Chapter 26: What Do You Want to Do?

Seeing that Yamamoto was about to start another lecture, Masatsuki Aozaki quickly raised his hand to stop him.

Training was fine, but listening to long-winded speeches? No thanks.

“Captain-Commander, you've said all this so many times that my ears are getting calluses. Let’s just start training already.”

“You insolent brat, daring to interrupt your elders!”

Yamamoto's irritation flared. This kid was just like Shunsui Kyōraku, and that alone was enough to make his blood pressure rise.

Fortunately, he had plenty of experience dealing with disobedient students. Raising a fist, he gave Masatsuki a firm knock on the head. Instantly, the boy straightened up, much more obedient.

Seeing Masatsuki lower his head and rub the sore spot, Yamamoto nodded in satisfaction.

After all, his "teaching methods" had been perfected through years of dealing with Shunsui Kyōraku. A single punch—just painful enough to be effective, yet harmless to the body—ensured that discipline was maintained without disrupting training.

...

With that settled, Yamamoto patiently imparted his knowledge of Hakuda to Masatsuki, explaining each concept in detail.

Masatsuki, in turn, switched into serious training mode, absorbing every word.

“So, if I master all these basics, does that mean I can learn Ikkotsu and Sōkotsu?”

Yamamoto responded, “It’s not that simple. Ikkotsu and Sōkotsu are my exclusive techniques, not something I teach lightly.”

“To this day, I have only passed them down to my disciple, Shunsui Kyōraku, Captain of the 8th Division.”

As he spoke, Yamamoto couldn’t help but sigh, his thoughts drifting to another of his disciples.

He cared for them both, but there was no denying that Jūshirō Ukitake’s weak constitution made him unsuitable for this technique.

“What? Then if you don’t take me as a disciple, I’ll never get to learn it?” Masatsuki asked, his disappointment evident.

To him, this was the pinnacle of Hakuda—he genuinely wanted to master it.

Yamamoto frowned slightly.

There was no doubt that Masatsuki was a genius.

Among the four fundamental disciplines of "Zankensoki," his talent in Zanjutsu stood out the most. He could pick up any sword technique with a single glance and quickly master it—something even Retsu Unohana had praised.

That didn’t mean his other abilities were lacking. On the contrary, he excelled in all areas.

However, the remaining three disciplines required time, Reiryoku, and Reiatsu to fully develop, so his growth in those aspects wasn’t as immediately apparent.

Only someone as accomplished as Yamamoto—who was a master of all disciplines—could see the terrifying potential Masatsuki truly possessed.

It was enough to make even him reconsider.

If the boy’s character proved solid, taking him as a disciple might not be a bad idea after all.

With that thought, Yamamoto nodded and said,

“If you can master these foundational techniques, then I won’t rule out the possibility of taking on another disciple and teaching you Ikkotsu and Sōkotsu.”

“But if you don’t intend to train seriously, then I won’t waste my time.”

He deliberately pushed the boy to keep striving forward—he wouldn’t allow him to become complacent.

He was still young, the perfect age to refine his skills. The last thing Yamamoto wanted was another Shunsui Kyōraku on his hands.

If he ended up raising another lazy troublemaker, he’d have to question not just his own teaching methods, but whether founding the “Genryū” school and Genji School had been a mistake to begin with.

…

Masatsuki Aozaki agreed without hesitation.

“Captain-Commander, that’s a deal—you can’t go back on your word.”

“But I’m still a little worried… How about this? Swear on one arm—”

The instant Masatsuki changed his expression, Yamamoto had the sudden urge to kick him. And he fully intended to do so.

“Get out.”

“On it.”

Noticing the slight movement of Yamamoto’s right foot, Masatsuki reacted instantly, bolting out of the dojo without a second's pause.

“Hey, if it isn’t my dear Aozaki?”

Hearing the voice, both Masatsuki and Yamamoto turned toward the entrance.

There, a lively girl with dark skin and violet hair strolled in with a playful grin.

Before Masatsuki could react, she threw an arm around him, pulling his head under her armpit in a seemingly affectionate gesture.

Masatsuki let out a wry chuckle, caught between amusement and discomfort. While his face was resting against something undeniably soft, the height difference made the position anything but comfortable.

Yoruichi burst out laughing. “It’s been so long! Did you miss me?”

“We saw each other just yesterday...”

Feeling the pressure around his neck tighten, Masatsuki muttered, “I missed you.”

“Yoruichi Shihōin?”

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes at the grinning girl before shifting his gaze back to Masatsuki.

So this is your so-called “ordinary friend”? Do you even know how to tell the truth?

Behind Yoruichi, a few Onmitsukidō members stood guard. Yamamoto’s voice turned stern.

“Masatsuki Aozaki, head back for now. We have important matters to discuss.”

Yoruichi released Masatsuki and patted his shoulder with a smirk, then leaned in to whisper in his ear.

“I’ve got business with the old man. You go on ahead—I’ll meet you at our usual spot tonight.”

Masatsuki’s eyes lit up.

If Yamamoto was the strongest Hakuda user in the Soul Society, then Yoruichi was undoubtedly second. What better sparring partner could he ask for?

“I’ll go wait for you, then.”

A vein twitched on Yamamoto’s forehead. “?”

Masatsuki Aozaki, what exactly are you planning?

...

After leaving the 1st Division barracks, Masatsuki didn’t return to the Shin’ō Academy. Instead, he made his way straight to the secret training ground beneath Sōkyoku Hill.

Descending underground, he scanned the vast, seemingly endless training area, making sure he was alone.

Once certain, he located Kisuke Urahara’s supply cache, helped himself to a hearty meal, and restored his energy.

It wasn’t until nightfall that Yoruichi arrived.

The moment she stepped into the underground training ground, she spotted Masatsuki—shirtless, fists bare—relentlessly pounding away at a Kidō-reinforced wooden training dummy.

“Still not enough...”

Masatsuki glanced down at his bloodied knuckles before casting the healing Kaidō technique he had recently learned from Retsu Unohana.

Yoruichi let out a chuckle. “Is that so? From where I’m standing, you’re starting to look more and more like the Captain-Commander.”

“Especially that bad habit of training shirtless—definitely picked that up from him.”

Masatsuki wiped the sweat from his face and shot her a teasing grin. “Oh? And how exactly do you know the Captain-Commander likes to train shirtless?”

Yoruichi stuck out her tongue and scratched her cheek. “Back when I was learning Hakuda, I snuck into the 1st Division’s barracks to steal a few moves.”

“So, what do you think? Who’s stronger—you or the Captain-Commander?”

Yoruichi rolled her eyes. “What kind of dumb question is that? Obviously, the Captain-Commander.”

Did she look like someone who could survive a punch from Yamamoto?

Masatsuki gave an awkward laugh, glancing at the slightly pouty Yoruichi. For some reason, her expression made him feel... odd.

“My bad, I didn’t phrase that right.”

“What I meant was—disregarding Reiatsu—just based on technique alone, how does your Shunkō compare to the Captain-Commander’s Ikkotsu and Sōkotsu?”

Yoruichi thought for a moment before shaking her head. “That, I really don’t know. I’ve seen the Captain-Commander use them, but I’ve never practiced them myself or experienced them firsthand. Hard to judge.”

“I see… In that case, I’ll let you experience it firsthand someday. Then you can decide for yourself.” Masatsuki said with a hint of regret.

Yoruichi Shihōin: “?!”