[please send power stones]
Time flew by.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed.
"Clang—!!"
"Clang—!!"
"Clang—!!"
After a series of sharp metallic clashes—
Shiba Isshin, wielding his Zanpakutō Engetsu, was suddenly sent flying backward as if struck by overwhelming force!
His captain's haori traced a white arc through the air before he crashed heavily into the ground in a thoroughly undignified manner.
Engetsu slipped from his grasp and spun away across the ground.
"This makes the third time today!"
"To think Captain Shiba was completely crushed in a frontal sword exchange by a style of swordsmanship he's never even seen before!"
"Unbelievable… compared to Kidō and Shunpo…"
"Bai Chen's talent and strength in Zanjutsu are actually even more terrifying!"
Watching Isshin fall, Matsumoto Rangiku's emotions were indescribably complicated.
Isshin himself wasn't some famous peerless swordmaster.
And Engetsu was fundamentally a fire-type Zanpakutō.
However—
Because of Engetsu's inherent nature, once Shikai was released, its flames were primarily used to reinforce slashes through coating and amplification, rather than relying on flashy techniques.
As a result—
In past battles, Isshin's fighting style had always been straightforward and practical, relying on clean, direct cuts.
Over time, this had given him extremely rich real combat experience.
So even if he wasn't a true sword saint—
Isshin's level in Zanjutsu was still easily among the upper ranks of Soul Society.
Yet despite all that—
Against Bai Chen, who had been training for less than half a month—
Isshin was completely suppressed.
No matter how he adjusted his stance or changed his approach, he simply could not withstand Bai Chen's blade.
And thus, the scene Rangiku had just witnessed came to pass.
Meanwhile—
Amid the drifting dust, Isshin retrieved his Zanpakutō and stood back up.
Looking at Bai Chen, he gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"Bai Chen… let's stop here."
"They say 'never three times'—even if I keep trying, I'll never break through your Konoha-Style Swordsmanship."
His shoulders slumped.
This was already the umpteenth time in the past half month that Isshin had felt genuine frustration and defeat.
"Captain Shiba, thank you for the match."
Hearing the fatigue and resignation in Isshin's voice, Bai Chen chose not to press further.
He clasped his hands in respect, then sheathed his Zanpakutō.
As for the Konoha-Style Swordsmanship Isshin mentioned—
It was likewise derived from the combat memories inherited from Senju Hashirama.
"Ahem…"
Meeting Bai Chen's gaze, Isshin coughed lightly.
After hesitating for a long moment, he asked awkwardly:
"Um… Bai Chen…"
"If you don't mind me asking—where exactly did you learn this Konoha-style sword technique?"
The moment the question left his mouth—
Isshin's face flushed as if splashed with boiling water.
He wished he could dig a hole and bury himself on the spot.
Here he was—
Personally appointed by the Captain-Commander to teach Bai Chen the Shinigami Four Techniques.
Yet after half a month of acting like nothing more than a sparring dummy—
He was now shamelessly asking Bai Chen for swordsmanship advice instead!
Even for someone as thick-skinned as Isshin—
This was embarrassingly hard to swallow.
However—
Just as he was questioning whether his words had crossed a line—
Bai Chen's answer instantly left him speechless.
"Captain Shiba…"
"If I said I accidentally comprehended the Konoha-style swordsmanship during these past few days of training…"
"Would you believe me?"
Bai Chen asked with a grin.
"…Huh?"
"You're telling me you figured it out in just a few days?! Are you serious?!"
Isshin's first reaction was sheer disbelief.
Sword schools weren't something one could just casually comprehend.
If they were—
Then Soul Society's long history wouldn't have produced so few truly renowned swordmasters.
But—
Thinking back on everything that had happened over the past half month—
No matter how absurd it sounded, Isshin had no choice but to believe it.
Because when it came to Bai Chen—
Even the most outrageous things somehow felt… reasonable.
"Believe it or not…"
"If I keep training, I might even comprehend more sword styles in the future."
Bai Chen said lightly.
But this wasn't empty boasting.
After all, as the Ninja God, Senju Hashirama had been proficient in nearly everything—
Including swordsmanship.
The Konoha-style was merely one fragment of that inherited experience.
When the time came—
Bai Chen could naturally grasp even more styles.
"There's no need!"
"With your current strength, your mastery of the Shinigami Four Techniques has already reached Captain-class."
"There's no point in continuing this secluded training."
Isshin spoke seriously.
Staying here would bring diminishing returns.
With his and Rangiku's abilities—
They could no longer provide Bai Chen with meaningful guidance.
It was time to end the special training.
What Isshin hadn't expected—
Was that the entire process had taken less than a month.
This kind of progress was nothing short of absurd.
"If that's the case…"
"Then I suppose it's time for me to apply for early graduation."
Bai Chen nodded calmly.
From what he remembered—
One of the graduation requirements involved participating in a Konso practical mission.
"Bai Chen, you can rest assured."
"Don't forget—the Tenth Division handles patrol and security, both in Soul Society and the World of the Living."
"So…"
"Once you apply for the Konso practicum, I'll personally lead the team and take you to the Human World."
Rangiku smoothly joined the conversation, smiling warmly as she explained.
"…?"
"Wait a second—why does that sound like she's looking forward to it?"
Isshin stared in disbelief.
Had his vice-captain—
The mature, seductive Matsumoto Rangiku—
Developed feelings for Bai Chen after just half a month?
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