XX-level Hokage

“Eye Monk?” Shihōin Kanji stroked his chin, revealing a meaningful smile. “What a gathering of important figures.”

“Even that guy has been mobilized, and you’re still planning to wait?” Executive Takeshi challenged again. “Captain Yamamoto, isn’t this being a bit too cautious?”

"I told you, there's no need for rash actions." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's voice suddenly deepened, an oppressive aura washing over the entire conference room, as if enveloped in a scorching heat.

Although Wu Gang was always arrogant, he couldn't help but shrink back and shut his mouth at this moment.

"Alright, that concludes today's meeting." Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni stood up and waved his hand. "Go back and prepare. I will summon you again when I receive news."

With Yamamoto's departure, the tense atmosphere in the meeting room finally eased slightly. The captains all got up and left their seats, some silent, some whispering, clearly indicating that there were still many disagreements among them.

Saito, the immortal being, patted Mashiro on the shoulder and gave her a meaningful smile: "Let's go, Mashiro, we have something to do." Mashiro nodded and followed behind her.

Upon reaching a secluded training ground, Saito Immortal stopped Shihouin Senhi, who was about to leave.

“Wait a minute,” Saito Immortal smiled broadly. “I have something to trouble you with today.” Shihouin Senhi turned around, a hint of doubt in his eyes: “What is it?”

“Teach her Shunpo and Hakuda.” Saito Immortal pointed to Mashiro beside him.

“Teach her?” Chihiro Shihouin looked at Mashiro and raised an eyebrow. “Hmph, is this your vice-captain? Doesn’t she look like much? Nothing special about her.”

Mashiro didn't refute, but simply said in a low voice, "Thank you for your help, Captain Ganri."

"Heh, interesting." Shihouin Senhi chuckled, crossing his arms. "However, I don't just teach people casually. Saito, tell me whether this guy is worth my time."

"Whether it's worth it or not, you'll know once you try," Saito Immortal smiled slightly, his tone laced with provocation. "Alright then," Shihouin Senhi laughed loudly, "Hey kid, come here, let me see just how bad your foundation is." The test began.

Senhi Shihouin moved with lightning speed. With a mere flick of his wrist, Mashiro was sent flying several steps by a gust of wind, crashing to the ground. "Hey, is that all you're capable of?" Senhi Shihouin shook his head and chuckled. "Looks like you'll have to start learning the basics of Shunpo and Hakuta from scratch."

Chapter Twenty-Four: Bloodbath (Part Three)

After the test, Shihouin Senhi looked at the pathetic Mashiro and snorted a contemptuous laugh: "With this level of skill, I really have to wonder how you became the vice-captain."

Mashiro got up from the ground, gently patted the dust off her clothes, and said softly, "Thank you for your guidance, Captain Chihiro."

"Yo, this guy's got some guts." Shihouin Chihiro raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Alright, for Saito's sake, I'll reluctantly teach you a lesson. But don't blame me for not showing any mercy."

"Damn it, you really have a sharp tongue." Saito Immortal leaned against the wall next to him, a playful smile on his face.

“I’m not like some people who treat training with a playful attitude.” Shihouin Senhi snorted, then turned to look at Mashiro, his tone turning colder: “Listen, starting today, I will spend ten days teaching you Shunpo and Hakuda. After ten days I will leave, so don’t expect me to teach you the basics step by step. I don’t have that kind of time. If you can keep up, then you are qualified to be my student.”

Mashiro nodded vigorously. "Understood, Captain Senri." "Then let's get ready, starting with Mingguan."

The first day of training was like hell. Shihouin Senhi started by explaining the most basic Shunpo technique, but only demonstrated it to Mashiro once. Then he coldly said, "Alright, now do it like this. If you make a mistake, you'll have to run ten laps as punishment. You'd better figure it out yourself."

On the training field, Mashiro tried to use Shunpo again and again, but she could never fully master the rhythm. Her steps were either too fast or too slow, causing her to either fall or deviate from the target position.

"Your steps are too heavy!" Shihouin Senhi said impatiently. "Shunpo isn't a contest of brute force, it's about skill! What are you thinking?" Mashiro, panting heavily, gritted her teeth and didn't argue. She regained her footing, adjusted her breathing, and tried again.

"Cough, Chihiro, your teaching style is as cruel as ever." Saito, the immortal being, spoke lazily.

"Shut up, Saito." Shihouin Chihiro gave her a cold, wary look. "I'm not her babysitter. If she can't even handle this level of intensity, she might as well go back to sweeping floors instead of becoming a vice-captain."

Saito Atsushi shrugged and said nothing more. Training finally ended late at night.

Mashiro sat on the ground, her forehead covered in sweat, her arms and legs aching so badly she could barely lift them. What a nuisance. No matter the world, I'm never good at hand-to-hand combat.

"Same time tomorrow, no lateness allowed." Shihouin Senri coldly tossed out these words before turning and leaving.

The next day, Mashiro arrived at the training ground on time as usual. Although her whole body ached, she forced herself to endure the fatigue and carefully reviewed the previous day's training content. "You have some perseverance." Chihiro Shihouin glanced at her, her tone still cold, but her attitude had softened slightly.

The training intensity was even higher that day. Shihouin Senhi personally demonstrated the practical application of Shunpo and tested Mashiro's reaction ability through a surprise attack. Although Mashiro was initially overwhelmed by the wolf, he gradually figured out some techniques and was able to barely dodge some of Shihouin's attacks.

The movements are still too slow. "Shihouin Sennichi's assessment remains unsparing," she says, "but it's a little better than yesterday."

"Thank you for your guidance." Mashiro bowed slightly, sweat dripping from his face onto the ground. Time passed by, and Mashiro's progress exceeded the expectations of the Fourth Academy over a thousand days.

She not only mastered the basic techniques of the Instant Step, but also remained calm and made quick judgments during high-intensity training.

By the seventh day, Mashiro was able to exchange dozens of blows with Shihouin Sennheiser. Although he was still at a disadvantage, he was no longer as helpless as he had been at the beginning.

"Not bad." Chihiro Shihouin looked at Mashiro, who was panting but standing ramrod straight, and rarely showed a smile. "Although I thought you were a waste at first, it seems that you have some potential now."

"Thank you, Captain Chihiro." Mashiro's voice was utterly calm, devoid of any emotion. She was quite confident in her talent.

"Alright, my mission is complete." Shihouin Senhi clapped her hands, turned to Saito Immortal, and said, "Now it's up to you how you train her. I have to go and deal with matters with the nobles, so this special training ends here."

"Um, thank you for your hard work," Saito Immortal said somewhat awkwardly.

"Don't give me that." Shihouin Senhi snorted coldly, then said to Mashiro, "Remember, what I teach you is just the basics. How you proceed from here is entirely up to you."

"Understood." Mashiro nodded vigorously, watching Shihouin Senri leave.

After a few levels, with no urgent missions, Saito, who was immortal, seemed rather bored.

She casually leaned against the desk of the Sixth Division and said to Mashiro, who was reading a book nearby, "Hey, Mashiro, stop reading and come shopping with me." Mashiro was taken aback: "Shopping?..."

"Pshaw, stop talking about those boring things." Saito waved his hand and said firmly, "Anyway, there aren't any urgent missions lately. Come on, I'll treat you to dessert."

Mashiro hesitated for a moment, then finally put down the book in her hand: "Alright, Captain Saito."

On the streets of Seireitei, Saito, the immortal being, dressed casually, looked remarkably relaxed. She held a candied hawthorn in one hand and Mashiro by the other, strolling around aimlessly.

"You really are a workaholic," Saito teased, munching on a marshmallow. "Besides training and missions, I never see you do anything else." "Because I'm not strong enough," Mashiro whispered. "Only by constantly striving can I become worthy of the vice-captain's position."

“Oh, don’t be so serious.” Saito waved her hand. “There are many interesting things in life besides work and training, like this.” She pointed to the street.

A small stall nearby said, "Want to try the ring toss game? If you lose, I'll pay for it."

"Well... okay." Mashiro agreed somewhat awkwardly.

As a result, Mashiro demonstrated amazing accuracy in the game and easily won several cute dolls.

"Wow, not bad luck at all." Saito, the immortal immortal, looked at the spoils in Mashiro's hand and smiled with satisfaction. "No matter what you do, you're quite talented."

Mashiro smiled slightly and said softly, "Thank you, Captain Saito."

After strolling around the first stage, Saito, who was immortal, took Mashiro back to the Sixth Division's base.

She leaned back lazily in her chair, seemingly with some emotion: "Zhenbai, sometimes I really envy your hard work. Maybe you'll become an even better captain than me in the future."

"Captain Saito is the one I should really learn from," Mashiro said earnestly.

"Alright, stop flattering me." Saito yawned. "Get some rest, we might have a mission tomorrow." "Understood, goodnight, Captain Saito."

Mashiro turned and left, the moonlight shining on her back, making her look exceptionally resolute. At this moment, Saito, who was neither old nor dead, had a slight smile on his lips and a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Bloodbath (Part Four)

After Saito Immortal and Mashiro finished their stroll, the two returned to the Sixth Division's barracks.

Mashiro was in a good mood. Although the training and shopping had left her feeling tired, her relaxed conversation with Saito made her feel much more at ease. "Mashiro, I'll be increasing the intensity of tomorrow's training. Are you ready?" Saito, the immortal being, said casually while tidying up the documents on his desk.

"I will do my best, Captain Saito." Mashiro smiled slightly, her expression full of fighting spirit. Seeing this, the immortal Saito nodded in satisfaction and left Mashiro's room.

After Saito, who was immortal, left, Mashiro stretched out her palm and murmured, "Not enough...not enough. Wait a little longer...it'll be soon...it'll be soon..." However, just as the Seireitei was enjoying a brief moment of peace...

On the distant battlefield, the war between the four noble families and the invisible empire has quietly begun.

Two elite units from the four noble families are engaged in a fierce battle against a Quincy squad led by Lt. Barrow, Yhwach's personal guard.

"Are you ready, brothers?" Ridge Barrow stood at the head of the guard, a cold smile on his face, his voice like a chilling blade, "Today, we will show these Grim Reapers just how terrifying the power of the Quincy is!"

Lizzie Barrow's most common form is a black man with short white hair, a black crosshair marking over his long-closed left eye, white gloves with "X" embroidery on his hands, a sleeveless shirt with fur shoulder armor on the right side of the shirt, and a green fur bicorn hat with a small invisible imperial symbol on each side of the hat.

"Yes, Lord Barrow!" His men responded in unison, their eyes flashing with a fervent fighting spirit. The battle had begun, and the elite forces of the four noble families were facing unprecedented pressure.

Lijie Barrow's "Object Penetration" ability loomed over them like a shadow of death.

With a wave of his hand, the surrounding air seemed to be torn apart, forming invisible attacks.

"Quick! Watch out!" a nobleman's team member shouted, but it was too late. Lijie Barrow's attack had already flashed like lightning, instantly piercing through his comrade beside him. Blood splattered everywhere, and screams echoed across the battlefield.

"This is Lord Yhwach's power! This is the power of us Quincy!" Ridge Barrow sneered, a fanatical glint in his eyes. "Let's see just how futile your resistance is!"

Upon seeing this, the four noble families raised their Zanpakuto, attempting to retaliate.

However, Lijie Barrow was so fast that they could barely react. His attacks came down like a storm, and they couldn't defend against them at all.

"Hold them back!" a noble captain shouted, trying to boost morale, but his voice was insignificant against the attacks of the invisible empire. "Damn it!" another soldier roared, swinging his sword with all his might to counterattack, but Lijie Barrow easily dodged it and then struck back, killing him instantly.

He was knocked to the ground.

"Don't let them get any closer!" The four noble families' forces gradually descended into chaos, their morale plummeted, and one by one, their members fell, staining the battlefield with blood.

"Keep attacking!" Lijie Barrow's voice echoed across the battlefield like a ghost. His attacks never stopped, and his teammates around him were knocked down one after another, powerless to fight back.

"We can't go on like this!" a nobleman's team member cried out in despair, his eyes filled with fear. "Quickly, retreat!"

Retreat? Do you think you can escape? "Lijie Barrow sneered, then waved his hand, and the Quincy around him pounced on the four noble families' group like hungry wolves, quickly surrounding them.

"Quick, scatter!" another team member shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the attacks of the Invisible Empire and could not be heard at all. The battle was getting more and more intense, and the teams of the four noble families were completely trapped.

As time went on, more team members were knocked down, their blood flowing to the ground, and screams echoed one after another.

"Damn it! We can't die like this!" a team member roared, charging towards Lijer Barrow with all his might, but he seemed so small in front of Lijer Barrow and was instantly knocked down.

"This is your fate." Lijie Barrow's voice was like the whisper of death, his eyes filled with ruthlessness and coldness.

In the end, the two elite forces of the four noble families were completely annihilated by the attack of the invisible empire. Blood stained the battlefield, and corpses lay strewn about, a chilling sight.

However, this news did not reach the Soul Society in time, and the fierce battle continued quietly. The next day.

Meanwhile, Mashiro and Saito were preparing to begin a new training session in the Sixth Division's barracks.

Mashiro was still contemplating her previous battles and training, considering combining her Flash Step and Body Flicker Techniques with her hand-to-hand combat and physical techniques. "Mashiro, are you ready?" Saito's immortal voice interrupted her thoughts.

“I’m ready, Captain Saito.” Mashiro nodded, her eyes shining with determination. “Then let’s begin!” Saito smiled and began to instruct Mashiro on her training.

While they were training, the crushing defeat of the four noble families was quietly unfolding on the other side of the Soul Realm. The aftershocks of the battle lingered in the air, seemingly foreshadowing an even greater crisis to come.

As time went on, Mashiro's training gradually got into the swing of things. Her movements became more and more fluid, and she became more and more skilled at using Shunpo. Saito constantly gave her guidance and encouragement, making her feel a strong sense of support.

"Mashiro, you did very well. Keep it up." Saito's voice was like warm sunshine, illuminating Mashiro's heart. "Thank you, Captain Saito." Mashiro smiled slightly.

However, as her training progressed, Mashiro felt a growing unease. She knew that the situation in Soul Society was becoming increasingly complex and that she might face even greater challenges in the future. Therefore, she needed to gain sufficient power or status before the situation changed drastically.

"Mashiro, focus!" Saito's voice rang out again, and Mashiro instantly snapped back to attention, continuing her training.

Just then, news of the four noble families finally reached Soul Society. "They've made rapid progress."

While Saito Immortal and Mashiro were still training, a somewhat lazy voice came from behind them. "Shimura? What are you doing here?" Saito Immortal asked in confusion when she saw it was Shimura Chigiri. Unlike her, Shimura Chigiri should be busy.

“The elite forces of the four noble families have been almost completely wiped out. The power of the Invisible Empire is stronger than we imagined. We need to take action soon. Captain Yamamoto asked me to ask if your injuries have healed,” Shimura Chigiri replied.

"He's almost fully recovered and there's nothing seriously wrong. But the four noble families were defeated so thoroughly; they really are just as useless as I predicted." Saito Immortal said with a mocking smile.

"Is it really okay to say that? Aren't you also a member of the Kuchiki family?" Shimura Chigiri said helplessly.