Two years had passed since the unsettling events surrounding Tatsufusa's injury and the whispers of manipulated Hollow reiatsu in the Rukon District. For the Seireitei, it had been a period of relative calm, a stark contrast to the undercurrent of unease Kisaragi still felt. Captain-Commander Yamamoto's task, to monitor Tatsufusa's recovery and analyze the residual spiritual energy, had yielded no further tangible clues. The "foreign influence" seemed to have vanished as abruptly as it appeared, leaving behind only lingering questions and a sense of a predator lying in wait.
Kisaragi's initial urgency had not abated, but it had been tempered by a grim realization. Even with his unique perception and growing strength, a direct confrontation with Aizen in these early stages would be suicidal. The complete hypnosis of Kyoka Suigetsu was a terrifyingly potent weapon, one that likely had already ensnared key figures within the Gotei 13, their control subtle and insidious. He couldn't risk exposing himself prematurely, potentially becoming another unwitting pawn in Aizen's grand scheme.
Therefore, Kisaragi had made a calculated decision: patience. He would bide his time, honing his abilities, pushing his limits until he possessed the power necessary to truly challenge Aizen. The main story, the Fake Karakura Town arc where Aizen's ambitions would finally be laid bare, was still a distant 125 years away. He would use this time wisely, growing stronger in the shadows, avoiding any action that might draw Aizen's early ire. The long silence that had fallen over the Seireitei became his training ground, the absence of immediate threats allowing him to dedicate himself fully to his growth.
His days were a relentless cycle of training. The secluded outskirts of the Rukon District remained his primary sanctuary, the jagged landscape bearing witness to his increasingly potent abilities. Rasengan had evolved, becoming denser, more destructive, capable of carving deep fissures into the earth. His swordsmanship, once a secondary skill, now flowed with a deadly grace, Byakko a natural extension of his will. His control over atmospheric manipulation had reached a point where he could summon localized storms, the wind and air bending to his intricate commands.
Amidst his solitary training, Kisaragi occasionally sought out Byakuya. Their shared history in the Academy, the bond forged in youthful rivalry, had not entirely fractured despite the profound change that had overcome Byakuya following his father's death five years prior. The vibrant, sometimes reckless Byakuya of their Academy days had been replaced by a stoic, fiercely duty-bound noble, a change that had created a noticeable distance between them.
However, Kisaragi understood the weight Byakuya carried, the immense responsibility of upholding the Kuchiki name. His visits were not merely social calls; they were a deliberate effort to maintain their connection and, subtly, to push Byakuya towards greater strength. He knew the darkness Byakuya now faced, the quiet grief that clung to him, and he believed that channeling that pain into power was the only way for his friend to truly overcome it.
Their reunions often began with a tense formality, the years of divergent paths creating an initial stiffness. But as they crossed blades in the Kuchiki training grounds, a flicker of their old camaraderie would invariably ignite. Their spars were intense, each pushing the other's limits. Byakuya's movements were the epitome of controlled elegance, Senbonzakura a whirlwind of deadly petals. Kisaragi countered with his fluid style and the unpredictable force of Byakko's atmospheric control, their clashes echoing with the power of their growing abilities.
During these spars, Kisaragi would subtly introduce elements of what he was learning, pushing Byakuya to adapt, to find new levels of skill. He knew Byakuya's immense potential, a talent that, if nurtured, could make him an invaluable ally in the future conflicts he foresaw.
Beyond their sparring, their conversations remained brief but carried a weight of unspoken understanding. Kisaragi would offer cryptic warnings, veiled references to the unsettling calm, urging Byakuya to remain vigilant. Byakuya, in turn, would acknowledge Kisaragi's concerns with a curt nod, his own internal investigations into the Rukon District's anomalies continuing in the background.
In the solitude of their respective training, both Kisaragi and Byakuya had begun the arduous journey towards Bankai. The sheer power and mastery required for the final release of their Zanpakuto was immense, a challenge that tested their spiritual fortitude and their connection to their inner selves. Kisaragi, with his intuitive grasp of spiritual energy and the unique nature of Byakko, estimated that with his current rate of progress, he would need approximately five more years to achieve Bankai. It was a long and demanding path, but one he was determined to walk, each step fueled by his unwavering resolve to protect those he cared about and to stand against the darkness that lay dormant, waiting for its moment to strike. The long silence of the Seireitei was not a sign of peace, but the pregnant pause before a storm, and Kisaragi intended to be ready when it finally broke.