After a period of self-doubt, Yoruichi Shihouin finally accepted this cruel reality with a sigh of resignation.
At the same time, she felt that it wasn't her talent that was lacking, but rather that Yoriichi Tsugikuni's performance was simply too inhuman.
After all, he was Yamamoto Genryusai's disciple.
How many of Yamamoto Genryusai's disciples were ever easy to deal with?
Even the seemingly frail Jūshirō Ukitake possessed formidable true combat strength that should not be underestimated.
Furthermore, Yoriichi Tsugikuni managed to achieve in just two short years what many Captains couldn't accomplish in two hundred years...
This alone was enough to explain everything.
Yoruichi took a deep breath, trying to calm her complex emotions.
A bitter smile appeared on her face as she slowly shook her head and said,
"Alright, I underestimated you. You have already mastered Shunko."
"To achieve what I can, you only need to increase your spiritual pressure output and spread it along your limbs to your back."
"Strengthening Shunpo follows the same principle. Theoretically, as long as you can circulate spiritual pressure throughout your entire body, you can enter what I envision as the ultimate form."
"Shunko Raikōhō Form, let's call it that for now."
"Every move and strike can summon lightning. As for you…"
Yoruichi observed Yoriichi Tsugikuni carefully, resting her chin on one hand and nodding slightly.
"Perhaps it could be called Wind God Form. At that time, every strike could unleash a furious wind that cuts through everything, with power comparable to Kensei Muguruma's Bankai."
"Of course, currently, the Raikōhō Form is just my concept. It might take hundreds of years to achieve, but you are different."
"If you can maintain your current training speed, you will probably fully develop it in less than a year."
"Perhaps by then, I will even have to ask for your guidance."
At this point, Yoruichi Shihouin's emotions became extremely complicated.
She had never imagined that Shunko, which she herself developed, would one day be completely surpassed by someone else.
This feeling was as absurd as the founder of swordsmanship being utterly crushed in swordsmanship by someone else.
At this moment, Yoruichi Shihouin finally understood how Yamamoto Genryusai felt when he was severely injured.
With these thoughts, Yoruichi Shihouin watched Yoriichi Tsugikuni leave the Second Division step by step.
When Yoriichi disappeared from sight,
Yoruichi suddenly clenched her fist, and a flame named 'endeavor' ignited within her heart.
She would not give up so easily.
What if Yoriichi Tsugikuni's talent was outstanding?
What if she was crushed?
Should she become disheartened because of these things?
No, she was Yoruichi Shihouin, the head of the Shihouin Clan. She had to set an example for everyone who looked up to her.
Let it start now!
...
...
After bidding farewell to Yoruichi, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's mood was also somewhat complex.
After all, he had only come to seek guidance this time and had not expected to deal such a blow to Yoruichi.
Wind God Form? This was a mode he had never considered.
If he could achieve it, it might allow his Hakuda level to make leaps and bounds.
Because no matter which world, wind, fire, and lightning are three of the strongest natural disasters.
When the power of these disasters is mastered by humans, one person becomes a natural catastrophe.
For now, he would try to realize her concept. It would only take a year or two, at most.
Of course, the immediate priority was not to develop the Wind God Form; he only needed to further increase his speed.
To that end, on his way back, Yoriichi experimented a little.
He applied some wind-attribute spiritual pressure to the soles of his feet, and immediately felt his body become much lighter.
Although his movements would cause uncontrollable damage to the surrounding ground, showing clear signs of attack, compared to the increased speed, these seemed insignificant.
Like lightning, it is fast and powerful; if struck, you will be shattered, you can see it… but you just can't avoid it.
Yoruichi Shihouin's Raikōhō Form was probably developed based on this idea.
Thoughts flashed by, and Yoriichi roughly understood the path he was to take in the future.
...
Meanwhile,
Hueco Mundo.
Las Noches.
The silvery moonlight shone down on this barely completed palace.
The ruin-like scene from when Baraggan was in charge was gone, replaced by a sacred white style similar to the Seireitei.
Ulquiorra Cifer stumbled back into the council chamber.
The bloodstains on him were clearly visible, and his aura was greatly weakened due to his high-speed regeneration.
Although his wounds had healed, the faint phantom pain continued to torment him.
Since his birth, it was the first time he had suffered such injuries.
If he weren't a Vasto Lorde.
If he hadn't specialized in high-speed regeneration.
He would probably be dead by now.
He had never seen a Shinigami like that, who in just a few moves, cut him in half like minced meat.
In Ulquiorra's opinion, only Lord Aizen possessed such strength.
But what was going on in Soul Society?
Any Captain he randomly encountered could do that… So what was the meaning of their existence as Vasto Lorde?
Recalling the scene of his severe injury, even Ulquiorra, who was usually calm, found it difficult to compose himself now.
His eyes reflected the pale architecture of the council chamber.
A moment later.
Thump, thump.
Crisp footsteps suddenly echoed.
Ulquiorra looked up and saw Aizen, clad in white, slowly emerge from the darkness.
The moonlight from the dome shone on him, making him appear quite sacred.
A strand of brown hair falling down highlighted his refined demeanor.
The surrounding air and time seemed to stand still at this moment.
Finally, it was Aizen who broke the silence.
He gazed down at Ulquiorra, his magnetic voice slowly echoing in the quiet space:
"Welcome back, Ulquiorra Cifer."
"My companion."
"Tell me what you encountered in Soul Society."
He did not ask Ulquiorra why he failed, nor why he was injured, nor how he was injured.
Because the outcome was obvious.
Failure needed no excuses.
He only wanted to know who caused the failure.
Hinoshita Makoto's existence was insignificant, merely a means to cause trouble for the Seireitei in his leisure time, but…
To be able to injure, no, to severely injure a Vasto Lorde…
Had Yamamoto Genryusai made a move?
Ulquiorra did not speak, but quietly plucked out his eyeball and crushed it in front of Aizen.
Boundless dust spread out, immediately forming a series of continuous images in the void.
Aizen instantly saw the events he had previously encountered.
After a long moment, Aizen nodded, understanding everything in an instant.
To have encountered Yoriichi Tsugikuni, it was no wonder Ulquiorra returned severely injured…
Interfering with Soul Society in a short period seemed impossible; it was better to slow down for now.
Aizen had recently discovered a crucial point in his Hōgyoku research and could not waste time on other matters.
Previously, he had used Shinigami souls, but after entering Hueco Mundo, by combining Hollow souls, the Hōgyoku had undergone strange changes.
Perhaps… Shinigami + Hollow was the Hōgyoku's ultimate form.
...
Aizen gave Ulquiorra a deep look.
Just as he was about to turn and leave,
At that moment, the door to the council chamber was suddenly knocked, and a dull sound echoed in the silent space.
An Adjuchas hurried in, his figure somewhat blurred in the moonlight.
"Lord Aizen, we have found Szayelaporro's research base."
"However, it is now deserted."
"What do you think…?" The Adjuchas bowed slightly, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
He then added:
"Your subordinate believes he was probably eliminated."
"Because some important research data has vanished, and even the machines appear to have been untouched for over a year."
Upon hearing this,
Aizen slowly turned, looking down at him:
"Eliminated…"
"If I recall correctly, he was Baraggan's strongest Menos Grande, wasn't he?"
"Though only a collaborator."
Aizen pondered slightly,
"Who could have eliminated him?"
The Adjuchas also fell into thought, pondering for a moment before slowly replying:
"Your subordinate believes that Tier Harribel, who was located near him, should know something."
"Unfortunately, Tier Harribel's base has also been uninhabited for a year."
"She probably fled out of guilt." At this point, the Adjuchas's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.
After all, the term "fled out of guilt" was not quite appropriate for a Hollow.
But Szayelaporro Granz was a Menos Grande that Aizen needed.
His intellect played a crucial role in the Hōgyoku research.
It was just a pity that he was dead…
Thinking of this,
Aizen narrowed his eyes slightly: "Tier Harribel, huh…"
He murmured to himself, then nodded in acknowledgment and ordered:
"In that case, issue a warrant for her."
"I need to know what happened a year ago."
"Have the Menos Grande currently able to act in Las Noches search with all their might."
As the command was given, the Adjuchas in front of Aizen quickly bowed, his tone respectful:
"Yes, Lord Aizen!"
After he retreated, Aizen looked at Ulquiorra in the council chamber and instructed:
"You go too."
"If you can find her, I will not pursue the failure of this mission."
"Yes." Ulquiorra slowly bowed his head.
This seemingly calm tone, in reality, had firmly imprinted the name Tier Harribel in his mind.
...
Soul Society.
Because he had successfully mastered Shunko, Yoriichi did not go to the Dangai.
The two-thousand-fold time flow rate seemed like an excellent place for training, but it harbored countless hidden dangers.
If there were no hidden dangers, Yamamoto Genryusai would have long since ordered a group of Captains to take some Six-Seated Officers there to train.
Training for seven days inside would only be five minutes outside.
Even a pig, under such a massive time flow rate, could turn into a Sword Boar.
Although he did not go to the Dangai, Yoriichi did not stop his training.
In just about three days, he had perfected the basic techniques of Shunko.
And at this stage, Yoriichi suddenly discovered that the Wind God Form was not the ultimate form.
Wrapping one's entire body surface with Kido spiritual pressure was essentially just using one's Kido as a normal attack.
The faster the attack speed, the faster the Kido release.
The so-called Raikōhō Form, at most, was equivalent to dozens of Shinigami releasing Raikōhō together, wave after wave.
If the enemy was equal in strength, it was fine, but once the enemy was stronger than oneself, this move would become ineffective.
Even countless Seat Officers releasing White Lightning could not kill a Vasto Lorde.
Therefore, the ultimate form needed further deduction.
Going further, it would probably require integrating other techniques, because Shunko's upper limit was already here.
Yoruichi Shihouin developed it entirely with the concept of combining her Kido with her hands and feet to attack.
As Yoriichi had not yet developed to the Wind God Form, he temporarily had no ideas.
Boom!
In the training ground, a loud bang suddenly erupted, like a clap of thunder, quickly bringing Yoriichi's thoughts back.
He looked at the ground ahead, which had been cleared by Kido wind-element spiritual pressure, forming a deep gully.
By judging the speed of his punches, he determined that his physical fitness was 30% faster than before.
A hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
Barring any surprises, as long as his spiritual pressure increased to a certain level, the Wind God Form would be sufficient.
Whoosh… A sky full of rock dust fell like mist, and Yoriichi gently exhaled.
He looked around. Having completed his Shunko training, and with some thoughts in mind, he turned and left the area.
The matter of Hueco Mundo was not urgent for now. Times had changed, and with Aizen taking up residence in Hueco Mundo, many variables had emerged internally.
If he were to enter again, he couldn't do so without any preparation.
Kisuke Urahara, as the Captain of the Twelfth Division, had already developed a batch of machines that could remotely monitor Hueco Mundo.
It was not too late to record the general landscape of Hueco Mundo before entering, to avoid being ambushed.
Additionally, regarding Gojō Kenpachi… Yoriichi Tsugikuni always felt that Gojō Kenpachi had not died, and the Forest of Menos was not a dead end.
This time entering Hueco Mundo, if possible, he also needed to investigate the Forest of Menos.
As a realm that Soul Society could not reach, being too isolated from the world would be detrimental to the stability of the Three Realms.
Hueco Mundo was the most important factor causing the imbalance in soul numbers, and it would be best to supervise it.
Through his last encounter, Yoriichi could determine that there were some peace-loving Hollows in Hueco Mundo.
Peace… that word wasn't quite accurate; they simply wanted a peaceful life.
Therefore, if they could replace the King of Hueco Mundo Baraggan and take his place in supervising Hueco Mundo and maintaining the balance of soul numbers in the Three Realms…
Shinigami and Hollows might be able to turn their swords into plowshares.
Of course, to achieve this, a key unavoidable obstacle was Aizen.
Under his leadership, Hollows might become increasingly hostile towards Shinigami.
This was not a good change and needed to be reversed.
Considering everything, this trip to Hueco Mundo would be a crucial operation.
To put it simply, the deaths of some extreme Vasto Lorde would make the Three Realms more peaceful;
To put it broadly, the ascension to power of those Vasto Lorde who yearned for peace would further shorten the gap between Shinigami and Hollows.
Hollows were fallen creatures, let's assume that, but only limited to those weak Hollows.
Vasto Lorde and above were no different from humans or Shinigami.