Karakura Town
In the remote mountains behind the peaceful town, occasional explosions echoed through the valleys. Yet, they attracted no attention, as they originated from deep within the wilderness—an area rarely, if ever, visited by anyone.
Deep in those mountains, two shadowy figures darted across the terrain. One moved with incredible speed, far ahead, while the other struggled to keep up, clearly unable to match the pace.
These two were none other than Yoruichi and Ren.
It had been three days since their encounter that night, and Ren had been training under Yoruichi's guidance ever since. During those three days, she focused on teaching him Hakuda and Hohō, the martial arts and movement techniques she herself specialized in. As for Zanjutsu and Kidō, she had told him it was too early to start learning them. First, he needed to understand how to move during combat and how to control his limbs properly—only then would it make sense to dive into Kidō or sword techniques.
Ren had no objections, of course. He wasn't training nonstop, after all—he still had time for independent training, especially to improve his Uchiha Ryū Kenjutsu, a sword style he believed would eventually allow him to fight without relying much on traditional Zanjutsu.
"Your speed in mastering Hakuda and Shunpo is impressive," Yoruichi said as the two stopped sparring. "You clearly have a solid foundation in unarmed combat. You didn't even really need to learn Hakuda—you picked it up instantly. But the fact you grasped the basics of Shunpo in just three days? That's… fascinating."
Ren offered a slight smile, sweat trailing down his forehead as he breathed slowly to catch his breath.
"I don't have the luxury of slow learning," he said quietly, his gaze fixed on the grey skies above the treetops.
"If I want to survive in this world… I have to keep moving forward, even if it means breaking my body."
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow, then jumped onto a nearby flat rock, sitting casually as if gravity and elegance were things beneath her concern.
"Hmm… That mindset reminds me of someone…" she murmured lightly, though she didn't say who.
Ren gave a silent nod as he began wrapping his right hand with a simple bandage.
"I'm not blind, Yoruichi... I know I fight without a defined style—just instinct and combat sharpening. But I am trying."
"Trying?" Yoruichi echoed with a faint smile, her voice laced with amusement. "No, you're progressing. Far faster than I expected. Most of those I've trained can't even form a proper Shunpo movement in the first week. You, on the other hand… you're already showing your own style."
Ren paused mid-wrap and looked at her directly.
"So what now? Is there something specific you want me to learn today?"
Yoruichi was quiet for a moment before responding, "Not really. You're already blending Hakuda and Shunpo impressively. As for Zanjutsu, you seem to have your own approach to training it."
"But…" she continued, and this time her gaze sharpened, her tone turning more serious than it had ever been since the training started. "No matter how fast you progress or how talented you are, there's one thing that can't be gained through accelerated training… and that's killing intent."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "Killing intent? You mean the will to kill?"
Yoruichi shook her head slowly. "No, not just blind killing instinct. I mean conscious intent. When you strike, you do so to end it. When you move, you move to win. Not because you're following instincts, but because your body, soul, and mind are aligned—like a true killer."
Ren fell silent. Her words weren't unfamiliar—they echoed feelings he had sensed before—but he had never been forced to face them so directly.
"You think I'm lacking that?" he asked quietly.
"I don't think—I know," she replied without hesitation. "I saw how you fought that Hollow… You weren't fighting to eliminate an enemy—you were fighting to prove something."
Something inside Ren trembled slightly, but he didn't show it. He stared at his bandaged hand, then slowly clenched it into a fist.
"Then... what do you suggest?" he asked, his voice calm again—but his eyes had changed.
Yoruichi leapt down in front of him, this time with no trace of playfulness or ease in her movements.
"A real fight. No training. No mercy. You're going to face me—and I'm going to come at you with everything I've got. If you don't learn to kill now, you won't last a single second."
"You're calling for a serious battle?" Ren said, rising slowly, his eyes locking with hers. "Perfect."
He unsheathed his blade slowly—Yorugami no Mikazuki, the pitch-black katana still in its sealed state, Shikai yet to be unleashed.
"I'm ready," Ren said coolly. "But don't expect me to leave you completely unharmed."
Yoruichi let out a short, low laugh—more like a feline growl preparing to strike.
"I just want to show you the difference between speed… and true killing intent."
And then—she vanished.
BOOM!
Her silhouette appeared right above Ren.
A direct strike—no warning.
Her hand, glowing with spiritual pressure, darted toward his throat.
Clang!
Ren blocked the attack—but his fingers trembled from the impact.
"Heh… Now this is a good start," he muttered, staring into Yoruichi's eyes, now fierce with a savage edge he'd never seen before.
Even though Ren had memories of a past life, they were mostly empty when it came to his personal history. From what he could recall, he'd been nothing more than an ordinary person—which meant there was no reason for him to possess the instincts of a killer or any battle-hardened reflexes.
At least, that would have been true—if he didn't have a Hollow within him. Being Ichigo's twin, it seemed there had been a Hollow sealed inside their mother, one that transferred to Ichigo upon birth and became part of his Zanpakutō. But from what Ren had seen, there was no similar presence in his inner world.
Still, that didn't stop him from developing his own killing intent—not when fighting someone like Yoruichi, who might very well be the strongest person capable of training him.
Stronger even than that old man in the house—the one still hiding his true power.
...
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