Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 128

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Chapter 128 - 128: Training

In the 11th Division barracks, within the captain's private dojo...

Smack! Smack! Smack!

As the sounds of strikes gradually faded, the Hakuda training session neared its end, and Mashiro Kuna's thoughts drifted back to the present.

"That was incredible, Masatsuki!" Mashiro Kuna exclaimed, quickly rolling up her sleeves and throwing a few punches of her own. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked up at Masatsuki Aozaki.

"Masatsuki, your level is definitely worthy of a 10th-dan certification from the Hakuda Association. Just watching how you generate power has helped me so much—it's like every cell in my body is screaming at me to start training right away!"

"The whole certification process is way too tedious. For me, what matters is whether my techniques hold up in battle, not whether some so-called masters recognize them."

Masatsuki Aozaki chuckled, ruffling Mashiro Kuna's hair as he flexed his fingers.

Both Old Man Yamamoto and Unohana had evaluated him before, saying that if he applied for certification, he could easily obtain the highest 10th-dan rank in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō.

If there were a Shunpo Association in Seireitei, he figured he'd probably qualify for 10th-dan there as well.

But to him, getting officially ranked was a waste of time—it would only expose information about his abilities. Sure, there were some benefits, like earning a formal title and receiving association subsidies, but compared to the risks, those perks were meaningless.

"I get it! Masatsuki is teaching me not to chase empty fame but to pursue true martial arts. I'll do my best!" Mashiro Kuna beamed, nudging the hand still ruffling her hair.

Masatsuki Aozaki waved her off with a grin. "Mhm... Mashiro, if you keep working hard, you'll definitely reach my level one day. Keep at it!"

"I understand! But I'm still so far behind you, Masatsuki... I've been training for years and still haven't reached 9th-dan." Mashiro Kuna sighed, running a hand through her hair, looking a little discouraged.

"Reaching near 9th-dan at your age is already an incredible feat. With consistent training and my guidance, you'll reach 10th-dan sooner or later."

Masatsuki Aozaki sat down beside her, offering reassurance.

"It's all thanks to you, Masatsuki! If you hadn't been coaching me, I wouldn't have improved so quickly."

The ever-energetic girl instantly perked up, clenching her small fists with renewed enthusiasm.

"That's because you've got talent, Mashiro. Among my peers, your Hakuda skills are second only to Yoruichi's."

As Masatsuki Aozaki thought back to his sparring sessions with Yoruichi—always ending with her bright, carefree laughter—he couldn't help but feel nostalgic.

Compared to Yoruichi, Mashiro Kuna was undoubtedly more specialized.

Her talent in Hakuda was outstanding, but it didn't extend much beyond that—her aptitude for Reiatsu, Zanjutsu, Kidō, and Shunpo was fairly average.

Of course, "average" was relative to Masatsuki Aozaki.

In terms of Reiatsu alone, unless she received some external boost in the future, she would likely max out at a standard Captain-level.

Whether she would be able to achieve Bankai was uncertain, and compared to Rangiku Matsumoto, there was simply no contest.

Rangiku Matsumoto, who was about the same age as Masatsuki Aozaki, had recently reached Lieutenant-level Reiatsu.

Masatsuki estimated that in less than ten years, she would attain Captain-level Reiatsu. _{f\r(e)ewe.b no\vel.com}

Even Old Man Yamamoto had remarked that she was a once-in-a-millennium genius—someone who would, without a doubt, catch up to Masatsuki Aozaki one day.

By "catch up," Yamamoto was referring to reaching the absolute limits of a Shinigami's potential.

In his view, Masatsuki Aozaki was exceptionally gifted, but as a Shinigami, he would ultimately hit a ceiling. Sooner or later, Rangiku Matsumoto would reach that same peak.

"Yoruichi? You mean Yoruichi Shihōin, the head of the Shihōin Clan and captain of the 2nd Division?"

Mashiro Kuna thought for a moment before a slight blush crept onto her delicate face. She pouted.

"That's right. Even the old man acknowledges her Hakuda skills," Masatsuki Aozaki said, glancing at the girl, who had lowered her head. "I used to spar with her often—that's how I improved so quickly."