Chapter 98: Hachigen Ushōda

After the lunch break, at two in the afternoon, Yamahiko found Hachigen Ushōda and followed him to the basement.

In the basement, Hachigen Ushōda stood in front of Yamahiko and asked, "Which Kido techniques have you mastered?"

Yamahiko responded, "I've mastered all the elementary and intermediate Hadō and Bakudō. However, when it comes to advanced Hadō and Bakudō, I've only acquired knowledge of specific ones." 

Despite starting to explore other attributes of Hadō after Lamierez's attack, Yamahiko's progress has been limited.

Hachigen Ushōda nodded in agreement, remarking, "The analysis process for advanced Hadō and Bakudō becomes more complex; it's not as straightforward as with ordinary Kido."

Advanced Hadō is a skill typically mastered only by captain-level Shinigami, with exceptions such as Rukia and Shiba Kūkaku among the Shinigami.

For instance, individuals like Ukitake Jūshirō, Shihōin Yoruichi, Aizen Sōsuke, Retsu Unohana, Yamamoto, Urahara Kisuke, and others have attained proficiency in Advanced Hadō.

Rukia Kuchiki is a notable exception, as she can utilize Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui. Additionally, Kūkaku Shiba can employ Hadō #63, Raikōhō.

[Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsu - img]

[Kūkaku uses Hadō #63, Raikōhō at Sōkyoku Hill - img]

Other than that, no vice-captain has used advanced Hadō. Even in the original anime, there's only one instance with a Reigai-Marechiyo Ōmaeda performing Raikōhō.

[Reigai-Marechiyo Ōmaeda(Reigai > Modified Soul copie) - img]

When it comes to advanced Bakudō, more people use it, but they are still at least vice-captain-level strong individuals.

Not to mention captain-level individuals, among vice-captains, users include Kira Izuru, Kiyone Kotetsu, Hisagi Shūhei, Matsumoto Rangiku, and others.

Additionally, there's Rukia Kuchiki.

Rukia Kuchiki's strength is beyond doubt. In The Thousand-Year Blood War arc, ten years after that event, she becomes the captain of the 13th Division. 

Even at the beginning of the original canon, she already had the ability to hold a seated officer position.

However, she was given less challenging assignments by Byakuya Kuchiki, specifically rotation duty in the Human world.

Regardless, one needs reiatsu at least at the level of a vice-captain, around rank six, to use advanced Bakudō.

But aside from Rukia, for captain-level, which is reiatsu at rank seven, one can use advanced Hadō.

After reaching rank seven reiatsu, Yamahiko can use incantation-less advanced Bakudō and incantation-less advanced Hadō, but only for a few of them.

Hachigen Ushōda asked once more, "So, how did you manage to abandon the incantation process?"

Yamahiko explained to Hachigen Ushōda his theory involving rituals, rhythm, and mental perception.

Upon hearing this, Hachigen Ushōda was somewhat surprised and inquired, "Did someone else teach you these techniques?"

Yamahiko responded, "It's a result of my own contemplation, coupled with explanations from the Kido class teacher."

Hachigen Ushōda nodded and added, "The direction is correct; it embodies the essence of abandoning incantations in Kido. However, the higher the level of Kido, the greater the difficulty in mastering it. Even with incantations, continuous training is necessary. When abandoning incantations, any slight error in the simplification process could lead to the Kido not succeeding or having reduced power."

Yamahiko wholeheartedly agreed and stated, "Exactly. Among the advanced Hadō that I can use without incantation, there are only two: Raikōhō and Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō. The former is the lowest-ranked advanced Hadō, and I can perform the latter without incantation because I can simulate it with my Zanpakuto. As for others that can be used without incantation, their power is only a quarter."

Hachigen Ushōda said, "A quarter of the power for Hadō is too weak. It should have at least one-third or even half the power. As for Bakudō, the restraining force of advanced Bakudō can even reach sixty percent of the incantation version."

"Half and sixty percent can also be achieved?"

Yamahiko was somewhat surprised and said, "If it can be cast instantly and has such formidable power, it can be considered a primary combat method. Aizen's incantation-free Kurohitsugi also only has a third of the power of the complete version."

[Incantaionless-Kurohitsugi - img]

"A third? He's truly remarkable."

Hachigen Ushoda was somewhat surprised and smiled wryly, "Kurohitsugi is an exception. It's the last of the advanced Hadō, the first of the forbidden spells. Its power is immense, rivaling even forbidden spells. If it were that particular Hadō, I could probably only achieve a third of the power as well."

[Fully powered Kurohitsugi - img]

Sosuke Aizen's proficiency in Kido is comparable to that of Hachigen Ushoda and Tessai Tsukabishi. He is the only one who has mastered the advanced Hadō #99, Goryūtenmetsu. Although Hachigen and Tessai have both used Bakudō #99, they haven't ventured into the realm of Hadō #99. Tessai, however, possesses forbidden spells involving time manipulation and spatial teleportation, making his skills unique. On the other hand, Hachigen's abilities are more focused on spatial regression.

[Hadō #99, Goryūtenmetsu - img]

[Ichigo is bound to the ground with Bakudō #99, Kin - img]

Yamahiko inquired, "With only one-third of the power, you can already injure an ordinary captain. So, Hachigen-senpai, where should we begin with the Hadō?"

Ushoda shook his head and said, "In our training, the first thing to teach you is advanced Bakudō, especially those you have already mastered without incantation."

"Bakudō?" Yamahiko looked at Ushoda.

Ushoda nodded and continued, "Bakudō is relatively easy to master. Many vice-captain-level Shinigami can handle advanced Bakudō. It has low difficulty, significant power after abandoning incantations, and is widely used. However, your Bakudō #61. Rikujōkōrō, Bakudō #62. Hyapporankan only have one-third of their power, which is too weak. Secondly, you have various combat techniques, whether it's Shunpo, Hakuda, or even Shikai. So, mastering Bakudō, in conjunction with your combat style, can temporarily increase your overall combat capabilities."

[Bakudō #62. Hyapporankan - img]

After hearing his words, Yamahiko found himself in deep agreement. Bakudō did seem more suitable for him, especially when paired with his Shikai ability. He could employ binding techniques to immobilize enemies and then unleash techniques like Raikō, Electromagnetic Cannon, and Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō to deal with them—a potent combination.

Hachigen Ushōda added, "Of course, the main reason is that I excel in Bakudō and am not particularly skilled in Hadō."

You are indeed straightforward.

However, it is indeed true that Hachigen Ushōda has not used forbidden spells in Hadō, only in Bakudō. Moreover, his self-created techniques, such as Hachigyō Sōgai (the warehouse barrier), are deceptive high-level barriers that ordinary people would instinctively avoid. Hachigen Ushōda has also mentioned that even Shinigami would find it challenging to unravel these Kido techniques.

[Hachigyō Sōgai - img]

In addition, there are techniques like Standing Ovation, where multiple cuboidal barriers are released, trapping opponents within. This can sever the enemy's body, leaning towards spatial plunder.

[Hachigen Ushōda surrounds the heads of multiple Menos Grande at once using Standing Ovation - img]

Besides, techniques such as Kokō no Jōmon, Kigai no Jōmon, and Hōyoku no Jōmon to form Shijū Saimon, and Chocolate Bar Slider are all Kido of a Bakudō nature.

[Shijū Saimon - img]

[Chocolate Bar Slider - img]

"Alright, next, I'll teach you the first one in Advanced Bakudō, Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō," said Hachigen Ushōda.

[Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō - img]

Hikaru nodded, extended his hand, aimed at Hachigen Ushōda, and swung his arm three times. In the next moment, six beams of light flew out, immobilizing Hachigen Ushōda's hands to his body.

However, in the next moment, the six beams of light slowly melted away and disappeared.

Curiosity filled the air.

It wasn't being forced open by strength but purely melting, gradually dissipating into the air.

Yamahiko asked in astonishment, "Senpai, how did you do that?"

Hachigen Ushōda replied, "It's a technique of using the same nature and the same power of Kido to neutralize the opponent's Kido. It's a skill in the use of Kido."

Hearing this, Yamahiko was slightly surprised. Isn't this essentially countering any Kido?

It's like the technique Yoruichi used to disperse Sui-Feng's Shunko, but in Kido version. 

If he could master it, it would be very useful.

Sensing Yamahiko's eagerness, Hachigen Ushōda remarked, "I'll teach you this technique later. For now, let's focus on your Rikujōkōrō. Its power is relatively weak, only one-third of the strength. There are some inappropriate aspects in the gestures and manipulation of reishi. Next, I'll explain how to adjust them."

Hachigen Ushōda began slowly explaining the specific methods, and Yamahiko listened attentively, not missing a single detail. 

A Vice-Kidō Chief of the Kidō Corps teacher was personally guiding him—this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Yamahiko.

~End of the chapter~

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