Learning Shunko wasn't as difficult for Tokikaze as he initially thought.
This was thanks to his ninth-level mastery of Hakuda and Kido, with Life Return (a Hakuda technique) contributing significantly. As a technique that allows for perfect control of one's body, Life Return gave him a natural advantage in learning related fields.
Another reason was that Shunko resembled the Bone Flow technique taught by Yamamoto Genryūsai. To be more precise, Bone Flow was developed by borrowing elements from Shunko.
The training hall returned to its usual calm when the Kido energy dissipated. However, Suì-Fēng was still in shock, unable to comprehend how someone could master Shunko, a high-level technique combining Hakuda and Kido, quickly. It defied logic and reason.
Remembering how much she had struggled when learning Shunko made her even more uneasy. It left her feeling increasingly bitter.
Until...
A large hand reached out and squeezed her shocked face, roughly rubbing it.
Suì-Fēng's eyes widened in disbelief, and her body instinctively reacted by unleashing her most powerful technique. The surging Shunko energy instantly repelled Tokikaze's hand, sending him backwards.
The murderous aura filled the training hall.
"You..." Suì-Fēng glared at him. "You've dared to offend me again."
"Please choose your words carefully," Tokikaze sighed, protesting, "What do you mean by 'offend'?"
"The Shunko lesson may be over, but our deal isn't finished yet," he continued. "Did you remember the details of the Shihōin secret steps I showed you?"
Facing this absurdly logical argument, Suì-Fēng clenched her teeth and swallowed her retort. Indeed, they had made a deal back at the Onmitsukidō headquarters—she would teach him Shunko, and he would teach her the Shihōin secret steps.
For both of them, it was a beneficial exchange.
However, Suì-Fēng agreed mostly out of her gratitude toward Tokikaze for saving her life. Had it been another captain, she might have drawn her blade on the spot.
"No, I didn't memorize it," Suì-Fēng snapped.
"I thought so," Tokikaze said knowingly. "That saying must be wrong after all."
"What saying?"
"Big chest, no brains."
Instinctively, Suì-Fēng glanced down at her modest chest, and her face flushed crimson. Her aura flared up in response, filling the training hall with Shunko energy.
...
"The key to the Shihōin Secret Step Technique No. 3, Utsusemi, isn't about the clothes or objects that replace you," Tokikaze explained.
He acted as an instructor for the second time and proved quite adept at it.
Utsusemi is notoriously difficult for most Shinigami to learn, but as captain of the Second Division, Suì-Fēng was already a master of Shunpo. With such a foundation, her progress was swift.
However, her expression, filled with frustration, was hard to ignore. She couldn't ignore Tokikaze's earlier comment, frequently glancing at her chest.
Heh, a woman in denial.
The lessons in the Shihōin secret techniques continued until dusk. Suì-Fēng had grasped the basics, but mastering the technique would require much more practice.
Still, Tokikaze, sticking to his principle of thorough cooperation, offered her the option of seeking him out at the Ninth Division or the Kanemiyadai estate if she had any questions.
As for Shunko... with Suì-Fēng's current level, she couldn't offer him any more guidance. Further refinement would depend on his efforts.
And Tokikaze had already thought of someone he could consult about that.
...
Ten days later, Tokikaze arrived punctually at the First Division barracks on another rest day. This time, however, Yamamoto Genryūsai had not planned to continue their lessons in the training hall. Instead, he chose the forest outside the barracks.
Maintaining the forest was significantly cheaper than the exorbitant costs of repeatedly rebuilding the training hall. After all, even with the Kuchiki family footing the bill, Yamamoto's pride could only take so much.
Tokikaze focused on the thick tree trunk before him, his muscles tightening as the veins in his right arm bulged with power. Energy surged through his body as he prepared his strike.
"First Bone," he muttered.
With that, a punch, devoid of spiritual pressure, struck the tree trunk. The power of the punch coursed through his body from the twist of his waist, exploding outward from his fist.
Boom!
The deep, booming sound reverberated through the air, and the immense force instantly reduced the towering tree to ash.
Yamamoto Genryūsai nodded approvingly. "You've grasped the basics of Bone Flow. As for the advanced techniques of Shunko you asked about this morning..."
"You'll need to develop them yourself," he advised. "Others can offer little guidance. The key is to find your own path. For example, the criminal Shihōin Yoruichi developed a lightning-based Shunko, while her brother Shihōin Yūshirō's is fire-based."
"If I had to guess, I'd say yours will likely be wind and lightning."
...
There was no denying Yamamoto's sharp insight into training. Though his senses in other areas were ordinary, he was a top-tier instructor in the art of combat.
After all, he had gained fame a thousand years ago by besting countless Shinigami, founding the Genryū school, and establishing his legacy throughout the Soul Society. His title as the strongest Shinigami of the past millennium wasn't just empty talk.
Under Yamamoto's guidance, Tokikaze gained a clearer vision of how to develop his advanced Shunko techniques. Of course, reaching the same level as Shihōin Yoruichi would still take time.
Moreover, before reaching that level, Tokikaze intended to ask Mayuri Kurotsuchi to create more durable Shihakushō and captain's haori for him. He had no desire to wear an open-back uniform like Suì-Fēng's.
After discussing his understanding of Shunko, Yamamoto resumed teaching Tokikaze the deeper aspects of Bone Flow. Beyond the "First Bone," there was also the "Double Bone," "Quad Bone Explosion," and the "Final Bone Secret."
There was still a long way to go before mastering Bone Flow fully.
But Tokikaze's ambitions extended beyond that.
Since Shunko inspired Bone Flow, what if the two techniques were merged? What kind of power would that yield?
Although his Zanpakutō's abilities were formidable, Tokikaze believed that if he couldn't punch a Vasto Lorde's head clean off with a single blow, he still had a long way to go to reach the basic level of mastery.
As the training day ended, Tokikaze was about to take his leave when Yamamoto stopped him.
"Captain Ginrei Kuchiki submitted his resignation two days ago," Yamamoto began. "He recommended that the current head of the Kuchiki family, Byakuya Kuchiki, be appointed the new captain of the Sixth Division. He insisted that Byakuya undergo the full captain's examination process, without any leniency due to his noble status."
"As the model noble family of the Soul Society, the Kuchiki clan must lead by example and uphold the rules."
Tokikaze was puzzled. "And what does this have to do with me?"
"I'm from the Kanemiyadai family. What do rules have to do with me?" he asked, bewildered.
Yamamoto's forehead twitched, a vein throbbing, as he fought the urge to draw Ryūjin Jakka and cut down the impudent youth.
"It has everything to do with you," he said flatly. "Ginrei Kuchiki specifically requested that you be the examiner for this captain's test."
"According to him, 'that kid from the Kanemiyadai family has taken enough money from the Kuchikis. It's time he did something in return.'"
Tokikaze waved it off casually. "Oh, so I just have to beat up Byakuya again? No problem."
He had already beaten Byakuya before, and now that he had advanced to the First-Class Spiritual Pressure level, Byakuya would be even less of a challenge.
"However, I've noticed that your spiritual pressure has far surpassed that of a typical captain," Yamamoto observed. "If you go all out, Byakuya won't stand a chance."
"So, for this captain's test, you must not use your Zanpakutō."
Tokikaze grumbled, "And what if Byakuya accidentally kills me? Then you'll need to find a new captain for the Ninth Division."
Without turning around, Yamamoto replied calmly, "The other captains and I will be there to ensure that doesn't happen."
With that, Yamamoto vanished into the distance. His roasted sweet potato was still on the grill, and it would burn if he didn't return soon.
Watching him leave, Tokikaze mused, "That's a relief. If I accidentally kill Byakuya, I'd be a criminal in the eyes of the noble families."
"Speaking of which..."
"What's the punishment for killing the head of one of the Five Great Noble Families? A day on Sokyoku Hill? Or thirty thousand years in the Muken?"
...
A month passed quickly, and the day of Tokikaze's long-awaited event finally arrived.
The captain's examination was set to occur at the foot of the mountain near the First Division barracks, where Yamamoto often conducted his training.
Ginrei Kuchiki, knowing that his grandson wouldn't stand a chance against Tokikaze, kept the audience small to save face. Aside from Ginrei and Yamamoto, the only others present were Unohana Retsu and Kyōraku Shunsui.
With Tokikaze and Byakuya included, there were only six people in total.
Originally, Ginrei had intended to invite Ukitake Jūshirō as well, but Ukitake's illness had flared up again, leaving him bedridden and unable to attend.
Since it was a small, informal gathering, there was no need for the usual tedious formalities.
"Why am I the one stuck doing this work?" Kyōraku grumbled, chewing on a blade of grass he had plucked. "And do you really think I can maintain a Kido barrier strong enough to contain the destruction caused by two captains?"
"I'll help you, Captain Kyōraku," Unohana offered gently.
With a surge of spiritual energy, another grand barrier rose, enveloping the two figures in the open field.
Inside the barrier, Tokikaze smiled warmly as he faced Byakuya, whose face had turned pale.
"Tell me, Byakuya, how would you prefer to be knocked down this time?"