Bleach: Getting Stronger Starting from Teaching at the Spiritual Arts Academy

[Spiritual Pressure: lv85]

[Reputation Level: Unknown]

His panel was similar to that of Dean Kotetsu Ayane, but his status was not visible. July guessed that if someone's spiritual pressure was too much higher than his and their reputation level was also very low, they would not be able to see the other person's status.

"Tsuna-sensei is really hard to approach," Sakai-sensei said, somewhat annoyed.

"It's almost time. I need to take my students to get their 'shallow fighting' today." July checked the time, estimating that the students should have arrived by now, and left the office for the swordsmanship room.

The students were also looking forward to the event, and everyone was present; not a single one was late.

"Before class today, we need to go get the asabas. Kana Azajo, Kensei Rokusha, Shinji Hirako... and Jin'emon Kotsubaki, you guys come with me to get the asabas." July called on a few students she was familiar with.

Kotsubaki Jin'emon was the student who had cried in class before, saying he wanted to learn kendo from Nanatsuki, and he had left a deep impression on him.

"Huh? Why did they call on me..." Hirako Shinji was a little confused. He had always kept a low profile since enrolling in school, and he didn't expect the teacher to remember him.

"Tch, outstanding people can't hide their brilliance no matter what." Hirako Shinji felt things were getting complicated, but directly confronting the class president was obviously a more troublesome matter, so he had no choice but to get up and follow.

In July, he took four students to the logistics department.

"Teacher, how long does it take for Asauchi to become a Zanpakuto after I get it?"

"Everyone is different; it depends on how smoothly he communicates with Ren Chan."

"Was the communication with the teacher smooth?"

"It didn't go well."

"Ah, I wonder what kind of ability my Zanpakuto will have. I wish it could make food taste better!"

"Your words... might be able to..."

Shinji Hirako looked around at his classmates and noticed that Kensei Muguruma and Kana Azumashiro seemed to be quite familiar with their teacher.

The five of them quickly arrived at the logistics department, where they met Shirai Riko again in July.

"Ms. Shirai, where is Asauchi from our class?"

"Oh, it's Shikatori-sensei. Your class has a total of thirty-two asabu, right? I've already divided them up." Shirai Riko pointed to the bundles of asabu on the ground.

"Thank you, Shirai-sensei. By the way, have the new wooden swords arrived? I heard the autumn exams are coming up soon, and I need to let the students practice with them first," July asked.

Even with the introduction of the asabu, the students would not practice with real swords; they would still use wooden swords for daily training.

In July, it was discovered that this batch of wooden swords was refurbished. Many of them had internal wood cracks. They were still usable for practicing basic movements and stances, but now that they are used for sparring, they are easily damaged.

"Not yet, the procurement still needs approval, and it probably won't be until next month at the earliest. We'll have to use these wooden knives for now," Shirai Riko said helplessly.

Shirai Riko even felt that it might not be resolved by next month. There was something strange about this matter. After reporting it to the department head, she suppressed it and did not say that she would hold the purchasing department responsible.

"Looks like we won't make it in time." July felt a bit of a headache. These refurbished wooden swords were definitely not suitable for sparring, as not every student had learned the spiritual pressure control technique to protect the wooden swords.

The autumn exams are just around the corner, and the swordsmanship exams will definitely include practical combat tests. In July, he wanted to let the students familiarize themselves with sparring before the exams, but now it seems he has to find another way.

There are more than 30 students in their class. Even the Shikatori Dojo couldn't produce that many wooden swords. After all, the dojo hasn't taken on any students for hundreds of years, and the wooden swords need maintenance and can't be stored for so long.

In July, I wanted to talk to Dean Kotetsu to see if this matter could be resolved.

“Teacher, if it’s a wooden sword, I should be able to do something about it,” said Kana Mochi, raising her hand.

There's a newly opened forge in Runlin'an District that belongs to her family; that forge also sells wooden knives.

A few days ago, she picked out a wooden sword at the blacksmith's shop. The shopkeeper even said that he wanted her to take some of the wooden swords to the Spirit Academy to give to her classmates, as a way to promote the new shop.

Chapter 16 Blade Zen

Blade Zen Quiet Room.

The incense burner in the corner was filled with rising smoke.

The quiet room was filled with a unique, pleasant fragrance that calmed the mind and soothed the spirit.

The asanas had been distributed, and the students sat cross-legged neatly on the floor of the meditation room, practicing blade meditation.

"Calm down, clear your mind, and feel the power coming from your souls." July paced back and forth in the classroom, checking if any students were distracted during their Zen practice.

"Your light blow has fallen to the ground." July swung her wooden sword and tapped a student on the forehead.

"Oh, teacher, I'm sorry!" The drowsy student quickly picked up the light stick.

"You're letting yourself down. The skills you've practiced are for your own benefit."

July glanced at Kana Mochishiro next to her. Her performance surprised July; she had successfully entered the Blade Zen state.

July thought it might be because her thoughts were relatively simple.

Continue the inspection.

Although July spoke eloquently, he himself had not actually completed the Blade Zen training.

He was unable to enter the consciousness space through Blade Zen.

After a Shinigami has trained in Blade Zen to a certain level, he can enter the consciousness space to communicate with his Zanpakuto.

If you can learn the name of your Zanpakuto, you can learn its "Shikai".

However, despite having practiced Blade Zen for many years, July has never been able to enter the consciousness space.

He could sense that the creation of his Zanpakuto was complete, but for some unknown reason, he was unable to enter the consciousness space and therefore unable to communicate with his Zanpakuto.

Suddenly, July felt a jolt in his heart as he sensed an unusual fluctuation of spiritual pressure.

Turning my head, I saw that the unusual spiritual pressure fluctuation was coming from Cilantro Mochi.

This indicates that she has entered a deeper level of Blade Zen meditation and is inscribing the essence of her soul into her shallow strikes.

"Coriander's progress is quite fast..." July was somewhat surprised by her disciple's progress. At this rate, she would soon be able to possess a Zanpakuto.

In July, after another round of inspections, he discovered that Kensei Muguruma and Shinji Heiko had also entered the Blade Zen state, but he had not yet detected that abnormal spiritual pressure fluctuation on them.

As class was about to end, unusual spiritual pressure fluctuations emanated from Kensei Muguruma and Shinji Heiko, indicating that they had entered a deep level of Blade Zen meditation.

Today, only three students with S-level talent ratings successfully entered Blade Zen state; the other students failed.

In July, he let the other students have free time while he stayed behind to wait for the three of them to finish their Blade Zen meditation, in case anything unexpected happened.

July waited and waited until night.

"very hungry!"

The first to wake up was Cilantro Mochi, who was starving.

Fortunately, Kensei Muguruma and Shinji Heiko soon ended their Blade Zen meditation and woke up.

July glanced at their panels and saw that their first experience with Blade Zen meditation had yielded significant results; their spiritual pressure had all increased somewhat.

At this moment, some information reappeared in July's eyes.

The teaching feedback rewards for Blade Zen practice have also been settled.

[Rewards will be settled upon completion of the course]

[Reward: 10 Blade Zen Experience Points]

[With your careful guidance, the students were exceptionally focused during their Blade Zen practice, and three students even entered a state of Blade Zen meditation, earning them an extra reward.]

[Reward: 30 Blade Zen Experience Points]

[Receive an extra reward for successfully teaching the Blade Zen training course for the first time]

[Item Obtained: Shallow Hard]

The Blade Zen experience reward from the Blade Zen training course was the first thing I received in July.

When practicing Blade Zen, consuming Blade Zen experience can strengthen the connection with your Zanpakuto.

The extra reward he received for completing his first Blade Zen training course surprised July even more; he was given a Shallow Knuckle Duster.

The three students are still here; July has not yet taken out the reward tokens.

Moreover, the two disciples' completion of Blade Zen Meditation also brought July a reward settlement:

[Under your guidance, disciple Mochishiro Kana has completed a Blade Zen Meditation session. Rewards calculated.]

[Reward: 40 Blade Zen Experience Points]

[Under your guidance, disciple Rokusha Kensei has completed a Blade Zen Meditation session. Rewards calculated.]

[Reward: 20 Blade Zen Experience Points]

The combined effect of the Spirit Arts Academy's instruction and the disciples' feedback earned July 100 points of Blade Zen experience.

The Blade Zen experience can only be used during Blade Zen practice, and it cannot be tried in July.

"Are you all hungry? Let's go get something to eat. There's no time to prepare dinner at this hour, so let's go to Grandma Jiang's place to eat." July looked at the three students.

"I won't go," Hirako Shinji said instinctively.

"Hirako, the cafeteria has been closed for ages. Are you going to go hungry all night? You're in your growth phase right now, so don't go to bed hungry," July said with a smile. "Come on in, don't be shy with your teacher."

Hirako Shinji hesitated for a moment, then Muguruma Kensei stepped forward and put his arm around the back of his neck: "Hey, why are you being so formal? Shikatori-sensei is a rare and good teacher, don't dampen his good intentions!"

"Alright, thank you, Shikatori-sensei." Hirako Shinji rubbed his stomach. After finishing his Blade Zen training, he did feel a strong hunger. If he didn't go, he probably wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.

The four of them arrived at Granny Jiang's Izakaya shortly afterward. Granny Jiang's Izakaya was near Shikatori Dojo and not far from the Spirit Arts Institute.

The izakaya is small, with only a few tables inside, and you can even see into the kitchen at a glance.

Grandma Jiang was a kind old woman with gray hair, many wrinkles on her face, and her height had shrunk. She was wearing a neat kimono.

"Grandma Jiang, I'm here."

"Shikatori-kun, it's been a long time since you've come."

Before July, my cooking skills were only average, and I would occasionally come to Grandma Jiang's place for a treat.

"I've been quite busy lately; I've taken on a disciple," July said with a smile.

Hirako Shinji confirmed his suspicions: the other two students did indeed have a deeper relationship with Shikatori-sensei.

"Oh, really? The Deer Tribe Dojo has reopened! Congratulations! Are these your disciples? Come in, come in. This meal is on me today." Granny Jiang greeted the three people behind July warmly, then called to the kitchen, "Little Lisa, we have guests. Clear the table."

Hirako Shinji wanted to say that he wasn't, but when he saw Granny Jiang's enthusiastic manner, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Did Little Lisa come to help?" July asked.

"The weather is going to get cold soon," Grandma Jiang replied.

Hunting is difficult in the mountains during winter, so every year as winter approaches, Grandma Jiang would send Lisa here to help, so that at least she wouldn't go hungry.

Chapter 17 Malice

"Sit down, don't be shy, I come here often," July said to the students.

There weren't many customers in the izakaya; only two tables were occupied. One of the people, dressed in a magnificent hunting robe, sat alone at one table, while the table next to him was filled with four people, all dressed as samurai servants.

In July, the four of them randomly found an empty table and sat down.

Lisa came out carrying a plate and took out four sets of tableware.

"Little Lisa, did you catch any prey last time you went up the mountain?" July asked.

"No, last time I went up the mountain I encountered a bear. I wasn't sure I could handle it, so I went around it. But it spotted me, and it took me a long time to shake it off," Lisa said dejectedly.

"Are there bears in the back mountains? Take me there next time, bear paws are a good thing." July became interested.

“I’ve never encountered this before, maybe it’s a recent relocation?” Lisa wiped the table.

"Is bear paw delicious?" Cilantro's radar picked up the key phrase.

“Bear paws steamed with beeswax, the juices flowing into bird’s nest, if handled properly, can be a rare delicacy,” July said with a smile.

"Ah—I really want to eat the bear paw that the teacher makes!" Cilantro had already started fantasizing in her mind.

"Tsk, we burned the sweet potatoes last time, so don't talk big here." Little Lisa looked unconvinced.

"People always improve," July chuckled.

The diner dressed in luxurious hunting attire glanced at July's table, his gaze lingering on the four people's clothing for a moment before he got up and walked outside.

The samurai servants at the other table also got up and followed.

“Please wait a moment, sir, you haven’t paid yet.” Lisa tugged at the sleeve of the man in the luxurious robe.