Chapter 866: Chapter 867: It Is Always Good to Have Many Skills!

Yoruichi’s strength was steadily increasing, not only because Ethan had pointed out a training path well suited to her, but also thanks to the presence of Ethan and Kisuke as excellent sparring partners.

Kisuke had continuously improved and refined this secret base. It was no longer just bare rock and hot springs. Aside from a small open area near the hot spring section, most of it had been transformed into soft soil and lush green grass.

There was even a small patch of woods in one corner. Unfortunately, Ethan’s suggestion to build a pavilion was rejected. Considering the commotion the three of them caused during training, any newly built pavilion would not last a day before being destroyed.

The improvements to the environment were secondary. What truly mattered was the completion of the healing hot spring. The three of them could now spar without holding back. This kind of practice, almost identical to real combat, was far more effective than restrained matches.

Unleashing their full strength without reservation also slightly accelerated the growth of Ethan’s spiritual pressure.

When he first arrived in the Soul Society, Ethan only had the potential to become a Soul Reaper. His spiritual pressure was not particularly outstanding among the freshmen at the Shin’o Academy.

Even at graduation, his spiritual pressure was merely decent, still some distance behind so called geniuses like Yoruichi and Kisuke.

Yoruichi’s frustration at losing to Ethan back then was partly due to this.

However, after several years of diligent training, Ethan’s spiritual pressure had now caught up with Yoruichi’s. Such a rate of progress could be described as astonishing, and Yoruichi was often surprised by how quickly his spiritual pressure increased.

In reality, in terms of potential, Ethan far surpassed anyone in this world. The core of his body was a tiny particle of divine power compressed to the extreme and mixed with countless rules. This power itself was equivalent to potential waiting to be uncovered.

"Your spiritual pressure is increasing so fast. Could it be that you’ve already mastered Bankai?"

Yoruichi had many guesses about Ethan’s condition. For Soul Reapers, the ability to significantly increase spiritual pressure and maintain it over a long period usually came from mastering Bankai.

Upon achieving Bankai, spiritual pressure would surge dramatically, though it would not be very stable at first. As training continued, understanding and control over Bankai would strengthen. During that stage, while spiritual pressure gradually stabilized, it would also experience a period of rapid growth, which closely resembled Ethan’s current situation.

"Bankai, huh?"

Ethan smacked his lips a couple of times but did not clearly answer whether he had mastered it, causing Yoruichi to roll her eyes in exasperation.

After knowing him for so many years, she had gradually figured out his personality. That expression meant he did not want to talk about it. If she kept pressing, he might give an answer, but it would be impossible to tell whether it was true or something he made up on the spot.

Sometimes the things Ethan said, which sounded like nonsense, actually turned out to be feasible. Over the years, Yoruichi had learned quite a few techniques by following Ethan’s so called random advice.

Of course, some of what he said sounded completely unreliable, and in truth, he did make up quite a bit on the spot.

"Fine, if you don’t want to say. By the way, what strange thing is Kisuke working on now? It seems specifically designed for training Bankai."

Ethan paused when he heard this. Had Kisuke already begun researching the Tenshintai?

He remembered that after completing that research, Kisuke mastered Bankai in just three days. However, the Tenshintai method was too dangerous and had strict requirements, so it was not widely promoted within the Gotei 13. Aside from Kisuke, only Ichigo Kurosaki used this method in the original story.

"So Kisuke is already thinking about Bankai, huh."

"He’s already a Third Seat."

Yoruichi had successfully taken over as Captain of the Second Division. Shortly afterward, Urahara was promoted to Third Seat, becoming a squad leader within the Second Division and responsible for managing the Maggot’s Nest.

At that time, with help from Yoruichi and Ethan, Kisuke had specifically strengthened his Hakuda by being thoroughly beaten in joint sparring sessions.

"What about you? How much longer do you plan to stay in the Fourth Division?"

Several years had passed, and Ethan had not remained in the Tenth Seat position.

He would have preferred to stay unnoticed, but Unohana, whose sharp eyes had long recognized his extraordinary talent, would not allow it. She pulled him into swordsmanship practice every day and gradually entrusted him with more responsibilities.

Ethan was now the Fourth Seat of the Fourth Division, serving as Assistant Lieutenant and leader of the Second Advanced Medical Squad.

To be promoted to Fourth Seat of the Gotei 13 only a few years after graduating from the Shin’o Academy was fully worthy of the reputation he had upon graduation.

Competition within the Gotei 13 was extremely fierce. Many outstanding Academy graduates might not even attain a seated officer position after decades of service, let alone a high ranking seat with leadership responsibilities.

However, Yoruichi, who had sparred with Ethan for years, knew his strength far exceeded that of an ordinary Fourth Seat. While the current Captain positions were stable and Ethan might not surpass all of them, he was certainly capable of serving as a Lieutenant.

"I think things are pretty good right now."

Yoruichi covered her face. She knew Ethan simply wanted to be lazy. She had considered recommending him for promotion, but seeing his reaction, she suspected he would complain even if she did. On second thought, that might actually be amusing.

"Alright, no need to dwell on it. I probably won’t stay Fourth Seat for long anyway."

Unohana paid special attention to him, and the entire Gotei 13 could see it. Aside from the battle maniacs of the Eleventh Division, no one else was as free as Ethan, wandering wherever he pleased and doing whatever he wanted.

Of course, the reason he could enjoy such freedom was his formidable strength, including his medical skills.

Within the Fourth Division, there was already a consensus. If trouble arose and the Captain was unavailable, seeking out Fourth Seat Ethan was the right choice. So far, there had been no problem he could not solve, including emergency battlefield rescue missions. He could not only effectively treat injured Soul Reapers on the battlefield but also protect his comrades in the Fourth Division.

With such capability, promotion was only natural.

If Ethan remembered correctly, the current Lieutenant, Seinosuke Yamada, would later leave the Gotei 13 to become Head Representative of the Central Medicine Institute, serving the nobles of the Soul Society. That meant a Lieutenant position in the Fourth Division would eventually open up for him.

Moreover, according to the original timeline, with Yoruichi becoming Captain of the Second Division, the so called Urahara Kisuke betrayal incident, which would leave nearly half of the Captain and Lieutenant positions vacant, was approaching.

"Should I interfere with all of this?"

Given Ethan’s personality, he was tempted to act. The problem was how to make others believe him.

This world was different from the Naruto world. There, he had overwhelming power. If people refused to believe him, they could do nothing about it and would eventually be forced to face reality.

Here, if he acted recklessly, the best outcome would be escaping to the Human World with Kisuke and Yoruichi. The worst outcome would be being killed by Yamamoto Genryusai or Aizen.

Evidence meant nothing under Aizen’s Zanpakuto, Kyoka Suigetsu. Ethan was not afraid of Kyoka Suigetsu, but the entire Seireitei was under Aizen’s influence. Before Aizen revealed himself, exposing his true nature through so called evidence would be nearly impossible.

Most importantly, Ethan could not defeat Aizen yet. He could not overturn the table and disrupt Aizen’s plans.

"It’s really troublesome not being strong enough."

"Huh?"

Yoruichi had no idea that Ethan’s mind had raced through so many thoughts in an instant. Hearing him mutter, she thought he was worried about his own strength.

"If you think you’re not strong enough, then train harder. I feel like moving around a bit too."

Watching Yoruichi leap lightly onto the open ground ahead, Ethan waved his hands repeatedly.

"Every time we finish sparring, you make me pay for your clothes. I suspect you’re doing it on purpose."

Yoruichi immediately put on an expression that clearly said she was.

"You always shred my clothes to pieces. They’re practically rags. Speaking of which, you wouldn’t be doing that deliberately, would you?"

Ethan was indeed doing it on purpose, but he would never admit it.

Just then, Kisuke appeared carrying something. Ethan immediately changed the subject.

"Kisuke, what strange thing have you made this time?"

It looked like a humanoid board. Ethan instantly recognized it.

Tenshintai, a tool for training Bankai. He had not expected Urahara to have completed it already. Did this mean the familiar events were drawing closer?

Kisuke excitedly introduced his creation, emphasizing that the Tenshintai only worked for Soul Reapers who were already close to mastering Bankai. It could not help someone who had not achieved Shikai, nor someone who had mastered Shikai but was still far from Bankai.

For the three of them, however, that requirement was insignificant.

"So, what do you think? Want to try it?"

Ethan and Yoruichi exchanged glances and both shook their heads.

"Huh? Why not? You should trust me."

"It’s not that we don’t trust you, Kisuke. It’s just that I’m currently..."

"Wait." Ethan rubbed his chin, suddenly curious about what Yoruichi’s Bankai might be like. "Even if you’re not very interested in your Zanpakuto, that doesn’t conflict with mastering Bankai. After all, when you’re out and about, it’s always good to have more skills."

(To be continued.)

◇◇◇

◇ One bonus Chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.

◇ You can read the ahead Chapter on Pat if you’re interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)