Bleach: Getting Stronger Starting from Teaching at the Spiritual Arts Academy.

[Yoruichi Shihouin requests to become his apprentice; will you accept her as your personal disciple?]

Chapter 52 Punishment

In July, he took Yoruichi Shihōin as his disciple.

[Successfully recruited Yoruichi Shihōin as her personal disciple]

[Shifuin Yoruichi's reputation level has increased; current reputation level is Friendly.]

"Now that you've joined the Shikatori-ryu school, you'll have to take your swordsmanship training very seriously!" July said.

"I'll be serious, but I want to learn a sword technique that can be combined with Shunpo, like that one from earlier..." Yoruichi Shihouin quickly gestured with her hands, "...the one that leaves afterimages!"

“That sword technique is called ‘Four Directions Instant Strike.’ Your Instant Step skill is good enough to practice this move, but your swordsmanship is still lacking. This move requires more than just Instant Step ability; it also requires extremely fast and accurate slashes. To learn this move, you will need to do some preliminary training,” July said.

"No problem, I'll do my best!" Yoruichi Shihouin nodded repeatedly.

[Current training task has been added: Guide Yoruichi Shihouin through a sword technique training (in progress)]

Yoruichi Shihouin has a good grasp of the fundamentals in all aspects, and her basic swordsmanship is also fine, so she can skip the basic swordsmanship training.

"I'll teach you again when we get back to the dojo."

Next, in July, the abilities of the other students in the sixth-year class were tested.

He will then serve as the internship supervisor for this class, leading them on an internship in the real world.

Misjudging the students' abilities could lead to unnecessary casualties.

Therefore, it is essential to understand the students' abilities in advance.

There are 26 students in this class. It took a whole day in July to take stock of their information.

Including Yoruichi Shihouin, eighteen students have reached the graduation standard in terms of overall combat strength.

Five students are relatively weak in combat, but all five of them aspire to join the Fourth Division and have also mastered the Dao of Return, so they are eligible to join the Fourth Division.

The other three students did not meet the graduation standards in terms of overall combat ability.

However, two of the students majored in the Dao of Return, but they had not even entered the basics of the Dao of Return, so they were naturally unable to enter the Fourth Division this year.

"Yoshino-kun, Hoshino-kun, although the practical assessment is about to begin, there are still a few months before you actually graduate. I hope you can make the most of these few months to learn the Dao. Only by learning the Dao can you enter the Fourth Division. Otherwise, you will have to postpone your graduation," July admonished.

To enter the Fourth Division with the special skill of "Returning to the Dao," the minimum requirement is at least to be a beginner in "Returning to the Dao."

"Yes, I will do my best." Hoshino Rie asked hesitantly, "Shikatori-sensei, may I ask you about the questions on the way back?"

The two students were taking a course on the Way of Return, so they had also attended the lectures in July and knew that his level of the Way of Return was very high.

However, Shikatori Nanatsuki is their swordsmanship teacher and acting homeroom teacher, and strictly speaking, he is not responsible for teaching them the Dao.

“Of course you can. You’ve attended my lectures before, so you’re practically my returning students. Feel free to ask me any questions,” July said gently.

"Thank you! I find your lectures easier to understand, and it's wonderful to have your guidance!" Hoshino Rie said happily.

"Yes, I also think what you say is easier to understand." Yoshino Yoshino felt the same way.

July seemed to be deep in thought. After the "Guiding and Peddling" skill was upgraded, when guiding students, the students' talents would temporarily increase by a small level. This effect also applied to students in the Spirit Arts Academy.

The most direct result is that students can easily connect with him during lectures and understand his content more easily.

In July, looking at another student who had not met the graduation requirements, she said earnestly:

"Guan Zhimu, your abilities in various aspects are somewhat lacking in the graduation standards, and you are often absent and late. This is irresponsible towards your future. Death is not an easy job. The skills you learn may save your life someday."

【Guan Zhimu Yan】

[Talent: D-]

[Spiritual Pressure: lv3]

[Reputation Level: Unknown]

July was having a headache with this student. His talent was quite poor, his attitude was terrible, and he was far from meeting the standards for graduation.

"Shallow strikes don't even respond to me. What's the use of learning these 'slashing fists' for a street thug?" Guan Zhimu glanced disdainfully at the students who hadn't performed well in the assessment, his tone somewhat arrogant. "Don't worry about my future. I'll definitely do better than most of them after graduation!"

Hoshino Rie lowered her head, not daring to meet Kanonoki En's gaze, afraid of angering him.

The Kanonoki family is noble, and if he decides not to become a Shinigami, he can stay in the noble district of Seireitei and enjoy life.

Those like her, who entered the Spirit Arts Academy from Rukongai, had to return to Rukongai if they failed to become Shinigami.

"You've learned the Slash Fist and Demon Slayer Technique but it's useless?" Yoruichi Shihouin waved her fist in annoyance. "Kannoki En, believe me or not, I'll beat you to a pulp!"

"You're a genius, of course it'll be useful for you to learn this." When Guan Zhimu Yan saw that it was Shihouin Yoruichi who was talking back, his face immediately switched to a fawning smile. "I mean, it's useless for a piece of trash like me to learn this!"

"Guan Zhimu Yan, your attitude is inappropriate!" July scolded. "You are punished by having to stay after class every day to practice vibratory breathing until your internship assessment!"

He was disgusted by Guan Zhimu's attitude. Everyone knew these things, but he used them to mock other hard-working people, which was very annoying.

Guan Zhimu's face immediately darkened. A slacker like him hated being forced to practice the most.

"I..." His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to argue, but noticing the increasingly hostile gazes from Yoruichi Shihouin and Nanatsuki Shikatri, he ultimately chose to compromise, "Okay..."

July noticed Hoshino Rie's unusual behavior. To avoid dampening her enthusiasm with Kannoki En's words, she said gently, "You insisted on choosing the most difficult path for you. You must really love the Dao, or you must have a kind heart. I believe you can definitely join the Fourth Division!"

Hoshino Rie was surprised that her teacher noticed her emotions, and a warm feeling immediately flowed through her heart.

"Yes, teacher, I will definitely join the Fourth Division!"

Seeing Hoshino Rie perk up, July announced the end of get out of class: "The practical assessment is in two weeks. Everyone should make the most of this time to fill in any gaps in their knowledge. I hope you can all pass the assessment smoothly."

"Guan Zhimu Yan, stay. Everyone else, get out of class dismissed."

Guan Zhimu's expression changed, feeling that the gazes of others were unusually piercing.

“Suzhen should know how to practice, right?” July said. “I’ll watch you practice right here.”

"I know..." Guan Zhimu Yan reluctantly agreed, and found a spot to practice Su Zhen.

Besides him, Yoruichi Shihouin also stayed behind. Since there were no suitable tools here and it was difficult to teach her swordsmanship, Nanatsuki simply sparred with her to improve her combat skills.

Perhaps her tutor went too far during practice, leading to her bad habit of making flashy but impractical moves. July must correct this habit.

Chapter 53 Change

"Yan, I haven't been able to find you for the past few days?"

When Guan Zhimuyan returned home, he was stopped by several people. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were his close friends.

They were his peers, living on the noble street, just like him, but he was the youngest; the others had already graduated from the Academy of Spiritual Arts.

None of these people became Grim Reapers after graduation; they spent their days idly, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment.

"Don't even mention it! I've been kept after school by the swordsmanship teacher for the past few days, it's exhausting!" Guan Zhimu complained to his friends, his face falling.

"Hahaha, what's going on? We're almost graduating, and they're still keeping us after school for training?"

"Exactly, what's the point of training your swordsmanship if you can't even communicate with the basics of asana?"

"Yan, have you offended the teacher?"

"You actually listened to me obediently? This is so unlike you!"

"Yoruichi Shihouin from my class stayed behind to train too, and she didn't give me a chance to run! Stop making sarcastic remarks and come have a drink with me!" Guan Zhimuyan wasn't angry when he heard his friends' ridicule. Their talents were all about the same, and they would occasionally tease each other.

"Let's go, let's go keep Young Master Guan Zhimu company for a while."

Their purpose in seeking out Guan Zhimu was also to freeload a drink. Guan Zhimu's family was not large, but they had many businesses, so they had a lot of resources per capita.

The group found a shop in the entertainment district to drink and have fun.

After drinking too much, Guan Zhimu Yan started talking non-stop, complaining to his friends about what had happened at the Spirit Arts Academy.

Am I wrong?

"They probably won't even be qualified to be my family's guards after they graduate!"

Why should I waste my time learning these martial arts techniques?

His companions chimed in:

"Yes, we have guards to protect us. Learning these things would be a complete waste of time."

"That's right, as long as you have money, what kind of guards can't you hire? My family's guard captain is even a retired officer!"

"That's true, but if I could sense my Zanpakuto, I'd want to become stronger too!" Guan Zhimu Yan drank another cup, his cheeks flushed, his mind already somewhat drifting. "The Guan Zhimu family is founded on martial arts. Someone like me won't get many resources after graduation; I'll just be wasting my life!"

Guan Zhimu's words silenced everyone, as they were in the same boat.

The people in their circle are all untalented and marginalized within their respective families. They are not valued and are essentially just tools to ensure the prosperity of their families.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone had enjoyed themselves and prepared to leave for home.

"I just called a carriage to take Yan back." Shu Kanai, who had a shaved head, took the initiative to take the drunken Yan back home.

"Then you'd better keep a close eye on him."

"Don't worry, I'm not drunk."

"No need to help me up, I haven't had too much to drink." Guan Zhimu Yan felt that he was alright, just a little tipsy, not drunk yet.

Shukuei smiled and helped the unsteady Kanzaki En into the carriage.

After the carriage started moving, Shuu Nukui suddenly asked, "En, do you want to obtain a Zanpakuto?"

"A Zanpakuto?" Guan Zhimu Yan was slightly taken aback, then scoffed, "How could I not want one? But what's the use of thinking about it?"

“If…” Shu Nukui’s voice was low and menacing, like a devil’s whisper, “I mean, if… there were a chance for you to have your own Zanpakuto…”

The carriage left the pleasure quarters and slowly drove into the darkness, but it didn't seem to be heading in the direction of Guan Zhimu's house.

...

"Shikatori-sensei, you explained it so well! I think you explained it so clearly that even someone as dull as me can understand it." Hoshino Rie was very grateful to Shikatori Nanatsuki.

Since the diagnostic test last week, she has frequently come to the office to ask questions related to the response, and Ms. Shikato has patiently answered them for her.

Moreover, she felt that Professor Shikato was really good at teaching, even better than Yamada, the head of the Kaidobu club.

He can explain things that I used to find difficult to understand very clearly.

"Don't underestimate yourself. You're just a little weak in the basics. After all, the path of return involves a lot of medical knowledge. It's not easy to master all that knowledge in a few years. I believe you can learn the path of return and join the Fourth Division through your own efforts," July said gently.