Retsu Unohana smiled and nodded, as if the chilling aura from earlier had nothing to do with her.
"Very good. Sensei likes obedient students like you, Masatsuki. Come stand here!"
She took a step to the side, making room for Masatsuki Aozaki.
Fortunately, the so-called assistance was merely a demonstration of what had been learned. Unohana analyzed and explained the key points of each movement as she followed along with Masatsuki's actions.
Under her guidance, the students rose one after another, practicing with their bamboo swords alongside Masatsuki.
In this life, Masatsuki had practiced swordsmanship from a young age.
After arriving in the Soul Society, he used Zanjutsu not only for training but also in real combat, killing opponents with his blade. As a result, his mastery of basic sword techniques was exceptionally refined.
In truth, he would have preferred if Unohana had come to Shin'ō Academy to teach Kaidō instead of Zanjutsu.
After all, the Fourth Division was the medical squad, and it had the highest number of female members in the Gotei 13. Even securing a Seated Officer position there would make for a rather comfortable life.
Unfortunately, Kaidō classes wouldn't start until next semester, and he had no idea if he had any talent in that field.
If he did, he would have to train diligently.
Unohana glanced at the other students' swordsmanship before her gaze settled on Masatsuki Aozaki—and never left him again.
"Unohana-sensei, Kuchiki-sensei has already taught us everything. May I leave now?" Masatsuki sheathed his sword and bowed respectfully.
"..."
Unohana was slightly surprised by his politeness.
But the more he acted this way, the less inclined she was to let this genius go so easily. She even felt a sudden urge to push him further.
"Masatsuki, you did very well."
"However, I believe your swordsmanship still has room for improvement. How about we spar to identify any weaknesses?"
"This will also help the other students recognize their own shortcomings."
Before Masatsuki could react, Unohana had already straightened her posture and raised her bamboo sword.
"But you're a captain..."
"We'll only use the techniques you've learned—no Reiatsu involved."
Masatsuki sighed. He knew there was no avoiding this. If he didn't go along with her, she wouldn't let it go.
The moment he picked up his sword, his aura changed in an instant—returning to that of the dominant force he had once been in the Kagarashi District.
In Unohana's eyes, he was like a drawn blade, sharp and brimming with lethal intent.
Their robes fluttered in the breeze, and the wind rattled the windows.
"Tsunayashiro, do you think Masatsuki can win?"
A young student turned to Tsunayashiro, who stood with his arms crossed.
Tsunayashiro, having set his bamboo sword aside, let out a sneer without answering.
Winning? That was out of the question.
The real question was just how badly this so-called top genius of Shin'ō Academy would be beaten.
Masatsuki gripped his sword with both hands, the blade's tip aimed directly at Unohana's throat as he locked eyes with her.
To him, her one-handed stance was full of openings, but he knew better—those flaws were an illusion.
As a master of Zanjutsu, Unohana was proficient in every sword style within the Soul Society, seamlessly blending different techniques. Adapting mid-battle was effortless for her.
On the other hand, Masatsuki's rigid, by-the-book approach left him at a disadvantage.
For two or three seconds, they locked eyes.
Then, Unohana moved.
With a sudden stomp, she launched forward, closing the distance in an instant—her bamboo sword slashing down from above.
"Pa!"
Masatsuki Aozaki sank his knees slightly, every muscle in his body tensing as he angled his bamboo sword in front of him. The clash of blades rang out as the two swords met with a sharp impact.
"Whoosh!"
As Masatsuki withdrew his blade, Unohana followed up immediately, fluidly swinging her arms and body through a relentless sequence—straight slash, thrust, upward cut.
The sheer force behind her strikes propelled the bamboo sword forward, its afterimages streaking through the air as it came at Masatsuki with incredible speed.
Masatsuki continuously retreated, blocking from all directions.
The dojo echoed with the rapid succession of sharp impacts, the sound reverberating like an unrelenting storm.
The students watching from the edges collectively drew in sharp breaths. To them, the exchange was a blur—they couldn't tell where the strikes came from, let alone how they were blocked.
In less than ten seconds, the two had already exchanged dozens of blows.
Unlike modern kendo, the Zanjutsu practiced by the Shinigami was meant for real combat.
Every strike was aimed directly at a vital point.
During sparring sessions in class, injuries were common. Even with protective gear, many students ended up hurt and had to be sent to the infirmary after training.
Of course, with Unohana's level of skill, such accidents wouldn't happen—at least, under normal circumstances.
But today, she didn't care if they did.
Aside from Tenjirō Kirinji, who had joined the Zero Division, she was the most proficient Kaidō user in the Soul Society.
A few minor injuries? Easily healed.
Seeing Masatsuki not only fend off her initial assault but also counterattack, Unohana gave the slightest nod of approval.
She had held back just a little, but even so, Masatsuki's fundamentals were rock solid. His dedication to Zanjutsu training was clear—this was someone who had taken lives before.
It would be good if he could maintain this level of effort.
A small smile tugged at Unohana's lips. She was pleased.
Since he was her student, it wouldn't be unreasonable to test his limits, would it?
In the blink of an eye, she crossed several meters, reappearing right in front of him. With unerring precision, her blade shot straight for his forehead—unstoppable, razor-sharp, without a single wasted motion.
Perfection in technique.
Masatsuki's blank, almost dazed expression made Unohana feel a twinge of disappointment.
Not quite on that child's level, after all.
She could already picture it—Masatsuki struck down, unconscious, collapsed on the floor.
What a shame.
Her blade drove forward, striking squarely against his forehead protector with a burst of white energy.
And yet—Unohana's disappointment vanished in an instant.
What a good child.
Across the dojo, students who had shot to their feet, ready to carry Masatsuki off to the infirmary, froze in place.
Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru let out quiet sighs.
Standing before them was Masatsuki, his face showing a hint of resignation.
With one hand gripping the hilt and the other steadying the blade, he had angled his bamboo sword against his forehead—blocking the full force of her strike.
Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile forming.
"Masatsuki, you're still holding back, aren't you? That makes me very happy!"
She wasted no time, pressing forward with another strike—this time even heavier.
Masatsuki wanted to slap himself. He should've just dropped to the ground and surrendered.
Now, Unohana's attacks were coming faster and harder. A single misstep, and he'd be bedridden for days.
The tension in the dojo rose as the students watched, realizing the fight had escalated beyond a simple spar.
Rangiku and Gin frowned slightly.
Coming from Rukongai, they had seen real battles before, and this level of intensity—it wasn't just practice.
If Unohana didn't hold back, Masatsuki could end up seriously injured.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The clash of blades continued, neither showing any signs of stopping.
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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