The 11th Division had custom-ordered a batch of Shihakusho from the 12th Division, and this news quickly spread throughout the entire Gotei 13.
Shihakusho, like Zanpakuto, were standard equipment for Shinigami. Similarly, Shutara Senjumaru, who had created the Shihakusho, was promoted to the Zero Division for this great achievement.
Compared to Asauchi, the production process and material requirements for Shihakusho were much simpler, and the Research and Development Institute retained the manufacturing data for Shihakusho.
Once Shinigami joined a division, they could receive their own Shihakusho. Moreover, because Shihakusho had a close relationship with a Shinigami's Reiryoku, they could use their Reiatsu to repair, clean, and even enhance the defensive capabilities of their Shihakusho.
Therefore, generally speaking, Shinigami only owned one set of Shihakusho.
The fact that members of the 11th Division had ordered custom Shihakusho did pique everyone's curiosity.
However, in the end, Shihakusho weren't particularly important to Shinigami, so most people just treated it as a joke and didn't pay much attention to it.
Some researchers from the 12th Division who had participated in the production of these Shihakusho knew what the 11th Division members planned to use their specially made Shihakusho for.
But as researchers, they were only interested in studying the unknown.
As for what these finished products were used for or who used them, they didn't care.
"It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed..."
Strolling through the streets, Kyoya curiously observed everything around him.
Although he had been the captain of the 11th Division for eighteen years, the previous Kyoya had either been training, searching for training locations, or instructing his division's members in their training.
After obtaining the weighted uniforms, not only had Kyoya been freed from the tediousness of training, but the members of the 11th Division had also begun adapting to their weighted Shihakusho, no longer requiring Kyoya to personally guide their Zanjutsu.
Thus, Kyoya found himself with rare leisure time to appreciate the splendor of the Seireitei.
In the Living World at this time, society was still in a state of chaos, with low productivity and technological advancement.
Not to mention the Seireitei, even the first few districts of the Rukongai near the Seireitei would be considered 'paradise' compared to the Living World.
The Seireitei was on another level entirely.
This was where the nobles resided. Whether it was architecture or anything else, it far surpassed what those outside the Seireitei could imagine.
Even by the time the Living World reached the technological boom of the 20th century, the buildings of the Seireitei would still hold their own.
The bustling streets were no less lively than the commercial districts a century later.
The quiet alleyways, however, were as solemn as palace courtyards, with occasional patrols of Shinigami clad in black Shihakusho.
Whether merchants, tourists, or patrolling Shinigami, upon seeing Kyoya, they either bowed respectfully or instinctively stepped aside to avoid accidentally offending him.
That Captain's Haori was the most distinctive symbol in the Seireitei.
Even those who had never seen the captains of the Gotei 13 knew that most Shinigami only wore plain black Shihakusho.
Those who wore a white Haori over their Shihakusho were undoubtedly the Captains standing at the pinnacle of the Gotei 13.
To these people, the captains of the Gotei 13 were no less prestigious than the nobles of the inner district.
In some ways, the captains' deterrent powers even surpassed that of the nobles.
After all, nobles were symbols of status and position.
The captains, however, were symbols of 'strength'.
In the current Seireitei, 'strength' was just as much a 'truth' as status and position.
Not to mention Captains, even ordinary Shinigami were figures many dared not provoke.
This suited Kyoya just fine.
He simply wanted to take in the sights of the Seireitei and had no intention of interacting with these people.
After all, he came from an era of information explosion. In terms of good food, drinks, and entertainment, he was several levels above the nobles of the Seireitei.
Perhaps only the living world a century later would hold any real appeal for Kyoya.
"Ahahahaha..."
Hearing this familiar laughter, Kyoya paused, only then realizing that he had unknowingly wandered into the residential area of the inner district's nobles.
As a Captain of the Gotei 13, the Shinigami guarding the inner district naturally didn't dare stop him.
'Could this be the Shihoin Clan's estate?'
Kyoya glanced up at the courtyard walls, which weren't particularly high.
If he wanted, he could easily leap over them into the compound.
'If it was that woman, such an action wouldn't be considered an offense.'
In the past, Kyoya wouldn't have entertained such thoughts.
But now, with his strength at this level and a shortcut to further training found, barring any unexpected events, Kyoya would likely be in a state of 'idleness' for some time to come.
Under these circumstances, Kyoya wanted to find some amusement to satisfy his curiosity… or perhaps start laying the groundwork for the future?
But...
Kyoya shook his head, 'Only those lacking in strength felt the need to scheme.'
'With sufficient power, one could simply do as they pleased.'
'Even if one were to make plans, it would only be to ensure that, one day, they could witness the scenery they desired to see.'
'...or shock, or delight...'
Thinking of this, Kyoya smiled faintly and lightly leaped onto the courtyard wall.
However, what surprised him was that as soon as he landed on the wall, a figure abruptly crashed toward him.
Boom!
Kyoya's sudden appearance clearly caught the other party off guard as well.
Fortunately, neither Kyoya nor the figure was an ordinary person.
[Geppo]
With a flicker of movement, Kyoya retreated back onto the wall, while the other figure used a spinning Shunpo to bypass him, landing beside him on the wall.
But-
Rumble-
In the end, Kyoya had only been wearing the weighted uniform for a few days. Though he could handle its weight during normal movement, his earlier Geppo's retreat had been too abrupt, and he hadn't accounted for the extra load.
As a result, the thirty-ton weight crushed the wall beneath him, collapsing it entirely.
"My apologies..."
Kyoya quickly flash-stepped into the courtyard and offered a wry smile to Ginrei, who stood beneath a cherry blossom tree: "Captain Kuchiki, I've been undergoing some special training recently and couldn't control my strength properly. I've damaged your wall… I'll have craftsmen repair it immediately. Please forgive the inconvenience."
That's right… this wasn't the Shihoin Clan's estate as Kyoya had initially assumed, but rather the residence of the Kuchiki Clan, another of the Four Great Noble Houses.
As for what had just happened, Kyoya pieced it together at a glance.
The dark-skinned woman clutching a hair ribbon atop the ruined wall, and the stunned, delicate-looking youth… who else could they be but Yoruichi and Kuchiki Byakuya?
Kyoya knew Yoruichi enjoyed teasing naive young boys.
He also knew that Byakuya had been her plaything for several years during his childhood.
But he hadn't expected that a casual stroll today would lead him straight into one of Yoruichi's pranks on Byakuya.
"It's a trivial matter, Captain Kyoya. Please don't trouble yourself over it."
Ginrei waved his hand dismissively before turning to Byakuya.
"Byakuya, come greet Captain Kyoya."
"Hmph! Cat Demon, I'll settle with you later!"
After shooting Yoruichi a glare, Byakuya stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Kyoya.
"Kuchiki Byakuya, greetings to Kyoya-sama."
Though the young Byakuya was still somewhat impulsive, he had still received proper noble education.
"Hah! Young Master Byakuya is full of vigor, brimming with talent… He's destined for greatness in the future."
After praising Byakuya, Kyoya turned to Ginrei: "Captain Kuchiki, your successor is truly remarkable."
Ginrei shook his head with a bitter smile.
Indeed, Byakuya's talent was extraordinary. He would undoubtedly reach Captain-level strength one day, perhaps even surpassing Ginrei himself.
However, Byakuya was still too young. The Kuchiki Clan might not be able to wait for him to fully mature.
If Ginrei could hold on for another 150 years, then yes… the Kuchiki Clan would indeed have a worthy heir.
But the problem was... he might only have a few decades left...
Before Ginrei could respond, Yoruichi leaped down from the wall, planting her hands on her hips as she taunted Byakuya.
"Hey, Byakuya, this guy Kyoya graduated from the Shin'o Academy in just one year before becoming a Captain of the Gotei 13… He's a real prodigy."
"How does it feel to be praised as 'brimming with talent' by someone like him?"
"Hmph! I don't want to talk to you, Cat Demon."
Byakuya's face twisted in disgust as he turned away.
But when he looked back at Kyoya, his eyes sparkled with excitement… like a starstruck fan.
"Captain Kyoya, I've heard you can unleash Kenatsu with pure Zanjutsu alone. Could you teach me?"
"Oh? You want to learn?"
"Yes!"
Byakuya nodded eagerly.
Kyoya glanced at the collapsed wall, then back at Byakuya.
Though Captain Kuchiki had dismissed it as a minor issue, Kyoya couldn't just let it slide.
Giving Byakuya some guidance would be a way to repay Ginrei… compensation for the damaged wall.
Besides, Kyoya had always have a good impression of Byakuya.
"Very well, Byakuya. Attack me… let me see your fundamentals."
In the One Piece World, swordsmanship is all about 'technique'.
Only by mastering one's skills to the extreme can one be called a "swordsman" and be qualified to comprehend the "breath of all things."
Only by honing technique to its peak could one be called a Great Swordsman… worthy of comprehending [The Breath of All Things].
Otherwise, without mastering the basics, even if one grasped [The Breath of All Things], how could they ever land a decisive strike?
"Understood, Captain Kyoya! Please take care of me!"
Byakuya stepped back, gripping his Zanpakuto with both hands as he assumed an offensive stance.
Yoruichi, for once, didn't mock him. Instead, she retreated to stand beside Ginrei, watching as Byakuya and Kyoya prepared to spar.