"Hey, Jie Cheng Little Brother, up you get."
Still half-asleep, Jie Chengxian felt someone shaking him. He pried his eyes open to find Yoruichi perched on his stomach, urging him to rise.
Classic two-dimensional wake-up call… he grumbled silently, then yawned.
"What's with the crack-of-dawn visit? If you're planning a night raid, come back after dark."
"I'm here to send you off for reflection. If you don't want Captain Commander Yamamoto mad, move it."
Yoruichi flicked his forehead in irritation.
"Besides, I'm of the Five Great Noble Families. If I truly wanted you, I'd have my men tie you up in my bedroom and pour ten pounds of aphrodisiacs down your throat until you begged for my favor."
Holy—!
He didn't mind being seduced, but ten pounds of drugs was overkill; the thought made him shudder fully awake.
"Up. Now."
"Then kindly step outside first—I sleep in the buff."
Recalling the sight from teaching him the Transformation Technique, Yoruichi flushed, wordlessly Shunpo-ed outside, and told him to dress before joining her.
Leaning against the wall, she tried to cool the steamy images in her head, yet the mind wanders—she remembered slipping through his window and noticing his impressive morning condition. The guy really was… gifted.
Her hand drifted to her lower abdomen; she forgot her mission entirely.
"What are you doing?"
"Eek—!"
She shrieked like a startled cat.
"You… I… "
Watching the flustered Yoruichi stammer, Jie Chengxian blinked—she'd been fine a second ago.
"Let's go find old man Yamamoto."
"Count me out if you're looking for a beating."
Thinking he meant to confront the Captain Commander, she tried to back out, but he tucked the pint-sized Yoruichi under his arm and headed for the First Division.
"It's serious business—do I look suicidal enough to provoke him for fun?"
She almost nodded yes, but instead switched topics.
"Jie Cheng Little Brother, may I teach Shunko to the Onmitsukidō? I'll compensate you—anything the Shihōin Clan owns is yours."
For a Shinigami, such a high-level technique is a trump card. Since he'd originated it, courtesy demanded she ask.
He gave the uncharacteristically nervous Yoruichi an odd look—Aizen had called it; the guy was half a prophet!
"I don't mind, but compensation can wait; I can't think of anything right now."
She realized her blunder—she should have brought the clan vault inventory. Next time she'd take him to pick in person.
They strode into the First Division and straight to Yamamoto's study as if it were their living room.
"Well, if it isn't our two esteemed seniors—fancy meeting you here."
Spotting Kyoraku Shunsui and Jūshirō Ukitake, Jie Chengxian greeted them, then beamed cloyingly at Yamamoto.
"Yesterday you ordered reflection; defying your teacher earns punishment, you know."
"Ah, my dear, revered Teacher Yamamoto, your student dares intrude only because weighty matters demand your wisdom."
The sarcasm made even the seasoned old Shinigami cringe; the two seniors fought laughter, while Yoruichi hid her face, ready to disown him.
"Spit it out."
Yamamoto treated the flattery as hot air—if the boy truly respected him, he wouldn't spend his days cavorting with the Shihōin girl instead of paying respects.
"Heh, I tossed all night refining Shunko and came to beg instruction in Ikkotsu and Sōkotsu."
Slipping behind the captain, Jie Chengxian massaged Yamamoto's shoulders. The old man's signature Hakuda was famous—those who'd seen his blade were mostly dead.
Well, your pursuit of perfection is commendable. Since I haven't taught you much as your teacher, today is as good a day as any.
Yamamoto rose and walked toward the First Division's private training ground; when he passed Shihōin Yoruichi his step slowed almost imperceptibly.
'You come along too, little lady of the Shihōin Clan.'
The old fox Yamamoto had stayed single his whole life, yet he understood the hearts of the young. The girl from the Shihōin Clan was tangled up with his disciple every day; it wouldn't surprise him if their wedding invitation arrived tomorrow.
'Thank you, Captain Commander!'
Overjoyed, Yoruichi quickly pulled Jie Chengxian along behind the Captain Commander, while Kyōraku and Ukitake behind them exchanged knowing smiles.
'Junior Martial Brother is no simple matter.'
'Indeed, better than some who only talk big.'
Stung by Ukitake's words, Kyōraku could only give a wry smile and head to the training ground.
'The principle of my Ikkotsu isn't difficult—simply focus all your power into the fist—but it demands great punching speed. Master Ikkotsu, and Sōkotsu will follow in time.'
With that, Yamamoto casually threw a punch; his fist moved so fast only an after-image remained, and the shock-wave alone shattered a distant hill.
'Understood! You teach wonderfully, teacher—your student has more or less got it!'
After watching, Jie Chengxian replayed the move in his mind, bowed, and thanked Yamamoto. As the old man nodded approvingly, both of Jie Chengxian's senior brothers and Yoruichi were dumbstruck.
Hadn't the old man only said two sentences and shown it once—how had Jie Chengxian already learned it?
Jie Chengxian set his stance, focused his reiatsu into one arm, tensed his muscles, and punched the ground. Though his speed fell short of Yamamoto's demonstration, the damage proved he had truly entered the gate of Ikkotsu.
'Good—far better than those two disappointing senior brothers of yours.'
The perennial 'other people's children', Kyōraku and Ukitake, finally tasted the pain of being told, 'Why can't you be more like them?' Sadly, they couldn't retort; the monster's learning speed really was unmatched.
'I'd meant for your two senior brothers to pass on the tricks of learning Ikkotsu, but it seems unnecessary now.'
Stroking his waist-length beard, Yamamoto was very pleased with Jie Chengxian—he would be perfect if only his head were a bit straighter. Alas, no one is flawless.
'Right, Kyōraku, Ukitake—prepare yourselves and go support the Special Forces Unit.'
The pair wanted to weep; clearly the old man's affection for his disciples had shifted to Jie Chengxian. They obediently took their leave, eager to escape this heart-breaking place.
'Show me Ikkotsu while you're in Shunko, so I can see if the two clash.'
Jie Chengxian quickly activated Shunko and used Ikkotsu; empowered by Shunko the punch was terrifying, yet Yamamoto shook his head.
'Though they don't conflict, the strain on your body is too great—use it sparingly.'
Jie Chengxian had already moderated the power, but after the strike his arm still tingled. Better to heed the old man—having an elder in the house really is a treasure, folks.
'Fine, since you've learned it, you can teach the little lady of the Shihōin Clan; I'm going back to rest.'
So even old man Yamamoto slacked off; no wonder he'd raised a lazy disciple like Kyōraku. It seemed the duty of carrying forward the Genryū style rested on him alone.
Lost in fantasy, Jie Chengxian was suddenly stuffed into a black bodysuit by Yoruichi, unsure whether she wanted him to stage some uniform temptation.
'It's an improved outfit for Shunko—so I don't waste a set of clothes every time.'
Yoruichi gave a teasing smile and added,
'Besides, without an improved outfit big sister here couldn't use the move—someone might get jealous.'
Jie Chengxian heartily agreed; though he and Yoruichi were only friends for now, it never hurt to plan ahead.
Yoruichi didn't mind his possessiveness—what normal man would let outsiders see the body of the woman he liked? Though little Jie Cheng hadn't said he liked her yet, a future like still counts as like.
No more words were needed; the two began practicing Ikkotsu in earnest, while the wind in the training ground left their faces strangely hot.