Chapter 65: Ailin's Special Training

As Ailin chanted, a streak of lightning flashed from the tip of his left hand finger, piercing through Byakuya Kuchiki's right arm amidst his terrified gaze.

"Ah..."

Byakuya Kuchiki let out a miserable shriek as his right arm was injured. With his strength on the sword reduced, he was now suppressed by Ailin instead.

Clang!

Ailin exerted force with his right hand and directly slashed Byakuya Kuchiki away.

Bang!

Byakuya Kuchiki tumbled on the ground several times before climbing back up. Before he could adjust his balance, Ailin's attack caught up.

Clink!

Clink Clink!

Sparks flew everywhere. Under Ailin's fierce barrage of attacks, Byakuya Kuchiki was like a football, sent rolling everywhere after being slashed.

"Weak, weak, weak..."

"Too weak, Byakuya!"

Byakuya Kuchiki blocked Ailin's sword with his own. With his right hand injured, he could only grip the sword with his left hand, greatly reducing his strength. His sword was directly split apart by Ailin before being kicked away.

"Where's your Hakuda? Where's your Shunpo? Where's your Kidō?"

"A Soul Reaper's battle isn't just a swordsmanship battle."

"Your arm is currently injured and your swordsmanship is inferior to mine. What you need to do is utilize all your power to confront me, not just rely on that inferior swordsmanship to take a beating!"

Although he had been taking a beating all this while, Byakuya had apparently taken Ailin's words to heart. Hence, the next time after being blasted away by Ailin, facing Ailin's assault, Byakuya Kuchiki did not use his sword to block for the first time. Instead, he utilized the defensive Kidō.

"Bakudō Number Eight - Seki!"

Clang! Boom!

Under Ginrei Kuchiki's guidance, Byakuya's cultivation had always focused mainly on swordsmanship. He only had a slight understanding towards Kidō.

Deploying the hastily used 8th Binding Spell, he was naturally unable to block Ailin's attack at all. It was directly shattered through before he was slashed apart.

But this bit of time was sufficient for Byakuya Kuchiki to adjust his stance. Wielding his sword with his left hand and releasing low level Kidō spells with his right, he entangled with Ailin.

"Hadō Number One - Thrust!"

"Bakudō Number Four - Hainawa!"

Initially, by combining his swordsmanship and Kidō, Byakuya Kuchiki barely managed to withstand Ailin for a period. But as Ailin gradually raised his swordsmanship proficiency, Byakuya Kuchiki was once again heavily injured by him.

Blue lights shone within the arena formed from Ailin's sword construction. Every instance of the blue light represented Byakuya Kuchiki undergoing yet another brush with death after suffering heavy injuries. And in the intervals between these blue lights were Ailin's repeated rebukes towards Byakuya Kuchiki.

...

"Are you an idiot?"

"Didn't I tell you long ago why Shunpo is considered alongside Zanjutsu, Hakuda and Kidō as the four techniques of Soul Reapers?"

"It's because only Shunpo can perfectly avoid the attacks from Zanjutsu, Hakuda and Kidō!"

...

"Weak, too weak Byakuya..."

"I'm not even using any strength yet you've already collapsed."

...

"Moron, when speed surpasses what the eyes can capture, what are you doing?"

"Can turning your head help your eyes capture my figure?"

"A Soul Reaper's battle is a Reiatsu battle. Use your Reiatsu to sense my movements!"

...

"What's wrong? You just learned how to use Shunpo to avoid attacks, don't tell me you think Shunpo only has that one usage of dodging attacks?"

"Flash Blossom—!"

Whoosh…

"Kidō usage isn't the higher the number the better, but the more practical the better!"

"Bakudō Number Twenty Six - Kyokko!"

"Tsk..."

...

"Not bad Byakuya, you're starting to resemble a Soul Reaper now. Your swordsmanship can freely utilize Shunpo as well... More importantly, you've learned to use Reiatsu to sense my attacks. Your application towards Reiatsu has also risen by a level. Using Reiatsu to enhance your strength, speed and defense has also improved over before...

But sometimes, Reiatsu sensing can also mislead you. At those times, the only thing you can trust is your own will to survive—your instincts!"

***

The three months could be considered a nightmare for Byakuya Kuchiki. Every morning after getting out of bed, he would be pulled by Ailin into the Reality Marble for battles after battles aside from training.

After undergoing such intense battles, Byakuya's strength rose tremendously. In early of the third month, Byakuya Kuchiki had shockingly already completed his Zanpakutō's initial release.

Of course, although he completed his Zanpakutō's first stage release, Byakuya still had not utilized it in his battles against Ailin. He wanted to give Ailin a surprise during their final day.

Unfortunately, Byakuya Kuchiki was unaware that on the very day he completed his Zanpakutō's release, Ailin had already seen through it.

Not only that, Ailin had even produced Senbonzakura and stabbed it atop his Sword Hill.

Ailin had even crafted two weapons similar to Senbonzakura's traits based on its characteristics...

***

Clang!

Within the arena formed from thousands of Zanpakutō, two silhouettes moved as swift as the wind. The sparks produced from the clashing of blades shone brightly around the perimeter of the arena.

"Bakudō Number Four - Hainawa!"

"Hadō Number Nine - Ran!"

"Hadō Number Thirty Three - Sōkatsui!"

"Bakudō Number Thirty Nine - Enkosen!"

The lights from Destructive and Binding spells interweaved. Explosions burst out large amounts of smoke and dust.

"Byakuya, among ordinary Soul Reapers, your strength can be considered top notch."

After the defensive Enkosen dispersed, Ailin walked out from within the smoke and fire.

"Your Kidō utilization is also extremely proficient. Your Shunpo has also reached a level where it can coordinate seamlessly with the other three Soul Reaper techniques. It can be said that if you don't release your Zanpakutō, your strength could allow you to easily obtain a seated position among the Gotei."

"Hmph..."

On the opposite side of Ailin, Byakuya Kuchiki panted heavily. But hearing Ailin's evaluation of him, the corners of his mouth couldn't help curving up slightly. Of course, for appearance sake, he still had to let out a cold humph, indicating his disdain towards Ailin's praise.

However, before he could maintain this expression for even a second, Ailin's next words completely broke his composure.

"Judging from this, the first phase of training can be considered as you passing. So Byakuya, are you willing to accept the second phase of my training?!"

"What?!" Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes nearly popped out from their sockets.

Was he kidding?!

The thousands of brushes against death over the past two over months were merely the first phase of training?

Seemingly seeing through Byakuya's thoughts, Ailin laughed, "Byakuya, I said earlier that with your current level, your strength isn't bad among ordinary Soul Reapers. If you're satisfied with your current achievements, I can end my guidance over you."

"Tell me now, Byakuya! Are you satisfied with just being an ordinary Soul Reaper?!"