"Squad 2 member, Hasumi Ren."
Urahara introduced him with a smile.
"His talent is quite good. He's currently studying Kaido in Squad 4 and has an interest in Kido, so I brought him along today to observe and learn."
Ren nodded in greeting to Tsukabishi Tessai.
Tessai's gaze fell on Ren, his steady eyes scrutinizing him for a moment.
"A member of Squad 2, studying Kaido in Squad 4?"
"Yes."
Tessai nodded slightly, not pressing further.
"Since you were brought here by Lord Urahara, you may observe. However, remember not to interfere with the others' practice."
"Understood."
His gaze fell on the bundle on Urahara's back.
"Did you bring the items?"
"They're all here."
Tessai's attention turned to the materials Urahara had brought, and the two began to converse in low tones about the stability of the barrier materials.
Ren quietly retreated to an inconspicuous pillar at the edge of the grounds, acting as if he were truly just an ordinary bystander.
The members in the training hall were all immersed in their practice. No one paid any special attention to the outsider, each focused solely on their own training.
Reiatsu flowed through the hall amidst a constant stream of incantations.
The members were focused on practicing the double-incantation technique Tessai had just demonstrated, attempting to synchronize the Reiatsu output fluctuations of Shakkaho and Sokatsui.
Blue and red orbs of light flared up throughout the hall. Most shattered the moment they touched, with very few managing to maintain a stable form.
Ren watched silently, his calm gaze sweeping across every practicing figure.
The spiritual energy fragments and Kido insights escaping from their constant attempts were silently gathering toward him, sinking into his body.
Every absorption brought a deeper understanding of Kido techniques.
Especially the fragments regarding double-incantation.
Thanks to Tessai's advanced Kido insights from earlier, combined with the continuous absorption and analysis now, he gradually pieced together the complete blueprint for this technique.
Ren opened his eyes and took a deep breath.
Even though his Kido level hadn't increased yet, he felt his understanding of Kido reach a new level.
In his field of vision, the Reiatsu fluctuations of every practicing member were clearly discernible.
About half an hour later, the conversation between Tessai and Urahara came to an end.
The Grand Kido Chief turned toward the grounds and spoke softly to Urahara Kisuke.
"Lord Urahara, among these members, do you see any with exceptional talent?"
Urahara Kisuke looked around but did not give an answer.
Seeing this, Tessai understood.
He looked at the members before him; these were the core talents of the Kido Corps.
Yet even these people failed to catch Urahara Kisuke's eye.
Most people in the training grounds couldn't even synchronize the Reiatsu of two Kido, let alone perform the technique completely.
Such a short practice session was indeed too brief to master such a high-level technique.
Many looked at the dissipating orbs in their hands with frustration, continuing their grueling practice.
Tessai showed no sign of disappointment; this was to be expected.
"Double-incantation isn't a technique one masters overnight. It took me quite a while to even reach the basics back then..."
He stopped mid-sentence.
Because he saw red and blue orbs of light glowing in the hands of Ren in the corner.
There was no incantation. Ren simply stood there quietly, his hands cupped in front of him.
Two spheres of Reiatsu slowly emerged—one blue and one red, simulating the fluctuations of Sokatsui and Shakkaho.
But that was only the beginning.
The two orbs began to pulse at the same frequency, the blue and red lights flickering like rhythmic breathing.
Tessai's expression changed.
Urahara Kisuke also refocused, looking toward Ren with great interest.
At this moment, Ren was intensely focused.
Double-incantation required extreme precision in Reiatsu control. He had to give it his full attention to maintain the delicate balance between the two spheres.
The spheres finally touched. There was no conflict, no dissipation.
The two spiritual pressures merged like converging streams, slowly intertwining and rotating into a spiral structure almost identical to the one Tessai had demonstrated earlier.
Two distinct Reiatsu qualities coexisted in a fragile but real balance.
The members who noticed began to stop their practice one by one, their gazes turning toward that corner.
After a moment, Ren voluntarily dispersed the orbs. The threads of light broke apart, turning into motes of spirit particles that scattered in the air.
Ren slowly withdrew his hands and let out a soft breath.
Though the orbs had lasted only a short time, they were remarkably stable. It was indeed the prototype of a double-incantation.
Success on the first attempt.
Silence fell over the training hall, followed by a flurry of whispers.
Many followed the sound to look at Ren, their eyes filled with astonishment.
Many among them had spent days or even weeks of hard work on this technique without ever finding the key.
This obscure observer from another squad had only watched for a while, yet he could already simulate the prototype of a double-incantation?
Tessai remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.
"Has he studied this technique before?"
Urahara Kisuke rubbed his chin, his tone unreadable.
"I'm not sure about that. But look at how clumsy his technique was—doesn't it look like it's his first time?"
Tessai stared at Ren for a long time, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Since when did Squad 2 produce a member with such talent for Kido?"
Urahara gave a casual laugh.
"Ren is indeed special. He learns everything very quickly. Even I didn't expect him to have such high comprehension in Kido."
"I recall the last person in the Corps with such talent was you, wasn't it, Mr. Tsukabishi?"
"And now you're the Grand Kido Chief."
Hearing this, Tessai gave Urahara Kisuke a deep look.
'You scoundrel, you didn't bring him here just to upstage us, did you...'
Knowing Urahara Kisuke, it was entirely possible he would do something like that.
The Grand Kido Chief pondered for a moment, ignoring Urahara's teasing.
He walked over to Ren's side and asked out of curiosity.
"Is this your first time attempting the double-incantation practice?"
Ren looked up in surprise; he hadn't expected Tessai to come over.
"It is indeed my first time."
Tessai spoke slowly upon hearing the answer.
"To see the Reiatsu patterns of double-incantation and successfully simulate the prototype in such a short time..."
"Such comprehension is truly rare."
After those words were spoken, the expressions of the surrounding Kido Corps members varied wildly.
Ren remained standing where he was, showing neither the joy of being flattered nor any forced humility.
"You overpraise me. I only managed to simulate the barest surface by luck; I am far from truly mastering it."
Ren's tone was calm, and his attitude was composed.
Tessai gazed at him for a long time before finally giving a barely perceptible nod, saying no more.
He turned back to face the members in the hall, resuming his stern demeanor.
"Enough. Stop being distracted and continue your practice."
Before long, the Reiatsu and chanting resumed.
However, eyes would still involuntarily drift toward the figure practicing alone in the corner.
Ren ignored the whispers around him and continued his attempts to practice the double-incantation technique.
Then, a voice suddenly appeared behind him.
"That was truly surprising, Ren."
"I'm starting to understand why you proposed coming to the Kido Corps."
Ren looked back to see Urahara Kisuke smiling, squinting his eyes at him.
"I'm starting to wonder... if the Grand Kido Chief had been talking about the incantation-abandonment technique just now..."
"Would you have been able to learn that too?"
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