"Captain Kyoya."
Seeing Kyoya finished instructing Byakuya, Ginrei and Yoruichi stepped forward.
"Thank you very much."
Ginrei expressed his gratitude to Kyoya.
As an observer, he was well aware of how much Byakuya had improved in such a short time.
More importantly, Kyoya had laid a more solid foundation for Byakuya, allowing him to achieve even greater mastery in Zanjutsu.
Although a Shinigami's power largely depends on their Zanpakuto's abilities, stronger Zanjutsu significantly raises the lower limit of a Shinigami's combat prowess.
Moreover, if a Zanpakuto's ability aligns even slightly with swordsmanship, or as long as the Zanpakuto isn't purely Kido-based, the combination of Zanjutsu and Zanpakuto abilities can produce a synergistic effect, far exceeding the sum of its parts.
Within the Seireitei, countless Shinigami longed to learn Kyoya's Zanjutsu. Even the Captains coveted his techniques.
However, for those at their level, unless they could reach profound mastery in Zanjutsu, the improvement would be marginal.
After all, at the Captain-level, the amplification of Reiatsu elevates their speed, strength, and perception to an extraordinary degree. This all-around enhancement leads to comprehensive growth.
Even the slashes of a Great Swordsman could be matched by a Captain simply by condensing Reishi onto their Zanpakuto, producing strikes no weaker than those of a Great Swordsman.
Only by reaching the level of a Master Swordsman would the speed and power of their slashes undergo a qualitative leap.
"Not at all. Consider this my apology for damaging the Kuchiki Clan's wall."
"Hahaha, if destroying a wall earns Captain Kyoya's guidance, I bet every Shinigami in the Seireitei would wish for you to take a stroll near their own walls."
Yoruichi patted Kyoya on the shoulder, "By the way, Kyoya, how about paying a visit to my place? The Shihoin family has no shortage of talented individuals."
"Pass."
Kyoya rolled his eyes, "Isn't the Shihoin Clan mainly focused on Hakuda and Hoho? If I went there to teach Zanjutsu, are you sure I wouldn't be kicked out?"
The Shihoin Clan was unique in the Seireitei as the only noble house whose combat style didn't rely heavily on Zanpakuto.
This was because the Shihoin family possessed the [Heavenly Gifted Armaments] bestowed by the Soul King. Each of these Heavenly Gifted Armaments had abilities no weaker than a Zanpakuto's Shikai.
Thus, the head of the Shihoin Clan primarily trained in Hakuda and Hoho to maximize the potential of these weapons.
"Well..."
That was indeed true. While Kyoya's Zanjutsu was exceptional, it didn't align well with the Shihoin Clan's combat style.
If Kyoya were to teach Zanjutsu there, other noble families might suspect that the Shihoin Clan had lost or damaged their Heavenly Gifted Armaments.
The Heavenly Gifted Armaments were the foundation of the Shihoin Clan's status as one of the Four Great Noble Houses. If anything happened to them, the clan's standing could be threatened.
The Shiba Clan was a prime example. Their [Treasured Tools] were the [Firework Cannons] that allowed direct ascent from the Seireitei to the Soul King's Palace and the [Heavenly Pillar Palanquin] that facilitated the descent.
These were artifacts connecting the Seireitei and the Soul King's Palace.
Of course, the Shiba Clan hadn't actually lost their ancestral relics. Instead, they had attempted to expose the crimes of the other Four Great Noble Houses, leading to their persecution and near annihilation.
Nowadays, the Seireitei only recognized the [Four Great Noble Houses]. Only Noble Houses with histories spanning over a hundred thousand years still remembered the [Five Great Noble Houses], and even fewer knew that the Shiba Clan was once among them.
No matter how carefree Yoruichi was, she wouldn't dare gamble with the Shihoin Clan's safety.
Still, despite her words, Yoruichi wasn't overly concerned.
"Meh, there might be some trouble, but it's nothing the Shihoin Clan can't handle."
Among the current Four Great Noble Houses, the Shihoin Clan could still be considered the 'strongest'.
Aside from Yoruichi herself, the previous clan's head, her father, Shihoin Sohei, was still alive. With two Captain-level fighters guarding the clan, only the 1st Division, led by Yamamoto, possessed the strength to annihilate the Shihoin Clan.
However, despite her bold words, Yoruichi didn't press Kyoya further about visiting the Shihoin Clan's estate.
"Captain Kuchiki, Byakuya has considerable talent in Zanjutsu."
"Once he masters 'holding the sword', if he's interested, he can come to the 11th Division for further training."
"This..."
Ginrei hesitated.
Although Byakuya was still too young to be groomed as the future head of the Kuchiki Clan or the Captain of the 6th Division, he was, after all, the sole legitimate heir of the Kuchiki Clan's lineage.
The 11th Division had a reputation among Shinigami and nobles as a squad of battle maniacs, or 'savages'. Would sending Byakuya there instill bad habits in him?
As for asking Kyoya to continue instructing Byakuya at the Kuchiki Clan's estate… that was something Ginrei couldn't bring himself to suggest.
After all-
Who is Kyoya?
And who is Kuchiki Byakuya?
Their status and strength were in completely different leagues.
Moreover, it was Byakuya who needed Kyoya's Zanjutsu guidance, not the other way around.
No matter how ignorant Ginrei might be, he would never dare to suggest such a thing.
Seeing Ginrei hesitate, Kyoya didn't mind.
"Haha, Captain Kuchiki, there's no need to overthink it."
"I'm not suggesting that Byakuya should join the 11th Division. It's just that, for Zanjutsu training, real combat experience is crucial."
"And among the Gotei 13, when it comes to sheer battle experience, I dare say the 11th Division ranks first."
"Grandfather…"
Byakuya looked at Ginrei, his eyes filled with pleading.
At his age, Byakuya was at the stage where he idolized 'legends'.
And right now, who could compare to Kyoya?
In terms of both achievements and strength, Kyoya had accomplished in a single year what 99.99% of Shinigami could never reach in their entire lifetimes.
If that wasn't legendary, then what was?
In the eyes of many Shinigami, Kyoya was destined to become the next [Invincible Shinigami], following in the footsteps of Yamamoto.
"Very well. Then I'll have to trouble Captain Kyoya to look after him when the time comes."
Ginrei let out a sigh and agreed to Byakuya's request.
In Ginrei's view, if Byakuya could form some kind of bond with Kyoya, then in the future, if Byakuya ever found himself in trouble, Kyoya might be willing to lend a hand.
As for Yoruichi …
No matter what, she was still the head of the Shihoin Clan.
The decisions of nobles often didn't just represent themselves but also the families behind them.
There would be times when Yoruichi wouldn't be able to openly assist Byakuya.
But Kyoya was different.
He wasn't a noble, and his personal strength made him someone even the Four Great Noble Houses couldn't easily suppress.
From an individual standpoint, if Kyoya chose to help Byakuya, it would make any hidden enemies far more cautious.
After all, unlike Captain-Commander Yamamoto, whose will was rooted in 'protection', Kyoya had so far demonstrated a sense of order… but not blind adherence to rules.
In other words, the laws of the Seireitei might apply to Kyoya… or they might not.
Even with Yamamoto in Seireitei, no noble dared to gamble on whether Kyoya would disregard the rules if provoked.
Though it was an uncomfortable truth, that was simply how the world worked.
Good people who followed the rules would always have guns pointed at them.
But no one dares to touch the tyrants who acted without restraint.
"A fine resolve."
Kyoya didn't respond to Ginrei's request directly. Instead, he turned to Byakuya.
"Byakuya, if you're willing to train in the 11th Division, then you should understand what awaits you there."
"Now, tell me… do you want my protection?"
"Or do you want to rely on your own strength, climbing from an ordinary division's member all the way up, defeating every opponent in your path, until you stand before me and challenge me?"
Boom!
At this age, Byakuya was still in his rebellious, hot-blooded phase. Kyoya's words ignited his fighting spirit instantly.
"Captain Kyoya! I want to rely on my own strength to defeat every enemy in my way and stand before you to issue my challenge!"
"Very good."
"Then Byakuya, I'll be waiting for you in that position!"
"Don't keep me waiting too long."
With that, Kyoya patted Byakuya on the shoulder and left the Kuchiki Clan's estate through the broken wall, smiling.
"Hahahaha, hahahaha…"
"This is just too entertaining!"
Ginrei could only stare helplessly at Kyoya's retreating figure before shooting a glare at Yoruichi, who was clutching her stomach in laughter. He sighed deeply.
'This Kyoya… he's utterly shameless!'
'Earlier, he had clearly said he wouldn't let Byakuya join the 11th Division.'
'But now, what was this nonsense about 'waiting in that position' for Byakuya's challenge?'
To challenge the Captain of the 11th Division, one had to be a member of the 11th Division in the first place!
'Only those in the 11th Division could issue a Kenpachi challenge to their Captain.
In other words, while Kyoya hadn't explicitly said it, the underlying message was clear… he wanted Byakuya to join the 11th Division!
As for the likelihood of Byakuya actually defeating Kyoya in a challenge…
It wasn't that Ginrei lacked faith in his grandson-
It was just that he had too much faith in Kyoya!