Bleach: Shadows of Destiny

Yamahiko dedicated a full day to mastering the grip and initial stance of swordsmanship. On the subsequent day, Renji began teaching him the footwork of swordsmanship.

Swordsmanship encompassed various footwork techniques, with six fundamental ones: Bent Foot, Step Foot, Send Foot, Continue Foot, Open Foot, and Step Foot.

Of these, the 'Bent Foot' technique was the most commonly used in swordsmanship. It resembled a sliding step where the foot stayed close to the ground, minimizing body movement and maintaining posture integrity. This sliding motion minimized swaying and allowed quick adjustments during attacks.

Mastering this sliding motion while maintaining bodily stability took Yamahiko two days.

Throughout this process, Yamahiko had to maintain the basic sword-holding posture while sliding his feet.

Renji then taught him Step Foot, which closely resembled Bent Foot but involved a step-by-step forward motion.

Next was Send Foot, where the right foot was ahead, and the left foot trailed behind, slightly lifting the left heel.

Moving forward, Yamahiko followed a sliding motion with his right foot and quickly advanced with his left foot.

Moving backward, he slid his left foot and swiftly brought his right foot back.

Aside from forward and backward movements, diagonal movements were essential. These required maintaining stable upper body posture while employing the sliding technique with one foot leading the other.

Simultaneous forward and backward movement was avoided to maintain stability and support while in motion.

Yamahiko took five days to master Send Foot.

Following this was Open Foot, involving diagonal stationary movements. This maneuver facilitated body rotation for offensive and defensive actions.

It took Yamahiko two days to grasp Open Foot.

Continue Foot was the next technique. It resembled Send Foot, but with a key difference: while Send Foot involved the front foot leading when advancing and the rear foot leading when retreating, Continue Foot required the rear foot to shorten the distance from the front foot during forward movement. Then, the front foot moved forward, executing an explosive attack or swift retreat.

Continue Foot's first step, known as the 'Stealing a Step,' was designed to catch opponents off-guard.

Once Yamahiko mastered this, he proceeded to Step Foot. This technique was linked to Send Foot.

When advancing, the front foot moved ahead, the entire sole flat on the ground, driven by immense force. Meanwhile, the rear foot rapidly followed.

As the front foot touched down, energy accumulated. Following the rear foot's motion, bodily strength erupted.

Mastering these six fundamental footwork techniques took Yamahiko over a dozen days. With training, his spiritual density gradually increased.

Footwork was vital in swordsmanship, providing stability and forming the foundation for advanced techniques. Their first technique training was Vertical Swing.

Vertical Swing technique was closely tied to Step Foot. Executed alongside abdominal breathing, the technique entailed adjusting the center of gravity during Step Foot's forward motion. Simultaneously, the upper body leaned forward, releasing internal energy, and utilizing the shoulder joint as an axis, both arms swung forward.

Specific hand movements were crucial during a sword swing. Upon the initial swing, the little finger of the left hand would grip the hilt firmly, and the left hand would slightly rotate inward.

However, when the sword swing reached its furthest point, the right hand would twist inward, using the combined turning of both hands to compress force and transfer it to a single point, transmitting it through the sword to the opponent.

Rukia, emphasized that Yamahiko train in both methods, particularly focusing on the first. He needed to achieve fifty swings without activating his spiritual pressure.

For the petite Yamahiko, this posed a notable challenge.

With Rukia's guidance on Swing Vibrations' fundamentals, Yamahiko began solitary training. Armed with a bamboo stick, he stood in an open space, repetitively practicing the swings.

One swing, two swings, ... five swings, ten swings.

Starting Vertical Swing felt relatively easy for Yamahiko. He quickly reached ten swings, yet exceeding that mark brought about the sensation of the stick's weight and a hint of fatigue.

Undeterred, he continued training, surpassing twenty swings. Fatigue set in upon his twenty-first swing, necessitating a pause to replenish his spiritual pressure.

This cycle of expending and replenishing spiritual pressure led to Yamahiko's rapid increase in spiritual density, allowing him to manage a high number of swings.

Half a month later, Yamahiko managed to perform fifty consecutive swings, fulfilling Rukia's requirements.

However, mastering the physical movements only marked the beginning. Understanding how to utilize strength for each action and respond to diverse attacks required the assistance of a partner.

At this juncture, Renji volunteered to serve as Yamahiko's sparring partner.

Renji gripped a wooden sword, positioning himself in front of Yamahiko. His demeanor was serious and determined, akin to a elder.

Yamahiko stood three paces away from Renji, clutching his sword with both hands. Inhaling deeply, he suddenly propelled his right foot forward, impacting the ground forcefully, followed by the swift advance of his left foot.

As the footwork took shape, Yamahiko's hands leveraged his shoulder joint, transitioning from an elevated stance to an arcing posture, powerfully slashing toward Renji's face.

Renji lifted his wooden sword, minutely adjusting his stance, deflecting Yamahiko's stick using the blade's side.

With minimal effort, he redirected the stick from Yamahiko's grasp, sending it to the side.

This interruption disrupted Yamahiko's rhythm. Swiftly, Renji advanced with his right foot, then swung his bamboo sword.

A gust of wind brushed against Yamahiko, prompting him to instinctively close his eyes. Surprisingly, the anticipated impact never materialized. Upon cautiously reopening his eyes, he observed Renji's bamboo sword halted just an inch from his face.

Renji withdrew his wooden sword and nodded. "Your hand coordination during the attack was lacking, and the force was diffused. Also, your retreat was poorly executed. Vertical Swing encompass not only forward movements but also backward ones. Don't forego retreating just because your opponent blocks your strike. Prompt retreat can prevent subsequent attacks, equipping you with the ability to evade and counter. Remember that."

"Understood," Yamahiko acknowledged, etching her words into memory.

With these insights in mind, Yamahiko continued his training under Renji's tutelage, internalizing Vertical Swing essence until it flowed naturally.

Subsequently, Yamahiko delved into various fundamental sword techniques, encompassing strikes to different areas.

These techniques formed the foundation of swordsmanship, offering simple yet direct offensive and defensive options.

Mastering these basics provided Yamahiko with sufficient combat capability for self-preservation. However, compared to the expansive realm of swordsmanship, these techniques were merely the tip of the iceberg.

Sword techniques extended to striking various areas—face, abdomen, throat (lethal strike)—along with specialized schools such as the Fast Sword Style, Single Sword Style, and Hidden Sword Style, among others.

Yet Renji and Rukia remained unfamiliar with these advanced techniques. The Shinigami who had inadvertently found themselves in this world had imparted only these rudimentary skills before departing.

Nonetheless, these basics bestowed Yamahiko with the tools for self-defense.

Simultaneously, Yamahiko honed his mastery of spiritual pressure manipulation. Expending spiritual pressure allowed him to enhance speed, reflexes, and strength.

By enveloping his blade with spiritual pressure, he could amplify its speed and potency.

Yamahiko, at just eleven years old, was of slight build, unable to match the physical prowess of Renji and Rukia. Nonetheless, channeling his spiritual pressure enabled him to briefly rival them in combat.

As training progressed, Yamahiko's spiritual density expanded significantly. With persistent effort, he believed he would eventually attain a fifth-level spirit class.

At this juncture, three months had transpired since Yamahiko's arrival in this realm. The world had transitioned into winter.