Sighing, Kyōraku Shunsui's emotions grew increasingly complex. His steps, which had been about to leave, involuntarily halted.
He watched Tsugikuni Yoriichi from the moment he drew his sword to the moment he sheathed it, finally turning to look at him. His calm voice was like a top student's casual display of brilliance:
"I've learned it, but it's still a bit rough. Currently, I can't elevate Fuzan to a level invisible to the naked eye."
"If an opponent's eyesight is keen, they can still see the traces of my attacks when I use Fuzan. In that regard, it's not quite the same as Master's."
Yamamoto Genryusai's Fuzan was truly traceless.
He himself could only discern some traces by relying on Touhou Sekigan.
Ordinary people wouldn't even have time to react.
And attacks, to be dodged, must either be seen or sensed. Otherwise, one can only fall into a passive state of being beaten.
Yoriichi's words instantly plunged Kyōraku Shunsui into silence.
This was showing off, it definitely was.
One must know, he had spent so many years, yet hadn't even crossed the threshold of Fuzan.
And you, in just a few days, can cultivate to a level that surpasses hundreds of years of our effort…
This is already incredibly powerful, isn't it?
If this is considered rough… then the Shinigami who trained in Fuzan before probably wouldn't even have a place to cry.
Because compared to this, their mastery was practically insignificant.
Including himself.
Alas…
Even though he was already several hundred years old, a bitter feeling still welled up in Kyōraku Shunsui's heart.
However, when he thought that the one who learned Fuzan was his junior brother, this bitterness dissipated like smoke, leaving no trace.
It was replaced by intense admiration and an indescribable sense of emotion.
His heart was incredibly eager at this moment; he wanted to immediately tell Jūshirō Ukitake about this matter.
Tell him that Old Man Yama's mantle finally had an heir.
But a moment later, he calmed down.
Knowing that the fact of learning it was set, it wouldn't be too late to report it anytime…
So, he suppressed the urgency in his heart and decided to first listen to what his junior brother had to say.
Perhaps he could glean some experience or gain inspiration from it.
After all, there's a saying in the Human World: isn't genius 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration, and that 1% inspiration is far more important than 99% perspiration?
He was precisely lacking that one part of inspiration.
Yoriichi's gaze quietly swept across Kyōraku Shunsui's face, always feeling that his senior brother's state of mind had undergone many changes in just a few seconds.
From surprise to distress, then from distress to relief, and finally to anticipation and calm…
Was it really necessary to experience such an intense internal struggle just for learning one form of Fuzan?
Yoriichi truly didn't understand.
He silently exhaled, paused for two seconds, and then his unhurried voice continued to echo in the spacious area:
"I probably need over a week to perfect it. However, as it stands, Fuzan should be fine for practical combat."
"Kyōraku Shunsui, could I trouble you not to tell Master about this for now?"
"Hmm?" Facing this sudden suggestion, Kyōraku Shunsui was stunned.
He frowned slightly, asking in confusion, "Why?"
In his opinion, after mastering it, one should tell the Master and formally become a disciple.
After all, only by becoming a direct disciple would things be easier in the future.
Don't look at how close their relationship was; in reality… well, it was genuinely very close.
Kyōraku Shunsui greatly valued Tsugikuni Yoriichi, which was why he overlooked the latter's current status as a nominal disciple.
However, a nominal disciple was a nominal disciple; this was an undeniable fact. Others might not know, but some nobles did.
Just a difference of two words, and the gap in deterrence was like a chasm.
This was also one of the reasons why Kyōraku Shunsui frequently came to visit Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
To prevent him from being harassed by Shinigami who were hostile to Yamamoto Genryusai or the Kuchiki Clan.
Yoriichi calmly explained, "The reason is simple: I want to use the remaining time to learn Ikotsu as well."
"Although Ikotsu is much harder to learn than Fuzan, one must always try to know where one's shortcomings lie."
"I admit my strength is insufficient, which is why I will try to learn. But mastering Fuzan is not a reason for me to slack off."
"Kyōraku Shunsui, you should understand me."
Yes…
I understand.
Kyōraku Shunsui sighed wistfully upon hearing this.
Memories, like a tide, surged into his heart little by little.
Back then, when he saw Old Man Yama use Fuzan and Ikotsu, his reaction was also like this.
He studied day and night, fully believing that he could quickly master it…
But reality dealt him a cruel slap.
No matter how hard he tried, his progress showed no improvement.
Decades, even a century later, he reluctantly gave up and chose to cultivate other Genryu combat styles.
By now, if not for Tsugikuni Yoriichi's reminder, he might have already forgotten that past experience.
That experience he didn't want to recall, where his self-confidence was shattered…
But the past wouldn't disappear just because he denied it.
So…
A faint sadness immediately enveloped his heart. Kyōraku Shunsui held his forehead, muttering:
"Oh dear, since you've said so, what else can I do? As your senior brother, I can only agree to your request…"
"But don't make it a habit; we still need to make Old Man Yama happy."
"As for Ikotsu…"
After a moment of contemplation, he offered his experienced advice, "It's best not to practice it directly."
"The damage produced by this fist technique relies on the internal force generated by a single punch."
"Internal force is difficult to comprehend on your own. It belongs to an ancient fist style, especially since it eventually needs to be mixed with spiritual pressure to create an explosion."
"In my opinion, to skip the comprehension stage, it's best to find a similar first technique to practice."
"And my family happens to have some of these ancient fist techniques. I'll send them to you later; they were all obtained from the First Division centuries ago, and their origin is absolutely legitimate."
The word "legitimate," Kyōraku Shunsui spoke very clearly, as if there was another intriguing story behind it.
However, he didn't elaborate, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi didn't have the urge to ask further.
It wasn't until Kyōraku Shunsui brought the items from his home that Yoriichi realised how complex the underlying principles of Ikotsu were.
Shinigami not only relied on spiritual pressure for attacks but also on something called muscular strength.
Those with strong muscular strength could correspondingly reduce some damage, even when facing high-level spiritual power attacks.
Zaraki Kenpachi was a concrete example.
The use of Ikotsu.
It was about integrating muscular strength and spiritual pressure, thereby achieving an effect where 1+1 > 2.
Yoriichi did not lack muscular strength or spiritual pressure.
However…
Some subsequent aspects…
Indeed, he had underestimated its difficulty of entry. Yoriichi was unusually silent… But it didn't matter; time would prove everything.
Plus, Fuzan was already mastered.
There were no more worries.
All that remained was merely a matter of time, considering that his two senior brothers hadn't even entered the threshold in hundreds of years.
Compared to them, he was already exceptionally outstanding.
Taking a deep breath, Yoriichi adjusted his mood and continued his training.
The Second Division's banquet was in three days.
The Kuchiki Clan's family banquet date was undecided, but there should still be a good amount of time.
He had enough time.