Inside the Squad 4 barracks, Hasumi Ren sat cross-legged on his dorm bed, the system interface floating before him.
[Name: Hasumi Ren] Spiritual Grade: 4th Class (Experience: 2120/25000) Zanjutsu: Lv 7 (Experience: 6900/20000) Hakuda: Lv 6 (Experience: 3520/12000) Shunpo: Lv 6 (Experience: 4810/12000) Kido: Lv 6 (Experience: 10900/12000) Zanpakuto: Garenge (Shikai) [Special Abilities] Hollowfication: Lv 5 (Experience: 80/8000) Shunko: Beginner (5%) Dual Chant: Perfect Chant Abandonment: Mastered (5%) Soul Splitting: Beginner (15%) Hogyoku (Awakening Rate: 1.8%)
Compared to before, his spiritual grade was steadily rising, inching closer to the captain level. His Zanjutsu had also skyrocketed under Unohana's hellish training sessions. In terms of pure technique, he had already surpassed the average captain.
During his spars with Unohana, this progress was particularly evident to Ren. He could clearly feel that Unohana was gradually ratcheting up her seriousness. She was truly beginning to view him as an opponent.
His progress in Kido was equally swift, firmly placing him at a captain's standard. As for Hollowfication, his experience points were surging, thanks to the experimental resources provided by Aizen and Urahara.
His current strength could no longer be considered weak; it was the result of solid, step-by-step accumulation.
Ren pulled his gaze away, his fingertips tracing the Zanpakuto at his waist, his eyes perfectly calm.
'Stay steady.'
That was his sole principle right now. Establish a firm foothold in Squad 4, hone his Zanjutsu under Unohana's rigorous guidance, train his Kido under Aizen's tutelage, and occasionally glean some Hollowfication experience from Urahara Kisuke. Secure every ounce of strength he could grasp, every fragment he could absorb, and every network of connections he could exploit, holding them firmly in his grasp.
The future was looking brighter by the day. As for the malicious scrutiny lurking in the shadows, they were nothing more than stepping stones on his path to the top.
The underground cavern beneath the Sokyoku. Ever since their last visit, this place had become Ren and Unohana's exclusive training ground. The spiritual ore embedded in the ceiling cast a bright glow, and the dense network of sword gashes scoring the stone walls bore witness to every single duel.
Unohana wore a lightweight training uniform, her long hair untied, cascading over her shoulders. In recent days, Unohana had stopped deliberately suppressing her power. Her spiritual pressure—belonging to the First Kenpachi—surged and rolled like a massive tidal wave. Every strike carried a soul-piercing intent to kill, yet remained precise and calculated.
Ever since the recent incident, Unohana seemed to have become much more cautious. She pushed Ren to his absolute limits, yet remained exceptionally mindful of his life.
Their Zanpakuto collided violently. The ground beneath Ren's feet collapsed with a loud crash, and though his arms throbbed with numbness, he forcefully anchored his stance. With a backhanded slash across, his blade's wind grazed past Unohana's ear, shearing away a single strand of her hair.
A flash of amazement crossed Unohana's eyes. With a deft twist of her blade, she deflected his assault and closed the distance instantly with Shunpo. Resting the edge of her Zanpakuto against Ren's neck, she spoke evenly, though a hint of praise colored her voice.
"The flow between your forms has quickened by another half-beat. The true essence of Yachiru is growing ever more pronounced in your blade."
Ren eased his stance, catching his breath as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "It is all thanks to your guidance, Captain."
"No need for false modesty." Unohana sheathed her Zanpakuto, her murderous intent gradually dissipating. "With your current level of Zanjutsu, even an ordinary captain would struggle to best you in pure technique."
Ren felt a slight stir in his heart. This was the first time Unohana had given such an explicit endorsement. He looked up at her, only to find her staring at the ore at the top of the cavern, her gaze distant. It was as if she were recalling something from long ago, or perhaps looking forward to what Ren would become in the future.
She paused, lightly tapping Ren's shoulder with the back of her blade. "I can tell that you and Urahara Kisuke are up to something in secret. If you ever need my intervention, do not hesitate to speak up."
"I understand." Ren nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips.
After leaving the Sokyoku cavern with Unohana, Ren headed straight to Aizen's secret laboratory later that night.
Inside the underground facility, the Hogyoku hovered at the center of the apparatus, emitting a faint, eerie blue glow. Tosen Kaname stood to one side, silently organizing files. Compared to his previous distraught state, he had regained a measure of composure.
Dressed in white, Aizen leaned over to record experimental data, his gentle profile appearing exceedingly focused under the dim light. Hearing footsteps, Aizen looked up at Ren and offered a slight nod.
After receiving the experimental blueprint from Aizen, Ren began to assist in the current soul Hollowfication experiment. Ever since Aizen had used the Hogyoku to test Ren last time, he had kept the sphere out of Ren's direct reach.
'I wonder if he noticed something.'
Ren stood before the workbench, working alongside Aizen to design the experimental parameters. At that moment, he recalled the malice directed at him by Tsunayashiro Tokinada earlier. He wanted to see if Aizen could do something about it.
With that in mind, Ren spoke up softly. "Lieutenant Aizen, someone from the Tsunayashiro family has been watching me from the shadows. Do you have any advice?"
Aizen didn't pause his movements, his voice remaining smooth. "Oh? Do you want me to step in and help you?"
"If you could handle it, that would be ideal."
Aizen didn't answer immediately, silently reviewing the experimental charts. A moment later, as if remembering something, Aizen replied in a measured tone. "I will keep an eye on the Tsunayashiro family for you. Just make sure you focus your efforts on the experiments."
"I will trouble you then, Lieutenant," Ren said softly as he assisted with the apparatus.
"A trivial matter," Aizen replied, his pen never stopping, his tone as warm as ever.
Ren understood perfectly. By granting this favor, Aizen was executing another move to win him over.
'I'll smooth over your enemies and settle your troubles; all you need to do is become my loyal subordinate and let me use you.'
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Ren bowed in gratitude, his posture respectful, though his eyes remained entirely clear.
By the time the experiment reached a temporary stopping point and Ren returned to the Squad 4 barracks, it was already the following morning. As soon as he stepped through the door, he heard several young squad members huddled together, whispering in tones full of curiosity and awe.
"The senior who went to lecture at the Shino Academy just got back. Have you guys heard? A phenomenal freshman just enrolled."
"Seriously? Didn't we just get one last year whose spiritual power was terrifyingly high? Another one this year?"
"Yeah. Apparently, he's exceptionally young and comes from the Rukongai without any noble backing whatsoever. Truly a rare breed."
Hearing this, Ren's footsteps paused slightly. From the Rukongai, incredibly young, with exceptionally high spiritual power...
A single name immediately flashed through his mind. Gin Ichimaru.
He hadn't expected Gin Ichimaru to enter the Shino Academy so soon. It was a full few years ahead of the original timeline.
An amused glint flickered in Ren's eyes.
'Interesting. Since our paths are crossing, I might as well drop by and see for myself.'
He turned on his heel and walked toward the captain's office, where Unohana sat at a tea table sorting through paperwork. Seeing Ren enter, she looked up. "Is something the matter?"
"Captain," Ren greeted, bowing respectfully. "I heard that the incoming class has enrolled at the Shino Academy. I would like to request permission to go and guest-lecture a Kaido class for a day."
Unohana set down her brush and studied him. A trace of confusion flickered in her eyes, but she asked no questions, simply offering a gentle nod. "Approved."
"Thank you, Captain." Ren bowed and withdrew, his mind already churning with a plan.
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