Chapter 152 – Aizen’s Scheming
Soi Fon's sudden question caught Ailin off guard. He glanced at her and replied, "Well, have you considered that maybe Lady Yoruichi didn't bring you along because your strength is lacking?"
"Damn it!" Soi Fon clenched her fists, teeth gritted.NewW novels updates at novelhall.com
Though she hated to admit it, Ailin might have a point. Both Kisuke Urahara and Ailin surpassed her in strength by a significant margin.
Taking a deep breath, Soi Fon slowly composed herself, pushing down all other emotions. "Captain Ailin, let's begin."
"Alright." Seeing Soi Fon regain her composure, Ailin wasted no time and began explaining the theory behind Shunko.
"Shunko is a technique that combines Kidō and Hakuda, with power comparable to a Shinigami's Bankai. Before practicing Shunko, one must first identify the Kidō attribute that best aligns with their own."
With that, Ailin started instructing Soi Fon on the intricacies of Shunko within the underground base.
Over a century ago, Ailin had already acquired knowledge of Shunko from Soi Fon's Zanpakutō, Suzumebachi. However, due to Yoruichi Shihōin's departure, Soi Fon only had access to the basic theories Yoruichi left behind, leading her to believe that Yoruichi herself hadn't fully developed the technique.
Based on Yoruichi's incomplete theories, Soi Fon stumbled through the development of her own Shunko over the next hundred years.
However, since she followed Yoruichi's notes, and Yoruichi's attribute was lightning, the Shunko Soi Fon used when they met again a hundred years later was still the lightning-attribute Shunko with bursts of electricity from her shoulders.
After gaining Yoruichi's approval and receiving more insights into Shunko, Soi Fon completed her own unique wind-attribute Shunko during the Thousand-Year Blood War – the Mugen Shunko.
Naturally, Ailin wouldn't let Soi Fon take the same roundabout path. From the beginning, he had Soi Fon determine her own attribute and then taught her the key points of Shunko cultivation based on that attribute.
Since this was essentially Soi Fon's own experience from over a hundred years later, she learned quickly under Ailin's guidance.
It took her only three days to master the initial steps – converting her reiatsu into wind-attribute Kidō reiatsu and then merging it with her own reiatsu.
There was no helping it; having a cheat was just that convenient. Whenever Soi Fon made a mistake in her training, Ailin would immediately point it out and offer better suggestions. It felt as if he, not Soi Fon, was the one cultivating Shunko.
The fusion of two different types of reiatsu in the world of Soul Society brought exponential improvement to a Shinigami.
When a Shinigami released their Zanpakutō, their own reiatsu merged with the Zanpakutō's "spiritual pressure." Shikai could increase their reiatsu three to five times, while Bankai could boost it five to ten times.
Similarly, the "Hollowfication" of Shinji Hirako and the others involved merging the Hollow's reiatsu with their own, resulting in a surge in their spiritual pressure.
The technique of "Temporarily Placing a Soul Within the Body" created by Kirio Hikifune also involved merging a different reiatsu with one's own to enhance their spiritual pressure.
Shunko followed the same principle. Moreover, it shared similarities with Hikifune's technique.
However, Hikifune's completed research permanently increased one's spiritual pressure, while Shunko involved using one's reiatsu to create Kidō reiatsu and achieving fusion outside the body.
Within a week, Soi Fon mastered the basic Shunko. However, what gathered on her shoulders and back wasn't crackling lightning, but swirling tornadoes.
After using Shunko, Soi Fon's speed saw the greatest improvement, nearly rivaling Yoruichi Shihōin's.
Ailin then shared the theory and key points of Mugen Shunko with her.
With her experience in Shunko, it took Soi Fon half a year to finally complete the cultivation of Mugen Shunko.
***
"Hah!"
Boom!
Sōsuke Aizen had a high reputation and was personally recommended by Shunsui as the 5th Division captain.
As for Kaname Tōsen...
If Ailin hadn't mentioned him and Aizen hadn't recommended him, no one would have imagined that the 3rd Seat of the 9th Division also possessed captain-level strength.
"Indeed, I've long heard of Captain Ailin's teaching ability. 3rd Division Captain Gin Ichimaru once worked with me for a while. Whether it's Kidō, Hakuda, Shunpo, or Zanjutsu, Captain Ichimaru is exceptionally skilled. Captain Ailin seems like an all-rounder, with no weaknesses... to possess such strength in just over a hundred years, Captain Ailin is truly fearsome..."
"Hahaha, if Captain Aizen hadn't mentioned it, I almost forgot Captain Ailin isn't even two hundred years old yet..." Shunsui pulled his hat lower, his mind racing with thoughts.
‘Sōsuke Aizen, was that carelessness or intentional? But regardless of whether it was careless or intentional, Aizen must be planning something, possibly related to Captain Ailin... Otherwise, he wouldn't have said that Captain Ailin is 'fearsome'. After all, a powerful ally brings peace of mind. Only a powerful enemy would inspire fear...
However, Captain Ailin's 11th Division already has two captain-level subordinates. With Captain Kuchiki, Captain Ichimaru, Captain Soi Fon, and Captain Ailin himself, their side would have six captain-level powerhouses. With this level of influence, if they had any ulterior motives, the Seireitei would surely fall into chaos again.’
At this thought, Shunsui suddenly realized something. No, Aizen's words weren't meant for him, but for his teacher!
As a disciple of Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, Shunsui understood his teacher better than anyone. Old Man Yamamoto was perhaps the most devoted follower of the Soul King.
It was precisely because of his admiration for the Soul King's actions that Yamamoto believed everything in the world unfolded according to the Soul King's will.
Regarding the betrayal of the Five Noble Houses, Yamamoto believed that since the Soul King hadn't acted against them, there must be a reason for their existence.
However, Yamamoto disagreed with the Five Noble Houses seizing the Soul King's authority to rule the Seireitei.
Therefore, two thousand years ago, Yamamoto founded his dojo to teach students. A thousand years ago, he formed the Thirteen Court Guard Squads under the banner of "protecting the Soul King's Seireitei," promoting the existence of the "Soul King," and ending the aristocracy's million-year dictatorship over the Soul Society and the Seireitei.
To avoid being purged by Yamamoto, many nobles joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and supported him.
In the current Seireitei, although the nobles still had the "Central 46 Chambers" to maintain their lofty status, everything they did had to be within the rules.
The true ruler of the Seireitei was the Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto!
The Thirteen Court Guard Squads were Yamamoto's life's work.
To protect the current Seireitei, Yamamoto would eliminate any existence that might threaten its stability.
The reason for Zaraki's current state was that Yamamoto saw his fanaticism for battle and the immense power hidden within him. Fearing that Zaraki might cause harm to the Seireitei in the future, Yamamoto disregarded even Retsu Unohana’s plea and used less-than-honorable means to dampen Zaraki's interest in swordsmanship.
If not for Ailin, Zaraki's strongest "swordsmanship" technique might have been simply holding a sword with both hands.
But because of his "ten-year promise" with Ailin, Zaraki was currently learning swordsmanship more suited to him from Unohana.
Presumably, in their next battle, Zaraki would surely bring Ailin an even greater surprise.
In the past, Captain Ailin rarely involved himself in affairs, so Yamamoto might not have thought much of it.
However, now that Aizen had brought it up, Yamamoto might have already started to develop a rift with Captain Ailin.
After all, Captain-Commander Yamamoto was wary even of Zaraki, who hadn't fully recovered, let alone Captain Ailin, whose strength was sufficient to receive an invitation from the Royal Guard of the Zero Division.
Sōsuke Aizen, this man, his schemes ran deep.
Shunsui buried his apprehension about Aizen deep within his heart and pretended not to understand Aizen's words, continuing their conversation.
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