Fists Up. Sword Out. [Hono, Makoto]

"That is an important part of building your relationship with your zanpakuto."

She stated matter-of-factly to Hono, maybe a tad more admonishing than she meant to carry into her tone. Maktoo didn't really showcase any greater feelings though besides subtleties like the odd change of tone or small variance of her expression.

"I recommend attempting that during your next jinzen session after I am done with you, there's still the matter of your other shinigami arts. How are you in Hakuda, Hoho and Kido?"

How did she get where she had gotten too? That girl from the Rukongai, now a powerful shinigami. Obsession, unhealthy behaviours and a lifestyle that neglected her well-being. That was in general though, Shishiyuki was the tailwind for her Hakuda.

Then Hono stepped out and a neutral disinterest turned into a small frown at the insinuation her pretty looks might've outweighed her skill.

"I got to where I am with hard work. I am proficient in most areas, a bias towards Hakuda but I think all shinigami should aspire to master all areas and not neglect any area."

Makoto explained and cocked her head, still a little surprised at being complimented, hit on?

"Measure it in your technique. If you can perform shikai, can you execute shunpo without getting exhausted or struggling? How high a kido can you cast? Are they stable, lacking in power?"

These questions is what she should be asking, Makoto couldn't exactly give her a clear answer. She could not compare a Bankai to a Kido in the 90s for they didn't translate the same. Each facet of the zankensoki was its own factor which came together as the whole. Four rivers which flooded into a lake, how much water flowed from one individual river into that lake? Were they all equal amounts or not? That couldn't be quantified either but she viewed them that way.

It was a little difficult, something about the way this girl spoked really distracted her. The emphasise on things and the jarring disconnect between her looks and personality, at the same time she was the fourth seat and she wasn't about to let her feelings about a matter get in the way of executing it.

"I teach zanjutsu at the Academy, however I feel it would be a waste of our time for me to make you perform jinzen which is better done in your own time. So how about you simply come at me with everything that you have and see if you can defeat me."

She said while shifting her stance to be more relaxed than she was previously, nothing about her looked like she was going to attack or even defend. It was wide-open as far as anyone would assume.

"If you're tired of being average, change that. Find the resolve where others don't, aspire for more than what others can get, if you hit an impasse then create a new pathway."

She said as Hono came at her with her sword, concentrating her own spiritual pressure into her body and reaching up to grab the unseated shinigami's sword in her hands like it was just a stick. Letting the difference of their reiatsu sink in for a moment, Makoto's arm moved to try and twist the sword out of the girl's grip and toss it to the wayside.

If her sword was her strongest field then how did she cope having it thrown away. Chase it? Attempt a new tactic?

"Your reiatsu is all over the place, if you want to cut me then mean it. Focus it and concentrate it into your attacks, visualise your result and dedicate yourself wholly into cutting down your opponent."

When faced with an actual enemy that's what you needed to do after all. A hollow wants to kill you, your enemy wants to kill you. If Hono could draw blood in this spar then she could see her own improvement and Makoto wouldn't lower herself down to her subordinate's level.

Improvement only came by facing those greater than yourself after all.

The poorly thrown punch looked like it was something done on a spur to try and make do with what she had but like her swordswing, it lacked much behind it for Makoto. In her own position she would've commited to trying to pressure with hakuda and when it was better, attempt to collect her zanpakuto.

As a result, she took a step back, forcing Hono to commit just a bit closer and leaning back to commit her own body to her action the fourth seat's legs came up and she tried to hook her feet under her Hono's arms to toss her a few metres away from her - and her zanpakuto.

"Tch, is that all you have?"

She wasn't feeling much resolve, her commitment was lacking and Makoto wondered where her intent to kill was. She despised that it was so easy for her to summon that desire, relish in it and love being submersed in it. It should be had, it shouldn't be enjoyed though.

"If you cannot cut me with your sword, bludgeon me with your hands, if you can't do that then tear me apart with your teeth. Step back, focus your reiatsu and know what you want to do. Muster some killing intent? If I was a hollow you'd already be a devoured soul."