[Combat Division Training Grounds]

It doesn't take long after leaving Masaru's office for Senshi to find himself back in the gym. Hellpath may be out of question for now, but it can't hurt to be prepared, right?

It's much more refreshing now. Easier to stay focused. Having that conversation with Masaru really rolled a stone off his heart. It's good to know his former squad mate and current superior shares at least some of the concerns he has. Good to know there's an open line of communication between grunts like him and the higher ups...

"... but not open enough to talk about me?"

Senshi does his best to ignore the voice from behind his shoulder.

"Why's that, Senshi? It's the same as when you quickened your pace when that big guy claimed you stink like a Hollow" , the voice continues. "What are you afraid of, Senshi? Did the big guy's accusations hit a bit too close to home? Do you feel all you've said of late would sound a tad hypocritical, if it turned out that... you're a Hollow yourself?"

Haha, that would be silly. He's a Shinigami, not a Hollow. That he woke up with a mask on his face was just a coincidence. That said mask was a mirror-image of the unknown killer trapped in his Inner World surely has no connection to anything. Ha ha... ha...

Senshi stops his series of one-finger push-ups and weighed pistol squats, trembling in cold sweat. It has nothing to do with physical extertion. Just this growing sensation of dread.

Senshi closes his eyes and slaps himself across the cheeks a few times. No. Don't let yourself distracted. Just train. Train, so you'll be prepared.

"But you know already why it won't work."

Just train. Harder. Longer. Forget everything but the goal. Senshi takes a few long breaths to calm himself down, finishes his series, and then heads towards the Thousand Deaths. It is said the Hellpath contains elements from all of the courses. Well, if that's the case, he might as well try to clear them all for practice! Now, which ones he hasn't tried yet...?