In the 11th Division barracks, within the captain's private dojo...
Smack! Smack! Smack!
As the sounds of strikes gradually faded, the Hakuda training session neared its end, and Mashiro Kuna's thoughts drifted back to the present.
"That was incredible, Masatsuki!" Mashiro Kuna exclaimed, quickly rolling up her sleeves and throwing a few punches of her own. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked up at Masatsuki Aozaki.
"Masatsuki, your level is definitely worthy of a 10th-dan certification from the Hakuda Association. Just watching how you generate power has helped me so much—it's like every cell in my body is screaming at me to start training right away!"
"The whole certification process is way too tedious. For me, what matters is whether my techniques hold up in battle, not whether some so-called masters recognize them."
Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled, ruffling Mashiro Kuna's hair as he flexed his fingers.
Both Old Man Yamamoto and Unohana had evaluated him before, saying that if he applied for certification, he could easily obtain the highest 10th-dan rank in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō.
If there were a Shunpo Association in Seireitei, he figured he'd probably qualify for 10th-dan there as well.
But to him, getting officially ranked was a waste of time—it would only expose information about his abilities. Sure, there were some benefits, like earning a formal title and receiving association subsidies, but compared to the risks, those perks were meaningless.
"I get it! Masatsuki is teaching me not to chase empty fame but to pursue true martial arts. I'll do my best!" Mashiro Kuna beamed, nudging the hand still ruffling her hair.
Masatsuki Aozaki waved her off with a grin. "Mhm... Mashiro, if you keep working hard, you'll definitely reach my level one day. Keep at it!"
"I understand! But I'm still so far behind you, Masatsuki… I've been training for years and still haven't reached 9th-dan." Mashiro Kuna sighed, running a hand through her hair, looking a little discouraged.
"Reaching near 9th-dan at your age is already an incredible feat. With consistent training and my guidance, you'll reach 10th-dan sooner or later."
Masatsuki Aozaki sat down beside her, offering reassurance.
"It's all thanks to you, Masatsuki! If you hadn't been coaching me, I wouldn't have improved so quickly."
The ever-energetic girl instantly perked up, clenching her small fists with renewed enthusiasm.
"That's because you've got talent, Mashiro. Among my peers, your Hakuda skills are second only to Yoruichi's."
As Masatsuki Aozaki thought back to his sparring sessions with Yoruichi—always ending with her bright, carefree laughter—he couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Compared to Yoruichi, Mashiro Kuna was undoubtedly more specialized.
Her talent in Hakuda was outstanding, but it didn't extend much beyond that—her aptitude for Reiatsu, Zanjutsu, Kidō, and Shunpo was fairly average.
Of course, "average" was relative to Masatsuki Aozaki.
In terms of Reiatsu alone, unless she received some external boost in the future, she would likely max out at a standard Captain-level.
Whether she would be able to achieve Bankai was uncertain, and compared to Rangiku Matsumoto, there was simply no contest.
Rangiku Matsumoto, who was about the same age as Masatsuki Aozaki, had recently reached Lieutenant-level Reiatsu.
Masatsuki estimated that in less than ten years, she would attain Captain-level Reiatsu.
Even Old Man Yamamoto had remarked that she was a once-in-a-millennium genius—someone who would, without a doubt, catch up to Masatsuki Aozaki one day.
By "catch up," Yamamoto was referring to reaching the absolute limits of a Shinigami's potential.
In his view, Masatsuki Aozaki was exceptionally gifted, but as a Shinigami, he would ultimately hit a ceiling. Sooner or later, Rangiku Matsumoto would reach that same peak.
"Yoruichi? You mean Yoruichi Shihōin, the head of the Shihōin Clan and captain of the 2nd Division?"
Mashiro Kuna thought for a moment before a slight blush crept onto her delicate face. She pouted.
"That's right. Even the old man acknowledges her Hakuda skills," Masatsuki Aozaki said, glancing at the girl, who had lowered her head. "I used to spar with her often—that's how I improved so quickly."
"In that case, Masatsuki has never really sparred with me, huh? Every time I told you to go all out against me, you refused."
Thinking about how Masatsuki Aozaki always seemed to keep his distance from her, Mashiro Kuna puffed up her cheeks in frustration.
"I actually wouldn't mind sparring with you, Mashiro. I'm just afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it." Masatsuki Aozaki teased, blinking playfully.
"I'm not afraid! Bring it on, Masatsuki!"
The usually sweet and soft-spoken girl instantly transformed into a fierce warrior at his teasing. She shot up from her seat and demonstrated a set of aggressive boxing techniques with sharp precision.
"Alright, alright. I won't say anything more. Let's see just how much you've improved."
Masatsuki Aozaki extended his hand, watching as a strange blush still lingered on Mashiro Kuna's face.
"I won't disappoint you."
Fueled by excitement at the chance to spar with Masatsuki, Mashiro Kuna's energy surged. She stepped forward, assuming a proper combat stance.
"Hah!"
Her battle cry echoed through the dojo as she charged in.
She started with a rapid series of short punches, launching a fierce offensive. Then, she switched to a more open and powerful style, increasing the force behind her strikes. The fight quickly escalated in intensity.
Masatsuki Aozaki remained purely on defense. Whether it was her swift, relentless short punches or her powerful, heavy strikes, he caught each one effortlessly.
Their movements were sharp and fluid, displaying both skill and grace. As Masatsuki Aozaki observed her, he noted how surprisingly strong she was despite her flexibility. Every impact of her fists against his palms rang out with crisp, clean strikes.
"Not bad. With this level of Hakuda, you'd stand a decent chance against a Lieutenant-level Shinigami."
Holding her soft but firm hand, Masatsuki Aozaki offered an honest assessment.
In the world of the Shinigami, challenging someone of a higher rank was extremely difficult. Reiatsu played too great a role, capable of compensating for countless weaknesses.
Among all combat techniques, Reiatsu had the biggest impact on battle power.
For someone with only sixth-rank Reiatsu to hold their own against a Lieutenant-level opponent using Hakuda alone was a testament to Mashiro Kuna's raw talent.
However, to Masatsuki, her Hakuda still felt like a child playing at fighting.
With one hand, he grasped her fist and pulled her in.
The counterattack he expected never came. Instead, Mashiro Kuna suddenly seemed to lose all strength, collapsing against him.
"…What's this now?"
Masatsuki Aozaki glanced down at the girl in his arms. Her green hair partially covered her face, but it wasn't long enough to completely hide the deep flush on her cheeks.
His mind instinctively recalled what he knew about her.
Despite her airheaded demeanor, she was actually quite sharp—calculating, even.
"Masatsuki…"
Looking up at him, Mashiro wrinkled her nose slightly, as if irritated by his lack of reaction.
"Don't overestimate my self-control."
Masatsuki shamelessly blew a soft breath against her ear, slowly pressing her against the spotless wooden wall as he moved on to the next phase of their training.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake