Chapter 286 - 286. Returning To Karakura

A month had passed since Aizen's betrayal.

Ichigo and his group went back to Karakura town. However Leo and Shinobu stayed.

Yamamoto kept to his word and gave Leo full access to the Book Depository. The entire collection of the Soul Society was opened to him, from spiritual techniques to research notes, not a single piece of paper was withheld from him.

With such a treasury opened up for him, how could Leo leave?

He spent most of his days reading through the dense collection of books. Even with Leo's excellent memory and comprehensive capability, he was only able to go through one third of the total collection.

It wasn't that he didn't want to continue, but he couldn't. A lot of information had been stuffed into his head. He need time to digest and convert these knew knowledge into his own personal strength.

Every day he spend going through these books, his understanding of spiritual energy deepened. It took no longer than twenty days for Leo to master the incantations for Kido techniques.

However mastering them was different. As the grade of Kido goes up, it becomes a necessity to recite the incantations.

To Leo that's too troublesome. In a battle your opponent isn't going to wait around for you to finish reciting.

As his understanding of spiritual energy deepened he was gradually getting close to the root of the fantastical effects of Kido.

Finishing his reading for the day Leo closed the book and got up.

When he walked out of the library, guarded by a dozen shinigami and several barriers, he saw someone who gave him a headache.

"Haha, you're out! Let's fight!"

Kenpachi with his sword drawn out was charging madly at him.

Leo sighed and used Soru. He disappeared and appeared before Kenpachi. His fist was coated in haki as threw out a punch.

Kenpachi was blasted through the air and disappeared into the distance.

The shinigamis guarding the library didn't seem to be surprised. They went on with their work.

When he got back to the Kuchiki residence Shinobu was already waiting for him.

Behind her was a door that hung in mid air. Kuchiki, Shunsui and a few other captains were there.

When they saw Leo, all of them greeted him with a smile.

"That's for all of your help this past month."

Leo thanked them all sincerely.

Shunsui laughed lightly, "Don't mention it. When are you planning to come back? I am gonna miss our drinking sessions."

Leo replied while smiling, "As soon as I can."

He greeted the other captains and bid them goodbye.

When he was about to step through the senkaimon, he raised his head and looked towards the highest building.

...

"Sir, why do you show so much interest towards that human?"

Chojuro, the lieutenant of 1st division asked Yamamoto.

Yamamoto was silent for while before speaking, "His strength and potential."

Chojuro was stunned. He, who always stood beside Yamamoto knew of the man's strength, and the arrogance in his bones.

In a thousand years no one has ever managed to defeat this old man.

Even when he saw Leo fighting on equal grounds with him, he never doubted his captain.

This was not his blind faint, but his confidence. Confidence that came from knowing his captain's true horror.

"Leo Heart...

...

When they stepped out of the senkaimon, Leo and Shinobu had reached their home.

Leo immediately found a comfortable position on the couch and stretched lazily.

"That was a long month."

Shinobu chuckled when she heard him, "But you enjoyed it."

Leo grinned.

His rewards during this trip was enormous. Even without mentioning the deep knowledge about spiritual energy, his own strength had reached a new level.

He paused for a second and drew out his sword. The pitch black blade had several patches that were scorched. Even the wave of red on it's edge looked a bit dull.

Leo sighed.

Shinobu sat down beside him and asked, "Are you preparing to reforge your sword?"

Leo thought for a moment before shaking his head, "No. I feel like... it's not time yet. There is still something missing."

Shinobu nodded. She got up and went to the kitchen.

Just as Leo was about to close his eyes for a short nap, his home telephone rang.

"Huh? Who's calling?"

Though surprised by the sudden ring Leo still picked up the call.

"Teacher, you're back?!"

A surprised voice rang from the other end.

Leo asked, "Uryuu, I never thought you would be the kind to get shocked and yell out."

Realising he was a bit out of character Uryuu coughed, "Teacher, about our training...

Leo cut him off immediately, "I just got back. We'll talk tomorrow."

He hung up after saying that.

...

Uryuu listened the dull tone on his phone and looked a bit awkward.

Chad, Orihime, Rukia and Ichigo were standing next to him.

Puu...

Ichigo couldn't hold back his laugh anymore.

"Haha, four eyes got hung up."

Uryuu flared up, "I wasn't hung up! Teacher was just busy! Besides, you guys forced me to call!"

Orihime and Chad looked a bit awkward.

Rukia smacked Ichigo's head and said, "Enough, you idiot."

"Hey, what was that for?!"

Ignoring Ichigo who was yelling at her, Rukia said to Chad and the rest, "Since he is busy, we'll call him tomorrow. Anyway, we need to find out who attacked us."

Hearing her Ichigo got serious, "Could it be Aizen?"

Rukia shook her head, "Aizen barely escaped last time. He isn't dumb enough to show his head so soon, unless he want to be hunted down by the Soul Society and that man."

The group frowned.

A couple of days ago Ichigo was suddenly attacked by a group of people. They were strong and had incredible abilities.

"Anyway, we can't do anything right now. Let's take one step at a time."

Uryuu said seriously. He was a bit excited when he thought about his training. He had entered that realm said by Leo. He could visibly see the changes to his strength.