The Only One in Soul Society

Lin Nan's eyes flickered as he quickly weighed his options.

Of those present, Yamamoto unquestionably held the highest position. If he wanted someone executed, then most likely his lieutenant, Sasakibe Chojiro, would carry it out in his place.

Katori's attitude was still unclear. Unohana, on the other hand, would probably love to cut me down even if the Captain-Commander weren't here! But Chojiro wasn't Unohana's lieutenant, so he wouldn't take orders from her.

So was Yamamoto planning to kill me? Probably not. I'm a nobody. What have I done to deserve the Captain-Commander setting a trap just to assassinate me?

Or perhaps there was a deadly answer hidden in this question. What kind of trap could a yes-or-no answer conceal?

Lin Nan considered countless possibilities in an instant, but by now everyone was waiting for his answer. He quietly steadied his breathing, then spoke.

"Although I'm just a commoner from Rukongai, I've heard that anyone who wants to join the Court Guard Squad has to study at a special academy before they can be recruited..."

"Mm, that's right. The academy is called the Shino Academy," Yamamoto replied with a nod.

Lin Nan steadied himself and continued, "If I'm not mistaken, you also need to qualify before you can enter the Shino Academy.

"I'm just a commoner, so I wouldn't dare hope to become a Soul Reaper. But if you mean that I already qualify to join the Shino Academy, then I'm willing to work hard to become one."

When faced with a question he couldn't judge, the best he could think of was to give an ambiguous answer.

After only a few short sentences, Lin Nan felt his heart was about to leap out of his throat. His back was drenched in cold sweat. That palpable killing intent seemed to seep into his skin, like icy water full of shards of ice flowing through every vein in his body.

Yamamoto seemed completely unaware of the killing intent. His gaze was unfathomable, and no one could tell what he was thinking. After a moment, he said calmly:

"Judging by the spiritual pressure you're releasing now, you do qualify to enter the Shino Academy. Besides, you've crossed swords with Unohana Kenpachi before. You should have potential in Zanjutsu."

Remembering his fight with Unohana, Lin Nan broke into an even colder sweat. He hurriedly replied, "You're really trying to praise me when you've got nothing to say. I almost died back there."

Unohana glanced at Lin Nan with a distant look but said nothing.

"If you survived a fight with her, you've already won," Yamamoto said, lightly stroking his goatee. "It seems he has some talent for the sword?"

The last question was directed at Unohana.

Faced with the Captain-Commander, Unohana hesitated for a moment before telling the truth. Her expression remained cool as she said, "His strength, reflexes, and speed are all above average. He just lacks combat experience. Otherwise, he might have been able to cut me down."

Hearing this assessment, Sasakibe Chojiro couldn't help looking at Lin Nan again.

After a thousand years of serving the Captain-Commander, he'd long since learned to anticipate Yamamoto's questions. But Unohana Kenpachi's assessment had truly taken him by surprise!

What kind of person was Unohana? The one and only great villain in Soul Society, a woman who became a mad, relentless fighter once she entered battle. As far as she was concerned, perhaps only the Captain-Commander could earn her wholehearted respect.

A thirst for battle and bloodshed had become her trademarks. In terms of infamy, even Lord Genryūsai could hardly compare.

And when it came to everyone else, had she ever given anyone so much as a single word of praise? Even Captain Katori, who had earned the title "Sai," was still just a little sister in her eyes.

Yet this young man had been judged by Unohana Kenpachi as someone who "might have been able to cut her down"? That was the highest praise imaginable—far more meaningful than being called above average.

At Unohana's assessment, Yamamoto's chiseled, stern face softened a little—a rare sight. "Well, that's unusual... Young man, have you ever trained in Zanjutsu?"

Lin Nan shook his head.

"Then you really do have talent, and you're qualified to pursue further training."

At those words, the killing intent Sasakibe Chojiro had kept tightly under control finally eased.

Lin Nan felt the tension leave his body, and his heart grew lighter. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, then asked curiously, "So does that mean I can enter the Shino Academy?"

He still didn't know what trap might have been hidden in the question, but if he could get the Captain-Commander's approval and become a student at Shino ahead of time, being a Soul Reaper trainee would at least give him another layer of protection. He wouldn't be killed for no reason.

"No. I have another place in mind for you." Yamamoto slowly rose and walked over to Lin Nan. "Starting tomorrow, you'll study at my Gen Private School. I'll teach you personally."

With that, he headed straight for the door of the Division Captain's office, and Sasakibe Chojiro hurried after him.

"You can ask any Division Captain for the address. They all know it." Yamamoto's voice came from the doorway. His figure had already vanished when he added, "Katori, Unohana, prepare your divisions. In five days, head northeast into Rukongai and begin a free-sweep operation."

After Yamamoto left, an unusual silence filled the room. Lin Nan glanced at the two silent captains. Katori Batsunsai's rigid posture gradually relaxed, while Unohana seemed even more at ease than before.

"I thought I'd have to step in and fight on your behalf, but things took an unexpected turn," Unohana said in an even tone, as though she were discussing something trivial. "Instead of dragging him off by force or killing him on the spot, the Captain-Commander is taking him into his private school. He's changed quite a bit."

The Gen Private School was founded by Yamamoto Shigekuni himself. It taught only his Gen Style swordsmanship and martial arts. Thanks to his strength and his current position as Captain-Commander of the Court Guard Squad, its reputation had stood firm for a thousand years in Seireitei and throughout Soul Society.

Katori Batsunsai looked at Unohana, unmistakable disappointment in her eyes. "He just whisked him away from me and into his own hands, as if it were nothing. At the end of the day, he still hasn't changed. He still looks down on everyone."

In her heart, Lin Nan was a talent discovered by the 8th Division, and he belonged to Katori Batsunsai alone. Even if she'd just wanted to teach him a lesson and vent her anger, no one else could take him—not even the Captain-Commander!

Lin Nan was thoroughly confused. "Wait, you two—what are you talking about? Is it good or bad that he's taking me into his private school?"

Katori Batsunsai turned to look at him. After a moment's hesitation, she said indignantly, "Hmph. For you, going to his school really might be the better choice!

"But since one of my squad members found you first, finders keepers. He can teach you Gen Style, and I can teach you Cloud Style! At the end of the day, you're still mine!"

Katori's indignation left Lin Nan baffled. What was going on? She'd just traded barbs with the Captain-Commander to his face, and now she wanted to compete with him for a student.

Could Katori and Yamamoto have some deep-seated grudge between them?

Unohana saw Lin Nan's confusion. She walked over and gave a soft laugh.

"To have two captains vying to teach you their arts—you really are the only one in Soul Society. Should I join in for fun? My title is Yachiru, after all. Whatever style you want to learn, I can teach it to you."

A murderous glare shot her way at once. "Sister Retsu, what are you talking about?"

Unohana's smile grew wider. She gave Lin Nan a gentle shake of her head. "Never mind. I was only teasing you. Since Katori thinks so highly of you, I won't wade into this mess."

She looked Lin Nan up and down with interest, then said softly, "Whether you train under the Captain-Commander or Captain Katori, either would be a fine choice. What matters is that you become stronger.

"Train hard. I'm hoping you'll become even stronger and give me a different kind of surprise! I'd hate to kill you by mistake."

She recalled the sword stroke Lin Nan had brought down on her and smiled as she gave his shoulder a light pat.

"With your talent, it probably won't take long for you to satisfy me. I'll be waiting!"

A chill shot up Lin Nan's spine, raising goosebumps all over his body. Unohana really didn't seem like a good person! Was she really just a weirdo who loved fighting and cutting people down?

Why was it that whenever she brought up a duel, her voice sounded like she was arranging a secret tryst?!