"Kidō—these are high-level spells only Shinigami can use. They are divided into three main branches: Hadō, Bakudō, and Kaidō."
"Hadō is the path of attack and destruction. Bakudō focuses on binding and restraint. And Kaidō, of course, is the art of healing."
"Today, we'll begin with Hadō."
At the spacious training ground, Jūshirō Ukitake stood before a group of elite students, summarizing the three categories of Kidō clearly and concisely.
This was not an ordinary class. Everyone present was a genius among geniuses—one in a million. There was no need to explain the theory of Kidō a second time. Once was enough. Every student would remember it. Students like Urahara Kisuke and the future Grand Kidō Chief, Tessai Tsukabishi, could even grasp deeper meanings from a single example.
"Hadō #1: Shō (Thrust)."
Jūshirō Ukitake pointed his index finger. Instantly, spiritual pressure surged from the tip of his finger, transforming into a shockwave that pierced a wooden dummy ten meters away.
Though it was just the lowest-level Hadō, in the hands of a veteran Captain-level Shinigami, it still displayed immense power.
"If your spiritual power is strong enough and you've mastered control, you can skip the chant entirely and cast Hadō directly."
"The same applies to Bakudō and Kaidō."
"Alright, now you may all practice freely."
After demonstrating both the chanted and chantless versions of Hadō, Ukitake let the students train at their own pace.
There was no need for him to constantly supervise. Their qualifications spoke for themselves—he only needed to teach the material once. The students would soon show their understanding with their performance.
"Kidō? This doesn't seem that difficult."
Aiyanclosed the book in his hand, which recorded Hadō and Bakudō from numbers 1 to 60 in detail. He was just about to select a wooden target like the others when a voice echoed in his ear, brimming with dissatisfaction:
[Your Kidō is very capable and won't allow you to interfere in his cultivation.]
[Your Kidō said, if you go and practice now, the neighboring Zanjutsu and Kendo will see it and think he's weak. To prove himself to you, he's already trained like mad and successfully mastered all Hadō and Bakudō from numbers 1 to 60.]
Aiyan froze mid-step and sat back down.
He originally intended to train himself. But his Kidō spirit was too proud—it didn't want to be laughed at by the Zanjutsu and Kendo spirits at the next table. So instead, it had taken matters into its own hands and practiced every Kidō up to number 60 on the spot.
In fact, Aiyan even suspected this wasn't Kidō's limit. It had likely trained as far as the book allowed—if the manual had covered higher-level spells, it might've kept going.
"Hadō #4: Byakurai."
"Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden."
"Hadō #12: Fuhuo."
...
Ukitake slowly walked around, observing the students' progress. Everyone was steadily advancing in their Hadō practice, but Tessai Tsukabishi stood out the most. Though born in Rukongai and learning Kidō for the first time today, he showed remarkable aptitude.
Within just half an hour, he had already reached Hadō #15. Not only that, but he could also cast without chanting, and the strength wasn't any weaker than the full incantation.
It was only a matter of time before he caught up to prodigies like Byakuya Kuchiki or Shihouin Yoruichi—nobles who had trained in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō since early childhood.
That—was talent.
No matter how prestigious your background, you couldn't easily surpass such a gift.
"Hm?"
As Ukitake's gaze passed over Lan Yan, he suddenly stopped.
He had expected Lan Yan—the most talented student the Spiritual Arts Academy had seen in two thousand years—to surprise him again today, just as he did during the Zanpakutō session. But instead, he was lounging under a tree enjoying the breeze.
"Student Lan Yan, is there a problem?"
"Do you need help with anything? If there's any part of Hadō you don't understand, feel free to ask."
Ukitake walked up, gently inquiring.
If it had been any other teacher, they might have thrown a piece of chalk at a student lazing around during class. But Ukitake didn't. Not just because of his patience—but also because he knew how terrifying Lan Yan's talent was.
"Thank you, Jūshirō-sensei."
"But I don't have any questions."
Aiyan smiled politely and shook his head.
"Then why aren't you practicing Kidō?"
"Look around. Everyone's working hard—even Aizen. As his older brother, don't you think you should be setting a better example?"
Ukitake began to think that perhaps Aiyanwas becoming arrogant. That with such incredible talent, he had grown complacent and was now underestimating the importance of Kidō training.
Their conversation naturally drew the attention of other students nearby—Urahara Kisuke, Byakuya Kuchiki, and others paused to listen.
[Your Kidō said cultivation is its responsibility. If you get involved again, Zanpakutō and Kendo next door—]
"Honestly, Jūshirō-sensei."
"I would like to train, but my strength doesn't allow it."
"So, please devote your time and energy to students who actually need it more."
Aiyancould feel Ukitake's earnest concern. But the situation was out of his hands. He could only put on a helpless expression and respond tactfully—hoping to divert the teacher's attention to students like Tousen Kaname, who truly needed guidance.
After all, this wasn't the first time.
He had tried countless times to negotiate with his Kidō. But it was just too proud. It would never allow him to get involved.
Each time he tried to practice, Kidō would flatly refuse, claiming that cultivation was solely its job—not Lan Yan's.
It even issued a warning:
If Zanjutsu and Kendo mocked it because of Lan Yan's intervention, it would go on strike and stop practicing Hadō and Bakudō altogether.
With Kidō this stubborn—
What could Aiyan even do?
All he could do was sit in the shade and let it handle training by itself.
"What an arrogant guy."
"Even the Kuchiki family, who've been training in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō since childhood, wouldn't dare say such things."
"You better be more cautious and stop acting so high and mighty."
Byakuya Kuchiki, who had been practicing not far away, heard this and couldn't help but react.
If Aiyan didn't have strength, Byakuya could've ignored him. But the words he spoke—even subtly suggesting Ukitake's efforts should be spent on others—lit a fire in Byakuya's heart.
He couldn't just pretend it didn't happen.
"Thank you for the advice."
"But Kidō isn't something you need to train endlessly. What matters is learning it early."
"Because in this world, there's something called talent. And that alone can make up for time, effort, and even noble lineage."
Aiyan turned to look at the proud and quick-tempered Byakuya, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly into a calm, confident smile.