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

"Come on, Rukia."

"You need to understand that for Byakuya, your improvement in strength is more important than anything else."

"Besides, don't you want to give Byakuya a surprise?"

"Yes, I understand, teacher."

After taking a deep breath, Rukia followed Erin to the open space in front of the cherry blossom tree and gripped the Asauchi in her hand.

"I'm going to go now, teacher."

"Yes, bring on the attack as you please."

"Drink!"

……

In the evening, Byakuya Kuchiki returned home expressionlessly, and without lingering, headed towards the front yard where he often trained with Rukia.

However, as Byakuya moved forward, his expression underwent a subtle change.

Even their steps paused for a moment.

However, he eventually continued forward.

When Byakuya Kuchiki arrived at his front yard, he found his uncle Erin practicing sword techniques with Rukia.

However, Byakuya Kuchiki's gaze was mostly fixed on Rukia.

He noticed that compared to when they fought, Rukia's sword swings, parries, retreats, and attacks now had a certain order to them.

While I wouldn't say I can fully unleash the power I've gained during training, the progress is astonishing compared to when I could only use half my strength when fighting myself, or sometimes not even half.

Of course, what caught Byakuya Kuchiki's attention even more was Rukia's gaze.

When fighting herself, Rukia's eyes were filled with panic and helplessness.

Rukia now appears very calm, and every move she makes seems to contain some kind of pattern. It seems that after this sword strike, Rukia had already planned the subsequent attack or defense.

I only spent one day, and Rukia has changed so much?

Is this the difference between myself and my teacher?

At this point, Byakuya Kuchiki had to admit that in terms of educating his disciples, a year's worth of his efforts couldn't compare to the effect of a single day's work by his teacher.

"Alright, I understand your situation, Rukia."

Sensing Byakuya Kuchiki's arrival, Erin knocked Rukia back with a single sword strike, stopping the test.

"what?"

This battle was definitely the one Rukia fought with the most dedication since becoming a Shinigami.

At first, Rukia was hesitant and unable to fight freely in her battle with Erin.

However, as the battle continued, Rukia discovered that when faced with her attacks, her teacher simply stood still and defended, unlike Byakuya-sama who would seize her weaknesses to attack.

As a result, Rukia became much bolder and began to adjust her attacks based on her own practice sessions.

How much backlash would occur each time my shallow strike clashed with Erin-sensei's Zanpakuto? And how could I adjust my body to completely neutralize the force of that backlash?

After sheathing my sword, how can I strike again as quickly as possible? If my teacher attacks, what stance should I adopt to block or counterattack immediately?

These elements gradually merged during Rukia's attacks on Erin, allowing Rukia to find her own "battle rhythm".

That's why Byakuya witnessed Rukia unleashing almost all of her training strength.

Suddenly interrupted by Ms. Erin, Rukia, though still reluctant, obediently tucked her asana back into her waistband.

Then, Rukia bowed respectfully to Erin.

"Thank you for your guidance, teacher."

"I think I now know how to fight."

When Rukia got up, she noticed Byakuya Kuchiki standing to the side.

"Byakuya-sama?"

Rukia was startled and cried out in surprise.

Then, Rukia cautiously asked, "Byakuya-sama, when did you arrive?"

"It arrived just as you were swinging your sword to attack Uncle Erin's left side."

"Ah? This..."

Rukia was momentarily at a loss upon hearing Byakuya Kuchiki's reply.

I don't know where to put my hands.

Did her performance just now discourage Byakuya-sama?

After all, he and Byakuya had trained for a year without making much progress, but after just one fight with Erin-sensei, he found his favorite fighting rhythm. The difference between them was...

As Rukia expected, Ms. Erin got angry.

"Humph!"

"Byakuya, you're very good."

Erin sheathed his Zanpakuto, took a few steps to Byakuya, and said through gritted teeth, "I thought you had been with me the longest and had at least learned some of my skills, so I entrusted Rukia's Zanpakuto training to you with peace of mind."

Chapter 204 Anger

"But now, tell me, what have you taught Rukia?"

"A year..."

"Don't you know that this is the time when Rukia grows the fastest?"

"If I were to teach Rukia this year, what level do you think Rukia's swordsmanship would reach?"

If Byakuya Kuchiki hadn't seen Rukia's appearance just now, he would have thought that Rukia's talent in swordsmanship was terrible, and that even after Rukia completed the release of her Zanpakuto, her level of swordsmanship would only be barely comparable to that of an ordinary Shinigami.

But the contrast between Rukia's performance during her fight with Teacher Erin and her own was unmistakable.

Upon hearing Erin's uncle's question, Kuchiki Byakuya remained silent for a few seconds before speaking, "At the very least, Rukia should be able to defeat some elite Shinigami with her swordsmanship."

"Yes, elite Grim Reapers."

"You also know they're elite Grim Reapers?"

"Then tell me, before I arrived, what level of strength did Rukia, who received a year of your instruction, reach?"

What stage was Rukia's Slash Technique at yesterday?

Byakuya recalled it for a moment, but couldn't bring himself to say it.

With proper training, Rukia's swordsmanship has almost reached the standard of an ordinary Shinigami.

However, once the battle begins, Rukia's panic will cause her to perform poorly, and she may end up not even being able to defeat an outstanding first-year student from the Shinigami Academy.

"It seems you've become quite lax these past few years, Byakuya."

"You seem to have forgotten something I've been emphasizing to you all along."

"Dignity resides only on the edge of the sword."

"When your sword cannot reach the enemy, your dignity can only be trampled on by others."

Looking at Byakuya, a pang of heartache flashed in Erin's eyes.

He clearly remembered how Byakuya was easily defeated after being taken away by Ace Nott during the Thousand-Year Blood War, and how he desperately begged Ichigo Kurosaki to protect the Seireitei.

At that time, Byakuya was so preoccupied with the "fear" of Ace Nott that he couldn't even hold onto his last shred of "dignity".

How heartbreaking that is!

Even with his appearance, is Byakuya still destined to experience that defeat?

Erin believed that Rukia's "rational thinking" trait would be immediately apparent to Byakuya Kuchiki if his swordsmanship had reached a certain level.

However, aside from improving her basic strength, Rukia made no progress in combat during that year, meaning that Byakuya Kuchiki had not discovered any "special qualities" in Rukia at all.

In addition, Erin's memory of Rukia crying when they first met makes him want to beat Byakuya up.

As Byakuya Kuchiki's uncle, Erin naturally wouldn't refrain from taking action once he had thought of it.

Then, a thought struck Erin.

Bankai - Reality Marble: Unlimited Blade Works!

As Erin gave a low shout, Rukia suddenly realized that the world before her eyes had changed.

The once idyllic front yard of the Kuchiki family's house, filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, has transformed into a crimson earth and a golden sky.

At the edge of the world, several giant gears are still turning.

On this crimson earth, countless swords are still stuck.

In this space, the most conspicuous thing is that sword mound.

That was the only thing in this space that had "height".

On that sword-shaped hill stood a cross-shaped wooden cangue, and there seemed to be a person on the cangue.

However, before Rukia could see clearly, Teacher Erin waved his hand, and the sword mound disappeared.

Is this Erin-sensei's Bankai?

Rukia stared at the world in shock.

This was the first time she had ever seen Bankai.

……

Because of Erin's will, Byakuya, who was pulled into Erin's Reality Barrier, was located dozens of meters in front of him, while Rukia was even further away, where Erin had set up a defensive barrier with hundreds of Zanpakuto.

It was enough for Rukia to see his battle with Byakuya clearly, without being harmed by the aftershocks of their fight.

Looking at Byakuya Kuchiki in front of him, Erin said indifferently, "Byakuya, I remember telling you that a Shinigami's strength, besides his Zanpakuto, also includes the ability to slay the White Shunki."

"This world is full of bizarre abilities, and you'll often encounter abilities that prevent you from using your Zanpakuto."

"Under these circumstances, the only way to prevent your strength from decreasing too much is to cultivate one or more of the White Flash Demons to a high level."