The clash of wooden swords echoed continuously from within the sword chamber.
Originally, the division members in the outer training dojo had been practicing their individual kendo forms.
However, at some point, they all ceased their movements entirely.
The commotion emanating from the sword chamber was simply too intense.
They turned toward the chamber with expressions of shock and awe.
"Hey, hey, hey... isn't this a bit much..."
"Vice-Captain Segawa... can actually fight Captain Unohana, who holds the 10th dan in kendo, to this extent..."
"No wonder Captain Unohana was willing to teach him..."
They voiced their amazement in various ways.
However, the reality inside the sword chamber was quite different—
Shigure was completely overwhelmed!
Although he had basically mastered the Half-Range Blade in his hand by now, he still... hadn't managed to touch Unohana Retsu even once!
Every time he felt he was beginning to grasp Unohana Retsu's attack rhythm, the sword school she employed would inevitably shift.
From Ryōten Kakushin-ryū to Kasumi Shintō-ryū.
From Honshin-tō-ryū to Komagawa Kaishin-ryū.
The Half-Range Blade in her hands was an absolute instrument of domination.
Every strike she made found its mark without fail.
Shigure was the complete opposite. Despite his proficient level in kendo, he couldn't even graze a single hair on her head.
If this place permitted the use of spiritual pressure, Shigure's formidable spiritual power would certainly provide an advantage.
But this was purely a test of swordsmanship.
Shigure began to understand.
This was the chasm between proficiency and true mastery.
Enduring pain from various parts of his body, Shigure gritted his teeth as this realization dawned on him.
Initially, Unohana Retsu had wielded her sword with instructional intent.
However, upon recognizing that Shigure's kendo skills were quite respectable, she suddenly accelerated her pace, becoming completely absorbed in the duel's atmosphere.
But Shigure's original purpose was to refine his swordsmanship.
Naturally, he wouldn't voice any objection.
He could only struggle to parry while attempting to absorb the techniques Unohana was demonstrating.
When he resolved to focus entirely on learning, however, he suddenly made a discovery.
Unohana Retsu's sword school techniques weren't completely flawless.
Within these schools, her sword movements actually revealed momentary vulnerabilities.
For instance, when she employed Ryōten Kakushin-ryū, the area from her waist to beneath her armpit showed a brief opening.
At that moment, Shigure needed only to sidestep and thrust forward to reach that position.
Following this pattern, he quickly discovered that when using other schools—whether intentionally or not—her movements would reveal openings!
The light in Shigure's eyes gradually intensified.
At this moment, he felt as though the pain throughout his body had receded.
He began exerting his full strength, attempting to exploit these vulnerable positions.
However, those instants were extraordinarily brief—perhaps not even lasting a hundredth of a second.
Shigure's several attempts all ended in failure.
Despite this, he refused to surrender and continued responding with unwavering focus.
Finally, when Unohana Retsu executed Kyōshin Meichi-ryū, Shigure successfully seized the opportunity.
He bent low and swiftly unleashed a fierce strike.
Clang!
White sword energy surged as the Half-Range Blade cut through the air!
This strike successfully penetrated that opening and grazed the long hair cascading over Unohana Retsu's chest.
At that moment, Unohana Retsu seemed to have anticipated this and suddenly retreated.
Even so, that fierce sword energy disrupted the black hair bound at her chest.
The braid she had woven came undone, transforming into loose, shoulder-length tresses.
Unohana Retsu stopped in place, her expression showing momentary surprise.
Witnessing this, Shigure naturally withdrew his kendo stance as well.
Unohana Retsu's long hair now fell to both sides, revealing her pristine skin.
Just below her collarbone lay a scar.
Shigure knew this was from when Unohana had ventured to North Rukongai and been wounded by the young Kenpachi Zaraki.
Unohana Retsu glanced down and noticed several fallen black strands on the floor.
She raised her head to meet Shigure's gaze, and a smile gradually returned to her features.
"Segawa... you truly exceeded my expectations..."
Shigure nodded with a subtle smile. "I only just grasped Captain Unohana's intentions. I was rather slow to understand."
From Unohana Retsu's swift reaction to evade that final strike, he comprehended everything.
The openings Unohana Retsu had revealed in her sword schools were indeed deliberate.
Upon hearing Shigure's response, Unohana maintained her radiant smile.
"But I truly didn't expect you to react so quickly in such a brief time, and furthermore..."
She raised her hand and gently touched her disheveled hair.
"Actually manage to reach me."
Unohana Retsu's expression displayed genuine satisfaction and contentment.
After joining the 4th Division, she had long abandoned her former life of blade and battle.
The 11th Division and the title "Kenpachi" had become relics of her past.
She had essentially relinquished her connection to swordsmanship as well.
Therefore, she had never imagined there would come a day when she could once again wield her blade and engage in combat—without murderous intent.
After a moment of contemplative silence, she raised her head and smiled warmly:
"Can you still continue, Segawa?"
Shigure lifted the corners of his mouth, raised his short sword, and replied:
"I've been waiting for you to ask."
The moment his words concluded, footsteps rang out.
This time, the first to attack was not him, but Unohana Retsu.
Her pace and speed had ascended to an entirely different level compared to before.
Shigure's gaze remained fixed ahead, unwavering and resolute.
Raising his sword, he charged forward, and the two clashed once more.
Shigure understood his time was desperately limited.
Advancing his kendo from "proficient" to "excellent" within approximately twenty days would be no simple feat.
But for that mysterious additional reward, he had to succeed.
Tribulation was an inevitable path to greater strength.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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