In no time at all, Makoto found himself far away from the Fourth Division's barracks, whisked away by Shihōin Yoruichi. They entered a hidden space behind a rocky cliff, revealing a vast underground chamber concealed within the rockface.
From mid-air, Yoruichi unceremoniously hurled Makoto toward the ground.
To her mild surprise, however, Makoto twisted his body in mid-air and landed firmly on his feet.
"Hmm? Better than I expected," Yoruichi remarked, crossing her arms as she assessed him. "That kind of balance isn't something a complete novice at combat would have."
Standing before Makoto, Yoruichi continued to evaluate him with her sharp golden eyes. Meanwhile, Makoto surveyed his surroundings, quickly deducing where he might be—likely one of the secret training grounds used by Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke.
At the very least, it was better than being thrown into the underground prison.
But before Makoto could voice his thoughts, Yoruichi flexed her wrists, readying herself with a predatory grin.
"Don't say I didn't give you a fair chance. If you don't release your Zanpakutō now, you might not even get the chance later."
"Captain Shihōin…"
"Call me Lady Yoruichi!" she corrected, tilting her head with an amused smirk.
Makoto's lips twitched in frustration. Giving in, he replied, "Lady Yoruichi, I'm not skilled at combat. My Zanpakutō's abilities are purely for healing—"
Before he could finish, Yoruichi's figure blurred. In an instant, she appeared directly before him, her leg whipping toward his chest like a striking viper.
Makoto barely managed to cross his arms in defense, but the force of her kick sent him hurtling backward, crashing into a massive boulder with a loud thud.
Boom!
"Endless vitality, all-encompassing creation… Shinro Bansho!"
The release chant resonated, and from the shattered boulder, vibrant green grass burst forth, rapidly spreading outward.
"That's more like it," Yoruichi grinned, baring her teeth. "With your Zanpakutō released, you might last a bit longer."
She dashed toward Makoto again, her figure leaving afterimages across the ground. Her next kick came hurtling toward him with terrifying precision.
Makoto gritted his teeth. His chest and arms, now glowing with green light, began to heal rapidly. Manipulating the grass around him, he commanded it to grow wildly, creating a dense wall between himself and Yoruichi.
Undeterred, Yoruichi drove her foot through the barrier, sending grass clippings flying in every direction. The wall was nearly obliterated—only for her to realize Makoto had vanished behind it.
"Hmm?"
Yoruichi's golden eyes darted around, scanning for his whereabouts.
Suddenly, she felt a tight grip around her ankle. Vines of grass coiled up her body with startling speed, binding her tightly. In the blink of an eye, she was suspended in mid-air, thoroughly ensnared.
"Binding Technique: Inverted Suspension," Makoto muttered as he stepped out from the grass.
Yoruichi, now dangling upside-down, remained remarkably composed despite her predicament. The green vines that held her aloft emphasized her streamlined figure beneath her captain's haori. The scene felt oddly… peculiar.
"Lady Yoruichi, I don't recall offending you. Why attack me so suddenly?" Makoto asked, feigning sincerity while harboring his suspicions.
Yoruichi chuckled lightly. "No choice, kid. It's a favor for Captain Unohana. She asked me to whip your Shunpo skills into shape."
Before she could finish speaking, the grass restraining her exploded into fragments. Yoruichi disappeared once more, leaving no trace of her movements.
A sharp gust of wind from behind made Makoto's heart lurch.
Crack!
A sickening sound reached his ears, followed by an intense, searing pain.
Two ribs—broken.
Makoto struggled to his feet, wincing. His face darkened as he muttered to himself, This d*mn woman doesn't hold back!
It made sense that Captain Unohana would seek Yoruichi's help, but Makoto hadn't expected her to go this far. Asking the "Goddess of Flash" herself, a member of one of the Four Noble Clans, likely came with a steep price.
And yet, Yoruichi seemed to take great pleasure in tormenting him.
"Upset, are we?" Yoruichi teased, her playful grin reappearing.
She continued, "Don't worry, I'll limit my Reiatsu to the level of a vice-captain. If you can damage my captain's haori, we'll call today's session finished. How's that sound?"
Makoto's heart sank. It wasn't that he was holding back his spiritual pressure—his true strength had only recently recovered to third-seat level after an intensive month of rebuilding his power with Seeds of the Forest.
But before he could respond, Yoruichi leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"Fail to tear my haori, and I'll strip you down and toss you into the Eleventh Division barracks."
What?!
Makoto stared at her in utter disbelief. His mind reeled at the sheer horror of her words.
If such a thing actually happened, it wouldn't just be humiliating—it would become a legend that haunted him for centuries.
Especially in the Eleventh Division—a den of muscle-headed warriors!
The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
Before he could react further, Yoruichi's knee struck his abdomen, lifting him off the ground.
And then, with perfect precision, her whip-like leg struck again, sending him flying into the stone wall like a cannonball.
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