"Why can I absorb Reishi from the outside world? Am I a Quincy?"
"No, after I died in the World of the Living, my soul didn't return to Yhwach, nor was it captured by that mad scientist."
"My soul is exceptional. If I were a Quincy, that deadbeat loan shark Yhwach wouldn't have let me go, even without consciousness."
"So, that means I'm not a Quincy."
"Oh well, even if I'm not, this ability is way too similar to a Quincy's."
"Master won't skin me alive when he finds out, right? He doesn't seem too fond of Quincies."
Masatsuki Aozaki's mind raced through countless thoughts in an instant.
Regardless of how the old man would react, he decided to stop drawing Reishi from Soul Society—at least for now.
Masatsuki Aozaki released his control over the Reishi.
A crackling surge of thunder filled the air, accompanied by the sharp sound of air being sucked in.
The sensation caught Masatsuki Aozaki off guard, but rather than discomfort, he felt a rush of exhilaration.
"Masatsuki."
Yoruichi Shihōin finally noticed something was off.
Masatsuki Aozaki blinked. "What's wrong?"
Did she notice me absorbing Reishi? How should I explain this?
I can't exactly say I was running low and just 'borrowed' some from Soul Society.
Yoruichi doesn't have any real grudge against Quincies… maybe I should just tell the truth?
As he mulled it over, temptation stirred within him.
Still, this time, he was smart enough not to blurt out an answer. Instead, he waited for Yoruichi to finish speaking.
"You did it—Shunkō was a success!" Yoruichi Shihōin exclaimed, releasing his arm in surprise.
So it was Shunkō… Masatsuki Aozaki felt power surging through him. He glanced at his shoulder and, sure enough, saw streaks of lightning-like Reiatsu coursing through his body.
Not only did the lightning not harm him, but it moved at his command, as naturally as an extension of his own limbs.
He hadn't trained for this, yet it felt as effortless as moving his hands or feet.
"I did it! I really am a genius!" Masatsuki Aozaki declared without hesitation.
Without a second thought, he swung his fist, sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
"Indeed, no surprise there. Your talent makes this only natural." Yoruichi acknowledged his boast without dispute.
It was, after all, common knowledge.
"How about a spar? It's been a while since we last trained here." Masatsuki Aozaki flashed her a playful wink.
Yoruichi Shihōin's interest was piqued. Without hesitation, she activated Shunkō again, lightning sparking from her back.
The training hall was brightly lit, still, and windless.
"Masatsuki, your Reiatsu isn't on my level, but don't worry—I'll hold back." Yoruichi spoke with confidence.
"I'll suppress my Reiatsu to match yours, but for a spar… why don't we make a little wager?"
"A wager?" Masatsuki Aozaki tilted his head. "On what?"
Yoruichi leaned in close, whispering something in his ear.
"What?! As the Captain-Commander's disciple, there's no way I'm submitting to that!" Masatsuki Aozaki exclaimed, utterly shocked—but he refused to admit how tempting the idea was.
"You can name your own stakes too, if you want…"
Yoruichi licked her lips, her expression like that of a cunning little devil, tempting him further.
"…Alright, fine. I accept," Masatsuki Aozaki relented. "But I haven't decided on my terms yet. I'll let you know later."
As a student of Genryūsai, he had inherited one of Yamamoto's finest traits—absolutely no sense of shame.
With the wager set, the two took their positions on opposite sides of the training ground.
Yoruichi wasted no time. In a flash, her figure blurred into motion, streaking toward Masatsuki Aozaki like a shadow.
She had her own reasons for proposing a bet.
Masatsuki had only just learned Shunkō—he was still unfamiliar with its intricacies. She intended to overwhelm him quickly, forcing him into a position where he'd have no choice but to concede.
After all, they had taken an entire month off.
That meant over twenty days of uninterrupted freedom. Of course, she had to make the most of it.
Boom!
Their palms collided, producing a deep, resonating impact.
"So fast!"
Masatsuki Aozaki's heart tightened.
Yoruichi Shihōin's palm strike was both swift and heavy. If this had been before he mastered Shunkō, he would've been forced to counter with Ikkotsu.
Ikkotsu was undoubtedly stronger, but this palm strike surpassed ordinary Hakuda techniques.
Comparing the two—
Ikkotsu was a burst-type technique, packing immense power in a single strike.
Shunkō, while weaker in raw force, allowed for continuous attacks.
Masatsuki Aozaki steadied himself, not daring to let his guard down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two figures clashed in rapid exchanges, their battle unfolding across the training hall.
Hakuda relied on sharp vision, swift reflexes, and seamless coordination of hands, eyes, body, mind, and footwork.
Yoruichi Shihōin was undeniably a master of Hakuda, her skills honed to the highest level.
But Masatsuki Aozaki was no longer the novice he had once been.
Having inherited Yamamoto's teachings and undergone extensive training, he was no stranger to combat.
Despite Yoruichi's lightning-fast, precise movements, he quickly adapted.
At that moment, Masatsuki Aozaki's spiritual perception confirmed that Yoruichi had indeed unleashed her full Reiatsu—only to suppress it again.
He knew he could replicate her movements, but his body hadn't fully adjusted yet. Even simple punches and kicks still felt unnatural.
The battle raged on.
On the surface, Masatsuki Aozaki appeared increasingly at ease.
And in truth, he was.
With each block and counter, he refined his control over his body.
Meanwhile, Yoruichi had shed her usual carefree demeanor. Now fully engaged in battle, she exuded a sharp, natural intensity.
Her movements radiated an inherent sense of danger.
A flurry of precise punches and kicks gradually cornered Masatsuki Aozaki, limiting his space to dodge.
Then, Yoruichi suddenly called out—
"Raitei Shō!"
Sizzle!
She raised her palm, crackling with electricity, thunder echoing from her fingertips.
What the hell?
Masatsuki Aozaki froze for a split second.
I'm not a zombie—why are you hitting me with Palm Thunder (Raitei Shō)?
Wait… isn't that a name I casually mentioned while telling a story?
Did she develop this move based on my ideas?
With no room to evade, Masatsuki Aozaki didn't retreat. Instead, he unleashed his Reiatsu, channeling its lightning properties into his palm to meet her attack head-on.
Boom!
A deep, resounding impact echoed through the hall as both fighters were blasted backward, skidding to a stop several dozen meters apart.
Ordinary Hakuda bouts weren't this destructive.
But Shunkō was no ordinary Hakuda. Every strike carried tremendous force—casual movements alone could shatter stone and split the ground.
If Masatsuki hadn't instinctively managed to condense his own version of "Raitei Shō" at the last second, he would've been the only one sent flying.
Though his right arm ached from the impact, Yoruichi's expression remained exhilarated.
She smirked, refusing to admit defeat.
"Raitei Shō is just a minor trick. I've got even stronger moves you haven't seen yet!"
Masatsuki Aozaki, well accustomed to Yoruichi's competitive nature, simply waved her on.
"Bring it on, Yoruichi!"
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake