There is almost no end to this training method. After clearing it at ten times the difficulty, you can build training rooms with twenty, fifty, or even a hundred times the difficulty.
If you can endure a hundred times, then you can construct rooms with three hundred or even five hundred times the difficulty.
Although it is unclear whether power in this world has an upper limit, once someone reaches a certain level, further improvement will inevitably become difficult. It is possible that before fully utilizing the limits of the training room, the practitioner will already reach a bottleneck and be unable to improve further.
Even the current environment, which can only generate up to ten times gravity, is not easy to clear.
Just look at the young Byakuya. At this moment, he is drenched in sweat, his Zanpakuto hanging loosely at his side, while his other hand rests on his knee as he pants heavily. And this is only under seven times gravity.
"You are too impatient."
Ethan stands with one hand on his hip, casually holding his Zanpakuto in the other. His Shinigami uniform remains neat and undisturbed, forming a sharp contrast with Byakuya's state.
Looking at himself and then at Ethan, Byakuya clicks his tongue in frustration.
He had thought that after mastering Shikai, he could at least cause some trouble for his teacher. Instead, he was easily suppressed again.
The longer he trained with Ethan, the more he felt the depth of his teacher's strength.
At first, he believed it was because he was too weak. Later, he began to sense something strange. His father's strength did not seem that impressive. Not that he had surpassed his father, but compared to Ethan's unfathomable depth, which gave him no idea where the limit lay, his father's level felt within reach.
He kept this doubt to himself until one day Ginrei noticed something unusual and asked him about it.
After hearing Byakuya's question, Ginrei showed surprise and personally tested him.
Only then did he realize that in such a short time, his grandson already possessed the strength of a Gotei 13 member and was not much weaker than lower-ranked seated officers.
He had only intended to prepare an additional safeguard, but he had unexpectedly found an excellent teacher for Byakuya.
After that, news gradually spread through the Seireitei that the future heir of the Kuchiki family had become a disciple of Captain Ethan of the Tenth Division.
Ethan understood that this was the Kuchiki family's way of compensating him and solidifying his position as a teacher.
Byakuya also realized how astonishing his improvement was and became even more respectful toward Ethan. However, he had not yet become the future cold figure. As he grew more familiar with Ethan, his true temperament gradually surfaced.
"I thought I could at least injure you, Teacher."
"I told you, you are too impatient. You need to be calmer. In battle, you should not always maintain the same rhythm. That makes it easy for your opponent to predict your next move."
The current Byakuya is too naive. His impatience is a flaw. Being overly hasty exposes weaknesses that an enemy can exploit.
"In this environment, every action consumes your already limited stamina and Reiatsu. You should avoid unnecessary waste."
Byakuya forces a smile. He only wanted to unleash everything while he still had strength, hoping to achieve his goal before running out of power.
But his attacks were easily neutralized, and he was defeated quickly due to exhaustion.
Ethan sheaths his sword and looks at Byakuya with a faintly teasing smile.
"Since you admit defeat, you know what you should do."
"Yes, Teacher."
During daily sparring, if Byakuya could achieve a predetermined goal, he would receive a reward.
The reward might be learning something he wanted to learn or skipping a tedious training session that day.
Unfortunately, since this rule was established, he has never succeeded in earning a reward.
He will not earn one today either. After sparring, he must continue with basic sword practice, Hakuda drills, and Reiatsu control under extreme conditions.
"Teacher, can I skip the Reiatsu control practice?"
"Have you not always wanted to learn the techniques Yoruichi uses?"
"Yes."
Yoruichi occasionally spars with him. Unlike Ethan, who sticks to standard Shinigami techniques, she uses whatever comes to mind. One moment Hakuda, the next Kidō, then the Demonic World's Black Flames and the Evil King's Flaming Slaughter Fist. Sparring with her leaves Byakuya in a miserable state.
It must be admitted that the still-young Byakuya prefers those flashy techniques, especially those with dramatic light and shadow effects.
When he learned that these techniques were based on ideas proposed by Ethan, and that even the training methods were organized by him, meaning the true creator was his teacher, he became even more eager to learn them.
Since Ethan had formally become his teacher, Ginrei did not forbid him from learning unconventional techniques. Instead, he told him to follow Ethan's guidance wholeheartedly. This meant that as long as Ethan was willing to teach, Byakuya could learn many non-traditional techniques.
"Those techniques rely on powerful Reiatsu and precise Reishi control. Setting aside Reiatsu intensity, do you think someone who cannot even hold a sword properly can learn advanced sword techniques?"
Byakuya understands the principle. He just believes his Reiatsu control is already sufficient.
"Focus your Reiatsu on your fist and show me."
Byakuya does so. Under Ethan's guidance for years, he knows how to mobilize his Reiatsu.
A glow gathers around his fist. He proudly displays it.
Then Ethan extends a finger. On the fingertip is a nearly imperceptible ball of spiritual light. Yet this tiny light emits a pressure that makes Byakuya instinctively fearful.
"You are still far from it. Stop thinking about those flashy things and train properly."
"Yes, Teacher."
The gap is obvious. Even someone inexperienced could see it, let alone Byakuya, who has studied Reiatsu control theory extensively.
What he does not realize is that he is currently in a phase of rapid Reiatsu growth. Ethan's methods have accelerated this growth. Rapidly increasing Reiatsu makes precise control more difficult. Achieving this level already demonstrates extraordinary talent.
Once his development stabilizes and Reiatsu growth slows, his control will naturally improve. Reaching Ethan's level will no longer be difficult.
For now, he can only continue sweating under seven times gravity.
Ethan watches him train diligently while thinking about other matters.
It has been nine years since he became Captain of the Tenth Division. According to the original timeline, the betrayal incident involving Kisuke should occur soon.
Recently, there have also been reports of mysterious disappearances in the Rukongai, proving that Aizen has begun his Hollowfication experiments.
Gin Ichimaru, whom Ethan has kept an eye on, has also joined the Fifth Division.
"What was meant to happen has finally begun."
Aizen has never approached him privately over the years. This lack of action has placed even greater pressure on Ethan and forced him to train harder.
The training room in the Tenth Division was built for Byakuya. After completing the prototype, he and Kisuke built an upgraded version in the secret base. For several years now, he has trained in that gravity chamber.
His strength has increased significantly. While he is not certain he can defeat Aizen, he is confident he can confront him directly. What troubles him now is how to handle the impending crisis.
After training, Byakuya drags his exhausted body home. Ethan sits outside, enjoying the breeze and eating fruit while listening to Isshin's work report. This has become part of his daily routine. If nothing unexpected happens, the day ends here.
According to Isshin, everything is normal. Ethan casually asks about Rukongai.
"The Captain-Commander has ordered Captain Kensei Muguruma of the Ninth Division to investigate. The Ninth Division departed for the Rukongai while you were teaching Byakuya."
"The Ninth Division."
Ethan's hand pauses midair. Kensei leading the team means the plot has begun.
"Are you particularly concerned about this matter, Captain?"
In nine years, Isshin has never seen Ethan take anything so seriously. Even when several Menos Grande appeared in the Rukongai years ago, and members of the Eleventh Division caused internal conflict that escalated into a clash with the Tenth Division patrol team, Ethan remained calm.
Of course, that incident ended with Ethan personally cutting down all reinforcing Menos Grande and breaking the limbs of the troublemakers from the Eleventh Division before sending them to the Fourth Division. Perhaps that explains his indifference.
"Yes, because I have a feeling something big is about to happen."
For the Captain to be this concerned, how serious must it be?
(To be continued.)