Apprentice Showdown

Inside the underground training area, the special training was proceeding smoothly.

After awakening another elemental talent, Saikyō's Reiatsu had undergone a qualitative transformation.

With control over thunder, fire, and wind attributes, Saikyō's Reiatsu was now far stronger than that of an average Shinigami. The combination of these three attributes gave his Reiatsu a strength and intensity that surpassed the ordinary.

As Saikyō's power continued to grow, so too did the gap between him and his peers. He knew that soon enough, he would be able to defeat opponents with Reiatsu alone—without even needing to draw his blade.

"Mr. Urahara," Saikyō called out with a teasing grin, "aren't you getting bored just sitting there watching? You should stretch your legs a little, instead of just sighing from the sidelines."

The real reason for his words was clear—he wanted to push Urahara Kisuke into action.

As a former Third Seat of Squad 2 and the future Captain of Squad 12, Urahara was a master of countless techniques. Sparring with him would be a rare and invaluable opportunity for Saikyō, and he wasn't about to let it slip by.

Urahara glanced lazily at him. "Oh, Saikyō, it's only been a few days and you're already trying to provoke me?"

With a playful smirk, Saikyō replied, "What's wrong, Mr. Urahara? Don't tell me you're afraid of my Reiatsu."

That remark did the trick. Urahara choked on his breath, coughing slightly.

"Afraid... of your Reiatsu?"

Urahara stretched out the words with exaggerated mockery, shaking his head with a smile that said, You're really something.

"Saikyō, when you get beaten down, I hope you won't regret this," Urahara said with a grin. But despite the lighthearted tone, Urahara knew that their sparring session would be serious.

"Come on, Mr. Urahara. I know you won't go too hard on me," Saikyō teased back. The bond between them was strong, and neither took the banter too seriously.

"Fine, fine. Kidō or Zanjutsu—your choice," Urahara said, waving a hand casually, as if the outcome was already decided in his favor.

To his surprise, Saikyō didn't hesitate. "Both."

This unexpected answer caught Urahara off guard. Most Shinigami would be wary of taking on Urahara in even one category, let alone both Kidō and Zanjutsu. Yet Saikyō, full of confidence, had opted for an all-out battle. It wasn't arrogance but a strong desire to test his abilities across the board.

Impressed by the boldness, Urahara smirked. "Well, well. You really are my apprentice. I like that confidence!"

Despite the praise, Urahara couldn't help but chuckle at Saikyō's youthful bravado. His apprentice was talented, yes, but still young. There was no way he could truly challenge someone of Urahara's caliber.

"Alright, I'll give you three free shots," Urahara said, adopting a teacherly tone. "But after that, I won't be holding back."

"Three moves, huh?" Saikyō thought for a moment, then nodded. "That should be enough."

The strongest Kidō Saikyō had learned so far was Kaze no Kiretsu (Wind Breaker), a technique combining the wind element with his Reiatsu. Though it was only Hadō Number 20, when combined with his control over fire and lightning, Saikyō believed it could pose a real threat.

The fusion of wind, fire, and thunder would elevate the technique to new heights.

"Let's see what you've got," Urahara said with a smirk, ready to observe Saikyō's progress.

---

Saikyō focused all of his energy, releasing his Reiatsu in preparation for the attack.

"Hadō Number 20, Kaze no Kiretsu!"

Without an incantation, Saikyō cast the spell. Thin, razor-sharp wind blades spun out from his Reiatsu, whipping across the training ground and kicking up clouds of dust.

Urahara remained still, his expression calm. "Saikyō, I taught you this technique. If you think you can defeat me with it, you're being far too optimistic."

The wind roared, blowing his hair back, but Urahara's confidence didn't waver. He continued watching like a spectator at a show, unconcerned.

But then something shifted.

"Hm? This isn't right..." Urahara's eyes narrowed, his tone becoming more serious.

There was an unusual heat radiating from the wind blades, along with a faint trace of electricity. The fusion of elements was nearly perfect.

Urahara blinked in surprise, his usual composure shaken. "He's already improved this much?"

The Kaze no Kiretsu Saikyō had just cast was at least ten times stronger than when he had first learned it.

Saikyō's voice rang out from within the swirling winds. "Mr. Urahara, your expression changed pretty quickly. You alright?"

Urahara coughed, his smile fading. "Cheeky brat..."

But his tone was hiding something—caution. Somewhere in the storm of Reiatsu, Urahara had sensed something unsettling: a real threat.

"Am I imagining this? A kid like him making me feel pressure?" Urahara thought, bewildered.

For a captain-level Shinigami like Urahara to feel threatened by someone so young was unheard of. Yet here he was, forced to maintain his guard.

"If this turns out to be real, I'll never hear the end of it," Urahara muttered, regaining his composure. He couldn't afford to underestimate Saikyō any longer.

Meanwhile, Saikyō stood amidst the swirling chaos, grinning. Not only was he proud of the reaction he'd earned from Urahara, but he had also discovered something new about his abilities.

---

Hadō Amplification

Talent Effect: Casting any Hadō enhances its power by absorbing spirit particles. The increase in power varies depending on the concentration of spiritual particles, with a maximum amplification of ten times.

---

As Saikyō had cast Kaze no Kiretsu, he felt the spirit particles being drawn in, their power boosting the spell to its absolute limit. He had reached the maximum possible amplification.

"Mr. Urahara, get ready!" Saikyō called out as the enhanced wind blades surged forward.

The attack was nearly instantaneous. By the time Urahara registered the threat, the wind blades were already upon him.

"This kid's serious!" Urahara's eyes widened.

He hadn't expected Saikyō to improve this much in such a short time. The power of the attack exceeded his expectations.

"If I lose to him, I'll never live this down," Urahara thought, a hint of panic flashing through his mind.

But Urahara Kisuke was no ordinary opponent. In the blink of an eye, his instincts took over, and he adjusted his stance, preparing to counter.

The real fight had just begun.