Chapter 130: Encouragement
The night remained long.
Suoh and Hitsugaya successively changed clothes, preparing for daily kido training next.
"Tsukasa, could you help guide my training?"
"Can do, but are you certain?"
Suoh momentarily froze, somewhat doubting his ears, confirming.
From which direction had the sun risen?
Was this the Matsumoto Rangiku he knew? Something seemed off.
"Yes."
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded quite decisively.
Witnessing him and Hitsugaya training so diligently, she'd also inexplicably felt interested.
Plus the previous Metastacia incident's influence left traces in her heart, somewhat developing thoughts of strengthening herself.
Her attitude proved very serious—not momentary whim or joke.
"Alright, no problem. Follow me."
Suoh looked toward her.
Before him, Matsumoto Rangiku though possessing equally alluring, sultry figure, compared to memories of her indeed showed considerable differences.
Without hesitation, he nodded.
Regardless what thoughts she harbored, he wouldn't refuse such requests.
Moreover, wouldn't occupy too much of his training time.
Hitsugaya stood beside them. He looked at Matsumoto Rangiku, then at Suoh.
Said nothing, only walked to another side's training ground.
Usually his and Suoh's kido training proceeded separately anyway. Didn't affect his training plans.
He also lacked interest watching the show.
Suoh brought her to training ground center, speaking seriously.
"Use your zanpakuto directly. I don't have wooden swords you're accustomed to here. Using it, I can also better identify problems."
"Don't use Shikai yet. We'll start from most basic offense and defense."
"Alright, Tsukasa. Please teach me well."
Matsumoto Rangiku first properly bowed, retreating several steps.
Gripping blade in hand, assuming standard middle guard stance.
Posture very standard. Indeed worthy of someone occupying lieutenant position.
Yet Suoh immediately spotted numerous problems, remembering them mentally, saving for post-conclusion summary.
"Here I come!"
Suoh finished speaking, drawing blade.
CLANG—
Two blades clashed mid-air, metal ringing clearly.
Matsumoto Rangiku felt force transmitting from blade wasn't too great, yet still shocked her wrist somewhat numb.
"Continue."
Suoh sheathed blade, retreating, leaving her time adapting.
Following dozen-plus seconds, dense clashing sounds echoed through training ground. Both figures rapidly moved across the field.
After dozens of exchanges, Suoh withdrew blade resting on her shoulder, seriously analyzing.
"Cover your chest tighter—probably your performance could improve further."
"?"
Facing his well-intentioned yet somewhat harassment-sounding sincere suggestion, Matsumoto Rangiku's brow curved, expression momentarily somewhat confused.
While Suoh proved extremely composed.
Continuing analysis.
"Every time you swing blade significantly or move rapidly, your center of gravity shifts due to chest movement."
"Though impact isn't too severe, in genuine battle, this flaw proves sufficiently fatal."
"Your sword technique at academy probably posed no major problems. Yet as body matured, afterward lacking famous instructors continuing guidance, basic movements actually already deviated somewhat."
He spoke very directly, completely discussing technical aspects.
Lust represented human nature. Yet having viewed countless hemispheres in all directions, he wouldn't resort to flirtatious remarks because of one deep valley before him.
As friend, Matsumoto Rangiku proved very interesting. As sparring partner, she truly proved somewhat lacking—possessing technical defects requiring correction.
His tone paused briefly, providing specific suggestions.
"You could consider custom-ordering more form-fitting undergarments. This doesn't mean binding your chest—that would instead affect breathing and power generation."
"Rather reducing unnecessary movement, making center of gravity more stable."
"Of course, I don't mean you should concentrate on sword technique training, becoming sword technique master. Your Haineko excels at medium-to-long-range control and restraint."
"If close-range attacks can defend, then utilizing shunpo pulling distance from enemies, your tactics would prove much more flexible."
From blade-crossing moment, he'd confirmed one matter.
From her blade, Suoh only sensed confusion and uncertainty.
She lacked a heart desiring becoming strong.
Though somewhat clichéd, in battle, heart proved extremely important.
Battle meant injury, meant death. Only sufficient conviction could manifest powerful strength.
Moreover, close combat never represented mainstream choices for female Shinigami, aside from those few exceptional individuals.
"...You speak very reasonably."
"I've never noticed this before. Nobody would deliberately remind me of such details either."
Matsumoto Rangiku listened carefully. Confusion on face had long transformed to comprehension, subsequently nodding.
"That's probably because they didn't notice, or felt too embarrassed saying directly."
"Actually your strength isn't poor. Just if wanting to grow stronger, these details must be adjusted."
Matsumoto Rangiku nodded, temporarily switching blade to left hand, right hand adjusting shihakusho bindings at chest.
Though only temporary processing, when she reassumed stance, her entire bearing proved more stable.
"Let's try again!"
This time, her movements obviously flowed more smoothly. Flaws generated from unstable center of gravity no longer appeared so frequently.
Following time, Suoh confirmed and assessed Matsumoto Rangiku's other techniques.
Hakuda unsurprisingly poor—neglected practice. Skipped directly.
Yet when rotating to kido, situation proved completely different.
"O Lord! Mask of flesh and blood, all things of the universe, flutter of wings, that which bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams, unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!"
"Hadō Number Seventy-Three: Sōren Sōkatsui!"
Her chanting voice proved clear and steady. Spiritual pressure rapidly condensed in palm forming two azure-blue flames.
Flames rotating, merging into one, transforming into searing light pillar whistling forth, bombardment penetrating distant stone pillars.
Spiritual pressure condensation speed, power control, trajectory stability—all flawless.
Could say among female Shinigami Suoh knew, aside from Unohana Retsu, Matsumoto Rangiku's strength could rank top two. Genuinely deserving of lieutenant title.
"How was it?"
Matsumoto Rangiku concluded form, turning, face carrying threads of anticipation.
"Very excellent."
Suoh spoke honestly.
"Of course! Back at Shin'ō Reijutsuin, my kido grades proved superior!"
Seeing her performance gain recognition, she also felt extremely proud.
Wiping fine sweat from forehead, proudly raising chin. Golden hair strands flying, radiating confidence and vitality.
"I can tell!"
Suoh smiled responding.
Yet also not lacking improvable points—only he didn't mention them.
Their relationship proved reasonably close, yet ultimately Suoh belonged to junior generation.
Previous frank statements about problems would somewhat impact her emotions.
Appropriate affirmation also allowed her greater willingness accepting subsequent suggestions going forward.
"Praise tactics still prove useful."
Observing Matsumoto Rangiku who'd regained confidence, Suoh smiled knowingly.
He glanced at wall clock, saying.
"Let's stop here today. Training requires gradual progression."
"Alright!"
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