I'm in Bleach, starting with Unlimited Blade Works.

"Kyoraku, what kind of uncle are you?"

"Nanao has been with you for so many years, yet her spiritual pressure is still not even at the level of a vice-captain."

"Oh dear, Captain Erin, you're wronging me."

Seeing that he was about to be lectured by Erin again, Kyoraku Shunsui quickly raised his hands in surrender.

"Since taking over the work of the intelligence department, Nanao-chan has focused most of her energy on intelligence collection and organization. The fact that she has the strength she has now is because I have done my best to help her train."

"This……"

Erin glanced at Ise Nanao, and seeing that she did not refute him, he knew that Kyoraku Shunsui was probably telling the truth.

As for why Ise Nanao values ​​intelligence so much, Erin knows without Kyoraku Shunsui even needing to explain.

Decades ago, Ise Nanao's father was attacked and killed, and her mother also committed suicide out of love.

Over the years, Ise Nanao had been gathering information about the person who attacked her father that day.

Although the father's death was related to the curse of the "Eight Mirrors Sword," a sacred weapon passed down through generations of the Ise family, a curse is a curse, and the murderer must also receive the punishment he deserves.

The Eighth Division is an intelligence unit; only here could Ise Nanao possibly find information related to her father's murder.

In recent years, in order to find information about the murderer, Ise Nanao has even neglected her own training.

Chapter 165 Whether or not it's used or not

"Nanao, is what the Kyoraku band leader said true?"

Setting down his wine glass, Erin asked Ise Nanao in a deep voice.

Ise Nanao pursed her lips and lowered her head, remaining silent.

"Ugh……"

Seeing Ise Nanao in this state, how could Erin not know?

"Qi Xu, you need to know that the person who can attack your father in the heavily guarded noble district without leaving any evidence is far more powerful and influential than you can handle right now."

"Even if you do find out something, with your current abilities, what can you do?"

A hint of disappointment crossed Erin's eyes as she looked at Nanao Ise.

"Seven Threads, this is a world where great power returns to itself."

"Once you become powerful enough to disregard all rules, you only need to say one word to get the entire Seireitei to help you find the person who assassinated your father. Otherwise, you can destroy the entire Seireitei. It probably won't take more than three days for all the information about that person, including the information about the person who instigated him, to be placed in front of you."

"Hey, Captain Erin, this is going too far!"

Upon hearing Erin's words, Kyoraku Shunsui coughed a few times and quickly raised his hand to stop him.

“See, Nanao, just like the captain of the Kyoraku Band.”

Erin ignored Kyoraku and instead said to Ise Nanao, "Do you know why Kyoraku got nervous because of what I said?"

"That's because he knows I have the ability to do these things."

"But what about you? Even if you say that outside, people will just laugh at you."

"You have time to research information and intelligence now, why not use it to cultivate and become stronger?"

"Let me ask you this: you found the murderer today, and then what?"

"What if the murderer is a servant of a high-ranking nobleman?"

"Secretly kill the servant, and let the nobleman go?"

"So, did you get revenge, or not?"

"If you want to kill that high-ranking nobleman, do you have enough strength?"

"I'm afraid you'll be captured or even killed by the nobleman's servants before you even get close to anyone."

Perhaps because she was in a bad mood today, Erin gave Ise Nanao a lecture.

It wasn't until Ise Nanao was sobbing uncontrollably that Erin realized that what he had just said was far too heavy for her.

Strength...

In this world, who doesn't want to become stronger?

If cultivation could quickly improve one's strength, why would Ise Nanao spend so much time gathering information?

"Ugh……"

"I'm sorry, Nana, Uncle Erin was a bit emotional today."

After regaining his senses, looking at the girl he had made cry, Erin felt a rare pang of guilt.

"No, Uncle Erin is right. I've wasted too much time on useless intelligence gathering..."

Ise Nanao wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and solemnly said to Erin, "But don't worry, Uncle Erin."

"From now on, I will delegate the intelligence work and focus all my energy on improving my strength."

"Yes, it's great that you think that way."

Seeing the change in Ise Nanao, Erin smiled and said, "In that case, after you finish dealing with your current matters, ask the Kyoraku Band leader for a leave of absence."

"Come to the Kuchiki family when the time comes, and I will personally teach you for a period of time."

"Oh? Really, Uncle Erin?"

Upon hearing that Erin was willing to teach her, Ise Nanao was overjoyed and asked in disbelief.

Within the entire Seireitei, Erin's status and position subtly surpassed that of the other captains.

On one hand, there is Erin's formidable strength.

Especially knowing that Erin had rejected the invitation from several captains of the Zero Division, they placed Erin on an almost equal footing with Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

Another aspect is Erin's powerful teaching ability.

You are capable, and we respect you.

But if you are not only strong, but also able to train more strong individuals, people will not just respect you.

Look at Byakuya Kuchiki, captain of the 6th Division; look at Gin Ichimaru, captain of the 3rd Division; look at Soi Fon, captain of the 2nd Division…

These three captains were able to stand out among the Grim Reapers and become high-ranking captains because they received guidance from Captain Erin.

Well, although everyone has the situation backwards, it doesn't stop people from thinking that as long as you are mentored by Captain Erin, you might be the next person to have captain-level strength.

"Can this be false?"

Erin reached out and ruffled Ise Nanao's hair.

"Go back quickly, finish things sooner, and come find me sooner."

"Ah."

After nodding to Erin, Ise Nanao ignored Kyoraku Shunsui and got up to leave the izakaya.

"Thanks, Captain Erin."

Kyoraku Shunsui raised his wine glass to Ailin in a gesture, then downed the wine in one gulp.

"No need, my helping Qixu has little to do with you."

"but……"

At this point, Elling paused for a moment, then asked Kyoraku Shunsui meaningfully, "Kyoraku, as you know, the Ise family's Zanpakuto is the sacred weapon 'Yakage-no-Tsurugi', passed down through generations."

"Because of the loss of the divine artifact 'Eight Mirrors Sword', Nanao has not practiced any slashing techniques in recent years."

"Tell me, should I let Qixu focus all her energy on cultivating the demonic path, or should I also teach Qixu some swordsmanship as well?"

"After all, no one knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come first."

"What if one day the divine artifact, the Eight Mirrors Sword, is found, and the situation requires Nanao to use it..."

"Can Nanao, who has never used a sword or practiced swordsmanship, unleash the full power of the divine weapon, the Eight Mirrors Sword?"

Erin spoke his last few words very softly.

If Kyoraku Shunsui hadn't been so close to Erin, he probably wouldn't have been able to hear what Erin was saying.

"Bah!"

The wine glass in her hand was crushed by Kyoraku Shunsui.

At this moment, Kyoraku Shunsui stared at Erin in shock, countless thoughts racing through his mind.

"He knows?"

"No, only my sister-in-law and I know about this. I haven't told anyone else about it, not even Ukitake."

"My sister-in-law wouldn't possibly leak this..."

"So, Captain Erin is guessing that thing is on me?"

Should we tell him?

Logically speaking, the Eight Mirrors Sword is a sacred weapon passed down through generations of the Ise family. Without the Eight Mirrors Sword, Ise Nanao's strength would be at a significant disadvantage in the battle against the Shinigami.

After all, once other Shinigami have completed the creation of their Zanpakuto, their spiritual pressure will also be enhanced through communication and fusion with the "spirit" of the Zanpakuto.

In battle, the release of a Zanpakuto will cause a surge in a Shinigami's spiritual pressure.

To protect Ise Nanao, Kyoraku Shunsui never allowed her to participate in battles.

In other words, so far, Nanao Ise's combat experience is still what she learned at the Shinigami Academy.

After thinking for a while, Kyoraku Shunsui sighed.

"Captain Erin, you can handle these things as you see fit."

"After all, it was Captain Erin who taught Nanao."

"However, I think it's always good for people to learn more things."

With that last sentence, Kyoraku Shunsui was practically telling Erin that he knew where the Ise family's sacred treasure was.

"Yes, Kyoraku, we truly are worthy of being friends despite our age difference."

Erin chuckled and patted Kyoraku Shunsui on the shoulder, saying meaningfully, "Kyoraku, you need to know that there are some things we can do without, but we can't live without."