Chapter 108: Teaching
Evening arrived.
Work concluded.
Suoh retrieved the communication device from his clothes, skillfully accessing contacts and sending a brief message.
"Free today?"
"Yes."
Almost instantly, the screen illuminated. The reply jumped out concisely.
"Bring your sword."
"Okay."
The conversation ended there.
Suoh stored the device, turning to depart the barracks.
Running along the route, before long he already stood before the Tenth Division barracks entrance.
In the twilight, Hitsugaya leaned against the wall beside the door, zanpakuto slung diagonally across his back.
Turning his head slightly, his gaze fell upon Suoh as he spoke.
"Tsukasa, you're here. What's the matter?"
"Come with me. I'll take you somewhere."
"Alright."
Without further questions, Hitsugaya straightened, following Suoh's footsteps.
Two figures moved side by side, swiftly traversing the pathways.
Underground training ground.
Standing before the hot spring cottage, Hitsugaya surveyed this expansive space hidden deep underground, his eyes carrying surprise, asking with confusion.
"Where is this?"
"This is a secret base I found. The hot spring beside it possesses powerful recovery effects, extremely suitable for training."
"However, this also violates Seireitei regulations. Remember to keep it confidential."
Suoh smiled faintly in response.
Then turned sideways to introduce everything here.
Not that he showed favoritism, unwilling to share this base with other Thirteenth Division members.
Rather, last time Ukitake Jushiro had clearly cautioned him—unless necessary, best not to spread word easily.
Suoh understood the reasoning.
Current Hitsugaya, like his former self, still lacked sufficient experience and training.
As 3rd Seat, Hitsugaya would inevitably participate in Tenth Division subjugation missions.
To prevent their Tenth Division from encountering Metastacia, today Suoh deliberately brought him here.
"Understood."
Hitsugaya nodded silently, completely unconcerned about violating regulations.
Unclear about this space's origins, he had no intention of investigating.
Suoh looked at him, directly cutting to the point.
"Did Rangiku-san mention anything today about abnormal Hollow activity from the lieutenant meeting?"
"Yes. Recently she's had me handle her paperwork, so this afternoon she also assigned me to compile recent casualty rate statistics."
"Only I haven't finished yet. Why?"
Hitsugaya's voice paused slightly, understanding Suoh's question's meaning, responding seriously.
Matsumoto Rangiku had at least fulfilled some lieutenant duties, saving Suoh considerable explanation.
Suoh spoke earnestly.
"I believe recent abnormalities aren't coincidental."
"Therefore during this period, I want to help you achieve some targeted practical combat improvements, just in case."
"Some time ago I fortunately received the Captain-Commander's guidance. Conveniently, I can also share some insights with you."
"I understand. Thank you, Tsukasa."
Hitsugaya met his gaze, seeing the gravity in the other's eyes, nodding without hesitation.
Instantly understanding Suoh's reason for bringing him here.
"Don't mention it."
"Next I'll first explain key points. Once you're ready, we'll formally begin combat drills."
Suoh responded with a smile.
He explained content recently taught by the Captain-Commander through his own understanding and words, clearly and systematically conveying it to Hitsugaya.
After brief explanation concluded.
The two proceeded one after another to the open clearing's center.
Suoh retreated over ten steps, leaving sufficient distance between them.
His right hand grasped the hilt, drawing the blade from its sheath.
Sword light like water, reflecting the underground space's illumination, also reflecting his current calm posture.
"Please guide me."
Seeing this, Hitsugaya drew his blade in response, nerves taut, speaking solemnly.
"Then let's begin!"
Suoh's words fell.
The next moment, heavy yet sharp spiritual pressure surged like a tide directly toward Hitsugaya.
"So strong!"
Hitsugaya's pupils contracted slightly. Gazing at Suoh now before his eyes, his heart shook, unable to suppress inner astonishment.
Months unseen, he'd originally thought his strength had drawn considerably closer to Suoh's. Unexpectedly, the gap had widened even further.
No time for excessive contemplation.
The approaching blade carried intense suffocating pressure, blocking all evasion trajectories.
CLANG—
The first blade clash sent sparks flying.
Hitsugaya's wrist sank. Immediately after, his left shoulder already felt cold touch. A thin, long blood mark silently appeared.
Blood splattered.
Yet this proved merely the beginning.
More bloodshed in peacetime, fewer deaths in wartime.
Upholding the Captain-Commander's philosophy, Suoh's strikes held measure but showed limited mercy.
Each time left an appropriately placed wound on Hitsugaya's body.
Not deep, yet sufficiently painful.
Arm, shoulder side, below ribs.
Slender wounds gradually appeared across Hitsugaya's body. Pain continuously stimulated his nerves, also honing each breath and reaction.
Under high pressure, something within the silver-haired youth's jade-green eyes was gradually being sharpened.
However, accompanying rapid blood loss, his body quickly reached its limit.
Finally, the underground space's continuous sword clash sounds completely ceased.
As Hitsugaya lost consciousness, the underground space immediately quieted.
Hitsugaya's form swayed. Consciousness loosened like a severed string, softly collapsing forward.
Simultaneously, Suoh sheathed his blade and stepped forward, steadily extending his hand to catch him, gently lowering him to the ground.
Immediately after, he retrieved a porcelain bottle from his clothes, pouring out a pill and feeding it into Hitsugaya's mouth.
His other hand emanated spiritual radiance, pressing against Hitsugaya's chest, using Kaidō to begin healing wounds.
Several dozen minutes later.
"I'm still alive..."
Hitsugaya slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the underground space's vast ceiling.
Confusion in his eyes gradually receded, replaced by calm.
Raising his hand to his chest, as though previous pain was merely vivid illusion.
"How do you feel? Alright?"
Suoh asked with a smile, carrying faint amusement.
He thoroughly understood this sensation.
After experiencing life-and-death tempering under the Captain-Commander, he too had lain on the ground like this, gazing at the ceiling, confirming his continued existence.
Suoh thought, since he had no problems.
Then Hitsugaya definitely wouldn't have problems either.
Hitsugaya didn't disappoint Suoh, nor make him wait long.
"Hah—I'm great!"
Hearing this, Hitsugaya sighed emotionally, nimbly sitting up from the ground.
Though his body still retained some post-weakness fatigue, his eyes held different vitality.
"After resting a bit more, I can continue training."
"No. In your current condition, your body needs time to adapt and recover."
Suoh rejected without consideration, shaking his head.
Objective physical differences existed between them.
The blood Hitsugaya just lost—if transferred to Suoh's body, he wouldn't even feel dizzy.
As healer, he clearly understood the other's condition.
"Okay."
Hitsugaya didn't push himself, heeding the advice.
"Should we return?"
Suoh shook his head, pointing toward the cottage beside the hot spring.
"My training hasn't concluded yet."
"You can soak in the hot spring to recover your condition. I've already prepared supplies and bedding for you."
"You can stay here tonight. Returning to the division tomorrow morning won't be too late."
"Alright."
Hitsugaya nodded in agreement.
He also felt somewhat curious—precisely what kind of training was Suoh conducting to achieve such astonishing progress in merely several months?
***
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