XX-level Hokage

Soon, the two arrived at the rooftop.

Ichigo stepped forward and said earnestly, "Mashiro, you should know about Rukia by now. I hope you can give me special training. I want to become stronger and rescue Rukia."

Mashiro gazed at Ichigo silently, her eyes deep and calm. After a long while, she slowly spoke: "Before I agree to your request, I have a few questions. What is your purpose in gaining power? Is it merely to rescue Rukia? And after rescuing Rukia, do you still want to become stronger?"

Upon hearing this, Ichigo felt certain in his heart.

He had never seriously considered these questions; his only goal had always been to rescue Rukia. Faced with Mashiro's question, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing Ichigo's hesitant expression, he said calmly, "I will not give you any special training until you answer these questions." Helpless, Ichigo could only turn and leave.

Back home, he sat in his room, staring blankly out the window. Time slipped by in his contemplation. Rukia's image kept appearing in Ichigo's mind, along with his two younger sisters, Yuuko and Karin, as well as the faces of his friends, such as Uryu Ishida and Orihime Inoue.

After a day and a night of agonizing thought, Ichigo finally came to the answer.

He thought of the care his sisters had shown him and the unwavering support his friends had shown him in the face of danger. He knew that he wanted to gain power not only to rescue Rukia, but also to protect the important people around him. In this dangerous world, as long as the danger had not been eliminated, he was willing and had to continue to grow stronger.

Afterwards, Ichigo found Mashiro again.

He looked at Mashiro with unwavering determination and said, "Mashiro, I've made up my mind. I want to gain power, not only to rescue Rukia, but also to protect the people around me. And as long as there is danger in this world, I will continue to strive to become stronger."

Mashiro nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face: "I am very satisfied with your answer. From now on, I will give you special training." Ichigo was overjoyed and quickly thanked her.

However, to his surprise, Mashiro did not immediately begin special training on his Shinigami form, but instead said, "Before we begin special training on your Shinigami abilities, let's train your physical body first."

Ichigo looked puzzled: "Ms. Mashiro, why didn't you train my Shinigami abilities first? How will physical training help rescue Rukia?" Mashiro patiently explained: "Ichigo, while your Shinigami powers are strong, the strength of your physical body limits your ability to unleash them. Only by possessing strong..."

A large physical body is essential to better control the power of the Grim Reaper and withstand more intense battles. Otherwise, even with powerful Grim Reaper abilities, the physical body may not be able to withstand the strain and may collapse in the heat of battle.

Ichigo suddenly realized.

Led by Mashiro, Ichigo arrived at a shrine in a secluded forest surrounded by tall trees and covered with a thick layer of fallen leaves.

Mashiro pointed to a steep path in the mountains and said, "Starting today, you will carry this boulder on your back and run back and forth along this path fifty times a day. This is the initial training for your physical strength and endurance."

As she spoke, Mashiro produced a huge stone from somewhere, which was taller than a person and incredibly heavy.

Ichigo looked at the boulder in front of him and felt a little scared, but when he thought of Rukia suffering in the Soul Society and the people he wanted to protect, he took a deep breath, stepped forward, and laboriously carried the boulder on his back.

"Let's go, Ichigo. Remember, take each step carefully and steadily, don't rush things," Mashiro advised from the side.

Ichigo gritted his teeth and took his first difficult step. The heavy boulder made his legs tremble slightly, and each step felt like struggling in the mud, but he did not give up and continued to move forward along the path step by step.

In the mountains and forests, Ichigo's heavy breathing and footsteps echoed. Sweat soaked through his clothes, streaming down his face and dripping onto the fallen leaves. For Ichigo at this moment, the fifty treks seemed like an endless dream.

But whenever he wanted to give up, Rukia's smiling face, his sisters' worried eyes, and his friends' trusting gazes would appear in his mind, giving him the strength to persevere.

Finally, as the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the mountains and forests, Ichigo completed his first day of training.

Exhausted, he put down the boulder and collapsed to the ground, his muscles aching all over, as if every inch of his skin was protesting.

Mashiro walked over to Ichigo, looked at his wolf-whiskered appearance, and a hint of approval flashed in her eyes: "You did well today, Ichigo, but this is just the beginning. The training ahead will be even tougher, so you must be mentally prepared."

Ichigo slowly raised his head, his eyes shining with determination: "Mashiro, I'm not afraid of hardship, I will definitely persevere." Mashiro smiled slightly: "Very good, then you go back and rest first, we'll continue tomorrow."

Chapter 64: Special Training (Part 2)

Ichigo struggled to his feet and dragged his weary body away from the forest.

Back home, he endured the aches and pains of his body, quickly washed up, and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep. In his dream, he saw himself successfully rescuing Lu.

Qiye and his friends lived happily in Karakura Town.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto Ichigo's face as he woke up. Although his whole body was still aching, the thought of today's training made him immediately get out of bed, eat something quickly, and then rush to the shrine.

Mashiro was already waiting in the forest. Seeing Ichigo arrive on time, she nodded: "It seems you have great perseverance, Ichigo. Today's training, in addition to running while carrying the boulder, will include finding hidden Spirit Orbs in this forest. Spirit Orbs have powerful spiritual energy fluctuations. Finding them and absorbing them will enhance your spiritual energy perception and your body's tolerance for spiritual energy."

With that, Shinji raised his hand and waved it, and countless spirit orbs emitting faint light instantly disappeared into every corner of the forest. Ichigo took a deep breath, picked up the giant right arm again, and began a new training session.

As he ran with difficulty, he used his spiritual power to sense the movements around him, searching for the hidden spirit orb. In the mountains and forests, the light of the spirit orb appeared and disappeared as if playing hide-and-seek with him.

In his search for the Spirit Orb, Ichigo not only has to overcome the heavy burden of the boulder, but also has to deal with the complex terrain of the mountains and forests. Sometimes, he will find a trace of a Spirit Orb, but he will be unable to get there in time because of the obstacles in the terrain.

But without ammonium, he constantly adjusted his strategy, and with his tenacious perseverance and thirst for power, he gradually mastered some techniques for finding the Spirit Orb.

As time went on, Ichigo successfully found more and more Spirit Orbs. Every time he absorbed a Spirit Orb, he could feel his spiritual power increase, and his physical body seemed to become stronger.

Although the training process was extremely arduous, Ichigo's belief grew stronger and stronger. He knew that he was moving step by step toward his goal of rescuing Rukia and protecting those around him.

In the days that followed, Ichigo continued to push his limits under Mashiro's rigorous training. In addition to physical training and finding Spirit Orbs, Mashiro also taught him some unique breathing and meditation methods to help him better control his spiritual power. Ichigo's body became stronger and stronger, and his perception and use of spiritual power became more and more proficient.

However, Ichigo knew in his heart that this was far from enough. The Soul Society was full of powerful sages, and if he wanted to successfully rescue Rukia, he had to work much harder and become stronger.

With Mashiro's companionship and guidance, Ichigo steadfastly forges ahead on this challenging training path, where even more severe tests and unknown challenges await him.

three days later.

Mashiro gazed at Ichigo with a calm and unwavering look and said, "Ichigo, from now on, I will begin your spiritual training. This will be a difficult journey. Although your spiritual power is strong, it lacks precise control, which is a fatal weakness in battle."

Ichigo tightened his grip on the moon, his eyes filled with determination: "Come on, I'm ready."

Mashiro was the first to demonstrate the control of spiritual power. Her spiritual pressure rose slowly but was extremely restrained and did not spread outwards recklessly.

"Watch closely, Ichigo. Spiritual energy isn't just about releasing it indiscriminately; you also need to learn to control it. Imagine your spiritual energy is water; you need to let it flow and dissipate within the channels you control."

Ichigo closed his eyes as instructed, attempting to sense the flow of spiritual energy within his body. Initially, the energy surged wildly, like a runaway horse. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Ichigo's forehead as he gritted his teeth and persevered, striving to restore the chaotic energy to its proper place.

Mashiro kept reminding him, "Stay calm, don't force it, guide it by following the momentum of the spiritual energy."

After an unknown amount of time, Ichigo finally felt a trace of spiritual energy begin to obey his commands, slowly circulating through his meridians. He slightly opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them.

Mashiro nodded: "That's right, this is just the first step. Next, we need to try to use this control flexibly in actual combat."

A spirit sword appeared out of thin air in Mashiro's hand and attacked Ichigo. Ichigo hastily raised his sword to defend, but due to his unstable control over his spiritual power, each collision made his arm go numb.

But he did not back down. In the repeated clashes, he gradually adapted and was able to better control his spiritual power, and his counterattacks became more powerful.

After finishing his training in controlling spiritual energy, Mashiro began to teach Ichigo the basics of Kido.

"Kido is a special spell used by Shinigami to manipulate spiritual particles. When used properly, it can have a miraculous effect in battle." Mashiro chanted the incantation: "Azure Fire Fall!" A ball of blue flame flew from his hand and accurately struck a boulder in the distance, instantly shattering it.

Looking at the broken boulder, Ichigo's fighting spirit ignited, and he followed Mashiro to learn the pronunciation of the spells and how to circulate spiritual power.

However, on his first attempt, the Azure Firefall he unleashed was just a faint spark that extinguished in mid-air. Mashiro patiently said, "Don't be angry. The execution of the Ghost Path requires precise control of spiritual power and strong mental strength. Try again, and concentrate."

After numerous failures, Ichigo finally succeeded in unleashing the Azure Flame Drop. Although its power was still inferior to Mashiro's, the blazing flames still thrilled him.

Next, Mashiro taught him "Binding Spell No. 9: Collapse Wheel". Ichigo worked hard to memorize the incantation and the trajectory of the spiritual power. After repeated practice, he was finally able to perform it skillfully. A spiritual chain flew out from his hand and tightly wrapped around the wooden stake in the distance.

After completing the Kido training, he learned Shunpo. With a flash, Mashiro disappeared from his spot and reappeared on a treetop dozens of meters away the next second.

Shunpo is a technique used by Shinigami to move at high speed. The key is to instantly unleash spiritual pressure to propel the body forward. Ichigo tried to imitate it, but the first time he only managed to run forward a few steps before almost falling.

Mashiro instructed him, "It's not simply about relying on leg strength. You need to channel your spiritual pressure into the soles of your feet and use the reaction force of that pressure to propel your body." Ichigo kept adjusting and trying again and again, and finally managed to achieve a relatively smooth Shunpo movement over short distances.

While Ichigo was training diligently, Shinji also took the time to guide Orihime.

Orihime stood in an open space, and Mashiro looked at her and said, "Orihime, your 'Shield of the Six Flowers' has unique abilities, but you haven't fully unleashed their potential yet."

Mashiro explained in detail the key points of the coordination and collaborative combat of the spiritual power between the "Shield Shun Six Flowers".

"You need to strengthen the connection between the six flowers so that they can be used to their fullest potential in both defense and offense." Orihime listened attentively and then tried to follow Mashiro's instructions.

She called softly, "Shun Shun Liu Hua, come out." Six petal-shaped spirits appeared and surrounded Orihime. Orihime concentrated and guided the flow of spiritual energy between the six flowers. At first, the six flowers' coordination was a little stiff, but after continuous practice, they began to cooperate tacitly.

Chapter 65: Special Training (Part 2)

Mashiro continued, "Now try to gather the power of the Rikka to form a stronger defense."

Orihime closed her eyes, focusing all her attention on controlling Rikka. The light from Rikka gradually merged, forming a sturdy shield that emitted a soft glow. Mashiro casually unleashed a burst of spiritual pressure, striking the shield. The shield trembled slightly but did not shatter. Orihime opened her eyes, a confident expression on her face.

His smile.

Meanwhile, Ichigo's training continued.

After many days of arduous training, his control over spiritual power became increasingly proficient, the power of his basic demonic arts increased day by day, and he was able to use his Instant Step skillfully in complex terrain.

That day, Mashiro looked at Ichigo and nodded with satisfaction: "Ichigo, you have made great progress, but combat is not just about these techniques. Next, I will arrange a practical combat simulation for you."

With a wave of his hand, Zhen Bai instantly transformed the surrounding scenery, revealing a group of phantoms.

These bluffing, menacing creatures lunged at Ichigo, who gripped Zangetsu tightly and used his learned spiritual power control, Kido, and Shunpo to fight the Hollows.

He first used Shunpo to dodge an attack from a Hollow, then unleashed "Azure Flame Fall" to repel another Hollow. However, with so many Hollows, Ichigo gradually found himself in a difficult battle.

Just then, Orihime used her "Shield of the Six Flowers" to support Ichigo. She used her sturdy shield to block several Hollow attacks, relieving some of the pressure on Ichigo.

Ichigo seized the opportunity, concentrated his spiritual power on Zangetsu, and unleashed a powerful Getsuga Rush that annihilated all the Hollows in front of him.

Mashiro, observing the two's teamwork, said, "Not bad. Teamwork is crucial in actual combat, but the challenges you face go far beyond this." As Mashiro finished speaking, an even more powerful Hollow appeared before everyone. This Hollow was enormous, radiating an evil yet powerful spiritual pressure.

Ichigo and Orihime exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination. Ichigo launched the first attack, using Shunpo to instantly appear in front of the Hollow. The crescent moon, imbued with sharp spiritual power, slashed at the Hollow. The Hollow swung its massive claws to block, engaging Ichigo in a fierce battle.

Orihime, meanwhile, controls "Shield Shun Rikka" from the rear, waiting for the right moment to deliver a fatal blow.

During the battle, Ichigo constantly used the skills he had learned, sometimes using Kido to interfere with the Hollows' movements, and sometimes using Shunpo to find weaknesses in the Hollows.

Orihime skillfully used her "Shield of the Six Flowers" technique, either providing defense for Ichigo or launching attacks. After a fierce battle, the two finally managed to destroy the powerful Hollow.

Looking at the two tired but determined-looking individuals, Mashiro said, "Your growth has exceeded my expectations, but in the face of a real crisis, this is far from enough. Over the next few days, I will continue to subject you to even more rigorous training."

Ichigo and Orihime nodded slightly. They knew that even greater challenges awaited them, but they were prepared to face the unknown battles with their ever-improving strength and unwavering faith.

As training continued, Ichigo not only became more adept at using spiritual energy, but also gained a deeper understanding of the power of Zangetsu. During a sparring session with Mashiro, Ichigo suddenly sensed a new power within Zangetsu. He tried to guide this power, and a strange light appeared on the blade of Zangetsu.

Seeing this, Mashiro's eyes flashed with surprise: "It seems your understanding of Zangetsu has taken another step forward. Try to integrate this power into your attack." Ichigo did as he was told, pouring the newly comprehended power into Zangetsu, and then unleashed a Getsuga Tenshou. This Getsuga Tenshou was not only powerful...

The force is several times stronger than before, and its form has also changed, becoming more solid and faster.

Mashiro dodged to the side, praising, "Not bad. Keep this up; this power might become a key asset in future battles." Meanwhile, under Maji's tutelage, Orihime's mastery of the "Shun Shun Rikka" technique reached a new level.

She can separate the "Shield Shun Six Flowers" into smaller spiritual entities, which silently lurk around, forming a comprehensive perception and defense system. Once danger approaches, the Six Flowers can react quickly, either by issuing a warning or by launching a direct attack.

In another live-fire simulation, facing a group of cunning Hollows, Orihime had set up the "Shield of the Six Flowers" sensory network in advance. When the Hollows tried to sneak up, the Six Flowers immediately issued a warning.

Orihime reacted swiftly, manipulating Rikka to form a powerful barrier that blocked all the Hollows' attacks. Ichigo, taking advantage of the Hollows' weakened state, launched a fierce counterattack and successfully eliminated all the Hollows.

As time went by, under Mashiro's rigorous training, Ichigo and Orihime's strength continued to rise. Their spiritual bodies became more resilient, their spiritual power more refined, and their combat skills became increasingly sophisticated.

"Speaking of which, Mashiro-sama, is your special training really effective? Something feels off." Yoruichi, in her black cat form, asked from the recliner where Mashiro was sitting. At first, Yoruichi could barely understand the strength training Mashiro was giving Ichigo; after all, physical strength was still quite effective against Shinigami and Quincy.

It was used, but it became increasingly strange later on. Although it was called spiritual power training, it was actually Mashiro using a special ability of his soul sword to hypnotize Ichigo and Orihime, causing them to have some hallucinations.

“Well, of course it’s useless,” Mashiro said righteously. “I knew it…” Yoruichi said, as if she had expected it.

"Didn't I say that with Ichigo Kurosaki's potential, if it weren't for Rukia's subpar teaching methods, he would have already reached captain-level strength. So, if I were to teach him according to the curriculum at the Spiritual Arts Academy, I'm afraid he would sweep through Soul Society after I finished teaching him," Mashiro said with a light laugh.

"Is it really that outrageous?" Yoruichi asked incredulously.