On the training field, two figures flashed past one another at high speed, fists and kicks colliding head-on.
The clash was instantaneous—one figure light and agile, the other ferocious like crashing thunder.
On the muddy field, the petite Yoruichi passed without leaving a trace, while every one of Kurosaki Rei's charges kicked up fierce gusts of wind, flying dust, and deep footprints stamped into the ground.
The other students in the class had all retreated far away, terrified of being dragged into the fray by these two monsters.
In their eyes, this was absolutely not the level of Hakuda a first-year student should possess. No—perhaps even students on the verge of graduation couldn't achieve this.
Under normal circumstances, sparring during Hakuda class wasn't this unrestrained. The goal was to refine technique, so Shunpo was usually avoided, especially given the limited space of an indoor dojo.
But today was different. The instructor had brought everyone to an outdoor training ground.
And so, the Shihōin family's witch and the freakish new transfer prodigy went at it in full.
Some students watched with apprehension, others with envy, and a few stared intently, trying to absorb the essence of Shunpo and Hakuda from the exchange.
Aside from the observing students, there were also two figures standing atop a nearby rooftop, watching the battle unfold.
The one in front was an elderly man with a dignified, solemn air, tinged with benevolence—a hairstyle befitting a true powerhouse.
Two sword scars crossed on the right side of his forehead, adding a ferocious edge to his presence. He had long eyebrows, and a silver-white beard that hung to his waist, bound with a purple cord.
Leaning on his staff, the old man asked the silver-haired, middle-aged man standing respectfully beside him,
"Chōjirō, that girl is a child of the Shihōin family, yes? And the other one?"
Lieutenant of the First Division, Chōjirō Sasakibe, answered respectfully,
"A new student who enrolled two months ago. His name is Kurosaki Rei. It's said he was brought back from Rukongai by Captain Unohana. His talent is exceptional."
"Oh?"
Head Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni showed interest.
"Even you think his talent is exceptional, Chōjirō?"
Sasakibe nodded.
"I've been observing him for some time. Whether it's swordsmanship, Hakuda, Shunpo, or Kidō, he has no obvious weaknesses. Though he comes from humble origins, to be honest… his talent is already so strong that it makes us feel somewhat…"
"Somewhat what?"
Yamamoto asked.
Sasakibe struggled to find the right word, thinking for a moment before answering,
"…somewhat terrifying. Several instructors have already reported that they simply can't teach Kurosaki Rei."
Seeing the Head Captain remain silent, he elaborated,
"On his very first day, despite having just come into contact with swordsmanship, Kurosaki Rei defeated Instructor Fujimoto Hashira while at the same spiritual pressure level. In Hakuda class, he defeated the Shihōin family heir, Yoruichi. On his first encounter with Kidō, he successfully cast Sekishōhō…"
He listed Kurosaki Rei's achievements one by one.
"As for Shunpo, he's not as fast as the Shihōin girl yet—but that's only because he's just started. After only two months of training, he's already showing signs of catching up to Yoruichi."
"Can't be taught, hm… an interesting boy."
Yamamoto chuckled, his gaze fixed on Kurosaki Rei sparring in the field.
"Have any captains been substituting for Hakuda or swordsmanship classes lately?"
Sasakibe shook his head.
"Both Soul Society and the Human World have been unstable recently. The Gotei Thirteen are heavily burdened with missions. At present, no captain has the time to substitute."
Yamamoto nodded. As Head Captain of the Gotei Thirteen—and also the headmaster of the Shin'ō Academy—he himself hadn't visited the Academy in the past two months due to official duties.
He hadn't expected that a brief visit today would let him encounter such an interesting child. It reminded him of his very first batch of students.
Watching Kurosaki Rei thoughtfully, Yamamoto asked,
"What about his spiritual pressure and Zanpakutō?"
"His Zanpakutō hasn't awakened yet, but that's normal," Sasakibe replied.
"After all, he was a commoner before and had no exposure to Zanpakutō-related knowledge. His spiritual pressure was only Level 17 when he enrolled."
If the Academy's students heard that phrase—only Level 17—many would be shocked. For most, that level was a lifelong dream. Yet in Sasakibe's eyes, it was merely average.
After all, he had witnessed the Academy's long history and knew well that many students enrolled with spiritual pressure above Level 10—especially children from great noble houses, some of whom had reached Level 6 before enrollment.
Yoruichi was simply lax in training her spiritual pressure. Reaching captain-level spiritual pressure was only a matter of time for her.
"Level 17 without resources… passable,"
Yamamoto commented. As a living fossil of Soul Society, he had seen countless geniuses. Judging purely by initial spiritual pressure, Kurosaki Rei didn't rank particularly high in his eyes.
What truly impressed him was Kurosaki Rei's talent in Zan, Ken, Sō, and Kidō. If his spiritual pressure caught up, he would become a pillar of the Gotei Thirteen.
"Among geniuses, it's indeed not outstanding," Sasakibe agreed.
"But Kurosaki Rei's progress in spiritual pressure isn't slow. In just two months, he's already reached Level 16."
He continued,
"And from what I've heard, most of Kurosaki Rei's time at the Academy has been spent learning Zan, Ken, Sō, and Kidō techniques. He hasn't specifically focused on raising his spiritual pressure."
Yamamoto nodded.
"In other words, it's not that he lacks talent in spiritual pressure—he simply hasn't exerted himself in that area yet."
"That's understandable," Sasakibe said.
"The Shin'ō Academy only lasts six years. Spiritual pressure improvement isn't something achieved overnight. During his time here, focusing on learning techniques is a wise choice. After leaving the Academy, he won't have such a good learning environment. As for spiritual pressure—he can always train that on his own later."
"Hahahaha…"
Yamamoto laughed heartily.
"Chōjirō, it seems you quite like this boy. You even went out of your way to explain things for him."
Sasakibe shook his head humbly.
"I only admire his talent. I wouldn't say I like his personality."
"Oh?"
Yamamoto asked in surprise.
"Why is that?"
"Because Kurosaki Rei wants to graduate early," Sasakibe said helplessly.
"Young people are still too arrogant. He's only been enrolled for two months."
This was something he'd heard from other instructors.
At present, aside from Captain Unohana's Kaidō class, every other course instructor could no longer teach Kurosaki Rei anything.
Hadō was a slight exception. Although the former Chief Kidō Instructor no longer taught, the new instructor could cast Kidō in the 80s—clearly a master of the art—so teaching wasn't an issue.
The problem was that while Kurosaki Rei had exceptional Kidō talent, he didn't seem very interested in Hadō. In every Kidō class, he practiced Kaidō instead.
And according to the Academy's graduation standards, being able to cast Sekishōhō already met the requirements. The instructors couldn't really discipline him—after all, strictly speaking, Kaidō was also Kidō.
"Graduate early?"
Yamamoto stroked his beard and laughed.
"What an arrogant brat. Does he think no one can teach him Zan, Ken, Sō, and Kidō anymore?"
He struck the ground once with his staff. Dust rippled outward in concentric circles.
The old man's eyes locked onto Kurosaki Rei in the field.
"Then let this old man give him a lesson himself."
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