Reincarnated As Shiba Clan’s Heir! (Bleach-Gin)

After lunch, the four of them returned for the afternoon class. Today's lecture would focus on Kido — the ancient and complex art of using spiritual energy to manifest various spells and abilities. Their instructor for the day was a female master by the name of Sayuri, her stature imposing yet elegant. Her delicate features were offset by piercing amber eyes that seemed to see into one's soul. Her raven-black hair was arranged into an intricate bun, adorned with a single white lotus, a symbol of purity in the midst of chaos.

This was their first lecture with Sayuri, and a palpable air of anticipation filled the room. The students were seated, their attention riveted on the figure standing at the head of the class. Sayuri, with an aura of tranquil command, surveyed her pupils, her gaze intense and unyielding. Kazuki felt a shiver of excitement coupled with a faint trace of apprehension. He locked eyes with Sayuri for a moment, and there was an understanding that passed between them. He was here to learn, and she was here to teach.

"Kido," Sayuri began, her voice echoing throughout the room, "is not merely a tool or weapon. It is a manifestation of one's inner spirit and control over one's reiatsu. It is an art that requires not only power but also finesse."

She raised a hand, and a soft glow began to emit from her palm. The room hushed as a small orb of blue light formed, swirling and pulsating with energy. "This," she announced, "is a basic Hado, Sho. It is a pushing force, simple yet versatile."

Students watched in awe as she launched the orb at a wooden dummy at the end of the room. It hit with surprising force, leaving a visible dent. She turned back to her students, her face calm as she continued. "The strength of Kido lies not in the complexity of the spell, but in the understanding and control of one's own energy."

Yoruichi, seated next to Kazuki, nudged him gently. She was grinning, her golden eyes alight with excitement. "You've used Sho before, haven't you, Kazuki?" she whispered, her voice a conspiratorial undertone.

Kazuki nodded, his sky-blue eyes gleaming with newfound understanding. He had indeed used Sho during his talk with Isshin but seeing it in this context, explained by Sayuri, gave him a fresh perspective.

"Kido," Sayuri began once more, her gaze sweeping across her attentive students, "is more than just casting a spell or forming a shield. It is an artform with its own structure and stages. Understanding these stages is key to mastering the power of Kido."

She paused, her gaze lingering on Kazuki for a moment before continuing, "The four stages are: Intent, Medium, Gesture, and Will."

Yoruichi turned to Kazuki, an anticipatory grin on her face. "Sounds like things are about to get interesting," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Sayuri began to explain the first stage, her voice resonating in the quiet room. "Intent," she said, "is what you want to achieve with your Kido. It is the purpose behind your action. A solid intent is essential for casting successful Kido."

Next, Sayuri moved on to the second stage, "Medium," which, according to her, was the spiritual energy or reiatsu that serves as the foundation for Kido. "You use your reiatsu as the raw material to shape your Kido," she explained. "The better you control your reiatsu, the more effective your Kido becomes."

Isane, seated next to Kazuki, shifted in her seat, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. She turned to Kazuki and whispered, "Remember how Master Yoshido emphasized on controlling reiatsu during our sword training?"

Kazuki nodded, remembering Yoshido's words. He realized that, unknowingly, he had been learning about the stages of Kido even during his Zanjutsu training, or rather, everything was interlinked.

The third stage, Sayuri continued, was "Gesture," which was represented by the chant in Kido. "The chant is a tool to focus your reiatsu and intent," Sayuri explained. "While it is possible to cast Kido without a chant, the effectiveness usually decreases."

At this, Yoruichi nudged Kazuki with a playful grin, "You didn't use a chant when you cast Sho, did you?"

Kazuki shook his head, a faint blush coloring his pale cheeks. "No," he admitted, "I didn't know about the chants back then."

Yoruichi laughed, a soft, comforting sound, "Well, you did pretty well for someone who didn't know about chants."

Finally, Sayuri moved on to the last stage, "Will." Her amber eyes seemed to glow as she spoke, "Will is the driving force behind your Kido. It's your determination, your courage, the force that binds your intent, medium, and gesture into a powerful Kido."

"Many scholars have spent years researching why Shinigami call out their attacks," Master Sayuri began, her voice steady and serene, yet commanding enough to capture everyone's attention. Her eyes were bright with intensity, her gaze sweeping across the room full of attentive students. "The consensus is clear; uttering the names of your attacks strengthens your will, your resolve. The power of names should not be underestimated."

Kazuki found himself hanging onto every word Sayuri said. There was a wisdom in her words, a depth of knowledge that was both intriguing and inspiring. He glanced at Yoruichi, who was seated next to him. She was watching Sayuri with an expression of intense focus, her golden eyes sparkling with interest.

"Names are not mere words, they carry power within them," Sayuri continued, her voice echoing in the silence of the room. "When you call out the name of your Zanpakuto, you're not just calling out a name, you're acknowledging the spirit within, invoking its power. This connection between you and your Zanpakuto is what allows it to reveal its true form."

Lisa, who was seated on Kazuki's other side, leaned in, her blue eyes serious. "You know," she whispered, "That's why it's so important to communicate with your Zanpakuto spirit. It's not just about learning their name, but also about understanding their nature."