Chapter 73: Two Years

"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens"

Accompanied by the low chant, blue flames gathered in the palm of Yamahiko's hand, and then he released it with a resounding blast.

Boom.

The vast open space before him was engulfed in flames, and the blue fire filled his field of vision.

This was Hadō #73. Sōren Sōkatsui.

[ Hadō #73 - img]

Sōren Sōkatsui was an advanced version of Sōkatsui, much more powerful than Hado #33, and one of the advanced Hado techniques.

[Hado #33 - img]

This was a high-level fire-based Hado technique. Yamahiko had realized his shortcomings during his battle with Lamierez, and while this technique was useful in general combat, he didn't want to be limited by Aizen's control over his abilities..

So Yamahiko decided to develop new techniques, starting with advanced Hado of other elements.

In addition to Sōren Sōkatsui, there were Hadō #78. Zangerin, and Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi.

[Hadō #78. Zangerin - img]

Yamahiko had fully mastered the first two, but Kurohitsugi was proving to be more challenging.

[Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi - img]

Kurohitsugi was a high-level Hado technique, but it was the highest-ranking one, numbered 90. It was just one step away from forbidden spells and required an extremely high reiryoku. It also had significant demands in terms of rituals and incantations.

Many Shinigami couldn't even control it, regardless of their chanting abilities.

For Yamahiko, simply releasing these techniques wasn't enough. He needed to master instant casting to make them his primary combat skills.

In addition to Hado techniques, Yamahiko also aimed to master Shunko. He had contemplated developing new Shunko techniques since achieving Shikai but didn't see the urgency at the time. He focused on improving his Zanpakuto abilities instead.

However, after being attacked, he added Shunko development to his schedule, with two main targets: Wind Shunko and Fire Shunko.

Wind Shunko aimed for sustainability and speed, while Fire Shunko emphasized destructive power. Yamahiko ultimately chose the former as it was a more balanced option. With his other attributes and advanced Hado techniques like Lightning Wings, he didn't need extreme speed or destructive power. He needed well-rounded combat abilities to ensure he could quickly defeat the Hollows blocking his Zanpakuto's power.

So, he opted for Wind Shunko.

[Wind Shunko - Mukyū Shunkō - img]

Developing Shunko wasn't a quick process, and Yamahiko estimated it would take several years to analyze the wind attribute Kido properly. Therefore, he didn't rush it and focused his energy on mastering advanced Hado techniques and strengthening his physical body.

Yamahiko used a unique method to strengthen his body, which involved manipulating magnetic fields. Shinigami's had bodies constructed from Reishi, and the strength of their reiatsu was determined by the density of Reishi within them. In the Soul Society, buildings, food, and souls were all composed of Reishi. Within the soul, components like blood, bones, skin, and hair were structured differently using Reishi.

Reishi particles had natural electrical charges. This was similar to how blood cells and muscle cells in the human world had charges on their surfaces.

The method Yamahiko used to increase the density of Reishi particles in his skin and muscles involved manipulating magnetic fields. Just like in the human world, the surfaces of Reishi particles comprising the skin and muscles carried positive charges. By using magnetic fields, Yamahiko could enhance the positive charge on the surface of these Reishi particles, increasing their aggregation and, consequently, the density of Reishi particles.

However, this method could only be applied to the skin and muscles. If used on the blood, it would lead to increased viscosity, causing an increase in blood pressure.

Yamahiko utilized his lightning abilities to generate a magnetic field and applied it to his body. This method was highly effective, being several times faster than the physical damage and replenishment approach to increasing Reishi density.

Yamahiko believed that with continued practice, he might even mimic the steel-like skin of a Hollow, achieving near-invulnerability. Additionally, increased muscle and skin density would provide enhanced physical strength.

This increased muscle and skin density allowed him to bear greater physical loads. For instance, with his lightning wings, he could fly by flapping them. However, as his flight speed increased, the air resistance and gravitational acceleration he experienced also increased. Once he reached supersonic speeds, the forces could potentially tear apart an ordinary soul.

As a result, the heightened muscle and skin density improved the speed at which he could use his lightning wings.

Yamahiko developed a rigorous training plan for himself but decided never to leave Seireitei unaccompanied. He also avoided training at Mt. Koifushi, eliminating any opportunities for Aizen's surprise attacks.

Despite his increased vigilance, Yamahiko remained responsible for collecting the new batches of explosives every week from Kūkaku Shiba's underground factory. During these outings, he would try to bring one or more members of the Executive Militia with him.

Under this arrangement, Yamahiko passed two years without any further attacks from Aizen. He began to question whether the previous incident had been a mere coincidence. After all, he hadn't revealed any information about Aizen, and Aizen had no apparent reason to target him.

Perhaps the attack had been a warning or a test of Yamahiko's abilities, especially since he was a regular presence at Mt. Koifushi, making him a convenient target.

Regardless, the two years without further attacks from Aizen had Yamahiko puzzled. His increased vigilance and the changes he had made seemed to have reduced Aizen's hostile intentions towards him.

Two years later, at the age of thirty, after finishing his training with Suì-Fēng, Yamahiko was standing by her side while she lay back in a chair, enjoying a massage from him.

Suì-Fēng had grown accustomed to Yamahiko's presence over these two years, allowing him to hold her hand and even share meals with him on occasion.

After a training session, Yamahiko had suggested giving Suì-Fēng a massage, and she had agreed. As a result, Yamahiko had earned himself a special privilege. 

For Yamahiko, massaging Suì-Fēng was a delightful experience. He used his hands to knead and press on her shoulders, gradually relaxing the muscles. Then he moved down to her neck, soothing the tension in that area. His hands continued to move down to her back and waist, gently pressing and massaging the muscles.

Her lower back was a crucial area, as it bore the brunt of the strain from her frequent use of Shunko. Yamahiko always put extra effort into massaging her lower back, applying firm pressure.

Next were her legs. Suì-Fēng was not tall, but she had a well-proportioned body, with thighs that were neither too thin nor too thick. Her thighs were round and her buttocks were firm.

With her captain's haori removed, her Executive Attire exposed a portion of her thighs. Yamahiko's hands would often come into contact with her smooth skin and the fullness of her thighs when massaging her legs, causing his heart to race.

[Executive Attire - img]

Suì-Fēng finally spoke, "Yamahiko, you'd better not go too far."

Yamahiko promptly removed his hands from her legs and shifted to massaging her calf muscles. Her slender, shapely legs held their own appeal, and Yamahiko found himself admiring them as he worked.

Suì-Fēng warned him, "If you continue like this, I won't let you massage me next time."

Suì-Fēng's voice interrupted Yamahiko's massage, and he had to stop his hands, reluctantly saying, "I'm done, Captain."

Suì-Fēng sat up, stretched lazily, and said, "Let's call it a day for now. By the way, tomorrow is Saturday. Even though we don't have training, I hope you'll come see me in the afternoon. I'll treat you to a meal."

"To treat me to a meal?" Yamahiko couldn't help but be surprised. Suì-Fēng had never spontaneously suggested going out for a meal before. Was she asking him out?

He looked at Suì-Fēng with anticipation, and she, aware of his gaze, cleared her throat and added, "Yes, make sure you don't run off tomorrow afternoon."

Yamahiko eagerly replied, "I'll be there."

Could this be a date? Yamahiko left the training ground with a happy heart.

However, as Suì-Fēng watched Yamahiko leave, a faint smile played on her lips. "It's not a date, you know."

~End of the chapter~

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