The Strongest in...

Author: The last chapter of this year's story! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Take care!

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Jin was sitting on the dormitory bed, his still-wet hair falling over his shoulders, with a towel casually draped around his neck. The soft room light illuminated his features, while his eyes were fixed on the ceiling, reflecting on the test he had just faced. The silence of the room was absolute, with Aizen's absence making the space even calmer. According to Nano, Aizen was somewhat irritated or something like that; Jin didn't fully trust Aizen's stoic expressions, but Nano was reliable.

He wasn't upset about failing. In fact, he didn't even care about it. The test with Yoruichi had been a challenge that exceeded his own expectations. While he still felt the adrenaline coursing through his body, he knew that what mattered wasn't the defeat but what he had learned throughout the process. Every second of effort, every calculated move, and the way he forced Yoruichi to use her maximum speed — that was a milestone for him.

"I managed to make her move like never before," Jin thought, smiling to himself. "And now I know what I need to improve."

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath and savoring the feeling of personal achievement. Jin knew that if he kept this pace, nothing would stop him from reaching his goals. His eyes gleamed for an instant, as if glimpsing a future filled with power and skill. It was almost as if his body could feel the strength that was to come.

Meanwhile, the dormitory's tranquility enveloped him even more. The feeling of solitude didn't bother him.

On the contrary, he was at peace with his own thoughts, far from the expectations of others. He had a clear goal: to improve himself, surpass his own limits, and be the best. And somehow, that solitary moment only strengthened his determination.

Jin tilted his head to the side, releasing a soft crack as he eased the accumulated tension in his neck after the long test. He took a deep breath, feeling the cold air of the dormitory contrasting with the residual warmth of his body. The towel still hung around his neck, and his wet hair dripped carelessly as he stared at the floor.

"Hey, Nano," he began, his voice low but laden with curiosity. "At that moment when I exceeded my maximum speed… what was that?" His mind returned to that exact instant when his body seemed to defy all the laws of motion and launched itself toward Yoruichi. He could almost feel the electricity of that moment again, the blinding flash, the sensation of flying with incomprehensible freedom.

The response came immediately, with the characteristic clarity and precision of Nano:

[That was the Art of Sky Dominance, a rare skill characterized by high speed and the ability to fly or walk in the air without any external assistance. This technique utilizes spiritual energy to sustain the body in the air, enabling free and rapid movements in all directions.]

Jin blinked, taking in the words. He sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees as he rubbed his chin with his right hand. The thought that he had touched such an advanced domain was both thrilling and terrifying.

"Art of Sky Dominance..." he murmured, letting the words linger in the air. It was as if the name of the technique resonated in his mind, carrying a special weight in the moment. The memory of that sensation—the absolute lightness, the speed that seemed to defy even gravity—made his heart race.

"So... I achieved this without even realizing it?" he asked, more to himself than to Nano. The idea that he had unlocked something so advanced accidentally was both a source of pride and a reminder that he still had much to learn. He closed his eyes for a moment, visualizing the instant his feet left the ground and he crossed the space toward Yoruichi.

[Master, this ability is uniquely yours. Precisely because it comes from the archives of my previous owner, Cheon Yeo Woon, I made sure to download this information into your brain. Adaptations occurred for your development, which only takes place when energy control and mastery of Hohō reach a high level. And the conditions to use the technique have been met.]

He opened his eyes, now glowing with a new sense of purpose.

"This means there's room for improvement, right?" Jin smiled, a determined smile, as his mind began to map out plans to explore and fully master the Art of Sky Dominance.

"How do I use it?" Jin asked, his gaze fixed and intense, curiosity burning like a flame.

Nano's response was precise and straightforward, as always:

[Analyses showed that the master used his concentrated spiritual energy in his feet to create an initial boost, then dispersed that energy evenly throughout the body. It is recommended that the energy be distributed across the entire body in the same amount as previously used.]

"Same amount, huh..." Jin repeated, tilting his head slightly, thoughtful. He looked at the window of his dormitory. It was still dark, the stars dotting the night sky like tiny fragments of light. The sight reminded him of a place he had in mind — an old, abandoned dojo on the outskirts of the academy. It was spacious, secluded, and perfect for training without interruptions.

Determined, he dried his hair with the towel before tossing it aside. Dressed in light, comfortable clothes, he left the dormitory quietly, the shadows of the night enveloping him. The path to the dojo was peaceful, with the cold dawn breeze brushing against his face.

The dojo finally appeared before him, its structure weathered by time yet still standing, imposing in its simplicity. Jin pushed the wooden door, which groaned in protest before opening, revealing the interior. It was exactly as he remembered: spacious, with a sturdy wooden floor, training dummies lined up at the back, and a few wooden swords resting against the walls. The place had an aura of abandonment, but also of potential—almost as if it had been waiting for someone like him to bring it back to life.

"This will do perfectly." Jin walked to the center of the dojo, feeling the floor beneath his feet. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment, and began to focus. His spiritual energy started to flow slowly, first accumulating in his core before spreading throughout his body.

He started with a small amount of energy, testing the flow, feeling every pulse along his arms, legs, and torso. Gradually, he increased the amount, raising the intensity step by step. The air around him seemed to shift, as if responding to his energy. A faint glow began to emanate from his skin, almost imperceptible at first, but steadily growing.

"Just a bit more..." Jin murmured to himself, carefully adjusting the flow, trying to replicate the feeling of that previous moment. He knew it was a matter of balance, of finding harmony between the push in his feet and the dispersal through the rest of his body.

As soon as the spiritual energy reached the exact level he had used during the test against Yoruichi, Jin slightly bent his knees, his eyes fixed on the empty space ahead. In an instant, he vanished in a Flash Step, leaving only a fleeting blur in his wake. Mid-motion, Jin abruptly halted the technique, leaving his body suspended in midair.

He hovered, a few meters above the ground, with steady breathing and sharp eyes. Floating. It was a strange yet exhilarating sensation, but his attention was quickly drawn to something he noticed almost immediately: the energy coursing through his body was decreasing.

"The energy is... dropping," he murmured, feeling the flow weaken. There was no time for hesitation. Jin immediately began to focus again, intensifying his control over his spiritual energy. He needed to strengthen the flow, as if refilling a reservoir that was constantly draining.

'The energy keeps dropping, forcing me to strengthen the flow,' he analyzed, his eyes narrowing as he adjusted. 'I need to refine the circulation, keep the flow moving constantly and efficiently. If I stop for even a moment, I'll fall.'

With this understanding, he focused even more deeply, adjusting the balance of energy within his body. Every cell seemed to respond to his command, with spiritual energy flowing like a dynamic river. The air around him seemed to vibrate slightly as Jin stabilized his position in the air, feeling the resistance and the force sustaining him.

He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the flow align with his breathing. "This is more complicated than I thought... but it's amazing."

Gently touching the ground with his feet, Jin took a deep breath, allowing himself to feel the energy around him before turning to Nano. He wiped his face with a towel, trying to contain the sweat dripping down his forehead after the effort.

"Hey, Nano," he called out, his voice calm but laden with curiosity. "Tell me, did my predecessor leave anything else for me?"

Nano's response came almost instantly, its robotic and precise voice resonating in his mind.

[There is the complete collection of martial arts from Master Cheon Yeo Woon, including the advanced techniques of breathing and energy control he developed throughout his life.]

Jin raised his eyebrows, surprised but at the same time intrigued by the revelation. He knew that Yeo Woon was legendary, the protagonist of Nano Machine, but he hadn't read the novel, so he was lost as to how many martial arts he possessed. Before he could get lost in his thoughts, another question occurred to him, one he couldn't ignore.

"What about the intense yin energy, the yang energy of the Kirin, or even the Celestial Demon Energy? Any trace of them in my body or in your database?" he asked, the seriousness in his voice evident.

After a brief pause, Nano responded.

[No significant trace of these energies can be detected in your body, however, in your soul, small amounts of intense yin energy, yang energy of the Kirin, and Celestial Demon Energy can be identified.]

Upon hearing this, Jin's eyes narrowed slightly as he crossed his arms and pondered. He immediately recognized the reason. Inside his soul resided something unique and powerful: the spirit of his Zanpakutou. And, by extension, he knew what this meant.

"The Celestial Demon Sword..." Jin murmured, feeling a slight vibration at the back of his mind, as if the Zanpakutou spirit was reacting to being mentioned.

He closed his eyes for a moment, connecting with the power that seemed so distant yet so familiar. "So, even though these energies are limited now, they still exist within me... and maybe, one day, I'll be able to master them completely."

A small smile appeared on his face. Jin knew he was just beginning to explore his potential, but that only strengthened his determination to become even stronger.

"Thank you, Nano," Jin said firmly, straightening his posture, his determined gaze fixed ahead. "Nano, please transfer to me the best Martial Arts and Breathing Techniques of Yeo Woon. I will train them. And also, transfer the rest of the content from the academy's library books."

[How to order. Transfer initiated.]

A moment later, Jin felt a slight pressure in his mind, as if a stream of vast and complex information was being poured directly into his brain. It wasn't painful, but it was certainly intense, requiring him to remain still and focused as he absorbed the knowledge.

He saw flashes in his mind: refined movements, detailed posture diagrams, intricate energy patterns, and breathing techniques that seemed to activate parts of his body he had never considered. Yeo Woon's martial arts were not only powerful but also incredibly detailed, each movement carefully designed to maximize efficiency and impact.

[Transfer complete. All data is now available in your mind, including the academy's library books.]

Jin took a deep breath, feeling invigorated but also aware of the hard work that awaited him. He slowly opened his eyes, a determined gleam in his gaze.

"This is incredible," he murmured to himself, flexing his fingers and imagining how he could implement everything he had just learned. "If Yeo Woon was truly a master, then following in his footsteps will be an honor."

He looked around the empty dojo, now seeming full of potential. Jin knew that every technique learned, every breath perfected, was a step closer to becoming someone worthy of carrying the legacy of the past — and perhaps even surpassing everything he knew.

"Time to start," he said, getting into the initial training position, with determination flowing through his body like an electric current.