Bleach: I Have No Talent

The first rays of morning light pierced through the large windows of the Shin'ō Academy training halls, casting golden streaks on the polished wooden floors. Shiro stood among a group of new recruits, all dressed in crisp academy uniforms. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and nervous energy as the students prepared to begin their formal training as Shinigami.

A tall instructor entered the room, his voice sharp and commanding. "Welcome to your first lesson. You stand here today not as warriors, but as students. In time, you will learn what it means to wield the power of a Shinigami, but for now, we start with the basics."

The instructor, a lean man with stern eyes and a Zanpakutō strapped to his waist, introduced himself as Instructor Kenta. His reiatsu was calm yet imposing, a reminder of the gap between the students and their teachers.

"Reiatsu control, combat skills, and the bond with your Asauchi are the foundation of all Shinigami. Today, you will take your first steps in Hakuda, Hohō, Zanjutsu, and Kidō. Pay attention, and do not waste my time."

The students straightened up, and Shiro could feel the weight of their collective determination. This was the beginning of a long journey, and every lesson mattered.

Hakuda: The Art of Hand-to-Hand Combat

Instructor Kenta led the students outside to a spacious training yard surrounded by cherry blossom trees. "Hakuda is the art of hand-to-hand combat. Before you can rely on your Zanpakutō, you must master your own body. Your fists, legs, and instincts are your first weapons."

The instructor demonstrated a series of basic stances and strikes, his movements swift and precise. "Repetition builds strength, speed, and reflexes. You will start with these drills."

Shiro, along with the other students, copied the movements. His punches felt awkward at first, his stances unsteady, but with each repetition, his body began to adjust. The exercises were grueling, and sweat quickly coated his forehead, but Shiro pushed through.

"Good form, Shiro," Haruto said, grinning as he practiced beside him. "At this rate, you'll be knocking me out in no time."

Shiro gave a tired chuckle but focused on the drills. Every strike he threw carried not just effort but purpose.

Zanjutsu: The Way of the Sword

The highlight of the day came when the students were led to a quiet dojo. Inside, rows of swords lined the walls—Asauchi, the nameless Zanpakutō that all recruits were given.

Instructor Kenta stood in front of the group, holding one of the plain blades. "This is an Asauchi. For now, it is blank, but it is more than a simple weapon. It is a part of your soul, and through it, you will discover your true Zanpakutō."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "All Shinigami must spend every waking moment with their own Asauchi. Through training and reflection, you will imprint your essence upon it. Only then will it transform into your unique Zanpakutō."

One by one, the students were called forward to receive their Asauchi. When Shiro's turn came, he stepped forward with a mix of reverence and apprehension. The blade felt strangely light in his hands, its polished surface reflecting his uncertain gaze.

"Take care of it," Instructor Kenta said, his tone softer than before. "It is more than a weapon—it is a partner."

The rest of the session focused on basic sword forms. Shiro practiced diligently, adjusting his grip and refining his strikes under the instructor's watchful eye. The weight of the Asauchi felt foreign, but with each swing, he grew more attuned to it.

Lunch Break

The morning sun climbed higher as Shiro, Haruto, and Aizen walked into the academy's dining hall for their first lunch break as students. The large hall was bustling with chatter, filled with rows of long tables occupied by students from all years. The scent of freshly prepared food wafted through the air, and Shiro could feel his stomach rumbling after the intense morning training.

Haruto, ever energetic, led the way, balancing a tray filled with food. "I'm starving! Who knew swinging a sword and running back and forth could drain you this much?"

Shiro followed with a calm expression, his own tray much simpler. Aizen trailed behind, carrying his tray neatly, his movements measured and deliberate. His glasses caught the light, adding an air of sophistication to his demeanor.

They settled at a quieter end of the hall. Haruto wasted no time digging in, while Shiro and Aizen ate at a slower pace.

Haruto broke the silence, grinning between mouthfuls of rice. "So, what do you guys think of the training so far? I mean, it's brutal, but I guess we all knew it'd be like this, right?"

Shiro shrugged. "It's intense, but it's what we signed up for. Can't complain."

Aizen adjusted his glasses, his tone calm and thoughtful. "The structure is necessary. Mastery requires discipline, and the foundation we're building now will shape our futures as Shinigami."

Haruto laughed. "Wow, Aizen, you sound like one of the instructors. Next thing we know, you'll be lecturing us on reiatsu control during dinner."

Aizen smiled faintly, his demeanor unshaken by the tease. "Understanding the importance of our training isn't lecturing. But I suppose humor has its place in keeping spirits high."

Shiro, quietly observing, decided to chime in. "Aizen's right. The training's tough for a reason. If we can't handle it, we don't deserve to call ourselves Shinigami."

Haruto leaned back dramatically, pretending to swoon. "Wow, you're both so serious! It's like I'm stuck eating lunch with two old men."

Shiro smirked. "Someone has to balance out your chaos."

Aizen chuckled softly, surprising Shiro with the warmth in his laugh. "Haruto, your energy is infectious. Perhaps it'll help keep us grounded."

The three of them continued talking, and though Shiro's primary reason for befriending Aizen was to keep an eye on him, he couldn't deny that the camaraderie forming between them was genuine.

Hohō lesson

The group returned to the training grounds after lunch, ready for their next lesson. Instructor Kenta stood at the front, his reiatsu commanding as always.

"Today, we will continue our practice of Hohō. Your objective is to refine your use of reiatsu to improve speed and precision. If any of you manage to execute a perfect Shunpo, you will have earned more than my respect."

The students murmured among themselves, excitement and apprehension mixing in the air. Shiro felt a familiar tug in his mind as the system activated.

System Notification

New Quest Available:

Objective: Perform a perfect Shunpo on your first try and be the first student to do so.

Reward: 0.11% progress

Penalty: None

Shiro's eyes narrowed. Performing a perfect Shunpo on my first try? This is going to take more than luck.

Instructor Kenta began explaining the mechanics of Shunpo again, emphasizing reiatsu control in the legs and the importance of visualizing the destination. "Do not overthink it," he said. "Let your reiatsu guide you, and focus on the flow."

The students lined up to attempt Shunpo one by one. Most stumbled, their movements erratic or incomplete. A few managed short bursts but fell short of the precision required for a perfect execution.

When Shiro's turn came, all eyes were on him. Even Haruto and Aizen paused their own attempts to watch.

Taking a deep breath, Shiro closed his eyes and centered himself. He visualized the target point ahead—a marker set about ten meters away. He felt the flow of his reiatsu, gathering it in his legs and preparing to release it in one explosive movement.

With a sharp exhale, he moved.

The world seemed to blur for a moment, and Shiro felt the exhilarating sensation of pure speed. He reappeared at the target point in an instant, his landing smooth and controlled.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Instructor Kenta's voice broke through the tension, his tone carrying both approval and surprise. "Perfect. That is how Shunpo is done."

After Shiro returned to the group, Aizen stepped forward for his attempt. While the other students watched him with mild curiosity, Shiro kept his eyes fixed on him, suspicious.

Aizen adjusted his glasses before closing his eyes. His calm demeanor didn't waver as he focused his reiatsu. With almost casual ease, Aizen performed Shunpo, landing at the marker with perfect grace.

Unlike Shiro's attempt, there was no fanfare or noticeable exertion in Aizen's movement. It was smooth, almost unnervingly so.

Instructor Kenta raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Excellent, Aizen. You've got a natural affinity for Hohō."

Aizen gave a polite nod. "Thank you, instructor. I've been studying the theory for some time."

Haruto groaned, throwing his hands up. "Great, now there are two Shunpo prodigies. How am I supposed to keep up with this?"

Shiro narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't comment. So, he's been hiding his skills. Just as I thought.

The rest of the lesson focused on refining their Hohō techniques. Though none of the other students achieved Shunpo that day, the progress they made was evident. Haruto managed to execute a short, controlled burst of speed by the end, earning a pat on the back from Shiro.

"That's the spirit," Shiro said, genuinely encouraging.

Haruto grinned. "With you around, I've got no choice but to get better. No way I'm letting you hog all the glory."

Kidō lesson

The sun cast warm hues over the training grounds, signaling the next segment of the day—Kidō lessons. After the exhausting Hohō practice, the students were guided to an indoor training hall, where they were greeted by a new instructor.

Standing before them was Instructor Sayuri, a graceful woman whose reiatsu radiated calm yet undeniable power. Her elegant appearance belied her reputation as a skilled practitioner of Kidō.

"Welcome to your first lesson in Kidō," she began, her voice clear and authoritative. "Kidō is an essential skill for Shinigami, encompassing both offensive and defensive techniques. Today, we'll be focusing on the absolute basics: incantation focus and energy control."

Shiro, along with the other students, listened intently. His Asauchi hung by his side, and though his earlier success with Shunpo still resonated in his mind, he knew Kidō would be a different challenge altogether.

Instructor Sayuri demonstrated a simple Hadō spell: Hadō #1: Shō (Thrust), pushing a practice dummy across the room with a controlled blast of force. The students watched, some with awe, others with apprehension.

"The key to Kidō," Sayuri explained, "is focus and discipline. Many of you will struggle with incantations at first. Do not let frustration cloud your mind."

She gestured for the students to line up. "You will now attempt this spell. Concentrate your reiatsu, recite the incantation, and release the energy with purpose."

Shiro stepped forward, confidence masking the unease he felt. He closed his eyes briefly, visualizing the flow of reiatsu through his body. He raised his hand toward the practice dummy and spoke the incantation clearly:

"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man!"

As the words left his lips, he felt the energy gathering in his palm. With a push of his will, he released the spell.

"Shō!"

The dummy jolted backward a few feet, landing with a soft thud. It wasn't as forceful as Sayuri's demonstration, but it was controlled and effective.

Instructor Sayuri gave a small nod. "Well done, Shiro. Your control is promising for a beginner."

Haruto, watching from the side, cheered. "Way to go, Shiro! Let me show you how it's done!"

When it was Aizen's turn, he performed the spell effortlessly. The dummy flew across the room with precision, his reiatsu perfectly controlled.

Sayuri paused, clearly impressed. "Aizen, your understanding of reiatsu control is exceptional. Have you practiced Kidō before?"

Aizen adjusted his glasses, a modest smile on his face. "Not extensively, Instructor. I simply applied the principles we've been taught today."

Haruto groaned. "Of course! First Shunpo, now Kidō? Is there anything you're not good at?"

Shiro watched Aizen closely, his suspicions deepening. He's not just hiding his skills—he's mastering every aspect of training faster than anyone else.

Haruto's attempt at Shō was less precise. The dummy wobbled slightly but remained upright. He scratched his head, laughing sheepishly. "Uh, I think the dummy's tougher than it looks."

The other students laughed, and even Shiro smirked. Aizen, ever polite, added, "You're close. A bit more focus on the incantation, and you'll succeed."

Haruto gave him a thumbs-up. "Thanks, Aizen! I'll get it next time."

System Notification

As Shiro stepped back into the group, he felt the now-familiar pull of the system activating.

New Quest Available:

Objective: Achieve a proficient level of reiatsu control in Kidō before the week's end.

Reward: 0.10% progress.

Penalty: None.

Shiro nodded to himself. Another step forward. I'll take it.

Evening Reflection

By the end of the day, Shiro was exhausted. His body ached from the drills, but there was a sense of fulfillment in his exhaustion. Back in the dorm, he sat on his bed, the Asauchi resting across his lap.

He ran his fingers along the blade, its surface smooth and unyielding. "So... I'm supposed to make you mine?" he murmured, half to himself and half to the sword.

Haruto, lounging on his own bed, smirked. "Talking to your sword already? You're going to fit in just fine."

Aizen, seated at his desk, glanced over with a faint smile. "It's a sign of respect. The bond with one's Zanpakutō begins with understanding, after all."

Shiro gave a small nod, his thoughts drifting. The road ahead was long, but for the first time, he felt a spark of connection—not just to his training, but to the weapon that would one day become a part of him.

End of Chapter Stats

[System Status]

Template: Madara Uchiha (4.51% progress)

[Attributes]

Strength: 28

Endurance: 27

Speed: 30

Reiatsu Control: 26

Intelligence: 22

Battle Instinct: 24

[Abilities]

Sharingan (1st Tomoe):

Improved tracking of fast movements, slight slowing effect on opponent's attacks.

Hollow Detection: Sense the presence of Hollows.

Hohō Beginner: Ability to perform Shunpo with precision.

Kidō Beginner: Basic understanding and

execution of Hadō #1: Shō.

[Techniques Unlocked]

Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu

C-rank Ninjutsu

A technique that traps the target inside a sphere of water, restricting their movements and preventing escape. The water pressure inside the prison increases with the user's chakra, suffocating the trapped target if the technique is held long enough. This jutsu can be used both for containment and as a method of interrogation or incapacitation.

[Asauchi Imprinting Progress]

Current Bond Level: 1%

[Ongoing Quests]

Achieve a proficient level of reiatsu control in Kidō before the week's end.

Reward: 0.10% progress.