The Soul Society's Unique Treasure

Lin Nan's eyes flickered slightly as he calculated rapidly in his heart.

Among those present, Yamamoto undoubtedly held the highest status. If he intended to execute someone, it was highly probable that Chojiro Sasakibe, as his lieutenant, would be the one to carry it out.

Katori's stance remained unclear for the moment; as for Unohana, she likely wanted to cut me down even without the Captain-Commander present! However, Sasakibe was not Unohana's lieutenant and would not follow her orders.

So, did Yamamoto intend to kill me? That shouldn't be the case. I am just a nobody; what merit or ability do I have to warrant the Captain-Commander setting a trap to assassinate me?

Or perhaps, this question hid a lethal answer. What kind of trap could be hidden within a simple yes or no?

Lin Nan contemplated many possibilities in an instant, but everyone was already waiting for his response. He secretly steadied his breathing and spoke:

"Although I am merely a commoner from the Rukon District, I have heard that to join the Court Guard Squad, one must first enter a specialized academy to study before there is any possibility of being recruited..."

"Hmm, correct. The name of that academy is the 'Shino Academy'." Yamamoto nodded and replied.

Lin Nan steadied his nerves and continued: "If I am not mistaken, entering the Shino Academy also requires meeting certain qualifications.

I am just a commoner and dare not harbor delusions of becoming a Soul Reaper. But if the Captain-Commander means that I have already met the qualifications to enter the Shino Academy, then I am willing to strive to become a Soul Reaper."

Facing a question he could not decipher, ambiguity was the best solution he could conceive.

After speaking those few short sentences, Lin Nan felt as if his heart were about to leap out of his throat, and his back was drenched in cold sweat. The palpable killing intent seemed to have seeped into his skin, flowing through every blood vessel in his body like icy water mixed with shards of frost.

Yamamoto seemed completely oblivious to the killing intent. His gaze was unfathomably deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking. After a moment, he said calmly:

"Judging by the spiritual pressure you are emitting now, you indeed possess the qualifications to enter the Shino Academy. Furthermore, you have exchanged blows with Unohana Kenpachi; your swordsmanship should have a promising future."

Recalling his battle with Unohana, Lin Nan broke into an even colder sweat and hurriedly replied: "You are being far too kind; I nearly died back there."

Unohana cast a dark, lingering glance at Lin Nan but remained silent.

"To survive after exchanging blows with her, you have already won." Yamamoto stroked his goatee lightly. "It seems he has quite a talent for swordsmanship?"

The latter part of the sentence was directed at Unohana.

Facing the Captain-Commander, Unohana hesitated for a moment before choosing to speak the truth. With a cold expression, she said indifferently: "His strength, reflexes, and speed can all be rated as superior. It is only his lack of combat experience; otherwise, he might have been able to kill me."

Hearing such an evaluation, Chojiro Sasakibe could not help but cast his gaze back toward Lin Nan.

With a thousand years of service, the Captain-Commander's inquiries were always within his expectations. But Unohana Kenpachi's evaluation was truly beyond his wildest imagination!

Who was Unohana? She was the one and only great villain of the Soul Society, a person who fought with a frenzied, death-defying madness. In her eyes, perhaps only the Captain-Commander was worthy of her respect.

Belligerence and bloodlust were already her labels. In terms of notoriety, perhaps even Genryūsai could not compare to her.

Aside from him, who else had ever received a single word of praise from her? Even Captain Katori, who held the title of [Sai], was still just a little sister in her eyes.

Yet, this young man before them had actually been evaluated by Unohana Kenpachi as being able to "kill her"? This was the ultimate affirmation! It was far more substantial than any "superior" rating.

Hearing Unohana's assessment, the rigid, chiseled face of Yamamoto softened for a rare moment. He said: "How truly rare... Young man, have you ever practiced swordsmanship before?"

Lin Nan shook his head.

"In that case, it seems you truly have great talent and possess the qualifications for further training."

Hearing this, the killing intent that Chojiro Sasakibe had been holding back finally dissipated.

Lin Nan felt the pressure around him lift, and his heart lightened as he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He asked curiously: "Does this mean I can enter the Shino Academy?"

He still did not know where the trap in the previous question lay, but if he could obtain the Captain-Commander's approval to become a student at Shino first, having the status of a Soul Reaper-in-training would at least provide an extra layer of insurance, preventing him from being killed in confusion.

"No. The place I want you to go is somewhere else." Yamamoto slowly stood up and walked to Lin Nan's side. "Starting tomorrow, go to my Gen Private School. I will teach you personally."

Having said that, he walked straight toward the door of the First Division barracks, with Chojiro Sasakibe following closely behind him.

"You can ask any captain for the address; they all know it." Yamamoto's voice came from the doorway, and his figure had already vanished, leaving behind only one final instruction: "Katori, Unohana, have your two divisions prepared. In five days, we will shift toward the northeast of the Rukon District for free-roaming suppression operations."

After Yamamoto left, the room fell into an unusual silence. Lin Nan glanced at the two silent captains. Katori Batsunsai's posture gradually relaxed from its tension, while Unohana's demeanor became even more casual than before.

"I had thought I would inevitably have to help you fight a battle, but I didn't expect things to develop in such an unexpected direction." Unohana's tone was flat and indifferent, as if she were speaking of a trivial matter.

"Not forcibly taking someone away or executing them on the spot, but taking them into his private school—the Captain-Commander has changed quite a bit."

The [Gen Private School] was a private academy founded by Yamamoto Shigekuni himself, teaching only his own [Gen Style] swordsmanship and martial arts. By virtue of his strength and his current position as Captain-Commander of the Court Guard Squad, this brand had stood firm in the Seireitei and the entire Soul Society for a thousand years.

Katori Batsunsai looked at Unohana, her eyes filled with undisguised disappointment: "To just lightly snatch someone away from my hands and take them to his place like that. In the end, he is still the same as before, never putting anyone else in his eyes."

In her heart, Lin Nan was a talent discovered by the 8th Division and belonged solely to her, Katori Batsunsai. Even if she had just wanted to teach him a lesson to vent her frustration, no one else could snatch him away—not even the Captain-Commander!

Lin Nan was left confused: "No, both of you, why does this sound so vague? Is being recruited into his private school a good thing or a bad thing?"

Katori Batsunsai turned her head to look at him, hesitated for a moment, and said indignantly: "Hmph, for you, going to his place might truly be the better choice!

However, since it was my subordinate who found you first, then whoever saw you first gets you. He can teach you [Gen Style], but I can teach you [Cloud Style]! In the end, you are still my person!"

Katori's defiant reaction left Lin Nan bewildered. What was all this? She had just been passive-aggressively confronting the Captain-Commander, and now she wanted to fight him for a student.

It seemed there was some deep-seated grudge between Katori and Yamamoto.

Unohana sensed Lin Nan's confusion, strolled to his side, and whispered with a smile:

"To be fought over by two captains for the right to teach you—you are truly one of a kind in the Soul Society. Should I join in the fun as well? My title is [Yachiru], after all; whichever style you want to learn, I can teach you."

A murderous gaze immediately swept over: "Sister Retsu, what are you saying?"

Unohana's smile deepened, and she shook her head gently at Lin Nan: "Never mind, I was only teasing you. Since Katori values you so much, I won't muddy these waters."

She looked Lin Nan up and down with great interest and said softly: "Whether you study under the Captain-Commander or Captain Katori, both are excellent choices. The key is that you must become stronger."

"Remember to cultivate diligently. I look forward to you becoming even stronger and giving me some different surprises! That way, I won't accidentally kill you."

She savored the memory of the blade Lin Nan had brought down upon her head, smiling as she gently patted his shoulder:

"With your current aptitude, I estimate it won't be long before you should be able to satisfy me. I'll be waiting for you!"

Lin Nan felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, goosebumps erupting all over his body. This woman, Unohana, was truly no good! Was she really just a freak who only liked to fight and hack people to pieces?

How could her tone sound like she was going to have an affair the moment she mentioned a fight!?