Chapter 94: Abnormality
Half a moment later.
The underground training ground.
"Ah?!"
Seeing the underground space's cottage, hot spring, and beside the spring several newly transplanted bamboo shoots stubbornly poking their heads up.
What unfolded before Ukitake Jushiro was unmistakably a small, comfortable world meticulously constructed.
He stood frozen in place, mouth opening wide in surprise.
"Captain, this place is—"
However, Suoh had just begun speaking when he was interrupted.
"It's fine, Tsukasa. Everyone has their own secrets."
"That you would share this secret base with me—I'm very happy."
Ukitake Jushiro smiled gently.
Not all questions required answers.
Sensing the concentrated spirit particles in the hot spring, he already understood the significance of Suoh coming here.
"Captain, here's a towel for you. You should soak too."
"Though it may not help your condition much, it's still good for loosening up your body."
Suoh removed his sword, stripping off the blood-stained Shihakusho, then turned back to the cottage to retrieve two towels.
Fortunately, he'd never intended to monopolize this underground space. He'd prepared and stored plenty of supplies in the cottage beforehand.
"Then I'll accept with gratitude."
Ukitake Jushiro accepted the towel, looking at the sincere face of the youth before him, warmth flooding his heart.
After a while.
Both men's shoulders submerged together into the spring.
"Tsukasa, my apologies. I didn't startle you just now, did I?"
Ukitake Jushiro noticed Suoh's gaze that had lingered on his back.
Assuming he'd been confused by the unique single-eyed god tattoo on his back, he spoke apologetically.
Suoh slowly shook his head.
"No, I just thought this totem was quite special."
The tattoo's impact on him wasn't particularly great. The jet-black design carried some eeriness, but hadn't reached the point of causing sanity loss at a single glance.
"This is Lord Mimihagi's totem."
"I've been frail and sickly since childhood. Through ritual, I offered all my internal organs to the Lord, which allowed me to live until now."
"Though these years have been somewhat arduous, I've managed to persevere with effort."
Ukitake Jushiro's voice sounded especially calm amid the mist. He raised his hand to lightly touch the totem on his back, his face carrying the devotion of one bound by contract with divinity.
"I see."
Suoh nodded calmly in response.
Not just Mimihagi—he understood even the Kamikake ritual's origins thoroughly.
However, his current strength remained insignificant. Even knowing all this, he couldn't change anything.
Ultimately, he was still too weak.
But he wouldn't blame himself for his current powerlessness either.
Suoh had always possessed clear self-awareness. This clarity consistently accompanied his growth.
He'd only just crossed the lieutenant threshold. Thinking about changing the future at this point would be somewhat overestimating himself.
Nor would he be so narcissistic as to believe everything in the future required his resolution.
Of course, he couldn't deny that in the future, if his strength sufficed, he'd inevitably become a key presence in the battle situation.
If circumstances permitted, he'd certainly make some changes for his own selfish reasons.
"Your recovery ability is even more special than I imagined."
"Is it Kikou's power?"
Ukitake Jushiro also noticed the faintly visible sun pattern on Suoh's chest.
Clearly today Suoh had endured hundreds of slashing strikes under the Captain-Commander's blade, yet not a single wound remained on his body.
Hot spring water flowed across Suoh's body. Those torn and mangled wounds had long vanished without trace.
His left hand touched his chest. Recalling the Captain-Commander's instruction, he spoke with lingering fear.
"Yes, without Kikou today, I couldn't have sustained so many rounds."
"I still need to continue working hard to truly master my Zanpakuto's complete power."
Ukitake Jushiro beside him nodded slightly. Through the misty steam, his already gentle voice became even more hazy as he spoke.
"From Shikai to Bankai—this is a very lengthy process, possibly requiring ten years or longer."
"Bankai training lies in the Zanpakuto spirit's materialization and obtaining their genuine submission."
"Ordinary post-Bankai combat effectiveness typically increases five to ten times. Spiritual pressure consumption is likewise—even exceeding the enhancement multiplier. Extremely difficult to control."
"My suggestion is that you wait at least until Class Four spiritual power before attempting to begin Bankai training."
Through today's observations, he'd already estimated Suoh's spiritual pressure state and made his judgment accordingly.
Theoretically, Class Three spiritual power was needed to support Bankai's consumption.
But there were always special cases.
Though Suoh's spiritual power class was only Fifth, his spiritual pressure quantity and recovery ability already exceeded ordinary lieutenant levels.
"I understand, Captain."
Suoh solemnly agreed.
Though yearning in his heart, he also understood Bankai was a very typical high-risk, high-reward ability.
Without sufficient spiritual pressure, no matter how strong Bankai's abilities, they'd struggle to truly manifest威力.
This world ultimately still depended on spiritual pressure.
"Good."
Time slowly passed.
Spring water quietly flowed.
After hosting the captain for dinner in the cottage, Suoh saw him to the exit.
Afterward, the entire underground space once again contained only Suoh alone.
Sitting on his bedding.
The day's accumulated mental fatigue surged like tides.
Tonight, he only completed the most basic evening practice before resting early.
In the blink of an eye, several more days passed.
The sunlight was perfect.
Suoh's daily routine gained an additional element—reading books while sunbathing.
During this period, he'd slowed his training rhythm somewhat.
High-intensity Kido training brought genuine spiritual pressure increases, but also placed enormous burden on his body.
Even with Kikou's recovery ability, recently his Saketsu and Hakusui—these two vital nodes producing spiritual power—
Had sent him signals of unbearable strain.
The second evening after returning from the First Division, aching sensations from these pressure points forced him to halt that night's Black Coffin training.
He clearly realized that continuing such unrestrained training would likely leave difficult-to-heal hidden injuries without his awareness.
The cultivation path was never accomplished overnight. The body remained fundamental.
And today, Kotetsu Kiyone—whom Suoh had long awaited—would finally conclude her month-long World of the Living garrison duty.
This was an excellent opportunity.
Perfect for requesting her help with introductions to visit the Fourth Division while conveniently getting a comprehensive physical examination.
That night, Suoh held a private welcome-back banquet for her in his small courtyard.
This was Kotetsu Kiyone's strong demand—because Suoh and the others had held a banquet while she was absent.
She'd also helped bring the handheld gaming device he wanted, so she absolutely had to have this exclusive feast.
In the small courtyard.
Kotetsu Kiyone drained the last mouthful of soup from the bamboo cup in one breath, exhaling deeply with complete satisfaction, her face overflowing with refreshed smiles.
"Truly satisfying!"
Setting down the bamboo cup, she immediately remembered another crucial matter, supplementing: "Tsukasa, the gaming device you wanted—I can give it to you in two days. The Twelfth Division's efficiency isn't that fast. Still have to queue."
"Kiyone-neesan, no problem."
"Regarding training matters, there's something I'd like your help with."
Suoh briefly explained his medicinal herb needs and the bodily abnormalities, then requested.
"I know Fourth Division Lieutenant Kotetsu Isane is your older sister. I'd like to ask for your help with an introduction."
"Saketsu and Hakusui? This is no small matter!"
The smile on Kotetsu Kiyone's face immediately withdrew. She leaned forward, speaking with surprise.
"After resting several days, the pain hasn't reappeared."
"As a precaution, I want a comprehensive examination."
Suoh explained.
"Leave this matter to me!"
"First thing tomorrow morning, I'll take you to meet my sister."
Kotetsu Kiyone slapped her chest, readily agreeing.
***
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