Chapter 158: Inquiry
First Division's barracks sat very close to Sokyoku Hill.
When Suoh returned to the underground space, the sky hadn't yet darkened.
Though Seireitei remained bitterly cold, this place still overflowed with warmth and vitality.
The hot spring released misty white vapor, bamboo leaves swaying gently.
Suoh leaned against the pool's edge, eyes closed in meditation, breathing gradually deepening and slowing.
As water ripples gently lapped, every detail of today's battle with the Captain-Commander replayed clearly in his mind.
Especially that final strike of Nine-Headed Dragon Flash that tore through the Captain-Commander's uniform, spattering blood.
This wasn't a technique conceived on the spot.
Though it originated from fictional swordsmanship, for Suoh's current level, materializing it posed no problem and could produce actual combat effects.
The core of Shiba family secret techniques lay in spiritual pressure's instantaneous compression and explosive release.
Though this skill couldn't be sustained, it could break through limits at critical moments, erupting with power far exceeding normal levels.
Spiritual pressure remained intimately connected to spiritual body's physical strength.
Thus Suoh conceived the idea of explosive spiritual pressure bursts to enhance bodily functions and accelerate sword swing speed.
The Nine-Headed Dragon Flash was the perfect battlefield embodiment of that explosive application.
And the vehicle achieving all this was his body forged through countless trials.
"Twenty percent explosive enhancement—not bad at all."
Suoh murmured internally.
He'd also discovered one thing: though brief explosive bursts created certain damage to spiritual pathways, they relatively also increased spiritual pressure's total capacity upper limit.
However, for Suoh's current state, spiritual pressure quantity increases couldn't bring too significant an impact to Bankai training.
The key factor was still the grade level of spiritual power.
And as the total quantity increased, improving that spiritual power became correspondingly more difficult.
Energy level transitions roughly worked this way.
In this aspect, no shortcuts currently existed—only diligent training.
Suoh's advantage lay in his relatively close emotional connection with his zanpakuto, requiring no extensive time and energy investment communicating with it.
Therefore, he could free up more time focusing on honing his own techniques and physical refinement.
"From Fourth to Third Seat, mastering Bankai, from vice-captain to captain—still must cross this most difficult watershed."
Hot spring mist dampened his forehead hair and hazed his gaze.
Between wandering thoughts, Suoh recalled encountering Aizen yesterday while shopping, thinking of the Hogyoku in his hands capable of completing potential guidance and breaking through strength boundaries.
That thing's mechanism resembled precisely the Grand Elder's ability from Namek in Dragon Ball—could directly excavate potential and enhance combat power. Ridiculously overpowered.
He wondered whether to borrow the Hogyoku Aizen possessed during that period before Urahara Kisuke hid his own within Kuchiki Rukia's body.
However, Suoh clearly understood that with Aizen as this 'excellent predecessor' existing before him—
Someone like himself who concealed many things in his heart would likely find it very difficult to gain Urahara Kisuke's trust.
And the Hogyoku represented not only Urahara Kisuke's highest research achievement but also his past's shadow source.
Borrowing it wouldn't prove an easy task.
"Take it slow."
Suoh wasn't anxious—Kurosaki Ichigo wouldn't even be born for another twenty-some years.
An hour later, Suoh emerged from the pool with a towel wrapped around his lower body, bare-chested.
After walking just a few steps, Hitsugaya and Rangiku's figures descended from above, stopping near him.
Upon seeing him, Rangiku first glanced at the prominent sun pattern on his chest.
Then her gaze moved to his abdomen, examining his body.
Her eyes narrowed as she smiled teasingly.
"Well, Tsukasa, rarely see you dressed so lightly."
"Nothing special. This afternoon I nearly got punched apart by the Captain-Commander—too lazy to go back to my room for clothes before soaking."
Suoh naturally showed no reaction whatsoever, completely unconcerned, speaking casually.
Being looked at a few times and teased with a couple sentences wouldn't cost him anything.
"I'll get them for you."
Before the words finished, Hitsugaya had already turned around, moving swiftly toward Suoh's small house.
In just a moment he returned carrying clean clothing, passing it to Suoh.
He instructed briefly, eyes carrying earnest seriousness.
"Don't catch cold."
"Thanks. You're the best—unlike certain people."
Suoh accepted with a smile toward Hitsugaya, then glanced at Rangiku.
After tossing out that line, he flashed into the changing room, giving a certain someone no chance for counterattack or trouble-making.
"Hmph, dodging pretty quickly."
Rangiku lifted her eyes toward the curtain swaying before the changing room entrance, lips curving with a smile, lightly huffing.
When Suoh emerged from the changing room dressed, Hitsugaya had already gone to the kitchen preparing dinner ingredients.
"You alright?"
Rangiku leisurely held a teacup while sitting at the stone table, lifting her eyes toward Suoh with more serious concern in her tone.
Usually even on Captain-Commander instruction days, by the time they arrived, most things were already prepared in orderly fashion.
Not like today, encountering Suoh in an awkward state with bloodstained clothing from the spring still unprocessed.
She and Hitsugaya had seen everything.
Facing her concern, Suoh accepted the offered teacup, responding easily.
"I'm fine."
"Really fine?"
"Don't believe me? Want to test it?"
"Alright, I know you're fine now."
Rangiku looked at his raised fist and completely calm expression, rolling her eyes at him.
"You need to trust both my strength and the Captain-Commander's sense of propriety."
"Besides, my Kaidou training wasn't wasted."
Suoh sat down across from her, answering lightly.
Throughout the entire battle, only that final Ikkotsu's power proved somewhat excessive.
Of course, his condition upon returning hadn't been as good as imagined either—otherwise he wouldn't have skipped the effort of fetching clothes.
Hitsugaya then steadily placed the stone brazier and soup pot on the table, speaking calmly.
"Stop chatting. Rangiku, clear the table and bring over the prepared ingredients."
"We're having sukiyaki today."
"Roger."
Receiving instructions, Rangiku rose to help prepare ingredients and utensils.
In less than fifteen minutes, steam rose from the stone pot.
The amber-colored broth gently bubbled, beef, tofu, mushrooms, vegetables and various ingredients churning within.
Sweet and rich aroma spread, radiating reassuring warmth.
"Let's eat."
All three spoke in unison.
"Tsukasa, drink some soup to warm up first."
Hitsugaya served Suoh a bowl of soup first.
"Excellent—heat and flavor just right."
Suoh accepted, blowing on the steam before taking a sip.
The broth proved delicious and rich, carrying ingredients' natural sweetness.
Hitsugaya's efficiency and culinary skill stirred something in Suoh's heart—he felt quite satisfied with the Hitsugaya he'd cultivated.
"Stop spacing out—the meat will overcook."
Rangiku's voice interrupted Suoh's thoughts. She picked up a pile of beef, her arm deftly reaching across the bubbling stone pot to place it in Suoh's bowl.
"Thanks."
Suoh smiled, picking up the beef to dip in egg mixture before putting it in his mouth.
The meat proved tender and fresh, melting instantly, paired with sukiyaki's characteristic sweet-savory flavor—perfectly balanced.
"Was the Captain-Commander's punch really that powerful?"
Rangiku asked while serving herself, eyes full of curiosity.
Hitsugaya beside them also perked up his ears slightly.
"Put it this way—if I hadn't blocked properly, you'd have to find me tonight at Fourth Division's Comprehensive Relief Station."
Suoh chewed his food thoughtfully before speaking.
"...That sounds truly terrifying."
Rangiku blinked.
The three ate and chatted, topics gradually shifting from the Captain-Commander to New Year arrangements. Tonight held no training, no alcohol, no starry sky projection.
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