The golden dawn light filtered through the Squad 8 training grounds, casting long shadows over the dew-kissed grass. Akio stood firm, his Asauchi at his side, heart pounding with anticipation. Shunsui's question hung in the air like a drawn blade: "So kid, would you like to talk about that dark thread in your Reiyarku first?"
Akio's mind raced. 'Shit, he noticed. Of course he did—he's a captain. Can't lie outright; he'll see through it. Play it cool, deflect with partial truth.' He met Shunsui's half-lidded gaze with feigned innocence, scratching the back of his head. "Dark thread? Oh, you mean that weird flicker in my Reiatsu? Honestly, Captain, I don't know much about it myself. It started showing up after getting my Zanpakto. Feels like... shadows or something. Makes my strikes hit harder, but I can't control it fully yet."
Shunsui took a slow sip from his gourd, his lazy smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Shadows, huh? Rare affinity. But kid, if it's tied to your soul, don't ignore it. Could be a gift... or a curse." He corked the gourd, his tone shifting to something more serious. "We'll keep an eye on it during training. Now, let's get to why you're here: Hakuda."
Akio nodded, relieved the topic shifted. 'Dodged that bullet—for now.' He squared his stance, ready.
Shunsui circled him slowly, pink kimono fluttering like cherry blossoms in the wind. "Hakuda's not just punching, kid. It's body and soul in harmony. What I'm teaching you today is Ryūken—Dragon Fist. Passed down from Old Man Yamamoto himself. He drilled it into me back when I was a brat like you. Basics only; mastery takes years. But with your... unique Reiatsu, it might twist in interesting ways."
Akio's eyes widened slightly. 'Yamamoto's technique? This is huge. If I nail this, it'll bridge the gap until my Zanpakutō awakens fully.'
"First: Toryū—Dragon's Fang." Shunsui demonstrated, his fist thrusting forward like a spear. Reiatsu coalesced at his fingertips, a concentrated point bursting on impact with an invisible shockwave that rustled the grass. "Pierce vital points. Channel Reiryoku to a single spot—disrupt, incapacitate. Like a dragon biting down."
Akio mirrored the stance, gathering his Reiryoku. 'Focus it tight—no waste.' His punch shot out, a faint black thread weaving into the energy. The air cracked, a small crater forming in the training dummy's chest. But the burst was uneven, shadows lingering like smoke.
Shunsui nodded approvingly but corrected, "Good power, but tighten the release. You're letting those shadows spread too wide—makes it predictable. Again."
Akio repeated, adjusting his flow. The second strike pierced cleaner, the shadowy aftershock marking the dummy with a faint, lingering thread. 'It... stuck? Like a tracker. Cool twist.'
"Next: Sōryū—Twin Dragon Surge." Shunsui unleashed a flurry—punch, elbow, knee—each flowing seamlessly, Reiryoku circulating to sustain the chain. "Overwhelm with momentum. Keep the energy looping; don't let it fade."
Akio launched into the combo, his strikes quick but choppy at first. Black trails followed, creating illusory echoes that blurred his movements. The dummy shuddered under the barrage, cracks spiderwebbing.
"Fluidity, kid," Shunsui barked, grabbing Akio's arm mid-strike to adjust. "You're forcing the turns—let the Reiryoku guide. Those shadows are messing with your rhythm; use 'em to confuse, not hinder."
Akio synced better on the retry, the shadows adding deceptive feints. 'Feels like extra limbs. This could fool even captains if I refine it.'
"Third: Gekiryū—Raging Dragon Grasp." Shunsui lunged, gripping an imaginary foe, Reiryoku enhancing his hold as he twisted and slammed downward. "Seize and control. Amplify grip, disrupt balance—like a dragon clutching prey."
Akio practiced on a reinforced dummy, his hands clamping down. The shadowy Reiryoku made the grip colder, numbing the material slightly as he threw it. But his throw was off-balance, the dummy skidding instead of cratering.
"Balance your core," Shunsui instructed, demonstrating the hip pivot. "You're relying too much on arm strength. Let the Reiryoku bind deeper—those shadows could make it stickier, harder to escape."
Adjusted, Akio's next grasp held firm, the shadows briefly binding like ethereal chains before the slam. 'Binding? This ties right into my dreams... foreshadowing Kagegari?'
"Last: Hiryū—Flying Dragon Counter." Shunsui blocked an invisible attack, Reiryoku coating his arm to redirect, then countered with a fiery palm strike. "Absorb, redirect, strike back. Soar above danger."
Akio dodged a mock swing from Shunsui, coating himself in Reiryoku. He redirected clumsily at first, the counter missing. Shadows left an afterimage, briefly disorienting even Shunsui.
"Not bad—the dodge has flair with those shadows. But your counter's telegraphed. Blend the redirect smoother; make the afterimage last longer for surprise."
After a few more reps, Akio nailed a fluid counter, the shadowy clone drawing "eyes" while he struck true. 'Defensive with offense built-in. Perfect for my style.'
Hours passed in drills, Shunsui correcting stances, flows, and integrations. Akio's body ached, but the basics clicked, his dark Reiryoku weaving uniquely into each. "That's enough for today, kid. You've got the foundation—practice 'til it bleeds. I will have my 8th seat spar with you every 2 weeks."
Akio bowed, wiping sweat. "Thank you, Captain. This... means a lot."
Shunsui waved it off, but his eyes could see genuine respect in Akio's. "Now, about that Hoho training. Let's go see Byakuya."
They went to Squad 6 barracks, the pristine grounds a stark contrast to Squad 8's relaxed vibe.
Cherry blossom trees lined a serene garden, their petals drifting lazily in the breeze. At its center stood Byakuya Kuchiki, his captain's haori immaculate, his expression a mask of stoic indifference as he gazed at the blossoms.
Shunsui approached, his steps deliberately casual, sake gourd swinging. "Yo, Byakuya! Got a minute?"
Byakuya's gaze shifted, cold and piercing, his posture unyielding as stone. "Captain Kyōraku. Your presence is… unexpected. State your purpose."
Shunsui grinned, unfazed, leaning against a tree. "Got a favor to ask. This kid—" he jerked a thumb at Akio, who stood respectfully behind, "—Kurozume Akio. Second-year at the academy, topped his class. Convinced me to teach him Hakuda, and now he's itching for Hoho. You're the best at it, Byakuya—nobody moves like you. Thought you might give him a pointer or two."
Byakuya's eyes flicked to Akio, assessing him in a single, frigid glance. His voice was precise, cutting like a blade. "An academy student? My time is reserved for matters of nobility and duty, not tutoring unproven children from Rukongai. Why should I entertain this request?"
Akio tensed, his mind racing. 'He's testing me. Pride's his armor—nobility, duty, all that. I need to appeal to his sense of honor without overstepping.' He kept his expression neutral, bowing slightly. "Captain Kuchiki, I'm here to learn from the best. I don't expect handouts—just a chance to prove I'm worth your time."
Byakuya's gaze lingered, his silence heavy. Shunsui chuckled softly, stepping closer to Byakuya. "Hold that thought, kid. Byakuya, let's talk privately for a sec."
The two captains moved to a secluded corner of the garden, their voices low, the air between them crackling with unspoken weight. Akio waited, heart thudding. 'Shunsui's my ticket in, but Byakuya's pride won't bend easily. Hope he's got a good pitch.'
Shunsui leaned in, his tone dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "Look, Byakuya, I know you're busy upholding the Kuchiki name, but this kid's got something. His Reiatsu's got a weird edge—shadowy, hard to pin down. He's not just some Rukongai runt; he's clever, driven, and bold enough to call me out in front of a crowd. Remind you of anyone?" He raised an eyebrow, a playful jab at Byakuya's own disciplined ambition.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed, unamused. "A captain's duty is not a child's playground, Captain Kyōraku. If he seeks my guidance, he must prove his worth beyond parlor tricks."
Shunsui sipped his gourd, undeterred. "Fair, but hear me out. You've seen the new blood coming up—plenty of potential, but no polish. This one's already outpacing his peers, and he's got grit. Old Man Yama's always on about strengthening the Gotei 13. If you shape this kid's Hoho, you're not just helping him—you're building a future asset for Soul Society. Plus, imagine the look on Yoruichi's face when your student outruns hers one day. And beside if you decide to help him I will support you in that adoption matter."
[A/N: By Yoruichi's student, he meant Soi Fon]
Byakuya's expression remained impassive, but a faint flicker in his eyes betrayed consideration. "You speak of potential, yet I see only audacity. If he fails to meet my standards, his presence will be an insult to the Kuchiki name."
Shunsui grinned, sensing the crack. "Then test him. Throw him your worst. If he can't keep up, send him packing. But if he surprises you… well, you might just find a diamond in the rough."
Byakuya stood silent, his gaze drifting to the falling petals, each one landing with deliberate grace. After a moment, he exhaled sharply. "Very well. I will evaluate him. But know this, Captain Kyōraku: my instruction is not charity. He will earn it, or he will leave."
Shunsui clapped Byakuya's shoulder, ignoring the subtle flinch. "That's the spirit! Knew you'd see it my way."
They returned to Akio, who stood straight, his sharp blue eyes meeting Byakuya's without flinching. Shunsui's grin widened. "Good news, kid—Captain Kuchiki's convinced. Don't mess this up."
Byakuya stepped forward, his presence like a blade unsheathed, his voice cold and commanding. "Kurozume Akio. Your audacity has earned you an audience, but not my respect. Demonstrate your current Hoho immediately. I will assess your potential. If you prove worthy, I will teach you the basics of Utsusemi and Senka—techniques reserved for those who embody excellence. Fail, and you will leave these grounds at once. Nobility demands perfection; I will accept nothing less."
Akio bowed deeply, his innocent smile masking a predator's thrill. 'Challenge accepted. Time to show him what Rukongai grit can do.' "Understood, Captain Kuchiki. I won't disappoint."
[End of Chapter]