Kapitel 190: The Third Disciple
"Oh?"
Kyoraku Shunsui raised an eyebrow in surprise but refrained from further questions.
With the Kuchiki clan's influence, finding someone was a simple task.
However, since they hadn't searched for twelve years, the reason behind it was likely not a pleasant one.
Considering it involved the mistress of the Kuchiki family, Kyoraku began to regret accompanying Ailin.
Beside Rukia, a young man with peculiar eyebrows practiced his swordsmanship. This was Renji Abarai, the epitome of a rags-to-riches story in the world of Bleach. He had risen from a commoner in the Rukongai to achieve the level of a hundred-year captain during the Thousand-Year Blood War, even defeating Mask De Masculine, a Sternritter who had severely injured two captains, and ultimately winning the heart of his beloved.
The two young individuals sparred with wooden swords in the training grounds. From their movements, it was evident that Renji's swordsmanship surpassed Rukia's.
This was to be expected.
Renji was older than Rukia and towered over her by at least two heads.
Ailin observed their spar and noted that Renji relied more on instinct, indicating a natural talent for swordsmanship.
Rukia, on the other hand, was more rigid, her movements textbook-perfect but lacking in creativity and adaptability.
At least in terms of swordsmanship, Rukia showed little aptitude. However, this was within Ailin's expectations. He recalled a scene from Bleach where Rukia and her friends attempted to condense reishi as part of their Shinigami training.
Their friends, lacking reiatsu, were unable to form a reishi ball.
Renji managed to create a fist-sized reishi ball, while Rukia formed one the size of a volleyball.
In terms of innate spiritual pressure, Renji was at the seventeenth level.
Rukia, on the other hand, was at least within the fifteenth level.
While Renji possessed a natural talent for swordsmanship, Rukia's aptitude for Kidō was equally impressive.
During the mission to rescue Orihime Inoue in Hueco Mundo, Rukia had used Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui and subsequently chanted Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō.
This demonstrated Rukia's true potential after regaining her powers, rivaling Renji's Bankai, Hihiō Zabimaru.
Her initial lackluster performance in the early stages of the story was solely due to Byakuya's overprotectiveness.
After being adopted by Byakuya as his younger sister, Rukia had little opportunity to engage in combat.
She trained until she could release her Zanpakutō, and then Byakuya assigned her to the relatively peaceful Thirteenth Division.
The Thirteenth Division served as the "Purification Squad," primarily responsible for patrolling the Human World, guiding souls with lingering attachments to Soul Society, and purifying Hollows that occasionally entered the Human World through Garganta to feed.
Therefore, the Thirteenth Division members typically encountered only small and medium-sized Hollows.
With Rukia's ability to release her Zanpakutō, she rarely faced any significant challenges.
However, during her time in the Human World, she was severely injured by a Hollow sent by Sōsuke Aizen, forcing her to transfer her Shinigami powers to Ichigo Kurosaki to protect his family.
As Rukia gained more combat experience and fully utilized her abilities, she was able to defeat the 9th Espada single-handedly.
Even the weakest Espada was still an Arrancar formed from a Gillian-class Menos Grande. Aaroniero Arruruerie's strength barely reached the level of a captain.
Of course, Aizen valued him not for his strength but for his ability to perfectly absorb the powers of those he devoured.
Clang! Clang!
In the training grounds, the young Renji Abarai pressed his attack, eventually disarming Rukia and claiming victory.
"Hahaha, Rukia, I win again!"
"Yes, Renji, you're getting stronger," Rukia acknowledged, trying to hide her disappointment.
She was genuinely happy for Renji.
During their entrance exams, due to her lack of swordsmanship talent, Rukia had been placed in Class C, while Renji was assigned to Class A.
The difference between the two classes was evident in their names.
Teachers naturally favored the more talented students and dedicated more effort to their instruction.
Class C was primarily composed of students with little aptitude for swordsmanship, and the instructors wouldn't waste their time on them.
Therefore, despite Rukia's higher level of reiatsu, Renji's superior swordsmanship skills had allowed him to gradually catch up and even surpass her.
"Haha..."
Renji, usually boisterous and confident, was momentarily embarrassed by Rukia's praise and scratched his head.
"Rukia, I'm just a little ahead of you for now. With your talent and hard work, I'm sure you'll catch up soon."
"Indeed, you may have a bit of a wolf's spirit, young man, but you also have a good eye for talent," a voice said from behind them.
"Who?"
Renji and Rukia turned to see Ailin and Shunsui Kyoraku, both wearing captain haori.
"Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?"
Renji and Rukia had attended Captain Aizen's lectures and were familiar with the captain's haori.
Therefore, upon seeing Ailin and Kyoraku's attire, they immediately recognized them as captains.
They bowed respectfully, showing their utmost deference.
"Greetings, Captains," Rukia said.
"Greetings, Captains," Renji echoed.
"Alright, alright, stand up," Ailin waved her hand dismissively. "There's no need to be so formal. Captain Kyoraku and I were simply taking a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about our days at the Shin'ō Academy. We apologize for interrupting your training."
"No, no..."
Renji remained silent, but Rukia shook her head vigorously. "It is an honor to have Captains reminisce about their time here. We wouldn't dare consider it an interruption."
"Hahaha, you're an interesting young lady," Kyoraku chuckled. At the same time, his perception of Ailin shifted slightly.
If he hadn't known Ailin's true intentions, he wouldn't have been able to discern the genuineness of his words.
So, was this the real Captain Ailin?
Or was this merely the "Ailin" he wanted him to see?
"What do you think, Captain Ailin?" Kyoraku asked.
"Hmm, humble yet not subservient. A promising individual indeed," Ailin replied, pleased with Rukia's response.
"Young lady, what's your name?"
"Captain, my name is Rukia," she replied. "And this is my friend, Renji Abarai."
"Rukia, Renji Abarai, good names," Ailin nodded approvingly. "As an apology for interrupting your training, allow me to offer some insights on your spar. I hope you won't find it presumptuous."
"It would be an honor to receive your guidance, Captain," Rukia replied.
"Haha, then I shall demonstrate my skills before Captain Kyoraku."
Ailin proceeded to point out the flaws in Renji and Rukia's swordsmanship, providing detailed explanations and demonstrations.
Within half an hour, both Renji and Rukia had gained valuable insights.
"Thank you for your guidance, Captain Ailin," Rukia said.
Through their interactions and the way they addressed each other, she had learned the true identities of the two captains before her.
The captain in the floral haori was Shunsui Kyoraku of the Eighth Division.
And the seemingly amiable and handsome young man was none other than the most enigmatic and admired captain of the Shin'ō Academy – Ailin Kenpachi of the Eleventh Division.
"Indeed," Ailin said. "Both of you possess remarkable talent. However, Renji Abarai's talent lies primarily in swordsmanship and combat. As for you, Rukia, after observing you for the past half hour, I've determined that while your aptitude for swordsmanship may be limited, your talent for Kidō is quite extraordinary.
I consider myself to have some expertise in Kidō. If you're willing, Rukia, would you consider becoming my third disciple?"
"What?"
Ailin's offer stunned both Rukia and Renji.
Had they heard correctly?
Captain Ailin Kenpachi, whose disciples had all become captains, wanted to take Rukia as her disciple?
Did this mean Rukia would also become a captain one day?
Even if there were no vacant captain positions, possessing captain-level strength was an extraordinary achievement.
"Congratulations, Rukia!"
Before Rukia could respond, Renji excitedly placed his hand on her shoulder, his joy was genuine.
"Becoming Captain Ailin's disciple is an opportunity many would envy."
"This..."
Rukia was still processing the unexpected offer. However, Renji's enthusiasm helped her regain her composure.
"Yes, Captain Ailin, I would be honored to become your disciple."
"Hahaha, excellent!"
Ailin reached out and ruffled Rukia's hair, then turned to Renji. "Renji, don't be discouraged. You have a natural talent for swordsmanship."
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