he couldn't use other weapons.
Hammers…
If he remembered correctly, Stone Breathing was commonly used, as that Breathing Technique strengthened pure power, and the heavier the weapon, the greater the power.
After a few seconds of thought, Yoriichi didn't deny it.
Then, Yoruichi smiled: "See, isn't this great? Soi Fon can learn movement techniques and swordsmanship from you, and Marechiyo can learn hammer techniques from you."
"Once they master them, they'll have a master-disciple relationship with you, and who knows, they might even be able to help you in the future."
"Whether they can help or not is beside the point, is Miss Soi Fon really willing? Yoruichi, you didn't force her to come, did you?"
Reflected in Yoriichi's eyes was Soi Fon's unwilling expression.
Yoruichi Shihouin chuckled: "Haha, it's fine, it's just that this little girl's beautiful impression of her master has been shattered."
"She thought the master who was about to teach her Zanjutsu would use the same weapon as her."
"I know that your swordsmanship includes a move that disappears and then thrusts, even old man Yamamoto Genryusai has fallen for it."
"If Soi Fon learns it, there's no one she can't assassinate."
"This is for her own good."
Upon hearing this, Soi Fon's face instantly flushed red: "Lady Yoruichi!"
What did she mean by her beautiful impression of her master was shattered? Anyone who didn't know would think she was just a naive little girl! How embarrassing, utterly embarrassing!
Soi Fon secretly groaned to herself, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.
Yoruichi, however, seemed unconcerned. She waved her hand and said:
"Alright, Soi Fon, stop being so timid. The sooner you learn, the sooner you can help me."
"I have high hopes for you."
"You have inherited the name Soi Fon, and you must be responsible for it. Only then can you live up to everyone's expectations."
Upon hearing the name "Soi Fon," Soi Fon's expression gradually shifted from shame and anger to seriousness.
It was as if she had heard something of paramount importance.
And indeed, that was the case.
As a title passed down through generations of the Fon family, every generation's Soi Fon was the top expert of the Fon family.
Because of this, a sense of family honor burst forth from her heart, and her last bit of unusual emotion vanished without a trace.
After Yoruichi left, Soi Fon, with the thought that she absolutely must not disappoint Lady Yoruichi's expectations, solemnly said to Yoriichi:
"Please train me with all your might!"
She bowed her head slightly,
"Although I don't quite know what kind of swordsmanship you master, if I just learn it, I should be able to complete the mission!"
"Not bad."
Yoriichi nodded lightly.
Through their recent conversation, he already understood Yoruichi's purpose in entrusting Soi Fon to him.
To learn Sun Breathing — Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow.
And.
Seventh Form: Solar Halos.
The former could enhance her movement speed, while the latter could improve her combat abilities.
If Yoriichi remembered correctly.
Soi Fon's Zanpakuto ability was Two-Step Kill. Under conditions of equal spiritual pressure, this was a rule-based ability.
It used her own spiritual pressure to leave a mark on the opponent's body, and the next time she struck, the mark would explode, causing internal damage.
It was similar to Ikotsu.
In a normal battle, if the opponent was unaware of this ability, they would easily fall victim to it.
But once they knew…
Combat skill became extremely important.
After quickly reviewing Soi Fon's situation in his mind, Yoriichi quickly brought Soi Fon to the training ground of the Ninth Division.
Ōmaeda Marechiyo followed behind, his steps slightly heavy.
He didn't speak because he wasn't quite sure what kind of person Yoriichi was.
His father wanted him to respect him, but it seemed he didn't pay much attention to him…
From entering the room until now, he had only looked at him once, and then all his attention was on Soi Fon…
Yes, admittedly, Soi Fon was youthful and vibrant, much more eye-catching than a fat person like him.
But fat people also had many advantages…
Marechiyo silently grumbled in his heart, initially thinking he would be ignored until the end of the day.
But when they arrived at the training ground, he suddenly heard Yoriichi's instructions to him.
At the edge of the training ground, Yoriichi turned and faced Marechiyo:
"Your Zanpakuto is a hammer, a meteor hammer?"
"If so, I suggest you start with strength training first."
"Go push that killing stone."
Yoriichi pointed to a spot not far away.
A three-meter-tall killing stone sat squarely there.
"What?" Marechiyo froze, his gaze following the direction Yoriichi pointed.
His eyes instantly widened, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his voice became somewhat incredulous:
"Push the killing stone?"
"Captain Yoriichi, you're not serious, are you?"
"How is that even possible to move!"
killing stone absorbs all spiritual pressure from the Shinigami it touches. In other words, in front of the killing stone, even if he was strong, he would become an ordinary soul.
How could a normal person's physical strength push a three-meter-tall stone?
That's tens of tons!
"Can't push it?"
Yoriichi frowned slightly, a flicker of thought in his eyes.
A moment later, he remembered a fact he had previously overlooked.
In terms of pure physical strength, within the Seireitei, the only ones who could casually push this killing stone around like a toy were seemingly himself and Yamamoto Genryusai.
Aside from them, there were only the Four Great Noble Families.
Marechiyo…
Yoriichi scrutinized him from head to toe.
He did have muscles.
Strength…
"If that's the case, then forget it." Yoriichi waved his hand, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
After settling Soi Fon, he turned and walked towards a certain place, instructing Marechiyo.
"Come with me. The fact that you can't push it now doesn't mean you won't be able to push it in the future."
"There's a training session going on over here. If it succeeds, not only you, but even your younger siblings will be able to master the strength to push the killing stone."
Yoriichi had not forgotten the abilities he possessed.
As a human technique, whether Breathing Technique could be replicated in this world, Yoriichi wasn't sure, but Rukia had clearly mastered some techniques.
Her strength was about three times that of children her age.
They were both Shinigami.
Other souls might also be able to do it.
This was also what Yoriichi hoped for.
While strength might not represent everything, it could at least add a glimmer of hope for survival.
Strength is speed.
Speed, is strength.
…
"Hmph hmph ha hey!"
Before they even approached the courtyard, from a distance, they heard sounds of strenuous effort.
Inside the courtyard, Matsumoto Rangiku and Rukia were performing empty swings together.
Holding a bamboo sword, Matsumoto Rangiku's face was already covered in exhaustion after only ten minutes of swinging.
Sweat soaked through all her clothes, her arms felt as if they were carrying a thousand pounds, and her muscles were so sore that it was extremely difficult to even lift them.
The white breath she exhaled instantly dissipated in the air, and her gasps sounded like constant thunder.
Yet, Rukia, who was beside her, remained full of energy.
Her breathing was long and steady, with no signs of exhaustion, only a slight flush on her cheeks, and a hint of excitement could be seen in her expression.
Matsumoto Rangiku truly didn't understand.
Rukia was much younger than her, so why was her stamina better than her own?
And… why was she doing such exhausting training?
In Matsumoto Rangiku's opinion, wasn't it enough for a Shinigami to know how to fight?
A hint of regret gradually welled up in her heart.
Just as she was about to rest, Yoriichi entered through the main gate with Ōmaeda Marechiyo.
Thump.
The sunlight, like a golden veil, fell evenly throughout the courtyard.
Yoriichi's gaze first landed on the two people in the courtyard.
His eyes first swept over Rukia, and when he saw her fully immersed in her training, a look of gratification appeared between his brows.
Then, his gaze passed over Matsumoto Rangiku.
Yoriichi said nothing about Matsumoto Rangiku's laxity and the annoyance she showed, but instead turned to Marechiyo and explained:
"For this period, you will train with them."
"What they are practicing is called Breathing Technique, a skill developed by myself, and it is not yet widely known."
"It can greatly enhance the physical abilities of a soul. Combined with the use of spiritual pressure, both speed and strength can be taken to the next level."
Upon hearing the first sentence.
Marechiyo was a bit bewildered.
Train with them?
Aren't these just two little kids?
He was Lord Marechiyo!
Even if it was perfunctory, it shouldn't be so utterly perfunctory.
If this got out, he would be utterly humiliated.
Marechiyo instinctively wanted to resist; his pride wouldn't allow him to agree to this.
But then he heard the second sentence.
He heard.
This was something developed by Tsugikuni Yoriichi himself.
His expression immediately changed, his thick lips making his expression somewhat endearing:
"Captain Yoriichi, are you serious? Can it really take my speed to the next level?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll learn!" As soon as Yoriichi's words fell, Marechiyo agreed without hesitation.
He believed Yoriichi wouldn't deceive him, because he knew one of those two girls.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi's younger sister, he wouldn't possibly trick his own sister, would he?
He also had a younger sister, and he deeply understood that feeling.
So, Marechiyo's gaze swept over Rukia, and he pressed on:
"How long will it take me to learn it?"
"Is within three years acceptable?"
Although a Shinigami's sense of time was long, three years was not a short period.
Marechiyo was worried that if it exceeded this time, it would leave a bad impression on Yoruichi.
Furthermore, if he couldn't learn it in three years… Captain Tsugikuni would probably be disappointed too.
He looked at Yoriichi with some concern.
Yoriichi, however, said:
"No need. With your physical abilities, thirty days should be enough."
"I promised Yoruichi that I would make you and Soi Fon stronger."
"Also, I remember you are a Seat Officer of the Second Division. I hope you can also help me look after these two children when I'm not around."
"Teach them some basic combat techniques and so on."
"No problem!" Hearing that it would only take thirty days, Marechiyo readily agreed.
He confidently patted his chest, the sound loud and strong:
"You've certainly come to the right person by finding me, Ōmaeda Marechiyo. I'm known as the Little Flash God, and I'll definitely protect your younger sister!"
As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Matsumoto Rangiku and Rukia, giving them a thumbs-up, his mouth curving into a smile, revealing a set of bright white teeth.
He was clearly overflowing with self-confidence.
Little Flash God…
Self-proclaimed, probably.
Matsumoto Rangiku pouted, muttering to herself.
Although she didn't know who the Flash God was, since one could be crowned with the title of God, they should be quite powerful and magnificent.
Marechiyo… all she saw was the aura of a nouveau riche.
Currently, Marechiyo, like his father, liked to wear a large gold chain around his neck to showcase the wealth of the Ōmaeda family.
Yoriichi didn't dwell on these matters. It was good that Marechiyo agreed. Basic combat methods were the same regardless of who taught them, as they all came from the Spiritual Arts Academy.
Compared to Soi Fon, it wasn't quite the same.
She excelled at assassination.
He couldn't possibly let Rukia and Rangiku develop into assassins.
After Yoriichi imparted some concepts related to Stone Breathing to Marechiyo, he let him practice on his own.
Then, Yoriichi turned and left the courtyard.
And at this moment.
Matsumoto Rangiku hesitated for a while, then quickly followed:
"Why do I have to learn that Breathing Technique?"
"Can't I just train swordsmanship with those other Shinigami?"
Yoriichi heard this and looked slightly to the side:
"You find it very tiring, so you want to give up?"
"Yes." Matsumoto Rangiku nodded,
"I'm a girl, so there's no need for me to increase my strength. Rather than simply enhancing my physical abilities, I want to learn combat techniques like fighting."
"Because only then can I grow strong enough to defeat Ichimaru Gin in the shortest amount of time!"
"You can't do it." Yoriichi calmly stated the truth.
"Huh?" Matsumoto Rangiku raised an eyebrow, suspecting she had misheard.
How could anyone discourage their own younger sister like that… even if she was only an adopted sister for a period of time, it wasn't right.
"I said…"
Yoriichi's voice continued to sound.
"No matter what techniques you learn, it's impossible for you to defeat Ichimaru Gin in a short amount of time. His spiritual pressure is at level five, and yours is only at level eight."
"Considering you two are the same age, considering he entered and graduated from the Spiritual Arts Academy earlier than you, and has even released his Zanpakuto…"
"Unless a miracle happens, or he deliberately holds back, you will never be able to defeat him."
"Although I don't want to discourage you, this is the truth. Half-hearted beliefs often lead to quicker defeat, and even becoming a Shinigami, you would be unqualified."
"…"
Matsumoto Rangiku fell silent.
Immediately after.
"Then what should I do?"
The voice was somewhat lost and helpless.
In response, Yoriichi looked at her deeply, sighing helplessly in his heart.
"Your only way is to stick to your beliefs and turn them into motivation to move forward."
"If you don't even have beliefs, then talking about defeating Ichimaru Gin becomes quite ridiculous."
"I don't mean to discourage you, but, Rangiku, where did that tenacious perseverance that allowed you to pursue from District 70 to District 30 go?"
"No matter how much time you spend, Ichimaru Gin will always be there. Before you grow, there's no need to rush for success. Focus on building a solid foundation."
Reaching out, Yoriichi gently stroked Rangiku's head. His palm was warm and strong.
Rangiku felt all of this, listening to these words, and a quiet strength rose within her, making her vaguely understand something.
She gradually came to a realization, and her eyes slowly became bright and firm.
Seeing this, Yoriichi nodded with satisfaction:
"Very good."
Knowing that Rangiku's mindset had turned around, he finally felt at ease to leave.