It was early evening.
Having finished his work, Suō Tsukasa pulled out the Denreishinki from his robes, skillfully navigated to his contacts, and sent a brief message.
"Free today?"
"Yes."
Almost instantly, the screen lit up with a succinct reply.
"Bring your sword."
"Understood."
The conversation ended there. Tsukasa tucked away the device and turned to leave the division barracks. Moving swiftly, it wasn't long before he stood before the gates of the Tenth Division.
In the twilight, Hitsugaya Tōshirō leaned against the wall beside the gate, his Zanpakutō slung diagonally across his back. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze falling upon Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa, you're here. What is it?"
"Follow me. I'm taking you somewhere."
"Alright."
Without asking further questions, Tōshirō straightened up and followed in Tsukasa's footsteps. The two figures sped through the streets side by side.
Underground Training Ground.
Standing before the hot spring hut, Tōshirō surveyed the vast open space hidden deep beneath the earth. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he asked in confusion, "This place is...?"
"It's a secret base I found. The hot spring nearby has powerful restorative effects, making it very suitable for training. However, being here technically violates the regulations of the Seireitei, so remember to keep it a secret."
Tsukasa replied with a slight smile, then turned to introduce the various features of the area.
It wasn't that he was being partial or unwilling to share this base with the others in the Thirteenth Division. Rather, Ukitake Jūshirō had explicitly cautioned him last time that unless it was necessary, he shouldn't draw attention to it. Tsukasa understood the reasoning behind that advice.
However, the current Tōshirō, much like his own previous self, still lacked sufficient experience and specialized training. As a Third Seat, Tōshirō would inevitably have to participate in the Tenth Division's extermination missions. To prevent a disaster should the Tenth Division encounter Metastacia, Tsukasa had specifically brought him here today.
"Understood."
Tōshirō nodded silently, completely unconcerned by the mention of violating regulations. He didn't know the origin of this space, nor did he intend to pry.
Tsukasa looked at him and cut straight to the chase. "Did Miss Rangiku mention anything to you today about the anomalies in the Hollow reports discussed at the Vice-Captains' meeting?"
"She did. I've been handling her paperwork recently, so this afternoon she handed me the statistics on recent casualty rates to organize. I haven't finished them yet. Why?"
Tōshirō paused slightly, understanding the intent behind Tsukasa's question, and answered seriously. Matsumoto Rangiku had at least fulfilled some of her duties as a Vice-Captain, which saved Tsukasa a lot of explanation.
Tsukasa's expression turned solemn. "I believe the anomalies during this period are no coincidence. Therefore, I want to help you make some targeted improvements in combat during this time, just in case. I was fortunate enough to receive guidance from the Captain-Commander recently; it so happens I can share some of those insights with you."
"I understand. Thank you, Tsukasa."
Tōshirō met his gaze, saw the gravity in his eyes, and nodded without hesitation. He instantly understood the reason Tsukasa had brought him here.
"Don't mention it. I'll explain the key points first. Once you're ready, we'll start the formal combat drills."
Tsukasa replied with a smile. He took the content the Captain-Commander had recently taught him and explained it to Tōshirō clearly and systematically, using his own understanding and words.
After the brief explanation, the two moved to the center of the open ground. Tsukasa retreated a dozen paces to leave sufficient distance between them. He gripped his hilt with his right hand and drew his blade. The steel shimmered like water, reflecting the dim light of the underground space and his own calm demeanor.
"Please guide me."
Seeing this, Tōshirō drew his sword in response, tensing his nerves as he spoke solemnly.
"Then, let's begin!"
As Tsukasa's voice fell, a heavy and sharp Spiritual Pressure surged toward Tōshirō like a tide.
"So strong!"
Tōshirō's pupils shrank slightly as he stared at the Tsukasa standing before him. He couldn't suppress the shock in his heart. After not seeing each other for several months, he had thought his strength had closed the gap with Tsukasa significantly; he hadn't expected the distance between them to have widened even further.
He wasn't given much time to think. The incoming blade carried a powerful sense of suffocation, sealing off all his potential paths of evasion.
Clang—
The swords clashed for the first time, sending sparks flying. Tōshirō's wrist sank under the weight, and immediately after, a cold sensation brushed against his left shoulder. A thin, long bloodline silently surfaced. Blood splattered.
And this was only the beginning.
"Bleed more in peace, lose less in war."
Adhering to the Captain-Commander's philosophy, Tsukasa struck with precision; he held back from fatal blows but showed little mercy otherwise. Each strike left a calculated wound on Tōshirō's body—not deep, but sharp enough to sting. Arms, shoulders, ribs... long, thin cuts gradually appeared on the young man. The pain constantly stimulated his nerves, sharpening every breath and reaction.
Under this high pressure, something in the silver-haired boy's emerald eyes was being polished to a shine. However, along with the rapid loss of blood, his body soon reached its limit. Eventually, the rhythmic clashing of blades in the underground space ceased.
As Tōshirō lost consciousness, the area fell silent. His body swayed, his consciousness slipping away like a snapped string, and he slumped forward. Tsukasa sheathed his sword and stepped forward, catching him steadily and gently lowering him to the ground.
He pulled a porcelain vial from his robes, shook out a pill, and fed it to him. His other hand glowed with spiritual light as he pressed it against Tōshirō's chest, using Kaidō to begin healing the wounds.
Dozens of minutes later...
"I'm still alive..."
Tōshirō slowly opened his eyes, staring blankly at the vast ceiling of the underground cavern. The confusion in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by tranquility. He raised a hand to his chest; it felt as though the previous pain had been nothing more than a vivid hallucination.
"How do you feel? Are you alright?"
Tsukasa asked with a faint smile. He understood this feeling perfectly. After being forged on the brink of death by the Captain-Commander, he too had lain on the ground, staring at the ceiling to confirm his own existence. Tsukasa figured that since he had managed fine, Tōshirō certainly would too.
Tōshirō did not disappoint him, nor did he make him wait long.
"Phew—I'm fine!"
Tōshirō exhaled a long breath and nimbly sat up from the ground. Although a trace of post-exhaustion weakness remained in his body, his eyes held a different luster. "I'll rest a bit more, and then we can continue."
"No. In your current state, your body needs time to adapt and recover."
Tsukasa shook his head and refused without a second thought. There was an objective gap in their physical constitutions. The amount of blood Tōshirō had just lost wouldn't have even made Tsukasa dizzy, but as a healer, he knew the boy's true condition.
"Understood."
Tōshirō didn't push himself and followed the advice. "Then, shall we head back?"
Tsukasa shook his head and pointed to the small hut by the hot spring. "My training isn't over yet. You can soak in the hot spring to recover. I've already prepared some supplies and bedding for you. You can stay here tonight; it won't be too late to return to your division tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
Tōshirō nodded in agreement. It so happened he was also a bit curious to see exactly what kind of training Tsukasa underwent to achieve such staggering progress in just a few short months.