Space Kido

"Orihime, did you see? We are first!"

"Of course, we're first, you idiot, she did more than half the work!"

"We did great guys! Don't fight with each other."

"Hmph, we need you to decide which one of us did better. We lost track of the number of Hollows…"

"Actually, I know exactly how many Hollows I defeated, but Hitsuraku didn't keep track."

"Grr, shut up Oshino!"

"Well… I guess it's a tie?"

The two of them looked at each other defeatedly. Orihime did not particularly remember either side being that much better than the other. These two were certainly strong for their class, but in terms of their predecessors…

'It's no wonder Yhwach says the Gotei 13 died a thousand years ago. Without war pushing people beyond their limits, heroes can't rise.'

Orihime went to go find the Kido Theory professor and discuss her test the other day. He is a strange man no matter how you looked at it. He was the same kind of strange as Shunsui and Urahara.

However, what Orihime found most interesting about him is that he is almost as old as Yamamoto. Naturally, he was a weak Soul Reaper who could barely survive back then. But, due to a fluke he managed to live this long. Unfortunately, he was never really skilled in anything except for Kido. Therefore, he is essentially the oldest teacher here.

This wasn't surprising though. A weak Soul Reaper who became a teacher would not be mentioned in the canon. At first, she underestimated him like the other students. But then he began talking about his theory of utilizing a sky gate to create small dimensions.

When she had asked hogyoku if that was possible, it naturally responded 'access denied.' Since then, she was very enthusiastic about this class. The sixth-years didn't need to attend class today due to the rankings, so the classroom was empty.

"Hello, Shishige-sensei!"

"Orihime, good you are here, help me look over this formula."

There were several papers scattered everywhere with incomplete formulas written on them. In the glory days of the Soul Society, Kido was done by instinct. It was only until the school was created that the great minds developed incantations to simplify the process.

This mess was actually something Orihime suggested. There are so many variations in Kido, but there are also many constants. She proposed the idea that there could be a single root casting method which concentrated the Reiatsu needed, and then several branches which defined its properties.

"Sensei, actually, I tested this on my own. What if we reserved a small portion of our Reiatsu to define the branches, like seed crystals? Then, all you would need to do is place the seed crystal into the concentrated Reiatsu, and it would catalyze into the Kido you wanted."

"That is extremely dangerous! There is no way to control the speed at which the catalyst converts the spiritual power. Additionally, it could pull spirit particles from around it to amplify itself even more. You said you tested this? I hope no one was harmed… The explosion must have been marvelous."

Orihime picked out several papers and put them next to each other. Then she wrote in some of her formulas and notes and then stepped to the side.

"The explosion was incredible, but it spread out too quickly. My intention was to fire it in a beam, like Byakurai. However, once the ball shrank about ten times it started to implode. Any less compression and it won't stay concentrated in a beam."

The two of them poured over the formulas and came up with several theories. Unfortunately, the hogyoku wasn't able to give her any assistance in this field. But, strangely, Orihime enjoyed trying to solve it herself. Once they came up with a few potential variations they proceeded to the Kido testing room.

Another reason that Shishige was criticized at the academy is because he cannot put his own theories to the test. He just did not have the Reiatsu for the higher-level Kido arts. Orihime was a beacon for him, since she would come and test his theories.

She began to try each variation one at a time. The first one did not shrink enough and burned in a short cone. The second one was too compressed that it almost became solid. The third one, which Orihime saved for last due to her having the most faith in it, worked almost like they planned.

"Captain-level strength…"

"What did you say, Orihime?"

"Ah, its nothing. It seems I'm too weak to control this level of Kido. But I'm certain this is the correct formula."

Shishige gave her a sympathetic look, since this was the problem he had faced all his life. Most of his work was left unconfirmed. It was not that no one tried to use his knowledge to their advantage, but simply that Orihime was the first person to be able to understand the theories.

Soul Society had a feel similar to the Edo era of japan, so their way of thinking was a bit old school. There were many concepts in modern society and in Orihime's past life that made her more perceptive to unique effects.

Shishige and Orihime returned to the classroom and went over the notes on the dimensional Kido he had been working on. Orihime deduced that if his theory and formula were correct, then one would be able to use powers similar to a certain cat robot from the future.

"I think we're on the right track here. This formula is derived from the sky gate and world gate. If only we could investigate the methods to open the Garganta. I am sure the missing sections of the formula lie in the Hollow's realm."

"Shishige-sensei, these two formulae here seem to be different than the others. Could these be the prototypes to creating a pocket-space?"

"Yes, I discovered the possibility of creating small folds in space to store objects that can be accessed from any point in the three realms. What inspired me was the research on hiding objects within souls. The data suggests powerful souls are able to generate their own secondary space."

"So, you mean to say, Soul Reapers and Hollows have a pocket dimension in their souls?"

"That is the theory. And since this space can store energy, it may very well be the source of spiritual power."

Orihime nodded at that guess. The concept existed in her previous life that black holes connected to another dimension, a secondary space, due to their massive gravitational force. And inside those spaces were all the matter and energy the hole consumed. If it was ever released it could vaporize planets.

Therefore, if you assume a powerful force can create something like a subspace then it would make sense for the souls of this world to create a space for spiritual power to collect. This concept already existed as Hakusui.

Hakusui is the part of the soul where all of your spiritual power gathers. Therefore, it was not farfetched to consider the possibility of multiple powerful souls with pocket dimensions inside them. Especially since traveling between dimensions is a rather common occurrence here.

"Do you think there would be a way to expand the Hakusui using these formulas?"

Before he could answer, another professor appeared at the doorway and called out to Orihime.

"Orihime Inoue, your presence is required in the administration office."

"Yes, sensei."

Orihime got up and big farewell to Shishige. On her way to the office, she realized just how late it was already. She had spent the rest of the day studying Kido without realizing.

Outside the room, Orihime could see three silhouettes through the paper walls. She wasn't sure what this was about, but her suspicion was the practical training. She knelt outside and called into the room.

"Orihime Inoue here to see the headmaster."

The door was slid open by the headmaster himself, and sitting at his desk was the captain of the twelfth squad and his lieutenant. Orihime panicked as this was one of her nightmare scenarios. Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a very strange and eccentric man.

He had no qualms about experimenting on his own body, let alone others. The expression on her face was not subtle so she quickly bowed her head.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, how can I assist you?"

"He-he-ha-ha, Orihime Inoue, why do you resemble a scared rabbit? I am not here to look for an experiment… today at least. However, if you would willingly offer yourself…

Anyway, it has come to my attention that you possess lieutenant-level spiritual power or perhaps even greater. However, you are still not part of a division. Therefore, we will be applying a spiritual limiter on you for your future mission since you do not have the convenience of a squad to apply it at any time."

Orihime had forgotten. All captains and lieutenants have to have spiritual limiters on them when entering the world of the living, otherwise the destruction they cause could be unnecessarily high. In addition, the high spiritual power also attracts Hollows, along with her condition.

What confused her was why no one thought to limit Ichigo's spiritual power. Perhaps it was because he was a permanent resident of the world of the living and often stayed in human form.

"Now, come here so Nemu can apply the seal."