“You don’t know he’s the Xing Army Commander?” Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni furrowed his brows, paused, then continued, “This incident happened in the Noble District, the Gotei 13 can’t intervene. The Onmitsukidō needs to investigate this matter as quickly as possible.”
Because the Xing Army was deeply intertwined with the Shihouin clan, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni didn’t want to involve himself in the fight between the noble families.
Therefore, he simply brushed off the order from the Forty-Sixth Chamber.
“Yes!” Yoruichi respectfully accepted the order.
She always placed great importance on rules and orders.
At this moment, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, “Also, you should be aware of the strategic deployment regarding the Hueco Mundo. The Xing Army can prepare now. You’ll be needed to scout for information and relay messages when the time comes.”
“I will not disappoint you, Captain-Commander!” A sense of responsibility surged in Yoruichi’s heart. She decided to put in her best effort and make everyone astonished.
…
A few days later, almost all of the high-ranking Shinigami were aware of the news of the murder of a member of the main family of the Kūgo Ginjō clan.
The death of a noble family member was an unprecedented heinous event. It had almost never occurred before.
Aizen and the other “old foxes” also paid slight attention and each had their own thoughts.
Although the Kūgo Ginjō clan didn’t openly point their finger at the Shihouin clan, they secretly became more active in weakening the Shihouin clan’s power.
Due to the escape of the head of the family, the Shihouin clan could only passively defend themselves.
During the process, Yoruichi led her subordinates to conduct an investigation of the Kūgo Ginjō clan, but they found nothing.
Besides the abrupt Xing Army armband, there were no other clues left at the scene.
This led Yoruichi to make certain guesses, but she couldn’t speak up directly.
Therefore, the Kūgo Ginjō clan used the excuse of the Xing Army’s incompetence to weaken the Xing Army to a certain degree.
In the eyes of the Kūgo Ginjō clan, the Xing Army’s growth was most beneficial to the Shihouin clan.
Therefore, even though the Xing Army was also serving them, the Kūgo Ginjō clan didn’t hesitate to weaken the Xing Army.
A bizarre and strange murder case further intensified the undercurrents in the Seireitei.
At this time, Uehara Byakuya was acting like nothing had happened, teaching Ise Nanao Kidō at the Eighth Division training ground.
He looked relaxed as he instructed Ise Nanao, “Don’t hesitate, use your strongest and most proficient Kidō. That’s the only way I can clearly see where you are lacking.”
It has to be said that having a sensible and talented disciple is indeed very reassuring and relaxing.
Just by passing on a little bit of the truth, Ise Nanao’s Kidō cultivation had already improved greatly.
At this rate, the three-month task deadline was more than enough. She wouldn’t even need a month.
“Hado No. 58. Tenran!”
In an instant, spiritual pressure condensed and the Kidō took shape. Her palm lifted, aiming at Uehara Byakuya’s right shoulder, and released the Hado.
A surging hurricane instantly charged towards Uehara Byakuya.
Faced with the impact of the intermediate Kidō, Uehara Byakuya remained motionless.
After slightly releasing some spiritual pressure, he casually reached forward with his right hand, and the hurricane with its powerful impact dissipated instantly, leaving no trace.
Ise Nanao, who had just cast the Kidō, felt her body sink.
The surrounding air felt like it had turned into rocks and pressed down on her, making it difficult for her to breathe.
However, this feeling of suffocation soon disappeared.
When she looked up, she saw that the Kidō she had released with all her strength had been easily shattered by Uehara Byakuya.
Seeing this scene, Ise Nanao couldn’t help but feel somewhat discouraged. She felt that she was pathetically weak.
Why was she still so vulnerable even though she had made such significant progress?
Noticing Ise Nanao’s expression, Uehara Byakuya smiled slightly, “Don’t be discouraged, your Kidō has basically reached the peak of the Seated Officer level. If you can break through, you’ll reach the Vice-Captain level.”
“Vice-Captain level…” Ise Nanao felt like she was dreaming. She was incredibly shocked, “Uehara-sensei, how is that possible?”
Before, her Kidō was only barely at the Seated Officer level.
But after just one day of instruction from Uehara Byakuya, she possessed the Kidō strength of a high-ranking Seated Officer.
That was already shocking enough. Now, how many days had passed since then? Her Kidō was about to reach the Vice-Captain level?
This was too fast. It was so fast that Ise Nanao wasn’t sure if it was real.
Looking at Ise Nanao’s mixture of surprise and joy, Uehara Byakuya smiled, “There’s nothing impossible. The Vice-Captain level is just the beginning.”
“Yes, Uehara-sensei!” At this point, even if Ise Nanao doubted herself, she wouldn’t doubt Uehara Byakuya.
Watching Ise Nanao’s aura become more and more imposing, Uehara Byakuya nodded in satisfaction and continued to guide her, “Actually, the Vice-Captain level isn’t difficult. You just need to have a solid foundation and reach the required spiritual pressure. Besides that, you need to have your own spirit, your spirit, and your belief must be stable.”
The Shinigami’s power system is very psychological.
A Zanpakuto without belief is weak and powerless. It can’t cut anyone at all.
This belief and spirit also manifest in the strength and quality of spiritual pressure.
For example, in Uehara Byakuya’s eyes, ordinary Seated Officers are like infants, posing no threat. Their power is completely blank, like a white sheet of paper.
The Vice-Captain level has some merit, although they still couldn’t pose any threat to him, their spiritual pressure and techniques are at least not completely empty.
Ise Nanao pondered this and gained a new understanding.
At this moment, Kyōraku Shunsui, who had been waiting nearby, walked out with a cheerful smile and nodded towards Uehara Byakuya, “Byakuya-dono, want to chat?”
Uehara Byakuya smiled slightly and followed him outside.
The two walked towards the courtyard along the lush green grass, and Kyōraku Shunsui said with a smile, “Byakuya-dono, thank you for taking care of that child. However, I was really taken aback. I didn’t expect your strength and teaching ability to be so strong. You’ve only been teaching for a few days and Ise Nanao’s Kidō strength has already surpassed the elite members of the Kidō Corps. That’s really…”
Unlike Aizen, the old fox.
In front of Kyōraku Shunsui and the others, Uehara Byakuya never concealed the fact that he had hidden his strength.
Because of this, the three old men from the First Division and Kyōraku Shunsui all knew that Uehara Byakuya’s strength far surpassed his current Seated Officer position.
Kyōraku Shunsui had also guessed that Uehara Byakuya’s true strength might have already reached the Vice-Captain level.
However, only today did Kyōraku Shunsui realize how wrong he was.
He had underestimated Uehara Byakuya.
The Vice-Captain level, to Uehara Byakuya, was insignificant, nothing at all.