After seeing Shihouin Yoruichi's intent, although Ran Yan didn't intend to learn from her, he didn't mind listening.
If it were a matter of being taught, with the pride of his own White Hits, he would certainly never accept it.
After all, the reason he had requested leave and skipped Shiba Isshin's White Hits classes was entirely due to his arrogance. He believed he could master peerless physical techniques through self-study.
But if it was a mutual exchange, that was different.
Besides, bruising Shihouin Yoruichi's pride wouldn't be ideal, especially if she was meant to be nestled in his arms one day.
So Ran Yan listened all the way through, until Shihouin Yoruichi laid bare the foundation of the Shihouin clan's White Hits and Shunpo.
[Your White Hits says that although the Shihouin family's secret footwork and physical techniques aren't quite up to standard, there are some merits worth considering. After borrowing, organizing, refining, and merging them with the original Shinigami Six Styles, White Hits has successfully created "White Hits · Shinigami Six Styles Version 1.0," suitable for both spirit bodies and Reiatsu.]
[Shinigami Six Styles 1.0: Finger Spear, Razor, Swift Axe, Golden Body, Cloud Walk, Mirage.]
As expected.
White Hits rejects traditional teaching and forbids being taught. But a peer-level exchange of techniques? That's acceptable.
Especially when he saw that Ran Yan, having just created the original Shinigami Six Styles, had already defeated Shihouin Yoruichi. He was in good spirits and even presented Ran Yan with an upgraded and more refined version on the spot.
Unlike the original Reiatsu-based version that was limited to spiritual manipulation,
The 1.0 version could be used with or without Reiatsu—and using Reiatsu would multiply its power severalfold.
After all,
The entire Zanjutsu-Hakuda-Hoho-Kidou system is centered around Reiatsu as its core.
While it can function without Reiatsu, its effectiveness drops considerably.
The same applies to Shihouin Yoruichi's White Hits and Shunpo—true strength is only revealed when using Reiatsu.
"In terms of productivity, White Hits is absolutely the king of Zanjutsu-Hakuda-Hoho-Kidou!"
Seeing his own White Hits develop two full physical techniques in a single day, Ran Yan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Although Version 1.0 was a revision and enhancement of the original Shinigami Six Styles, the difference wasn't just a name change or added Reiatsu compatibility.
The core functionality was completely reworked from the inside out.
For example, take Cloud Walk and the original Moonwalk.
Moonwalk relied on creating bursts of air by stepping to generate propulsion.
Cloud Walk, on the other hand, used Reiatsu as footholds—allowing for true cloud walking and flight against the wind.
One was for quick movements; the other for aerial combat.
"Ran Yan."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Was there something in the Shihouin techniques you didn't understand?"
Shihouin Yoruichi couldn't help but ask as she saw Ran Yan fall silent.
"No."
"Didn't you just say the only flaw in the Shinigami Six Styles was that they couldn't use Reiatsu to enhance White Hits?"
"I was just thinking that through."
Ran Yan responded casually.
"Then what happened?"
A familiar sinking feeling filled Shihouin Yoruichi's heart.
She already had a hunch.
"Listening to your breakdown of the Shihouin family's White Hits and Shunpo gave me a few ideas."
"So I revised the whole thing."
"I've created another version—Shinigami Six Styles 1.0."
Ran Yan said it like it was an everyday occurrence.
"Start!!"
Shihouin Yoruichi clenched her teeth.
More than once, she'd experienced Ran Yan's unnatural talent and never doubted the truth in his words.
And again—
From now on, the last thing she wanted to hear was the word "created."
Because that word alone made her feel like she'd voluntarily put her pride in Ran Yan's hands and begged him to shatter it.
Suddenly, she thought of Hirako Shinji and sighed with pity.
She had only come to teach White Hits, yet she'd been trampled by Ran Yan's talent. Let alone Shinji, who had to face him in actual combat.
"Are you okay?"
Ran Yan noticed Shihouin Yoruichi clenching her teeth and gave her a sympathetic glance.
"I'm fine."
"I just can't help thinking Hirako Shinji is a real soldier."
"If I hadn't been mentally clogged for a few hundred years, I would never challenge someone like you."
Shihouin Yoruichi shook her head. The pity in her beautiful eyes only deepened.
A month?
No.
Just a few weeks at the Spiritual Arts Academy, and Ran Yan could make a seasoned captain question his entire existence.
Ran Yan merely smiled in silence.
Hirako Shinji?
He had already forgotten that name.
Who remembers ants in detail or cares what they think?
All that matters is deciding their fate when the time comes.
...
Time passed swiftly.
One full month had passed since Ran Yan enrolled in the Spiritual Arts Academy.
After taking leave from the White Hits course—and Shihouin Yoruichi personally confirming that his White Hits was no less talented than his other abilities—Shiba Isshin had stopped pressing him.
In fact, he had gone so far as to grant Ran Yan over 20 days of self-directed practice.
Clearly,
Shiba Isshin had reached a very clear understanding:
For a once-in-a-millennium genius like Ran Yan, structured lessons would only slow his growth.
Zanpakutō.
Kendo.
Kidō.
Shunpo.
After taking one class in each, Shiba had let go entirely.
Ran Yan would control the rest of his time at the academy as he saw fit.
Until today.
The day Ran Yan applied for early graduation from the Spiritual Arts Academy.
It was the first time he and Shiba met again in official capacity.
But it wasn't just Shiba Isshin who showed up—chief officers, vice-captains, even several seated captains had heard the news and gathered.
"Early graduation?"
"In only one month?"
"That's insane!"
"Not in two thousand years has the Academy seen this."
"But…the elite class has stricter standards than any other. Graduating after just one month?"
"It might be possible. I heard this kid once beat a captain in Kendo class and pinned him to the dojo wall."
"What?! If that's true, early graduation makes sense."