Kurotsuki Renya's training within the Dangai (Precipice World) was primarily focused on using the extreme spatial pressure and fluctuating spiritual currents to temper his physical body while simultaneously restoring and refining his reiatsu. This method was the most efficient way to increase spiritual pressure under controlled danger.
In addition to pure endurance training, Renya also alternated his practice with Hakuda combat drills and Zanjutsu exercises.
In other words, this environment had been specifically prepared for Kurotsuki Renya to temper his body and elevate his spiritual pressure to a higher level.
After training for some time, Renji Abarai also joined in.
Each time Renya trained for more than two hours, he would pause briefly to stabilize his breathing and reiatsu circulation. After nearly eight hours of continuous training, Renya stopped completely and began to replenish himself.
He took out compressed spirit rations prepared by the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. After eating, the reiatsu within his body gradually recovered. He then walked over to Soi Fon, smiling slightly.
"Sister Soi Fon, are you hungry?"
Soi Fon smiled faintly. "I am, actually."
Renya took out another piece of compressed spiritual food and handed it toward her. Just as she was about to take it, Renya withdrew his hand slightly and lowered his voice.
"Let me feed you."
Soi Fon's face immediately reddened. "Don't be ridiculous. There are others watching."
Renya turned his head and saw Renji Abarai and Nemu Kurotsuchi looking in their direction.
"Ahem, carry on," Renji said, turning away and resuming his training.
"I didn't see anything," Nemu said calmly, sitting in seiza while sipping tea.
Renya chuckled softly and brought the spirit ration to Soi Fon's lips.
She opened her mouth and took a small bite. Crumbs clung to her lips, which she lightly licked away with her tongue before chewing slowly. Her shy expression made the scene unexpectedly gentle.
After swallowing, Renya brought another piece closer.
Watching Soi Fon eat like this was strangely soothing. Renya felt that even feeding her like this for the rest of his life wouldn't bore him.
"You're trying to kill me," Soi Fon snapped suddenly.
Renya smirked, and she shot him an annoyed yet flustered glare. "Laugh again."
He immediately restrained his smile, stuffed the remaining ration into his own mouth, and asked, "Is it boring just sitting here?"
Soi Fon pursed her lips. "A little."
"I'm sorry for making you do this," Renya said sincerely.
She shook her head. "It's fine. You're doing this for Seireitei. And… you'll grow taller here."
As she said that, her face reddened slightly.
Renya's eyes lit up.
He understood her meaning perfectly.
They had once agreed that once Renya mastered Bankai and grew taller than her, he could formally propose.
Now he had already achieved Bankai. Height was the only thing left.
Time flowed differently in the Dangai. Three months here was sixty years outside. By the time he left, he would certainly surpass her height.
Soi Fon's words strengthened his resolve.
Renya continued training relentlessly.
He trained for nearly twelve hours a day and rested during the remainder. Even so, it far exceeded the amount of training he had done while stationed in the Onmitsukidō before.
With Renji, Soi Fon, and Nemu accompanying him, Renya never felt lonely.
After forty days inside the Dangai, Soi Fon's complexion became noticeably pale, though she could still endure.
Kurosaki Isshin could last approximately eighty-three days under similar conditions, though in very poor condition. Soi Fon's reiatsu reserves were lower; pushing herself fully, she could last about fifty days, but the planned duration was forty-two days half an hour in the outside world.
Before the forty-second day arrived, another figure stepped through the gate.
Clad in white captain's haori, expression solemn
Kuchiki Byakuya.
"Captain Kuchiki," Renya and the others greeted respectfully.
Byakuya nodded calmly. "Captain Kurotsuki. Captain Soi Fon."
"Thank you for coming," Renya said sincerely. "Your assistance means a great deal."
"I am merely following Seireitei's orders," Byakuya replied evenly.
He then turned his gaze toward Soi Fon. "I'll take over."
Soi Fon stepped down from the chair, and Byakuya took her place, sitting calmly as his reiatsu stabilized the Dangai currents.
Soi Fon did not leave, choosing instead to remain and continue her own training.
Aizen's actions had cast a shadow over all captains. With a stable Dangai gate available, many saw this as an opportunity they could not ignore.
Twenty days later, another figure entered.
"Rukia! You're here too?" Renji exclaimed.
Kuchiki Rukia smiled. "Of course. I wanted to train as well. I made an agreement with my brother, but he came in ahead of me."
After the Soul Society incident, Byakuya had explained his past decisions to Rukia, allowing her to understand the weight of the Kuchiki name and the laws he upheld.
"Sister Rukia," Renya greeted warmly.
"You and Renji are both here, of course I'd come," Rukia replied. "Kira wanted to join as well, but as acting captain of the Third Division, he couldn't leave."
With Rukia's arrival, four people trained together: Kurotsuki Renya, Soi Fon, Renji Abarai, and Kuchiki Rukia.
Soon, the Dangai became a temporary training ground for many.
Madarame Ikkaku, Shiba Kaien, Komamura Sajin, Kyōraku Shunsui, and Hitsugaya Tōshirō all entered at different times to maintain reiatsu circulation.
By the end of the two hundred and fifty days, only Renya, Soi Fon, and Nemu had remained for the entire duration.
Rukia stayed for forty days before leaving with Byakuya.
Renji lasted one hundred and twenty-three days three hours outside.
Others trained for roughly forty days before withdrawing.
When the two hundred and fifty days concluded, Nemu, Soi Fon, Renya, and Shiba Kaien dismantled the restraint pylons, boundary anchors, and the chair, passing through the gate back to Seireitei.
Only six hours had passed in the outside world.
Yet Renya felt as though he had lived an entirely different lifetime.
After bidding farewell to the others, Renya headed directly toward Shiba Kukaku's residence.
The matter of formally approaching the Shiba family…
should finally have an answer.