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"What's he doing here?"
Yoruichi asked, first surprised by how quickly Shin had returned, then pointing at Byakuya.
"Ginrei Kuchiki personally asked me to train him..." Shin replied with a smile.
Yoruichi didn't believe for a second that Shin was being so kind. Even if Ginrei had asked, the chances of Shin agreeing were slim.
His acceptance now seemed to be driven by some ulterior motive.
"Where's Soi Fon? How come she didn't greet me when I got back?" Shin asked Yoruichi.
"Soi Fon's been training relentlessly. You should talk some sense into her when you get back. She's pushing herself to the breaking point."
Yoruichi said to Shin. Soi Fon was pushing herself too hard in her pursuit of strength, so much so that even Yoruichi couldn't just stand by and watch.
But her words had no effect—Soi Fon remained as diligent as ever.
"Alright, I'll go see her." Just as Shin was about to head to the back, Yoruichi grabbed him.
"How did you get back so fast? Did you capture the defectors?"
"Of course not. Alright, stop gossiping about that. I'm going to find Soi Fon."
Shin took two steps, then paused and looked back at Byakuya, signaling for him to follow. Byakuya frowned for a moment, but then complied.
"From what I can tell, you're already quite strong. Ginrei asked me to teach you, but honestly, there's not much I can teach you. First, let's see how you do in a real fight. I'll find you an opponent in a bit."
"Alright."
True to his nature, Byakuya's response was brief.
Shin knew Byakuya's personality and wasn't bothered by it. He headed to the back and saw Soi Fon. The moment she saw Shin, her eyes lit up, and she immediately stopped her training, running over.
"Captain Shin, you're back."
A look of pure joy spread across Soi Fon's face. Seeing her expression, Shin smiled.
"Who is he?" Soi Fon then noticed Byakuya standing behind Shin.
Even though Byakuya was currently an unranked Soul Reaper, his strength was already widely recognized. He was a renowned genius in the Soul Society, and it was a foregone conclusion that he would one day become the captain of the 6th Division.
"Byakuya Kuchiki. Ginrei Kuchiki asked me to give him some guidance," Shin explained directly. After hearing this, Soi Fon's eyes sharpened.
She stared at Byakuya for a moment, then spoke. "Captain Shin, allow me to see if he is even worthy of your guidance."
With that, Soi Fon acted, instantly appearing behind Byakuya and launching an attack.
Byakuya, though silent, was seething inwardly. Soi Fon's words had angered him.
He was a genius, with his own pride. Was he not even worthy of being taught? Besides, Byakuya didn't think Shin Uzumaki was that much stronger than him. This was just an order from his grandfather, and Byakuya would not disobey. He was very obedient. Since his grandfather had told him to come here for training, he had come.
Clang!
Byakuya's Senbonzakura blocked Soi Fon's Zanpakutō.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura."
After using his Shikai, the blade transformed into a shower of falling cherry blossom petals, a beautiful yet deadly sight.
Each petal was actually a tiny blade. The cherry blossom appearance was just a visual trick caused by the refraction of light.
Soi Fon immediately retreated. Byakuya's abilities were a natural counter to hers, for a simple reason: Byakuya could surround himself with the sakura blades, making it impossible for Soi Fon to get close.
Seeing this, Soi Fon didn't give up. She also used her Shikai, and then her body was enveloped in armor formed from spiritual pressure.
"You are already dead..."
Soi Fon instantly attacked from behind Byakuya, ignoring Senbonzakura's blades because of the spiritual pressure armor protecting her from any harm.
Suzumebachi struck Byakuya once. The second strike was just a hair's breadth away, but if she had actually landed it, Byakuya would be dead.
Byakuya's expression froze.
"My ability is a two-hit kill. If I hit you in the same spot twice, you will die without a doubt."
Soi Fon revealed her Zanpakutō's ability without any hesitation. She wasn't afraid of others knowing.
Even if they knew, it wouldn't matter. The weak couldn't defend against it, and the strong didn't need to.
"I've lost."
Byakuya admitted defeat after hearing this. This was the fastest he had ever lost.
Soi Fon was an assassin—a quick resolution was her style. Of course, this time, Soi Fon had practically broken through his defenses head-on.
Amateurs rely on sneak attacks. A true assassin confronts their target head-on.
"Your Zanpakutō has its advantages, but its flaws are also obvious."
Shin said to Byakuya. Setting aside his Bankai, and focusing purely on his Shikai, Byakuya's greatest weakness was its lack of attack power.
Though it looked magnificent, its attack power was somewhat lacking. Shin wondered if Byakuya had already achieved his Bankai.
Byakuya listened to Shin's words intently, then nodded thoughtfully.
"How about this? I'll take you to find an opponent."
Shin prepared to take Byakuya to find an opponent, and Byakuya's expression froze for a moment.
Take him to find an opponent? Was Soi Fon not his opponent?
Though he had lost just now, Byakuya felt it was a fluke. If they fought again, he definitely wouldn't lose so easily.
Byakuya didn't ask any questions. Soi Fon, after thinking for a moment, followed Shin. They left the 2nd Division together.
"I wonder what they're up to." Yoruichi glanced at them lazily, then lost all interest.
Though she was a bit curious, if it meant getting up and following them, Yoruichi had no interest.
Shin led Byakuya towards the 3rd Division, with Soi Fon following Shin completely.
They soon arrived at the 3rd Division. Byakuya frowned slightly, then roughly guessed who Shin had found as his opponent.
"Captain Shin, what brings you here?"
Gin Ichimaru, upon seeing Shin, had a sly, fox-like smile spread across his face. Soi Fon, standing nearby, snorted coldly at Gin. She didn't like him—one look was all it took.
"Captain Ichimaru, I've come to ask for a favor," Shin said with a faint smile. Gin's eyes narrowed into his signature slits.
Gin had already made contact with Aizen. He knew that Shin Uzumaki was someone even Aizen was wary of.
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