Over these past three years, Ailin had been diligently cultivating every night, absorbing the experiences from the Zanpakuto's masters that he had forged to comprehensively elevate his strength, resolving the issue of needing the corresponding weapons in hand to utilize abilities of that level of power.
It could be said, compared to the Ailin of three years ago, without utilizing his Zanpakuto, although not instant defeat, the current Ailin now possessed the ability to defeat his past self from three years ago in a short amount of time.
Within Soul Society, the only ones who could surpass the present Yoruichi Shihoin in Shunpo were the Yoruichi in the future.
Coincidentally, Ailin happened to be the person who possessed Yoruichi's Shunpo attainments from over two hundred years later.
Yoruichi said Byakuya would at least have to surpass Ailin before having the qualifications to challenge her. Ailin truly wondered what sort of expression Yoruichi would reveal when Byakuya surpassed him in Shunpo and went to challenge her.
"Mm." Byakuya nodded. The last time he challenged that cat demon ended in failure. The cat demon indeed said those words afterwards.
"Alright then, since that's the case, I'll accompany you to play for a bit, Byakuya."
Regarding Ailin calling it "play" when comparing skills with him, Byakuya didn't feel like there was anything wrong with it at all. Unlike that cat demon, Byakuya sincerely respected Ailin from the bottom of his heart.
His father, Byakuya's grandfather Sōjun Kuchiki, was killed by the Koga six years ago. It was Uncle who beheaded Koga, retrieving the Kuchiki clan's glory.
Moreover, from Byakuya's understanding, Koga had even defeated the Captains of the 9th and 7th Divisions. He was an extremely powerful enemy, yet he was still slain by Uncle Ailin. This showed how much more powerful Uncle Ailin was compared to the average Captain.
"Then allow me to make the first move, Uncle!"
A trace of excitement flashed through Byakuya's eyes. Spiritual energy fluctuating underfoot, he rapidly closed in on Ailin, reaching out a hand towards Ailin.
However, when Byakuya's hand made contact with Ailin, Byakuya suddenly discovered that this was merely an afterimage. The true Uncle Ailin had already appeared behind him, a hand pressing down on Byakuya's shoulder.
Byakuya was greatly alarmed. He hastily utilized Shunpo to dodge. In an instant, afterimages filled the entire backyard.
Yet no matter how Byakuya dodged, Ailin would always appear behind him with a hand pressed on Byakuya's shoulder. Moreover, from start till now, Byakuya had never once caught sight of Ailin's figure within his own eyes.
This made Byakuya feel that his Uncle's Shunpo seemed to actually be stronger than that cat demon's.
"Byakuya, your Shunpo has taken the wrong path."
After pressing down on Byakuya's shoulder once more, Ailin exerted a bit more strength into his hand, directly interrupting Byakuya's Shunpo and pinning him in place.
From this bout of practice with Byakuya, Ailin could sense that Byakuya's usage of Shunpo was far too inflexible.
"Byakuya, based on your understanding, what is the main purpose behind a Shinigami's use of Shunpo?"
Byakuya blanked for a second before answering, "Ah? Isn't Shunpo used to accelerate one's speed, allowing them to close in on the enemy faster?"
"As expected." Hearing Byakuya's reply, Ailin shook his head.
No wonder all of Byakuya's Shunpo movements were simply linear dashes focused solely on increasing speed without the slightest variation, making it very easy for others to see through.
"If the only purpose of Shunpo was that, then Byakuya, do you think Shunpo would be able to stand alongside Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō as the Shinigami's Four Fighting Styles?"
Byakuya was dumbfounded. The Shinigami Four Fighting Styles were very powerful, right?
In Byakuya's perspective, a Shinigami's strength was deeply intertwined with their Zanpakuto's abilities. If one possessed a very powerful Zanpakuto, the increase in the Shinigami's strength would be tremendous.
Just look at the requirements to become a Captain of the Thirteen Divisions Guardians - one must attain Shikai at the minimum. The outcome of many Shinigami battles were only decided after releasing their Zanpakuto.
Seeing how Byakuya was, Ailin shook his head. Turning towards Ginrei Kuchiki, he said, "Father-in-Law, I'm bringing Byakuya out for a bit. Please help keep an eye on things at the 6th Division for today."
"Mm, go ahead. I'll pay attention to matters at the 6th Division." Ginrei Kuchiki nodded.
Previously when Byakuya trained alone, he didn't feel anything out of sorts. But after witnessing Byakuya's spar with Ailin today, many issues had indeed been exposed. On this point, Ginrei felt that he had to bear huge responsibility.
Perhaps due to his advanced age causing a decline in vigor, Ginrei's guidance towards Byakuya relied more on verbal instruction.
Coupled with how Ginrei felt that he didn't have much time left, he believed the fastest way for Byakuya to elevate his strength was by attaining Shikai. This resulted in Byakuya gaining the notion that "A Zanpakuto's power is the most crucial".
Fortunately, besides himself, the Kuchiki clan now had the even more powerful Ailin. Otherwise, Ginrei truly didn't know that under his influence, Byakuya could have potentially deviated down the wrong path.
***
Whoosh...
Carrying Byakuya along, Ailin's entire body transformed into a blur, shooting towards Rukongai.
The overwhelming speed caused everything in Byakuya's vision to become an indistinct blur. The air pressure even blew Byakuya's hair into a mess akin to a right-leaning broom.
Very quickly, Ailin brought Byakuya through the White Road Gate and left Seireitei, entering Rukongai.
The four Great Gates of Seireitei only obstructed Rukongai souls from entering Seireitei. They didn't block Shinigamis from traversing between Rukongai and Seireitei.
It was just that because many Rukongai-born Shinigami ultimately didn't join the Thirteen Divisions Guardians and were instead used as cannon fodder, sent to the expeditionary forces in Hueco Mundo, the residents of Rukongai didn't have a very favorable impression towards Shinigamis from Seireitei.
After entering Rukongai, Ailin's speed increased another level. If Byakuya's vision of his surroundings were blurred when carried by Ailin in Seireitei, now in Rukongai, everything in Byakuya's eyes seemed to stretch out. He basically couldn't make out anything. A minute later, Ailin came to a stop at a deserted area and set Byakuya down.
"Ugh..."
The sudden transition from high speeds to a standstill made Byakuya feel dizzy and nauseous. He dry heaved several times before slowly recovering.
"Where is this place?"
Looking at the desolate, lifeless hills around them, Byakuya felt somewhat baffled. From birth until now, he had never stepped foot out of Seireitei before. A scene devoid of human presence like this was Byakuya's first time witnessing.
"This is District 78 of Rukongai. The further Rukongai is from Seireitei, the more extreme the environment becomes while district numbers increase."
"There won't be any signs of life within a radius of ten kilometers here. It's just right for some practice."
"Practice?" Byakuya raised his head to look at Ailin. He naturally knew what the meaning of practice was. But was there a need to come to such a remote area for that?
"Byakuya, do you know how Shinigamis fought before Zanpakutos came into existence thousands of years ago?"
"Why do you think only Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō were named the Shinigami Four Fighting Styles after so many years?"