Suddenly, murmurs arose. Momo turned to look and saw a wooden target reduced to just its wooden handle, with an empty space beside it.
"That's incredible. Hitsugaya-kun completely vaporized the target."
"And Kira-kun hit the bullseye perfectly. Can we really never catch up to them?"
"By the way, did any of you hear Hitsugaya-kun chant just now?"
At these words, the surroundings fell silent. Indeed, they hadn't heard Toshiro chant.
"He abandoned the incantation and still had such power?!" The surroundings erupted into discussion again.
"Hinamori, is Hitsugaya-kun really your boyfriend? He's so amazing!" The twin-tailed girl exclaimed.
"Yes, Shiro-chan is indeed very capable." Momo said, her face flushed.
If someone praised her, she would be modest, but when others praised Toshiro, Momo felt proud.
"Next, Abarai Renji." The Kido teacher called.
"Yes." Renji answered and stepped forward.
'This time, I must wash away the shame from last time and show everyone my prowess.' Renji thought to himself.
"Ha!" Renji shouted, striking a cool pose.
'Can't let you guys have all the cool moments. I'll also forgo the incantation and hit it with one shot to show you.' Renji thought.
"Hado #31, Shakkaho!" Renji shouted. A red sphere of light appeared.
Boom!
A loud explosion rang out.
Renji's Shakkaho indeed had immense power. Unfortunately, it didn't hit the target. Instead, it exploded right in front of him, creating a cloud of smoke. The shockwave sent people nearby flying.
"What happened?"
"The explosion was..."
As the smoke cleared, it revealed Renji, now completely blackened by the blast.
"Abarai! You stay after class for remedial lessons!" The Kido teacher, hair standing on end and face blackened, said angrily.
"Yes." Renji opened his mouth and exhaled a ring of black smoke.
"Hahaha... Abarai-kun, are you a comedian hired by monkeys?" A student who wasn't affected laughed.
Toshiro couldn't help but chuckle. He turned to look at that student, wanting to ask, 'Are you a transmigrator too?'
…
Nighttime.
After a day of classes, Toshiro returned to his residence. Instead of sleeping or training, he went to the courtyard.
During the day's Kido class, Toshiro discovered that when using Shunpo for high-speed movement, he could faintly sense spatial fluctuations. So, he wanted to understand why.
Toshiro sat cross-legged on the ground and entered a meditative state. When he regained focus, he was already in his Inner World.
It was still an endless expanse of icy plains, but without the raging blizzard. Instead, it was sunny and calm.
"You've come, Toshiro." Hyorinmaru's voice sounded.
"Hyorinmaru, I have a question. Why can I sense spatial fluctuations? Aren't you an Ice-type Zanpakuto? Do you also possess spatial power?" Toshiro asked, puzzled.
"Have you forgotten how you came to this world?" Hyorinmaru countered.
"You mean..."
"Correct. The dragon pearl possesses the ability to traverse space. After merging, I also gained the ability to influence space. If your power becomes sufficiently strong, traversing worlds might not be impossible. You'd better not view me with the same perspective as the Hyorinmaru from the anime." Hyorinmaru explained.
"Hyorinmaru, compared to a Hollow's Sonído or a Quincy's Hirenkyaku, a Shinigami's Shunpo doesn't have a clear advantage. I want to combine spatial power with Shunpo to create a new movement technique. Can you help me?" Toshiro asked.
"Of course. Then, close your eyes and focus your mind." Hyorinmaru said. A blue orb of light emanated from his body, flashed, and entered Toshiro's mind. Then, he sent Toshiro back out.
Outside, Toshiro didn't open his eyes. Instead, he continued to focus, comprehending the information within the light orb.
After a long time, Toshiro finally opened his eyes. Instantly, the world's spatial fabric felt clearer than ever before. Not the slightest fluctuation could escape his perception.
"Now, let's begin testing." Once the conceptualization in his mind was complete, only practical application remained.
While controlling his Reiatsu to gather at his legs, Toshiro exerted his influence on space, attempting to warp and fold it, shortening the distance between two points.
"Hyah!" Toshiro released a light shout, and his power erupted instantly.
Crash!
A person-shaped hole appeared in the courtyard wall.
Toshiro had followed in Renji's footsteps.
"My, my, even a genius like me fails sometimes?" Toshiro stood up, brushing off the dust, and mocked himself.
"But I won't give up just like that." Toshiro's expression turned serious.
Next, Toshiro repeatedly practiced and continuously refined his technique until he finally succeeded once.
"Hmm, the speed far surpasses a Shinigami's Shunpo. Since it combines Shunpo with spatial power, let's call it Shunkuho (Instant Void Step). However, I still can't perfectly synchronize the spatial fluctuations with the Reiatsu eruption point."
"But it's already late. I'll rest for today." Toshiro glanced at the sky and walked back into the house.
As for the damaged wall, he'd call someone to repair it tomorrow.
The next day, Toshiro didn't attend classes. Instead, he specifically requested a few days' leave from the academy to practice Shunkuho.