At the very bottom of the cannon’s barrel.
Ichigo Kurosaki looked up at the bottomless passage above him, his lips twitching involuntarily.
“You’re not planning to use us as cannonballs, are you?” “You guessed it.” Kukaku Shiba crossed her arms and said calmly, “The Seireitei is surrounded by a barrier.
Ordinary spirits that touch it will be immediately repelled.
Forcing your way in could tear your soul to shreds.” Orihime Inoue’s face paled.
“Tear… torn to shreds?” “Don’t worry.
As long as you don’t cause trouble, you won’t die.” Kukaku pointed to the Spirit Ball core in the center and continued explaining, “The Shiba family’s Spirit Shell is made of the same material as the Seireitei’s barrier.
By channeling spiritual power into it, a protective shield will form, carrying you through safely.” Uryu Ishida adjusted his glasses.
“So, you’re going to launch us into the skies above the Seireitei with a cannon?” “That’s right.” “Sounds pretty unreliable!” Ichigo exclaimed.
Yoruichi, squatting nearby, licked her paws and said calmly, “This is the safest method.” Soon, everyone surrounded the Spirit Ball core and began trying to infuse it with spiritual energy.
A pale white light barrier slowly rose, enveloping everyone inside.
Just as the barrier formed, Ichigo’s side suddenly shook violently.
Crack.
The entire Spirit Shell shattered instantly.
“Kurosaki!” Uryu Ishida’s forehead bulged with veins.
Ichigo clenched his fist, defiantly saying, “That was only the first time.
Let’s try again!” The second time.
Crack.
The third time.
Crack.
The fourth time, before it was even fully formed, the Spirit Shell shattered right in front of Ichigo.
Ganju Shiba’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help but say, “Is your spiritual pressure a wild boar?
Why does it just run around blindly?” “Who are you calling a wild boar?” “I’m talking about you!” The two men’s foreheads touched, and they looked like they were about to fight.
Yoriichi walked to the Spirit Ball core and placed a hand on Ichigo’s shoulder.
“Your spiritual power is too strong, but it hasn’t been carefully controlled.” Ichigo turned his head.
“Then what should we do?” “Learn to breathe first.” “Huh?” Not only Ichigo, but even Kukaku looked over.
Yoriichi sat cross-legged, placed Kakuyō beside his legs, and calmly said, “Breathing isn’t just about letting air into the lungs.
Muscle exertion, blood flow, and even the circulation of spiritual power can all be adjusted through breathing.” Ganju scratched his head.
“I don’t understand.” Yoriichi ignored his expression and had everyone adjust their breathing rhythm with him.
“Don’t raise your shoulders when you inhale; let the breath sink into your abdomen.
Exhale slowly, feeling every change in your body.” Kukaku initially only wanted to watch, but when she saw the others trying it, she finally joined the group.
Since they were willing to learn, Yoriichi was willing to teach.
Time passed slowly, and Ichigo, who was initially the most impatient, was actually the one who grasped the knack the fastest.
He wasn’t stupid.
On the contrary, Ichigo’s academic performance had always been excellent.
Furthermore, having experienced Yoriichi’s training, he had a basic understanding of spiritual energy.
Soon, he felt the restless power within him gradually calming down with his breathing.
“I see.” Ichigo opened his eyes and looked at Yoriichi.
“Let the spiritual energy flow with your body.” Yoriichi nodded.
“Remember this feeling.
Make it instinctive.” Uryu Ishida pondered.
He tried to condense his Reishi bow, and the spiritual energy gathering at his fingertips was surprisingly stable compared to usual.
Chad closed his eyes, his breathing steady, and his spiritual energy no longer dissipated.
As for Orihime Inoue… She was asleep.
“Inoue.” Ichigo called out.
Orihime abruptly opened her eyes and hurriedly sat up straight.
“I wasn’t sleeping!
I was just practicing sleep breathing!” Everyone fell silent.
Yoriichi thought for a moment and calmly said, “Being able to fall asleep so quickly means your breathing is very relaxed.” “Really?” “Yes.” Upon receiving confirmation, Orihime immediately smiled happily.
The sky gradually darkened.
Everyone gathered around the Spirit Ball core again, simultaneously adjusting their breathing and pouring their spiritual energy into it.
A white light screen rapidly rose.
Ichigo’s spiritual power remained strong, but it no longer surged recklessly; instead, it flowed slowly along with the others’ spiritual power.
The entire shield remained perfectly still, its surface smooth and intact.
It was a success.
And it only took one use.
Kukaku tapped the shield, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She turned to Yoriichi.
“This breathing technique, can everyone learn it?” “Yes.” “You just taught it to us like that?” “It’s nothing to hide.” Kukaku was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
“Interesting.” The group decided to rest for the night and officially set off before dawn.
Early the next morning.
Deep within Kukaku’s mansion, the massive Spirit Cannon was ready.
Ichigo and the others stood at the launch port, maintaining the shield around the Spirit Shell.
Ganju, carrying a backpack, squeezed in, his face full of smugness.
“With me leading the way, you can all be secretly happy.” Ichigo glanced at him.
“I just hope you don’t go the wrong way.” “What did you say?” “Shut up.” Kukaku stood outside the cannon, drawing her Zanpakutō and plunging the tip into the ground.
A massive amount of spiritual energy spread along the patterns, causing the entire cannon to tremble.
“Beyond the six gates of the south!
The copper-red wild card seeks to control the thirty-six degrees!
Seventy-two illusions, thirteen pairs of horned flutes, the monkey’s right hand grasps the stars!
Embracing the twenty-five suns, the cradle of sand bleeds!
The fate of three sparrows, the fate of four dragons, five directions without a path, six miles without return!
Heavenly wind, gorilla, spoon, elm staff, a thousand ashes, a thousand wisdom, a white cloud plan!
Leaning towards the moon, do not tread on the crimson shadow!” Inside the Spirit Shell, Ganju formed hand seals, sweat beading on his forehead.
Kukaku tore off her headscarf and wrapped it around her right hand.
Her spiritual pressure ignited instantly; she clenched her fist and slammed it down onto the ground.
“Go!” BOOM!
The spiritual power accumulated in the cannon exploded completely, sending a massive sphere of light soaring into the sky.
Inside the protective shield, Ichigo and Ganju were simultaneously pressed to the ground.
“Is this what you call safe?!” No one answered him.
Because, apart from Yoriichi and Yoruichi, everyone else was already speechless.