Shinigami have their limits.
This limit is the limit of the Shinigami's own soul.
Some Shinigami can train to the Shinigami's limit, barely touching the higher level.
For example, 'geniuses' like Yamamoto and Toshiro.
But most people can only reach the limit of their own soul.
Some people's limit is 10th-class Reiryoku.
Some people's limit is 6th-class Reiryoku.
Some people's limit is 3rd-class Reiryoku.
This is the limit of the individual Shinigami, not the limit of Shinigami as a whole.
Kisuke, Yoruichi, Tessai, and the others have already reached their own limits.
Under such circumstances, their strength is almost fixed.
And in Kisuke's view, Ichigo should also have reached his own limit.
But Kyoya actually said that he himself still had room for improvement. How could this not shock everyone?
Could it be that Kyoya had no limits?
"Kyoya-sama, please teach me!"
Hearing that he could still improve, Ichigo bowed solemnly to Kyoya.
"Ichigo, you've only been a Shinigami for half a year. Looking at the battles you've experienced, they've all been sword-based attacks relying solely on your combat instincts."
"Among the Shinigami's four basic combat skills, Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido, only your Zanjutsu is somewhat decent."
"Your Hoho relies entirely on brute Reiatsu, your Hakuda is weak and powerless, and you are completely ignorant of Kido."
"And with such a foundation, you actually said you couldn't find a direction to improve your strength..."
"Ichigo, you really are..."
At this point, Kyoya shook his head.
And Ichigo was dumbfounded by Kyoya's words.
Indeed, as Kyoya said, in Ichigo's battles, apart from the Zanjutsu carried by his combat instincts, he had almost no understanding of Hoho, Hakuda, or Kido.
These things, not only had Ichigo never thought about, but even Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Tessai hadn't considered them.
After all, for them, Ichigo's strength was already sufficiently powerful.
Kido, Hakuda, and higher-level Hoho… those weren't things ordinary people could learn.
No matter what, Ichigo was still just a [Substitute Shinigami].
"Haha, Captain Kyoya, the training of Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido… each one takes decades, even centuries, to yield results."
"Ichigo has only been a Shinigami for six months, but our battle with Aizen is imminent."
"Under such circumstances, even if we wanted to teach Ichigo other things, his improvement would be very limited."
"Moreover, it might even cause problems with his combat instincts, thereby weakening his strength."
It must be said that Kisuke truly is the smartest person among Shinigami.
In an instant, he thought of the reasons why they didn't teach Ichigo the training methods for the other three advanced skills among the Shinigami's four basic skills.
And Kisuke's reasoning seemed justified.
For Ichigo, Kido and Hakuda, if he had time to master them, would undoubtedly benefit his future.
But if he only learned them half-heartedly, clashing with his combat style, it would naturally affect his combat instincts and indirectly weaken his strength.
"Indeed, Urahara, what you say makes sense."
"But, I remember that ever since I became the Captain of 11th Division, my swordsmanship has been spread within the Gotei 13."
"Yet, in Ichigo's battles, I didn't sense any traces of swordsmanship from him."
"Clearly, you only drew out his 'combat instincts' but never truly taught him swordsmanship."
"That's true."
Exposed by Kyoya, Kisuke didn't deny it.
"I haven't taught Ichigo your swordsmanship."
"After all, Kyoya, your swordsmanship… even for Ichigo, turning his swordsmanship skills into slashing attacks isn't an easy task."
"Furthermore, Ichigo's Zanpakuto ability itself is to transform his Reiatsu into flying slashes."
"For Ichigo, as long as his Reiatsu is strong enough, the flying slashes he unleashes are stronger."
"Your swordsmanship, for Ichigo, would be useless, at least in the short term."
"Truly worthy of being called the smartest person by Aizen. Urahara, I have experienced your wisdom."
Kyoya gave a light laugh.
Indeed, from Kisuke's words, what he said seemed quite reasonable.
But was that really the truth?
Ultimately, no matter how strong Ichigo was, in Kisuke's eyes, he was merely a [Soul King candidate].
From Ichigo's birth, he had been under Kisuke's observation.
Therefore, Kisuke knew what Ichigo cared about.
Trying to bind Ichigo with the fate of the three worlds' inhabitants would never succeed.
To prevent greater obstacles when Ichigo might need to become the [Soul King] in the future, Kisuke had never truly taught Ichigo.
Ichigo was indeed powerful. But even a being like the Soul King could be sealed. As long as it wasn't the time Kisuke had prepared, he could naturally create an opportunity to seal Ichigo.
If Ichigo learned Kido and gained some proficiency in sealing Kido, then wanting him to 'voluntarily' become the Soul King would likely backfire.
"Urahara, you don't need to explain these things to me."
"I have no interest in your plans."
Kyoya shook his head at Kisuke and looked at Ichigo.
"I just want to see how far Ichigo can go."
Before leaving the Bleach World, Kyoya wanted to fight the peak powerhouses of the Bleach World.
The [Strongest Shinigami in a Thousand Years], Yamamoto, the fully evolved Hogyoku Aizen, the Royal Guard's Captain, Ichibe'e, Yhwach with his eyes open, Ichigo who fused his four powers, and, after devouring the Soul King, the strongest in the Bleach World… Yhwach!
The fully realized Ichigo was also one of the opponents Kyoya anticipated.
But with Ichigo's current form, even if he reached his limit, he wouldn't give Kyoya much of a surprise.
Ichigo was the best embodiment of Aizen's statement: "A Shinigami's battle is a battle of Reiatsu."
But no matter how strong Ichigo's Reiatsu was, could it surpass Kyoya's?
Fighting such a Ichigo wouldn't bring Kyoya any surprises.
"Ichigo, do you want to become stronger?"
"Urahara..."
In the underground training ground, Kyoya and the others had already left.
Yoruichi looked at the contemplative Kisuke, a trace of worry also appearing on her face.
After all these years, this was the first time Yoruichi had seen such an expression on Kisuke's face.
She didn't know what arrangements Kisuke had for Ichigo.
But clearly, it seemed now that Kisuke's arrangements had been disrupted by Kyoya.
"It's alright, Yoruichi-san."
Seeing Yoruichi like this, Kisuke smiled. "If Kyoya can bring Ichigo a better future, that's also a good thing."
Kisuke cared deeply for the Seireitei. Like Yamamoto, he regarded protecting the Seireitei as his belief.
But Kisuke also had feelings in his heart.
If possible, he didn't want to treat Ichigo, Tsumugiya Ururu, and Hanakari Jinta as [Soul King candidates].
If it truly came to that, perhaps letting swords decide might also be a form of liberation for Kisuke.
"Mhm."
Yoruichi folded her arms, saying seriously, "Urahara, no matter what the future holds, I will always stand by your side."
"Ah, thanks, Yoruichi-san."
"Next, let's start preparing too!"
"Whether it's Aizen or Kyoya's power, they are both far stronger than us."
"I need to think about how to make our strength improve as much as possible in the shortest time!"
"Otherwise, in future battles, we'll probably only be able to watch from the sidelines."
"Ah, then I'll leave it to you, Urahara."
"My Shunko also needs to have a more powerful form."
"The Thunder God Battle Form alone seems still lacking."
"Mhm, then let's work hard together!"
"How much longer are you going to follow? Captain Hirako."
Under the night sky, Kyoya stopped and asked.
Following Kyoya's gaze, Ichigo saw the man walking out of the darkness.
Ichigo knew this person.
He had once told him to join the Visored and that he would teach him how to control the Hollow power within him.
At that time, if he hadn't received guidance from Kyoya, faced the power within him squarely, and hadn't truly treated the power protecting him as a Hollow, he would definitely have joined the Visored and learned how to control Hollow power with Shinji and the others.
That way, although he could also gain control over the Hollow power within, it would have been too cruel for the Hollow Zangetsu.
Therefore, Ichigo had always held some resentment towards Shinji.
"Captain Kyoya, I'd like to speak with Ichigo for a moment. I assume you have no objections?"
"Ha, Captain Hirako, listen to what you're saying."
"Although Ichigo is still young, he is also a person with self-awareness and the ability to judge for himself."
"If you want to talk to Ichigo, then just talk to him directly."
"Whether he listens or not is his business."
"Why do you think I can dictate Ichigo's choices?"
"Huh..."
Shinji was taken aback.
Then, he apologized sincerely to Ichigo: "Sorry about that, Ichigo."
"It's my fault for treating you as Captain Kyoya's subordinate."
"Now, may I have a conversation with you?"
Hearing this, Ichigo nodded.
At this moment, Ichigo also realized why, among the many people who were good to him, Kyoya, despite not having much contact with him, felt the most relaxed and pleasant to be with in his heart.
It was because of Kyoya's 'respect' for him.
He treated him as an equal 'adult'.
While others, including his father Isshin Kurosaki, treated him as a 'child'.
Ichigo knew this was a normal phenomenon.
Including his father, who had lived in the Soul Society for hundreds of years, he, a sixteen-year-old boy, probably seemed like a three-year-old child in their eyes.
Even though his current strength far surpassed everyone else, it couldn't change their perceptions.
But Kyoya was different.
At most, he would give him a few pointers.
Whether to do it or not was his own decision.
But others...
Ichigo felt he only had that one choice.
It was as if his life, his future, had already been predetermined by them.
It seemed like his choice, but in reality, he had no choice.
Just like Shinji just now… he wanted to talk to him, but first asked Kyoya, as if Kyoya could make decisions for him.
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"Ichigo, it's undeniable that your strength is great."
"But in a battle with Aizen, strength isn't the most important thing."
Seeing Ichigo willing to listen, Shinji felt slightly relieved. "Aizen's Zanpakuto ability, Kyoka Suigetsu, controls the five senses."
"As long as you see the moment his Zanpakuto releases, your five senses will be under his control."
"By then, no matter how strong you are, if you can't see him, can't find him, it's all meaningless."
"Therefore, to fight Aizen, you must learn how to fight without looking at his Zanpakuto."
"Otherwise, you don't stand a chance."
Hearing Hirako's words, both Kyoya and Ichigo were stunned.
What stunned Kyoya was that he hadn't expected Shinji to come up with a 'don't look at the Zanpakuto' fighting method.
Facing an illusion-type enemy, Might Guy from the neighboring Ninja Village came up with the method of only staring at the enemy's feet to fight.
And now, Shinji was telling Ichigo to fight without looking at Aizen's Zanpakuto.
He wondered if these two were really unrelated.
As for Ichigo, he was thinking about how to fight without looking at the enemy's Zanpakuto.
"Hirako, how do you fight without looking at the Zanpakuto?"
"That question is up to you to figure out."
Shinji shook his head. "Ichigo, all we can do is become your training partners."
"How to fight without looking at the Zanpakuto… only you can feel your way through in battle."
"After all, we are all already people controlled by Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu. Whether we see his Zanpakuto release or not is meaningless."
"..."
Hearing this, Ichigo looked at Kyoya.
"Don't look at me, Ichigo."
"What I can teach you is only the swordsmanship that can turn your Zanjutsu into flying slash attacks."
"As for how to fight Aizen, that's a problem for you to think about."
Kyoya didn't interfere with Ichigo's choices.