Looking at the Bleach World, there are very few people who can rival Gin in terms of talent.
Even after Gin sacrificed a part of his soul to restore Rangiku's damaged soul, leaving his own soul incomplete and significantly affecting his natural talent, his prowess remains undeniable.
Against an opponent with 5th-class Reiryoku, Kyoya was confident that, with the aid of Observation Haki, he could at least retreat unscathed even if he couldn't win.
After all, Observation Haki is one of the Haki, a very powerful ability in the One Piece World.
In the One Piece World, becoming a Commodore requires mastery of at least one form of Haki.
Only by mastering two types of Haki can one rise to the rank of Vice Admiral.
The only reason Kyoya found himself in such a dire situation was that his opponent happened to be Gin.
Moreover, this battle revealed a critical weakness in Kyoya's abilities.
His low Reiryoku meant that, in close combat, the power behind his sword strikes was lacking.
Against ordinary opponents, Kyoya's strength and speed were more than sufficient.
But at a certain level, who isn't a genius?
This was especially true for Lieutenants. While their positions were appointed directly by their Captains and they might not necessarily be the strongest in their division aside from the Captain, those chosen by their Captains would inevitably grow stronger over time, even if they started off relatively weak.
To improve his speed and power, raising his Reiryoku was the most effective and comprehensive method.
Kyoya's natural Reiryoku talent was unremarkable.
Without the One Piece Achievement System, it might have taken him decades, or even a century, to reach 6th-class Reiryoku, the threshold for achieving Shikai.
4th-class Reiatsu, the level of a Lieutenant, would have been his limit.
But now, as long as he completed achievements recognized by the One Piece Achievement System, Kyoya could use the power of that world to break past his inherent limitations!
'Perhaps I can use Reiatsu to enhance my strength and speed.'
What came to mind was the scene where Ichigo cloaked his sword with Getsuga Tensho during his battle against Ulquiorra Cifer, the Cuatro Espada.
'If I can also wrap my flying slash around my Zanpakuto, my offensive power would at least double.'
'Additionally, I could try point-blank Getsuga.'
Rubbing his chin, Kyoya decided that, for the foreseeable future, his training would focus on these two directions.
After sending away the instructors who had come to investigate the commotion, Kyoya didn't continue his training but instead returned to his dorm.
This wasn't because he wanted to slack off… it was because when Gin told him he had passed the test and invited him to join the 5th Division, a 'ding' had echoed in his mind.
Clearly, the One Piece Achievement System had recognized another achievement.
So, Kyoya wanted to return to his dorm to claim the reward.
If nothing unexpected happens, this achievement reward would grant him another significant power boost.
As it happened, he had just fought against Gin, and since he was a genius, it was reasonable for him to gain some insights.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Kyoya immersed his consciousness into his soul.
Soon, within his spiritual space, he saw a third type of glow.
So far, the One Piece Achievement System had displayed three tiers of achievements.
The lowest tier emitted a white glow.
Its effect granted Kyoya anywhere from one month to a year's worth of training results from the One Piece world.
Next were the gold-tier achievements, which Kyoya currently considered the highest tier.
Every ability unlocked from a gold-tier achievement was extraordinarily powerful.
Kyoya had unlocked two gold-tier achievements so far.
The first was from the Faction Reward Pack, which granted him Observation Haki.
The second was from the [Devil Fruit User] achievement, which gave him the Pika Pika no Mi Ability.
Now, Kyoya had finally encountered a third color, blue.
Blue-tier achievements were stronger than white ones but weaker than gold.
Judging by the size of this blue orb, it ranked in the upper-middle tier among blue-tier achievements.
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the achievement [Recognition of an Admiral Candidate].]
[Though you have not officially joined the Marines, your efforts and talent have earned the acknowledgment of an Admiral Candidate.]
[Would you like to open the achievement reward pack?]
'Recognition of an Admiral Candidate?'
Kyoya's eyes flickered as he pondered for a moment before nodding.
Gin had been sent by Aizen to test him, meaning Kyoya had already caught Aizen's attention.
Aizen was a Lieutenant, so if translated into One Piece World, calling him an Admiral Candidate wasn't entirely wrong.
Since Gin had acted on Aizen's behalf in assessing Kyoya, his recognition could, in a way, be considered Aizen's acknowledgment as well.
Of course, the One Piece Achievement System labeling Gin as an Admiral Candidate was a bit of a stretch, but it wasn't completely unreasonable.
However, ever since this unreliable system had started working reliably, Kyoya had decided not to overthink its mechanics… as long as it kept 'dinging' and giving him rewards, he wouldn't question it.
After all, given his current level, he wouldn't be able to figure it out anyway.
Rather than obsessing over it, he might as well relax and enjoy the benefits the system provided.
As for the future, he'd leave that to his future self!
'Open it!'
[Ding!]
At Kyoya's mental command, the blue orb within the One Piece Achievement System shattered into countless glowing particles, merging into his soul..
[Congratulations, Host, for obtaining six months of training results in the Marine's Rokushiki, Iron Body!]
Boom!
Another half-year's worth of training memories flooded into Kyoya's mind, causing his Reiryoku to break through from 8th-class to 7th-class.
Moreover, unlike previous rewards that focused solely on swordsmanship, six months of training in Iron Body also brought about physical changes.
If, just a moment ago, Kyoya had the slender, refined appearance of someone like Gin Ichimaru-
Now, his shoulders had broadened, his muscles had gained defined ridges, and he had even grown three centimeters taller!
'So strong!'
Opening his eyes, Kyoya clenched his fists experimentally, feeling as though he could crush the air itself.
Though he failed to actually compress the atmosphere after several attempts, it still demonstrated just how much his body had transformed.
Of course, for Kyoya, the most crucial aspect of Iron Body was its effect on his Reiatsu potential.
The beings of the Soul Society did not possess true physical bodies… their forms were composed entirely of Reishi.
So the stronger one's Reiatsu, the more Reishi a Shinigami's body could contain.