Captain-Commander's Guidance

As the sun set, its golden afterglow laid a gilded edge around the Kendo Hall. The evening breeze swept through the bamboo grove, carrying a fresh scent as it brushed over the old man and the youth. Everything was so peaceful and beautiful.

"Huff, huff, huff!"

The youth lay on the ground, drenched in sweat. His clothes were soaked through, and his hair clung to his forehead, but the smile on his face could not be hidden.

Asano Kiyoshi lay on the floor of the Kendo Hall, looking at the dozen or so square meters he had cleaned with a rag. A satisfied smile appeared in his eyes, while the Scroll in his mind made him feel that the future held great promise:

Host: Asano Kiyoshi

Slash: 16 (After a period of system training and improvements to your Soul Body, your Zanjutsu has progressed.)

White: 17 (As Madarame Ikkaku's roommate, you are often dragged out to spar with him. Your resistance to blows has improved considerably.)

Demon: 25 (Your perfect Reishi Control Ability has allowed your Kido to advance by leaps and bounds!)

Step: 20 (Your extreme control over Reishi allows you to use Shunpo more frequently and reliably. However, due to the limitations of your physical body, you cannot fully capitalize on this advantage.)

Reiatsu: Third Class Reiatsu, 63% (Absorbed Captain-Commander's wooden plaque: 30%; gained from Asauchi: 26%; Captain-Commander's training: 5%; independent training: 2%)

Overall Rating: 78 (You can now be considered an outstanding student of Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy.)

An attribute rating of 78 was still some distance from the hundred-plus scores of people like Ikkaku and Yumichika, but Asano Kiyoshi was already immensely satisfied with this rate of improvement.

Watching the black ink swirl across the Scroll, Asano Kiyoshi felt as though every bone and muscle in his body had been torn apart, aching terribly. Yet his heart was filled with joy. Days when he could so clearly see the direction of his growth truly made him happy.

Just then, a light brown biscuit with a faint fragrance suddenly appeared before Asano Kiyoshi. Along with it came the Captain-Commander's smiling face.

The Captain-Commander spoke to Asano Kiyoshi with gentle kindness.

"You should eat something after training as well. Otherwise, your body won't be able to endure it."

Asano Kiyoshi accepted the biscuit the Captain-Commander offered him somewhat helplessly, a faint embarrassed blush on his face. He had seen the Captain-Commander feed Yachiru snacks in the Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book from his previous life, but actually becoming the one being fed was an indescribable feeling.

Taking the biscuit, Asano Kiyoshi scratched the back of his head and said awkwardly, "Um, thank you, Captain-Commander."

The Captain-Commander waved with a chuckle, then stroked his beard and said to Asano Kiyoshi, "Don't call me Captain-Commander anymore. Call me Teacher Genryusai. You performed very well today. Hmm, one could even say you far exceeded my expectations. Your control over and adaptability to Reishi have indeed surpassed this old man's estimates somewhat. It is a fine talent. I hope you won't let it go to waste."

As the Captain-Commander ate, he spoke to Asano Kiyoshi about various things. Perhaps liking to talk with children was a common habit among the elderly. The Captain-Commander said a great deal, giving Asano Kiyoshi the same feeling he had once had when facing his elders in his previous life. Since entering Soul Society, only Granny Hana had ever given him that feeling.

Asano Kiyoshi ate the biscuit in his hand, feeling warm inside. He could not quite say what this feeling was, but it was nice. Whatever.

During their conversation, Asano Kiyoshi also learned more about the Tsunayashiro Family's plans. According to Head Captain Yamamoto's estimate, the Tsunayashiro Family would have Tsunayashiro Kojiro graduate early at the end of his second year. Though he did not know what method they would use to bring Tsunayashiro Kojiro to the level of the top graduate within two years, one thing was certain: no matter what, Asano Kiyoshi had to graduate at the same time as Tsunayashiro Kojiro and seize first place from him!

This meant that Asano Kiyoshi's time at Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy would not follow the standard six-year system. It would most likely end within two years, making him an exceptionally rare genius in the entire history of Soul Society!

However, beneath the halo of genius, there were also many things Asano Kiyoshi would have to give. First, his growth rate had to be accelerated without limit. Moreover, in this contest, whether Asano Kiyoshi defeated Tsunayashiro Kojiro or not, he would be targeted by the Tsunayashiro Family.

If he won, he would receive Head Captain Yamamoto's absolute protection.

If he lost, and Head Captain Yamamoto did not honor old ties, his situation would become extraordinarily dangerous. He might even fall into a state beyond redemption. Even if Head Captain Yamamoto protected him to the end, the Tsunayashiro Clan would have obtained what it wanted, noble power would be strengthened, and he still would not have an easy time.

In truth, Asano Kiyoshi had done nothing so far. Yet the torrent of the times had swept him along and pushed him to the center of the storm. At a time like this, whether he took a side was no longer something he could control.

When Captain-Commander serves you food, you spin the table; when nobles sing, you cut the music.

You brat, do you still want to get by in Seireitei?!

Come to Seireitei Street—I guarantee you won't have any good juice to drink!

A popular joke from his previous life suddenly surfaced in his mind, and Asano Kiyoshi found a little amusement amid his bitterness.

After weighing both sides, Asano Kiyoshi still chose Head Captain Yamamoto's side, which he felt more favorably toward. After all, the Tsunayashiro Family really left a disgusting impression!

Seeing Asano Kiyoshi spacing out slightly, Captain-Commander lightly rapped him on the head and said, "When an elder is speaking! Listen properly! No daydreaming!"

The Captain-Commander was remarkably precise when he hit people. It was just enough to hurt until tears welled up in your eyes, yet not enough to cause any actual harm.

Holding the large bump on his head, Asano Kiyoshi sat upright obediently and listened to Head Captain Yamamoto.

Head Captain Yamamoto spoke at length, and as he did, he would occasionally ask Asano Kiyoshi questions. If Asano Kiyoshi answered well, Head Captain Yamamoto would smile and hand him a biscuit. If he answered poorly, Head Captain Yamamoto would not blame him. He would simply explain why that was not the right course of action and all the factors he needed to consider.

Listening to Head Captain Yamamoto's teachings, Asano Kiyoshi came to understand the difference between himself and figures who had lived for over a thousand years.

Whether it was courage, methods, judgment, connections, resources, strength, or determination, he was almost completely outclassed in every aspect.

Head Captain Yamamoto's conduct also dealt a harsh blow to the arrogance Asano Kiyoshi carried toward the characters of the original story. Previously, because he knew the plot and had watched the anime from a godlike perspective in his previous life, Asano Kiyoshi had always felt as though he had them in the palm of his hand. But after encountering Captain-Commander, he finally reined in that arrogance.

This was a real world. Everyone possessed real flesh and blood, and a vivid personality.