Hasumi Ren didn't know exactly what had happened that night.
However, over the past two days, Soi Fon's expression had been strangely evasive whenever she saw him.
Underneath her Stealth Force uniform, she had already changed into the backless battle attire Yoruichi had given her.
The only issue was that it felt a bit loose around the chest.
Soi Fon remembered that the Fourth Division had tailoring facilities, seemingly meant for repairing battle-worn clothing.
'I should find an opportunity to ask someone from the Fourth Division to adjust it privately...'
Ren was unaware of Soi Fon's inner thoughts; he hadn't been idle these past few days either.
He continued his studies at the Fourth Division as usual, organizing his gains and planning his future path.
The hot spring at Urahara Kisuke's place was an unexpected surprise.
During this time, he found another chance to visit the Nest of Maggots, absorbing over a hundred more points of Spiritual Power experience.
Although Urahara called it a crude, stolen technique, Ren still saw high value in that spring.
It naturally made him look forward to his future progress.
One day, Ren received a message from Urahara Kisuke.
"Meet me at the main gate of the Second Division tomorrow morning. We're going to the Kido Corps."
The brief message lifted Ren's spirits.
The next morning, at the Second Division's main gate.
When Ren arrived on time, Urahara Kisuke was already waiting there.
Today, Urahara wore a simple Shihakusho, with several bulging parcels beside him.
"Good morning, Ren."
Urahara greeted him with a smile.
"Quite punctual."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Third Seat Urahara."
Ren walked over, his gaze landing on the parcels.
"Are these the materials for the Kido Corps?"
"That's right."
Urahara patted the parcels.
"These are items Mr. Tsukabishi commissioned from me a while ago. Today's the delivery."
"Since you're coming along, I don't need to call other squad members to help. We'll carry half each."
"Let's go."
The two shouldered the bags, left the Second Division barracks, and headed out along the wide main road.
Seireitei was already busy in the early morning. Members from various divisions hurried back and forth, and occasionally, a patrol squad would march past in an orderly fashion.
The cherry trees along the road were in full bloom, their pinkish-white petals drifting in the wind, shimmering softly in the morning light.
"By the way, Ren."
Urahara suddenly spoke.
"Like the Stealth Force, the Kido Corps is an authoritative body under the Central 46."
"Its members are mostly nobles who handle vital matters like barriers and seals. Their personal information is classified, so don't ask too many questions once we're inside."
"Understood."
Urahara looked at Ren.
"Actually, I've done a fair amount of research on Kido myself. If you have any questions that aren't too complex, you can come to me."
Seeing Urahara's profile, Ren nodded in surprise.
The two continued on their way.
Before long, the ancient and imposing gates of the Kido Corps headquarters appeared before them.
After announcing their arrival, they entered the Kido Corps barracks.
Two members dressed in black with white masks approached them.
"Third Seat Urahara, you've arrived."
"Grand Kido Chief Tsukabishi is currently overseeing training. Please, follow me."
Urahara nodded.
"Lead the way."
The two members glanced at Ren but asked no questions, turning to lead the way.
Passing through the front corridor, the view suddenly opened up.
Within the massive training ground, dozens of Kido Corps members stood scattered about.
Some were practicing Kido incantations, while others huddled together discussing the principles of various spells.
Amidst them, a tall figure stood with his back to the entrance, inspecting everyone's progress.
He wore a grand, deep purple robe, had thick black hair, square-framed glasses, and a burly build with a steady aura.
Commander of the Kido Corps, Grand Kido Chief Tsukabishi Tessai.
Ren's gaze swept across the area.
Just as he expected, Spiritual Power fragments were exceptionally abundant here.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Spiritual Power Fragment x56, Spiritual Power Experience +560]
[SYSTEM: Obtained Kido Insight x66, Kido Experience +660]
The fragments flowed in like a stream, transforming into spiritual pressure and Kido insights, continuously surging into Ren's body.
[SYSTEM: Obtained Advanced Kido Insight x5, Kido Experience +500]
As this experience integrated into his body, a new piece of knowledge appeared in Ren's mind—an advanced technique regarding dual incantation in Kido.
Ren was taken aback, looking toward the source of the fragments: Tsukabishi Tessai.
Tessai stood within the grounds, instructing several members.
Two orbs of spiritual pressure—one blue, one red—floated before him, each pulsating at a different frequency.
"The essence of dual incantation is more than just reciting two incantations at once."
Tessai's voice was steady and powerful, ringing out clearly.
"You must also make the spiritual pressure fluctuations of the two incantations form a complementary structure, intertwining like a helix."
He held his hands up slightly, and the two orbs began to slowly converge.
"Observe. The spiritual characteristic of Shakkaho is explosion and diffusion, while Sokatsui is condensation and penetration."
"Combining them isn't about forced fusion; you must maintain penetration within the explosion and sustain condensation within the diffusion."
At the moment of contact, there was no conflict or explosion as expected.
The blue and red spiritual pressures began to intertwine like threads, forming a composite structure with inner and outer layers.
The outer layer was crimson while the inner was azure, independent yet resonating with each other.
"This is the basic form of dual incantation."
Tessai maintained the composite structure.
"First, master dual incantation for Kido of the same attribute, such as two Hado or two Bakudo."
"Once you are proficient, you can attempt different attributes, or even combinations of Hado and Bakudo."
He dispersed the spiritual pressure before him and looked at the surrounding members.
"Now, practice the prototype for dual-casting Shakkaho and Sokatsui. Start with spiritual pressure simulation."
The members divided into groups and began their attempts.
Ren stood at the edge of the field, his eyes fixed on the practicing members.
In his vision, every attempt they made released a few fragments.
System notifications popped up continuously.
Just then, an accident occurred during one member's practice.
He tried to simulate the spiritual structures of Shakkaho and Sokatsui simultaneously, but the two pressures collided violently upon meeting.
Azure and crimson light flashed erratically, and the spiritual pressure began to spiral out of control.
"Steady!"
Tessai let out a low shout and pointed a finger from a distance.
An instant-cast Bakudo enveloped the area in front of the member, forcibly calming the impending spiritual conflict.
The member was pale and drenched in sweat, clearly badly shaken.
"Don't be too hasty. Slow and steady wins the race."
Tessai walked over to him.
"The first step of dual incantation is a complete understanding of the spiritual structure of each individual spell."
"You haven't even mastered the basic spiritual waveforms of two Hado, yet you tried to force synchronization. Naturally, you failed."
He turned to all the members.
"Remember, there are no shortcuts in the study of Kido. Every step must be solid, or else it's like building a tower on shifting sands—it will eventually collapse."
The members responded in unison.
"Yes, Grand Kido Chief!"
Tessai nodded, only then noticing Urahara and Ren at the edge of the field.
"Urahara-dono, you've arrived."
"And this is...?"
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