Infinite: Start as a ghost

"Don't misunderstand, your strength is only in spiritual pressure," Jiang Jiu said. "There's more than one type of Hollow."

"Let me tell you, there are three types of Menos Grande. The one you defeated was the weakest of the three, called the Gillian."

"Kilian's consciousness is extremely clouded, almost to the point of losing his intelligence."

"The reason you were able to defeat Killian is simply because it has no intelligence, only instinct."

"If you were to encounter the second type of Hollow, Adjuchas, then ten of you would be giving away your lives."

"Adzuchas is the master of the Kylian; the Kylian are just cannon fodder to Adzuchas."

"You're this excited about defeating a mere grunt after giving it your all?"

"Besides, you couldn't even kill that grunt from that day."

Speaking of Killian, Ichigo Kurosaki suddenly remembered: "Right, what happened to Killian that day? How did a black space suddenly surround it?"

"That black space looks different from the black space behind the sky. It looks more like it's been abducted. Do you know what happened?"

"I don't know," Jiang Jiu said without batting an eye.

"I'm talking to you about combat strength, why are you changing the subject?"

"You're such a kid, thinking so much. Do you want me to cut you a few more times?"

Ichigo Kurosaki scratched the back of his head: "Why do you look a little nervous?"

"Humph."

"Breathing of the Moon, Eighth Form, Moon Dragon Tail..."

"Wow, what are you doing?"

After giving Kurosaki Ichigo a good beating, Jiang Jiu put away his sword with satisfaction.

"Let's talk about the third type of Great Emptiness."

“This third type of Hollow is called Vastod, and it is almost the most powerful force in the world,” Jiang Jiu said. “Your spiritual pressure is still far behind mine, but even I only have the confidence to protect myself against Adjuchas at best.”

"So you need to become stronger."

Ichigo Kurosaki asked, puzzled, "But Rukia said that Menos Grande are basically unlikely to reappear in the world."

Jiang Jiu countered with a question: "Then why did it appear this time?"

Kurosaki Ichigo choked on his words, and after a moment, he managed to say, "A coincidence... a coincidence, isn't it?"

Jiang Jiu looked at him with disdain: "Do you even believe that yourself?"

"You know the reason yourself."

"One reason is because of the decoy, and another reason is that the spiritual pressure emanating from you and Ishida Uryu attracted him, wasn't it?"

Kurosaki Ichigo said, "Ishida Uryu will be fine. He can control his spiritual pressure very well. I'll be able to learn it sooner or later."

"When will it be sooner or later?" Jiang Jiu asked. "And are you planning to run away?"

"What do you mean? What do you mean by 'escape'?" Ichigo Kurosaki retorted, somewhat unconvinced. "If we don't hide, are we supposed to attract those Hollows to come and destroy humanity?"

Jiang Jiu asked, "Then let me ask you, if an Adjuchas really came down, what do you plan to do?"

"Should we destroy it, or hide away obediently?"

"Given your personality, you'd definitely go all out against it, but what if you find yourself outmatched and get completely crushed? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

“Your ability to control your spiritual pressure will indeed reduce some trouble, but Adjuchas is still there, and none of his heads are missing.”

"Isn't failing to deal with them just running away from the issue?"

Ichigo Kurosaki remained silent.

"Furthermore," Jiang Jiu continued, "since you possess such powerful spiritual pressure, and Ishida Uryu also has such powerful spiritual pressure, how can you guarantee that other ordinary people don't have this kind of spiritual pressure?"

"Your friends Chad, Orihime Inoue, and Tatsuki Arisawa, aren't they all people with strong spiritual pressure?"

Can you guarantee that others won't be like that?

"What can you do once they attract the Hollows?"

Ichigo Kurosaki had never thought about these issues before, and it was Jiang who enlightened him for the first time.

"I...I just want to protect the people around me, that's enough."

Rukia had asked him similar questions, but it wasn't nearly as serious as Jiang Jiu had described.

"Really?" Jiang Jiu shook his head: "Come on, I know your type best."

"That's what we say now, but if something really happens, we'd love to be on the battlefield the next second."

“Even I am only confident that I can protect myself from Adjuchas. You have to work hard and not be satisfied with the current situation.”

Kurosaki Ichigo remained silent for a while, his eyes gradually hardening.

"I understand, I will try my best," Kurosaki Ichigo said. "Please teach me swordsmanship."

"Hmm..." Jiang Jiu rested her chin on her hand, tilting her head to the side: "Is it really that simple? You didn't even ask my name?"

Kurosaki Ichigo bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle: "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo. Please tell me your name, sir."

Jiang Jiu revealed a mischievous smile: "Call me Master."

Kurosaki Ichigo was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage: "Master my ass!"

Chapter 19 The Unscrupulous Merchant

In the end, Ichigo Kurosaki became Jiang Jiu's apprentice.

Jiang Jiu demonstrated the entire Moon Breathing technique to Kurosaki Ichigo and explained the principles behind it to him.

"How much can you remember?" Jiang Jiu asked.

"I don't know, we'll have to try it to find out." Kurosaki Ichigo was somewhat eager to try.

Kenpachi Zaraki was right, this kid is a warmonger too.

Just as he was about to give it a try, Jiang Jiu stopped him.

"Wait a minute," Jiang Jiu said, "Could you make your knife smaller, so it's the same size as mine?"

How do I do it?

"Control your spiritual pressure."

"Won't……"

“Uh…” Jiang Jiu was speechless: “Fine, you can try it first.”

Kurosaki Ichigo gripped the Zanpakuto with both hands, held it horizontally, and took a deep breath.

After a long time, Ichigo Kurosaki remained motionless.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Jiu said, "Why don't you move?"

"No, Master," Ichigo Kurosaki said. "I can't use the breathing techniques you taught me."

Jiang Jiu shook her head helplessly and guided Kurosaki's breathing little by little.

About ten minutes later.

"So, do you get it now?"

"Hmm...maybe?" Kurosaki Ichigo said somewhat uncertainly.

"Give it a try." Jiang Jiu smiled kindly, which made Kurosaki feel a chill.

"Here we go." Kurosaki gripped his sword again with both hands: "Breath of the Moon, First Form, Dark Moon, Azure Palace..."

The Zanpakuto was swung out with great force, but still nothing happened.

Jiang Jiu, however, was no longer in a hurry: "It's alright, you can continue practicing."

Although he failed, Kurosaki seems to have gained some experience.

"Breath of the Moon, Form One, Dark Moon, Palace of the Clouds..."

"Uh..." After swinging it more than ten times, it finally succeeded for the first time.

"Breath of the Moon, Form One, Dark Moon, Palace of the Clouds..."

With a shout, three crescent moons composed of spiritual energy scattered out in the direction the Zanpakuto was swung.

"We did it!" Kurosaki shouted excitedly.

"Not bad." Jiang Jiu nodded and said, "Keep up the good work."

"When you can emit about ten crescent moons at once, then you will have truly completed the first form."

"Yes, Master, I will do my best." Kurosaki also made up his mind.

Before mastering the initial interpretation, these crescent moons served as substitutes for the "Crescent Moon Heavenly Rush".

Jiang Jiu lay on the grass, quietly admiring the starry sky while observing Kurosaki Ichigo's training progress.

Ichigo Kurosaki may lack control, but he has a good grasp of concepts.

About half an hour later, the number of crescent moons had increased to five. At this rate, we should be able to fully control them by tomorrow at the latest.

"Yosh, I've finally reached the Six Paths." Kurosaki Ichigo said, his body covered in sweat and slightly out of breath.

"Keep up the good work." Jiang Jiu gave him a thumbs up: "I believe in you!"

"Ugh... Ugh..." Kurosaki Ichigo was exhausted when he saw Jiang Jiu's cute actions and couldn't help but vomit.

"No," Jiang Jiu said, dissatisfied. "What do you mean?"

"I'm already exhausted, please stop insulting my eyes!" Kurosaki retorted.

Just as Jiang Jiu was about to start cursing, his phone rang.

It was Urahara who called.

"Moshi, Moshi, what is it?"

"Oh, is this your distinguished guest, sir?"

"Nonsense, just say what you have to say."