Hot Springs AtThe Training Base

Soul Society, Seireitei.

"Brother Saikyō, this is the place. We'll be training here for the next three months." Urahara Kisuke's voice broke the stillness of the surrounding area.

They stood on the north side of Shōjizaka Hill, directly below the Shōjizaka Platform.

Looking around, dense vegetation stretched out as far as the eye could see, with no clear path in sight. It was not easy to reach this place; one had to navigate through numerous obstacles along the way.

It was clear just how remote this location was!

"Mr. Urahara, this place is way too secluded. Why did you choose to establish a secret base here?" Saikyō couldn't help but complain.

Anyone coming here for the first time would definitely get lost in the dense forest without a guide.

"The downside is actually an advantage," Urahara Kisuke responded calmly. "This way, we don't have to worry about the base's privacy and security."

"I see. Where's the entrance?"

Saikyō looked around carefully but couldn't find anything resembling an entrance.

"Brother Saikyō, just watch!"

Urahara Kisuke approached a jagged rock and reached out to touch its rough surface.

Hum—

Reiatsu fluctuated, and blue light flickered.

Urahara Kisuke moved his arms in a precise pattern over the stone, forming a specific symbol.

The next moment.

Under the dazzling light, a pitch-black hole appeared.

Standing at the edge of the hole, looking down, one could see a dark corridor.

"Mr. Urahara, was that a Kidō barrier just now?" Saikyō asked curiously.

"That's right. It's a special Kidō barrier of mine, which can hide the entrance to the base." Urahara Kisuke explained briefly.

"Let's go. Be prepared; what you're about to see will amaze you."

Urahara Kisuke entered the passage first, with Saikyō close behind. The two figures gradually disappeared into the depths of the corridor.

————

A short while later.

With Urahara Kisuke leading the way, they finally reached the inside of the hidden base.

"Wow! What a breathtaking scene. It's completely different from the outside!" Saikyō couldn't help but exclaim in amazement as soon as he stepped out of the passage.

The interior of the hidden base was much larger than he had expected.

The entire area was brightly lit, with steam rising everywhere. Several hot springs bubbled away, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere, like a paradise hidden from the world.

The refined and meticulously designed layout gave the whole place a pristine and otherworldly appearance.

"Brother Saikyō, how do you like it? Not disappointed, I hope?" Urahara Kisuke chuckled proudly.

"Mr. Urahara, you've outdone yourself! Creating such a perfect training base!" Saikyō couldn't help but praise him.

"It's one thing to know about it beforehand, but it's another thing entirely to experience it in person."

He admired Urahara Kisuke even more now. As time went on, his respect for the man grew deeper.

"Look over there, those steaming hot springs," Urahara Kisuke pointed to a section of the base. "The water quality is extraordinary. It has powerful healing properties and can effectively relieve fatigue."

"And that's not all…"

As he continued to lead the way, Urahara Kisuke enthusiastically introduced the base. "This is the center of Shōjizaka Hill, the area with the highest concentration of spiritual particles. Try sensing it carefully."

"Is that so?"

Saikyō closed his eyes and concentrated, following Urahara's suggestion.

Just as the shopkeeper said, the concentration of spiritual particles within the base was several times higher than outside.

Training here would yield twice the results with half the effort!

"Mr. Urahara, your creativity and skills are truly remarkable!" Saikyō started praising him again. It seemed he had entered praise mode, showering Urahara Kisuke with compliments.

Knowing about the base in advance was one thing, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

His admiration for Urahara Kisuke had reached a new level.

"Alright, I've introduced the entire environment. Now it's time to talk about the training plan." Urahara Kisuke moved to the center of the area, his expression turning serious.

"Besides eating and sleeping, you need to train for at least ten hours a day. Given your talent in Kidō, I plan for you to master all the low-level Kidō within three months."

Urahara Kisuke set a strict training regimen from the start.

"Ten hours?"

Saikyō's eyes widened slightly.

Ten hours of training daily was twice as much as he did at the Shihōin mansion.

He had to admit, the shopkeeper was very strict!

"Of course, in addition to Kidō, I will teach you all four fundamental Shinigami combat techniques: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō," Urahara Kisuke added.

"Mr. Urahara, I understand!"

Saikyō nodded resolutely.

The three-month special training would undoubtedly be challenging.

But thinking about becoming the direct disciple of Urahara Kisuke, he immediately felt a surge of excitement.

Maybe one day, he would get to work alongside Urahara, participate in the research and development of the Hōgyoku, and witness the creation of such a divine artifact.

There was nothing more thrilling than that!

"Brother Saikyō, I have high hopes for you. I believe you can become that once-in-a-century genius we've been waiting for!" Urahara Kisuke's words were filled with expectation.

At this point in time, Ichimaru Gin was still wandering in Rukongai, and the "Night of Hollow" incident wouldn't occur until many years later.

So, in the past century, aside from Shiba Kaien, there hadn't been a genius who drew the attention of the entire Soul Society.

In Urahara Kisuke's eyes, with the potential Saikyō displayed, he could very well become a legend!

"Well then… Mr. Urahara, shall we begin training?" Saikyō took a deep breath, bracing himself.

The shopkeeper's words had just poured a bowl of motivational soup into him, filling him with energy.

"Ah? Brother Saikyō, you're too eager. Aren't you going to enjoy the hot springs first?" Urahara Kisuke's serious demeanor vanished, and he looked at Saikyō with a playful glint in his eye.

That look seemed to imply, "You're such a fool!"

"What?! Didn't we just agree to start training? Who was the one giving me that serious lecture just now?" Saikyō's eyelids twitched. The shopkeeper's sudden change in attitude completely caught him off guard.

"Brother Saikyō, training can wait. Let's soak for three days and nights first." Urahara Kisuke stretched leisurely, ignoring Saikyō's bewildered expression, and walked over to the edge of the hot spring.

Splash!

There was a crisp sound, water splashing everywhere as Urahara Kisuke skillfully jumped into the hot spring.

It seemed like he wasn't new to this!

"Brother Saikyō, what are you waiting for?" Urahara Kisuke sighed in relief as he soaked in the hot spring. "Oh, some people just don't know how to relax."

"Pfft!!!"

Saikyō nearly spat out a mouthful of water.

Hey, hey, hey!

Shopkeeper, who are you mocking? Don't think that using reverse psychology will make me join you in the hot spring.

But...

Saikyō gritted his teeth and jumped into the hot spring too.

Sure enough.

No one can resist the call of true comfort!