After the healing classes at Squad 4 ended, Hasumi Ren returned to the temporary dormitory assigned to him by the division.
The Seireitei under the night sky was quiet and peaceful. The lights of the distant Squad 4 barracks were still on, and the hurried silhouettes of members could be seen passing by.
Captain Unohana had made a special visit a few days ago to check his progress, and she seemed very satisfied.
Given time, Hasumi Ren would be able to participate in medical work alongside Captain Unohana.
This was clearly progressing much faster than her initial estimation.
Hasumi Ren recalled the way Yamada Seinosuke had looked at him during the Kaido classes over the past few days.
That always stern and rigid Lieutenant had been exceptionally detailed in his guidance lately.
Not only did he speak up to correct a few subtle mistakes, but he also took the initiative to explain the principles behind some high-level Kaido applications.
'His attitude has changed.'
Hasumi Ren murmured to himself.
Perhaps because of the importance Captain Unohana showed him, this humorless Lieutenant was gradually beginning to take him seriously.
The night breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of herbs.
Hasumi Ren took a deep breath, feeling the flow of spiritual pressure within his body.
During this time, he had been shuttling between Squad 2 and Squad 4.
Training, executing missions, learning Kaido.
Conversely, he had little time to organize his gains.
With a thought, Hasumi Ren opened the system panel that only he could see.
A pale blue light screen expanded before his eyes, listing various data clearly.
[NAME: Hasumi Ren]
REI-I: GRADE 7 (EXP: 6350/12000)
ZANJUTSU: LV4 (EXP: 2760/5000)
HAKUDA: LV5 (EXP: 3350/8000)
SHUNPO: LV4 (EXP: 4810/5000)
KIDO: LV5 (EXP: 1210/8000)
ZANPAKUTO: GARENGE (SHIKAI)
[SPECIAL ABILITIES]
HOLLOWFICATION: LV1 (EXP: 780/1000)
SHUNKO: TO BE UNLOCKED
HOGYOKU (AWAKENING: 0.05%)
The progress was decent.
Hasumi Ren's gaze swept across the data one by one.
The progress in Hakuda and Kido was pleasing, both reaching level 5.
Shunpo was also about to break through to level 5.
By comparison, Zanjutsu lagged behind significantly.
After all, there hadn't been many opportunities to use his blade during this period.
But that was fine; the more important issue was his Rei-i.
His spiritual power grade was only at Grade 7, and the experience bar was just over halfway.
As the foundation of a Soul Reaper's power, the total amount of spiritual pressure directly determined combat endurance and the upper limits of other abilities.
His current total spiritual pressure lagged far behind the improvement speed of his other skills.
'The increase in spiritual pressure is too slow...'
Hasumi Ren frowned.
Back at the Shin'o Academy, Rei-i experience growth was already quite slow.
After joining Squad 2, the spiritual pressure levels of the members he encountered daily were uneven, and the quality of dropped fragments was also mediocre.
This lack of efficiency had been dragging down his progress.
With his current Kido level, his spiritual pressure was indeed holding him back.
Looking at his Rei-i level, Hasumi Ren couldn't help but start daydreaming.
If Head Captain Yamamoto were to release his full spiritual pressure in front of him, would the dropped fragments be enough to push him directly to Lieutenant level?
Of course, he was just imagining things.
Hasumi Ren leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes in deep thought.
Learning Kaido in Squad 4 recently had given him a new idea.
He discovered that significantly more spiritual pressure fragments dropped in Squad 4 compared to Squad 2.
Not because the members had stronger spiritual pressure, but because medical work required frequent mobilization and external release of energy, leading to a noticeably higher fragment generation rate.
So, where else in the Soul Society would spiritual pressure be mobilized frequently and intensely...
A place surfaced in Hasumi Ren's mind.
The Kido Corps.
Those members who specialized in Kido performed massive amounts of practice every day.
Barrier construction and spell research also required high-frequency, high-precision spiritual output.
From this perspective, their rate of producing spiritual fragments might even exceed that of Squad 4.
If he could visit the Kido Corps from time to time...
This idea was very feasible.
Hasumi Ren remembered that Urahara Kisuke had a good relationship with the Kido Corps.
When Amamiya Shin's soul was collapsing, Urahara had taken people to seek help from the Grand Kido Chief, Tsukabishi Tessai.
Furthermore, Urahara's own mastery of Kido was extremely high, and he carried quite a bit of weight within the Kido Corps.
Perhaps this was the way.
Tomorrow was free, and it was almost time to check the progress of the production increase project. He would go talk to Urahara Kisuke and see if there was a way in.
Having made his decision, Hasumi Ren closed the system panel.
The following afternoon, after finishing his routine training with Squad 2, Hasumi Ren headed straight for Urahara Kisuke's office.
Upon learning that Urahara Kisuke was on duty inside the Maggot's Nest, Hasumi Ren returned to this place after a long absence.
Passing through layers of inspection, he arrived at that familiar iron door.
After a member reported his arrival, the door opened.
Urahara Kisuke stood at the doorway, raising an eyebrow when he saw Hasumi Ren.
"Ren, what a rare guest. Didn't you go to Squad 4 today?"
"No need today. I remembered it was time to deliver the follow-up experimental funds, so I came to check on the progress."
A spark of interest flashed in Urahara Kisuke's eyes.
Someone rushing to give him money? How could there be such a good thing?
"Come in. Let's talk inside."
As they walked deeper in, Urahara Kisuke looked back at Hasumi Ren and spoke softly.
"You didn't come to see me just to check on the progress, did you?"
Hasumi Ren looked at Urahara Kisuke's inquisitive gaze and nodded slowly.
"Learning Kaido in Squad 4 has been going well lately. It occurred to me that I might be able to gain some insights into Kido as well."
"So, I wanted to find an opportunity to visit and learn within the Kido Corps. I wonder if Third Seat Urahara has any connections?"
Urahara Kisuke paused, looking at Hasumi Ren with great interest.
"Your ideas are certainly unconventional. While Kaido is a specialized branch of Kido, and its direction differs from Hado, Bakudo, and barriers, there are indeed some connections."
"I happen to be delivering a batch of improved barrier materials to the Kido Corps in a few days. I can take you along to see for yourself."
"Thank you very much."
"No need to be polite."
Urahara waved his hand and led Hasumi Ren back into his secret laboratory.
"Take a look. The second phase of research for that production increase project we collaborated on has been completed."
He pulled a folder from under the lab bench and handed it to Hasumi Ren.
Hasumi Ren took the report and flipped through it quickly.
The data was detailed and the charts were clear. Urahara's work was as professional as ever.
Hasumi Ren then looked up and surveyed the plants and animals being used for the experiment.
Since his last visit, the changes were significant.
The distant plants were lush and green. He remembered they were just saplings last time, but now they were mature and laden with fruit.
The animals also looked exceptionally plump, and their growth rate was obviously much faster.
"The experimental results are very encouraging. These broiler chickens now only need half the time of ordinary chickens to grow, and they are larger with shorter breeding cycles..."
As Urahara described it, Hasumi Ren scanned the small experimental field.
In the center of the cave, a small pool about two meters square had appeared at some point, emitting clouds of steam.
Several plump chickens flapped their wings and dove straight into that pool of water.
As they tumbled about, Hasumi Ren's pupils contracted slightly.
That pool of water was actually filled with floating spiritual power fragments.