Bone fragments, spear-like shards, crimson spirit crystals, and fragments of steel wheels scattered in the air. The movements flowed like wind, yet carried the weight of the heavens. The echo of clashing spears resounded through the training field.
"Hadō #63: Raikōhō (Thunder Roar Cannon)!"
Kurotsuki Renya's voice was calm yet sharp. Yellow reiryoku condensed in his palm, flashing like a storm. In the next instant, an explosion of crackling light erupted forward, engulfing the training ground in blinding thunder.
When the light faded, the earth before him bore a massive scar — a deep gouge thirty meters long, still sizzling with lingering reishi.
This was the destructive force of high-level Hadō, proof that Renya's reiryoku had now ascended to the sixth-class level.
With sixth-class spiritual pressure, one could learn advanced Kidō techniques and manipulate spirit particles with far greater refinement. Their destructive output grew exponentially. For instance, the same Hadō #33: Sōkatsui, when cast by Kuchiki Byakuya, was vastly superior to when used by Kuchiki Rukia.
Byakuya, as a Captain, possessed at least seventh-class reiryoku, far beyond the level Renya had just reached.
Shinigami who attained sixth-class pressure while still students, such as Shiba Kaien, Ichimaru Gin, and even Hitsugaya Tōshirō in his early days, naturally earned high seated positions upon graduation.
Speaking of Hitsugaya — the child prodigy had recently joined the Shin'ō Academy. Even as a first-year, his power had already reached sixth-class, allowing him to skip into advanced courses. At this rate, he would graduate within a year and be courted by multiple divisions. Yet since Matsumoto Rangiku herself had scouted him, it was almost certain he would join the 10th Division under Captain Hitsugaya in the future.
It had been two years since the Hollow incident where Renji and the others were nearly killed. By now, Renji, Kira, and Hinamori had all reached the sixth year, officially senior students.
Renya, now seventeen, had just achieved sixth-class spiritual pressure. He had begun mastering high-level lightning-based Kidō, starting with Hadō #63: Raikōhō. Once perfected, it could even aid in refining Captain Sui-Feng's Shunkō techniques.
For three years, Sui-Feng's attempts at further developing Shunkō had stalled — her talent for Kidō was never strong. But Renya, with his natural affinity for Kidō, already saw unique traits within Raikōhō that could be adapted into Shunkō. With enough refinement, he could strip and integrate those properties into the technique's core, creating something even stronger.
With his reiryoku breakthrough, coupled with his steadily sharpened Shunpo and Hakuda, Renya's combat ability now rivaled even Madarame Ikkaku after achieving Shikai. Within the Onmitsukidō, his strength firmly held him among the top three fighters.
And yet, one regret lingered — he had not yet achieved Shikai.
Four years had passed since he first received his Zanpakutō. He meditated with it daily, practicing jinzen (soul communion) without fail, but the spirit within had yet to acknowledge him.
That could mean only one thing — when it did, the Zanpakutō's power would be immense. Still, the wait gnawed at him.
A calm voice broke his thoughts:
"You mastered advanced Hadō in a single afternoon. Your talent for Kidō is truly astonishing."
Renya turned. Captain Sui-Feng stood nearby, arms crossed.
He bowed respectfully. "It's thanks to your guidance, Captain. Without your experience, I could never have progressed so quickly."
Sui-Feng's brows furrowed slightly. "Don't downplay it. It took me three days to master Raikōhō. You achieved it in half a day. That's no small feat."
She sighed, then added, "In a few days, I'll teach you the remaining high-level lightning Kidō."
Renya smiled faintly. "Then I'll be in your care, Captain."
"It's late. We'll end here today," Sui-Feng said curtly before vanishing into the evening air.
Renya lingered a moment, then used Shunpo to return to his office. Afternoon training with the Captain always consumed his day, leaving him to handle his paperwork in the evening. Still, the rotation schedule he devised for the Patrol Corps gave him leeway to slip away occasionally.
Seated at his desk, Renya sighed as he looked at his reflection. Though seventeen, he still bore the appearance of an eleven-year-old boy, his body barely changed in height since entering the Onmitsukidō.
Such was the curse of certain souls. Shinigami with powerful reiryoku aged slowly, often living for millennia.
The Captain-Commander, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni, had already lived over two thousand years. Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō were graduates of the very first Shin'ō Academy class, now both more than two millennia old. Unohana Retsu, called "senpai" even by them, was far older still.
For Renya, true physical maturity might take centuries. He could only wait.
A knock broke his thoughts.
"Vice-Captain Renya," a patrol member reported. "A man named Renji Abarai is asking for you at the base of the mountain."
Renya stood quickly. "Renji? Where is he now?"
"He's waiting at the foot of the mountain. We didn't permit entry."
Renya nodded. Ordinary souls and students weren't allowed into the Second Division's mountain without permission. He descended swiftly, where he found Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki standing together — Renji with a tense expression, and Rukia unusually quiet.
"Renya!" Renji called, relief in his voice.
Renya dismissed the guards, stepping toward them. "Renji, Rukia — what's wrong?"
Renji glanced at Rukia, then hesitated. "…It's about her."
"If it's not convenient here, we'll speak inside," Renya said calmly, ushering them past the gates.
As they entered, Renji's eyes widened at the ornate interior of the Second Division's compound. "What the hell? This place looks more like a noble's estate than a Division headquarters…"
Renya chuckled lightly. "That's the Onmitsukidō's way. Efficiency wrapped in elegance."
He led them into his office. Renji paused at the desk, nervous. "Wait—this is your office? Won't your superior mind us being here?"
Renya smiled faintly. "I am the Patrol Corps Vice-Captain. This is where I work."
Renji's jaw dropped. "Vice-Captain already? Damn… and here I thought I might finally surpass you after graduating."
"It's just a position," Renya replied smoothly. "You'll catch up soon enough."
Renji waved it off, then grew serious. "No, forget that. We're here because of something important."
Renya leaned forward. "Tell me."
Renji glanced again at Rukia, then said, "Have you heard of the Kuchiki clan?"
Renya nodded. "Of course. One of the Four Great Noble Houses."
Renji's voice tightened. "Their current head… Captain Kuchiki Byakuya. He wants to adopt Rukia — to bring her into the Kuchiki line as his sister."
Renya's eyes narrowed. "Adopt her?"
Renji nodded. "That's right. But… Rukia refused."
Renya's gaze shifted to Rukia, surprise flickering in his eyes. This was… different from history.
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