The Captain-Commander's "Care" (2)

Liu Ziyun's pupils contracted, and he drew his left foot back slightly—

He dodged by a hair's breadth!

Then he suddenly planted his left foot, pushed off with his right, and leaned slightly forward—

He drove his right fist straight at Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto's face!

The punch was swift and fierce!

But Yamamoto merely raised a hand and blocked it lightly.

Yet the instant Liu Ziyun's fist was about to touch Yamamoto's palm—

He suddenly pulled it back!

He twisted his body and sent his right leg whipping viciously toward Yamamoto's waist!

He changed moves so quickly it was dazzling!

A flicker of surprise crossed Yamamoto's eyes.

But he reacted even faster—

He took a step back.

Liu Ziyun's kick missed, and he flowed into an adjustment of his stance, returning to the flashy opening pose from before.

He waited for the next round of attacks.

Yamamoto stopped and looked at him. "A very unusual fighting style," he said slowly.

He paused. "But... Hakuda isn't about flashy stances."

With that, his entire bearing abruptly changed!

His previously restrained Reiatsu began to pour outward!

Then he did something that left Liu Ziyun dumbstruck—

He opened his Shihakusho and pulled his arms from the sleeves, revealing the muscles beneath...

They were absurdly well-built!

Liu Ziyun's eyes went wide.

Holy crap! Captain-Commander! You're over two thousand years old! Those muscles... Are you serious?!

But Yamamoto gave him no time to be surprised.

"Hakuda... isn't something you can master just by striking a few flashy poses!"

With a low shout, he charged!

He drove a fist straight at Liu Ziyun's face!

The punch was plain and straightforward.

But its power was so terrifying that the air cracked!

Liu Ziyun's expression changed.

He knew he couldn't dodge this punch!

If he dodged, he'd lose the contest of will!

Gritting his teeth, he instantly concentrated his Spiritual Power throughout his right arm and palm—

Bang!

He took the punch head-on!

The terrifying force made his arm go numb and sent him sliding half a step backward!

But he didn't stop!

The instant he caught the punch, his left hand had already clenched into a fist. Pushing off with his left foot, he concentrated his Spiritual Power in his left arm and palm—

He drove a fierce punch at Yamamoto's face!

He used offense in place of defense!

A flicker of approval crossed Yamamoto's eyes.

He too raised a hand and caught the punch.

Bang!

Their fists collided with a muffled thud.

Then they both stepped back, separating.

Yamamoto withdrew his hand and stood still.

He looked at Liu Ziyun. "I underestimated you, brat," he said slowly.

He paused. "I didn't expect... that you'd understand the essence of Hakuda."

He looked at Liu Ziyun. "But... if you know its essence, why do you still strike those flashy poses?"

Liu Ziyun scratched his head and answered honestly, "Because... Captain-Commander, I could only take your attacks because you suppressed your Reiatsu to a level close to mine—even a grade below mine."

He paused. "And it's precisely because our Reiatsu was close that those 'flashy' poses worked."

He gave a wry smile. "If the difference in Reiatsu were too great... all I could do would be run or dodge. No matter how good the poses looked, they wouldn't help."

Yamamoto nodded after hearing him out.

"Good. A very clever approach—using technique to win when your offensive abilities are roughly equal." He paused. "Next... let's see your Zanjutsu."

With that, he walked to the edge of the training ground and picked up two wooden swords.

He tossed one to Liu Ziyun.

Liu Ziyun caught the wooden sword and began grumbling inwardly again.

There's more?! Zanjutsu?!

With the same Reiatsu, isn't it all the same? Slashing back and forth—what's there to see?

Why don't you teach me something useful! Like how to hide my strength without being found out, or how to act subservient in front of nobles...

But he didn't dare say it aloud.

He could only obediently grip the sword with both hands and stand facing Yamamoto.

The moment the two settled into position—

Hum!

Their auras collided in an instant!

Liu Ziyun's aura was clearly weaker than Yamamoto's.

Like a stream crashing into the sea, it was instantly swallowed up.

Seeing this, Liu Ziyun decisively abandoned the contest of auras—

He charged at Yamamoto, raised his wooden sword high, and chopped down with all his might!

Yamamoto held his sword horizontally to block—

Clang!

Then he instantly changed moves, his wooden sword stabbing toward Liu Ziyun's chest like a venomous snake!

Liu Ziyun turned sideways and held his sword across his body to block—

Clang!

Then he flowed into a swing, chopping at Yamamoto's arm!

Yamamoto turned his blade downward and blocked the strike—

Clang!

Liu Ziyun used the momentum to retreat, avoiding a contest of strength.

He knew that competing with the Captain-Commander in strength... was courting death.

But Yamamoto gave him no chance to catch his breath.

He pressed forward, slashing at Liu Ziyun from below with his wooden sword!

Liu Ziyun likewise turned his blade downward, attempting to block—

But his footing was unsteady!

Bang!

The blow sent him flying!

Yamamoto pursued him relentlessly, swinging his sword again and again!

Faster and faster!

Flashes of the blade enveloped him like a net!

Liu Ziyun could only defend himself desperately.

Clang, clang, clang, clang—!!!

The sound of wooden swords striking each other rang out without pause.

Liu Ziyun was driven steadily backward, his arms growing number and number.

Finally, after another blow sent him staggering back, he gritted his teeth—

I'm going all out!

He abandoned his defense and charged forward, raising his wooden sword high and chopping at Yamamoto as if willing to trade injury for injury!

But Yamamoto merely held his sword across to block—

Clang!

He neutralized the attack with ease.

Then, in the instant when Liu Ziyun's previous strength was spent and his next burst had yet to come—

Thud!

The tip of the wooden sword jabbed Liu Ziyun in the chest.

Although Yamamoto held back, the blow still made Liu Ziyun grunt and sent him flying several meters backward.

Bang!

He fell to the ground, clutching his chest and gasping for air.

Yamamoto lowered his wooden sword. "Your technique... is passable," he said slowly.

He paused. "But your swings lack speed and strength. You need... to practice diligently."

Liu Ziyun struggled to his feet and bowed. "Yes... Thank you for your guidance, Captain-Commander."

"All right." Yamamoto waved a hand. "That's enough for today."

Liu Ziyun felt as if he had been granted a pardon. "Yes! Then I'll... take my leave."

He slowly backed away, then turned and hurried off.

From behind, he looked as though he were fleeing for his life.

Only after he left did Yamamoto look at Chōjirō Sasakibe, who stood nearby.

"Sasakibe."

"Yes, Captain-Commander."

"What do you think?"

Sasakibe pondered for a moment. "That brat... is quite good."

He paused. "Although he concealed his Reiatsu, some still leaked out during the fight. From what I observed... his true Reiatsu should have already reached the third-grade level."

Yamamoto nodded. "Mm. His skills are good in every respect, too. Combined with his own understanding... he has already forged his own path."

He paused, a flicker of puzzlement in his eyes. "But during our fight, I could sense... that he seemed very afraid of his own power."

Sasakibe was taken aback. "Afraid?"

"Yes," Yamamoto said slowly. "He has considerable power, yet he doesn't dare release it fully. He clearly longs for battle, yet he desperately suppresses that desire."

He looked toward the entrance to the training ground. "Both afraid... and longing for it. What on earth... makes him need to avoid it like this?"

Sasakibe was silent for a moment. "Should we... investigate?"

Yamamoto shook his head. "There's no need. At least for now... he bears Soul Society no ill will and has always held it in awe."

He paused. "Besides... he has great potential."

He looked into the distance. "Perhaps... in the future, he can become an important force in protecting the Seireitei."

Sasakibe nodded. "Yes."

Neither man spoke again.

The training ground fell quiet once more.

But what Liu Ziyun didn't know was—

This "guidance" was only the beginning.

From this day forward, his "low-key life" in the Seireitei would be completely a thing of the past.