"Impossible! Why is that crazy old man so strong?" Toshiro had been beaten so badly he was questioning everything.
He had opened with Bankai, summoning Daiguren Hyōrinmaru.
Then Yamabuki Chidori had shattered his Bankai with a single punch. The fight had lasted less than a second; the rest of the time had been spent getting there.
"Young man, you need to accept your shortcomings. Now, I have assignments for all of you," Yamabuki Chidori said with a smile.
Rangiku Matsumoto reached out and poked Toshiro's cheek twice. "Captain, you're not dead, are you?"
"Still alive. For now!" Toshiro lay sprawled across the table.
There was still an enormous gap between him and the old guard. He would have to work twice as hard to close it.
"As everyone knows, most of a Shinigami's strength comes from their Zanpakuto. So your assignment is to learn Bankai within two years!" Yamabuki Chidori said solemnly.
Every lieutenant looked stunned.
Bankai was the mark of a captain. If they could learn it, they wouldn't still be mere lieutenants.
Only Ikkaku Madarame, standing off to the side, seemed unconcerned.
He wasn't a lieutenant, but he was far stronger than an ordinary one—and he had mastered Bankai long ago.
"Ikkaku, don't get cocky! Your Bankai is still too immature. Keep working on it!" Yamabuki Chidori said.
Every lieutenant turned to stare at Ikkaku Madarame.
Flustered, Ikkaku Madarame blurted, "Old Man, stop talking nonsense! How could I possibly know Bankai?"
"Hmph! You think you can hide it from me? Not a chance. But since you're with the 11th Division, I won't pursue the matter of you concealing your strength. Now, I've worked out what each of you needs to train. Listen up!" Yamabuki Chidori said.
Everyone sat up straight. Yamabuki Chidori might usually seem unreliable, but his