Mayuri Kurotsuchi, You've Been Found Out! (4K)

But after passing through his prime, and through trials and tribulations, he gradually developed the demeanor of a grandmaster. Especially after founding the "Genji Academy," he had already shed his identity as Sword Demon.

His World War I with Yhwach was probably a farewell to the past, and the last indulgence of the Sword Demon Yamamoto Shigekuni.

Since then, he has transformed the Genji Academy into the Soul Reaper Academy, and has served as a Thirteen Court Guard Squads Soul Society for over 800 years. His mindset has long since shifted from destroyer to protector.

He wasn't protecting the interests of the nobility, nor the Soul King, but rather the Seireitei and the Thirteenth Division, to which he had devoted immense effort.

For Yamamoto now, his pride as an educator outweighs his pride as a strongman!

Iori's words just now hit a nerve.

If it were an ordinary member, it would be one thing, but Iori is a peerless genius who has grown to the Captain-level in just a few years. How could Yamamoto not feel proud that someone like him would praise "Origin Style" so highly?

Unfortunately, this old man had lived a long time and could not be easily fooled. Even if Iori sincerely praised him, it was only to establish a bond. In Yamamoto's heart, Iori's position was definitely not as high as that of Shunsui and Jushiro.

"Since you have chosen 'Origin Style' as the starting point of your martial arts path, you should know that my 'Origin Style' emphasizes the foundation the most. True strength is having no weaknesses or preferences, and being strong in all aspects."

Yamamoto patiently advised Iori: "Because the battlefield environment is always more complex than you imagine, and you don't know what kind of enemies you will encounter. If you rely solely on your Zanpakuto or a certain special skill, you can easily fall into a predicament where you are targeted."

To avoid this situation, you must hone yourself, possess an iron will, and have a strong foundation to cope with all kinds of emergencies!

Hmm... I don't think I need to say much; you've done a great job on this.

He had not witnessed Iori's skills firsthand, but in the reports of Saitō Fuyōfushi and Kyōraku, they all praised Iori's achievements in "Zan, Kendo, Ho, Ki," which was an important reason why Yamamoto Iori with special regard.

It should be noted that high spiritual pressure can also be explained by innate soul strength, but the Zan, Kendo, Ho, Ki require solid, step-by-step training. Good talent can only speed things up; the necessary learning process is indispensable. Iori has raised his basic skills to the captain level at a young age, which definitely shows that he has put in countless hours of hard work behind the scenes.

—However, Yamamoto probably never imagined that there would be someone in this world who could cultivate by accelerating time.

Iori isn't very old, but he's not as young as people generally think. He's spent much more time in this New World than in Bleach...

It is precisely because of her talent and the added advantage of her seniority that Iori has been able to hone all four skill trees to their current Bleach.

Basic skills at the Captain-level? That's just Iori showing a restrained level of skill. If he went all out, Iori would dare to compete with Yoruichi in Shunpo and with Tetsusai Urahara Kido!

Do you really think all those "mobility" and "spirit" attributes were just added for nothing?

"It's better to experience it for yourself than to talk so much."

Yamamoto released himself from the cross-legged position and stood up from the futon.

"Come on, let me see your Arm Strength and Hakuda skills."

"Ah?"

Iori also stood up, but hesitated. "There aren't any suitable targets here."

"Hehe~ We don't need targets. Of course, the closer this is to actual combat, the better. The difference between a target and the human body is too great."

Yamamoto chuckled and said, "Just target me and attack with all your might."

"This... this isn't a good idea, is it?" Iori frowned deeply. "What if..."

"What could possibly happen? You wouldn't want to hurt me, would you? Stop being so wishy-washy, kid!"

As Yamamoto spoke, his voice grew stern. "On the battlefield, hesitation is fatal!"

"In that case, please forgive my rudeness!"

Iori's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward. He didn't use any techniques like "Shunko," but simply threw a right hook with a basic, unadorned Hakuda move.

He did indeed use all his strength in this attack, just as Yamamoto had asked. In an instant, all the muscles in his body went from relaxed to tense and then from tense to relaxed. The Monstrous Strength that burst out compressed the air over such a short distance and then exploded, creating a temporary vacuum. The fluctuation of power also swept past Yamamoto along with the dispersing wind pressure, blowing his long eyebrows and beard.

Indeed, it was extraordinary— Yamamoto slightly opened his eyes, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his narrow, squinting eyes.

He was a seasoned warrior who had fought against heroes from all walks of life, including many with astonishing divine power. However, none could unleash such power as Iori's by relying solely on physical strength without using spiritual pressure...

However, this level of power is not enough to threaten him!

Yamamoto's lips curled slightly as he raised his left hand to shield the side of his head, preparing to receive Iori's powerful punch. His sleeve slipped down, revealing his forearm, which was not at all shriveled, but rather muscular, scarred, and veiny—he was extremely confident in himself.

Despite his advanced age, he has never relaxed his physical training over the years. Even though his endurance has declined, his Arm Strength is in no way inferior to that of his prime!

Kid, it's time to show you what it means to be old and wise—

Um?

What is this feeling...? How... is this the aftereffect of this force?

Explosiveness, impact, endurance, and stamina—even the angle of entry was perfect. It was as if every muscle had become a cog in a violent machine, transmitting power with maximum efficiency and without the slightest waste... How was this perfect punch achieved?!

Not good!

Bang!

It sounds like a long story, but in reality it was just a fleeting Flash Step, the blink of an eye for an ordinary person. Iori's fist had already swept past quickly, colliding with Yamamoto's left hand with a hollow explosion, and once again blowing up those long white eyebrows.

"..."

"..."

Yamamoto's movements were slightly distorted, his head seemingly tilted a little to dodge the punch, but he still managed to catch it firmly. Faint white smoke even rose from where the two clashed...

The old man and the young man stared at each other for a moment, then remained silent for a long time.

Finally, Yamamoto's calm laughter broke the silence. "Hehe... I didn't expect you to knock my arm out of place. Although I used my left hand, I wasn't fully prepared and underestimated your strength. Plus, I strained my back a few days ago, so my power wasn't very smooth—"

"You can't deny getting old!"

"..."

Wasn't it barely managed to block it?!

Iori chuckled awkwardly, withdrew her right hand, and then said admiringly, "As expected of Teacher Yamamoto, you can still gain the upper hand with your left hand against my dominant hand—blocking is much harder than throwing a punch."

Although I felt a slight sensation in my fist just now, as if I had touched a softer part... but it must have been just my imagination, right?

Hmm, it must be my imagination!

The idea that the Captain-General would get punched in the face by a greenhorn is absolutely impossible!

"You don't need to underestimate yourself. The power of that punch was outstanding. It wasn't amplified by spiritual pressure. It was achieved by Arm Strength and passive spiritual pressure enhancement alone. I have never seen anything like it in my life. You can definitely say that you are exceptionally gifted."

Even compared to me, they are only slightly inferior.

As he spoke, a trickle of blood slowly flowed from Yamamoto's left nostril...

Iori instantly pursed her lips, holding her breath nervously: What should she do now?!

"You have a lot of potential."

Yamamoto, seemingly oblivious, continued praising Iori, then turned and picked up his cane.

"I've already seen your Hakuda skills. Next, I'll test your swordsmanship... Don't worry, I won't Shikai."

The Old Man Yama, having shed his disguise Kido, grasped the hilt of the sword that had appeared within him, a cold glint flashing in his narrowed eyes.

"... Whether it's a real sword fight or a decisive battle, be prepared first!"

"T-Teacher!"

Chapter 225: Kurotsuchi Mayuri, you've been caught! (4K)

"I heard you went to ask the old man for advice? Judging from the looks of it, you must have suffered quite a bit, right?"

On the roof of a white-walled, yellow-tiled building, Shunsui and Iori sat on a low table between them, on which were placed sake vessels and snacks. This notorious playboy of Seireitei rarely showed a serious expression, but he looked at Iori with pity.

"I understand that kind of pain! Sometimes you just want to curse him as a demon, right?"

"Actually, they are far more terrifying than evil spirits and demons."

With bandages covering his face, Iori smiled bitterly and said, "That's the Shinigami among Shinigami!"

"Come on, have a drink and forget about all this unpleasantness!"

Shunsui poured a glass of wine for Iori and warmly brought it to his lips.

Since Iori officially became Yamamoto's disciple, he and Shunsui became fellow disciples. Since they were roughly equal in status (he regarded Iori as a captain who was only one title away from being a captain), their relationship became increasingly close.

Iori casually opened his mouth and drank it down, smacking his lips twice. He felt that compared to the fine wines he had tasted in modern times, this stuff was far inferior in both aroma and richness.

He was actually in a pretty good mood, and the truth was far less dire than he appeared:

Although Yamamoto's training was indeed arduous, under the Jiachi of the Third Magic, he would hardly have any injuries unless under extremely special circumstances. The reason he dressed like this was mainly to conceal his special physique; otherwise, the instant healing of injuries... even with advanced Daoist techniques, it would be difficult to explain.

In the Bleach universe, only Orihime Inoue could do something similar, but at this point in time, her grandfather hasn't even been born yet!

"However, it seems that the old man is quite satisfied with you."

"Huh? What makes you say that?"

Iori subconsciously touched her ribs. "I don't see what he's satisfied about, otherwise why would he hit so hard?"

Although the injury had long since healed, the sensations were still remembered... It must be admitted that he did suffer a great loss at Yamamoto's hands.

After "testing" Iori's swordsmanship, Yamamoto, like a stubborn old man, engaged Iori in a hand-to-hand combat match... In the end, Iori lost!

Strictly speaking, his physical attributes are not inferior to Yamamoto's. Although his Reiatsu value is not as obvious, through repeated point allocation and repeated battles, Iori's stats are already quite formidable.

If neither side has spiritual Jiachi, Iori isn't afraid of a head-on clash—his attributes are evenly distributed, resulting in a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts in actual combat.

After all, Yamamoto's age is a factor; no matter how hard he trains, he can only maintain his upper limit, while his endurance will inevitably decline...

But combat isn't just about matching attributes!

In terms of energy transfer skills, move coordination, power control, and explosive power, Yamamoto is superior to Iori!

This is an absolute difference in combat experience. Shihōin Yoruichi is also very good at Hakuda, but she follows the path of "dual cultivation of demons and monsters". Yamamoto, on the other hand, has cultivated simple and strong Taijutsu to the limit, Jiachi more than a thousand years of experience and skills, he is probably the strongest in the world in this field without any falsehood!

To be honest, Iori has always had an advantage in physical ability over her enemies in past battles, and she has rarely been pushed to the brink of defeat. Therefore, despite her excellent skills, she has not been able to develop them further.

The Old Man Yama's technique seems extremely simple, but in reality, his control over details is so deep that it is ingrained in his bones. Every movement, even the curvature of the joints, is necessary and there will never be any flaws. It is a battle as desperate as a cliff.

This is just the Hakuda; the training in swordsmanship is even more thrilling...

Ordinary people with the powerful spiritual pressure and Zanpakuto of the Old Man Yama would probably scoff at things like swordsmanship. But if you think about it carefully, how could one develop such a terrifying technique as "Heavenly Grey Annihilation" if they hadn't mastered both powerful Taijutsu and swordsmanship?

If he only possessed spiritual pressure and firepower, Yamamoto wouldn't have held the title of "Strongest Shinigami" for so many years.

In the original work, this old man cleaved a mountain with a single strike and tore through Arrancar with his bare hands. Even though he was countered by the "Fire Extinguisher Prince" and "Kyoka Suigetsu," he still nearly caused Aizen to suffer a defeat, which is enough to prove the value of being a "Hexagonal Warrior."

"I heard from Mr. Shubaku that he hasn't seen the old man so energetic in a long time, it's like he's gone back to his youth... He also asked me to thank you."

"What an honor, ha!" Iori covered his face and laughed self-deprecatingly.

But after recovering, he admitted, "I have indeed benefited a lot. The teacher's Bleach is far above ours, especially in hand-to -Hakuda and swordsmanship. I originally thought I was good enough in these two fields, but now I have seen what it means to be out of reach."

"Yes!"

Shunsui sighed, "No one can replace the old man yet. Last time when we were fighting the Quincy, all of us captains were helpless against the enemy leader. It was you and the Shihoin Clan who had to delay to create an opportunity for battle... If the teacher were here, the battle would have been over in ten seconds."

"I'm ashamed to say, but none of us disciples can share his burdens... Ah, this has nothing to do with you. Compared to a prodigal like me, Iori, you have a much brighter future."

"That's too kind of you." Iori shook his head. "I'm from Rukongai."

"It has nothing to do with one's background. As long as one has outstanding abilities, one should be given a status that matches them."

Kyōraku Shunsui said something meaningful, his deep, water-like eyes under his straw hat looking at the calm Iori.

"By the way, speaking of which, Iori, have you thought about your future path?"

"Future?"

Iori lowered her eyelids and picked up a glass of wine. "Which aspect are you referring to specifically, for example?"

"For example... ha, given our relationship, this kind of testing is ridiculous. I'll just be blunt: do you prefer the Third Division or the 7th Division?"

Shunsui raised this question bluntly, prompting Iori to think about it seriously.

Currently, there are two vacant captain positions in the Thirteenth Division. According to past practice, two Bankai-level experts will definitely be selected from the members to fill the vacancies. Iori's strength is obvious to all, and everyone believes that he will definitely take over one of the positions. Even Iori himself thinks the same way.

However, the specific squad to choose cannot be decided casually, because the Thirteen Court Guard Squads have great power and responsibility, and the specific tasks they are responsible for are different. The treatment between the squads is also very different, so it is not the same no matter which one you choose.

The Third Division is a support team. As the name suggests, it is responsible for assisting other divisions when they are unable to handle the situation. It is a division that helps clean up messes. Its responsibilities overlap slightly with those of the Fifth Division (the Fifth Division is a "rescue" division, which deals with emergencies and puts out fires everywhere).

The 7th Division is the inner court guard, which means they patrol and enforce the law within the Seireitei, and are responsible for duties such as curfew. They have a lot of actual power and are the Captain-General's confidants. They are an excellent tool used by Yamamoto to manage the Seireitei, and can almost be regarded as an auxiliary division of the First Division.

Of the two squads, the 7th Division undoubtedly has more power, while the Third Division is basically just doing hard labor... However, the 7th Division is more susceptible to the Captain-General's long-arm jurisdiction, which makes it less free. It can only be said that each has its advantages and disadvantages.

As far as Iori is concerned, he would rather be in a bit of trouble than be controlled, especially by Yamamoto... The psychological pressure would be too great if he were constantly in front of him.

Is it difficult to choose?

Can I tell the truth?

Perhaps the wine wasn't strong enough, because Iori felt a slight bitterness in her mouth. "If I could, I wouldn't want to choose any of them."

"Huh?"