"Then, Liu Chuan," Retsu Unohana said, holding a wooden sword. The gentle smile remained on her face, but her gaze had quietly settled, becoming a tranquil lake capable of reflecting every subtle movement of her opponent.
"Let me see your current level of swordsmanship first. There is no need to hold back or worry. This is only a test."
Liu Chuan nodded, gripping a wooden sword of his own.
He adjusted his breathing, lowered his center of gravity, and assumed the most standard stance.
Though swordsmanship was not his specialty, during his time at Shin'ō Academy, as the finest graduate of his class, he had also scored highly in the foundational assessment for sword techniques. His fundamentals were solid and beyond reproach.
"Excuse me."
As the words fell, Liu Chuan pushed off with his feet. The floorboards creaked faintly as his figure shot forward like an arrow loosed from the bow, wooden sword slicing through the air.
His speed, strength, and angle were all excellent, without the slightest bit of unnecessary flourish.
A trace of approval flashed through Retsu Unohana's eyes. Without moving her body, she raised her wooden sword in a motion that seemed slow but was in fact swift.
Smack!
The two wooden swords collided in midair with a crisp, solid crack.
Liu Chuan felt a rounded, lingering force travel through his blade, effortlessly dissolving the momentum of his direct slash.
He smoothly changed his move, twisting his wrist as the wooden sword carved an arc through the air, the transition fluid and natural.
Retsu Unohana dealt with it calmly. The wooden sword in her hand seemed alive, always appearing precisely at the weakest point in Liu Chuan's assault and neutralizing each attack.
She did not take the initiative to press the attack, merely receiving Liu Chuan's successive