The Blade Returns Not to its Sheath Without Drawing Blood

Unohana glanced at Lin Nan's blade and suddenly chuckled softly, "The length of an Asauchi is not well-suited for a two-handed grip; you will lose flexibility that way."

Lin Nan frowned slightly, offering no reply.

Aren't we here for a duel? Why is she suddenly talking about this?

After a few seconds passed and seeing Lin Nan remain on guard, Unohana continued, "Though you are nervous, you still dare to cross blades with me—your courage is commendable. Are you interested in becoming a Soul Reaper?"

"The terms remain the same: as long as you survive three strikes from me, not only will I fulfill the promise I made, but I will also induct you into my squad..."

From the very beginning, Lin Nan's nerves had been taut, and he dared not relax for even a second. But Unohana's questioning began to make him feel a trace of impatience. This is supposed to be a life-or-death duel, why so much idle chatter?

Or perhaps, is she intentionally toying with me?

Just as he was about to speak, Unohana's figure suddenly vanished from before him.

Lin Nan's pupils dilated instantly, and the hair on his body stood on end. Immediately after, a sudden chill struck him from the top of his head down to his heels!

He had no time to look up, instinctively raising his blade horizontally above his head at maximum speed.

In his peripheral vision, a shadow suddenly appeared, blocking the sunlight from above.

The next second, Lin Nan felt as if a bull had fallen from the sky, slamming into his arms.

Unohana had leaped into the air, her long blade descending like a thunderbolt cleaving the sky. Her wide haori billowed in the wind like a banner of death descending from the heavens.

During the war against the Quincy invasion years ago, she had launched an attack from the air just like this, cleaving an enemy in two and signaling the start of the great battle. Yet today, she did not know why she had ignited such surging battle intent toward a mere resident of the Rukon District!

Only this full-force strike could vent the restless impulse churning within her heart!

Nearby, the squad members who could not even track their captain's movements did not understand what her sudden disappearance meant; they were simply stunned by the spiritual pressure permeating the field.

This spiritual pressure was icy, seemingly carrying a hint of bloodlust. Every member felt as if an invisible hand were tightly gripping their heart, making even breathing feel restricted.

And Nakata, who could barely make out the strike, was completely dumbfounded.

That expression, those eyes... Lady Kenpachi is... actually getting serious?

Unlike their daily sparring, when Unohana intended to engage in a true death match, she often stopped at nothing. Seizing the initiative and attacking when the opponent was unprepared was second nature to her; she would not even hesitate to use hidden weapons if it meant victory.

It was just that, having followed the captain through countless battlefields, he knew all too well that this state had not appeared in Captain Unohana for a very long time.

A commoner, actually capable of making the captain serious? But what merit or ability does he have?

Is it his appearance?... No, although his looks are outstanding, the captain is not someone who values appearance.

Is it his strength? But I didn't sense anything remarkable about this commoner... and even if he has some skill, before a serious captain, he shouldn't have the chance to see a second strike...

In the blink of an eye, Nakata thought of many things, but the next moment, the crisp sound of clashing steel pulled his thoughts back to reality.

"Clang!"

Lin Nan had instinctively held his blade horizontally over his head. The next second, with a crisp ring, a massive impact surged from the blade, instantly causing him to lose his balance as his arms went limp.

Lin Nan was horrified; he hurriedly tilted his head and turned his body, using his shoulder to brace the unbalanced blade while his hands desperately held the hilt above his head.

The posture was incredibly awkward, and Lin Nan did not know how he had instinctively reacted this way, but the tilted blade actually managed to deflect the majority of Unohana's force.

The price, however, was a deep wound on Lin Nan's left shoulder, from which blood instantly gushed, staining his clothes.

Lin Nan felt a wave of numbness in his left hand. Driven by intense pain, he let out a roar and instinctively swung his blade toward Unohana's neck.

Unohana, having landed her strike, narrowed her eyes slightly.

This brat's strength and reflexes—they are actually this outstanding? He managed to block my surprise opening move?

Facing Lin Nan's counterattack, she calmly moved to parry.

"Ding!" The blades collided, sparking brilliantly.

Unohana felt a surge of joy: This strike of his actually far exceeds the force I anticipated! Seeing Lin Nan's blade about to break through her guard, the sharp edge was already nearing the waterfall of dark hair beside her face!

She narrowed her eyes, her body immediately leaning backward while she simultaneously kicked out, shoving Lin Nan away and using the force to retreat several meters.

Lin Nan was sent flying several meters by the sudden kick. After rolling twice on the ground, he struggled to stand, blood streaming from his left shoulder.

With just one strike, his left shoulder was nearly ruined.

Is this Unohana's strength? How can that slender frame possess such terrifying explosive power?

Kenpachi... truly too terrifying! Lin Nan thought to himself, his hands trembling slightly.

The breeze that had just picked up had now completely ceased, and the astonishing spiritual pressure seemed to make the very air stagnate.

Nearby, neither Lieutenant Nakata Ryunosuke nor the ordinary Soul Reapers who had failed to see the movement could speak a word.

A commoner from the Rukon District, actually surviving a strike from Kenpachi without dying?

This is impossible!

A smile appeared on Unohana's face; she had not misjudged him after all.

This last strike had completely ignited her restlessness for battle.

This white-haired youth... is not simple.

She gestured with her left hand, beckoning him forward: "Very good, come again!"

Lin Nan's face was covered in fine beads of sweat, the excruciating pain in his left shoulder making him wince. That strike must have reached the bone; his entire left arm was now numb.

He shuffled slowly across the ground, circling Unohana while maintaining a safe distance. Knowing absolutely nothing about swordsmanship, his mind was in turmoil, and he had no idea what to do next.

Unohana watched Lin Nan deliberately keep his distance, a sneer curling the corner of her lips: "If you're afraid of death, just drop your blade. I can grant you a quick end. After all, it's not often I see someone survive a single strike from me."

Lin Nan raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, snorted, and muttered, "Much obliged. But since I've chosen to fight for my life, I won't just stick my neck out and wait for death!"

Unohana's words had served as a wake-up call.

From the moment the confrontation began, Unohana had been waging a psychological war, trying to use her words to goad him into anger or fear, then launching an attack the moment his attention wavered.

Once influenced by such psychological tactics, he—someone who didn't even know how to use a sword—would surely be doomed.

Right now, he had to be on high alert; he couldn't afford to let his focus slip even for a fraction of a second!

Hearing Lin Nan's retort, Unohana remained impassive, flicking her Zanpakuto casually and sending a spray of blood droplets onto the ground:

"My opinion of you has improved slightly. To dare to counter me with words to my face... my squad members have finally made some progress; they didn't bring me more trash this time."

Due to the blood loss, Lin Nan's face had turned somewhat pale, and the front of his grey-white clothes was already soaked through with blood.

He couldn't stop his mind from trying to predict how she would attack and how he should defend or counter.

Yet, at the same time, his reason kept telling him that such efforts were futile. Any pre-planned routine would be utterly shattered before a master of the sword like Unohana Kenpachi.

It seemed that due to excessive blood loss, his body had begun to sway slightly, and his sword-wielding hand seemed to lack the strength to even lift.

Nakata Ryunosuke watched from the sidelines and sighed inwardly. It seemed this battle was nearing its end; another day where the Captain would not be satisfied...

Unohana scoffed at these words, twisted her wrist, and lunged forward, her long blade sweeping horizontally toward Lin Nan's throat!

She held nothing back with this strike, closing the distance to Lin Nan in the blink of an eye. If he reacted even half a beat too slow, he would surely be decapitated!

Just as the blade drew closer, in a flash of lightning, Lin Nan suddenly ducked, thrust his arm forward, and swung his sword in a horizontal arc from the outside in toward Unohana!

Her blade grazed his hair, while his own blade moved to meet the oncoming Unohana.

Unohana's eyes narrowed slightly. This brat had actually feigned defeat?!

Such combat intuition was truly rare!

Nakata Ryunosuke, watching from the side, broke out in a cold sweat. The boy's reaction speed was incredible! If it had been him, he surely wouldn't have been able to dodge and would have been forced to take the hit!

The distance between the blade and Unohana's ribs was now less than thirty centimeters. A glimmer of hope appeared in Lin Nan's eyes: this strike could work!

However, the next second, Unohana's pupils contracted sharply. Mid-twist, her left hand clamped down on Lin Nan's right arm, neutralizing his attack; immediately, her long blade swung upward in a backhand motion...

In the blink of an eye, the two had crossed paths.

The third strike.

Unohana stood motionless;

While Lin Nan's right arm and left leg each bore a new, blood-drenched wound.